Abstract: A dental implant includes a body having a coronal end, and an apical end opposite the coronal end. An implant-prosthetic interface region is provided adjacent the coronal end. A tapered region is adjacent the apical end. A variable profile helical thread extends along the tapered region. The thread includes an apical side, a coronal side and a width defined between the apical and coronal sides. The variable profile thread includes an expanding width in the direction of the coronal end.

Abstract: A self-tapping dental implant having a round bottom with channels that extend upwardly to communicate with bone cutting flutes horizontally disposed along a tapping end of the implant.

Abstract: Methods for delivering drugs, vectors, cells diagnostic agents and other chemical or biological entities to a tissue or cellular surface are disclosed. The methods generally involve coupling a molecule to the tissue or cellular surface. The molecule comprises at least one reactive group that reacts with groups present on the surface, and at least one signaling molecule. A chemical or biological entity having a recognition molecule attached thereto or expressed thereby is introduced to the surface. The recognition molecule and signaling molecule bind so as to attach the entity to the surface. Localized delivery of various chemical and biological entities is thereby achieved. The molecule can also contain a polymer that can mask adhesive information inherent to the tissue or cellular surface. Tissues and cells modified according to the present methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dental implant system that dramatically simplifies implantation of a dental implant at an implant site. The dental implant system includes a threaded dental implant having a mounting end with an internal, threaded, axial bore. A healing cap is threadably engaged with the internal, axial bore prior to implantation. The healing cap also includes engagement features, such as a plurality of indentations, that permit secure engagement of a dental driving tool with the healing cap. Thus, upon engagement with a dental driving tool, the dental implant system can be threaded into engagement with the alveolar bone at the implant site and covered by gingival tissue, without any additional components or process steps.

Abstract: The present invention provides crosslinked polymeric networks that are reversibly crosslinked upon exposure to light of a suitable wavelength. In one embodiment photocrosslinkable branched hydrophilic polymers containing photochromic groups are synthesized. Cinnamylidene groups and derivatives of cinnamylidene are preferably used as the photochromic agents or photocrosslinking agents.

Abstract: A device for retaining and delivering dental implant components includes a retainer-delivery member which may be pivotally attached to a handle member and selectively detached therefrom. The retainer-delivery member has a plurality of multi-sized stepped down portions for hands-off insertion into, and frictional engagement with various dental implant components. The retainer-delivery member can retain one or more of the components for delivery to the implant site and can be manipulated for initial connection to the implant.

Abstract: A dental implant for osseointegration in alveolar bone. The implant includes at least three different and distinct surface regions.

Abstract: A dental implant delivery system comprising a vial housing an implant and driver mount with a removable flange.

Abstract: The present invention provides crosslinked polymeric networks that are reversibly crosslinked upon exposure to light of a suitable wavelength. In one embodiment photocrosslinkable branched hydrophilic polymers containing photochromic groups are synthesized. Cinnamylidene groups and derivatives of cinnamylidene are preferably used as the photochromic agents or photocrosslinking agents.

Abstract: A dental implant (10) for osseointegration in alveolar bone. The implant includes an annular shoulder (18) and a plurality of splines (32) extending axially therefrom for interdigitated engagement with similar splines of an abutment for supporting a tooth prosthesis. The bone-engaging surface (22) of the implant includes a biocompatible porous metal surface (24) into which bone can grow, an intermediate non-porous, rough, biocompatible metal surface (26) to which bone can attach that is located between the porous surface and the annular shoulder, and a smooth, non-porous biocompatible metal surface (28) located between the intermediate surface and the annular shoulder.

Abstract: Described herein is a technique for covalently modifying tissue and cellular surfaces to inhibit cell adhesion. The process described herein is conducted under conditions tolerable in vivo and employs a biocompatible polymer having a reactive group attached to at least one end that reacts with groups present or on tissue and cellular surfaces under aqueous and mild conditions and thereby covalently attaches the polymer to the tissue or cellular surface. Preferably, the reactive group attached to the polymer reacts with amines and hydroxyls present on tissue and cellular surfaces. In one preferred embodiment, the methods described herein provide for the covalent modification of tissue and cellular surfaces using a PEG-diisocyanate solution. The methods described herein are particularly useful in impairing platelet and leukocyte deposition in blood vessels and thereby thwarting thrombosis and restenosis, a common complication of vascular procedures including PTCA and vascular surgery.

