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There is a classic beauty about the young girl on the cover of this week's
Yet look closely, and something is not quite right. They have an eerie, luminous, almost ghost-like quality. They are in fact composites of 16 faces, formed by a digital artist working in the 21st century. As more and more faces were added, this unearthly beauty emerged as the distillation of youth. True beauty, it seems, is the average of everyone.
The work of the artist Chris Dorley-Brown was made possible by advances in understanding the physiology and psychology of the face, coupled with a technological revolution that provides a digital palette for everyone from artists to forensic scientists and surgeons.
This special supplement features some of the 200 exhibits at the Wellcome Trust's exhibition (see panel ...
To continue reading this article, subscribe to receive access to all of newscientist.com, including 20 years of archive content.


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Western Pennsylvania
Office & Warehouse
Planet Aid, Inc.
11055 Parker DriveNorth Huntingdon, PA 15642
F: firstname.lastname@example.com
Office & Warehouse
From our offices in North Huntington we cover the greater Pittsburgh metropolitan area. To learn more about our operation or if you are interested in hosting a bin, please contact our operations manager, Anthony Legnine.
Planet Aid facilities are supporting local homeless shelters during the intense cold snap that is gripping parts of the country. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette helped ou... Read more
Planet Aid is proud to sponsor the Police Athletic League's Pals! We look forward to continuing our support for this 10-year old boys team in the spring as well. Read more

subset: commoncrawl


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Secretary Cohen: Let me express my welcome to the Minister. We have a very close working relationship with Malaysia. The Minister and I have met before -- although I in a different at that time -- and we are going to explore a continuation of this very strong and growing relationship that we have with Malaysia. I understand there are representatives here from the Malaysia press and we welcome your comments or questions.
Q: Mr. Secretary, could we ask you about a report in the Washington Post this morning that there isn't, still, enough security for U.S. military installations for service people in the Gulf.
A: I'm familiar with the report that was filed with the NSC and others and we take it very seriously. Obviously, in the wake of the Khobar Towers bombing, in the wake of the Downing Report, we have taken a number of measures. Out of the 81 recommendations in the Downing Report we have completed some 79. We'll complete the balance in the very near future. We have made substantial investments in force protection, and anytime that anyone makes an assessment that we're in anyway deficient, we take it very seriously. As a matter of fact, Deputy Secretary of Defense John White is in the area now on a long planned mission to look at our security measures. He obviously will follow-up and analyze any of the deficiencies that may have been cited, or have been cited by the so-called Simon report.
But, I should point that we can never provide 100 percent full protection for our forces who are dispersed throughout the world. We will take whatever measures are necessary to provide the best possible guarantee against terrorist attacks against our forces, but there can be no 100 percent foolproof guarantee and we understand that. We're taking, we think, adequate measures and we'll look at the Simon report very carefully and take whatever additional measures [that] need to be taken.
Q: Are you troubled at all by the acquisition of advanced weapons systems by countries in the Southeast Asian region? Do you see an arms race developing there? Either of you gentlemen can comment.
A: Well we don't see an arms race developing. We understand that the individual countries have a need for their own security requirements and we try to accommodate them on a case-by-case basis. We proceed with great caution. We coordinate our arms transfers and arms cooperation very closely. That's the purpose of meetings such as this, to make sure that we're not contributing to an arms race, but rather satisfying the requirements of the individual countries with whom we have strong and close bilateral relationships.
Q: Can you tell us where the situation stands in Zaire? Are we looking at a possible evacuation of U.S. citizens there? What are we doing to prepare for that?
A: We're following it very closely. We are in very close touch with our ambassador and obviously follow the recommendations of the ambassador who's on the ground. In addition to that we have an assessment team on the ground right now, making an assessment in terms of what is necessary. As soon as we receive that recommendation we will take follow-up action. As with any area in which we have this sort of a situation, we have contingent arrangements to provide for the safe evacuation of American citizens and we are following it on a very close basis.
Press: Thank you, Mr. Secretary.


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The Big Three: Changes in CBA, Remaining free agent options, Loewen
I'm experimenting with writing writing a column entitled "The Big Three" on this blog every day or once every other day, highlighting the three (or four if I'm in a good mood) stories. These may be interesting opinion articles, Tweets, stories, or anything that I feel is worth your attention. Well, here goes…
Major League Baseball just got a little more popular among NBA fans today, as they signed a five-year labor deal that will give them 21 straight years of labor peace, something none of the other three major sports (if you call hockey a major sport) can say. Some of the highlights include:
- Addition of one Wild Card team per league
- Astros will move to the AL in 2013
- Non-stop interleague play starting in 2013
- No more Type A/ Type B free agents
- Taxes on teams that over-spend in the draft
Matthew Cerrone put together a nice list of changesto the CBA on MetsBlog or view Major League Baseball's outline.
The changes are very extensive, addressing some "minor" issues like players attending All-Star games and maple bats. However, they also addressed some very important issues, like overspending in the draft. Teams who can spend have gained an unfair advantage by driving up bonuses. They also added value to the division title, which seems to have decreased in the past years, especially in the American League. Now, teams will want to fight until the end for the division to avoid a one-game playoff as a Wild Card team. Overall, I think they could have addressed more, but they got a deal done, and that's really all that matters right now.
With the Joe Nathan signing last night with the Rangers, the free agent pool got a little bit smaller for the Mets, who are desperately looking for a cheap closer. Last night, I got very frustrated with the Mets over their lack of aggressiveness. At just two-years, $14.5 million, the Mets could have picked up one of the most, if not the most proven closer out there. He may have been just a little too expensive for the Mets, but sometimes you have to overspend a bit to get consistency at a position. I think Sandy made a bad move by not pushing to get Nathan to come to New York. Luckily, he didn't sign with a rival, so Nathan's signing with the Rangers won't directly hurt them.
Lastly, speaking of big free agents, the Mets reportedly signed outfielder Adam Loewen today to a minor league deal. Loewen, once a pitcher, has seen his home run total, batting average, on-base percentage, and doubles improve every year since he was converted into an outfielder, until finally being called up with the Blue Jays last year. Loewen doesn't have much big league (just 39 career PA), but is a cheap option as a fifth outfielder. The Mets are clearly desperate to catch lightning in a bottle with Loewen. Loewen hit .306 with 17 home runs and 83 RBI last year with Triple-A Las Vega.
What to watch for this week: The Red Sox managerial search ,ay very well end some time this week, and former Met manager Bobby Valentine seems to be a favorite. Valentine managed the Mets to a 536-467 record over parts of seven seasons from 1996-2002. He also led the Rangers to a 581-605 record over parts of eight seasons in the 80s and 90s.


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Addiction is similar to other chronic diseases.
Using imaging technology to measure metabolism (in this case, glucose uptake) in the brain and heart, one can see that both addiction and heart disease produce observable changes in organ function. In each pair of images shown above, the healthy organ shows greater activity (reds and yellows) than the diseased organ. In drug addiction, the frontal cortex, which is a part of the brain associated with judgment and decision-making, is significantly affected. Like heart disease, drug addiction can be prevented and treated successfully. If left untreated, however, its effects can last a lifetime.


