Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a sewing cuff for aortic heart valves that better approximates native anatomy by better mating with the crown-like anatomical annulus. Limiting distortion of the crown-like annulus provides better blood flow and overall valve function and provides a physician greater ease of implantation since native anatomy is not flattened. Thus, the surgeon may attach sutures to the fibrous tissue of the crown-like anatomical annulus without distorting the shape of the native anatomy. An embodiment includes a scalloped sewing cuff assembly (with semilunar arches) that tracks the crown-like annulus. Another embodiment provides a sewing cuff positioned over the majority of the valve's length, thus allowing the surgeon greater flexibility as to where he or she can attach sutures to the surgical annulus. Conventional valves, which are primarily “low-profile” devices, do not offer such ability. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: Arrangements are provided for assembling multiple substrates for coating within a fluidized bed coater so as to deposit a coating of uniform thickness across the entire exterior surface thereof. One embodiment includes a method for coating orthopedic implants having convex and concave surfaces with pyrocarbon by pyrolytic decomposition of a hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a size-minimized data logger that also serves as a housing for a secure digital (SD) memory card. The SD card housing is located on one side of the data logger. The micro-SD card is used for recording raw or digital data and digitized event data. The data logger further includes, on the opposite side from the SD card housing, different functional units which are connected to one another. Exemplary functional units include an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a time unit, a temperature sensor and at least one analog/digital converter for conversion of measurement signals into digital input data, a processor unit for processing of data, a power supply source, an input interface for receiving signals or digital data and event data, and an output interface for outputting an indicator from the data logger.

Abstract: An environment is moderated against microbial buildup, and especially bacterial buildup in an area where residual liquid wastes are collected or retained or added into natural ground formations. Water wastes are created, collected in storage areas or retained in natural land formations after the use of fluids to extract hydrocarbons contained in oil sand or oil shale or other hydrocarbon rich formations. The residual water wastes are of the type that generate or provide or promote in or above the fluid at least one waste selected from the group consisting of bacteria, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, mercaptans and organic acids. A combination is provided of at least one of i) a friction reducing polymer for oil extraction and/or a polymer capable of absorbing at least ten times its weight in water (preferably a super-absorbing polymer) and ii) a combination of salts that react to liberate I2.

Abstract: Contaminants are filtered from a fluid flow stream and the filter is regenerated by a process including steps of: providing a filter material comprising both carbon and potassium iodide; passing a contaminated fluid stream in contact with the filter material; adsorbing contaminants from the fluid stream onto surfaces in the filter material; passing an electric current through the filter material with adsorbed contaminant thereon; disassociating contaminant from the surfaces of the filter material; and removing disassociated contaminant from the filter material by carrying away the disassociated contaminant in a fluid flow mass.

Abstract: An environment is moderated in an area where animal wastes are collected in a fluid containing compartment. Animal wastes are collected in a fluid containing compartment. The animal wastes are of the type that generate or provide in or above the fluid containing compartment at least one waste selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, mercaptans and organic acids. A combination is provided of i) a polymer capable of absorbing at least ten times its weight in water (preferably a superpolymer) and ii) a combination of salts that react to liberate I2. At least one waste is flocculated with liberated I2 (and any cations from the reactive salts) to form a flocculent that has reduced odor and reduced microbial content. The flocculent may be used as a fertilizer.

Abstract: Contaminants are filtered from a fluid flow stream and the filter is regenerated by a process including steps of: providing a filter material comprising both carbon and potassium iodide; passing a contaminated fluid stream in contact with the filter material; adsorbing contaminants from the fluid stream onto surfaces in the filter material; passing an electric current through the filter material with adsorbed contaminant thereon; disassociating contaminant from the surfaces of the filter material; and removing disassociated contaminant from the filter material by carrying away the disassociated contaminant in a fluid flow mass. Separately, a stable, active iodine solution is also provided for numerous deodorizing and disinfecting applications.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a sewing cuff for aortic heart valves that better approximates native anatomy by better mating with the crown-like anatomical annulus. Limiting distortion of the crown-like annulus provides better blood flow and overall valve function and provides a physician greater ease of implantation since native anatomy is not flattened. Thus, the surgeon may attach sutures to the fibrous tissue of the crown-like anatomical annulus without distorting the shape of the native anatomy. An embodiment includes a scalloped sewing cuff assembly (with semilunar arches) that tracks the crown-like annulus. Another embodiment provides a sewing cuff positioned over the majority of the valve's length, thus allowing the surgeon greater flexibility as to where he or she can attach sutures to the surgical annulus. Conventional valves, which are primarily “low-profile” devices, do not offer such ability. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: Antimicrobial solutions and delivery systems for them use liquid antimicrobial solutions with: at least 80% of total weight of a carrier liquid comprising water, alcohol or a mixture of water and alcohol; at least 0.0001% by weight of the solution of I2; at least 0.0001% by weight of CuSO4; and sufficient acid in the solution top provide a pH of less than 7.0. A buffering system is also preferable in the solution, and the solution may be provided directly as a liquid, as a spray, as a gel, imbibed and carried in a wipe, encapsulated solution, segregated droplets of solution (in carrying layers of particles, dispersed in a solid of gel carrier) and the like.

