Abstract: An improved ultrasonic pulse-echo method and apparatus that has particular application in making precision measurements of compressibility in any backscattering material, in particular organic tissue, is disclosed. The method employs a standard transducer or transducer containing device which is translated transaxially, thereby compressing or displacing a proximal region of a target body in small known increments. At each increment, a pulse is emitted and an echo sequence (A-line) is detected from regions within the target along the sonic travel path or beam of the transducer. Resulting time shifts in echo segments corresponding to features in the target, corrected for regions of varying sonic speed along the sonic path, provide relative and quantitative information concerning the strain caused by the compressions. The stress imparted by the transducer and containing device is also determined, corrected for depth along the sonic path.

Abstract: A suturing needle is illustrated which can engage a suture to an outer housing, thereby presenting a relatively smooth surface at the distal end of the apparatus to minimize tissue trauma. A lock feature prevents unexpected extension of the needle from the outer housing which could release the suture. A finger switch is used to overcome the locking mechanism when it is desired to release the suture. The distal end of the housing and the needle are a generally similar flat profile to minimize uneven edges which could damage the tissue. The suture is retained in a hook located in the needle, the opening for which is retracted in the housing to retain the suture.

Abstract: The invention provides for metering the pumping rate of BFS/mud mixtures pumped to the cementing head on a rig for sealing off the formation from the casing. Since BFS/mud mixtures require an activation agent, preferably sodium hydroxide is pumped into the flowline to the cementing head. Feedback from the BFS/mud slurry flowrate is fed to the activator injector pump drive system to regulate the addition rate of the activating agent in response to varying conditions, such as mud flowrate. The injection rate target can also be adjusted to compensate for any changes in downhole temperature. The risk of fouling surface equipment and the casing internal diameter is minimized because the activation agent is added very close in time to when the BFS/mud mixture enters the cementing head.

Abstract: The present invention provides an iodine-based solution, and a method of using that solution, which sterilizes tissue implants without denaturing the proteins in the implant and without inducing calcification of the implant in vivo. Preferably, the tissue implants sterilized using the present invention are fixed without using glutaraldehyde. Most preferably, the tissue implants are fixed by photooxidation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of dropping a pumpdown plug or ball is revealed. The assembly can be integrally formed with a plug-dropping head or can be an auxiliary feature that is mounted to a plug-dropping head. The release mechanism is actuated by remote control, employing intrinsically safe circuitry. The circuitry, along with its self-contained power source, actuates a primary control member responsive to an input signal so as to allow component shifting for release of the pumpdown plug or ball. Multiple plug-dropping heads can be stacked, each responsive to a discrete release signal. Actuation to drop the pumpdown ball or plug is accomplished even while the components are rotating or are moving longitudinally. Using the apparatus and method of the present invention, personnel do not need to climb up in the derrick to actuate manual valves.

Abstract: The present invention allows operating room personnel to easily and expeditiously drape electronic surgical devices, such as video monitors, cameras, lights, and power sources. This invention relates to a disposable, four-sided surgical drape that maintains a protective cover over the equipment. The drape consists of an opaque material on the two side panels and the top panel of the drape. The front panel is preferably formed of a clear, pliable plastic material, with a rectangularly shaped front panel cutout at the top portion of the panel. This front panel cutout and the attached adhesive strip allow surgical personnel to visually access the video monitor and seal the front panel to the monitor. The rear and underside of the cover are open to ensure proper ventilation and easy application.

Abstract: A coal-fired firetube boiler and a method for converting a gas-fired firetube boiler to a coal-fired firetube boiler, the converted boiler including a plurality of combustion zones within the firetube and controlled stoichiometry within the combustion zones.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-bore packer that has an annularly shaped sealing element. The assembly has a series of strings that run continuously so that they can be supported from the surface. At least one hub segment straddles the strings and is sealed in between. The entire assembly features one of the hubs with a sealing element. The outer sealing element, when compressed, seals against a casing or wellbore as well as against one of the hubs through which the strings extend. A greater effective piston area allows setting with surface pressures below 2500 psig. A provision is made in the assembly of hubs to provide for an operating mechanism to compress the outer seal between the casing and the hub, by increasing the applied sealing forces on the outer seal, should well conditions apply greater differential pressures, in either direction, to the outer seal than the original setting pressure used.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing through a casing without perforation are disclosed. The casing can be rotated while it is cemented and includes a multiplicity of sliding sleeve valves. Each of the valves selectively covers a plurality of pistons, each of which preferably has a rupture disc mounted therein. A pressure-regulating device is provided in association with each rupture disc to ensure retention of sufficient internal pressure in the tubing such that all discs eventually burst without any short circuiting through the discs which ruptured earlier. The outward movement of the pistons acts to assist in fracturing the formation. Thereafter, the pressure used to rupture the discs aids in further channeling the fluid energy of the fluid rupturing the discs, as well as putting additional pressure on the movable pistons to further stress fracture the formation.As the piston is pumped outward, the grease that is held captive within the piston assembly is forced outward through a bladder.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention facilitate the initiation of lateral bores from a main wellbore in a completed well having a packer and a tubing string. The preferred method involves setting a plug, which may be removed, through the tubing string, followed by a layer of sand, followed by a layer of cementitious material or other material that becomes hard. The cementitious material is drilled from the end of the production tubing by means of equipment passed through the length of the cementitious material. This allows running in with another packer or anchoring device to be located within the newly created bore in the cementitious material. The sidetracking device is secured to the anchoring device and oriented. The milling then proceeds with a high-efficiency milling tool that creates a window through the cementitious material and outer casing. A milling assembly can then be used to complete the window and begin the lateral bore.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for a subsurface safety valve (SSV). A pressure-balance feature is introduced such that the control system components are unaffected by the depth of placement of the SSV. Through the use of this feature, the standard hydraulic control system used for surface components can also be used for an SSV regardless of its depth of installation. In another feature of the invention, a shuttle valve is provided so that each time the SSV is stroked, a volume of control fluid is purged into the annulus. One embodiment of the shuttle valve may or may not be sensitive to annulus pressure and employs annulus pressure as an aid to stroking the shuttle valve upon application of surface control pressure to assist in actuation of the SSV, while at the same time providing for a purge of a controlled volume of fluid.

