Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080200955 | Plate and Screws for Treatment of Bone Fractures - A plate for treatment of bone fractures with reduced potential contact to bone through a combination of annular recesses surrounding the screw holes at the lower, bone facing surface of the plate and transverse grooves between the holes, allows for use of locking as well as conventional bone screws. With the transverse grooves cut into the plate from the lower side, as well as from the sides, the strength of the plate at the span between the holes is lower than at the screw holes. The plate can be bent in both planes without undue deformation of the screw holes. Protection of the holes during bending is afforded by hole plugs, which may be provided pre-installed in order to reduce surgery time. Screw hole plugs may then be left in place in the holes not used for bone screws. | 08-21-2008 |
20100063589 | WEAR-REDUCING GEOMETRY OF ARTICULATIONS IN TOTAL JOINT REPLACEMENTS - The invention reduces wear in total joint articulations by modifications of the shape of either component of the kinematic pair, so as to result in an annular surface contact between the two components. Fluid trapped between the two components within the inner contour of the annular contact area is pressurized under load due to elastic deformation of the components and exuded out through inter-articular gap over the surface of contact, aiding in lubrication and reducing the wear. Reduced to practice for a total hip joint with UHMWPE-metal pair, the wear rate tested in a hip joint simulator up to five million cycles was reduced by factor seven to fifteen compared to conventionally shaped components. | 03-11-2010 |
20110248498 | GENERATING ELECTRICAL POWER UTILIZING SURFACE-LEVEL HOT AIR AS THE HEAT SOURCE, HIGH ATMOSPHERE AS THE HEAT SINK AND A MICROWAVE BEAM TO INITIATE AND CONTROL AIR UPDRAFT - The invention describes a method of generating electrical power utilizing hot surface air as the heat source, high atmosphere as the heat sink and a microwave beam aimed upward providing updraft to initiate and control the large-scale air circulation. The frequency of the microwave beam is centered at approximately 60 GHz, within the absorption band of molecular oxygen, so as to result in beam penetration to an altitude of several kilometers. The power plant comprises a high-power microwave source, e.g. a bank of gyrotrons, one or more turbine-generator sets, and—optionally—a condenser/cyclone (if on a floating platform). The plant can also provide clean water from condensation out of humid, sea level air. The plant could also be used to remove atmospheric carbon dioxide from large quantities of air. The dynamic chimney produced by the microwave beam could alternatively be deployed in conjunction with a solar heat power plants, industrial chimneys, and cooling towers of conventional power plants to increase their effective height. | 10-13-2011 |
20110249927 | RADIAL BEARINGS OF INCREASED LOAD CAPACITY AND STABILITY WITH ONE AXIALLY ASYMMETRIC BEARING COMPONENT - The invention increases load capacity and stability of radial bearings by modifying the geometry of the bearing in the transverse cross section so as to split the conventional, single contact zone into two contact zones, each preferably offset by about 45 degrees from the load axis. Depending on the application, one or the other of the paired bearing components is axially asymmetric. The needed shape can be pre-machined into a bearing component, produced by permanent deformation of an axially symmetric component, or induced by assembly into/onto housing/shaft of the rotating members. Expected gain in load bearing capacity is about 40%; dynamic stability can also be significantly improved, which is of particular interest in fluid film lubricated journal bearings. | 10-13-2011 |
20110300109 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TREATING CANCER - The present invention is based, in part, on our discovery of compositions and methods that can be used to systemically deplete arginine and thereby treat arginine-dependent cancers. Our studies indicate that administering a composition that depletes arginine directly to the patient's small intestine will provide effective treatment for arginine-dependent cancers. Moreover, the methods can be carried out in such a way that various sources of arginine are restricted and side effects are minimized. For example, to deplete arginine, one can not only administer an arginine-depleting enzyme directly to the intestinal lumen but can also inhibit endogenous production of arginine, reduce arginine production by intestinal bacteria and limit arginine intake. To minimize side effects, one can inhibit protein breakdown, which may occur as a compensatory mechanism, provide systemic NO from a nitric oxide donor, provide a pressor peptide, and/or provide prostacycline or an analog thereof. | 12-08-2011 |
