Abstract: A composition including a polyalphaolefin and at least one alpha olefin monomer partitioning agent that function as drag reducing agents and a process for the preparation of the drag reducing agents are disclosed. The process includes the steps of contacting alpha olefin monomers with at least one catalyst in a reactant mixture to form a polyalphaolefin. The reactant mixture may include at least one alpha olefin partitioning agent or the at least one alpha olefin partitioning agent may be mixed with the polyalphaolefin after polymerization. The alpha olefin monomer partitioning agents are alpha olefin monomers that are solid at ambient temperatures. Preferably, the alpha olefin monomers are selected from the group consisting of C20-C60 alpha olefin monomers. A process for reducing drag in a conduit is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical system for repairing severed nerve ends. The severed nerve ends may be located on a single nerve or may be located on a nerve graft and a severed nerve. The surgical system includes a suture having a needle and an expanded tail, a clip, and a retaining member. Methods of repairing severed nerve ends and methods of adjoining severed nerve ends are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a tensioner/slip-joint module for providing a conduit from a floating vessel at the surface of the ocean to the blowout preventer stack, or production tree, which is connected to the wellhead at the sea floor. The tensioner/slip-joint module compensates for vessel motion induced by wave action and heave and maintains a variable tension to the riser string alleviating the potential for compression and thus buckling or failure of the riser string. The tensioner/slip-joint module of the present invention preferably includes at least one mandrel having at least one hang-off donut; at least one upper flexjoint swivel assembly, at least one radially ported manifold, at least one tensioning cylinder, and at least one slip-joint assembly combined in a single unit.

Abstract: A composition including polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents and a process for the preparation of polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents are disclosed. The process includes contacting alpha olefin monomers with a catalyst system, which includes a catalyst and an activator (co-catalyst) in a reactant mixture. The catalyst is a transition metal catalyst, preferably titanium trichloride, and the co-catalyst may include an alkylaluminoxane, alone or in combination, with a dialkylaluminum halide or a halohydrocarbon. The polymerization of the alpha olefin monomers produces a non-crystalline, ultra-high molecular weight polyalphaolefin having an inherent viscosity of at least 10 dL/g.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved drag reducing agents and methods of forming improved drag reducing agents comprising the steps of isomerizing olefin monomers to form isomerized olefin monomers, polymerizing the isomerized olefin monomers in the presence of at least one catalyst to form a polyolefin drag reducing agent having unexpectedly superior drag reduction properties when combined with liquid hydrocarbons, such as viscous crude oil. Therefore, the drag reducing agents of the present invention may be introduced into conduits, such as pipelines, to increase the flow of the hydrocarbons through the conduit.

Abstract: The invention relates to surgical devices, and in particular, ablating probes for ablating, or severing, intraosseous nerves. The ablating probes are used to ablate or sever the pathway of intraosseous nerves after the ablating probe contacts, or is positioned in close proximity to, the intraosseous nerve. Access to the intraosseous nerve may be provided by the ablating probe or another instrument. The invention is also directed to a surgical system for ablating intraosseous nerves that comprises at least one nerve ablating device, e.g., the ablating probes of the invention, and at least one sleeve through which the ablating probe is passed to contact the intraosseous nerve, or the area in close proximity to the intraosseous nerve, thereby facilitating ablation of the intraosseous nerve. Methods of ablating intraosseous nerves are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to indicator inserts for industrial diagnostic gauges and to industrial diagnostic gauges having at least one indicator insert that are utilized in industrial applications such as pressure and temperature gauges utilized in petrochemical plants. The indicator insert preferably includes at least one indicator insert marking having luminescent materials and reflective materials to facilitate accurate reading of the industrial diagnostic gauges in low and no light conditions from distances greater than 4 feet. Broadly, the industrial diagnostic gauges include a housing, a diagnostic member, a face, at least one hand operatively associated with the diagnostic member, a clear window, an indicator insert, and a retaining ring. The indicator insert includes a top surface that includes at least one indicator insert marking.

Abstract: A tensioner for providing a conduit, e.g., drilling and production riser strings, from a floating vessel at the surface of the ocean to the blowout preventer stack, production tree, or other assembly which is connected to the wellhead at the sea floor. The tensioner compensates for vessel motion induced by wave action and heave and maintains a variable tension to the riser string alleviating the potential for compression and thus buckling or failure of the riser string. The tensioner of the present invention preferably includes at least one mandrel having at least one hang-off donut; at least one upper flexjoint swivel assembly, at least one radially ported manifold, and at least one tensioning cylinder co-linearly combined in a single unit. Methods for assembling risers are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to industrial diagnostic gauges that are utilized in industrial applications. Examples include pressure and temperature gauges utilized in petrochemical plants. The industrial diagnostic gauges include luminescent materials and reflective materials to facilitate accurate reading of the industrial diagnostic gauges in low and no light conditions from distances greater than 4 feet. Broadly, the industrial diagnostic gauges include a housing, a diagnostic member, a face having at least one marking, at least one hand operatively associated with the diagnostic member, a clear window and a retaining ring. The face preferably includes at least one luminescent material and the at least one marking and the at least one hand each include at least one reflective material. Methods of reading industrial diagnostic gauges and methods of manufacturing industrial diagnostic gauges are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tensioner/slip-joint module for providing a conduit from a floating vessel at the surface of the ocean to the blowout preventer stack, or production tree, which is connected to the wellhead at the sea floor. The tensioner/slip-joint module compensates for vessel motion induced by wave action and heave and maintains a variable tension to the riser string alleviating the potential for compression and thus buckling or failure of the riser string. The tensioner/slip-joint module preferably includes at least one mandrel having at least one hang-off donut; at least one upper flexjoint swivel assembly, at least one radially ported manifold, at least one tensioning cylinder, and at least one slip-joint assembly combined in a single unit.

