Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090013446 | ELASTOMERIC ITEMS WITH DESIRABLE STRENGTH AND COMFORT PROPERTIES - A test for determining whether an elastomeric article has a desired ratio of strength to comfort, i.e., a strength-comfort index, is disclosed. Methods for preparing strong, soft, and thin articles from synthetic latexes, to optimize the strength and comfort of the articles, are also disclosed. Using this index, and, optionally, comparing the results with those one obtained using natural rubber, one can determine whether an article of manufacture can be prepared from synthetic elastomers and still have optimal properties (i.e., strength and comfort), particularly as compared to a similar article prepared from natural rubber. The strength of an article is directly related to the force required to break a tensile specimen of the sample and thus the tensile strength of the article. A measure of the strength of an article relative to its resistance to deformation is given by the following ratio: | 01-15-2009 |
20090292081 | Alternative Crosslinking Technology - Compositions capable of being cured and imparting durability, in the absence or without the use of conventional sulfur-based cure systems, are disclosed. The compositions include a carboxylated base polymer and an aluminum compound, wherein the aluminum compound comprises a retarding anion. The compositions can be used to form elastomeric articles of manufacture such as gloves, condoms, and finger cots, and as binders and coatings. Retarding anions are those which require time to dissociate from the aluminum ion, thereby delaying the crosslinking of the carboxylated polymer. The aluminum compounds can be used to manufacture gloves from aqueous dispersions of the carboxylated polymers, including, for example, carboxylated nitrile latexes, in a coagulant dip process. | 11-26-2009 |
20100056717 | One Component Thermoset Latex Composition - A shelf-stable, one-component, water-dispersed, film-forming, thermoset resin composition, which composition is also solvent free, formaldehyde-free, and latex compatible, is disclosed. The resin is a latex dispersion formed by emulsion polymerization of monomer mixtures including one or more carboxylic acid-containing monomers and hydroxyl-containing monomers, and ideally including monomers such as styrene, butadiene, and/or acetonitrile. Monomers such as (meth)acrylates or (meth)acrylamides may be substantially absent, to avoid off-gassing volatile organic compounds when the composition is cured. The compositions can be used, for example, to prepare reinforced glass mats, insulation, and roofing shingles, used in thermosetting paper applications, or can be dried, melted and shaped at a temperature below the cure temperature, and then cured at the cure temperature. The glass transition temperatures of the polymers in the compositions can be varied over a wide range by varying the monomer composition. | 03-04-2010 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090248160 | Inflatable Intervertebral Disc Replacement Prosthesis - An intervertebral disc replacement prosthesis which can be implanted in a collapsed state, then expanded within the disc space such that minimally invasive surgical techniques may be employed for its insertion, and, by virtue of its expandable nature, ligaments can be restored to proper tension, facet joints can be unloaded posteriorly to inhibit degenerative changes, and functional mobility of the intervertebral segment can be restored. | 10-01-2009 |
20090270929 | Facet joint fixation device - A device for fixing the positions of proximate bone elements including an inter-bone implant adapted to be implanted between suitably prepared proximate bone elements, the inter-bone implant having an internally threaded aperture, a bone fixation apparatus including a base having an eyelet and a means connected to the base for mechanically fixing the positions of the proximate bone elements relative to each other, the eyelet being substantially aligned with the internally threaded aperture, and a screw having a head and a threaded shaft extending therefrom, wherein the shaft is operatively arranged to extend through the eyelet and threadingly engage the internally threaded aperture, and the screw is operatively arranged to secure the bone fixation apparatus to the inter-bone implant. | 10-29-2009 |
20120071880 | Disk Preparation Tool With Flexible Cutting Element - A tool for preparing vertebral surfaces following a discectomy has a body and a rotary cutting tool mounted at the distal end of a lever which extends through the body. The proximal end of the lever can be squeezed toward the body to force the cutting tool against the vertebral surface facing it, while the tool is rotated by turning a crank supported on the tool body, or by a motor. The cutting tool is preferably a flexible rasp or blade which can conform to and control the convexity of the prepared surface. | 03-22-2012 |
20120083813 | Sling Blade Transection of the Transverse Carpal Ligament - A sling blade apparatus allows percutaneous transaction of fascia or ligaments and in particular for use in transaction of the human transverse carpal ligament. A flexible sling guide is deployed percutaneously beneath the transverse carpal ligament and when drawn taut interfaces intimately with the transverse carpal ligament. The sling in turn serves as a guide along which cutting instruments can be passed to transect the ligament while simultaneously serving as a protective shield for the adjacent median nerve. | 04-05-2012 |