20110319933 | SUTURE BONE ANCHOR - A bone anchor provides stable, durable anchorage of sutures used for repair of soft tissues torn, or cut, away from bones. The anchor includes a plurality of prongs angled in the direction of loading. The prongs are inserted into holes drilled in the bone. The angled nature of the prongs causes them to dig into the bone under functional loading. A suture is attached to the anchor via an integral bead and led through the anchor eyelet. In use, the suture does not glide anywhere at its interface to the anchor, nor does if flex on itself at a knot. Instead, it only flexes around the pillar of the eyelet with a fully circular cross-section. The suture is preferably of multi-filament type and the diameter of the individual filaments is preferably no more than 1% of the diameter of the eyelet's circular pillar. Filaments of the suture are preferably loose; i.e. they are not bonded or braided. This is to prevent strains in the filaments in excess of their fatigue limit when flexing around the pillar of the anchor. | 12-29-2011 |
20110319945 | LATERAL SUTURE SCREW - A bone screw for lateral suture stabilization includes a post around which the suture winds. An attachment hole is located in the head of the bone screw above the post for connecting an end of the suture. Various suture configurations can be used around multiple bone screws in the lateral suture stabilization process to control the flexion of the suture upon movement of the joint. The suture is formed from a plurality of high strength high modulus polymeric fibers. The fibers are independent and free from intrinsic inter-fiber shear coupling found in braided or bonded fibers. | 12-29-2011 |
20110319994 | ACL PROSTHESIS AND ANCHOR THEREFOR - An interarticular ligament prosthesis is formed from a plurality of high strength high modulus polymeric fibers. The fibers are independent and free from intrinsic inter-fiber shear coupling found in braided or bonded fibers. The ligament prosthesis is installed with tubular, bone screw anchors. The fibers of the ligament prosthesis pass through the central hole of the anchors and are knotted at one end. The exit holes of the anchors include ceramic eyelets with polished edges. The edges are rounded to a defined radius for desired fatigue life of the prosthesis. | 12-29-2011 |
20120035671 | Internal Joint Bracing System and Suture Anchoring Assembly Therefore - An internal bracing system is disclosed for stabilizing a joint such as the knee, shoulder, ankle or the like. The internal bracing system includes an extra-articular tension band mechanism and an anchor assembly therefore. The internal bracing system adds substantial control to unstable joints which is effective in limiting the pathological joint motions and internal slippage. The anchor anchoring assembly designed to affix a tethering device to various bony structures which form a joint, for the purpose of providing stability. The anchor assembly includes an anchor and a set screw. A double helix thread/chamber structure between the anchor and set screw securely holds the tether without binding. | 02-09-2012 |
20120116451 | SUTURE ATTACHMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - A bone anchor has a central bore allowing for uniquely attaching a suture thereto. The bore is shaped so that it is wider at the bottom of the anchor than at the top of the anchor. A peg fits within the bore. The suture is looped around the peg and the peg is inserted into the bore. Friction between the bore, peg and suture holds the suture in place. A suture for use with the bone anchor may be formed by fusing together the ends of a plurality of fibers to form a loop. | 05-10-2012 |
20120136450 | ELBOW JOINT PROSTHESIS AND METHOD FOR IMPLANTATION - A modular elbow prosthesis is disclosed, as well as a surgical approach and implantation technique, for using the prosthesis. The system is the first and only to allow for a, Biomechanically Anatomical, Nonconstrained, Compartmental (BANC) Elbow Arthroplasty. The modularity of the system allows it to be implanted as an unicompartmental or partial elbow replacement or a total elbow replacement. The modular elbow prosthesis for partial elbow replacement includes a cylindrical medial humeral component, a polyethylene ring thereon, and a semicircular medial ulnar component which mates with the polyethylene ring. Additionally, for total elbow replacement, the modular elbow prosthesis also includes a circular lateral humeral component, a polyethylene ring thereon, a semicircular lateral ulnar component, and a radial component. Implantation of the prosthesis is through a minimally invasive medial surgical approach with the aid of precision biomechanical guides. The application is well suited for canines, other quadrupeds, and people. | 05-31-2012 |
20120209395 | TROCHLEAR GROOVE PROSTHESIS - A trochlear groove prosthesis includes a base plate and cap. The base plate and cap are shaped to correspond to the shape of the trochlear groove. A cut is made in the femur to remove the worn or damaged trochlear groove. The base plate is attached to the cut portion of the femur. The cap is mated with the base plate. The prosthesis and procedure provide a properly shaped prosthesis with a single planar cut of the femur. | 08-16-2012 |
