Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110030440 | TOUGH COATED HARD PARTICLES CONSOLIDATED IN A TOUGH MATRIX MATERIAL - Consolidated materials comprising a plurality of coated particles dispersed in a tough matrix material are disclosed. The coated particles include a plurality of core particles having an intermediate layer that substantially surrounds each of the core particles. An optional outer layer may be present on the intermediate layer. A matrix contains or substantially contains each of the coated particles, and is formed from at least one third compound including a mixture of W, WC, and/or W | 02-10-2011 |
20140087210 | METHODS OF FORMING A METALLIC OR CERAMIC ARTICLE HAVING A NOVEL COMPOSITION OF FUNCTIONALLY GRADED MATERIAL AND ARTICLES CONTAINING THE SAME - There is disclosed a method of making a metallic or ceramic component, such as a cutting or forming tool, from at least two distinct powder precursors. In one embodiment, the method comprising forming a first mixture comprised of a plurality of coated particles, such as Tough-Coated Hard Powder (TCHP) composite particles created by encapsulating extremely hard core particles with very tough binder and structural materials, and at least one support powder, such as a carbide, typically WC—Co. The mixture is formed into a green body and sintered to form a functionally graded or multicomponent article. Non-limiting examples of the articles made from the disclosed methods are also disclosed and include drills, mills, cutting tools, forming tools, wires dies and mechanical components. | 03-27-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090107086 | System for integrated production of envelopes and contents thereof - A system for providing real-time, integrated production of individually addressed sealed envelopes containing personalized printed material matched to individual addresses, the system including at least one printing controller capable of receiving personalized printing data from at least one data source, the personalized printing data including envelope address information for a multiplicity of envelopes and personalized envelope contents information which varies for the multiplicity of envelopes and is matched to individual envelope addresses, the at least one printing controller being operative to merge and order the personalized printing data from the at least one data source such that it is printed in a desired distribution sorting order, selected to optimize postal savings in bulk mailings and at least one production facility for the individually addressed sealed envelopes containing personalized printed material matched to individual addresses, each of the at least one production facility including at least one digital printer operative to print the personalized printing data including the envelope address information for a plurality of envelopes to be formed from a substrate and the personalized envelope contents information for contents of the plurality of envelopes, at least one cutting stage receiving a printed output from the at least one digital printer and being operative to cut at least one of envelope sheets according to an envelope shaped blank and envelope contents sheets, at least one content-containing envelope formation stage operative to wrap the envelope sheets over the envelope contents sheets and thereby create sealed individually addressed envelopes containing personalized content matched thereto and a bundling stage, gathering and bundling the sealed individually addressed envelopes containing personalized contents matched thereto in the desired distribution sorting order. | 04-30-2009 |
20130318929 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED FILLING OF MAIL TRAYS - A mail tray filler includes a filling mechanism that is vertically movable to be lowered and lifted into and out of a mail tray. With the mechanism in the raised position an empty mail tray is moved into position to underneath the mechanism. The mechanism lowers a feeding arm down into the first mail tray to feed envelopes starting at a forward end of the mail tray. The apparatus detects a pack pressure of the envelopes. When the pack pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold, the relative position of the feed arm is moved towards a back end of the mail tray to make room for more envelopes. After the pack pressure is below the predetermined threshold feeding continues. When the tray is full, the feeding arm is lifted from the mail tray, and a next empty mail tray is advanced. | 12-05-2013 |
20130319819 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDIRECTING ON-EDGE ENVELOPES - The invention can be used with an automated mail tray filling apparatus for taking envelopes from a vertical stacker output of an inserter machine and placing them in mail trays. A take-away feeder is positioned over the vertical stacker table and is arranged to withdraw individual envelopes from the vertical stack in a sideways direction. The envelope is then redirected in a downward direction by ejecting the envelope into an open space. A downward tamping mechanism positioned above the open space moves downward to push on a top edge of the free-floating envelope. A downward transport positioned beneath the open space receives and transports envelopes pushed downward by the downward tamping mechanism. | 12-05-2013 |
20130320609 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED FILLING OF A MAIL TRAY FROM A VERTICAL STACKER - An automated mail tray filling apparatus for taking envelopes from a vertical stacker output of an inserter machine and placing them in mail trays. A vertical stack of envelopes rests on a long stacker table. The mail tray filling apparatus has a track positioned next the vertical stacker table parallel to the length of the vertical stacker table. A mail tray transport is positioned beneath the track and arranged to transport mail trays beneath the track in a direction parallel to the vertical stacker table. A movable mail tray filler is movably mounted on the track to travel in parallel next to the vertical stacker table and above the mail tray transport, and is arranged to withdraw envelopes from the end of the vertical stack in a sideways direction. Envelopes are then redirected into a downward direction and fed into a mail tray positioned beneath the movable mail tray filler. | 12-05-2013 |