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Crash victim shares story with Jamestown students
March 15, 2013 at 1:00 am in The Jamestown Sun
People show their true personalities when they drive, and all drivers should focus more on being respectful than on being cool.
That was Tyler Presnell's message when he spoke to Jamestown High School students Thursday, though he emphasized the same truths held for adults, too.
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A bone fusion implant for repair or replacement of bone includes a hollow body formed from at least two bone fragments which are configured and dimensioned for mutual engagement and which are coupled together. The hollow body may be formed of autograft, allograft, or xenograft bone tissue, and may include a core formed of at least one of bone material and bone inducing substances, with the core being disposed in the hollow body.
1. A bone fusion implant for repair or replacement of bone comprising a hollow body with a substantially enclosed hollow region formed by at least two bone fragments which are configured and dimensioned for mutual engagement and which are coupled together;
wherein the at least two bone fragments are concentric hollow cylinders.
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11. A bone fusion implant for repair or replacement of bone comprising a hollow body formed from at least two bone fragments which are configured and dimensioned for mutual engagement and which are coupled together, wherein the hollow body further comprises a completely enclosed hollow region.
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This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/363,844, filed Jul. 30, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,258,125, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. � 119(e) of Provisional Application No. 60/095,209, filed Aug. 3, 1998; this application further claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. � 119(e) of Provisional Application No. 60/191,099, filed Mar. 22, 2000.
The invention relates to an implant for orthopedic applications. More particularly, the invention is related to an implant formed from two or more bone portions. In addition, the invention relates to allogenic intervertebral implants.
Bone grafts have become an important and accepted means for treating bone fractures and defects. In the United States alone, approximately half a million bone grafting procedures are performed annually, directed to a diverse array of medical interventions for complications such as fractures involving bone loss, injuries or other conditions necessitating immobilization by fusion (such as for the spine or joints), and other bone defects that may be present due to trauma, infection, or disease. Bone grafting involves the surgical transplantation of pieces of bone within the body, and generally is effectuated through the use of graft material acquired from a human source. This is primarily due to the limited applicability of xenografts, transplants from another species.
Orthopedic autografts or autogenous grafts involve source bone acquired from the same individual that will receive the transplantation. Thus, this type of transplant moves bony material from one location in a body to another location in the same body, and has the advantage of producing minimal immunological complications. It is not always possible or even desirable to use an autograft. The acquisition of bone material from the body of a patient typically requires a separate operation from the implantation procedure. Furthermore, the removal of material, oftentimes involving the use of healthy material from the pelvic area or ribs, has the tendency to result in additional patient discomfort during rehabilitation, particularly at the location of the material removal. Grafts formed from synthetic material have also been developed, but the difficulty in mimicking the properties of bone limits the efficacy of these implants.
As a result of the challenges posed by autografts and synthetic grafts, many orthopedic procedures alternatively involve the use of allografts, which are bone grafts from other human sources (normally cadavers). The bone grafts, for example, are placed in a host bone and serve as the substructure for supporting new bone tissue growth from the host bone. The grafts are sculpted to assume a shape that is appropriate for insertion at the fracture or defect area, and often require fixation to that area as by screws or pins. Due to the availability of allograft source material, and the widespread acceptance of this material in the medical community, the use of allograft tissues is certain to expand in the field of musculoskeletal surgery.
Sections of bones with regions having narrow cross-sections, as seen for example with thicknesses X1 and X3, may be rejected for use in certain applications because the wall thickness does not have sufficient strength. Preferably, no region of a bone section has a thickness less than 5 millimeters, although in some applications smaller wall thicknesses may be employed. Thus, in the case that a bone section is found to have a region with a wall thickness less than a minimum acceptable thickness, such a bone section is rejected as being unsuitable for use in a bulk configuration. Often, such a section is ground into bone particulate that is then used in other applications. The minimum thickness standards imposed on the use of bone sections results in the rejection of substantial quantities of bone sections, and thus an inefficient use of the material. Bone sections that do not meet the minimum thickness standards are often found in older individuals.
As a collagen-rich and mineralized tissue, bone is composed of about forty percent organic material (mainly collagen), with the remainder being inorganic material (mainly a near-hydroxyapatite composition resembling 3Ca3(PO4)2.Ca(OH)2). Structurally, the collagen assumes a fibril formation, with hydroxyapatite crystals disposed along the length of the fibril, and the individual fibrils are disposed parallel to each other forming fibers. Depending on the type of bone, the fibrils are either interwoven, or arranged in lamellae that are disposed perpendicular to each other.
There is little doubt that bone tissues have a complex design, and there are substantial variations in the properties of bone tissues with respect to the type of bone (i.e., leg, arm, vertebra) as well as the overall structure of each type. For example, when tested in the longitudinal direction, leg and arm bones have a modulus of elasticity of about 17 to 19 GPa, while vertebra tissue has a modulus of elasticity of less than 1 GPa. The tensile strength of leg and arm bones varies between about 120 MPa and about 150 MPa, while vertebra have a tensile strength of less than 4 MPa. Notably, the compressive strength of bone varies, with the femur and humerus each having a maximum compressive strength of about 167 MPa and 132 MPa respectively. Again, the vertebra have a far lower compressive strength of no more than about 10 MPa.
With respect to the overall structure of a given bone, the mechanical properties vary throughout the bone. For example, a long bone (leg bone) such as the femur has both compact bone and spongy bone. Cortical bone, the compact and dense bone that surrounds the marrow cavity, is generally solid and thus carries the majority of the load in major bones. Cancellous bone, the spongy inner bone, is generally porous and ductile, and when compared to cortical bone is only about one-third to one-quarter as dense, one-tenth to one-twentieth as stiff, but five times as ductile. While cancellous bone has a tensile strength of about 10–20 MPa and a density of about 0.7, cortical bone has a tensile strength of about 100–200 MPa and a density of about 2. Additionally, the strain to failure of cancellous bone is about 5–7%, while cortical bone can only withstand 1–3% strain before failure. It should also be noted that these mechanical characteristics may degrade as a result of numerous factors such as any chemical treatment applied to the bone material, and the manner of storage after removal but prior to implantation (i.e. drying of the bone).
Notably, implants of cancellous bone incorporate more readily with the surrounding host bone, due to the superior osteoconductive nature of cancellous bone as compared to cortical bone. Furthermore, cancellous bone from different regions of the body is known to have a range of porosities. Thus, the design of an implant using cancellous bone may be tailored to specifically incorporate material of a desired porosity.
It is essential to recognize the distinctions in the types and properties of bones when considering the design of implants. Surgeons often work with bones using similar tools as would be found in carpentry, adapted for use in the operating room environment. This suggests that bones have some properties which are similar to some types of wood, for example ease in sawing and drilling. Notably, however, are many differences from wood such as the abrasive nature of hydroxyapatite and the poor response to local heating during machining of a bone. The combination of tensile and compressive strengths found in bone, resulting from the properties of the collagen and hydroxyapatite, is thus more aptly compared to the tensile and compressive strengths found in reinforced concrete, due to steel and cement. Furthermore, while wood is readily available in considerable quantity, bone material is an extremely limited resource that must be used in an extremely efficient manner.
