Abstract: An interarticular ligament prosthesis is formed from a plurality of high strength high modulus polymeric fibers. The fibers are independent and free from intrinsic inter-fiber shear coupling found in braided or bonded fibers. The ligament prosthesis is installed with tubular, bone screw anchors. The fibers of the ligament prosthesis pass through the central hole of the anchors and are knotted at one end. The exit holes of the anchors include ceramic eyelets with polished edges. The edges are rounded to a defined radius for desired fatigue life of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A bone screw for lateral suture stabilization includes a post around which the suture winds. An attachment hole is located in the head of the bone screw above the post for connecting an end of the suture. Various suture configurations can be used around multiple bone screws in the lateral suture stabilization process to control the flexion of the suture upon movement of the joint. The suture is formed from a plurality of high strength high modulus polymeric fibers. The fibers are independent and free from intrinsic inter-fiber shear coupling found in braided or bonded fibers.

Abstract: The present invention is based, in part, on our discovery of compositions and methods that can be used to systemically deplete arginine and thereby treat arginine-dependent cancers. Our studies indicate that administering a composition that depletes arginine directly to the patient's small intestine will provide effective treatment for arginine-dependent cancers. Moreover, the methods can be carried out in such a way that various sources of arginine are restricted and side effects are minimized. For example, to deplete arginine, one can not only administer an arginine-depleting enzyme directly to the intestinal lumen but can also inhibit endogenous production of arginine, reduce arginine production by intestinal bacteria and limit arginine intake. To minimize side effects, one can inhibit protein breakdown, which may occur as a compensatory mechanism, provide systemic NO from a nitric oxide donor, provide a pressor peptide, and/or provide prostacycline or an analog thereof.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of generating electrical power utilizing hot surface air as the heat source, high atmosphere as the heat sink and a microwave beam aimed upward providing updraft to initiate and control the large-scale air circulation. The frequency of the microwave beam is centered at approximately 60 GHz, within the absorption band of molecular oxygen, so as to result in beam penetration to an altitude of several kilometers. The power plant comprises a high-power microwave source, e.g. a bank of gyrotrons, one or more turbine-generator sets, and—optionally—a condenser/cyclone (if on a floating platform). The plant can also provide clean water from condensation out of humid, sea level air. The plant could also be used to remove atmospheric carbon dioxide from large quantities of air.

Abstract: The invention increases load capacity and stability of radial bearings by modifying the geometry of the bearing in the transverse cross section so as to split the conventional, single contact zone into two contact zones, each preferably offset by about 45 degrees from the load axis. Depending on the application, one or the other of the paired bearing components is axially asymmetric. The needed shape can be pre-machined into a bearing component, produced by permanent deformation of an axially symmetric component, or induced by assembly into/onto housing/shaft of the rotating members. Expected gain in load bearing capacity is about 40%; dynamic stability can also be significantly improved, which is of particular interest in fluid film lubricated journal bearings.

Abstract: The invention solves the problem of anchoring a prosthetic component into compliant, cancellous bone by a thin, preferably pure titanium, or a titanium-based alloy, perforated, hence hydraulically open, shell (1, 13), spaced apart from the second, non-perforated shell (2, 14). In most applications, dictated by the anatomical site of insertion, shells are approximately hemispherical in form, connected to each other at the equator. The solid shell may contain a further, articulating component of the joint, e.g. a polymer or a ceramic insert, or it may serve that function itself. One or both components of a joint prosthesis can be anchored according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention reduces wear in total joint articulations by modifications of the shape of either component of the kinematic pair, so as to result in an annular surface contact between the two components. Fluid trapped between the two components within the inner contour of the annular contact area is pressurized under load due to elastic deformation of the components and exuded out through inter-articular gap over the surface of contact, aiding in lubrication and reducing the wear. Reduced to practice for a total hip joint with UHMWPE-metal pair, the wear rate tested in a hip joint simulator up to five million cycles was reduced by factor seven to fifteen compared to conventionally shaped components.

Abstract: A plate for treatment of bone fractures with reduced potential contact to bone through a combination of annular recesses surrounding the screw holes at the lower, bone facing surface of the plate and transverse grooves between the holes, allows for use of locking as well as conventional bone screws. With the transverse grooves cut into the plate from the lower side, as well as from the sides, the strength of the plate at the span between the holes is lower than at the screw holes. The plate can be bent in both planes without undue deformation of the screw holes. Protection of the holes during bending is afforded by hole plugs, which may be provided pre-installed in order to reduce surgery time. Screw hole plugs may then be left in place in the holes not used for bone screws.

Abstract: The invention solves the problem of anchoring a prosthetic component into compliant, cancellous bone by a thin, preferably pure titanium, or a titanium-based alloy, perforated, hence hydraulically open, shell (1, 13), spaced apart from the second, non-perforated shell (2, 14). In most applications, dictated by the anatomical site of insertion, shells are approximately hemispherical in form, connected to each other at the equator The solid shell may contain a further, articulating component of the joint, e.g. a polymer or a ceramic insert, or it may serve that function itself. One or both components of a joint prosthesis can be anchored according to the invention.