20130060345 | PARTIAL HIP PROSTHESIS - The invention reduces friction and wear in partial hip prosthesis by combining optimized geometry of the articulation and surface treatment of the prosthetic component. The acetabulum is reamed to the bone. One of the articulating surfaces—either that of the reamed acetabulum, or that of the femoral head prosthesis is a-spherical so that a fluid-filled gap is formed at the area of major load transfer. The fluid-filled gap is sealed by an annular area of contact, over which the concave and the convex components are congruent. The preferred surface treatment is by diamond-like coating, which results in very low coefficient of friction and high abrasion resistance against the bone. The prosthetic head is fixed to the femur by either a conventional stem, a perforated shell, or a femoral neck prosthesis screwed onto the femur so that it is partially covered by bone and partially exposed on the medial-inferior aspect, where it abuts the reamed cortex of the calcar region. | 03-07-2013 |
20130066367 | SUTURE BONE ANCHOR - A bone anchor provides stable, durable anchorage of sutures used for repair of soft tissues torn, or cut, away from bones. The anchor includes a plurality of prongs angled in the direction of loading. The prongs-are inserted into holes drilled in the bone. The angled nature of the prongs causes them to dig into the bone under functional loading. A suture is attached to the anchor via an integral bead and led through the anchor eyelet. In use, the suture does not glide anywhere at its interface to the anchor, nor does if flex on itself at a knot. Instead, it only flexes around the pillar of the eyelet with a fully circular cross-section. | 03-14-2013 |
20130096693 | WEAR-REDUCING GEOMETRY OF ARTICULATIONS IN TOTAL JOINT REPLACMENTS - The invention reduces wear in total joint articulations by modifications of the shape of either component of the kinematic pair, so as to result in an annular surface contact between the two components. Fluid trapped between the two components within the inner contour of the annular contact area is pressurized under load due to elastic deformation of the components and exuded out through inter-articular gap over the surface of contact, aiding in lubrication and reducing the wear. Reduced to practice for a total hip joint with UHMWPE-metal pair, the wear rate tested in a hip joint simulator up to five million cycles was reduced by factor seven to fifteen compared to conventionally shaped components. | 04-18-2013 |
20130190886 | PATELLAR LIGAMENT SPACER FOR ACL INJURIES - A method and implant to treat anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are disclosed. The method involves advancing the insertion of the patellar ligament to the proximal tibia. The implant includes a spacer ( | 07-25-2013 |
20130229015 | GENERATING ELECTRICAL POWER UTILIZING SURFACE-LEVEL HOT AIR AS THE HEAT SOURCE, HIGH ATMOSPHERE AS THE HEAT SINK AND A MICROWAVE BEAM TO INITIATE AND CONTROL AIR UPDRAFT - The invention describes a method of generating electrical power utilizing hot surface air as the heat source, high atmosphere as the heat sink and a microwave beam aimed upward providing updraft to initiate and control the large-scale air circulation. The frequency of the microwave beam is centered at approximately 60 GHz, within the absorption band of molecular oxygen, so as to result in beam penetration to an altitude of several kilometers. The power plant comprises a high-power microwave source, e.g. a bank of gyrotrons, one or more turbine-generator sets, and—optionally—a condenser/cyclone (if on a floating platform). The plant can also provide clean water from condensation out of humid, sea level air. The plant could also be used to remove atmospheric carbon dioxide from large quantities of air. The dynamic chimney produced by the microwave beam could alternatively be deployed in conjunction with a solar heat power plants, industrial chimneys, and cooling towers of conventional power plants to increase their effective height. | 09-05-2013 |
20140102115 | TURBO-ENGINE, PARTICULARLY INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - The invention is directed to a turbo-engine, particularly internal combustion engine, comprising a housing and therein a bladeless turbine section ( | 04-17-2014 |
20140243977 | Prosthetic System for Orthopedic Repair - The present invention features systems for orthopedic repair of, for example, a joint. The present systems deviate from conventional systems by virtue of combining a finer prosthetic ligament with a robust anchor. The relationship between these components and their various features are described herein and result in joint reconstruction in human and veterinary settings that is less likely to fail over time. | 08-28-2014 |
20150051707 | Wear-Reducing Ring for Articulations in Total Joint Replacements - The articulating joint prostheses of the invention demonstrate reduced wear and can include a cup ( | 02-19-2015 |