1. A spinal prosthesis comprising:
an implant strip made of metal and configured for insertion between a first vertebra and a second vertebra,
wherein the implant strip forms a first inner coil and a second outer coil that coils around the first inner coil,
wherein the implant strip includes a lateral dimension extending from a first lateral side portion to a second lateral side portion, and a longitudinal dimension extending down the length of the implant strip,
wherein, when the implant strip is in a coiled configuration between the first vertebra and the second vertebra, the first lateral side portion of the implant strip is configured to engage the first vertebra and the second lateral side portion of the implant strip is configured to engage the second vertebra, and
wherein the implant strip includes a first surface between the first lateral side portion and the second lateral side portion, and a second surface opposite to the first surface and between the first lateral side portion and the second lateral side portion; and
a separating portion made of a polymer and disposed at the first surface of the implant strip,
wherein, in the coiled configuration, the separating portion is disposed between the first inner coil and the second outer coil, and
wherein the separating portion covers less than the area of the first surface of the implant strip so as to provide gaps between coils of the first lateral side portion of the implant strip when the implant strip is in the coiled configuration.
2. The spinal prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the separating portion comprises a plurality of protrusions on the first surface of the implant strip.
3. The spinal prosthesis according to claim 2, wherein the protrusions are associated with corresponding divots on the opposing second surface of the implant strip.
4. The spinal prosthesis according to claim 2, wherein the opposing second surface of the implant strip is substantially smooth.
5. The spinal prosthesis according to claim 2, wherein each protrusion of the plurality of protrusions is shaped as a half-sphere.
6. The spinal prosthesis according to claim 5, wherein each protrusion of the plurality of protrusions is shaped and sized substantially similarly.
7. The spinal prosthesis according to claim 2, wherein each protrusion of the plurality of protrusions has a width measured across the first surface of the implant strip and is spaced apart from adjacent protrusions distances greater than the width.
8. The spinal prosthesis according to claim 2, further comprising a second plurality of protrusions disposed on the second surface of the implant strip.
9. The spinal prosthesis according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of protrusions each protrude from the first surface substantially the same height, such that, in the coiled configuration, the plurality of protrusions separate the first inner coil and the second outer coil by a radial distance equal to the same height.
10. The spinal prosthesis according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions is distinct and spaced apart from adjacent protrusions.
11. The spinal prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the separating portion comprises a separating strip having a lateral dimension less than the lateral dimension of the implant strip.
12. The spinal prosthesis according to claim 11, further comprising a second separating strip made of a polymer and disposed at the second surface of the implant strip.
13. The spinal prosthesis according to claim 1, further comprising a bone growth promoting agent disposed in the gaps between the coils of the first lateral side portion of the implant strip.
14. The spinal prosthesis according to claim 1, further comprising a bone growth promoting paste configured to be applied in the gaps between the coils of the first lateral side portion of the implant strip.
15. The spinal prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the first lateral side portion comprises a plurality of teeth.
16. The spinal prosthesis according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of teeth has a configuration selected from the group consisting essentially of a saw-toothed shape, a rounded shape, a substantially dull shape, a substantially sharp shape, irregularly spaced teeth, and regularly spaced teeth.
17. The spinal prosthesis according to claim 15, wherein the second lateral side portion comprises a second plurality of teeth.
18. A spinal prosthesis comprising:
an implant strip configured for insertion between two vertebrae;
the implant strip comprising an edge; and
wherein the edge includes a plurality of teeth.
19. The spinal prosthesis according to claim 18, wherein the edge comprises a first edge,
wherein the implant strip forms a first inner coil and a second outer coil that coils around the first inner coil,
wherein the implant strip includes a lateral dimension extending from the first edge to a second edge, and a longitudinal dimension extending down the length of the implant strip,
wherein, when the implant strip is in a coiled configuration between the two vertebrae, the first edge is configured to engage a first vertebra of the two vertebrae and the second edge is configured to engage a second vertebra of the two vertebrae,
wherein the implant strip includes a first surface between the first edge and the second edge, and a second surface opposite to the first surface and between the first edge and the second edge,
wherein the spinal prosthesis further comprises a separating portion made of a polymer and disposed at the first surface of the implant strip,
wherein, in the coiled configuration, the separating portion is disposed between the first inner coil and the second outer coil, and
wherein the separating portion covers less than the area of the first surface of the implant strip so as to provide gaps between coils of the first lateral side portion of the implant strip when the implant strip is in the coiled configuration.
