Abstract: The present method and apparatus for producing a supersonic jet stream introduce an oxidizer in such a manner as to create a vortex, which is then restricted. Fuel is introduced into a reduced pressure eye of the vortex, forming a stratified composite stream of gases with unmixed oxidizer surrounding an inner mixture of fuel and oxidizer. This stratified composite stream is passed down a tube that exhausts to a low pressure environment. The combined fuel and oxidizer in the stratified stream is ignited to provide a high-velocity stream of combustion products. The outer layer of unmixed oxidizer in the vortex shields the tube and reduces or eliminates the need for additional cooling.

Abstract: The present method and apparatus for producing a supersonic jet stream introduce an oxidizer in such a manner as to create a vortex, which is then restricted. Fuel is introduced into a reduced pressure eye of the vortex, forming a stratified composite stream of gases with unmixed oxidizer surrounding an inner mixture of fuel and oxidizer. This stratified composite stream is passed down a tube that exhausts to a low pressure environment. The combined fuel and oxidizer in the stratified stream is ignited to provide a high-velocity stream of combustion products. The outer layer of unmixed oxidizer in the vortex shields the tube and reduces or eliminates the need for additional cooling.

Abstract: A surgical implant suitable for treatment of hernias includes a mesh having a residual maximum mass density of 5O g/m<2>. The mesh has strands forming spaces and the strands define filaments forming pores. The spaces and pores are sized to minimize foreign body mass for implantation and to encourage integration of the implant. The mesh may be delivered using Dual Phase Technology for ease of handling, cutting and placement. The Dual Phase Technology may include encapsulation or coating with hydrogel.

Abstract: A medicament delivery device and method of delivering a medicament is provided wherein the device is insertable into the uterine myometrium for the delivery of medicaments to the pelvic area and organs thereof, for example, the bladder, peritoneum, the vulva, vagina, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and uterus, and then to the bloodstream.

Abstract: An implant suitable for treatment of treatment of vaginal and/or uterine prolapse and/or pelvic floor reconstruction. The implant comprises a vaginal support member substantially sized or shaped to the portion of the vaginal wall to be supported and at least two extension portions projecting from the support member, wherein at least one extension portion has fixation means for anchoring the extension portion into pelvic paravaginal fibro-fatty issue without being faxed into defined structural tissues. A method of treating treatment of vaginal and/or uterine prolapse and/or pelvic floor reconstruction using the implant is also provided.

Abstract: A supplementary urethral support stabilization system and method for supporting the urethra is described.

Abstract: The subject mater herein relates to database management systems and, more particularly, compression of encrypted data in database management systems. Various embodiments provide systems, methods, and software that compress encrypted column values stored tables. Some other embodiments include declaring tables with column encrypt and compress attributes.

Abstract: A method, computer program and database system are disclosed for protecting data using a relational database management system supporting digital watermarking. The support for digital watermarking in a database provides an additional means for protecting copyrighted data. Having the support built-in to a database simplifies the development of applications that manage the copyrighted data and provide an extra level of security and traceability for the data once it leaves the database.

Abstract: Prosthesis is provided for repairing or resisting the formation of bodily hernia in particular, for inguinal hernia repair or femoral hernia repair. The prosthesis comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface forms at least one channel that is sized to receive an anatomical structure and allow it to pass through the prosthesis without substantial compression of the anatomical structure.

Abstract: A medicament delivery device and method of delivery a medicament is provided wherein the device is insertable into the uterine myometrium for the delivery of medicaments to the pelvic area and organs thereof, for example, the bladder, peritoneum, the vulva, vagina, fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus and then to the bloodstream.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical implant and method for supporting the urethra where the implant includes a suburethral support suspended between two soft tissue anchors. The surgical implant is introduced into at least one incision made on the upper wall of a vagina with the first soft tissue anchor inserted on a first side of the urethra behind the pubic bone, and the second soft tissue anchor inserted on a second side of the urethra behind the pubic bone, such that the suburethral support is suspended from the soft tissue anchors and supports the urethra. Each of the first and second soft tissue anchors are inserted in, and fix in, the soft tissue of the perineum without penetrating the obturator foramen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical implant and method for supporting the urethra, the implant comprising: comprising at least one fixing zone that can be fixed in the fibrofatty tissue of the retropubic space. In use the implant supports the urethra such that increased intra-abdominal pressure is transmitted to the sub urethral pressure space to promote occlusion of the urethra at periods of increased intra-abdominal pressure. The implant of the present invention has uses including treating urinary incontinence and uterovaginal prolapse.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical implant and method for supporting the urethra, the implant comprising a suburethral support suspended between two soft tissue anchors that do not penetrate the lower abdominal wall and are attached at either side of the sururethral support. The soft tissue anchors retain each anchor in soft tissue, suspending each side of the suburethrasl support. The suburethral support passes under the urethra to support the urethra. The implant has uses including treating urinary incontinence and uterovasginal prolapse.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical implant and method for supporting the urethra (118), the implant comprising: a suburethral support (10) suspended between two soft tissue anchors (30) that do not penetrate the lower abdominal wall and are attached at either side of the suburethral support (10). The soft tissue anchors (30) retain each anchor in soft tissue, suspending each side of the suburethral support (10). The suburethral support (10) passes under the urethra (118) to support the urethra The implant has uses including treating urinary incontinence and uterovaginal prolapse.

Abstract: In a thermal spray process, a wire is fed into a flame-jet to heat said wire to the melting point, atomize and projected high velocity the droplets so formed against a surface to buildup a coating of material on the surface. The wire is fed into the flame by aligning the cast-plane of the wire with the flame-jet by using a tubular member formed into a circular shape to provide sufficient length to guide wire and to provide the necessary twist amount to the wire to align the cast-plane with the axis of the flame-jet.

Abstract: A powder coating system includes a booth and one or more powder-recovery modules that are insertable into an equipment-receiving space of the booth. A color change method includes removing a first powder-recovery module from the equipment-receiving space and positioning a second powder-recovery module in the equipment-receiving space.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for exposing photosensitive material to form high quality continuous tone and/or color images thereon. The preferred apparatus includes an imaging head comprised of a plurality of red light sources, a plurality of green light sources, and a plurality of blue light sources. The light produced by said green light sources is passed through a first filter having a narrow spectral transmission characteristic in the green spectral range. Similarly, the light produced by said blue light sources is passed through a second filter having a narrow spectral transmission characteristic in the blue spectral range.

Abstract: A digital content transfer appliance comprises a memory card reader, a memory, and a controller. The memory card reader is configured to removably receive at least one memory card and to read and write a digital content on the memory card wherein the digital content includes at least one of a digital image file and a digital audio file. The controller is configured for directing transfer of the digital content, independent of a personal computer, via a modem between the memory card and a digital content service provider. The memory is configured for storing the digital image file and the digital audio file.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an information storage device. The storage device comprises a connector for interfacing the storage device with a host computing device and at least one solid-state memory device contained within the storage device, the memory device holding personal information of a user of the storage device. In a preferred arrangement, the storage device is small in size yet has a large storage capacity such that the user can carry with him or her a large volume of personal information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biomaterials for use in surgical implants. The biomaterial can include micropatterns; such as microgrooves and microfeatures such as pores, pits or slits on the surface of the biomaterial. The micropattern can be parallel microgrooves capable of influencing the orientation and alignment of cells proliferating on the surface of the biomaterial. The microfeatures enable tissue ingrowth into the biomaterial and may extend through all or part of the biomaterial, allowing the rapid integration of the implant into the tissue.