20150336755 | METHOD FOR AUTOMATED FILLLING OF A MAIL TRAY FROM A VERTICAL STACKER - An automated mail tray filling apparatus for taking envelopes from a vertical stacker output of an inserter machine and placing them in mail trays. A vertical stack of envelopes rests on a long stacker table. The mail tray filling apparatus has a track positioned next the vertical stacker table parallel to the length of the vertical stacker table. A mail tray transport is positioned beneath the track and arranged to transport mail trays beneath the track in a direction parallel to the vertical stacker table. A movable mail tray filler is movably mounted on the track to travel in parallel next to the vertical stacker table and above the mail tray transport, and is arranged to withdraw envelopes from the end of the vertical stack in a sideways direction. Envelopes are then redirected into a downward direction and fed into a mail tray positioned beneath the movable mail tray filler. | 11-26-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100286703 | TACK OR DRIVE SCREW FOR SECURING A PROSTHESIS TO BONE AND ASSOCIATED INSTRUMENTATION AND METHOD - The present invention relates to a surgical method or procedure for securing a prosthesis to bone. More particularly, the present invention relates to (i) a surgical method or procedure for securing a low load bearing prosthesis such as, for example, an adhesion barrier, to a patient's bone, (ii) a tack or drive screw for securing the low load bearing prosthesis and (iii) associated instrumentation for driving the tack or drive screw into the patient's bone. | 11-11-2010 |
20110077667 | SUTURE BASED TISSUE REPAIR - The present invention provides an apparatus for suture-based tissue repair, preferably for the annulus of a spinal disc, that includes a suture loop preferably pre-tied with a sliding knot, a clasp-type component that captures the ends of the suture loop, and an optional plug member that fills the tissue defect. Also disclosed is a method that places the suture loop in a full-thickness stitch encircling the tissue defect, secures the ends of the suture loop to the clasp, and cinches the suture loop to approximate the tissue without the need to tie knots. Also disclosed is a suture passer that enables a suture strand or loop to be passed through the tissue wall, captured, and retrieved. The suture passer may optionally incorporate a clasp in such an arrangement that enables a suture loop passed through the tissue wall to be captured directly by the clasp. | 03-31-2011 |
20110270400 | PHASE TRANSITIONING HYDROGELS - A method of forming and the resulting hydrogel composition comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) at a final concentration of about 20% (w/w) to about 65% (w/w) and polyethylene glycol at a final concentration of about 2% (w/w) to about 20% (w/w), wherein the hydrogel composition has a total polymer content, above about 30% (w/w), higher than the total polymer content of a precursor polymer solution formulated prior to the formulation of the hydrogel composition. The hydrogel composition may further comprise poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) at a fmal concentration of about 0.10% (w/w) to about 0.75% (w/w). | 11-03-2011 |
20140322288 | METHOD OF FORMING AND THE RESULTING MEMBRANE COMPOSITION FOR SURGICAL SITE PRESERVATION - A method of forming and the resulting membrane composition for securement to a patient's bone or tissue to reduce the formation of tissue adhesions following a surgical procedure comprises a first component and a second component. The first component comprises a hydrogel including at least one crosslinked polymer. The second component comprises a textile component. The composition has a thickness between about two tenths of a millimeter (0.2 mm) to about six tenths of a millimeter (0.6 mm), a suture retention strength between about one Newton (1 N) to about thirteen Newtons (13 N), a static coefficient of friction between about one hundredth (0.01) and about one-half (0.5), a kinetic coefficient of friction between about one hundredth (0.01) and about one-half (0.5) and a flexibility of less than thirty millimeters (30 mm) bend length. A method of reducing the occurrence of tissue adhesions following surgery comprises applying the membrane composition to a surgical site. | 10-30-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080312744 | SUPPLEMENTATION OR REPLACEMENT OF A NUCLEUS PULPOSUS OF AN INTERVERTEBRAL DISC - A degenerated nucleus pulposus located in a central core region of an intervertebral disc within the annulus fibrosus is supplemented or replaced by a method wherein an amount of a biocompatible material is introduced into the central core region by a process including the steps of 1) forming a channel through a vertebral body adjacent to said intervertebral disc, extending from an exterior surface of the vertebral body to the central core region of the annulus fibrosus; 2) introducing an amount of a biocompatible material through the channel into the central core region of the annulus fibrosus; 3) pressurizing the biocompatible material through the channel to a postsurgical pressure sufficient to alleviate symptoms caused by the degenerated nucleus pulposus; and 4) sealing the channel while maintaining the sufficient postsurgical pressure. After sealing the channel, a vertebroplasty may optionally be performed in the vertebra. | 12-18-2008 |