Various types of bone grafts are known. For example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,989,289 to Coates et al., a spinal spacer includes a body formed of a bone composition such as cortical bone. The spacer has walls that define a chamber that is sized to receive an osteogenic composition to facilitate bone growth.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,939 to Boyce et al. discloses a bone-derived implant for load-supporting applications. The implant has one or more layers of fully mineralized or partially demineralized cortical bone and, optionally, one or more layers of some other material. The layers constituting the implant are assembled into a unitary structure, as by joining layers to each other in edge-to-edge fashion in a manner analogous to planking.
Another bone-grafting material is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,470 to Nashef et al., and is formed using a tanning procedure involving glutaraldehyde that renders the material osteoinvasive. A bone block is shaped into a precise predetermined form and size using conventional machining techniques. A paste-like suspension is also formed using known methods of comminuting bone, such as milling, grinding, and pulverizing, and adding the pulverized or powdered bone to a carrier. The treatment with glutaraldehyde allows the use of bovine, ovine, equine, and porcine bone sources. However, if the final desired form of the bone grafting material is a block of bone or machined shape, the bone stock must be large enough to provide a block of the required size.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,981,828 to Nelson et al. discloses a "composite" acetabular allograft cup for use in hip replacement surgery. A press is used to form the cup from impacted cancellous bone chips and cement. The composite is a hollow hemispherical dome having an outer surface comprised essentially of exposed cancellous bone chips and an inner surface comprised essentially of hardened bone cement. The cancellous bone chips are first placed in a mold and subjected to a load to form a compact and consolidated mass that conforms to the shape of the mold. The mold is then opened, cement is applied, and the mold is then reapplied. While an allograft of a particular shape may be formed using this process, the process is limited to forming an allograft by compressing cancellous bone chips. Thus, numerous molds are required in order to produce allografts of different sizes, and the use of bulk-size allograft source material is not facilitated.
With a rapidly increasing demand in the medical profession for devices incorporating bone material, the tremendous need for the tissue material itself, particularly allograft tissue material, presents a considerable challenge to the industry that supplies the material. Due to the size and shape of the bones from which the material is harvested, and the dimensional limitations of any particular type of bone in terms of naturally occurring length and thickness (i.e. cortical or cancellous), there is a need for a means by which individual bone fragments can be combined to form larger, integral implants that are more suitable for use in areas of larger fractures or defects. For example, the size of cortical bone fragments needed to repair a fracture or defect site is often not available in a thick enough form. While multiple fragments may together meet the size and shape requirements, several prominent concerns have placed a practical limitation on the implementation of this concept. There is considerable uncertainty regarding the structural integrity provided by fragments positioned adjacent to one another without bonding or other means of securing the fragments to each other. Moreover, there is concern over the possibility that a fragment may slip out of position, resulting in migration of the fragment and possible further damage in or near the area of implantation.
In addition, due to the geometry of bones such as the femur and tibia, all portions of the bones are not readily usable as a result of size limitations. Thus, prior art implants, specifically allografts, are produced with an inefficient use of source bones.
Turning to exemplar uses for implants formed from bone, a number of medical conditions such as compression of spinal cord nerve roots, degenerative disc disease, and spondylolisthesis can cause severe low back pain. Intervertebral fusion is a surgical method of alleviating low back pain. In posterior lumbar interbody fusion ("PLIF"), two adjacent vertebral bodies are fused together by removing the affected disc and inserting an implant that would allow for bone to grow between the two vertebral bodies to bridge the gap left by the disc removal.
A number of different implants and implant materials have been used in PLIF with varying success. Current implants used for PLIF include threaded titanium cages and allografts. Threaded titanium cages suffer from the disadvantage of requiring drilling and tapping of the vertebral end plates for insertion. In addition, the incidence of subsidence in long term use is not known. Due to MRI incompatibility of titanium, determining fusion is problematic. Finally, restoration of lordosis, i.e., the natural curvature of the lumbar spine is very difficult when a cylindrical titanium cage is used.
As discussed above, allografts are sections of bone that may be taken from a long bone of a donor. A cross section of the bone is taken and processed using known techniques to preserve the allograft until implantation and reduce the risk of an adverse immunological response when implanted. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,470 discloses a method for processing a bone grafting material which uses glutaraldehyde tanning to produce a non-antigenic, biocompatible material. Allografts have mechanical properties which are similar to the mechanical properties of vertebrae even after processing. This prevents stress shielding that occurs with metallic implants. They are also MRI compatible so that fusion can be more accurately ascertained and promote the formation of bone, i.e., osteoconductive. Although the osteoconductive nature of the allograft provides a biological interlocking between the allograft and the vertebrae for long term mechanical strength, initial and short term mechanical strength of the interface between the allograft and the vertebrae are lacking as evidenced by the possibility of the allograft being expelled after implantation.
Currently commercially available allografts are simply sections of bone not specifically designed for use in PLIF. As a result, the fusion of the vertebral bodies does not occur in optimal anatomical position. A surgeon may do some minimal intraoperative shaping and sizing to customize the allograft for the patient's spinal anatomy. However, significant shaping and sizing of the allograft is not possible due to the nature of the allograft. Even if extensive shaping and sizing were possible, a surgeon's ability to manually shape and size the allograft to the desired dimensions is severely limited.
Most PLIF implants, whether threaded cages or allograft, are available in different sizes and have widths that vary with the implant height. For example, the width of a cylindrical cages will be substantially equivalent to the height. Although larger heights may be clinically indicated, wider implants are generally not desirable since increased width requires removal of more of the facet, which can lead to decreases stability, and more retraction of nerve roots, which can lead to temporary or permanent nerve damage.
There is a need for new, fundamental approaches to working with and processing tissues, in particular allograft material, especially with regard to machining, mating, and assembling bone fragments. Specifically, there is a need for an implant that allows more efficient use of source material. More specifically, there is a need for an implant that is an integrated implant comprising two or more bone fragments that are interlocked to form a mechanically effective, strong unit. There also is a need for an improved implant for fusing vertebrae.
The present invention is related to an implant including a body having an inner sheath and at least one outer sheath. Each sheath is formed from a different bone and has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The exterior surface of each outer sheath contacts the interior surface of no more than one other outer sheath. In one embodiment, a core is disposed in the inner sheath and is formed from a bone other than the bones of the sheaths. The core can be formed of cancellous bone, while at least one sheath can be formed of cortical bone. In another embodiment, at least one sheath can be formed of cancellous bone and the core can be formed of cortical bone. The bones are at least one of autograft, allograft, and xenograft bone tissue, and the bone tissue of at least one bone may be partially demineralized or demineralized. In a further embodiment, the body is formed from a cross-section of the sheaths and core, with the cross-section including at least a portion of each sheath and core. The sheaths and core can be coupled together with at least one fastener that may intersect each of the sheaths and core, with the fastener being a screw, key, pin, peg, rivet, cotter, nail, spike, bolt, stud, staple, boss, clamp, clip, dowel, stake, hook, anchor, tie, band, crimp, or wedge. Also, the sheaths and core can be bonded together with a bonding agent. At least one sheath may be packed with bone growth materials and may include alignment indicia. The exterior surface may be separated from a portion of the interior surface.
