Abstract: In mesic environments, erosion control measures usually employ the establishment of vegetative cover by vascular plants in order to hold the soil in place. The current art often includes the application of seeds, chemical fertilizers, tackifiers, and mulches to promote the growth of vascular plants. However, arid environments so not support dense vegetative cover, but are instead dominated by photosynthetic microorganisms, primarily cyanobacteria and lichens. The cyanobacteria not only hold the soil in place, but also are the primary source of fixed nitrogen in arid environments. Disclosed herein, is a description of an apparatus and methods for the production and preservation of a photobiofertilizer as a means for repairing disturbed arid soils.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring custom medical devices is provided. The system and method can be used over a communications network, and/or can be provided to users as an application, such as a software program. In general, the system includes a database of medical device components, configuration options available for each component, and rules governing the interdependencies of the components and component options. The system allows a user to select from device components and options for each component to configure a custom built medical device.

Abstract: A vibration dampening mechanism for operative arrangement with a data storage media drive canister, having: a cantilevered dampening spring secured to a surface of, or integral with, a side of a housing for the drive canister. The spring has a free end that can extend over an aperture through the housing side. The spring can comprise a bent portion, having an outer bend surface, between a secured end and the free encl. When installed in a canister support structure, this outer bend surface will contact an under surface of the structure causing the bent portion to at least partially flatten; the free end may deflect into the aperture. Also, a storage media drive vibration dampening system for operation with a media drive canister support structure having: a cantilevered dampening spring secured to, or integral with, a side of a drive canister housing.

Abstract: An implantable article having on at least a portion of its exterior surface an integral, as-cast macrotextured surface with macropores having undercut edge profiles. A complex macrotextured surface is provided by forming a casting mold so that the mold has complementary macrotextured surface features formed by three-dimensional printing techniques, and casting a molten metal within or in contact with the casting mold to form the implantable article. In a hybrid process, one or more printed surface mold plates are attached by hand, or in a wax molding process, to a simpler wax preform, and an investment is made in which the plates are incorporated into the investment mold. A casting is then made, with each preform yielding one cast article, and the incorporated plate forming the desired surface macrotexture on a region of the cast article.

Abstract: A quick-release alignment handle system is provided including a quick release alignment handle with an attachable, releasable locking mechanism for attaching the handle to a tibial tray trial component of a surgical instrument system for implanting artificial knees.

Abstract: An implantable article having on at least a portion of its exterior surface an integral, as-cast macrotextured surface having pores with undercut edge profiles is provided. The integral, as-cast macrotextured surface is able to be formed on the implantable articles by a modified casting process. As part of a casting process, positive models of the articles to be cast, or parts thereof, are formed by stereolithographic techniques. Cavities or molds, representing negative images of the articles to be cast, are then formed by encasing one or more models in a refractory material. The positive models are then extracted by heating and thus melting the material from which they are made. Thereafter, molten casting material can be poured into the resulting mold to obtain the implantable articles.

Abstract: An implantable article having on at least a portion of its exterior surface an integral, as-cast macrotextured surface with macropores having undercut edge profiles. A complex macrotextured surface is provided by forming a casting mold so that the mold has complementary macrotextured surface features formed by three-dimensional printing techniques, and casting a molten metal within or in contact with the casting mold to form the implantable article. In a hybrid process, one or more printed surface mold plates are attached by hand, or in a wax molding process, to a simpler wax preform, and an investment is made in which the plates are incorporated into the investment mold. A casting is then made, with each preform yielding one cast article, and the incorporated plate forming the desired surface macrotexture on a region of the east article.

Abstract: An implantable article having on at least a portion of its exterior surface an integral, as-cast macrotextured surface having pores with undercut edge profiles is provided. The integral, as-cast macrotextured surface is able to be formed on the implantable articles by a modified casting process. As part of a casting process, positive models of the articles to be cast, or parts thereof, are formed by stereolithographic techniques. Cavities or molds, representing negative images of the articles to be cast, are then formed by encasing one or more models in a refractory material. The positive models are then extracted by heating and thus melting the material from which they are made. Thereafter, molten casting material can be poured into the resulting mold to obtain the implantable articles.

Abstract: An implantable article having on at least a portion of its exterior surface an integral, as-cast macrotextured surface with macropores having undercut edge profiles. A complex macrotextured surface is provided by forming a casting mold so that the mold has complementary macrotextured surface features formed by three-dimensional printing techniques, and casting a molten metal within or in contact with the casting mold to form the implantable article. In a hybrid process, one or more printed surface mold plates are attached by hand, or in a wax molding process, to a simpler wax preform, and an investment is made in which the plates are incorporated into the investment mold. A casting is then made, with each preform yielding one cast article, and the incorporated plate forming the desired surface macrotexture on a region of the cast article.

Abstract: Wear resistance and oxidation resistance of bioimplantable polymeric parts is improved by packaging the parts within flexible, gas impermeable containers while subjecting the containers and the parts to a relatively high vacuum force. The containers are heat sealed while subjected to the vacuum force such that, upon sealing, hydrostatic pressure is exerted on the part. Following sealing of the packages, the packages and their contents are irradiated to an extent sufficient to sterilize the parts and to promote crosslinking within the part. Alternatively, the same property enhancements can be imparted to polymeric parts by packaging the part within rigid or flexible containers, minimizing the oxygen content within the containers, pressurizing the containers with an inert gas, or with a mixture of hydrogen and an inert gas, to greater than 1.5 atmospheres, and irradiating the part and the container.