Abstract: A method of reconstructing a joint having two bones separated by cartilaginous material is provided. The method comprises the steps of removing a portion of the cartilaginous material to create a defect site, positioning an anatomically shaped reconstructive structure comprising multiple layers of submucosa and having a thickness of about 1 to about 12 millimeters adjacent to the defect site, and securing the reconstructive structure to the defect site. The method can further comprise the steps of positioning a barrier layer between the bleeding bone and the reconstructive structure, securing the barrier layer to the bleeding bone, and securing the reconstructive structure to the barrier layer.

Abstract: A pipe handling system comprising at least one pipe magazine, a pipe conveyor system, and a pipe arm for handling pipes in conjunction with a drill rig for drilling a well bore. The pipe handling system operates to transfer pipe joints from each pipe magazine to a pipe arm via the pipe conveyor system. The pipe arm then moves to transfer each pipe to the drilling rig for connection to drill string. The pipe handling system also operates to remove each pipe from the drill string. The arm engages the pipe to be removed and moves to transfer the pipe to the pipe conveyor system. The pipe conveyor system then transfers the pipes to each pipe magazine. The system is alternatively comprises electronic sensors that measure the location of pipe. The entire system is also alternatively operated with software and a general-purpose computer.

Abstract: A reconstructive structure for a cartilaginous element having a plurality of superimposed layers of intestinal submucosa tissue compressed and secured together and shaped to provide a reconstructive structure having the anatomical shape of the cartilaginous element to be reconstructed is described. The method of forming the reconstructive structure includes superimposing the planar layers of the intestinal submucosa tissue, securing the layers to form a multi-layered structure and cutting the resulting multi-layered structure to the desired shape.

Abstract: A reconstructive structure for a cartilaginous element having a plurality of superimposed layers of intestinal submucosa tissue compressed and secured together and shaped to provide a reconstructive structure having the anatomical shape of the cartilaginous element to be reconstructed is described. The method of forming the reconstructive structure includes superimposing the planar layers of the intestinal submucosa tissue, securing the layers to form a multi-layered structure and cutting the resulting multi-layered structure to the desired shape.

Abstract: A reconstructive structure for a cartilaginous element having a plurality of superimposed layers of intestinal submucosa tissue compressed and secured together and shaped to provide a reconstructive structure having the anatomical shape of the cartilaginous element to be reconstructed is described. The method of forming the reconstructive structure includes superimposing the planar layers of the intestinal submucosa tissue, securing the layers to form a multi-layered structure and cutting the resulting multi-layered structure to the desired shape.

Abstract: A reconstructive structure for a cartilaginous element having a plurality of superimposed layers of a small intestine submucosa compressed and secured together and shaped to provide the multilayered reconstructive element of the anatomical shape of the cartilaginous element to be constructed. The method of forming the reconstructive structure includes superimposing the planar layers of the small intestine compressing, securing and cutting to the desired shape. The superimposing is performed so as to maintain the layers substantially planar prior to compressing and securing. The method of reconstructing a cartilaginous element includes removing at least a portion, if not substantially all of the cartilaginous element, but leaving a seed portion, sculpturing the reconstructive structure to the anatomical shape of the cartilaginous element to be reconstructed; positioning the receptive element adjacent to the seed portion and securing it thereto.

Abstract: A reconstructive structure for a cartilaginous element having a plurality of superimposed layers of a small intestine submucosa compressed and secured together and shaped to provide the multi-layered reconstructive element of the anatomical shape of the cartilaginous element to be constructed. The method of forming the reconstructive structure includes superimposing the planar layers of the small intestine compressing, securing and cutting to the desired shape. The superimposing is performed so as to maintain the layers substantially planar prior to compressing and securing. The method of reconstructing a cartilaginous element includes removing at least a portion, if not substantially all of the cartilaginous element, but leaving a seed portion, sculpturing the reconstructive structure to the anatomical shape of the cartilaginous element to be reconstructed; positioning the receptive element adjacent to the seed portion and securing it thereto.

Abstract: An aperture/shutter mechanism includes one or more shutter blades moveable to various aperture openings between a fully open and closed position. At least one damping member has a damping surface in continuous frictional contact with at least a portion of a surface of the one or more shutter blades to substantially prevent oscillation of the one or more shutter blades during movement to the various aperture openings between the fully open and closed positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for perforating at least one mineral-producing zone in a wellbore wherein a packer and perforating gun assembly is employed which will allow the removal of wellbore liquid initially present in the wellbore adjacent said zone to be removed after the packer and perforating gun assembly has been fixed in the wellbore so that subsequent detonation of said perforating gun is carried out in a liquid which is nondeleterious to said zone.

Abstract: A greenhouse structure with flooring means and side and end wall means defining a plant growing area has a roof structure means comprising a ridge above said growing area and rafter means extending from said ridge downwardly and outwardly past said side wall means to terminal end portions at which anchor means are provided securing said rafter ends to said flooring means. It also has a slidable roof means mounted on said rafter means for movement to different positions thereon including a first position in which it extends from said ridge to said side wall means and preferably past the same for forming an overhang or eave therebeyond, and a second position in which it lies between said side wall means and said anchor means. The slidable roof means in the preferred embodiment is water shedding and heat insulating, and may be formed of opaque fiber glass, but preferably is formed of aluminum sheet embossed for strength and having a heat insulating layer on its under side.