Abstract: Implantable prosthesis, components of prosthesis, and methods of making same are provided. The methods generally include the steps of providing an implant shell, applying a curable fluid composition to the shell to form a coating thereon and applying a particulate component to the composition. The composition is a mixture, for example, an emulsion, containing a silicone-based elastomer dispersion and droplets of a suspended leachable agent. After the elastomer is stabilized and cured, the particulate component and leachable agent are removed, resulting in an implantable member having a porous, open-cell surface texture designed to be effective in reducing incidence of capsular formation or contraction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are polyurethane polymer matrices with a porosity of from about 20 microns to about 90 microns that are useful in promoting closure and protection of incision sites; supporting the lower pole position of breast implants; and providing a partial or complete covering of breast implants to provide a beneficial interface with host tissue and to reduce the potential for malpositioning or capsular contracture. The disclosed matrices can be seeded with mammalian cells.

Abstract: A soft prosthetic implant shell, such as a silicone breast implant shell, that has discrete fixation surfaces thereon for tissue adhesion. The fixation surfaces may be provided on the posterior face of the shell, as well as either on the periphery or at discrete areas on the anterior face. Band-shaped fixation surfaces may be provided on the anterior face of the shell to generally match the angle of pectoralis major or pectoralis minor muscle groups. The fixation surfaces may be roughened areas of the shell, or may be separate elements adhered to the shell.

Abstract: A soft prosthetic implant shell, such as a silicone breast implant shell, that has discrete fixation surfaces thereon for tissue adhesion. The fixation surfaces may be provided on the posterior face of the shell, as well as either on the periphery or at discrete areas on the anterior face. Band-shaped fixation surfaces may be provided on the anterior face of the shell to generally match the angle of pectoralis major or pectoralis minor muscle groups. The fixation surfaces may be roughened areas of the shell, or may be separate elements adhered to the shell.

Abstract: A fluid-filled prosthetic implant having the properties of a gel-filled implant. The prosthetic implant includes a soft flexible shell defining an inner chamber and having a predetermined volume when the shell is filled or inflated. A quantity of dry nanoparticles is introduced into the inner chamber during manufacture. A surgeon inserts the flexible implant shell into a body cavity, and then utilizes a syringe or other means to deliver a fluid to the inner chamber of the shell. The fluid mixes with the quantity of dry nanoparticles to form a gel, for example, a hydrogel. The hydrated nanoparticles provide to the implant the desirable properties of a gel-filled implant. In this way, the incision used can be smaller than that for a filled implant, but the resulting prosthesis is more natural than a typical saline-filled implant.

Abstract: A method of texturing a soft prosthetic implant shell, such as a silicone breast implant shell. A soft prosthetic implant with a textured external surface layer of silicone elastomer and having an open-cell structure is made by adhering and then dissolving round salt crystals. The resulting roughened surface has enhanced physical properties relative to surfaces formed with angular salt crystals. An implant having such a textured external surface layer is expected to help prevent capsular contraction, to help prevent scar formation, and to help in anchoring the implant within the body.

Abstract: A cabin air system for aviation electronics comprises a compressor, an air conditioner, a mix manifold, and an aviation electronics module. The compressor compresses ambient air, and the air conditioner cools the compressed ambient air to produce cabin air. The mix manifold delivers some of the cabin air to the electronics module.

Abstract: An elastomeric gel-filled prosthetic implant having a shell made of a single gel barrier layer. The barrier layer is formed of a homogeneous silicone elastomer capable of sterically retarding permeation of the silicone gel through the shell and having a bleed rate that is less than about 40% of the bleed rate of current shells which use a sandwiched construction with an internal barrier layer. Further, the barrier layer shell is made of a material that exhibits a wet strength that is comparable to or greater than current shells. The silicone elastomer may be a polydimethyl siloxane, and the substituted chemical group is a diphenyl group with a minimum mole percent of at least 13%. The implant may be designed for breast reconstruction or augmentation such that the shell is accordingly shaped. The shell wall thickness is at least 0.254 mm (0.010 inches), and desirably about 0.456 mm (0.018 inches). The implant shell may be made by dip-forming, spray-forming, or rotational molding.

Abstract: A dispatch console for a radio system is disclosed, where the radio system includes an audio switching tower which routes audio communications between a switching device and audio input/output devices at the dispatch console. The dispatch console includes a personal computer for communicating command messages to the audio switching tower, the personal computer storing information on numerous audio communications initiated and terminated in the radio system. The dispatch console further includes a device connected to the personal computer permitting an operator of said display console to interface therewith and a display screen segmented into a plurality of windows.

Abstract: The inlet end of an axial flow rotor feeds high volumes of crop materials at low crop pressures toward the threshing and separating areas to avoid bunching of crop materials or plugging of the rotor. A cylindrical core tube at the inlet end of the rotor is of substantially reduced diameter compared to the generally cylindrical threshing or separating portions of the rotor. A frusto-conical portion connects the core tube to the threshing portion for a ramp-like transition of crop materials near the threshing area. The flighting, which is helically disposed about the core tube, feeds the materials toward special threshing elements which rise from the frusto-conical portion and a connecting portion of the core tube to a height approximately equal to that of a plurality of rasp bars affixed to the threshing portion for uniformly dispersing the crop materials against the rotor casing.

Abstract: Apparatus for discharging threshed crop materials, in a relatively uniform manner across the body width of the combine, directly from the discharge end of a threshing and separating rotor in an axial flow combine without the need for additional apparatus at the discharge end of the rotor to discharge the threshed materials or to avoid plugging or bunching of crop materials between the rotor and rotor casing. The rotor extends longitudinally through the combine to a discharge area at the discharge end of the rotor. The rotor casing closely surrounds the rotor near the discharge end and guide vanes disposed in the rotor casing cooperate with separating elements circumferentially disposed about the rotor near the discharge end to positively move threshed materials toward the discharge end of the rotor.

Abstract: In an axial flow combine, an improved inlet transition area for changing the flow of crop materials from a linear ribbon-like flow through the feeder to an arcuate ribbon-like flow about the flighting of the inlet end of the rotor to a helical sleeve flow between the rotor and rotor casing while at the same time injecting crop materials in all portions of the flighting. A sloping ramp extends upwardly and rearwardly from the feeder to an elliptical intersection with the rotor casing. A pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls in generally perpendicular relation to the ramp extend from the feeder and converge about the inlet end of the rotor at an upper portion of the rotor casing. Another wall between the sidewalls, oppositely disposed from the ramp, encloses the inlet transition area.