Abstract: The apparatus and method is directed to a pair of self-tapping, interconnecting, externally and internally threaded devices that, when installed between two separate pieces of material, will draw and hold the material together as a single threaded unit. While the pair of threaded devices are being fastened into the host material, due to the unique design of their threads, no radial outward forces are produced that could cause cracking or splitting of the sections of the material into which they are installed. The external threads are helically defined into the exterior of each half of the device with a right hand thread defined into one half and a left hand thread into the other half. When the two halves are being fastened together, the increased thread pitch on one of the halves continuously draws the halves into each other even when the internal threads have already been maximally tightened.

Abstract: An orthopedic structure includes a method for making a threaded fastener with thread geometry and leading edge geometry which provides greater precision during installation. Specifically, thread pitch and tooth profiles are independently variable. A leading portion of the fastener advances bone shards forward of the forward of the fastener to reduce insertion torque and prevent the shards from residing in the upstream tooth profile for better retention.

Abstract: The apparatus and method is directed to a pair of self-tapping, interconnecting, externally and internally threaded devices that, when installed between two separate pieces of material, will draw and hold the material together as a single threaded unit. While the pair of threaded devices are being fastened into the host material, due to the unique design of their threads, no radial outward forces are produced that could cause cracking or splitting of the sections of the material into which they are installed. The external threads are helically defined into the exterior of each half of the device with a right hand thread defined into one half and a left hand thread into the other half. When the two halves are being fastened together, the increased thread pitch on one of the halves continuously draws the halves into each other even when the internal threads have already been maximally tightened.

Abstract: A dental implant device for insertion into a bore defined in bone for use with a prosthetic tooth or dental appliance includes an abutment with a plurality of male keys disposed about the distal end of the abutment capable of being affixed to the prosthetic tooth or dental appliance, an implantable anchor having a proximal and distal end, a plurality of female keyways defined into the proximal end of the anchor, the keyways capable of coupling to the male keys of the abutment and thereby preventing relative rotation of the abutment and anchor; an interlocking thread helically defined around a longitudinal axis of the anchor, the thread being adapted to couple to the bore defined in the one and means for coupling the abutment to the implant anchor.

Abstract: A dental implant device for insertion into a bore defined in bone for use with a prosthetic tooth or dental appliance includes an abutment with a plurality of male keys disposed about the distal end of the abutment capable of being affixed to the prosthetic tooth or dental appliance, an implantable anchor having a proximal and distal end, a plurality of female keyways defined into the proximal end of the anchor, the keyways capable of coupling to the male keys of the abutment and thereby preventing relative rotation of the abutment and anchor; an interlocking thread helically defined around a longitudinal axis of the anchor, the thread being adapted to couple to the bore defined in the bone and elements for coupling the abutment to the implant anchor.

Abstract: The apparatus and method is directed to a pair of self-tapping, interconnecting, externally and internally threaded devices that, when installed between two separate pieces of material, will draw and hold the material together as a single threaded unit. While the pair of threaded devices are being fastened into the host material, due to the unique design of their threads, no radial outward forces are produced that could cause cracking or splitting of the sections of the material into which they are installed. The external threads are helically defined into the exterior of each half of the device with a right hand thread defined into one half and a left hand thread into the other half. When the two halves are being fastened together, the increased thread pitch on one of the halves continuously draws the halves into each other even when the internal threads have already been maximally tightened.

Abstract: A dental implant device for insertion into a bore defined in bone for use with a prosthetic tooth or dental appliance includes an abutment with a plurality of male keys disposed about the distal end of the abutment capable of being affixed to the prosthetic tooth or dental appliance, an implantable anchor having a proximal and distal end, a plurality of female keyways defined into the proximal end of the anchor, the keyways capable of coupling to the male keys of the abutment and thereby preventing relative rotation of the abutment and anchor; an interlocking thread helically defined around a longitudinal axis of the anchor, the thread being adapted to couple to the bore defined in the bone and means for coupling the abutment to the implant anchor.

