Abstract: An electrolysis cell provides a plurality of electrode stacks arranged electrically and mechanically back-to-back in a vertical orientation to develop an electrically neutral effluent. The electrode stacks comprise a plurality of electrode plates that seal against an inert housing by seals with a U-shaped cross-section. The cell is fully insulated and provides a series electrolyte flow path.

Abstract: The present invention is a lightweight endoscopic instrument which has a flushing port with a check valve assembly therein. The check valve retains carbon dioxide which is used during endoscopic procedures. Upon removal of the instrument, a pressurized fluid can be connected to the flush port, with internal seals directing the pressurized fluid through an annular space between the stem of the instrument and a central actuating rod or element so that any tissue or blood which may have entered into such annular space is flushed out the distal end of the instrument. The instrument features a knob allowing it to rotate on its longitudinal axis while having a handle that can be held in a fixed position by the surgeon. An index mechanism is provided to audibly and/or visually give an indication at preset increments of rotation. The instrument is lightweight to decrease fatigue and is simply and economically constructed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tissue bondable cystostomy tube for use in a human patient. The present invention also relates to a method for surgically implanting the tissue bondable cystostomy tube in a human patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cannula with a fixation mechanism actuable to secure the cannula above and below the body wall with minimal amount of manipulation and damage to the body wall. The preferred embodiment involves arms attached to springs secured to the body of the cannula over which a sleeve is slidingly mounted to restrain and release the springs. When the spring is released, it causes the arms to press against the inner body wall to fixate the cannula. A stop mounted on the sleeve can be positioned to apply a compressive force on the outer body wall, further securing the cannula.

Abstract: A compact design of a shielded housing for transport and insertion of radioactive sources into wells for use in measuring properties of materials in vessels and the like is disclosed in this invention. The apparatus features a perforated belt which is wound on a drum. The sources are temporarily supported within the shielded housing and can be moved into place and mounted to the belt at the desired locations. Safety features are provided to avoid dropping the sources into the well and to temporarily support the belt so that the transport housing can be removed. The invention also provides for adjustment of the mounting height of the source or sources mounted to the belt.

Abstract: A rotary coupler comprises a rotary transformer which transfers power across an air gap and an infrared coupler that carries data across the air gap in duplex. The rotary transformer and the data coupler are built within an enclosure to withstand downhole conditions. Control circuitry comprising a pulse width modulator regulates the amount of power transferred across the air gap by the rotary transformer. The data coupler comprises two transmitter/receiver array pairs to transfer data across the air gap in duplex.

Abstract: A kit for protectively sheathing the proximally unenclosed portion of a grasping members pair of a surgical instrument assembly resulting from the sheathing is disclosed, the kit including an applicator for spreading the lumen of an elastic tubular sheath member which is mounted on the surgical instrument over unenclosed portions of the grasping jaws adjacent to the distal body mounting the grasping jaws, the sheath member and body member preferably being formed of dielectric material for electrocauterization.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cannula with a fixation mechanism actuable to secure the cannula above and below the body wall in a single operation. The preferred embodiment involves spiral slit tubing in the form of a sleeve secured to the distal end of the cannula while mounted loosely over the cannula at the proximal end. A motion, such as twist and/or translation, is applied to the sleeve to make the spiral slit tubing expand to fixate the cannula.

Abstract: A hand-held surgical stapler is provided having a reduced distal profile due to a unique feeding means. A combination of features allows the reduced distal profile. The staple storage cover can be of reduced distal thickness due to the slope effect. The staple pusher has the capability at its distal end to push and by pushing lift all of the staples, including the last, into the staple track. Provisions are made on the staple pusher to allow the form tool to displace it out of the staple track to allow forming of the last staple. Nose assemblies are disclosed which can be interchangeably mounted to various trigger assemblies. The pre-load on the stored staples can be varied. A ratchet feature requires full depression of the trigger before it can be returned to a neutral or extended position and full extension of the trigger to its neutral position prior to initiation of the next staple feed cycle.

Abstract: Dithiocarbamic salts made from the reaction products of certain polyamines and epoxides have been found to be useful to clarify water, particularly the oil-in-water emulsions which accompany crude oil production. The water clarification may be accomplished by demulsification or flocculation. The polyamine reaction products themselves are novel and may have the structure ##STR1## where R" is selected from the group consisting of the structure --R--NH.sub.2 and ##STR2## where R is selected from the group consisting of straight, branched or cyclic alkylene moieties; arylene moieties; substituted straight, branched or cyclic alkylene moieties; substituted arylene moieties or mixtures thereof; and where R' is--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --O--R--O--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --where n and m independently range from 1 to 5 and q is 0 or 1. The dithiocarbamic salts made from these polyamines also find use as corrosion inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means for applying a substantially constant force to move clips in queue within an applicator, as well as means for more effectively dispensing the endmost clip from a column of abrasive clips within an applicator. The constant force means generally comprises a constant force spring which is movably secured at both ends within a chamber in the applicator such that the pressure exerted between the ends of the constant force spring forces the clips in queue toward the jaws of the applicator. The dispensing means generally comprises a spring that applies sufficient pressure against the endmost clip in a column of abrasive clips to dispense the endmost clip from the column while preventing the next endmost clip from being dispensed until after the endmost clip has been forced into the jaws of the applicator and applied.

