Abstract: The present invention relates to multiphasic, three-dimensionally printed, tissue repair devices or scaffolds useful for promoting bone growth and treating bone fracture, defect or deficiency, methods for making the same and methods for promoting bone growth and treating bone fracture, defect or deficiency using the same. The scaffold has a porous bone ingrowth area containing interconnected struts surrounded by a microporous shell. At the ends of the scaffold, the shell may be extended as a guide flange to stabilize the scaffold between ends of bone. The center of the scaffold may be empty and may serve as a potential marrow space. The porous ingrowth structure may be infiltrated with a soluble filler or carrier, such as, for example calcium sulfate which may be infiltrated with one or more of an antibiotic, a growth factor, a differentiation factors, a cytokine, a drug, or a combination of these agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multiphasic, three-dimensionally printed, tissue repair devices or scaffolds useful for promoting bone growth and treating bone fracture, defect or deficiency, methods for making the same and methods for promoting bone growth and treating bone fracture, defect or deficiency using the same. The scaffold has a porous bone ingrowth area containing interconnected struts surrounded by a microporous shell. At the ends of the scaffold, the shell may be extended as a guide flange to stabilize the scaffold between ends of bone. The center of the scaffold may be empty and may serve as a potential marrow space. The porous ingrowth structure may be infiltrated with a soluble filler or carrier, such as, for example calcium sulfate which may be infiltrated with one or more of an antibiotic, a growth factor, a differentiation factors, a cytokine, a drug, or a combination of these agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a functionally graded glass/ceramic/glass sandwich system especially useful in damage resistant, ceramic dental and orthopedic prosthesis. The functionally graded glass/substrate/glass composite structure comprises an outer (aesthetic) residual glass layer, a graded glass-ceramic layer, and a dense interior ceramic. The functionally graded glass/substrate/glass composite structure may further comprise a veneer on an exterior surface. The present invention also provides a method for preparing a functionally graded glass/ceramic/glass sandwich system. A powdered glass-ceramic composition or a glass tape is applied to the accessible surfaces of a dense alumina substrate to thereby substantially cover the substrate surfaces. The glass of the composition has a CTE similar to that of the substrate material. The glass-ceramic composition is infiltrated into the dense substrate by heating the assembly to temperatures 50-700° C. below the sintering temperature of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a functionally graded glass/ceramic/glass sandwich system especially useful in damage resistant, ceramic dental and orthopedic prosthesis. The functionally graded glass/substrate/glass composite structure comprises an outer (aesthetic) residual glass layer, a graded glass-ceramic layer, and a dense interior ceramic. The functionally graded glass/substrate/glass composite structure may further comprise a veneer on an exterior surface. The present invention also provides a method for preparing a functionally graded glass/ceramic/glass sandwich system. A powdered glass-ceramic composition or a glass tape is applied to the accessible surfaces of a dense alumina substrate to thereby substantially cover the substrate surfaces. The glass of the composition has a CTE similar to that of the substrate material. The glass-ceramic composition is infiltrated into the dense substrate by heating the assembly to temperatures 50-700° C. below the sintering temperature of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a functionally graded glass/ceramic/glass sandwich system especially useful in damage resistant, ceramic dental and orthopedic prosthesis. The functionally graded glass/substrate/glass composite structure comprises an outer (aesthetic) residual glass layer, a graded glass-ceramic layer, and a dense interior ceramic. The functionally graded glass/substrate/glass composite structure may further comprise a veneer on an exterior surface. The present invention also provides a method for preparing a functionally graded glass/ceramic/glass sandwich system. A powdered glass-ceramic composition or a glass tape is applied to the accessible surfaces of a dense alumina substrate to thereby substantially cover the substrate surfaces. The glass of the composition has a CTE similar to that of the substrate material. The glass-ceramic composition is infiltrated into the dense substrate by heating the assembly to temperatures 50-700° C. below the sintering temperature of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a functionally graded glass/ceramic/glass sandwich system especially useful in damage resistant, ceramic dental and orthopedic prosthesis. The functionally graded glass/substrate/glass composite structure comprises an outer (aesthetic) residual glass layer, a graded glass-ceramic layer, and a dense interior ceramic. The functionally graded glass/substrate/glass composite structure may further comprise a veneer on an exterior surface. The present invention also provides a method for preparing a functionally graded glass/ceramic/glass sandwich system. A powdered glass-ceramic composition or a glass tape is applied to the accessible surfaces of a dense alumina substrate to thereby substantially cover the substrate surfaces. The glass of the composition has a CTE similar to that of the substrate material. The glass-ceramic composition is infiltrated into the dense substrate by heating the assembly to temperatures 50-700° C. below the sintering temperature of the substrate.

Abstract: Vibrations for application to hard living tissue, such as bones, teeth, etc., are derived from a magnetostrictive element disposed in a varying electromagnetic field to create dimensional variations in the magnetostrictive element. In an audiodontic vibrator for the hearing impaired, a magnetostrictive rod is disposed in the hollow core of an electromagnetic coil through which current flows in response to acoustic signals. The resulting electromagnetic field in the core passes through the magnetostrictive rod, causing small dimensional variations in the rod corresponding to amplitude variations in the field. An actuator in contact with the rod extends from the housing and transmits the dimensional changes as low amplitude vibrations to the hard tissue via a bracket mounted on a tooth by an adhesive resin-based cement. The bracket has a receiving channel contoured to slidably and removably receive the distal end of the actuator in close fitting frictional relation.

Abstract: Waterborne acoustic signals are received and processed into electrical driver signals to energize a transducer held in selectively controllable vibration-transmitting engagement with a tooth of an underwater diver. The transducer converts the electrical signals into low amplitude sound-associated vibrations imparted to the tooth, through the jawbone and scull to the cochlea for processing into electrical signals carried to the brain and perceived as intelligible sound. The addition of conventional broadcast means permits two-way underwater communication. The transducer can be labially or occlusively mounted, preferably against an upper or maxillary tooth and the force of engagement between the transducer and the tooth is at least partially controlled by the diver to optimize communication characteristics.