Abstract: A method for preparing at least a first bone for receiving a prosthesis can include positioning an IM member in a bone. A scaffold, skeleton or frame can be located onto the bone at a desired location. An alignment assembly can be coupled to the frame. The alignment assembly can be moved relative to the IM member to position the frame at a desired location relative to the bone. The frame can be fixed to the bone at the desired location. A cavity can be reamed into the bone using at least a portion of the alignment assembly as a guide. The alignment assembly can be removed from the frame. A cutting block can be coupled to the first attachment portion. Cuts can be prepared in the bone using the cutting block as a guide.

Abstract: A system for cooperating with an elongated IM member during preparation of a bone for receiving a prosthesis can include a scaffold, skeleton or frame. An alignment assembly can be selectively coupled to the frame. The alignment assembly can cooperate with the IM member to position the frame relative to the bone. A cutting block can be selectively coupled to the frame. According to other features, a posterior stabilized (PS) box guide assembly can have a PS box guide attachment portion that selectively couples with the first attachment portion of the frame. A posterior foot can selectively couple with a second attachment portion on the frame. The posterior foot can be positioned to occupy space of a joint line in an installed position.

Abstract: A system locates a femoral cutting guide on a distal end of a femur. The femoral cutting guide establishes at least a first reference plane to perform a distal femoral planar cut. The system generally includes a mounting rod operable to insert into the distal end of the femur. An index member is operable to abut the distal end of the femur. A bridge member extends from the index member. A cutting guide member extends from the bridge member. The cutting guide member includes a first channel that establishes the first reference plane. A mounting mechanism releasably couples the cutting guide member to the bridge member. The mounting mechanism is operable to generate a sliding resistance between the bridge member and the cutting guide member that is generally overcome to position the cutting guide member relative to the femur.

Abstract: A punch assembly for preparing a tibia bone for a prosthesis includes a static component configured to be supported by the tibia bone and a dynamic component that includes a punch having a stem. The dynamic component is supported for movement relative to the static component along a generally arcuate path to prepare an aperture having an arcuate contour in the tibia bone. A method of preparing a tibial aperture for is also disclosed.

Abstract: A modular knee prosthesis can include a femoral component having a superiorly extending portion, a first femoral bearing surface and a second femoral bearing surface. The superiorly extending portion can define a first tapered augment receiving surface. A tibial component can have an inferiorly extending portion and a tibial bearing surface. The inferiorly extending portion can define a second tapered augment receiving surface. A first augment can define a first receiving bore and a first stepped surface. A second augment can define a second receiving bore and a second stepped surface. The first and second augments are adapted to mate at the first and second stepped surfaces in a first position at the first tapered augment receiving surface of the femoral component and in a second position at the second tapered augment receiving surface of the tibial component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning an implant system in anatomy is disclosed. The apparatus can include an alignment member operable to contact an implant portion, a bone, or other appropriate portion. The method can include using the apparatus to assist in positioning a single or multi-piece implant member. Also, a method of aligning a first implant position relative to another implant position is disclosed.

Abstract: A prosthesis for replacing a selected portion of the anatomy is disclosed. Also disclosed is an exemplary method and apparatus for performing a procedure. The procedure can be minimally or less invasive.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a piston ring includes the step of forming a gap seal from an elongated member on one side and an "L-shape" on the other side; compressing the ring to close the gap seal and move the two ends into a nesting position; welding a wire across the outside surface of the ring to hold it in that compressed condition; placing a plurality of such compressed rings onto a mandrel; and tightly clamping them in axially aligned positions. The surfaces of the clamped rings are then ground into a cylindrical surface which simultaneously removes the wire and the weld. The nested ends including the elongated member and the "L-shaped" member nest together when compressed into a cylinder.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a piston ring includes the step of forming a gap seal from an elongated member on one side and an "L-shape" on the other side; compressing the ring to close the gap seal and move the two ends into a nesting position; welding a wire across the outside surface of the ring to hold it in that compressed condition; placing a plurality of such compressed rings onto a mandrel; and tightly clamping them in axially aligned positions. The surfaces of the clamped rings are then ground into a cylindrical surface which simultaneously removes the wire and the weld. The nested ends including the elongated member and the "L-shaped" member nest together when compressed into a cylinder.

Abstract: An ornithopter aircraft has at least a fuselage and four rigid wings which are tandem mounted, in pairs, on opposite sides of the fuselage, in what might be called a "dragonfly configuration". The forward wing in a first of the tandem pairs on one side of the fuselage beats upwardly simultaneously with the diagonally opposed rear wing in the tandem pair on the opposite side of the fuselage, while the remaining two wings are beating downwardly. Then, the wings reverse their direction of travel. The previously upwardly moving wings beat downwardly while the previously downwardly moving wings beat upwardly. The pitch of the wings are varied throughout the beat to produce lift on the downstroke and minimum air resistance on the upstroke, considering the forward speed of the aircraft or the lack thereof. The pitch of the wings are set at the sink angle of a glider wing flying at the same speed.

Abstract: A porting system for two-cycle internal combustion engines has two exhaust ports located on diametrically opposed sides of the cylinder. A pair of intake or by-pass ports are symmetrically positioned on each side of the two exhaust ports. The flow of fuel mixture is laminar and has a pattern which is inward and slightly upward from each intake port. As incoming streams collide, the gas flows upwardly and forms two mushrooms. Then, the flow is downwardly along the cylinder axis. The downward flow divides into two streams flowing radially outwardly from the center of the cylinder and out the two exhaust ports. With this flow pattern, there is a minimum of mixing of intake and exhaust gases, and as compared to the prior art, more unburned gas is retained in the cylinder to improve power output and reduce fuel consumption.

Abstract: A small internal combustion engine especially--but not exclusively--for model aircraft is made at an extremely low cost. A crankcase and a fuel tank are made of two casted pieceparts which nest together. The two pieceparts include matching openings which are aligned to provide an air intake and a manifold leading from the fuel tank into the interior of the crankcase. A crankshaft is journaled to rotate within the crankcase. A connecting rod is made from a generally "Y" shaped leaf spring. The stem of the "Y" is mounted on a throw on the crankshaft for producing a reciprocal motion within a cylinder. The tops of the "Y" shaped connecting rod are shaped to form diametrically opposed dimples. A cup-shaped piston has diametrically opposed, internal abuttments formed by a hole drilled through the piston skirt. The dimples on the connecting rod snap into the opposing holes inside the piston.

Abstract: The invention provides a drive train system for a motor which can be bolted onto a conventional bicycle frame. The drive train has a pair of spaced parallel swing arms having two parts integrally joined at an apex and pivoting at the apex about the centerline of a crankshaft in the motor. The swing arms are fitted with an integral torque bar and an axle shaft, extending between the parallel swing arms. A relatively large diameter drive roller, with a special cleated surface geometry, is mounted on the axle shaft and driven from the motor shaft by way of gears, a chain or a belt. As the swing arms move in an arc, the center distances from the crankshaft to the axle shaft are always maintained constant. This enables the engine to be rigidly mounted in a symmetrical position over the bicycle wheel. A contact pressure between the cleated roller and the wheel is achieved by elongated coiled springs extending from the swing arms to a bicycle frame member.