Welcome To Gazebo World

Online Gazebo Depot Data Center Guide

Gazebo Depot is a source for Gazebos and Gazebo kits, as well as outdoor decor products like Arbors, Weather Vanes, Trellises, Picnic Tables

New York City Based Surgical Center First To Offer Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement Procedure On Out Patient Basis

By Anonymous

July 21, 2004 -- Robert D. Haar, M.D. an orthopaedic surgeon at the Carnegie Hill Surgical Center has performed a minimally invasive partial knee replacement procedure on an outpatient basis, the first of its kind in New York City at an ambulatory surgery facility. The uni-compartmental device is a new generation of orthopaedic implants, that enables osteoarthritis sufferers to get joint replacement earlier in life and reclaim years of mobility.

The uni-compartmental knee is implanted via a minimally invasive surgical approach that reduces soft tissue trauma and may result in faster healing. The partial knee allows the surgeon to replace only the diseased or damaged areas of a knee rather than having to replace the entire joint. The procedure is usually done on younger patients who experience knee joint pain, but may not yet have a severe enough osteoarthritic condition that would make them a candidate for a total knee replacement.

“Because we use smaller incisions and disrupt less soft tissue, patients can have the procedure done on an out patient basis. Recovery time is significantly reduced,” said Dr. Haar. “The implant combined with the procedure offers a new solution to patients looking for pain relief who may not yet be candidates for a total knee replacement.”

The knee has three compartments or surfaces. The end of the femur (thighbone) has two condyles or knobs and these come into contact with the lower leg bone or tibia and form two compartments. The third compartment is located where the underside of the kneecap contacts the femur. A partial knee replacement is often warranted when the cartilage between the condyles and the tibia has worn away resulting in a painful, debilitating condition know as osteoarthritis. In a partial knee replacement only the damaged surface of the knee joint is replaced, minimizing trauma to surrounding bone and ligaments and leaving the other compartments of the knee relatively untouched. The partial knee replacement is done through a 3 to 4 inch incision. The end of the femur and the top of the tibia where the cartilage has worn away are resurfaced to accept the femoral component (made of metal) and the tibial component (made of plastic).
   
A total knee, in contrast, replaces all three compartments of the knee joint with metal and plastic. Since the components are larger the incision is usually longer and patients suffer some damage to their ligaments while also loosing two additional compartments of the knee. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) which is normally retained in uni surgery is sacrificed in total knee replacement surgery.
   
“A uni-compartmental implant combined with this minimally invasive procedure is a good option for patients who may just have begun to experience the negative effects of osteoarthritis and joint pain,” said Dr. Haar. “ Because so much of the patients’ own joint is preserved and the ligaments are not cut a patient may heal faster. Also, a patient who gets this implant can still convert to a total knee replacement in the future. In the meantime, however, he or she can get back 10 years of active, pain free living.”
   
“Some of the many benefits of partial knee replacement surgery in our ambulatory surgical center setting,” said Dr. Haar, “is that it is convenient and patient friendly with the latest state-of-the-art medical and surgical equipment. In addition our ambulatory center provides for on time scheduling which benefits both the patient and the medical staff.”
   
The minimally invasive nature of this procedure has the potential to promote faster patient recovery. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, more than 300,000 total knee replacements are performed annually in the United States. Many patients often live with debilitating pain for years until they become candidates for total knee replacement. A substantial percentage of this group could benefit from an early intervention joint replacement device such as the uni-knee. These individuals can take back their active lifestyles, regain years of mobility and freedom that would otherwise been sacrificed by joint pain.

About Carnegie Hill Surgical Center
Carnegie Hill Surgical Center is an accredited surgical facility on the Manhattan premises of the Haar Orthopedic Institute in New York. Arthroscopy of the knee and shoulder as well as hand and foot procedures can be performed. Procedures performed in this facility are done under local anesthesia with light intravenous sedation. Regional anesthesia is sometimes an option for shoulder and upper extremity cases. Anesthesia services are provided by a Board Certified Orthopaedic anesthesiologist. Surgery performed at Carnegie Hill Surgical is significantly more convenient and cost effective to the patient. Because there is no hospital stay, the cost of surgery is less. This may allow patients who are uninsured access for specialized orthopaedic care. To learn more about who may benefit most from the partial knee replacement visit www.haarinstitute.com.




This article courtesy of http://gazebopacific.info/.
You may freely reprint this article on your website or in
your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author
name and URL remain intact.

Low EMI clock oscillators. Reduce EMI by 12 dB. Package size is 5x7x1.8 mm. Drop-in replacement for existing oscillators. No PCB re-spinning.

By Anonymous

January 17 2004--The Company: Mercury has been producing low EMI spread spectrum clock oscillators for three years. Packages include a 9.6x11.4x4.7mm FR4 based SMD leadless package and full & half size 4 pin DIPs. To address the market need for a smaller package size for industries such as still digital cameras, wireless LANs and LCD displays, Mercury is announcing the volume production of its HM57 (5x7x1.8 mm 4 pad ceramic leadless SMD package) spread spectrum clock oscillators. An even smaller package, HM53 (5x3.2x1.0 mm), is also in development.

The Product: The HM57 is available from 10.0 MHz to 160.0 MHz, a CMOS square wave output with a supply voltage of +3.3V, a duty cycle of 50%±5%, and spread types that include a down spread (-0.5%, -1% and -3%) and center spread (±0.25%, ±0.5% and ±1.5%). The typical cycle-to-cycle jitter is ±250 ps. The modulation carrier frequency is in the range of 23 to 48 KHz (frequency dependent). While the typical EMI reduction is 12 dB. Currently, sample lead times are 3 to 4 weeks with volume lead time at 5 to 6 weeks.
       
