Abstract: Knee prostheses featuring components that more faithfully replicate the structure and function of the human knee joint in order to provide, among other benefits: greater flexion of the knee in a more natural way by promoting or at least accommodating internal tibial rotation in a controlled way, replication of the natural screw home mechanism, and controlled articulation of the tibia and femur respective to each other in a more natural way. In a preferred embodiment, such prostheses include an insert component disposed between a femoral component and a tibial component, the insert component preferably featuring among other things a reversely contoured posterolateral bearing surface that helps impart internal rotation to the tibia as the knee flexes.

Abstract: Implants and methods are presented for surgically repairing a hip joint with a proximal femoral prosthesis that comprises femoral head component and a femoral stem component. The femoral stem component comprising a neck portion, a flange portion, a transitional body region and an elongated stem. The femur is prepared for implantation of the femoral hip prosthesis by resecting the proximal femur and reaming a symmetric intramedullary cavity in the femur. The femoral hip prosthesis is then inserted the on the resected femur and in the intramedullary cavity. The femoral hip prosthesis elastically deforms when loaded during use to apply dynamic compressive loads and displacement to the calcar region of the resected proximal femur.

Abstract: Knee prostheses featuring components that more faithfully replicate the structure and function of the human knee joint in order to provide, among other benefits: greater flexion of the knee in a more natural way by promoting or at least accommodating internal tibial rotation in a controlled way, replication of the natural screw home mechanism, and controlled articulation of the tibia and femur respective to each other in a more natural way. In a preferred embodiment, such prostheses include an insert component disposed between a femoral component and a tibial component, the insert component preferably featuring among other things a reversely contoured postereolateral bearing surface that helps impart internal rotation to the tibia as the knee flexes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a reference for an acetabular cup plane in accordance with embodiments of the invention can include a method performed by a computer-aided surgical navigational system with a display screen and at least one sensor. The method can include detecting at least one array associated with a platform upon which the patient is supported in a supine position. The method can also include defining a surgical reference plane for a surgical procedure associated with an acetabular component, based at least in part on detecting the array associated with the upper surface of the platform. Furthermore, the method can include outputting via the screen at least one user interface for use with the surgical procedure associated with an acetabular component, based at least in part on detecting the array associated with the upper surface of the platform.

Abstract: A humidity control method and apparatus that can be utilized to provide humidity control within an enclosed assembly such as a disc drive. The apparatus includes a container that is at least partially formed of a material through which water vapor can freely move. The apparatus also includes a humidity-controlling mixture that comprises at least one salt and a superabsorbent polymer. The humidity-controlling mixture is enclosed within the container.

Abstract: A process for nucleating and growing oxygen precipitates in a silicon wafer, including subjecting a wafer having a non-uniform concentration of crystal lattice vacancies with the concentration of vacancies in the bulk layer being greater than the concentration of vacancies in the surface layer to a non-isothermal heat treatment to form of a denuded zone in the surface layer and to cause the formation and stabilization of oxygen precipitates having an effective radial size 0.5 nm to 30 nm in the bulk layer. The process optionally includes subjecting the stabilized wafer to a high temperature thermal process (e.g. epitaxial deposition, rapid thermal oxidation, rapid thermal nitridation and etc.) at temperatures in the range of 1000 OC to 1275 OC without causing the dissolution of the stabilized oxygen precipitates.

Abstract: Manual razors consist of a handle and one or more cutting blades. The blades are usually contained in the head of the razor with an adjacent blunt metal or plastic leading edge which smoothes and flattens the skin. The present invention includes a separate device attached to the razor handle, which contacts and applies tension to the skin in order for the razor blades to cut more effectively. The tensioner device may be attached directly to the handle or with a modular attachmen, which allows interchangability of different handles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for controlling electric motors of an industrial truck, comprising an electronic control stage with a main board (16) and an exchangeable board (22), and comprising a power-output stage (14). The exchangeable board (22) can be detached with little effort from the main board (16) that is fixed inside a case (12). The exchangeable board (22) comprises a group of selected control stage components (24) for which, statistically, a greater need for exchanging and/or a greater need for testing and/or a greater need for variants to be kept ready on the side of the producer exists than for the components (18) of the main board (16).

