MARK S WELLS
Nursing in Huntsville, AL

License number

Florida 1148311

Issued Date

Jun 15, 1994

Effective Date

Aug 13, 2001

Expiration Date

Jul 31, 1999

Professional information

Vertebral Prosthesis

US Patent:

4932975, Jun 12, 1990

Filed:

Oct 16, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/422106

Inventors:

John A. Main - Nashville TN
Mark E. Wells - Huntsville AL
Tony S. Keller - Nashville TN

Assignee:

Vanderbilt University - Nashville TN

International Classification:

A61F 244, A61F 504

US Classification:

623 17

Abstract:

A dynamic prosthetic vertebral body for use in a cavity left by resection of a natural vertebral body and adjacent intervertebral discs. The prosthesis includes a pair of rigid housings joined by a connecting structure that is operable to shift the housings apart into supportive engagement with the healthy vertebral bodies adjacent the site of the resected body. Anchoring pins project outwardly in axial directions from the respective housings for secure fixation to the healthy vertebral bodies. Within the chamber of each housing is a rigid suspension plate surrounded by an elastomeric suspension medium, and the suspension plates of the two housings are joined by the expandable connecting structure. The relative sizes of the suspension plates and the chambers in which they are received allow limited movement of the housings, resulting in a prosthesis that provides the required support but also mimics the dynamics of a normal vertebra and adjacent discs.

Method And Apparatus For Making Rapidly Solidified Particulate

US Patent:

5032172, Jul 16, 1991

Filed:

Sep 28, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/413638

Inventors:

Ruel A. Overfelt - Hendersonville TN
William H. Hofmeister - Nashville TN
Robert J. Bayuzick - Nashville TN
Michael B. Robinson - Huntsville AL
David Dillard - Brentwood TN
Mark Wells - Huntsville AL

International Classification:

C22B 900

US Classification:

75255

Abstract:

A stream of molten material free falls through a drop tube and impinges on a chill surface adjacent the bottom of the drop tube to form rapidly solidified particulate. The chill surface is so inclined and moved relative to the stream of molten material as to have an upward component of motion counter to the downward direction of fall of the stream to significantly enhance shearing and rapid quenching of molten material striking the chill surface. The resulting solidified particulate is discharged from the chill surface for collection in a particulate collection chamber beneath the chill surface. Production quantities of rapidly solidified particulate can be continuously made.