20140343678 | Adjustable Implant and Insertion Tool - An adjustable spinal implant includes a lower body, an upper body, a locking pawl, and a locking key. The upper body and the lower body are pivotable relative to one another between a collapsed position and an expanded position. The upper body includes a locking flange that extends towards the lower body. The locking pawl is coupled to the lower body and is moveable between a locked position such that the upper and lower bodies are fixed relative to the one another and an unlocked position such that the upper and lower bodies are moveable relative to one another. The locking key is moveable between a locked state such that the locking pawl is fixed in the locked position and an unlocked state wherein the locking pawl is moveable between the locked position and the unlocked position. | 11-20-2014 |
20150057755 | EXPANDABLE SPINAL IMPLANT - An expandable spinal implant configured for positioning within the intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bodies is disclosed. The spinal implant includes a first body, a second body, a ratchet, and a locking mechanism. The first and second bodies are pivotably affixed to each other on respective first ends thereof and are capable of movement relative to each other in a medial-lateral direction with respect to the adjacent vertebral bodies. The ratchet is pivotably supported within a slot defined in the first body and is capable of engaging the second body thereby permitting movement of the first and second body relative to each other in a first direction, but not in a second direction that is different than the first direction. A method of performing spinal surgery is also disclosed. | 02-26-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130232668 | HELMET WITH MULTIPLE PROTECTIVE ZONES - The present invention is a protective helmet having multiple zones of protection suitable for use in construction work, athletic endeavors, and similar activities. The helmet includes a hard outer protective that is suspended over a hard anchor zone by elastic cords extending between an elastomeric zone between the outer and inner zones. Fluid filed bladders are positioned in the elastomeric zone and bulge through one or more of a plurality of apertures located in the outer zone. In one embodiment, an additional crumple zone is present. The structure enables the helmet to divert linear and rotational forces away from the user's braincase. | 09-12-2013 |
20140100612 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ALIGNING A SPINE - The present invention broadly comprises an assembly for performing a gradual lateral spinal alignment of a spine. The assembly includes a toggle bolt that includes a shaft and a toggle wing, a rigid stabilizing rod with an orifice, a cable attached to the toggle bolt and a tube enclosing the cable and extending out of the patient's back. The toggle bolt extends through the stabilizing rod and is positioned against the misaligned spine. The toggle bolt is placed in a bore through the body of a vertebra and deployed, The attached cable is pulled using the stabilizing rod as a brace to pull the spine into alignment. The device allows the spine to be gradually placed into alignment helping to avoid trauma on the spine and surrounding tissue. | 04-10-2014 |
20140173810 | HELMET WITH MULTIPLE PROTECTIVE ZONES - The present invention is a protective helmet having multiple zones of protection suitable for use in construction work, athletic endeavors, and similar activities. The helmet includes a hard outer protective that is suspended over a hard anchor zone by elastic cords extending between an elastomeric zone between the outer and inner zones. Fluid filed bladders are positioned in the elastomeric zone and bulge through one or more of a plurality of apertures located in the outer zone. In one embodiment, an additional crumple zone is present. The structure enables the helmet to divert linear and rotational forces away from the user's braincase. | 06-26-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110083284 | Pigment Compositions for Hair Coloring - Compositions and methods relating to the use of pigment compositions are revealed, which can be used to impart color to hair. For instance, treatment formulations that include a pigment-functionalized cationic polymer can be utilized. In some particular instances, a plurality of serially applied treatment formulations is used to improve the characteristics of hair coloring. In addition, other formulations or treatments, such as one or more sealing compositions, or a final coating formulation can also be used to impart other desired characteristics such as treatment durability. Other components of various formulations/compositions are also discussed. Processes for using such compositions/formulations are disclosed. Along with the compositions, kits can be assembled where various compositions/formulations are compartmentalized for storage until the time for application. | 04-14-2011 |
20110084421 | Ultraphobic Compositions and Methods of Use - Compositions and methods are disclosed for imparting ultraphobicity to substrates. Ultraphobicity can be exhibited by superhydrophobicity, oleophobicity, or both. In some instances, techniques for imparting ultraphobicity can include the use of particles that are appropriately configured. For instance, the particles can be arranged to form a roughened surface that enhances and/or imparts ultraphobicity. In another instance, the particles can have surfaces that repel at least one of a oil-based liquid and a water-based liquid. For example, the particles can be attached to an ultraphobic-inducing composition (e.g., copolymer) that comprises at least one polyamine segment and a plurality of branch segments. Such particles can be mixed with a binder composition to form a coating or film for imparting the ultraphobic properties. Other embodiments are directed to other techniques that can also aid in imparting ultraphobicity. | 04-14-2011 |