Abstract: An external skeletal fixation device includes first and second pin clamp units fixedly holding rodlike members inserted, respectively, into a first part and a second part of a bone on the opposite sides, respectively, of a virtual hinge point corresponding to a center of rotational angulation, a center on opposite sides of a fracture site of the bone or a part of the osteotomy site for deformity correction are turned, or a center about which a joint turns. A connecting mechanism connecting the first and second pin clamp units has first and second arms pivotally connected to the first and second pin clamp units, respectively. The respective axes of rotary joints respectively connecting the first pin clamp unit and the first arm, the second pin clamp unit and the second arm, and the first arm and the second arms extend toward the virtual hinge point.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention comprises a plurality of transducer units which are two-dimensionally arranged to transmit/receive an ultrasonic wave to/from hard tissue; a transceiver unit which receives an echo signal for each transducer unit from the plurality of transducer units; a surface point specifying unit which specifies a surface point corresponding to a surface of the hard tissue for each echo signal; and a form data generator unit which generates form data of hard tissue surface on the basis of a plurality of surface points obtained two-dimensionally from the echo signals of the plurality of transducer units.

Abstract: An echo tracking processor unit detects a bone surface section based on an echo signal and tracks a position of the bone surface section. An interpolation line generator unit generates an interpolation line connecting tracking points which represent the tracked bone surface section. A translational displacement corrector unit removes a translational displacement component between an interpolation line corresponding to a time phase of a no-load state stored in a memory and an interpolation line corresponding to a time phase in a loaded state output from the interpolation line generator unit. A strain calculator unit calculates an amount of strain of bone for each time phase and outputs to a characteristic curve generator unit. The characteristic curve generator unit generates a characteristic curve related to the strain of bone based on a load value output from a load measurement device and the amount of strain of bone output from the strain calculator unit.

Abstract: An external skeletal fixation device reduces load on the patient, is capable of freely moving and deformity correction of a bone and bone fragments, is simple in construction and can be attached to the patient by an operator who has not a very high skill and long experience. An external skeletal fixation device 1 includes a pair of pin clamp units 2 and 3 fixedly holding rodlike members 61 and 62 inserted, respectively, into a first part 9B2 and a second part 9B3 of a bone 9B on the opposite sides, respectively, of a virtual hinge point 9B1 in the bone 9B. The virtual hinge point corresponds to a center of rotational angulation of the bone, a center on which the first and the second part of the bone respectively on the opposite sides of a fracture site of the bone or a part of the osteotomy site for deformity correction are turned, or a center about which a joint turns.

Abstract: An absorptive wound covering protecting material and a method for preparing an absorptive wound covering protecting material are characterized by solidifying a sponge raw solution containing no reinforcement that is obtained by mixing viscose and crystalline mirabilite as main raw materials, or a sponge raw solution obtained by mixing viscose containing a reinforcement comprising natural fibers having a length of at least 5 mm to 40 mm, and crystalline mirabilite as main raw materials, by performing a heat treatment on the sponge raw solution, and then forming the solidified cellulose sponge in a thickness somewhat greater than a desired thickness, and then forming the cellulose sponge in a sheet form having a desired thickness by compressing the cellulose sponge, and, if required, carboxymethylating hydroxyl groups in a glucose unit constituting a cellulose sponge so that a degree of substitution of the hydroxyl groups is from 0.5 to less than 1.0, and then, forming an incision the cellulose sponge.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention comprises a plurality of transducer units which are two-dimensionally arranged to transmit/receive an ultrasonic wave to/from hard tissue; a transceiver unit which receives an echo signal for each transducer unit from the plurality of transducer units; a surface point specifying unit which specifies a surface point corresponding to a surface of the hard tissue for each echo signal; and a form data generator unit which generates form data of hard tissue surface on the basis of a plurality of surface points obtained two-dimensionally from the echo signals of the plurality of transducer units.

Abstract: An echo tracking processor unit detects a bone surface section based on an echo signal and tracks a position of the bone surface section. An interpolation line generator unit generates an interpolation line connecting tracking points which represent the tracked bone surface section. A translational displacement corrector unit removes a translational displacement component between an interpolation line corresponding to a time phase of a no-load state stored in a memory and an interpolation line corresponding to a time phase in a loaded state output from the interpolation line generator unit. A strain calculator unit calculates an amount of strain of bone for each time phase and outputs to a characteristic curve generator unit. The characteristic curve generator unit generates a characteristic curve related to the strain of bone based on a load value output from a load measurement device and the amount of strain of bone output from the strain calculator unit.

Abstract: The object is to provide an absorptive wound covering protecting material and a method for preparing the same which is quite excellent in an absorptiveness and a liquid-holding property, and is superior in shape-maintaining ability and strength, and wherein a reinforcement can be used and workability is improved, as well as a hemostatic wound healing effect can be enhanced, compared to an absorptive wound covering protecting material comprising a thinly solidified cellulose sponge.

Abstract: This invention relates to a chopped strand mat and a thermoplastic sheet for the manufacture of molded articles which are excellent in strength, rigidity and impact resistance as well as in color quality.The chopped strand mat according to the invention comprises chopped strands having fiber lengths of 10 to 100 mm and doped with a surface treating composition comprising an expoxysilane coupling agent and an epoxy resin and, as a binder, a polymer containing an acrylic ester unit. The thermoplastic sheet according to the present invention comprises the chopped strand mat impregnated with a thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of manufacturing a fiber reinforced thermoplastic sheet-shaped molding including a pre-impregnating process and a final impregnating process. A sheet of thermoplastic resin and a web of reinforcement fibers are supplied through the pre-impregnating process during which the thermoplastic resin is sucked under the influence of a suction force so as to partially penetrate into interstices in the reinforcement fiber web while both are transported around and by a perforated rotary drum, thereby to form a first preformed sheet. The first preformed sheet is subsequently supplied to the final impregnating process during which an impregnating machine is employed. As the first preformed sheet is passed through the impregnating machine while compressed inwardly and heated, the thermoplastic resin is allowed to completely penetrate into the interstices in the reinforcement fiber web to complete the fiber reinforced thermoplastic sheet-shaped molding upon cooling thereof.

Abstract: A bone fixing device is disclosed in which a single rod member is arranged in a longitudinal direction of a bone, and at least two block members are mounted on the rod member so that the block members may be fixed to any desired positions in the axial direction and around the axis of the rod member. Pin holding mechanisms for holding a plurality of pins to be inserted into the bone are mounted on the block members, respectively. By the pin holding mechanisms, the pins are positionally adjustable around axes in the first and second directions which are preferably perpendicular to the axial direction. Also, an actuator is fixed to the rod member. One of the block members slidable relative to the rod member is moved in the axial direction relative to the rod member to thereby impart elongation/contraction force to the bone. A detector is fixed to the other member and is brought into contact with a contact located at an end of the rod member to thereby detect the repulsive force from the bone.

Abstract: A handy soft ice cream maker suitable for home use. The soft ice cream maker has a housing which has a churning chamber in the center thereof and a coolant storage chamber which is hermetically sealed and filled with a coolant in the outer circumferential part thereof, a stand with holders for holding the housing in an inclined state, a churning and pressing-out mechanism removably inserted into said churning chamber from the top opening of said housing and a soft ice cream discharging exit, capable of being opened and closed, which is located at the bottom of said housing.