Abstract: The present invention relates to acirculation subassembly (circsub) for incorporation in a drill pipe. The circsub has a flow through condition in which the circsub allows fluid to flow through a bore of the circsub and does not allow fluid communication between the bore of the circsub and an annulus located outside the drill pipe, a partial bypass condition in which the circsub allows fluid to flow through the bore of the circsub and allows fluid communication between the bore of the circsub and the annulus, and a full bypass condition in which the circsub does not allow fluid to flow through the bore of the circsub and allows fluid communication between the bore of the circsub and the annulus. An actuator is provided to change the circsub between conditions under the control of a controller.

Abstract: Circulation Subassembly The present invention relates to acirculation subassembly (circsub) for incorporation in a drill pipe. The circsub has a flow through condition in which the circsub allows fluid to flow through a bore of the circsub and does not allow fluid communication between the bore of the circsub and an annulus located outside the drill pipe, a partial bypass condition in which the circsub allows fluid to flow through the bore of the circsub and allows fluid communication between the bore of the circsub and the annulus, and a full bypass condition in which the circsub does not allow fluid to flow through the bore of the circsub and allows fluid communication between the bore of the circsub and the annulus. An actuator is provided to change the circsub between conditions under the control of a controller.

Abstract: A coating of blue-black or black zirconium of uniform and controlled thickness on a zirconium or zirconium alloy material is accomplished through the treatment of an amorphous zirconium or zirconium alloy substrate, which may have an altered surface roughness. The treatment of amorphous zirconium or zirconium alloy substrates includes oxidation of the substrates. A zirconium coating of uniform and controlled thickness is especially useful in various applications because the uniformly thick zirconium surface of controlled depth provide a barrier against implant corrosion caused by ionization of the metal substrates.

Abstract: A porous medical implant and a method of making same is described. The medical implant comprises a porous surface formed by application of pulsed electrical energy ins such a way as to cause a localized heating in the surface of the material comprising portions of the implant. The method comprises a pulsed current sintering technique.

Abstract: An apparatus is for a user. The apparatus includes (and is not limited to) a garment configured to be worn by the user. The garment is positionable in a hung position. The apparatus also includes a magnet assembly operatively mounted to the garment. This is done in such a way that the magnet assembly aligns portions of the garment once the garment is removed from the user and the garment is positioned in the hung position.

Abstract: A coating of blue-black or black zirconium of uniform and controlled thickness on a zirconium or zirconium alloy material is accomplished through the treatment of an amorphous zirconium or zirconium alloy substrate, which may have an altered surface roughness. The treatment of amorphous zirconium or zirconium alloy substrates includes oxidation of the substrates. A zirconium coating of uniform and controlled thickness is especially useful in various applications because the uniformly thick zirconium surface of controlled depth provide a barrier against implant corrosion caused by ionization of the metal substrates.

Abstract: A coating of blue-black or black zirconium of uniform and controlled thickness on a zirconium or zirconium alloy material is accomplished through the treatment of an amorphous zirconium or zirconium alloy substrate, which may have an altered surface roughness. The treatment of amorphous zirconium or zirconium alloy substrates includes oxidation of the substrates. A zirconium coating of uniform and controlled thickness is especially useful in various applications because the uniformly thick zirconium surface of controlled depth provide a barrier against implant corrosion caused by ionization of the metal substrates.

Abstract: A downhole tool for incorporation in a drill pipe for selective operation of the tool from surface level when the tool is in a wellbore. The tool comprises a controller electrically powered by a power source separate from surface level, a first sensor of the controller to detect a dynamic variable of the tool in the wellbore and produce an output signal dependent thereon; a second sensor of the controller to detect a mechanical signal transmitted from an operator at surface level; a motor driven by the power source under the control of the controller when said mechanical signal is received; and an actuator driven by the motor to actuate the tool; wherein the controller switches between at least two states in response to changes in said dynamic variable, only in said second state the controller being receptive to said mechanical signal from the operator to drive the motor.

Abstract: A coating of blue-black or black zirconium of uniform and controlled thickness on a zirconium or zirconium alloy material is accomplished through the treatment of an amorphous zirconium or zirconium alloy substrate, which may have an altered surface roughness. The treatment of amorphous zirconium or zirconium alloy substrates includes oxidation of the substrates. A zirconium coating of uniform and controlled thickness is especially useful in various applications because the uniformly thick zirconium surface of controlled depth provide a barrier against implant corrosion caused by ionization of the metal substrates.

Abstract: A coating of blue-black or black zirconium of uniform and controlled thickness on a zirconium or zirconium alloy material is accomplished through the treatment of an amorphous zirconium or zirconium alloy substrate, which may have an altered surface roughness. The treatment of amorphous zirconium or zirconium alloy substrates includes oxidation of the substrates. A zirconium coating of uniform and controlled thickness is especially useful in various applications because the uniformly thick zirconium surface of controlled depth provide a barrier against implant corrosion caused by ionization of the metal substrates.

Abstract: A porous medical implant and a method of making same is described. The medical implant comprises a porous surface formed by application of pulsed electrical energy ins such a way as to cause a localized heating in the surface of the material comprising portions of the implant. The method comprises a pulsed current sintering technique.