Abstract: A self-tapping dental implant for implantation into bone. The implant includes multiple flutes disposed around the tapping end. Each flute has a helical configuration. During tapping, bone chips are directed upwardly and away from the tapping end.

Abstract: A spinal disk implant comprises a solid body having four faces arranged to define a right-rectangular solid body and two faces that define the ends of the solid body. The faces that define the right-rectangular body include two opposed side faces and two opposed transverse faces. A kit that may be used by a surgeon includes an implant and an implant delivery tool dimensioned to releasably hold the implant. The delivery tool preferably has an implant holder with a pair of flexible opposed arms extending from a base, separated so that the implant can fit between the arms. Optionally, the implant holder may have a breakable release band extending around the implant to hold it in place until a weak link in the release band is intentionally broken during implantation.

Abstract: A spinal disk implant is implanted between vertebrae of the human spine following discectomy. The implant comprises a solid body having four sides and a pair of spaced-apart, opposed bases. The four sides include spaced-apart, opposed anterior and posterior faces, and a pair of spaced-apart, opposed transverse faces. Each transverse face has an anterior platform adjacent to the anterior face. The anterior platform is spaced apart from the opposed anterior platform by a maximum anterior platform spacing. A posterior ledge is oriented at an insertion angle relative to an opposed posterior ledge of the opposed transverse face. At least one of the posterior ledges has a pattern of serrations. There is a ridge on at least one of the transverse faces, positioned between the anterior platform and the posterior ledge and extending in the direction perpendicular to the bases. The top of the ridge is spaced apart from the opposed transverse face by an amount greater than the anterior platform spacing.

Abstract: A spinal disk implant comprises a solid body having four faces arranged to define a right-rectangular solid body and two faces that define the ends of the solid body. The faces that define the right-rectangular body include two opposed side faces and two opposed transverse faces. The transverse faces have a central region with three-dimensional features thereon and an anterior platform region lying along an anterior margin of the transverse faces. The faces defining the ends of the solid body include a convexly curved anterior face and a posterior face. The solid body is made of a biocompatible synthetic material. A kit that may be used by a surgeon includes an implant and an implant delivery tool dimensioned to releasably hold the implant.

Abstract: A refractory solid-state heat pipe assembly, or heat shield, capable of solid-state operation at high and low extreme temperature ranges in hostile environments, with particular application found in hypersonic vehicle surfaces, is provided.

Abstract: An internal plate assembly for a heat exchanger comprising a plate and a pair of substantially identical inserts. The plate is formed with a manifold area at opposite ends. A pair of wall members and a plurality of fins extending therebetween. Each manifold area of the plate is provided with two ports. A flat identical insert is provided for each manifold area. The insert has one port for mating with one of the ports in the manifold area of the plate and is formed to avoid covering the other port in that same manifold area. Thus, it is possible to construct a multi-plate stacked heat exchanger utilizing parts having only two distinct configurations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a regeneratively cooled rocket combustor comprising a combustor wall, a plurality of coolant channels extending through the combustor wall and at least one keel-rib extending into each coolant channel from the channel roof and which is bounded on both of its sides by arcuate flutes for providing smooth and continuous surface transition between the keel-rib and adjoining interior surfaces of the coolant channel.

Abstract: An internally manifolded plate for a plate/fin-type heat exchanger comprises a side port contiguous with and transverse to at least one channel, and wherein the channel is contiguous with an end port. The plate may be of unibody construction and also include integral side and end external manifolds.

Abstract: A reaction engine thrust chamber 12 is provided having non-mechanical means for varying the flow area of the rocket nozzle contingent upon the pressure environment, flight scenario and throttling demands. The non-mechanical means include a plurality of circumferentially and axially spaced injection ports 24 in cooperative relationship with control means 40 for selectively controlling a flow of fluid into the rocket nozzle throat section 18 of the thrust chamber.