Abstract: A system includes a solar photovoltaic panel, a thermometer and extension conductors coupled between the thermometer and the photovoltaic panel. The thermometer includes a thermometer mechanism responsive to temperature and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a recharge circuit an illumination circuit and at least one LED disposed to illuminate the thermometer. The recharge circuit is coupled to the solar photovoltaic panel through the extension conductors and operable to recharge a rechargeable battery when the photovoltaic panel produces a voltage greater than a predetermined threshold. The illumination circuit is coupled to the rechargeable battery and to the at least one LED, and is operable to energize the at least one LED at a predetermined time. The extension conductors are sufficiently long that the thermometer mechanism is capable of being disposed in a shade area for at least part of the daylight hours while the solar photovoltaic panel is disposed in a sunny area during daylight hours.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an outdoor device and an indoor device. The outdoor device includes an outdoor thermometer, an anemometer, a rain gauge, and a transmitter coupled to the outdoor thermometer, the anemometer and the rain gauge. The indoor device includes a receiver, a processor coupled to the receiver, and a television modulator coupled to the processor. Outdoor weather data includes an outdoor temperature provided by the outdoor thermometer, a wind speed provided by the anemometer and a rain fall measurement provided by the rain gauge. The transmitter is operable to send the outdoor weather data to the receiver. The receiver provides the outdoor weather data to the processor. The processor is operable to provide screen image data, the screen image data being based on and including the outdoor weather data. The television modulator is operable to provide a television signal having the screen image data carried therein.

Abstract: A process for the dehydrogenation of a C2 or C3 alkyl aromatic compound to a corresponding vinyl aromatic compound in a tubular reactor incorporating a spiral flow path. Preferred embodiments of the invention provide processes for the production of styrene or divinylbenzene by the catalytic dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene or diethylbenzene, respectively. A feedstock containing a C2 or C3 alkyl aromatic and steam is supplied into the inlet of a tubular reactor containing a dehydrogenation catalyst and comprising a hydrogen permeable outer wall. The alkyl aromatic compound is dehydrogenated to a corresponding vinyl aromatic compound with the attendant production of hydrogen. The feedstock and products of the dehydrogenation reactor are flowed along a longitudinal spiral flow path providing for an outward radial flow of hydrogen to provide a pressure gradient through the hydrogen permeable outer wall of the reactor with the flow of hydrogen therethrough. Hydrogen is removed from the outer wall of the reactor.

Abstract: A process for the dehydrogenation of a C2 or C3 alkyl aromatic compound to a corresponding vinyl aromatic compound in a tubular reactor incorporating a spiral flow path. Preferred embodiments of the invention provide processes for the production of styrene or divinylbenzene by the catalytic dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene or diethylbenzene, respectively. A feedstock containing a C2 or C3 alkyl aromatic and steam is supplied into the inlet of a tubular reactor containing a dehydrogenation catalyst and comprising a hydrogen permeable outer wall. The alkyl aromatic compound is dehydrogenated to a corresponding vinyl aromatic compound with the attendant production of hydrogen. The feedstock and products of the dehydrogenation reactor are flowed along a longitudinal spiral flow path providing for an outward radial flow of hydrogen to provide a pressure gradient through the hydrogen permeable outer wall of the reactor with the flow of hydrogen therethrough. Hydrogen is removed from the outer wall of the reactor.

Abstract: A small-scale or micro media-mill and a method of milling materials or products, especially pharmaceutical products, use a dispersion containing attrition milling media and the product to be milled. The milling media can be polymeric, formed of polystyrene or cross-linked polystyrene, having a nominal diameter of no greater than 500 microns. Other sizes include 200 microns and 50 microns and a mixture of these sizes. The mill has a relatively small vessel having an opening, an agitator, a coupling and a motor. The agitator can have a rotor and a shaft extending therefrom. The rotor can be cylindrical or have other configurations, and can have tapered end surfaces. The coupling can close the vessel opening, or attaching the coupling to the motor can close the opening. The coupling has an opening through which the rotor shaft extends into the motor. A sealing mechanism, such as a mechanical or lip seals the shaft while permitting the rotor shaft to rotate.

Abstract: An attachable/detachable variable spacing probing tip system has a housing that receives pivoting probing arms. Each probing arm has a support member and a probing arm portion of a flexible substrate having a conductive trace thereon. One end of each conductive trace is coupled to a probing contact and the other end coupled to an electrical contact pad on a electrical contact pad portion of the flexible substrate. Each of the probing arm portions has a generally S-shaped fold therein extending from the support members to the electrical contact portion of the flexible substrate. The housing includes means for pivoting the probing arms. The rear surface of the housing has a resilient member disposed therein. Latching means in the housing secures the electrical contact pad portion of the flexible substrate to the rear surface of the housing. Opposing attachment arms from a rear surface of the housing.