At least one of the inner sheath, an outer sheath, and the core can be at least partially dehydrated to fit against a surrounding mating surface. Furthermore, at least one of the inner sheath, an outer sheath, and the core can be at least partially dehydrated to fit within a surrounding inner sheath or outer sheath provided with a greater moisture content.
Contacting surfaces of adjacent sheaths can be machined surfaces so that the contour of the contacting surfaces is about the same. The machined surfaces permit press-fitting of one sheath into another sheath. In some embodiments, the bones are selected from a femur, tibia, humerus, fibula, ulna, and radius.
At least one supplemental sheath having an interior surface and an exterior surface also may be included, with the exterior surface of each supplemental sheath contacting the interior surface of no more than one other sheath and the interior surface of each supplemental sheath contacting the exterior surface of no more than one other sheath. The at least one supplemental sheath is formed of a material selected from metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers, and composites.
The present invention is also related to an implant having a body formed from a cross-section of a core and a plurality of sheaths. Each sheath has an inner surface and an outer surface, and at least two sheaths are formed from different bones. The outer surface of a first sheath has about the same contour as the inner surface of a second sheath so that the first and second sheaths mate together, and the cross-section includes at least a portion of each sheath and core. The core may be formed from a bone other than the bones of the sheaths, and in one embodiment the core is formed of cancellous bone and at least one sheath is formed of cortical bone. In another embodiment, at least one sheath is formed of cancellous bone and the core is formed of cortical bone.
Also, the present invention is related to an implant with a body that includes at least one sheath defining a hole, with a core fit therein. The body is formed from at least two different bones selected from a femur, tibia, humerus, fibula, ulna, and radius.
Furthermore, the present invention is related to an implant with a body having two outer annular members and at least one inner annular member. At least one of the annular members is formed from bone and the annular members are coupled together to create a central chamber. In one embodiment, each annular member has at least one surface that is press-fit with the surface of another annular member. The outside diameter of the outer annular members may be smaller than the outside diameter of the at least one inner annular member. The implant can be symmetrical about an innermost annular member, with the diameter of the implant progressively decreasing from the innermost annular member to each outer annular member. The central chamber can be packed with at least one of bone material and bone inducing substances.
In one embodiment, at least one annular member is formed of cancellous bone and at least one annular member is formed of cortical bone. A plurality of annular members may be coupled together with at least one fastener. Also, a plurality of annular members may be bonded together with a bonding agent. In some embodiments, the annular members have non-circular shapes, such as generally oblong shapes. At least one supplemental annular member may be coupled to at least one of the annular members formed from bone, with the at least one supplemental annular member being formed of a material selected from metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers, and composites. At least one annular member may include alignment indicia, and adjacent surfaces of at least two annular members may not completely contact each other.
The invention further relates to an implant with a body having at least two ring-shaped members formed from bone that are coupled together to create a central chamber. The ring-shaped members may have ridges that mate and press-fit together.
Another implant of the present invention includes at least two layers of bone components coupled to each other, the components together defining at least one securing region, and at least one insertable securing element adapted for placement in the at least one securing region. The at least one securing region may be a recess or hole, and each layer may be formed from a different bone selected from a femur, tibia, humerus, fibula, ulna, and radius. At least one layer may be formed of cancellous bone and at least one layer may be formed of cortical bone. Also, the layers may include at least one of autograft, allograft, and xenograft bone tissue, and the layers may be bonded together with a bonding agent. The bone tissue of at least one bone may be partially demineralized or demineralized, and the layers may be bonded together with a bonding agent. A first layer may be at least partially dehydrated to mate against at least one other layer. Adjacent layers may be provided with mutually contacting surfaces that are machined to have about the same contour, and the contacting surfaces of adjacent layers may be press-fit together.
In addition, the implant may further include at least one supplemental layer coupled to at least one of the layers of bone components, with the at least one supplemental layer being formed of a material selected from metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers, and composites. Also, the implant may further include a chamber packed with bone growth materials. In some embodiments, at least one layer includes alignment indicia, and the outer surface may be separated from a portion of the inner surface.
The present invention is further related to a hollow body having a minimum wall thickness, the body being formed from a plurality of portions of bone sections with each section having a thick-walled portion and a thin-walled portion. The thick-walled portion has a wall thickness at least as thick as the minimum wall thickness, and the thin-walled section has a wall thickness less than the minimum wall thickness. Only thick-walled portions are coupled together to form the body. The thick-walled portions are coupled together with at least one portion having a first coupling and at least one portion having a second coupling, with the portions being joined together by interfitting together the first and second couplings. At least one coupling may be at least partially dehydrated to mate against another coupling. In one embodiment, the first coupling is a male coupling and the second coupling is a female coupling so that the portions are mated in a male-female relationship. The male coupling may be a tenon and the female coupling may be a mortise, or the male coupling may be a tongue and the female coupling may be a groove.
The present invention is also related to an implant including a layer formed of a first bone and at least one layer formed by a curable carrier, with the at least one layer being molded to the first bone. The layer formed of a first bone may include a primary sleeve with a top surface, a bottom surface, an inner surface, and an outer surface, with the at least one layer of curable carrier being molded to the inner surface or the outer surface. In one embodiment, the curable carrier further includes bone or ceramic in powder, chips, or fibers. At least one secondary sleeve may be provided, with each secondary sleeve being coupled to a primary sleeve or another secondary sleeve by a layer of curable carrier.
Additionally, the present invention is related to a method of forming an implant including: surrounding at least a portion of a bone section with a first mold to create a cavity therebetween; filling the cavity with a first substance, and coupling the first substance to the bone section. The first substance may be at least one of a curable carrier, bone powder, bone chips bone fibers, or ceramic, and be coupled to the bone section by curing or by compaction.
Furthermore, the present invention is related to a bone fusion implant for repair or replacement of bone that includes a hollow body formed from at least two bone fragments which are configured and dimensioned for mutual engagement and which are coupled together. In some embodiments, at least one bone fragment has a first coupling portion and at least one bone fragment has a second coupling portion, with the bone fragments being joined together by intermitting together the first and second coupling portions. The first coupling portion may be a male coupling portion and the second coupling portion may be a female coupling portion so that the bone fragments are mated in a male-female relationship. The male coupling portion may be a tenon and the female coupling portion may be a mortise, or the male coupling portion may be a tongue and the female coupling portion may be a groove. The fragments may be configured and dimensioned to form a dovetail joint. At least two bone fragments may be concentric hollow cylinders. The implant may additionally include a core formed of at least one of bone material and bone inducing substances, with the core being disposed in the hollow body. The core may be formed of cancellous bone with a fluid concentrated therein, and the cancellous bone may be subjected to mechanical pressure to concentrate the fluid such as by using mechanical pressure that is applied by aspiration. The fluid also may be concentrated by soaking.
