Abstract: Embodiments refer generally to systems and methods for providing autorotative enhancement for helicopters using an autorotative assist unit coupled to the transmission of the helicopter. Methods of utilizing an autorotative assist unit as well as retrofitting an autorotative assist unit to an existing helicopter are also disclosed. By employing an autorotative assist unit, improved autorotation can be achieved without the need to increase the weight of the rotor.

Abstract: Embodiments refer generally to systems and methods for providing autorotative enhancement for helicopters using an autorotative assist unit coupled to the transmission of the helicopter. Methods of utilizing an autorotative assist unit as well as retrofitting an autorotative assist unit to an existing helicopter are also disclosed. By employing an autorotative assist unit, improved autorotation can be achieved without the need to increase the weight of the rotor.

Abstract: A rotor yoke manufactured by a process comprising preparing a molded rotor yoke in a closed cavity tool and possibly machining at least one portion of the molded rotor yoke to form the rotor yoke. In the preferred embodiment, the preparing of the molded rotor yoke is accomplished by applying layers of uncured low-flow composite material and a layer of uncured high-flow adhesive; substantially enclosing the uncured molded rotor yoke in the closed cavity tool; and applying pressure so as to compress the uncured molded rotor yoke; and curing the uncured molded rotor yoke. During the curing process, the high-flow adhesive bleeds out of the molded rotor yoke, thereby preventing marcels from forming through movement of the low-flow composite material.

Abstract: Embodiments refer generally to systems and methods for providing autorotative enhancement for helicopters using an autorotative assist unit coupled to the transmission of the helicopter. Methods of utilizing an autorotative assist unit as well as retrofitting an autorotative assist unit to an existing helicopter are also disclosed. By employing an autorotative assist unit, improved autorotation can be achieved without the need to increase the weight of the rotor.

Abstract: A method of making a composite rotor yoke includes preparing a molded rotor yoke in a closed cavity tool and possibly machining at least one portion of the molded rotor yoke to form the rotor yoke. In the preferred embodiment, preparing the molded rotor yoke is accomplished by applying layers of uncured low-flow composite material and a layer of uncured high-flow adhesive; substantially enclosing the uncured molded rotor yoke in the closed cavity tool; applying pressure so as to compress the uncured molded rotor yoke; and curing the uncured molded rotor yoke. During the curing process, the high-flow adhesive bleeds out of the molded rotor yoke, thereby preventing marcels from forming through movement of the low-flow composite material.

Abstract: An autorotative enhancement system comprises a transmission having a driveshaft configured to couple to an engine. A mast is configured to couple to multiple rotor blades. An autorotative assist unit is configured to the transmission and is configured to store energy during normal operation and drive the rotor blades through the transmission to provide supplemental autorotative assistance upon loss of engine power.

Abstract: Embodiments refer generally to systems and methods for providing autorotative enhancement for helicopters using an autorotative assist unit coupled to the transmission of the helicopter. Methods of utilizing an autorotative assist unit as well as retrofitting an autorotative assist unit to an existing helicopter are also disclosed. By employing an autorotative assist unit, improved autorotation may be achieved without the need to increase the weight of the rotor.

Abstract: A helicopter rotor blade includes a structural composite skin defining a cavity therein; a composite spar disposed within the cavity and adhesively bonded to the skin, a portion of the spar exhibiting a C-shape in cross section; and a foam core disposed within the cavity and adhesively bonded to the skin. The structural composite skin forms an external, closed box structure configured to transmit mechanical loads encountered by the rotor blade.

Abstract: The present invention provides fluid and material delivery methods and devices for practicing the methods. In one embodiment the device is a micrometer assisted fluid delivery device comprising a micrometer, a holder portion, and a syringe. The micrometer assisted delivery device is designed to control the amount of the solution that can be aspirated and delivered and the rate at which material is aspirated and dispensed from a syringe into tissue. The invention also provides a method of delivering cellular material comprising injecting the cellular material into a subject such that the injected cells retain their inherent morphologic characteristics upon injection.

Abstract: A method of making a composite rotor yoke includes preparing a molded rotor yoke in a closed cavity tool and possibly machining at least one portion of the molded rotor yoke to form the rotor yoke. In the preferred embodiment, preparing the molded rotor yoke is accomplished by applying layers of uncured low-flow composite material and a layer of uncured high-flow adhesive; substantially enclosing the uncured molded rotor yoke in the closed cavity tool; applying pressure so as to compress the uncured molded rotor yoke; and curing the uncured molded rotor yoke. During the curing process, the high-flow adhesive bleeds out of the molded rotor yoke, thereby preventing marcels from forming through movement of the low-flow composite material.