Abstract: The filter of the present invention overcomes the aforementioned problems by separating gas and solid particulate matter from liquid as the wellbore fluid passes through the filter. The apparatus comprises a solid tube encased in a perforated tube which extends beyond the end of the solid tube. A top cap is attached to one end of each tube and holds the tubes concentric to each other. A bottom cap is attached to the end of the perforated tube which extends beyond the solid tube. An annulus is defined by the inner surface of the perforated tube and the outer surface of the solid tube. The top cap has a bore extending therethrough which is in fluid communication with the solid tube. The filter is generally used in conjunction with a low volume pump located adjacent to and in fluid communication with the top cap. As the pump operates, wellbore fluid is drawn through the perforations of the perforated tube into the annulus between the perforated and solid tubes.

Abstract: The present invention prevents damage to the trolling motor and the mount by providing a shock-absorption system capable of lengthening to allow the motor assembly to pivot out of the path of an obstruction. Adjustable friction force maintains the clutch system assembly in its normal operating upright condition. When the trolling motor strikes an underwater object, the clutch friction is overcome and the clutch assembly lengthens, thus assuring that any damage is minimized.

Abstract: This invention involves an interactive external defibrillation and drug injection system for use by a human operator for treating cardiac conditions in a patient, particularly in an out-of-hospital or pre-hospital environment. The present invention may also be used within hospitals as well as where intravenous (IV) access has not been established. More specifically, this invention comprises measuring devices capable of measuring and monitoring various physiological indicators in a patient and an expert system capable of analyzing the measured data and making recommendations to an operator for treatment of the patient using any combination of defibrillation, cardioversion, transcutaneous pacing, or vascular drug delivery via intraosseous drug injection. This invention is designed to enable first responders to cardiac emergencies to provide care up to the standard of at least the beginning stages of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).

Abstract: The hemostatic clip applicator system is particularly useful for endoscopic procedures. A hemostatic clip applicator can be directly connected to a trigger assembly or indirectly connected to the trigger assembly through the use of an extension. The connection between the extension and the clip applicator is secured to prevent accidental release during the procedure. The applicator receives a longitudinal input and translates the input into relative component motion through the use of gearing to apply the clips.

Abstract: Contaminated soil including rocks is mechanically screened to remove most of the soil from the rock. The rocks are then further screened and a liquid is sprayed over the rocks to wash the remaining contaminants from the rocks. The rocks are then recycled back to the original location. The wash fluid with the remaining contaminants is further screened, with the remaining fluids centrifuged in combination with the addition of a polymer to promote flocculation and further separation. The remaining liquid is recycled as spray wash liquid at the beginning of the process. The flocs and screened material are transported to a waste disposal site.

Abstract: An endoscopic kitner features a delivery tube with a continuous supply of absorbent material. The absorbent material is retractable into a housing as new absorbent material is placed in position for use. The spent absorbing material is movable into a housing for removal of the kitner. A hand-held drive mechanism is employed to advance the absorbent material.

Abstract: The arrangement and receptacle storing the prop wrench and spare prop nut allow the fisherman to store the necessary tools to quickly replace a prop on a trolling motor on the spot. The prop wrench has three principal components--the prop wrench base, the prop pins, and the prop wrench cap. The prop wrench base has storage compartments to store the spare prop pins, which are secured in place by the prop wrench cap. Both the prop wrench and the spare prop nut are stored in the housing. The housing has preformed molded recesses which correspond, respectively, to the shape of the prop wrench and the prop nut. The spare prop nut and the prop wrench are locked into place within the housing by a lip on the prop wrench base that snaps into a locking relationship with the snap fit on the housing, and is further secured by two tabs located opposite the snap fit within the recess and above the prop wrench assembly.

Abstract: A process for removing carboxylic acids from aqueous solutions using a composition of a polyaluminum chlorohydrate and a cationic polyelectrolyte is described. After or during the initial contact of the aqueous solution with the composition, an organic liquid may optionally be added after which separation into an aqueous phase and an organic phase occurs whereby the organic acids are removed in the organic phase. The preferred polyaluminum chlorohydrate is aluminum chlorohydrate, and the preferred cationic polyelectrolyte is a high molecular weight poly(dimethyl diallyl) ammonium chloride.

Abstract: The gravity flow of a liquid in an open pipe is metered during open channel flow, during surcharged flow, and during the transition between the two. A tubular venturi metering device is employed, and when during open channel flow, the liquid depth rises in the section of the pipe upstream from the device, the throat of the device fills with liquid substantially simultaneously with the upstream section of the pipe, so that during the transition, the device continues to provide a flow determination.