["Elastic osteosynthesis" with autocompression plates of carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic material].
The problem of atrophic bone that occurs in osteosynthesis employing rigid plates is first depicted. Attempts at fabricating "simirigid" plates, which, however, have so far failed to gain any practical importance are then discussed. The reason for this seems to be that made of duroplastics cannot be molded during the operation and the thermoplastics do not have sufficient strength. The production of semirigid plates made of thermoplastic Polyethersulfon (PES), reinforced with 20% short carbon fibres, results in plates which are made moldable by heating in a small oven, white retaining sufficient static strength, although only limited fatigue strength. Biomechanical examinations revealed that with appropriate dimensioning of the plates, "elastic osteosynthesis" results in less loss of mechanical function of the stabilized bones, so that less atrophy of the bone may be expected. During more pronounced exercise loading, a reversible "springiness" of the fracture results, which might stimulate callus formation and improved stability.
Verträglichkeit implantatgeeigneter alloplastischer Werkstoffe im Organismus
Die Bedeutung von Implantaten zur Wiederherstellung von Korperfunktionen, die durch Krankheit, naturliche Abnutzung oder Unfall verlorengegangen sind, nimmt stetig zu und last sich am einfachsten anhand des grosen Bedarfs ermessen. Jahrlich werden mehr als 1 500 000 Personen mit Gefasprothesen versorgt, in 100 000 Fallen werden kunstliche Herzklappen eingesetzt, etwa 220 000 Patienten erhalten einen implantierbaren Herzschrittmacher. Fur die extrakorporale Zirkulation bei Operationen am Herzen werden jahrlich etwa 600 000 Oxygenatoren benotigt. Der Jahresbedarf an kunstlichen Nieren nahert sich der Zahl 1 000 000. Beim Gelenkersatz steht die Huftprothese mit ca. 350 000 Implantationen an erster Stelle vor dem Ersatz des Finger-, Knie-, Schulter- und Ellenbogengelenks. Implantierbare Materialien fur die rekonstruktive Chirurgie haben den Umfang vieler Tonnen erreicht. Einen Eindruck von den vielfaltigen Einsatzgebieten moderner Kunststoffe vermittelt Tabelle 1.
Heat Recovery Systems
Geothermal energy is recovered from an underground zone of relatively hot strata via a borehole into which is inserted a heat pipe system containing a working fluid, the heat pipe system comprising an assembly of two tubes in concentric relation, the inner tube being constituted by a relatively small diameter capillary for the return of working fluid to the vicinity of the zone of the relatively hot strata. The working fluid is preferably assisted in its return under gravity by means of a pump. The system includes heat exchange means operable to recover thermal energy from the working fluid. A third and outermost tube may be used to reduce heat losses, this third tube enclosing the two tubes over all but that part of their length which is in the zone of relatively hot strata.