Abstract: A developer cylinder and drive gear arrangement includes a drive gear having a coupling hole at one end of its gear shaft, and a developer cylinder having a coupling block at its one end coupled to the coupling hole at the gear shaft of the drive gear, wherein the coupling block of the developer cylinder has a plurality of teeth spirally disposed around the periphery thereof.

Abstract: An implant which includes a porous matrix sheet made of a biopolymeric material which is biocompatible and bioresorbable. The porous matrix sheet has at least one portion spaced from and overlapping another portion of the matrix sheet, and has a density ranging from about 0.05 g/cm.sup.3 to about 1.3 g/cm.sup.3, a pore size ranging from about 0.1 .mu.m to about 1,500 .mu.m, and a spacing between overlapping portions of the matrix sheet ranging from about 0.1 .mu.m to about 2,000 .mu.m.

Abstract: A developer container having a spiral groove around the periphery, a developer supply hole at one end, two protruding positioning strips raised from the periphery at two opposite sides of the developer supply holes an annular flange at an opposite end for enabling the developer container to be put on a flat surface in vertical, two opposed notches formed on the annular flange, and two toothed blocks respectively suspended in the notches for engagement with respective toothed blocks at a driving shaft in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for synchronous rotation with the driving shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a meniscal augmentation device of biocompatible and at least partially bioresorbable fibers for implantation into a segmental defect of a meniscus in a subject. Upon implantation, the composite of the device and the meniscus establishes a scaffold adapted for ingrowth of meniscal fibrochondrocytes. The invention further pertains to methods of fabricating and using the device.

Abstract: A developer container which includes a connector element that connects a container body to an image forming apparatus. The connector has three openings therein. The first and second opening of the connector define a throughway for the developer. The third opening is situated between the first and second openings, and receives a rotating sealing member. The sealing member is rotated to open and close the throughway of the connector.

Abstract: A developer container, which includes a container body having a bottom developer supply hole and two longitudinal sliding grooves at two opposite sides of the bottom developer supply hole, a sliding cover moved with a carrier in and out of the sliding grooves at the container body, and a sealing membrane moved with the sliding cover to close/open the bottom developer supply hole.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a frictional mount for engaging a monitor to a process chamber by utilizing a base member that has at least three apertures therethrough adapted for mounting at least one monitor and two fastening devices, a compressible member formed of a deformable material that has at least three apertures adapted for the at least one monitor and the two fastening devices to pass through, the compressible member is positioned in intimate contact with the base member, and a pressing member that is in intimate contact with the compressible member and has at least one aperture adapted for the at least one monitor to be mounted therethrough and two apertures adapted for receiving two fastening devices such that when the two fastening devices are engaged, the compressible member expands in a lateral direction and frictionally engages the internal peripheral surfaces of a recessed window in the process chamber.

Abstract: A method of treating a reconstituted biopolymeric implant which includes the steps of exposing the implant to an aqueous environment so that a final water content of the implant ranges from 5% by weight to a maximal water absorption capacity; and sealing the hydrated implant in a gamma ray-penetrable but bacteria- or virus-impenetrable material. Also disclosed is an implant preparation obtained by the above method.

Abstract: A hand augmentation device to be used to replace diseased tissue of a hand bone. The device includes a dry matrix, which contains at least 75% by weight biocompatible and bioresorbable biopolymeric fibers such as collagen fibers or polysaccharide fibers, and has a height of 2 mm to 4 cm, a width of 0.5 cm to 6 cm, a depth of 0.5 cm to 6 cm, a density of 0.1 g/cm.sup.3 to 0.5 g/cm.sup.3, and a pore size of 50 .mu.m to 300 .mu.m.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a meniscal augmentation device of biocompatible and at least partially bioresorbable fibers for implantation into a segmental defect of a meniscus in a subject. Upon implantation, the composite of the device and the meniscus establishes a scaffold adapted for ingrowth of meniscal fibrochondrocytes. The invention further pertains to methods of fabricating and using the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a meniscal augmentation device of biocompatible and at least partially bioresorbable fibers for implantation into a segmental defect of a meniscus in a subject. Upon implantation, the composite of the device and the meniscus establishes a scaffold adapted for ingrowth of meniscal fibrochondrocytes. The invention further pertains to methods of fabricating and using the device.

Abstract: A collagen-based delivery matrix including collagen particles, wherein each of the particles has a diameter between 5 .mu.m and 850 .mu.m and, when suspended in an aqueous solution at a pH of about 7.0, has a net charge density between -20 moles/mole collagen and -500 moles/mole collagen, or between +20 moles/mole collagen and +250 moles/mole collagen. Also disclosed are methods of preparing and using such a delivery matrix.

Abstract: A method of treating a reconstituted biopolymeric implant which includes the steps of exposing the implant to an aqueous environment so that a final water content of the implant ranges from 5% by weight to a maximal water absorption capacity; and sealing the hydrated implant in a gamma ray-penetrable but bacteria- or virus-impenetrable material. Also disclosed is an implant preparation obtained by the above method.

Abstract: A prosthetic, resorbable articular cartilage and methods of its fabrication and insertion are disclosed. The prosthetic articular cartilage, when implanted in a humanoid joint, acts as a resorbable scaffold for ingrowth of native articular chondrocytes and supports natural articulating joint forces. The prosthetic articular cartilage is a dry, porous, volume matrix of biocompatible and bioresorbable fibers. These fibers include a natural polymer or analogs thereof, at least a portion of which may be crosslinked. The matrix is adapted to have an in vivo outer surface contour substantially the same as that of natural articular cartilage in an articulating joint, and has a pore size in the approximate range of about 100 microns to about 400 microns.

Abstract: A soft tissue closure system for closing percutaneous puncture sites or soft tissue voids, its method of manufacture and method of use are disclosed. The system comprises a delivery means and a self-expandable, resorbable implant disposed within the delivery means in a compressed configuration. Upon release of the implant member from the system within a soft tissue void, the implant member self-expands to conform to the shape of the soft tissue void and seals the void.

Abstract: The present invention is related to prostheses, their methods of manufacture and methods for repairing vascular lesions using such prostheses. Natural polymers such as collagen are processed and fabricated to form tubular resorbable vascular wound dressings with unique physico-chemical and mechanical properties for repairing selected vascular segments, and for delivering therapeutic agents at selected sites within vessels and at the anastomoses.