Abstract: A method for torrefaction of biomass using a torrefaction reactor vessel having stacked trays including: feeding the biomass to an upper inlet of the vessel; cascading the biomass down through the trays by passing the biomass through an opening in each of the trays to deposit the biomass on a lower tray; heating the biomass material with an oxygen deprived gas; extracting moisture from below each of the upper trays; as the biomass undergoes torrefaction in the lower trays retaining the gas with the biomass until the biomass falls from the stacked trays to a pile of biomass in the reactor vessel; exhausting gases containing organic compounds through a gas outlet at an elevation between the stacked trays and the pile of biomass, and discharging torrefied biomass from the torrefaction reactor vessel.

Abstract: A spinal implant is inserted between adjacent vertebrae to function as an disk prosthesis. The prosthesis has two plates fastened to adjacent vertebrae facing each other. The facing sides of the plates each have a depending skirt formed as concentric arcs of about 90 degrees. The skirts are either bowed or tapered in the axial direction. Depressions are centrally located between the arcs of the plates and a ball is universally movable in the depressions. A spring mechanism is centrally located in the plates to provide axial compression. One plate has a through bore and one plate has a receptacle, each, receiving a sleeve with a depression for holding the ball.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a device for administering bone matrix with or without additional bone growth enhancing agents, or administering one or more bone growth enhancing agents to the interior surface of an unfractured vertebral body to enhance bone growth and strength, thus reducing susceptibility of the vertebral body to subsequent fracture.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning and restraining a patient's appendage in a desired attitude during surgery includes a tray movable along a rail on the operating table. The tray extends over the patient receiving surface of the operating table and has a fastener on the upper surface which cooperates with a fastener on a wrap enclosing the patient's appendage. By adjusting the brackets along the length of the operating table rail, the patient's appendage will be flexed to a position desired by the surgeon. Locking the brackets in place retains the desired flex during the procedure. The frame of the apparatus is reusable through sterilization and the tray is provided in a sterilized condition and disposable after surgery.

Abstract: A constrained spinal implant is inserted between adjacent vertebrae to function as an disk prosthesis. The prosthesis has two plates fastened to adjacent vertebrae facing each other. The facing sides of the plates each have a depending skirt formed as concentric arcs of about 90 degrees. The skirts are either bowed or tapered in the axial direction. Depressions are centrally located between the arcs of the plates and a ball is universally movable in the depressions.

Abstract: A spinal implant is inserted between adjacent vertebrae to function as an disk prosthesis. The prosthesis has two plates fastened to adjacent vertebrae facing each other. The facing sides of the plates each have a depending skirt formed as concentric arcs of about 90 degrees. The skirts are either bowed or tapered in the axial direction. Depressions are centrally located between the arcs of the plates and a ball is universally movable in the depressions. A spring mechanism is centrally located in the plates to provide axial compression. The plates are oriented to each other with the concentric arcs of each interrupted skirt at 90 degrees and the protrusion is engaged in the depression. The plates are then rotated about 90 degrees and the opposed arcs of one plate interlock with the opposed arcs of the other plate to prevent separation in the axial direction.

Abstract: A portable medical device suitable for use in continuous passive motion (CPM) rehabilitation programs has a lightweight modular frame for ease of storage and portability. In one embodiment a proximal sling module is pivotally connected to a distal sling module with is pivotally connected to a heal plate module. Another embodiment includes a base module is pivotally connected to a proximal sling module which is pivotally connected to a distal sling module pivotally connected to a link pivotally connected to the base. The joint of a patient's limb is flexed through a range of motion by pivoting the distal sling module relative to the proximal sling module. The device is powered by a motor and worm gear directed by a controller.

Abstract: A spinal implant is inserted between adjacent vertebrae to function as an disk prosthesis. The prosthesis has two plates fastened to adjacent vertebrae facing each other. The facing sides of the plates each have a depending skirt formed as concentric arcs of about 90 degrees. The skirts are either bowed or tapered in the axial direction. Depressions are centrally located between the arcs of the plates and a ball is universally movable in the depressions. A spring mechanism is centrally located in the plates to provide axial compression. One plate has a through bore and one plate has a receptacle, each, receiving a sleeve with a depression for holding the ball.

Abstract: A spinal implant is inserted between adjacent vertebrae to function as an disk prosthesis. The prosthesis has two plates fastened to adjacent vertebrae facing each other. The facing sides of the plates each have a depending skirt formed as concentric arcs of about 90 degrees. The skirts are either bowed or tapered in the axial direction. Depressions are centrally located between the arcs of the plates and a ball is universally movable in the depressions. A spring mechanism is centrally located in the plates to provide axial compression. The plates are oriented to each other with the concentric arcs of each interrupted skirt at 90 degrees and the protrusion is engaged in the depression. The plates are then rotated about 90 degrees and the opposed arcs of one plate interlock with the opposed arcs of the other plate to prevent separation in the axial direction.

