Abstract: The invention relates to anastomosis stents and plugs comprised of a non-polyglycolic acid material that is resorbable by the patient in about a few minutes up to about 90 days. Such stents and plugs may be employed in surgical techniques wherein tissue is joined at an interface without need for sutures, optionally through use of a tissue sealant. As a result, interfacial tensile strengths of at least about 1.3N/cm2 may be achieved.

Abstract: An intersubband semiconductor light source comprises a core region that includes a unipolar, radiative transition (RT) region having upper and lower energy levels, an injector-only (I) region disposed on one side of the RT region, and a reflector/extractor-only (R/E) region disposed on the other side of the RT region. The I region has a first miniband of energy levels aligned so as to inject electrons into the upper energy level, and the R/E region has a second miniband of energy levels aligned so as to extract electrons from the lower energy level. The R/E region also has a minigap aligned so as to inhibit the extraction of electrons from the upper level. A suitable voltage applied across the core region is effective to cause the RT region to generate light at a wavelength determined by the energy difference between the upper and lower energy levels. Low voltage operation at less than 3 V is described.

Abstract: A method of forming selected Group III-nitride regions uses a masking layer to cause differential growth between single crystal Group III-nitride material and polycrystalline Group III-nitride material. The epitaxial process is chosen to provide vertical growth so as to allow for replication of the mask edges at the defined limits for the selected regions. By using an etchant that is selective between polycrystalline and single crystal Group III-nitride material, the polycrystalline material (that grew over the mask layer) can be removed, leaving only the single crystal Group III-nitride (that grew over the exposed substrate material).

Abstract: A portable pneumatic tool includes a housing composed of two symmetric half shells or several partially cut-away shells; an air inlet module unit, a valve actuating module unit and an operating (or functioning) module unit fluidically communicated with one another and connected with flexible hoses among the module units; and a shock-absorbing unit retained between the operating module unit and the housing; whereby upon embedding or fixation of all the module units into the corresponding cavities in the shells and upon combination of the shells, a portable pneumatic tool will be instantly obtained having advantages of light weight, shock-absorbable property, easy assembly, lower production cost and convenient maintenance.

Abstract: The specification describes a method for producing black phosphorus from red phosphorus by thermally cycling red phosphorus in a vacuum between 360-400.degree. C. and 200-240.degree. C., whereupon the red phosphorous undergoes an allotropic phase change to black phosphorus.

Abstract: A quantum cascade (QC) laser has a multilayer core region comprising alternating layers of a first and a second semiconductor material, with lattice constants a.sub.1 and a.sub.2, respectively. The first material is selected such that a.sub.1 >a.sub.0, where a, is the lattice constant of the substrate (typically InP), and the second material is selected such that a.sub.2 >a.sub.0. The materials are also selected such that the conduction band discontinuity .DELTA.E.sub.c between the first and second materials is greater than 520 meV in absolute value. The multilayer core comprises a multiplicity of essentially identical multilayer repeat units. The layer thicknesses and materials of the repeat units are selected to substantially provide strain compensation over a repeat unit. QC lasers according to this invention preferably comprise a distributed feedback feature, (e.g.

Abstract: A reinforced pneumatic tool holder includes: a handle having a sliding sleeve secured in a front portion of the handle, and a tool clamping device generally formed with an elastomer block for clamping a pneumatic tool such as a saw blade or a file on the tool clamping device reciprocatively held in the sliding sleeve of the handle for manipulating the pneumatic tool, with a reinforcing member integrally formed in an elastomer block for reinforcing the tool clamping device for firmly fixing the tool and a piston rod in the elastomer block for absorbing shock, preventing loosening and for sustaining a great working pressure of the tool, and also for preventing injury to a worker when operating the tool.

Abstract: High concentration collagen compositions having improved persistence when administered for soft tissue augmentation are prepared from both cross-linked and non-cross-linked collagen starting materials. Suspensions of the starting materials are subjected to vigorous mechanical disruption to reduce the average collagen fiber size to below a threshold level which enhances the injectability of the composition. Thus, both enhanced injectability and enhanced persistence may be achieved using the same formulations.

Abstract: A human placental collagen composition for use in soft tissue augmentation comprising an aqueous suspension of a homogenized nonirradiation-sterilized mixture of type I and type III human placental collagen, wherein the type III collagen constitutes less than about 10% by weight of the mixture.

Abstract: Injectable implant compositions comprise a biocompatible ceramic matrix present in a fluid carrier, where the ceramic matrix comprises particles having a size distribution in the range from 50 .mu.m to 250 .mu.m. Optionally, the compositions may further comprise collagen, where the relative amounts of collagen and ceramic matrix at least partly determine the physical properties of implants formed by injecting the compositions. The fluid carrier is an aqueous buffered medium, typically including an organic polymer base material when there is no collagen present in the composition. The compositions are particularly suitable for repair and augmentation of soft and hard tissues by injection.