The hollow body may be formed using at least one of autograft, allograft, and xenograft bone tissue, and at least one bone fragment may be partially demineralized or demineralized. At least one of the bone fragments may be at least partially dehydrated to mate against another bone fragment. In addition, the hollow body may form a completely enclosed hollow region.
An allogenic intervertebral implant for fusing vertebrae also is disclosed. The implant is a piece of allogenic bone conforming in size and shape with a portion of an end plate of a vertebra. The implant has a wedge-shaped profile to restore disc height and the natural curvature of the spine. The top and bottom surfaces of the implant have a plurality of teeth to resist expulsion and provide initial stability. The implant according to the present invention provides initial stability need for fusion without stress shielding.
Thus, the present invention further relates to an allogenic intervertebral implant for use when surgical fusion of vertebral bodies is indicated. The implant comprises a piece of allogenic bone conforming in size and shape with a portion of an end plates of the vertebrae and has a wedge-shaped profile with a plurality of teeth located on top and bottom surfaces. The top and bottom surfaces can be flat planar surfaces or curved surfaces to mimic the topography of the end plates. The implant has a channel on at least one side for receiving a surgical tool. This channel runs in the anterior direction to accommodate a variety of surgical approaches. A threaded hole on the anterior, posterior, posterior-lateral, or lateral side can be provided for receiving a threaded arm of an insertion tool.
In another embodiment, the implant has an interior space for receiving an osteoconductive material to promote the formation of new bone.
In another embodiment, the implant is made of a plurality of interconnecting sections with mating sections. Preferably, the implant is made in two halves: a top portion having a top connecting surface and a bottom portion having a bottom connecting surface. The top connecting surface mates with the bottom connecting surface when the top and bottom portions are joined. The top and bottom portions have holes that align for receiving a pin to secure the top and bottom portions together. The pin can be made of allogenic bone.
In a different embodiment, the medial side of the implant has a scalloped edge such that when a first implant is implanted with a second implant with the medial sides facing each other, the scalloped edges define a cylindrical space.
The present invention also relates to a discrete spacer used in conjunction with any of the other embodiments of the implant. The spacer comprises a piece of allogenic bone conforming in size and shape with a portion of an end plates of the vertebrae and has a wedge-shaped profile with substantially smooth top and bottom surfaces. The intersecting regions between the top and bottom surfaces and at least one of the lateral sides and the intersecting regions between the anterior and posterior sides and the same lateral side are curved surfaces to facilitate implantation of the spacer. Thus, the spacer can be implanted through an opening on one side of the spinal canal and moved with a surgical instrument to the contralateral side.
Preferred features of the present invention are disclosed in the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, and wherein:
Any of a wide variety of different implant structures, particularly allograft, autograft, and/or xenograft implant structures, can be prepared according to the teachings of the present invention. While a representative selection of implant structures are described and depicted herein, additional disclosure is found in U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/191,099 filed Mar. 22, 2000, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference, including all figures.
The present invention allows a more efficient use of bone sections, by permitting those sections that would otherwise have been rejected due to insufficient wall thickness to instead be incorporated in a composite bone section. The composite implant is created by taking two or more bone sections and combining them to create a greater wall thickness. Some or all of the natural shape of each bone may be retained. Furthermore, the composite may be formed of a shape appropriate for implantation, or instead may be formed of a shape that is suitable as bone stock for eventual fashioning into a particular implant or forms.
As used in the description of the present invention, the words fitting, interfitting, mating, locking, interlocking, meshing, and interlacing are all used generically to describe the joining of bone sections or pieces together. Thus, these words are not limited to the use of any particular manner of joining. Thus, for example, the press-fitting of one bone section within a cavity formed in another bone section may be described using any of the above-mentioned terms. In addition, although various preferred mechanical fastening approaches are described, the present invention allows the use of any mechanical device for joining two or more separate parts of an article or structure. Such mechanical devices include, but are not limited to the following: screws, keys, pins, pegs, rivets, cotters, nails, spikes, bolts, studs, staples, bosses, clamps, clips, dowels, stakes, hooks, anchors, ties, bands, and crimps. Also, bonding agents or other chemical means for joining two separate parts may be employed alone or in combination with the mechanical devices. Thus, as appropriate, the means disclosed herein for fixing bone sections to each other may be substituted, as with the above-mentioned mechanical devices, bonding devices, or chemical means. Furthermore, although particular types of joints are disclosed, the present invention is directed to the creation of implants that may be joined using other joints.
While the present invention is preferably directed to the creation of implants from allograft material, the present invention may also be applied to implants that utilize other materials, including but not limited to the following: xenograft, autograft, metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers, composites, and encapsulated fluids or gels. Furthermore, the implants described herein may be formed of materials with varying levels of porosity, such as by combined bone sections from different bones or different types of tissue having varying levels of porosity. For example, cancellous bone is available in a range of porosities based on the location in the body from which the bone is harvested. Extremely porous cancellous bone may be harvested from various areas such as the iliac crest, while less porous bone may be harvested from areas such as a tibial condyle. Thus, the materials properties—particularly the porosity—of the bone components may be selected to meet the needs of a given application.
Cancellous bone components may be attached to syringes or aspirators, and blood or other fluids such as bone-growth inducing substances may be drawn into the plugs. The use of mechanically applied pressure, such as with aspiration devices, permits a greater degree of fluid absorption and/or concentration to be achieved than otherwise readily obtainable by soaking bone in such fluids without applying pressure from a device. In embodiments of the present invention that include hollow regions, a plug of cancellous bone formed using the aforementioned technique may be inserted therein. Alternatively, the plugs may be soaked in a suitable fluid.
Also, the implants described herein may be formed of bone materials with varying mineral content. For example, cancellous or cortical bone may be provided in natural, partially demineralized, or demineralized states. Demineralization is typically achieved with a variety of chemical processing techniques, including the use of an acid such as hydrochloric acid, chelating agents, electrolysis or other treatments. The demineralization treatment removes the minerals contained in the natural bone, leaving collagen fibers with bone growth factors including bone morphogenic protein (BMP). Variation in the mechanical properties of bone sections is obtainable through demineralization. Advantageously, use of a demineralizing agent on natural bone transforms the properties of the bone from a stiff structure to a relatively pliable structure when it is hydrated. Some portions of interfitting bone components may be demineralized in order to achieve improved interfitting. For example, a tissue form may include two bone components having portions that are coupled together with an interference fit. The interference fit may be enhanced if the surface region of one or more of the components is demineralized so that it is pliable and exhibits some elasticity and/or malleability.
In addition, while many of the embodiments described herein show bone components disposed at right angles, or joints formed with right angles, angles that are greater or less than ninety degrees may alternatively be used in implants of the present development.
