Abstract: An interspinous stabilization device includes: (1) a supporting member with a top surface and a bottom surface both being configured to engage spinous processes; (2) two side members connected to the supporting member; (3) a fastener attached to the side members; and optionally (4) two extendable arms each secured on one of the side members.

Abstract: A spinal dynamic stabilization device for maintaining an anatomical height between two adjacent vertebras is provided. Each vertebra includes a spinous process and two symmetric pedicles. The spinal dynamic stabilization device includes a supporting member, at least one anchoring member, and at least one connecting member. The supporting member is disposed between the spinous processes. The anchoring member is fixed in one of the vertebra via one of the pedicles. The connecting member connects the supporting member to the anchoring member, fixing a relative position between the supporting member and the anchoring member, further fixing a relative position between the vertebras.

Abstract: A device for fixing soft tissue. A sleeve is detachably connected to a self-drilling tapping screw, moving and rotating the self-drilling tapping screw. A guide bar is detachably connected to the self-drilling tapping screw and fit in the sleeve. A fixing pin is fit in a washer and connected to the self-drilling tapping screw. The guide bar is detachably fit in the fixing pin. The fixing pin abuts the washer and the self-drilling tapping screw.

Abstract: A spinal fusion device abutting and fixed between adjacent vertebrae. The spinal fusion device includes a support frame. The support frame has a plurality of extending bodies, each radially extending from a center of the support frame. A predetermined gap exists between every two adjacent extending bodies, receiving a bone graft.

Abstract: A visible light induced, highly oxidative, and highly reductive photocatalyst. The photocatalyst includes a first semiconductor with a bandgap between valence band and conduction band thereof between 2.0 eV and 3.0 eV, and second semiconductor, combined with the first semiconductor, with a bandgap between valence band and conduction band thereof between 2.0 eV and 3.0 eV. The conduction band of the first semiconductor is negative relative to that of H2/H2O with a difference of 0.2 eV or greater. The valence band of the second semiconductor is positive relative to that of H2/H2O with a difference of 2.8 eV or greater.

Abstract: A visible light induced, highly oxidative, and highly reductive photocatalyst. The photocatalyst includes a first semiconductor with a bandgap between valence band and conduction band thereof between 2.0 eV and 3.0 eV, and second semiconductor, combined with the first semiconductor, with a bandgap between valence band and conduction band thereof between 2.0 eV and 3.0 eV. The conduction band of the first semiconductor is negative relative to that of H2/H2O with a difference of 0.2 eV or greater. The valence band of the second semiconductor is positive relative to that of H2/H2O with a difference of 2.8 eV or greater.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail fixation apparatus and its fixation method, the apparatus including a tubular intramedullary nail having a plurality of equiangularly spaced piercing points, and a plurality of flexible screws respectively mounted in the intramedullary nail and forced to fix the intramedullary nail to the marrow cavity of the bone to be fixed, each flexible screw having a rounded stem convenient for rotation, and a self-tapping screw tip at one end of the rounded stem convenient for being forced out of the intramedullary nail through one piercing point and then threaded into the wall of the bone upon rotation of the respective flexible screw. The invention relates also to the method of the fixation of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing seamless tubes from hollow billets that will not contain metal oxide, which may be introduced into the extruded metal tube from an oxide layer formed on the inner surface of the hollow billets, so as to improve the quality of the extruded product and extend the service life of the extrusion piercer rod. A de-oxide latch, which has a substantially circular disk shape and is dimensioned such that it is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the hollow billet, is placed in front of the piercer rod so as to remove the metal oxide layer formed on the inner surface of the hollow billet through an upsetting shearing force ahead of the normal stress generated by the forward movement of the extrusion stem. The extrusion apparatus also utilizes a screw and pierce doughnut combination to securely affix the piercer rod to the stem and to effectuate the extrusion of the hollow billet through an extrusion die to form seamless tubes.

Abstract: A process for making high-quality foamed aluminum articles is disclosed. This process comprises the step of: (a) placing a raw aluminum feedstock into a mold, the raw aluminum feed stock contains at least 50 wt % spent (i.e., recycled) aluminum and does not contain any extraneous viscosity enhancing agent such as metallic calcuim or magnesium; (b) heating the mold so as to melt the raw aluminum feedstock to form a liquid aluminum mass; (c) stirring the liquid aluminum mass in open air to increase its viscosity by a factor of at least about 1.3 to 1.8; (d) adding a foaming agent into the liquid aluminum mass; (e) continuing stirring the liquid aluminum mass containing the foaming agent so as to generate and uniformly distribute gas bubbles inside said liquid aluminum mass; and (f) cooling and solidifying the liquid aluminum mass to room temperature so as to form the foamed aluminum article. In a preferred embodiment, recycled foamed aluminum materials are used as the raw aluminum feedstock.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing seamless tubes from hollow billets that will not contain metal oxide, which may be introduced into the extruded metal tube from an oxide layer formed on the inner surface of the hollow billets, so as to improve the quality of the extruded product and extend the service life of the extrusion piercer rod. A de-oxide latch, which has a substantially circular disk shape and is dimensioned such that it is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the hollow billet, is placed in front of the piercer rod so as to remove the metal oxide layer formed on the inner surface of the hollow billet through an upsetting shearing force ahead of the normal stress generated by the forward movement of the extrusion stem. The extrusion apparatus also utilizes a screw and pierce doughnut combination to securely affix the piercer rod to the stem and to effectuate the extrusion of the hollow billet through an extrusion die to form seamless tubes.

Abstract: A method for preparing foamed aluminum alloy composites comprising the steps of: (a) placing a liquid hardness-reinforcement composition into a tank, the hardness-reinforcement composition containing about 54.about.64 wt. % of an inorganic powder, about 35.about.45 wt. % of a nonflammable curable resin, and about 1 wt. % of a curing agent; (b) placing a foamed aluminum alloy plate having an internal porous body into the tank containing the hardness-reinforcement composition, then applying a pressure of about 10.about.50 Kg/cm.sup.2 onto the foamed aluminum alloy plate for about one to two hours so as to allow the hardness-reinforcement composition to soak into the foamed aluminum alloy plate and form a coated layer on the surface of the porous body; (c) removing the foamed aluminum alloy plate that has been coated with a layer of the hardness-reinforcement composition from the tank; and (d) drying and curing the curable nonflammable resin so as to form the foamed aluminum alloy composite.