Abstract: The present invention provides fluid and material delivery methods and devices for practicing the methods. The invention provides a method of delivering cellular material comprising injecting the cellular material into a subject such that the injected cells retain their inherent morphologic characteristics upon injection. The method comprises the steps of aspirating the cellular material into a fluid delivery device which incorporates a syringe arrangement. The cellular material is aspirated into the main body of the syringe until the desired amount of a material has filled the syringe body. The needle of the fluid delivery device is then inserted into the skin of a subject at an angle about parallel to the skin until a desired depth has been reached. The cellular material is then injected in the subject until the desired volume of material has been injected. The needle of the device is then rotated approximately 45 to 90 degrees and the needle is removed from the injection site.

Abstract: The present invention provides fluid and material delivery methods and devices for practicing the methods. The invention provides a method of delivering cellular material comprising injecting the cellular material into a subject such that the injected cells retain their inherent morphologic characteristics upon injection. The method comprises the steps of aspirating the cellular material into a fluid delivery device which incorporates a syringe arrangement. The cellular material is aspirated into the main body of the syringe until the desired amount of a material has filled the syringe body. The needle of the fluid delivery device is then inserted into the skin of a subject at an angle about parallel to the skin until a desired depth has been reached. The cellular material is then injected in the subject until the desired volume of material has been injected. The needle of the device is then rotated approximately 45 to 90 degrees and the needle is removed from the injection site.

Abstract: A helicopter rotor blade includes a structural composite skin defining a cavity therein; a composite spar disposed within the cavity and adhesively bonded to the skin, a portion of the spar exhibiting a C-shape in cross section; and a foam core disposed within the cavity and adhesively bonded to the skin. The structural composite skin forms an external, closed box structure configured to transmit mechanical loads encountered by the rotor blade.

Abstract: The present invention provides fluid and material delivery methods and devices for practicing the methods. The invention provides a method of delivering cellular material comprising injecting the cellular material into a subject such that the injected cells retain their inherent morphologic characteristics upon injection. The method comprises the steps of aspirating the cellular material into a fluid delivery device which incorporates a syringe arrangement. The cellular material is aspirated into the main body of the syringe until the desired amount of a material has filled the syringe body. The needle of the fluid delivery device is then inserted into the skin of a subject at an angle about parallel to the skin until a desired depth has been reached. The cellular material is then injected in the subject until the desired volume of material has been injected. The needle of the device is then rotated approximately 45 to 90 degrees and the needle is removed from the injection site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved scaffold which is constructed to mimic the architecture of the native hair follicle. The present invention also relates to the use of specific compositions and methods of manufacture to produce scaffolds that combine biocompatibility with the desired rates of bioabsorption. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a biomimetic hair follicle graft and a method for seeding the graft with cells and implanting the graft into the skin where the growth of a new hair shaft is desired. A further embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for hair multiplication in which cells are multiplied in culture and aliquoted into a multitude of bioabsorbable scaffolds in combination with cultured keratinocytes or other allogenic cells.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the reflectance properties of an object having a front reflecting surface and at least one back reflecting surface. The apparatus includes a sample stage for placement of the object, a light source, a detector configured to detect reflected light from the object, and a positioning device configured to provide a plurality of angular positions for the light source and the detector relative to the object on the sample stage such that incident light on the object is specularly reflected towards the detector and the reflected light received at the detector includes a front surface reflection from the object and at least one back surface reflection from the object.

Abstract: The present invention provides fluid and material delivery methods and devices for practicing the methods. The invention provides a method of delivering cellular material comprising injecting the cellular material into a subject such that the injected cells retain their inherent morphologic characteristics upon injection. The method comprises the steps of aspirating the cellular material into a fluid delivery device which incorporates a syringe arrangement. The cellular material is aspirated into the main body of the syringe until the desired amount of a material has filled the syringe body. The needle of the fluid delivery device is then inserted into the skin of a subject at an angle about parallel to the skin until a desired depth has been reached. The cellular material is then injected in the subject until the desired volume of material has been injected. The needle of the device is then rotated approximately 45 to 90 degrees and the needle is removed from the injection site.

Abstract: The present invention is a hair graft derived from a plucked hair comprising a plucked hair having adhered epidermal stem cells and associated follicular dermal cells. The present invention also includes methods of making a hair graft, methods of implanting a hair graft and methods of identifying inductive follicular dermal cells.