Abstract: A small-scale or micro media-mill and a method of milling materials or products, especially pharmaceutical products, use a dispersion containing attrition milling media and the product to be milled. The milling media can be polymeric, formed of polystyrene or cross-linked polystyrene, having a nominal diameter of no greater than 500 microns. Other sizes include 200 microns and 50 microns and a mixture of these sizes. The mill has a relatively small vessel having an opening, an agitator, a coupling and a motor. The agitator can have a rotor and a shaft extending therefrom. The rotor can be cylindrical or have other configurations, and can have tapered end surfaces. The coupling can close the vessel opening, or attaching the coupling to the motor can close the opening. The coupling has an opening through which the rotor shaft extends into the motor. A sealing mechanism, such as a mechanical or lip seals the shaft while permitting the rotor shaft to rotate.

Abstract: A small-scale or micro media-mill and a method of milling materials or products, especially pharmaceutical products, use a dispersion containing attrition milling media and the product to be milled. The milling media can be polymeric, formed of polystyrene or cross-linked polystyrene, having a nominal diameter of no greater than 500 microns. Other sizes include 200 microns and 50 microns and a mixture of these sizes. The mill has a relatively small vessel having an opening, an agitator, a coupling and a motor. The agitator can have a rotor and a shaft extending therefrom. The rotor can be cylindrical or have other configurations, and can have tapered end surfaces. The coupling can close the vessel opening, or attaching the coupling to the motor can close the opening. The coupling has an opening through which the rotor shaft extends into the motor. A sealing mechanism, such as a mechanical or lip seals the shaft while permitting the rotor shaft to rotate.

Abstract: A small-scale or micro media-mill and a method of milling materials or products, especially pharmaceutical products, use a dispersion containing attrition milling media and the product to be milled. The milling media can be polymeric, formed of polystyrene or cross-linked polystyrene, having a nominal diameter of no greater than 500 microns. Other sizes include 200 microns and 50 microns and a mixture of these sizes. The mill has a relatively small vessel having an opening, an agitator, a coupling and a motor. The agitator can have a rotor and a shaft extending therefrom. The rotor can be cylindrical or have other configurations, and can have tapered end surfaces. The coupling can close the vessel opening, or attaching the coupling to the motor can close the opening. The coupling has an opening through which the rotor shaft extends into the motor. A sealing mechanism, such as a mechanical or lip seals the shaft while permitting the rotor shaft to rotate.

Abstract: A small-scale or micro media-mill and a method of milling materials or products, especially pharmaceutical products, use a dispersion containing attrition milling media and the product to be milled. The milling media can be polymeric, formed of polystyrene or cross-linked polystyrene, having a nominal diameter of no greater than 500 microns. Other sizes include 200 microns and 50 microns and a mixture of these sizes. The mill has a relatively small vessel having an opening, an agitator, a coupling, and a motor. The agitator can have a rotor and a shaft extending therefrom. The rotor can be cylindrical or have other configurations, and can have tapered end surfaces. The coupling can close the vessel opening, or attaching the coupling to the motor can close the opening. The coupling has an opening through which the rotor shaft extends into the motor. A sealing mechanism, such as a mechanical or lip seals the shaft while permitting the rotor shaft to rotate.

Abstract: An attachment surface for an implantable device has a random irregular pattern formed through a repetitive masking and chemical milling process. Additionally, an attachment surface for an implantable device has a random irregular pattern formed through a repetitive masking and electrochemical milling process. The electrochemical milling process is particularly well suited for use with substrate materials which have high chemical inertness which makes them resistant to chemical etching. Surface material is removed from the implant surface without stress on the adjoining material and the process provides fully dimensional fillet radii at the base of the surface irregularities. This irregular surface is adapted to receive the ingrowth of bone material and to provide a strong anchor for that bone material. The unitary nature of the substrate and surface features provides a strong anchoring surface with is resistant to cracking or breaking.