Abstract: Implants and methods are presented for surgically repairing a hip joint with a proximal femoral prosthesis that comprises femoral head component and a femoral stem component. The femoral stem component comprising a neck portion, a flange portion, a transitional body region and an elongated stem. The femur is prepared for implantation of the femoral hip prosthesis by resecting the proximal femur and reaming a symmetric intramedullary cavity in the femur. The femoral hip prosthesis is then inserted the on the resected femur and in the intramedullary cavity. The femoral hip prosthesis elastically deforms when loaded during use to apply dynamic compressive loads and displacement to the calcar region of the resected proximal femur.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for forming an epitaxial layer on and denuded zone in a semiconductor wafer used in manufacturing electronic components. The denuded zone and epitaxial layer are formed in one apparatus. The apparatus includes a Bernoulli wand that is used to support the wafer in a cooling position to effect fast cooling of the wafer and formation of the denuded zone.

Abstract: Knee prostheses featuring components that more faithfully replicate the structure and function of the human knee joint in order to provide, among other benefits: greater flexion of the knee in a more natural way by promoting or at least accommodating internal tibial rotation in a controlled way, replication of the natural screw home mechanism, and controlled articulation of the tibia and femur respective to each other in a more natural way. In a preferred embodiment, such prostheses include an insert component disposed between a femoral component and a tibial component, the insert component preferably featuring among other things a reversely contoured postereolateral bearing surface that helps impart internal rotation to the tibia as the knee flexes.

Abstract: A mobile bearing knee prosthesis enables a surgeon to convert a mobile bearing insert having articular surfaces, supported by a tibial base plate or tray from a rotating and translating prosthesis to one that rotates only. This conversion is accomplished with a fastener or locking member that connects through an opening in the insert to the tibial base plate. This prosthesis can be used as part of a total knee surgery when the surgeon chooses to use a prosthesis that incorporates a movable articular surface. In one embodiment, a projecting portion extends proximally from the insert and cooperates with a cam on the femoral component. The projecting portion can be a post extending up from the proximal surface of the insert and the femoral component includes an intercondylar surface that may contact the post to constrain the relative motion between the femoral component and the insert.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis includes a femoral prosthesis member having anterior, distal, and posterior articulating surface portions. The posterior articulating surface portions comprising a pair of condylar surface portions that are positioned at differing distances from the anterior non-articulating surface plane. The posterolateral articulating surface is a greater distance away from the anterior non-articulating surface than the posteromedial articulating surface. The femoral prosthesis has a non-articulating surface that includes a plurality of intersecting surfaces including at least distal, anterior, and posterior surfaces for receiving the patient's distal femur after it has been surgically prepared. A patella component having an articulating surface which articulates with the anterior articulating surface of the femoral component cooperates with a patella groove in the femoral component.

Abstract: An implant and method for use in reattaching a removed bone section following bone surgery by using a bone engaging clamp adapted to fit over the outer surface of the removed bone section and engage cables to attach the removed bone to the desired location. The bone engaging clamp is adapted to fit over at least a portion of the outer surface of the removed bone section and has an inner surface for engaging the bone section. Further, the bone engaging clamp has at least one through bore for holding a cable; and at least one associated screw for clamping a tensioned cable in a fixed position relative to the bone engaging clamp to hold the removed bone section securely in place at the point of reattachment.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis includes a femoral prosthesis member having anterior, distal, and posterior articulating surface portions. The posterior articulating surface portions comprising a pair of condylar surface portions that are positioned at differing distances from the anterior non-articulating surface plane. The posterolateral articulating surface is a greater distance away from the anterior non-articulating surface than the posteromedial articulating surface. The femoral prosthesis has a non-articulating surface that includes a plurality of intersecting surfaces including at least distal, anterior, and posterior surfaces for receiving the patient's distal femur after it has been surgically prepared. A tibial component has concave articulating surfaces that receive the femoral component articulating surface portions during use.

Abstract: An implant for use in reattaching a bone section following bone surgery which includes a plate-like member for fitting over at least a portion of the outer surface of the bone section to be reattached. The plate has an inner surface for engaging the bone section and an outer surface facing away from the bone section and side walls extending between the inner and outer surface. The outer surface includes at least one cable holding portion for holding a cable in place. A rectangular body receives the ends of a cable and allows for gripping and holding the cable under tension. The rectangular body has opposing concave sides and a pair of openings parallel to the concave sides for receiving the end of the cable. The rectangular body is collapsible by a crimping tool which pinches the cable in the openings. A recess extends across the outer surface of the plate-like member for receiving the rectangular body with the recess intersecting the cable holding portions.