The components that are used to create implant 16 may all be formed from cortical bone, all from cancellous bone, or a combination of components formed from cortical and cancellous bone. The interfitting of the components may be achieved through a variety of means, including but not limited to the following: pinning, bonding with a suitable bone bonding agent or chemical means, press fitting, threadably engaging (as by helically screwing one component into another), inserting a tapered component into a component with a matching inner surface, twist-locking, or other interlocking means such as will be described in other embodiments. While the present development preferably allows the creation of an implant 16 from all bone material, it is also anticipated that one or more components used to create implant 16 may be formed of non-bone material such as a synthetic or other material.
As shown in
The moisture content of the bone sections also may be varied to advantageously permit improved interlocking. Bone sections initially may be provided with moisture content as follows: (1) bone in the natural state fresh out of the donor without freezing, (2) bone in the frozen state, typically at −40� C., with moisture content intact, (3) bone with moisture removed such as freeze-dried bone, and (4) bone in the hydrated state, such as when submersed in water. The expansion and contraction properties that can be obtained from bone during heating, cooling, dehydrating, and hydrating permit an alternate approach to achieving a tight press-fit. In addition, the use of such approaches can provide a tighter press-fit than otherwise obtainable, as well as loosen the manufacturing tolerances required for mating sections of bone.
For example, in the embodiment shown in
Turning to
Bone stock 25′ is preferably solid, and formed by fitting a smaller diameter bone core within at least one larger diameter sheath. Thus, the availability of precisely machined cores and sheaths permits bone stock 25′ to be sized according to the application or anatomy encountered in any given situation. In addition, implants may be constructed from a supply of standardized core and sheath sizes or bone stock sizes so that any required wall thickness can be obtained. The ability to create composite implants of varying sizes has widespread use, particularly in applications such as femoral ring allografts which can benefit from increased wall thicknesses.
In alternate embodiments of bone stock 25′, components having non-circular shape may be provided, although not necessarily the natural shape of the original bone. For example, an outer sheath can mate with an inner sheath which has a generally triangular shape, with the inside surface of the outer sheath geometrically conforming to the outside surface of inner sheath. Other polygonal shapes are also contemplated, including parallelograms such as rectangles. In addition, a core may be provided with a shape distinct from both the cylindrical outside surface of the outer sheath and the outside surface of the inner sheath. Thus, the present development permits components with varying outside surface shapes to be interfit to create an implant.
The availability of larger bone stock, as by combining several bone sections, makes it possible to create implants that are properly configured for implantation during a wide variety of procedures. For example, anterior interbody fusion is a surgical procedure which replaces some or all of a disc with a bony graft (implant) by using an anterior approach to the disc. Such a procedure is typically employed in the cervical spine, and implantation of an implant is an effective modality for the treatment of such conditions as degenerative disc disease and herniated nucleus pulposus (slipped disc). Anterior interbody fusion is also used in the lumbar spine in cases of unsuccessful posterior approaches, or in procedures directed to destroyed or damaged facet joints, procedures that combine posterior instrumentation with an anterior discectomy (i.e. removal of herniated disc material from the spinal canal so that the spinal cord or nerve is restored to an unpinched state) and fusion (which allows vertebrae to effectively be knit together into a solid bony mass), along with other procedures that cannot employ a posterior approach. Thus, the implants may also be employed in anterior discectomy and fusion, which involves the removal of an intervertebral disc and the replacement of that disc with an implant that will undergo fusion, both steps being undertaken via an anterior approach. Other surgical procedures employing the anterior approach, including procedures used in fusing the thoracic region, may also make use of the implants.
Alternatively, surgical procedures involving a posterior approach may also employ the implants created using the current invention. For example, posterior lumbar interbody fusion, another surgical technique used for spinal fusion, involves the posterior insertion of an implant into the intervertebral space following posterior excision of a disc through the spinal canal.
Bone stock 25′ as shown in
While bone stock 25′ utilizes four separate bone pieces, other numbers of pieces are contemplated. For example, a core may be surrounded by only two sleeves to produce a desired stock size. Also, pins 24 may be formed from bone.
Another composite implant is shown in
Yet another approach to maximizing the use of a bone sections with thin wall areas is shown in
Interfitting may also be achieved using the design of implant 74 shown in
Numerous types of joints are useful in the present development, including joints that permit articulation such as a ball and socket type of joint, and particularly joints that permit firm interlocking between two components to prevent relative movement between the components. Preferably, mortise and tenon joints can be used to interfit multiple bone components to create an implant as shown for example in
The use of insertable securing elements such as keys, pegs, pins, wedges, or other suitable components in joints to assist in securing bone components to each other is also an effective approach to providing a stable joint. Keys, for example, may be inserted in notched or grooved areas in bone components, serving as the securing element between two or more bone components. Parameters that may be varied when using insertable securing elements, such as keys, include the angle of application, the spacing of the elements, and the thicknesses of the elements.
Referring to
Alignment indicia 210 may be provided on the outer surface of implant 200, as with a line or other aid. Preferably, indicia 210 is an imprint, i.e. with ink, although indicia 210 may instead be provided in the form of surface scoring. The indicia suitable for the present invention includes, but is not limited to, markers such as lines, arrows, lettering, and symbols. In addition, alignment indicia 210 preferably is provided on the anterior side of implant 200 to aid in alignment with the natural anatomy encountered during surgery, and particularly to aid in alignment with the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) that extends over the length of the lumbar spine anterior to the vertebral bodies. In particular, the ALL may be used as a landmark in combination with alignment indicia 210, for example, to permit a surgeon to properly align implant 200 with respect to surrounding anatomy.
Referring to
Turning to
Referring to
Another embodiment according to the present invention is shown in
Yet another embodiment of an implant 1280 is shown in
Further embodiments of multipiece implants are shown in
As shown in
Referring now to
Additional embodiments of implants with combinations of cortical and cancellous bone are shown in
Implants may be formed from composites of bone material and material that is molded thereto. For example, femur section 46 shown in
Once the bone cement has set, molds 1402, 1406 may be removed, leaving a tissue form 1410 with a composite wall of the original femur section 46 and bone cement sections 1412, 1414. Other filler materials can be used with molds 1402, 1406, such as a mixture of hydroxyapatite and cement that sets in place. In alternate embodiments, materials are molded only to portions of bone sections, instead of being molded to completely surround inner and/or outer surfaces of bone sections. Additional molds can be used for surrounding adjacent bone sections in implants formed with multiple pieces of bone, thereby permitting multiple bone sections to be coupled together with an intermediary layer of bone cement.
Molded sections such as sections 1412, 1414 may include mixtures or suspensions of cancellous and/or cortical bone powder, bone chips, and bone fibers, in natural or demineralized conditions, in combination with bonding agents such as bone cements, water, fat, blood, thrombin, and fibrin. The fibers, in particular, may be oriented to provide particular mechanical properties. For example, fibers may be oriented generally parallel to axis 1416, transverse to axis 1416, or in mixed orientations in order to achieve desired strength when encased in bone cement that is cured. Other materials also may be combined with bonding agents or other carriers, such as hydroxyapatite. Furthermore, sections 1412, 1414 may additionally be formed by applying pressure while curing occurs.