Abstract: A method of bone cement preparation from a polymeric powder and a liquid component including a polymerisable monomer or comonomer by the action of a catalytic system. Particles of the powder are packed in a powder container having an inlet and an outlet port, while the liquid component is held in a liquid container. The liquid container is connected to te inlet port and a vacuum source is connected to the outlet port. A voided space between the powder particles is flooded by the liquid component that flows form the inlet port toward the outlet port under the influence of the vacuum source.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition and method for the treatment of cancer comprising an arginine decomposing enzyme, particularly an arginine decarboxylase that is a biosynthetic arginine decarboxylase of E. Coli and modifications thereof, and may be PEG-ilated. The therapeutic composition may contain essential co-factors of said arginine decomposing enzyme, protein breakdown inhibitors such as insulin, insulin-like growth factors, IGF-I, IGF-II, growth hormones, protein breakdown inhibiting peptide aldehydes such as Cbz-Leu-Leu-Leucinal, or lactacystin, and glucose, all of which can be admixed with the arginine decomposing enzyme or may be maintained apart from and separately administered from the arginine decomposing enzyme. The therapeutic composition can be administered intravenously, intraperitoneally, intramuscularly, intraventricularly, nasally, extracorporeally or orally.

Abstract: Screw-based primary fixation of the prosthetic components within the medullary cavity solves the problem of micro-movements encountered in conventional press-fit cementless fixation. For a total hip prosthesis, the stem is fixed to the medial cortex of the proximal femur by the medial approach alone, obviating the need for drilling of the lateral cortex. The stem may be implanted using special drill guide instrumentation. Anchoring screws are locked into the stem of the femoral component, while self-cutting threads on the screw head engage the pre-drilled medial cortex. This novel fixation principle can also be applied to other joint prostheses, e.g. finger, shoulder, elbow and knee, as well as to dental and spinal implants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone plate having a top side, a bottom side for contacting the bone, two longitudinal sides, a plurality of holes which extend from the top side to the bottom side, and a longitudinal axis. The cross-section of the holes tapers from the top side to the bottom side and the bottom side is provided with recesses. The surface of the top side adjacent to the holes forms island-like recesses relative to the remaining surface of the top side. The bottom side is provided with two different types of recesses which create a plurality of supporting points for contacting the bone. In addition, the holes conically taper from the top side to the bottom side.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition and method for the treatment of cancer comprising an arginine decomposing enzyme, particularly an arginine decarboxylase that is a biosynthetic arginine decarboxylase of E. coli and modifications thereof, and may be PEG-ilated. The therapeutic composition may contain essential co-factors of said arginine decomposing enzyme, protein breakdown inhibitors such as insulin, insulin-like growth factors, IGF-I, IGF-II, growth hormones, protein breakdown inhibiting peptide aldehydes such as Cbz-Leu-Leu-Leucinal, or lactacystin, and glucose, all of which can be admixed with the arginine decomposing enzyme or may be maintained apart from and separately administered from the arginine decomposing enzyme. The therapeutic composition can be administered intravenously, intraperitoneally, intramuscularly, intraventricularly, nasally, extracorporeally or orally.

Abstract: In this method for cementing an implant into bone by means of an autopolymerising two-component bone cement the implant, in particular the stem of a hip prosthesis is preheated above room-temperature prior to its cementing into bone, preferably to at least 43.degree. C.By this method the stem-cement interface is warmer than the bone-cement interface and consequently a stiff cement shell will form first around the stem and the cement will shrink towards the stem and away from the bone. The resulting reduction of porosity at the stem-cement interface improves significantly the fatigue life of the system.

Abstract: Method, compositions and apparatus for the treatment of tumors by systemic deprivation of an essential amino acid, preferably of arginine, by extracorporeal treatment of the patient's blood characterized by molecular exchange between the blood and a dialyzing fluid which contains most of the essential low-molecular substances found in blood plasma with the exception of at least one of the essential amino acids. The release of muscular protein amino acids can be limited by use of an insulin/glucose clamp. The treatment process can be used in conjunction with chemotherapy.

Abstract: This bone plate has an upper side, a lower side for bone contact, two longitudinal sides, a longitudinal center line and a plurality of screw holes extending from said upper to said lower side.The surface of said upper side around said screw holes is designed as a depressed area with regard to the rest of said upper side and the side edge of said depressed area is running approximately parallel to said longitudinal sides.The removal of material is effected at strategic locations of the bone plate in order to reduce the peak stresses.

Abstract: High-strength, high-modulus, polymeric implants are produced from highly oriented monofilaments and/or films by solvent welding technique. This avoids loss of orientation, as well as thermal and oxidative degradation, which is the common case with the state of art techniques, namely melt extrusion, injection molding and heat compression molding. The invention leads to uniform bonding of the separate structural units (monofilaments or films) into compound-filament or compound-laminate which protects the implant against delamination. Monofilaments of films are swollen at the surface with a suitable solvent which does not destroy the orientation in the core. A bundle, resp. a sandwich of the swollen monofilaments or films is pulled through an orifice generating compressive stresses between the filaments, resp. films. Solvent removal from the swollen compressed interfaces leads to a homogenous welding of the monofilaments or films.

Abstract: The novel therapeutic composition of matter is useful against the class of viruses possessing an outer lipid envelope. It consists of the association of a liposome and a viral receptor protein whereby the larger, receptor-carrying liposome is coated by a number of small liposomes reducing antigenicity of the complex. The size of viral particles allows them free access to the receptors. Receptor mediated fusion of the viral envelope and the larger liposome's membrane engulfs the viral core.

Abstract: A manually operated tool of the type in which a grip is pivotally mounted in a housing displacing a push rod mounted in the housing in an axial direction and in a stepwise manner. The push rod extends through at least a pair of canting blocks arranged between bearings supporting the push rod. A spring resting on the housing acts on the portions of the canting block through which the push rod extends. The force applied by the spring on the canting blocks is directed against the direction of displacement of the push rod. An adjusting force periodically exerted by the grip acts on the outer portions of the canting blocks remote from the push rod. At least one braking block is provided for holding the push rod.