Abstract: An article or material is applied to the environment of the body of an animal (including humans) to provide both absorbency and antimicrobial activity. The article or material may comprise a water absorbent material; and a composition that reacts with water to produce molecular iodine. The composition provides a local concentration (in the water) of at least 10 parts per million iodine in water carried by the material (that is actual water supported by the water absorbent material) when the material has 5% by weight of water present in the water absorbent. The material may be a flowable material, or the article may be diaper, sanitary pad, bandage, adhesive pad or wrap for an animal.

Abstract: Antimicrobial solutions and delivery systems for them use liquid antimicrobial solutions with: at least 80% of total weight of a carrier liquid comprising water, alcohol or a mixture of water and alcohol; at least 0.0001% by weight of the solution of I2; at least 0.0001% by weight of CuSO4; and sufficient acid in the solution top provide a pH of less than 7.0. A buffering system is also preferable in the solution, and the solution may be provided directly to wounds, burns or other skin damage as a liquid, as a spray or as a gel.

Abstract: The invention includes an assembly for anastomosis having a clamp being arranged to support a fastener. The clamp can be actuated to join a vessel with the fastener to establish a fluid communication. In some embodiments, the invention includes an assembly having a clamp and a fastener with first and second joinable parts, and the assembly can be adapted to facilitate the alignment of the first and second joinable parts.

Abstract: A heart valve holder-inserter (21, 121) is designed to facilitate easy implantation of a mechanical heart valve prosthesis (23, 123). This holder-inserter, at its distal end, incorporates a pair of diametrically opposed guide members (47, 49, 81, 147, 149) which extend well beyond the leading edge of the prosthesis and which have exterior surfaces (53, 83, 153) of substantial dimension that are smoothly curved and proportioned so as to slowly spread the tissue annulus in order to facilitate easy entrance thereinto of the leading edge portion of the mechanical valve body.

Abstract: Contaminants are filtered from a fluid flow stream and the filter is regenerated by a process including steps of: providing a filter material comprising both carbon and potassium iodide; passing a contaminated fluid stream in contact with the filter material; adsorbing contaminants from the fluid stream onto surfaces in the filter material; passing an electric current through the filter material with adsorbed contaminant thereon; disassociating contaminant from the surfaces of the filter material; and removing disassociated contaminant from the filter material by carrying away the disassociated contaminant in a fluid flow mass. Separately, a stable, active iodine solution is also provided for numerous deodorizing and disinfecting applications.

Abstract: A staple line buttress material having an adhesive surface, packaged and provided in sterile, ready-to-use form. The material can be used to retrofit surgical staplers to provide an improved staple line, and with improved ease of use.

Abstract: A process for improving a liquid carrying system comprising physically disrupting a biofilm on interior surfaces of the liquid carrying system and then providing molecular iodine onto the disrupted biofilm in a concentration in aqueous material onto the biofilm of at least 10 parts per million. The reactants may be provided before physical disruption also. The molecular iodine may be added in gaseous or liquid or solid state, and may be formed in situ in the interior of the liquid carrier system using available or added water in the reaction.

Abstract: Antimicrobial solutions and delivery systems for them use liquid antimicrobial solutions with: at least 80% of total weight of a carrier liquid comprising water, alcohol or a mixture of water and alcohol; at least 0.0001% by weight of the solution of I2; at least 0.0001% by weight of CuSO4; and sufficient acid in the solution top provide a pH of less than 7.0. A buffering system is also preferable in the solution, and the solution may be provided directly as a liquid, as a spray, as a gel, imbibed and carried in a wipe, encapsulated solution, segregated droplets of solution (in carrying layers of particles, dispersed in a solid of gel carrier) and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides substantially pure reverse transcriptases, which are preferably substantially free from contamination with nucleic acids. The invention also provides methods for the production of these enzymes, and kits comprising these enzymes which may be used in synthesizing, amplifying or sequencing nucleic acid molecules, including through the use of the polymerase chain reaction, particularly RT-PCR.

Abstract: An environment is moderated against microbial buildup, and especially bacterial buildup in an area where residual liquid wastes are collected or retained or added into natural ground formations. Water wastes are created, collected in storage areas or retained in natural land formations after the use of fluids to extract hydrocarbons contained in oil sand or oil shale or other hydrocarbon rich formations. The residual water wastes are of the type that generate or provide or promote in or above the fluid at least one waste selected from the group consisting of bacteria, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, mercaptans and organic acids. A combination is provided of at least one of i) a friction reducing polymer for oil extraction and/or a polymer capable of absorbing at least ten times its weight in water (preferably a super-absorbing polymer) and ii) a combination of salts that react to liberate I2.

Abstract: An environment is moderated in an area where animal wastes are collected in a fluid containing compartment. Animal wastes are collected in a fluid containing compartment. The animal wastes are of the type that generate or provide in or above the fluid containing compartment at least one waste selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, mercaptans and organic acids. A combination is provided of i) a polymer capable of absorbing at least ten times its weight in water (preferably a superpolymer) and ii) a combination of salts that react to liberate I2. At least one waste is flocculated with liberated I2 (and any cations from the reactive salts) to form a flocculent that has reduced odor and reduced microbial content. The flocculent may be used as a fertilizer.