Abstract: A downhole tool for incorporation in a drill pipe for selective operation of the tool from surface level when the tool is in a wellbore. The tool comprises a controller electrically powered by a power source separate from surface level, a first sensor of the controller to detect a dynamic variable of the tool in the wellbore and produce an output signal dependent thereon; a second sensor of the controller to detect a mechanical signal transmitted from an operator at surface level; a motor driven by the power source under the control of the controller when said mechanical signal is received; and an actuator driven by the motor to actuate the tool; wherein the controller switches between at least two states in response to changes in said dynamic variable, only in said second state the controller being receptive to said mechanical signal from the operator to drive the motor.

Abstract: A garment comprising one or more body openings for passage of a patient's head and/or extremities. The garment is slit away from, and generally perpendicular to, at least one body opening, such as extending along a leg or arm of the garment, to provide a closable opening for ready access to a wearer's treatment site with minimum discomfort to the wearer. The edge of the closable opening preferably includes hook-and-loop or zipper fastener material. The garment is formed of at least a durable outer layer material and a reduced-friction inner layer material and includes an exterior pocket for receiving a palliative element such as a thermal transfer element or a cushioning element. Preferably, the pocket area of the garment includes a waterproof layer, which may be the inner layer material or a separate layer.

Abstract: A coating of blue-black or black zirconium of uniform and controlled thickness on a zirconium or zirconium alloy material is accomplished through the treatment of an amorphous zirconium or zirconium alloy substrate, which may have an altered surface roughness. The treatment of amorphous zirconium or zirconium alloy substrates includes oxidation of the substrates. A zirconium coating of uniform and controlled thickness is especially useful in various applications because the uniformly thick zirconium surface of controlled depth provide a barrier against implant corrosion caused by ionization of the metal substrates.

Abstract: A coating of blue-black or black oxidized zirconium of uniform and controlled thickness on a zirconium or zirconium alloy material is accomplished through the oxidative treatment of an amorphous zirconium or zirconium alloy substrate having an altered surface roughness. An oxidized zirconium coating of uniform and controlled thickness is especially useful on orthopedic implants of zirconium or zirconium-based alloys to provide low friction, highly wear resistant surfaces on artificial joints, such as, but not limited to, hip joints, knee joints, shoulders, elbows, and spinal implants. The uniformly thick oxidized zirconium surface of controlled depth on prostheses provide a barrier against implant corrosion caused by ionization of the metal prostheses. The invention is also useful in non-articulating implant devices such as bone plates, bone screws, etc.

Abstract: A composition, a medical implant constructed from the composition, and a method of making the composition are described. The composition is a composite material, comprising a porous, reticulated, open cell network having at least part of its surface coated with blue-black or black oxidized zirconium.

Abstract: A coating of blue-black or black oxidized zirconium of uniform and controlled thickness on a zirconium or zirconium alloy material is accomplished through the use of a single phase crystalline material substrate having an altered surface roughness. An oxidized zirconium coating of uniform and controlled thickness is especially useful on orthopedic implants of zirconium or zirconium-based alloys to provide low friction, highly wear resistant surfaces on artificial joints, such as, but not limited to, hip joints, knee joints, shoulders, elbows, and spinal implants. The uniformly thick oxidized zirconium surface of controlled depth on prostheses provide a barrier against implant corrosion caused by ionization of the metal prostheses. The invention is also useful in non-articulating implant devices such as bone plates, bone screws, etc.

Abstract: A coating of blue-black or black oxidized zirconium of uniform and controlled thickness on a zirconium or zirconium alloy material is accomplished through the oxidative treatment of an amorphous zirconium or zirconium alloy substrate having an altered surface roughness. An oxidized zirconium coating of uniform and controlled thickness is especially useful on orthopedic implants of zirconium or zirconium-based alloys to provide low friction, highly wear resistant surfaces on artificial joints, such as, but not limited to, hip joints, knee joints, shoulders, elbows, and spinal implants. The uniformly thick oxidized zirconium surface of controlled depth on prostheses provide a barrier against implant corrosion caused by ionization of the metal prostheses. The invention is also useful in non-articulating implant devices such as bone plates, bone screws, etc.

Abstract: A prosthesis having an oxidized zirconium surface and a porous textured surface is described. A major advantage of the prosthesis is increased service life. Additionally, a process of manufacturing the prosthesis is described.

Abstract: A coating of blue-black or black oxidized zirconium of uniform and controlled thickness on a zirconium or zirconium alloy material is accomplished through the oxidative treatment of an amorphous zirconium or zirconium alloy substrate having an altered surface roughness. An oxidized zirconium coating of uniform and controlled thickness is especially useful on orthopedic implants of zirconium or zirconium-based alloys to provide low friction, highly wear resistant surfaces on artificial joints, such as, but not limited to, hip joints, knee joints, shoulders, elbows, and spinal implants. The uniformly thick oxidized zirconium surface of controlled depth on prostheses provide a barrier against implant corrosion caused by ionization of the metal prostheses. The invention is also useful in non-articulating implant devices such as bone plates, bone screws, etc.