Alternatively, compactable powders and/or fibers of various sizes and shapes may be pressed and compacted in place, without bonding agents or with minimal use thereof. Such pressed structures may be further encapsulated in thin layers of bone cements or polymers such as biodegradable polymers. While loose powder of varying particle sizes may be compressed and densified to produce a compact of the powder, it is difficult to apply uniform pressures while producing the compact. The so-called "single action" pressing technique, which typically applies a force to the powder in a single direction, may be used in the present invention. However, in some embodiments, because it is desirable to produce a compact with a more uniform density throughout the structure, other pressing techniques may be used.
Furthermore, the components of the implants described herein may be formed by molding various materials onto support structures such as meshes or other structures that are known to one skilled in the art. For example, titanium mesh indicated for reinforcement of bony regions in orthopedic procedures is typically available in preformed round and oval-shaped cylinders. The metal mesh may be encapsulated or otherwise surrounded by another material such as bone powder or bone fiber impregnated bone cement that has dried in place around the mesh. Multiple bone components may be interfitted together and further encapsulated or otherwise surrounded by molded materials for additional reinforcement. Also, molded material may be used to further couple two or more pieces of bone together. For example, a polymer such as polymethylmethacrylate may be placed in the central chamber of an implant and allowed to cure in place.
Turning now to
As shown in
The dimensions of implant 1510 can be varied to accommodate a patient's anatomy. Typically, implant 1510 would have a width between 6–15 mm (in the medial-lateral direction), a length between 15–30 mm (in the anterior-posterior direction), and a eight between 4–30 mm (maximum height in the superior-inferior direction). The size of implant 1510 allows implant 1510 to be implanted using conventional open surgical procedures or minimally invasive procedures, such as laparoscopic surgery. Additionally, because the width is kept to a restricted size range and does not necessarily increase with implant height, taller implants can be used without requiring wider implants. Thus, facet removal and retraction of nerve roots can remain minimal.
In order to restore the natural curvature of the spine after the affected disc has been removed, implant 1510 has a wedge-shaped profile. As shown in
In order to facilitate insertion of implant 1510, anterior side 1526 transitions to superior and inferior surfaces 1514, 1516 with rounded edges 1530. Rounded edges 1530 enable implant 1510 to slide between the end plates while minimizing the necessary distraction of the end plates.
Although implant 1510 is typically a solid piece of allogenic bone, implant 1510 can be provided with a hollow interior to form an interior space. This interior space can be filled with bone chips or any other osteoconductive material to further promote the formation of new bone.
A pin 1564 passing through aligned holes 1566 in top and bottom portions 1552, 1554 serves to retain top and bottom portions 1552, 1554 together. Although pin 1564 can be made of any biocompatible material, pin 1564 is preferably made of allogenic bone. The number and orientation of pins 1564 can be varied.
The use of the implant according to the present invention will now be described with reference to
With the patient in a prone position on a lumbar frame, radiographic equipment can assist in confirming the precise intraoperative position of the implant. The surgeon incises and dissects the skin from the midline laterally and locates spinous process 1604, lamina 1606, dura 1608, and nerve roots of the appropriate level(s). As much as facets 1610 as possible should be preserved to provide stability to the intervertebral segment. The surgeon performs a laminotomy to the medial aspect of facet 1610 and reflects dura 1608 to expose an approximately 13 mm window to the disc space. Disc 1602 is removed through the window until only anterior 1612 and lateral 1614 annulus remain. The superficial layers of the entire cartilaginous end plates 1600 are also removed to expose bleeding bone. Excessive removal of the subchondral bone may weaken the anterior column. Furthermore, if the entire end plate is removed, this may result in subsidence and a loss of segmental stability.
Distraction can be done with either a surgical distractor or a trial spacer implant. In the first method, the distractor blades are placed into the disc space lateral to dura 1608. The curve on the neck of the distractor should be oriented toward the midline. The distractor blades should be completely inserted into the disc space so that the ridges at the end of the blades rest on vertebral body 1616. Fluoroscopy can assist in confirming that the distractor blades are parallel to end plates 1600. Correct placement will angle the handles of the distractor cranially, particularly at L5-S1. The handle of the distractor is squeezed to distract the innerspace. The distraction is secured by tightening the speed nut on the handle.
Using the preoperatively determined size, a trial spacer is inserted in the contralateral disc space with gentle impaction. Fluoroscopy and tactile judgement can assist in confirming the fit of the trial spacer until a secure fit is achieved. Using either the slots or threader hole on the implant, the selected implant is inserted in the contralateral disc space. Alternatively, the channels on the implant allow distraction and insertion to occur on the same side. Regardless of the side the implant is inserted in, autogenous cancellous bone or a bone substitute should be placed in the anterior and medial aspect of the vertebral disc space prior to placement of the second implant. The distractor is removed and a second implant of the same height as the first implant is inserted into the space, using gentle impaction as before. Preferably, the implants are recessed 2–4 mm beyond the posterior rim of the vertebral body.
As previously noted, the implant according to the present invention can be inserted using minimally invasive procedures. In some of these procedures, only one side of the spinal cord needs to be approached. This minimizes muscle stripping, scar tissue in the canal, and nerve root retraction and handling. In clinical situations in which bilateral implant placement is required, proper implantation on the side opposite the incision can be difficult.
While various descriptions of the present invention are described above, it should be understood that the various features can be used singly or in any combination thereof. The various types of joints and connections can be used on bone implants or bone stock of different size or configuration, such that the invention is not to be limited to only the specifically preferred embodiments depicted in the drawings.
Further, it should be understood that variations and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. For example, multiple, differently shaped and sized bone portions can be constructed for interfitting or interconnection to form a multiple part bone implant that serves the desired purpose. Accordingly, all expedient modifications readily attainable by one versed in the art from the disclosure set forth herein are within the scope and spirit of the present invention and are to be included as further embodiments. The scope of the present invention is accordingly defined as set forth in the appended claims.
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The Lehigh Valley's recovery from superstorm Sandy seemed to be proceeding slowly but surely on Wednesday, with streets coming to life and the area's electric utilities saying most power would be restored by the end of the weekend.
But the return to normalcy was overshadowed by news that the Valley's death toll from the storm had risen to five.
A 66-year-old Carbon County man died Tuesday of carbon monoxide poisoning from fumes from a generator in the garage of his home in the Albrightsville section of Penn Forest Township. His name had not been released.
In Lower Macungie Township, Tammy Kerosetz, 48, of the 3600 block of Schoeneck Road, died sometime before 8:30 a.m. Tuesday when carbon monoxide from a gas-powered generator in her garage entered her home.
Meanwhile, 86-year-old Theresa Schlitzer of the Orefield section of South Whitehall Township was found dead Tuesday morning in her backyard in the 2400 block of Route 309. The Lehigh County coroner's office attributed her death to hypothermia from prolonged exposure that began sometime after 10:30 p.m. Monday.