20100016907 | REPLACEMENT OR SUPPLEMENTATION OF A NUCLEUS PULPOSUS USING A HYDROGEL - A nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc is supplemented or replaced by an elongated, physiologically fully hydrated hydrogel prosthesis inserted into the central region of an intervertebral disc, where it can fold upon itself to form a prosthesis body within the central region of the annulus fibrosus. The hydrogel prosthesis may have expanded portions that assist in preventing expulsion of the prosthesis through the insertion aperture. An instrument for inserting the prosthesis has a cutter for severing the elongated prosthesis within the central region of the intervertebral disc after a sufficient amount has been implanted. | 01-21-2010 |
20100272672 | CROSSLINKED HYDROGELS - The present invention preferably provides for a method of forming and the resulting solid polymer gel composition comprising polyethylene imine and at least one hydrogen bonding polymer. The composition has a greater viscosity than either of the polyethylene imine or the hydrogen bonding polymer alone and is injectable immediately after mixing of the polyethylene imine and the at least one hydrogen bonding polymer. A method of tissue repair may include mixing about 9.25% (w/w) to about 13.65% (w/w) polyethylene imine and about 18.02% (w/w) to about 26.62% (w/w) polyvinyl alcohol to form an injectable composition; injecting the injectable composition into a cavity within a human body; and allowing the composition to solidify in situ. A kit may include a multi-barrel syringe at least one barrel is loaded with polyethylene imine and at least another barrel is loaded with at least one hydrogen bonding polymer. | 10-28-2010 |
20110153022 | BALLOON-ASSISTED ANNULUS REPAIR - The present invention is directed to an inflatable annulus repair device ( | 06-23-2011 |
20120143338 | REPLACEMENT OR SUPPLEMENTATION OF A NUCLEUS PULPOSUS USING A HYDROGEL - A nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc is supplemented or replaced by a physiologically fully hydrated solid hydrogel intervertebral body comprising a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, wherein the solid hydrogel intervertebral body exhibits an osmotic pressure of from 0.1 to 0.3 megapascals prior to insertion into a patient, the solid hydrogel intervertebral body having a ratio of length to principal transverse dimension not less than about 5:1. | 06-07-2012 |
20150223977 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUPRACHOROIDAL ADMINISTRATION OF THERAPEUTIC AGENT - An apparatus for delivering therapeutic agent to an eye comprises a body, a cannula, a hollow needle, and an actuation assembly. The cannula extends distally from the body and is sized and configured to be insertable between a choroid and a sclera of a patient's eye. The actuation assembly is operable to actuate the needle relative to the cannula to thereby drive a distal portion of the needle along an exit axis that is obliquely oriented relative to the longitudinal axis of the cannula. The cannula may be inserted through a sclerotomy incision to position a distal end of the cannula at a posterior region of the eye, between the choroid and sclera. The needle may be advanced through the choroid to deliver the therapeutic agent adjacent to the potential space between the neurosensory retina and the retinal pigment epithelium layer, adjacent to the area of geographic atrophy. | 08-13-2015 |
20150351958 | THERAPEUTIC AGENT DELIVERY DEVICE WITH CONVERGENT LUMEN - An apparatus has a first fluid conduit, a second fluid conduit, a connector member, an first tubular member, a second tubular member, and an inner cannula. The connector member has first and second passageways in which the first and second fluid conduits are positioned, respectively. A portion of the second tubular member is positioned within the lumen of the first tubular member. A proximal portion of the inner cannula is fixedly secured within the lumen of the first tubular member. The inner cannula lumen is in fluid communication with the first and second fluid conduits via the lumen of the first tubular member and the lumen of the second tubular member. The inner cannula may be inserted into the subretinal space of a human eye to deliver a leading bleb of fluid and then deliver a therapeutic agent, without having to withdraw the inner cannula from the subretinal space between the acts of delivering the leading bleb delivering the therapeutic agent. | 12-10-2015 |
20160074212 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SENSING POSITION BETWEEN LAYERS OF AN EYE - An apparatus for delivering therapeutic agent to an eye comprises a body, a cannula, a hollow needle, an actuation assembly, and a detection/visualization system. The cannula extends distally from the body and is sized and configured to be insertable between a choroid and a sclera of a patient's eye. The actuation assembly is operable to actuate the needle relative to the cannula to thereby drive a distal portion of the needle along an exit axis. The cannula may be inserted through a sclerotomy incision and advanced through the choroid to deliver the therapeutic agent adjacent to the potential space between the neurosensory retina and the retinal pigment epithelium layer. The detection/visualization system is operable to detect or visualize penetration of the choroid of a patient's eye and provide feedback to the operator and/or automatic control of the apparatus based on penetration of the choroid. | 03-17-2016 |
20160081849 | THERAPEUTIC AGENT DELIVERY DEVICE - A system for storing and delivering a predetermined amount of fluid includes a syringe including a barrel, a flange disposed at the proximal end of the barrel, and a plunger assembly configured to be received in the lumen of the barrel. The plunger assembly includes a piston and a plunger rod. The plunger rod is removably couplable to the piston at the distal end of the plunger rod and includes a thumb press flange at the proximal end of the plunger rod. The system further includes a stop feature that is removably couplable to the syringe or the plunger assembly. The stop feature is configured to arrest distal advancement of the plunger assembly relative to the syringe when the plunger assembly reaches a predetermined position relative to the syringe. The stop thus ensures that a predetermined amount of fluid remains in the barrel. | 03-24-2016 |