Abstract: The invention is directed to indicator inserts for industrial diagnostic gauges and to industrial diagnostic gauges having at least one indicator insert that are utilized in industrial applications such as pressure and temperature gauges utilized in petrochemical plants. The indicator insert preferably includes at least one indicator insert marking having luminescent materials and reflective materials to facilitate accurate reading of the industrial diagnostic gauges in low and no light conditions from distances greater than 4 feet. Broadly, the industrial diagnostic gauges include a housing, a diagnostic member, a face, at least one hand operatively associated with the diagnostic member, a clear window, an indicator insert, and a retaining ring. The indicator insert includes a top surface that includes at least one indicator insert marking.

Abstract: A biofilm penetrating composition for coating medical devices for substantially preventing the growth or proliferation of biofilm embedded microorganisms on at least one surface of the medical device is disclosed. A biofilm penetrating composition solution for cleaning medical devices which is capable of substantially removing all of the biofilm embedded microorganisms from at least one surface of medical devices is also disclosed. The biofilm penetrating composition coating and solution include a biofilm penetrating agent and may also include a base material. Medical devices coated with the biofilm penetrating composition and methods for coating medical devices and methods for removing biofilm embedded microorganisms from at least one surface of the medical devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to industrial diagnostic gauges that are utilized in industrial applications. Examples include pressure and temperature gauges utilized in petrochemical plants. The industrial diagnostic gauges include luminescent materials and reflective materials to facilitate accurate reading of the industrial diagnostic gauges in low and no light conditions from distances greater than 4 feet. Broadly, the industrial diagnostic gauges include a housing, a diagnostic member, a face having at least one marking, at least one hand operatively associated with the diagnostic member, a clear window and a retaining ring. The face preferably includes at least one luminescent material and the at least one marking and the at least one hand each include at least one reflective material. Methods of reading industrial diagnostic gauges and methods of manufacturing industrial diagnostic gauges are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photography aid, and in particular to a photography aid for use with microscopes, such as stereo microscopes. The photography aid includes a reservoir adapted to contain a fluid and a holding dish. An opening is disposed between the reservoir and the holding dish and adapted to permit the fluid to pass between the reservoir and the holding dish. An object can then be placed in the holding dish and photographed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to industrial diagnostic gauges that are utilized in industrial applications. Examples include pressure and temperature gauges utilized in petrochemical plants. The industrial diagnostic gauges include luminescent materials and reflective materials to facilitate accurate reading of the industrial diagnostic gauges in low and no light conditions from distances greater than 4 feet. Broadly, the industrial diagnostic gauges include a housing, a diagnostic member, a face, at least one hand operatively associated with the diagnostic member, a clear window and a retaining ring. The face may include at least one luminescent material and the at least one marking and the at least one hand each may include at least one reflective material. Additionally, the housing may include at least one marking having either at least one luminescent material or at least one reflective material.

Abstract: A composition including polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents and a process for the preparation of polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents are disclosed. The process includes contacting alpha olefin monomers with a catalyst system, which includes a catalyst and an activator (co-catalyst) in a reactant mixture. The catalyst is a transition metal catalyst, preferably titanium trichloride, and the co-catalyst may include an alkylaluminoxane, alone or in combination, with a dialkylaluminum halide or a halohydrocarbon. The polymerization of the alpha olefin monomers produces a non-crystalline, ultra-high molecular weight polyalphaolefin having an inherent viscosity of at least 10 dL/g.

Abstract: A trench shoring system using panels as shoring walls to prevent possible collapse of natural ground walls of trenches in trenches such as for burying pipes underground, having a sliding panels type trench shoring system that offers increased safety during the job, and higher job efficiency.

Abstract: A method for deterring forgeries and authenticating signatures placed on any document or other object (collectively “Item”) is disclosed. A first two dimensional bar code or forgery-proof diffraction grating pattern or similar information bearing medium (Electronic Fingerprint or “EF”) is issued to a person whose signature is being protected (“Principal”) by a central registrar (“CR”). A personal identification number (“PIN”) which has been assigned by the CR to the Principal is encoded on the EF. The PIN remains constant and is encoded on all EFs distributed to the Principal.