Abstract: A spear and overshot are provided that use a plurality of collets. The collets are initially displaced by the fish until they are presented against a reduced diameter portion of the apparatus. At that point, the collets are inwardly attracted and the apparatus can be lowered into the fish or onto the fish. Further movement of the apparatus allows engagement of the fish onto the collets as the collets spring back to their original position with the fish trap above. Thereafter, should the fish need to be released, hydraulic pressure is applied within the apparatus shifting a body with respect to the collets allowing them again to be radially inwardly deflected for release of the fish.

Abstract: Fog is dispelled from a site by passing fog-laden air into a drying unit where it is contacted with a dessicant liquid (either an aqueous solution or a deliquescent absorbent which is not calcium chloride or a liquid dessicant such as glycerol or certain others) under conditions which effectuate absorption of the water particles and some water from the air effective to increase the temperature of the air and dry it to a predetermined relative humidity range, then discharging the dried heated air from the unit into fog-laden air at the site to effectuate vaporization of suspended water particles and associated cooling of the discharged air without development of thermals of the discharged air sufficient to create substantial circulation of fog-laden air into the site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tissue bondable cystostomy tube for use in a human patient. The present invention also relates to a method for surgically implanting the tissue bondable cystostomy tube in a human patient.

Abstract: A solvent system for cleaning coke oven gas lines comprises N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, aromatic naphtha, and surfactants.

Abstract: A resettable downhole packer is provided. Circulation from the surface creates a backpressure behind the packing element that expands the packing element into contact with the wellbore or casing. The tool may be shifted to trap pressure behind the element to retain it in contact with the wellbore or casing while, at the same time permitting flow through the packing element for procedures such as injection or stimulation. The tool incorporates a release mechanism to facilitate retrieval of the tubing string if, for any reason, the tool becomes stuck. Provisions are incorporated into the design to maintain the packing element in a retracted position for the running in and removal to avoid damage to the packing element.

Abstract: The apparatus allows mixing of a solid and a fluid continuously to facilitate downhole operations, especially gravel packing. The apparatus comprises a solids hopper, with preferably an internal auger, to meter the solids flowrate. The solids drop into a second feeder which empties into a mixing chamber. Liquid can be directed into an annular space formed in the mixing chamber around the periphery of the second auger, or could be piped into the second auger itself. A triplex pump is connected to the mixing chamber and draws the mixed solid and fluid and pumps it to sufficient pressures for use in a wellbore.

Abstract: Complex molecules of phosphonic acid ligands and transition metal ions are found to be surprisingly good at inhibiting and even preventing scale in aqueous solutions, crude oils, aqueous production fluids, heat exchange media, etc. Ethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic) acid (ENTMP) complexed with copper (II) is a particularly effective scale inhibitor over wide pH and temperature ranges. Other useful metal complex molecules include various alkyleneamino(alkylphosphonic) acids, or salts thereof, complexed with transition metals such as nickel (II), cobalt (II), and zinc (II), in addition to copper (II). The active complexes may be termed phosphonate metal complexes, or in some forms, phosphonic acid metal complexes.

Abstract: An energy saving, optoelectronic system provides a means for energizing and deenergizing electrical loads. The system includes a continuous light transmission source and a light receiving circuit that senses a light pattern and, in response, develops a first or a second output signal. The system also includes a gating circuit that receives the output signal. The gating circuit comprises a logic circuit arranged such that the receiving circuit will transmit the second output signal upon receiving a predetermined light signal. The system further includes a power switch that is open in response to an open circuit signal from the gating circuit and is closed in response to close circuit signal from the gating circuit.

Abstract: The invention features a perforating gun, with an external auger, which can be mounted to a tubing string. The auger facilitates removal of the gun after the sand is placed in the perforations. The perforating gun with external auger promotes the clean-up of the debris from the perforations after the gun is shot and facilitates the movement of the gun out of the sand. The sand can be spotted near the perforations without exposure to the formation of any kill fluids. The perforating gun with external auger need not be moved prior to admission of sand into the perforations. The assembly can be used so that preferred fluids, such as stimulating fluids, can be used to circulate the sand until the sand has been spotted adjacent the formation, whereupon the stimulating fluid is squeezed into the formation, leaving the sand in the perforations. The amount of fluid displaced into the formation is minimized and the selection of fluid helps to stimulate the subsequent flow during production.