20. A spinal prosthesis comprising:
an implant strip configured for insertion between a first vertebra and a second vertebra,
wherein the implant strip forms a first inner coil and a second outer coil that coils around the first inner coil,
wherein the implant strip includes a lateral dimension extending in the lateral direction from a first lateral side portion to a second lateral side portion, and a longitudinal dimension extending down the length of the implant strip,
wherein, when the implant strip is in a coiled configuration between the first vertebra and the second vertebra, the first lateral side portion of the implant strip is configured to engage the first vertebra and the second lateral side portion of the implant strip is configured to engage the second vertebra, and
wherein the implant strip includes a first surface between the first lateral side portion and the second lateral side portion, and a second surface opposite to the first surface and between the first lateral side portion and the second lateral side portion; and
a separating portion disposed at the first surface of the implant strip,
wherein, in the coiled configuration, the separating portion is disposed between the first inner coil and the second outer coil, and
wherein the separating portion is spaced apart in the lateral direction from the first lateral side portion of the implant strip so as to provide gaps between coils of the first lateral side portion of the implant strip when the implant strip is in the coiled configuration.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A toner cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming device, comprising:
a housing having a reservoir for storing toner;
a first vent having an inlet opening positioned to receive air from outside the housing, an outlet opening positioned to exit the received air into the reservoir, and a one-way valve that permits airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening and prevents airflow through the first vent from the outlet opening to the inlet opening; and
a check valve that limits airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.
2. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the check valve includes an air flow limiting filter.
3. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the check valve is open in a normal operating position of the check valve permitting airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening and the check valve closes when the airflow exceeds a threshold amount preventing airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.
4. The toner cartridge of claim 3, wherein the check valve is open to the inlet opening in the normal operating position of the check valve permitting air to enter the inlet opening and closes the inlet opening when the airflow exceeds the threshold amount.
5. The toner cartridge of claim 3, wherein the check valve includes a reed valve having a flap that is open in a normal operating position of the flap permitting airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening and that closes when the airflow exceeds the threshold amount preventing airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.
6. The toner cartridge of claim 5, further comprising a barrier on an outer surface of the housing surrounding the inlet opening and having an opening to the inlet opening, the flap of the reed valve extends across the opening of the barrier and a rim around the opening of the barrier includes a tapered end surface, a gap is formed between the flap and a portion of the tapered end surface when the flap is in the normal operating position of the flap permitting airflow to the inlet opening and the flap seals against the opening of the barrier when the airflow exceeds the threshold amount.
7. The toner cartridge of claim 3, wherein the check valve includes a ball check valve that is open in a normal operating position of the ball check valve permitting airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening and that closes when the airflow exceeds the threshold amount preventing airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.
8. The toner cartridge of claim 1, further comprising:
an outlet port positioned on the housing for transferring toner out of the toner cartridge; and
a second vent having an inlet opening positioned adjacent to the outlet port to receive air at the outlet port, an outlet opening positioned to exit the air received at the outlet port into the reservoir, and a one-way valve that permits airflow through the second vent from the inlet opening of the second vent to the outlet opening of the second vent and prevents airflow through the second vent from the outlet opening of the second vent to the inlet opening of the second vent.
9. The toner cartridge of claim 8, further comprising an auger positioned above the outlet port for moving toner from the reservoir to the outlet port, the inlet opening of the second vent being positioned on an inner side of a wall of the housing next to the auger.
10. The toner cartridge of claim 9, further comprising a deflector separating the inlet opening of the second vent and a portion of the auger from toner stored in the reservoir.
11. A toner cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming device, comprising:
a housing having a reservoir for storing toner;
a first vent having an inlet opening on an outer side of a wall of the housing positioned to receive air from outside the housing, an outlet opening on an inner side of the wall of the housing positioned to exit the received air into the reservoir, and a one-way valve that permits airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening and prevents airflow through the first vent from the outlet opening to the inlet opening; and
a check valve that is open to the inlet opening in a normal operating position of the check valve permitting air to enter the inlet opening and the check valve closes the inlet opening when the airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening exceeds a threshold amount.
12. The toner cartridge of claim 11, wherein the check valve includes a reed valve having a flap that is open in a normal operating position of the flap permitting air to enter the inlet opening and that closes the inlet opening when the airflow exceeds the threshold amount.
13. The toner cartridge of claim 12, further comprising a barrier surrounding the inlet opening on the outer side of the wall of the housing and having an opening to the inlet opening, the flap of the reed valve extends across the opening of the barrier and a rim around the opening of the barrier includes a tapered end surface, a gap is formed between the flap and a portion of the tapered end surface when the flap is in the normal operating position of the flap permitting air to enter the inlet opening and the flap seals against the opening of the barrier when the airflow exceeds the threshold amount.
14. The toner cartridge of claim 11, wherein the check valve includes a ball check valve that is open in a normal operating position of the ball check valve permitting air to enter the inlet opening and that closes the inlet opening when the airflow exceeds the threshold amount.
15. The toner cartridge of claim 11, further comprising:
an outlet port positioned on the housing for transferring toner out of the toner cartridge; and
a second vent having an inlet opening positioned adjacent to the outlet port to receive air at the outlet port, an outlet opening positioned to exit the air received at the outlet port into the reservoir, and a one-way valve that permits airflow through the second vent from the inlet opening of the second vent to the outlet opening of the second vent and prevents airflow through the second vent from the outlet opening of the second vent to the inlet opening of the second vent.
16. The toner cartridge of claim 15, further comprising an auger positioned above the outlet port for moving toner from the reservoir to the outlet port, the inlet opening of the second vent being positioned on the inner side of the wall of the housing next to the auger.
17. The toner cartridge of claim 16, further comprising a deflector separating the inlet opening of the second vent and a portion of the auger from toner stored in the reservoir.