Thomas C Meyer

US Patent:

20080114367, May 15, 2008

Filed:

Nov 10, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/595582

Inventors:

Thomas L. Meyer - New Albany OH, US

International Classification:

A61B 17/58
A61M 29/00
A61F 2/44

US Classification:

606 90, 606191, 623 1716

Abstract:

A method and a distracter for replacing a removed, intervertebral disc with a prosthesis. An inter-body distracter is inserted within the intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, the vertebrae are distracted and are supported by the distracter. A fluid, curable polymer is injected into the intervertebral space and around the distracter and then the polymer is cured to a semi-rigid, pliable, elastically deformable state. The distracter is then disabled from supporting compressive forces applied by the vertebrae and remains in place. The preferred distracter is a scissors jack having intermediate bearings joined by links to support feet. One of the bearings has a threaded lateral bore and the second bearing has a lateral bore. A rod extends through the bores and has a threaded portion extending from a first end of the rod and threadedly engaging the threaded bearing. The inside diameter of the second bore is greater than the outside diameter of the threaded portion of the rod so the rod is axially slidable through the second bore. A thrust bearing is fixed on the threaded rod and positioned laterally outwardly of the second bearing for forcing the second bearing laterally toward the first bearing upon rotation of the rod in one direction and for permitting the rod to be withdrawn from the bearing by rotating the rod in the opposite direction and disengaging it from the first bearing. Alternative distracters are also disclosed.

US Patent:

56038208, Feb 18, 1997

Filed:

Jun 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/477620

Inventors:

Tadeusz Malinski - Oakland Township MI
David A. Wink - Hagerstown MD
Janet Younathan - Rochester NY
Royce W. Murray - Chapel Hill NC
Melani Sullivan - Rufenach, CH
Thomas J. Meyer - Chapel Hill NC
Danae D. Christodoulou - Frederick MD

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health
and Human Services - Washington DC
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill NC

International Classification:

G01N 2726

US Classification:

205781

Abstract:

An electrode sensor which may be used to specifically and quantitatively measure nitric oxide is provided, as well as a method of preparing and using such an electrode sensor to measure nitric oxide concentration in solution. A nitric oxide (NO) microsensor based on catalytic oxidation of NO comprises a thermally-sharpened carbon fiber with a tip diameter of about 0. 5-0. 7. mu. m coated with several layers of p-type semiconducting polymeric porphyrin and cationic exchanger deposited thereon. The microsensor, which can be operated in either the amperometric, voltammetric or coulometric mode utilizing a two or three electrode system, is characterized by a linear response up to about 300. mu. M, a response time better than 10 msec and a detection limit of about 10 nM. The sensor of the present invention also discriminates against nitrite, the most problematic interferant in NO measurements.