Abstract: A pneumatic tool includes: a grip portion, a tool body having a rotor rotatably mounted in a rotor chamber of the tool body as driven by a compressed air source flowing through an inlet passage in the grip portion, a tool unit secured to a lower end of a shaft of the rotor encased within a hood secured to the tool body, a Venturi tube portion formed in a side portion of the tool body for directing an exhaust air stream from the rotor chamber to a throat of the Venturi tube portion for drafting and removing dust in the hood as produced when operating the tool unit, and a turbo-exhauster secured to an upper end of the shaft of the rotor for sucking a dust-containing exhaust air stream from the Venturi tube portion to an outlet passage in the grip portion for synergetically drafting the exhaust air stream for efficiently removing the dust and also for balanceably operating the pneumatic tool.

Abstract: Injectable implant compositions comprise a biocompatible ceramic matrix present in a fluid carrier, where the ceramic matrix comprises particles having a size distribution in the range from 50 .mu.m to 250 .mu.m. Optionally, the compositions may further comprise collagen, where the relative amounts of collagen and ceramic matrix at least partly determine the physical properties of implants formed by injecting the compositions. The fluid carrier is an aqueous buffered medium, typically including an organic polymer base material when there is no collagen present in the composition. The compositions are particularly suitable for repair and augmentation of soft and hard tissues by injection.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of mineral/collagen/OF (osteogenic factor) inductive implants for bone repair utilizes drying, under ambient pressure conditions, a suspension of 75-95% mineral particles, 5-25% collagen, and an effective amount of OF, such as 0.5-4% partially purified OFE or its equivalent wherein the concentration of collagen in the suspension subjected to drying is 30-100 mg/ml. The resulting implants are improved. They are homogeneous in composition and have a high compressive modulus as well as containing OF in a biologically active and available form.

Abstract: A pneumatic tool holder includes: a handle having a piston pneumatically driven within a cylinder in the handle, a sliding sleeve secured to the handle having a longitudinal polygonal hole formed in the sleeve and a tool clamping member generally formed as a polygonal block to be reciprocatively stably guided in the polygonal hole of the sleeve having a pair of set screws transversely inserted through the block to firmly clamp a tool shank as inserted into the block and an air passage provided in the handle and in between the tool clamping member and the sleeve for directing air stream from inside the cylinder to cool down the operating tool as held in the clamping member.

Abstract: A universal swivel includes an inlet conduit, a swivel coupler having a side conduit rotatably engageable with the inlet conduit, an outlet conduit longitudinally rotatably mounted in a block of the coupler to be universally oriented relative to the inlet conduit, and an adjusting valve formed in the outlet conduit for adjusting a fluid flow rate through the swivel joint and also serving as a driving handle for operating the outlet conduit with respect to the inlet conduit.

Abstract: An improved process for obtaining a matrix of mineral particles in reconstituted atelopeptide collagen comprises reconstituting a mixture of mineral particles with collagen in solution. This process results in a matrix of collagen containing the mineral particles which, when wetted, is malleable and retains its integrity.

Abstract: A mixing device for preparing inductive and conductive bone repair compositions is disclosed, along with a method for using the device for preparing such compositions. The device provides a simple and rapid method of making a substantially uniform collagen/mineral bone implant preparation.

Abstract: Collagen membranes with desired properties are prepared by using a variety of gel-forming techniques in combination with methods for converting the gels to solid forms. The properties of these membranes or other solid forms may be further altered by cross-linking the collagen preparation either after formation of the membrane or gel, or most preferably by mixing cross-linked collagen with solubilized collagen in the original mixture used to create the gel.

Abstract: A process for preparing collagen membranes useful in tissue repair, and wound healing and related membranous implant materials useful in both hard and soft tissue applications is disclosed. The resulting membranes and materials have properties which can be varied as desired to suit intended use. Variation results from altering the precise conditions of formation of the membrane or of related fibers and solids. The process comprises first forming a gel from solubilized collagen, followed by converting the gel into a one-, two- or three-dimensional membranous solid form. This conversion is performed either by applying pressure to the gel, or by disrupting the gel and separating the resulting precipitate for casting.

Abstract: A process for preparing collagen membranes useful in tissue repair, and wound healing and related membranous implant materials useful in both hard and soft tissue applications is disclosed. The resulting membranes and materials have properties which can be varied as desired to suit intended use. Variation results from altering the precise conditions of formation of the membrane or of related fibers and solids. The process comprises first forming a gel from solubilized collagen, followed by converting the gel into a one-, two- or three-dimensional membranous solid form. This conversion is performed either by applying pressure to the gel, or by disrupting the gel and separating the resulting precipitate for casting.