What is claimed is:
1. A method for providing articular replacement material, the method comprising the step of producing articular replacement material of selected dimensions.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the dimensions comprise thickness and curvature.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the dimensions comprise size and curvature.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the dimensions comprise size, thickness and curvature.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the articular replacement material replaces cartilage and wherein said material is non-pliable.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the dimensions of the articular replacement material are selected following intraoperative measurements.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein said measurements are made using imaging techniques.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein said imaging techniques are selected from the group consisting of ultrasound, MRI, CT scan, x-ray imaging obtained with x-ray dye and fluoroscopic imaging.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein said measurements are made using a mechanical probe.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein said measurements are made using an ultrasound probe, a laser, an optical probe and a deformable material.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein said producing step comprises growing or hardening the articular replacement material.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein said producing step comprises shaping the articular replacement material to the selected dimensions.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein said shaping is selected from the group consisting of mechanical abrasion, laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation and enzymatic digestion.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein said shaping is performed manually.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein said shaping is performed by machine.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said shaping is automated.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein said articular replacement material is produced postoperatively.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein said articular replacement material is selected from a library of pre-existing repair systems.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein said articular replacement material comprises synthetic materials.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the synthetic materials comprise metals, polymers or combinations thereof.
21. The method of claim 5, wherein said cartilage replacement material comprises biological materials.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein said biological materials comprise cells.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein said cells are stem cells, fetal cells or chondrocyte cells.
24. A method of making cartilage repair material, the method comprising the steps of
(a) measuring the dimensions of the intended implantation site or the dimensions of the area surrounding the intended implantation site; and
(b) providing cartilage replacement material that conforms to the measurements obtained in step (a).
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the step (a) comprises measuring the thickness of the cartilage surrounding the intended implantation site and measuring the curvature of the cartilage surrounding the intended implantation site.
26. The method of claim 24, wherein the step (a) comprises measuring the size of the intended implantation site and measuring the curvature of the cartilage surrounding the intended implantation site.
27. The method of claim 24, wherein the step (a) comprises measuring the thickness of the cartilage surrounding the intended implantation site, measuring the size of the intended implantation site, and measuring the curvature of the cartilage surrounding the intended implantation site.
28. The method of claim 24, wherein step (a) comprises obtaining and analyzing an image of the cartilage.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein said image is obtained intraoperatively.
30. The method of claim 24, wherein step (a) comprises using a mechanical probe intraoperatively to measure the dimensions.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the mechanical probe comprises a deformable material.
32. The method of claim 24, wherein step (b) comprises selecting the cartilage replacement material from a library of pre-existing repair systems.
33. The method of claim 24, wherein step (b) comprises growing the cartilage replacement material.
34. The method of claim 24, further comprising shaping the cartilage material.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein said shaping is by machine.
36. The method of claim 34, wherein said shaping is automated.
37. The method of claim 34, wherein said shaping is selected from the group consisting of mechanical abrasion, laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation and enzymatic digestion.
38. The method of claim 24, wherein step (b) comprises growing cartilage replacement material comprising biological substances ex vivo.
39. A method of repairing a cartilage in a subject, the method of comprising the step of implantating cartilage repair material prepared according to the method of claim 1, into the subject.
40. A method of determining the curvature of an articular surface, the method comprising the step of (a) intraoperatively measuring the curvature of the articular surface using a mechanical probe.
41. The method of claim 40, wherein the articular surface comprises cartilage.
42. The method of claim 40, wherein the articular surface comprises subchondral bone.
43. The method of claim 40, wherein the mechanical probe is selected from the group consisting of an ultrasound probe, a laser, an optical probe and a deformable material.
44. A method of producing an articular replacement material comprising the step of providing an articular replacement material that conforms to the measurements obtained by the method of claim 40.
45. A method of repairing an articular surface in a subject, the method of comprising the step of implanting articular repair material prepared according to the method of claim 40 into the subject.
