Abstract: A method for preparing nonradioactive microspheres adapted for radiation synovectomy of arthritic joints in a mammal involves forming the microspheres by doping a biodegradable glass material which may be lithium or potassium silicate, lithium or potassium aluminosilicate, lithium or potassium aluminoborate, lithium or potassium germanate or lithium or potassium aluminogermanate with an isotope which may be samarium, holmium, erbium, dysprosium, rhemium or yttrium so that the isotope is chemcially dissolved in and distributed uniformly throughout the glass material. The doped glass material is then treated with an acid wash to produce a thin layer on the surface thereof and heat treated to improve the chemical durability of the glass material by rendering the solubility of the layer lower than that of the underlying glass material.

Abstract: A radioactive microsphere for radiation therapy of a mammal comprising a biologically compatible glass material containing a beta or gamma emitting radioisotope distributed substantially uniformly throughout the glass. Advantageously, the radioisotope is produced by irradiation of the microsphere.

Abstract: Radioactive microspheres for radiation synovectomy of arthritic joints in a mammal comprises a biodegradable glass material and a beta radiation emitting radioisotope chemically dissolved in and distributed substantially uniformly throughout the glass material. The biodegradable glass material may be lithium silicate, lithium aluminosilicate, lithium aluminoborate, lithium germanate, lithium aluminogermanate, potassium silicate, potassium aluminosilicate, potassium aluminoborate, potassium germanate or potassium aluminogermanate and the beta radiation emitting radioisotope may be samarium-153, holmium-166, erbium-169, dysprosium-165, rhenium-186, rhenium-188 or yttrium-90. Method for preparing such microspheres and for carrying out radiation synovectomy of arthritic joints utilizing such microspheres are also disclosed.

Abstract: Radioactive microspheres for radiation synovectomy of arithmetic joints in a mammal comprise a biodegradable glass material and a beta radiation emitting radioisotope chemically dissolved in and distributed substantially uniformly throughout the glass material. The biodegradable glass material may be lithium silicate, lithium aluminosilicate, lithium aluminoborate, lithium germanate, lithium aluminogermanate, potassium silicate, potassium aluminosilicate, potassium, aluminoborate, potassium germanate or potassium aluminogermanate and the beta radiation emitting radioisotope may be samarium-153, holmium-166, erbium-169, dysprosium-165, rhenium-186, rhenium-188 or yttrium-90. Methods for preparing such microspheres and for carrying out radiation synovectomy of arthritic joints utilizing such microspheres are also disclosed.

Abstract: Improved dental porcelain compositions and resultant fused porcelain dental restorations are provided which exhibit enhanced strength properties as compared with conventional porcelains. The fiber-filled porcelain compositions of the invention are supplemented with zirconium oxide ceramic fibers in relatively minor amounts of less than 5% by weight. The reinforcing fibers are advantageously predominantly zirconium oxide, and have a relatively short average length of from about 1/32 to 1/4 of an inch. These fibers are normally randomly oriented and homogeneously dispersed throughout the fiber-filled porcelain composition, in order to give a reinforcing fiber network. A completed restoration in accordance with the invention would typically include a core portion formed of the fiber filled porcelain, with the outer portion of the restoration being fabricated from conventional non-fiber reinforced porcelain.

Abstract: A radioactive microsphere for radiation therapy of a mammal comprising a biologically compatible glass material containing a beta or gamma emitting radioisotope distributed substantially uniformly throughout the glass. Advantageously, the radioisotope is produced by irradiation of the microsphere.

Abstract: A method for making uniform spherical shells. The present invention allows niform hollow spheres to be made by first making a void in a body of material. The material is heated so that the viscosity is sufficiently low so that the surface tension will transform the void into a bubble. The bubble is allowed to rise in the body until it is spherical. The excess material is removed from around the void to form a spherical shell with a uniform outside diameter.

Abstract: The chemical durability of alkali phosphate glasses is improved by incorporation of up to 23 weight percent of nitrogen. A typical phosphate glass contains: 10 to 60 mole % of Li.sub.2 O, Na.sub.2 O or K.sub.2 O; 5-40 mole % of BaO or CAO; 0-1 to 10 mole % of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ; and 40-70 mole % of P.sub.2 O.sub.5. Nitrides, such as AlN, are the favored additives.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a thermo-chemical bonded refractory product which comprises inactive refractory grains bonded together by mullite. The refractory is emplaced in a furnace or other pyro-processing unit by pressing, ramming, gunning, casting, etc. The refractory product is made by mixing inactive refractory grains with a mixture of zircon and alumina powders and a small amount of an alkaline earth oxide catalyst. The catalyst breaks the zircon down into ZrO.sub.2 and SiO.sub.2 at relatively low temperatures. The SiO.sub.2 thus liberated is unusually reactive and reacts with the alumina to form mullite and the ZrO.sub.2 adsorbs the alkaline earth oxide.