Julia Gravatt, who was watching her grandchildren next door, said Schlitzer lived alone and had probably gone outside to check on something.
"She was an independent woman," Gravatt said. "I saw her just about a week ago on a big John Deere [mower]."
Kerosetz, a mother of two, was home alone during the storm. She had been having problems with the generator after she lost power, said her brother-in-law, John Kline, who lives near Kutztown.
Kline said he and his wife, Pam, were unable to drive to Kerosetz's house to help her because of fallen trees in his area.
"We thought it best to wait it out," he said.
Kline drove to Kerosetz's house about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday to check on her and found her near a stairway inside the home. He said her dog and several cats were also dead. The generator had been running inches from the garage door — a deadly mistake, because the combustion produced odorless, colorless carbon monoxide.
Ben Galiardo, Lower Macungie's deputy emergency management coordinator, said people using generators should place them outside.
Kline said his sister-in-law had a son and a daughter, both of whom were in foster care. He said Kerosetz had been working at a restaurant at Dorney Park. He described her as an animal lover who was originally from North Carolina.
"Maybe if we could have come over, it wouldn't have happened," Kline said.
The family of the Penn Forest man who died of carbon monoxide poisoning still had not been notified late Wednesday, Carbon County Coroner Bruce Nalesnik said. The man lived on Patten Circle in the Valley View Estates development, Nalesnik said.
The area's other storm victims were Robert Mills, 17, of Wind Gap, who suffered fatal injuries Monday after crashing an all-terrain vehicle into a fallen tree in Plainfield Township; and a 62-year-old Berks County man, Gerald Witman, who died Monday when a tree fell on his home in Pike Township, near Boyertown.
At least four other deaths in Pennsylvania were blamed on the storm, and the U.S. death toll had risen to 57 by Wednesday.
The main task of the recovery was restoring power. Millions of homes and businesses in the enormous storm zone were without electricity in Sandy's immediate aftermath, including 1.5 million in Pennsylvania.
Late Wednesday, the Lehigh Valley's biggest utility, Allentown-based PPL, reported 227,768 customers remained without power throughout its 29-county service area. Joe Nixon, a company spokesman, said the utility's repair crews were dealing with 3,300 problems across 10,000 square miles.
PPL reported 115,238 outages in Lehigh and Northampton counties alone as of 8 p.m. Wednesday.


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Emergency Shelter
The Fraserside Emergency Shelter is one of a very few shelters in British Columbia that can accommodate families. Located in New Westminster, the shelter is a twelve bed facility that has a bright and friendly atmosphere. In addition to providing food and a place to stay, the shelter is a supportive, stable environment where the family can stay together during a time of crisis. Staff provides assistance with life and parenting skills as well as help with housing and various community resources.
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Solar FlexRack - The FlexRack Series G3L
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E-Mount features Quick Mount PV's patented QBlock Elevated Water Seal Technology to provide superior waterproofing and fast, single bolt installation on composition/asphalt shingle roofs. Similar to QMPV's best-selling Classic Composition Mount, E-Mount uses a smaller, lighter flashing and is priced to compete in highly competitive markets. All stainless steel hardware included. Made in the USA.
AET's solar mounting ECO series - Designed to put more money back in your pocket...
AET's solar mounting ECO series includes all the features their customer's love about their racking solutions in a cost competitive package. - Industry-leading installation time - 2-high portrait design optimized for maximum panels per post based on wind and snow conditions - Designed for cost-driven projects - HIGH shipping density, DRAMATICALLY lowers freight bills - Fits all panels available today - Single point connection to system ground - Full layout and loading analysis for every project - Galvanized for corrosion resistance - Lightweight for easy handling on the job site. Contact AET sales at 586.466.5073 or firstname.lastname@example.com for more information.
Array Technologies, Inc. - DuraTrack HZ single-axis solar tracker
With more than 2 gigawatts shipped around the world and 25 years of experience, Array Technologies, Inc. (ATI) ensures value, reliability, and bankability for your solar project through its proven ground mount tracking and racking solutions. ATI's leading products, DuraTrack HZ single-axis horizontal solar tracker and DuraRack fixed-tilt rack, combine a minimization of materials with rugged reliability to promote rapid installation times and project longevity. From the frozen tundra of Alaska to the deserts of Chile, ATI provides high quality solar tracking and racking solutions for every location and environment. ATI's industry-leading engineering and project management is included with each utility-scale and commercial project to provide a fully-supported and customized solution for your project. For more information on our products and services, please stop by Intersolar North America booth 9725.
Exosun - Exotrack® HZ, the LCOE friendly single-axis solar tracker
Global leader, Exosun designs, develops and supplies highly reliable and robust solar tracking systems for utility-scale PV plants, delivered with a full range of engineering support services. Its flagship product, the Exotrack® HZ horizontal single-axis tracker, increases plant production up to 25% in comparison to fixed-tilt systems and is a genuine revenue booster for your solar project. UL 3703 compliant, Exotrack® HZ has been designed for fast and simple installation, as well as for minimal preventive operation and maintenance actions. Its unique centralized control-command system can monitor up to 8 MWp of trackers. Exotrack® HZ's intelligent patented tracking process, called SMARTracking, allows to generate up to 5% higher yield than any other single-axis tracker technology.
Bonfiglioli USA - A leading supplier of solar power conversion systems
Bonfiglioli designs and manufactures a variety of products for renewable energy applications including inverters for utility-scale solar PV installation, yaw and pitch drives for wind turbines, and mechatronic solutions for hybrid and electric vehicles (consumer and commercial). Worldwide, over 2GW are installed with Bonfiglioli PV inverters and one of every three wind turbines has a Bonfiglioli gearbox. We are commtted to solutions that reduce emissions for a cleaner, brighter future for all.
Kipp & Zonen - Smart SMP Pyranometers
Equipped with an extremely low power, smart interface the Smart SMP pyranometers offer industry standard digital and amplified analog outputs within the well-known CMP series housings. The output range is programmed so that all SMP pyranometers have identical sensitivities, allowing easy installation and exchange for recalibration. Serial communication allows access to measurement data, instrument status, operating parameters and calibration history. Building on the proven CMP Series design and technology that is used around the world, the new SMP pyranometers add digital signal processing and interfaces optimised for industrial data acquisition and control systems.
Sun Bandit - Solar Hybrid Energy Systems
Sun Bandit® is a revolutionary new way in which solar is used to heat water. This innovative new technology utilizes PV technology to deliver clean, reliable hot water by putting the free energy of the sun to work for you in ways that makes owning a solar system more practical and affordable than ever before. Achieving energy independence has never been easier than with a Sun Bandit® Solar Hybrid Energy System. Sun Bandit® patented technologies eliminates the need for complex solar mechanical water heating and replaces it with clean, simple to install and easy to enjoy PV technology to effectively and efficiently provide hot water. With advance micro grid technology and design, Sun Bandit® can deliver hot water even when the grid goes down. Sun Bandit® is the simplest solar hot water solution on the market, providing the most easy-to-use and economical way to go solar.