46. A partial articular prosthesis comprising
a first component comprising a cartilage replacement material; and
a second component comprising one or more metals, wherein said second component has a curvature similar to subchondral bone, wherein said prosthesis comprises less than about 80% of the articular surface.
47. The prosthesis of claim 46, wherein said first or second components comprise a non-pliable material.
48. The prosthesis of claim 46, wherein said first or second components further comprises a polymeric material.
49. The prosthesis of claim 46, wherein said first component comprises biological materials.
50. The prosthesis of claim 46, wherein said first component exhibits biomechanical properties similar to articular cartilage.
51. The prosthesis of claim 50, wherein said biomechanical properties are elasticity, resistance to axial loading or shear forces.
52. The prosthesis of claim 46, wherein the first and second components comprise two or more metals.
53. The prosthesis of claim 46, wherein the first or second components are bioresorbable.
54. The prosthesis of claim 46, wherein the first or second components are porous or porous coated.
55. The prosthesis of claim 46, wherein the first or second components are smooth.
56. The prosthesis of claim 46, wherein the first or second components are adapted to receive injections.
57. A partial articular prosthesis for use in a human with cartilage disease comprising
an external surface located in the load bearing area of an articular surface, wherein the dimensions of said external surface achieve a near anatomic fit with the adjacent cartilage.
58. The prosthesis of claim 57, further comprising one or more metals or metal alloys.
59. An articular surface repair system comprising
(a) cartilage replacement material, wherein said cartilage replacement material has a curvature similar to surrounding or adjacent cartilage; and
(b) at least one non-biologic material, wherein said articular surface repair system comprises a portion of the articular surface equal to or smaller than the weight-bearing surface.
60. The articular surface repair system of claim 59, wherein said cartilage replacement material is non-pliable.
61. The articular surface repair system of claim 59, wherein said cartilage replacement material has biomechanical properties similar to that of normal human cartilage.
62. The articular surface repair system of claim 59, wherein said cartilage replacement material has a biochemical composition similar to that of normal human cartilage.
63. An articular surface repair system comprising
a first component comprising a cartilage replacement material, wherein said first component has dimensions similar to that of adjacent or surrounding cartilage; and
a second component, wherein said second component has a curvature similar to subchondral bone, wherein said articular surface repair system comprises less than about 80% of the articular surface.
64. The repair system of claim 63, wherein said first or said second component comprises a non-pliable material.
65. The articular surface repair system of claim 63, wherein the first component has a curvature and thickness similar to that of adjacent or surrounding cartilage.
66. The articular surface repair system of claim 63, wherein said thickness of said first component is not uniform.
67. A partial articular prosthesis comprising
(a) a metal or metal alloy; and
(b) an external surface located in the load bearing area of an articular surface, wherein the external surface designed to achieve a near anatomic fit with the adjacent cartilage.
68. The partial articular prosthesis of claim 67, wherein said external surface is comprises a polymeric material attached to said metal or metal alloy.
69. An articular surface repair system comprising a cartilage replacement material, wherein said cartilage replacement material has a curvature similar to surrounding or adjacent cartilage, wherein said articular surface repair system is adapted to receive injections.
70. The articular surface repair system of claim 69, wherein said injections are made through an opening in the external surface of said cartilage replacement material.
71. The articular surface repair system of claims 69, wherein said opening in the external surface terminates in a plurality of openings on the bone surface.
72. The articular surface repair system of claim 69, wherein bone cement is injected through said opening.
73. The articular surface repair system of claim 72, wherein said bone cement is injected under pressure in order to achieve permeation of portions of the marrow space with bone cement.
74. The articular surface repair system of claim 72, wherein said bone cement is combined with a therapeutic drug.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:
1. A titanylphthalocyanine crystal having a CuK 1.542 X-ray diffraction spectrum comprising plural diffraction peaks and a primary particle diameter not greater than 0.2 m, wherein a maximum diffraction peak is observed at a Bragg (2) angle of 27.2; main peaks are observed at 9.4, 9.6 and 24.0; and a minimum diffraction peak is observed at 7.3; and no diffraction peak is observed at an angle greater than 7.3 and less than 9.4, wherein said angles may vary by 0.2 and the minimum interval where no peak is observed between required peaks at 7.3 and 9.4 is 2.0 degrees absolute or more.