Abstract: An implant for vertebrae or other bones, either fractured or at risk of fracture, includes a load bearing support member carrying a bone growth material to increase bone density and long term treatment.

Abstract: A portable medical device suitable for use in continuous passive motion (CPM) rehabilitation programs has a lightweight modular frame for ease of storage and portability. In one embodiment a proximal sling module is pivotally connected to a distal sling module with is pivotally connected to a heal plate module. Another embodiment includes a base module is pivotally connected to a proximal sling module which is pivotally connected to a distal sling module pivotally connected to a link pivotally connected to the base. The joint of a patient's limb is flexed through a range of motion by pivoting the distal sling module relative to the proximal sling module. The device is powered by a motor and worm gear directed by a controller.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a device for administering bone matrix with or without additional bone growth enhancing agents, or administering one or more bone growth enhancing agents to the interior surface of an unfractured vertebral body to enhance bone growth and strength, thus reducing susceptibility of the vertebral body to subsequent fracture.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a device for administering bone matrix with or without additional bone growth enhancing agents, or administering one or more bone growth enhancing agents to the interior surface of a long bone and to the cancellous bone within the medullary cavity to enhance bone growth and strength, thus reducing susceptibility of the bone to fracture.

Abstract: A base for equestrian jump standards according to the embodiments of the present invention includes a frame that defines three non-collinear or linear sites. Wheel mounts are positioned at two of the sites and a bracket positioned at the third site is adapted to receive a vertical post. Mobility is provided by wheels that are coupled to the wheel mounts.

Abstract: A spinal implant is inserted between adjacent vertebrae to function as an disk prosthesis. The prosthesis has two plates fastened to adjacent vertebrae facing each other. The facing sides of the plates each have a depending skirt formed as concentric arcs of about 90 degrees. The skirts are either bowed or tapered in the axial direction. A protrusion is centrally located between the arcs on one plate and a depression is centrally located between the arcs of the other plate. The plates are oriented to each other with the concentric arcs of each interrupted skirt at 90 degrees and the protrusion is engaged in the depression. The plates are then rotated about 90 degrees and the opposed arcs of one plate interlock with the opposed arcs of the other plate to prevent separation in the axial direction.

Abstract: A spinal implant is inserted between adjacent vertebrae to function as an disk prosthesis. The prosthesis has two plates fastened to adjacent vertebrae facing each other. The facing sides of the plates each have a depending skirt formed as concentric arcs of about 90 degrees. The skirts are either bowed or tapered in the axial direction. A protrusion is centrally located between the arcs on one plate and a depression is centrally located between the arcs of the other plate. A spring mechanism is centrally located on one of the plates to provide axial compression. The plates are oriented to each other with the concentric arcs of each interrupted skirt at 90 degrees and the protrusion is engaged in the depression. The plates are then rotated about 90 degrees and the opposed arcs of one plate interlock with the opposed arcs of the other plate to prevent separation in the axial direction.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed towards an intra-operative method and kit for essentially eliminating pain associated with and resulting from surgical procedures, comprising the administration of a medical solution including a mixture of an injectable anesthetic, epinephrine, sodium chloride and an injectable anti-inflammatory agent to a plurality of sites within a surgical field utilizing a means for administration which, in a contemplated embodiment, may include a hollow shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein upon administration, said medical solution flows within said shaft from said proximal end toward said distal end, which distal end is defined by a solid end having a plurality of circumferentially positioned apertures in said shaft for providing radially directed flow of the medicated solution circumferentially about said shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, surgical instrumentation and artificial implants for performing spinal disk arthroplasty and spinal facet arthroplasty. The surgical instrumentation includes a cutting guide, a distractor and a cutting block. The artificial implants for spinal disk arthroplasty can have either a fixed bearing (constrained or semi-constrained) or a mobile bearing. Additionally, the invention provides kits for performing spinal disk arthoplasty and spinal facet arthoplasty including surgical instrumentation and artificial implants.

Abstract: A partial knee replacement involving two compartments of the knee includes the installation of a femoral prosthesis shaped to protect two contiguous compartments of the knee, namely the Trochlea and the Condyle. A Tibial prosthesis protects the tibial surface.

Abstract: A bedpan having a ventilation unit having an integral ozone producing device for the purpose of odor elimination comprises a bedpan having at least one venting port in a side wall and a ventilation unit detachably connected to the bedpan at the venting port. The ventilation unit includes a plenum chamber having at least one intake opening and an outlet port in airflow communication with the venting port in the bedpan. An ozonation means is disposed in the plenum chamber; and airflow means, which may be a fan, is disposed in air flow communication with the plenum chamber to induce airflow through the outlet port. An electrical power supply means is constructed and arranged to operatively communicate with the ozonation means and the air flow means, e.g. the fan, as required. In an alternative embodiment, the ventilation unit is connected to the bedpan via a segment of flexible hose which allows airflow from the interior of the bedpan to the ventilation unit. A portable ventilation unit is also disclosed.