The Technology: Unlike conventional clocks whose mode energy has a narrow bandwidth and a sharp peak type, the mode energy of a spread spectrum clock is spread over a wider bandwidth, resulting from the frequency modulation technique. The modulation carrier frequency is in the KHz range which makes the modulation process transparent to the oscillator frequency. The controlled modulation process can be on all of one side of the nominal frequency (down spread) or 50% up and 50% down (center spread). The down spread is preferred if over-clocking is a problem to the system.

Related product link: http://www.mercury-crystal.com/clk_hm.htm




This article courtesy of http://gazebopacific.info/.
You may freely reprint this article on your website or in
your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author
name and URL remain intact.

Metal Outdoor Furniture - Explained

By Debbie Rodgers

Mention metal patio furniture and you probably think of the light, fly-away aluminium loungers of your youth or that half-ton cast iron table and chair set on your neighbour's lawn.

But metal outdoor furniture has come a long way. Here's a quick primer on the available types and their care.

Construction Methods
Metal is fashioned into furniture in one of three main ways: extrusion, casting, and welding.

Extrusion forces melted metal through long pipes and forms long narrow tubes of metal, sometimes solid, but often hollow.

Casting metal involves a form, or cast, shaped like the finished product. The molten metal is poured into the form and then the form is removed when the metal has solidified. Cast pieces are almost always solid.

Forging, a process in which metal is heated and hammered into shape produces the type of furniture known as "wrought" metal. It uses pipes and various solid pieces of the metal and joins them together by welding or bolting.

Common Materials
The most common metal outdoor furniture is made from iron or aluminium, although the use of steel, especially stainless steel, is growing.

Iron is a chemical element that is naturally malleable and rusts easily. Vintage pieces, usually in black or dark green, can be found at premium prices and must be carefully maintained to prevent further rusting. Modern reproduction pieces will usually have a rust-resistant finish or coating that protects against chipping, scratching and corrosion. There are a variety of finishes available such as primer and paint, powder coatings and galvanizing. They are available in a range of colors and styles.

Since iron is heavy and solid, it is well-suited for windy spots where light furniture might be blown away. Don't expect it to be highly portable, though. Well-cared for, iron furnishings can last for 100 years.

Much of the iron furniture available today is wrought iron, rather than cast iron. When you're buying wrought iron, look for pieces made with solid metal rather than hollow tubing, and that are welded, rather than bolted, together. Generally, the better furniture is North American made.

Iron furniture requires more maintenance than other types of metal furniture. Clean it regularly with warm soapy water and then dry it thoroughly. Wax the smooth surfaces and apply mineral or baby oil to textured surfaces. Oil springs and moving parts once per year. Immediately touch up any scratches or rust by lightly sanding the spot with a fine steel wool. Then apply several thin coats of metal paint, letting each coat dry well before applying the next. If you're using a spray paint, apply with short light stokes.

Aluminum is a silvery, lightweight and easily worked metallic element that never rusts. Much of the early aluminum furniture from the 1960s was made from hollow-core extrusion tubing. Such furniture was extremely lightweight but not exceedingly wind-stable. Such pieces are still available today and are best used around a pool area. Cast aluminum is better used in outdoor dining or sitting areas.

Whether you're looking for extruded, cast or wrought aluminum items, there are a few items that indicate a quality piece. As with wrought iron, joints should be welded (preferably full-circumference welds) rather than bolted. If bolts are used, for example to connect webbing, they should be made of aluminum or stainless steel. Otherwise they will begin to rust even though the main frame does not.

Best quality aluminum pieces have a powder-coated finish, which determines the final color of the piece and the durability of the metal. Powder coating is a process in which colorful polyester powders are applied and then baked onto the frame.

If you're buying aluminum furniture with vinyl webbing or straps, look for vinyl that has been processed with mildew inhibitors and ultraviolet stabilizers. Any wooden pieces mounted on aluminum frames should be treated with a finish to guarantee durability.

Suntan oils, human perspiration, car exhaust and salt spray can all eat away at the powder coating on aluminum furniture. To ensure long life, clean your aluminum furniture twice a month with a solution of mild dish detergent and warm water. Rinse well. You can then apply paste car wax to any smooth finish frames.

Steel, a hard tough metal, is an alloy of iron and various small percentages of metallic elements. The alloys produce hardness and resistance to rusting. Galvanized steel has been plated with zinc; stainless steel has been alloyed with chromium and is virtually immune to rust and corrosion.

Before the production of aluminum furniture in the mid 20th century, steel furniture was common, dating from popular French-made items manufactured in the later half of the 1800s. American companies used solid steel until the Second World War when the heavy military demand for steel dictated the use of lightweight tubular (hollow) steel in outdoor furniture. Vintage steel sets can still be found at flea markets.

If you're looking at modern steel furniture, be sure the product is either stainless or powder-coated and that any hardware used is also rust-resistant.

Metal outdoor furniture in its many shapes and designs can be a wonderful addition to your outdoor living space. Choose wisely and enjoy!

Debbie Rodgers, the haven maven, owns and operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Her latest how-to guide “Attracting Butterflies to Your Home and Garden” is now available on her web site. Visit her at www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on “Eight easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor space”. Mail to debbie@paradiseporch.com

This article courtesy of http://gazebopacific.info/.
You may freely reprint this article on your website or in
your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author
name and URL remain intact.

Home