2. The titanylphthalocyanine crystal of claim 1, wherein no diffraction peak is observed at 26.3.
3. A method of producing a titanylphthalocyanine crystal comprising:
subjecting a titanylphthalocyanine, which is either amorphous or low-crystalline, and which has a maximum CuK 1.542 diffraction peak having a half width not less than 1 at a Bragg (2) angle of from 7.0 to 7.50.2 and an average primary particle diameter not greater than 0.1 m, to crystal conversion with an organic solvent in the presence of water; and
separating the titanylphthalocyanine from the organic solvent before the titanylphthalocyanine crystal grows to a size where the average primary particle diameter is greater than 0.2 m.
4. The method of producing a titanylphthalocyanine crystal of claim 3, wherein the organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofuran, toluene, dichloromethane, carbon bisulfide, o-dichlorobenzene and 1,1,2-trichloroethane.
5. An electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising:
an electroconductive substrate;
a charge generation layer located overlying the electroconductive substrate and comprising the titanylphthalocyanine crystal according to claim 1; and
a charge transport layer located overlying the charge generation layer.
6. The electrophotographic photoreceptor of claim 5, wherein the charge transport layer comprises a charge transport polymer material.
7. The electrophotographic photoreceptor of claim 5, further comprising a protection layer located overlying the charge transport layer.
8. The electrophotographic photoreceptor of claim 6, wherein the protection layer comprises at least one of an inorganic pigment and a metal oxide, which have a resistivity not less than 1010 cm.
9. The electrophotographic photoreceptor of claim 8, comprising a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of alumina, titanium oxide and silica.
10. The electrophotographic photoreceptor of claim 8, comprising -alumina.
11. The electrophotographic photoreceptor of claim 7, wherein the protection layer comprises a charge transport polymer material.
12. The electrophotographic photoreceptor of claim 5, wherein an oxide film is formed on the substrate by anodizing.
13. An image forming method comprising:
charging the electrophotographic photoreceptor according to claim 5;
irradiating the electrophotographic photoreceptor with imagewise light to form an electrostatic latent image thereon;
developing the electrostatic latent image with a developer comprising a toner to form a toner image thereon; and
transferring the toner image onto a transfer sheet.
14. An image forming apparatus comprising:
at least one image forming unit comprising:
the electrophotographic photoreceptor according to claim 5;
a charger configured to charge the electrophotographic photoreceptor;
an irradiator configured to irradiate the electrophotographic photoreceptor with imagewise light to form an electrostatic latent image thereon;
an image developer configured to develop the electrostatic latent image with a developer comprising a toner to form a toner image thereon; and
a transferer configured to transfer the toner image onto a transfer sheet.
15. The image forming apparatus of claim 14, comprising plural image forming units.
16. The image forming apparatus of claim 14, wherein the charger is contacted or located close to the electrophotographic photoreceptor.
17. The image forming apparatus of claim 16, wherein the charger is located close to the electrophotographic photoreceptor and a gap between the charger and the electrophotographic photoreceptor is not greater than 200 m.
18. The image forming apparatus of claim 14, wherein the charger applies a DC voltage overlapped with an AC voltage to the electrophotographic photoreceptor.
19. A process cartridge for an image forming apparatus, comprising:
the electrophotographic photoreceptor according to claim 5; and at least one of:
a charger configured to charge the electrophotographic photoreceptor;
an irradiator configured to irradiate the electrophotographic photoreceptor with imagewise light to form an electrostatic latent image thereon;
an image developer configured to develop the electrostatic latent image with a developer comprising a toner to form a toner image thereon;
a transferer configured to transfer the toner image onto a transfer sheet;
a cleaner configured to clean the photoreceptor after the toner image is transferred into the transfer sheet; and
a discharger configured to discharge charges remaining on the photoreceptor after the toner image is transferred into the transfer sheet.