Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a cylindrical bowl having a conical lower end with an opening through which feed liquid is injected during a feed mode of operation. During the feed mode, solids separate from the feed liquid and accumulate along the inner surface of the bowl as the bowl rotates at high speed. After accumulation of the solids, the rotation of the bowl is stopped and residual liquid is drained by gravity from the bowl. In a solids discharge mode of operation, a piston of a piston assembly is urged downward along a vertical axis in response to fluid such as compressed gas or hydraulic liquid. The downward movement of the piston forces accumulated solids from the bowl via the opening in the conical lower end thereof. The solids pass from the bowl and into a passage leading to an outlet port, where the solids exit the separator.

Abstract: A vascular graft with trim lines is described, the trim lines providing a guide for precision shaping of the cuff. The trim lines may be printed or otherwise disposed on a surface of the cuff or included on a template designed for disposition over the cuff. The trim lines may also be disposed on a side of a pocket into which the cuff is positioned for trimming. Also described is an apparatus and method for precise trimming of a vascular graft.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of producing methanol is provided that reacts a methane-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas in a reactor to provide a product stream comprising methanol and formaldehyde. The product stream is scrubbed using a process component absorbent. After scrubbing the product stream, unprocessed methane gas is mixed with the methane-containing gas for reprocessing through the reactor while methanol and formaldehyde is sent to a rectification process for removal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of producing methanol includes reacting a heated hydrocarbon-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas in a reactor; to provide a product stream comprising methanol; and transferring heat from the product stream to the hydrocarbon-containing gas to heat the hydrocarbon containing gas. After removing methanol and CO2 from the product stream, unprocessed hydrocarbons are mixed with the hydrocarbon containing gas fro reprocessing through the reactor.

Abstract: The invention includes a memory device supported by a semiconductor substrate and comprising in ascending order from the substrate: a floating gate, a dielectric material, a layer consisting essentially of tungsten nitride, a first mass consisting essentially of tungsten, and a second mass consisting essentially of one or more nitride compounds. The invention includes a memory device having a floating gate and a dielectric material over the floating gate. The device has a mass consisting essentially of tungsten over the dielectric material, with the mass having a pair of opposing sidewalls. A pair of sidewall spacers are along the opposing sidewalls of the mass. The sidewall spacers comprise a first layer consisting essentially of one or more nitride compounds and a second layer different from the first layer. The invention includes methods of making memory devices.

Abstract: This invention is directed to prosthesis, which, when implanted into a mammalian patient, serves as a functioning replacement for a body part, or tissue structure, and will undergo controlled biodegradation occurring concomitantly with bioremodeling by the patient's living cells. The prosthesis is treated so that it is rendered non-antigenic so as not to elicit a significant humoral immune response. The prosthesis of this invention, in its various embodiments, thus has dual properties. First, it functions as a substitute body part, and second, it functions as bioremodeling template for the ingrowth of host cells.

Abstract: A filter delivery device for implanting a vessel filter within a blood vessel of a patient's body. The filter delivery device includes a mechanism for preventing hooks and/or legs on a vessel filter from entangling with each other while the vessel filter is loaded within the delivery device. In one variation, the filter delivery device includes a delivery catheter with grooves at the distal end lumen opening. When a vessel filter with radially expanding legs is compressed and inserted into the distal end of the delivery catheter, the hooks on the distal end of the legs are received and separated by the corresponding grooves on the delivery catheter. In another variation, a pusher rod, with a receptacle for receiving the hooks, is positioned within a delivery catheter to prevent the entanglement of the hooks and/or legs of a filter loaded within the delivery catheter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described to facilitate forming of polysilicon contact plugs with an improved diffusion barrier that can be formed in conjunction with other process steps. Embodiments of the present invention are formed by recessing the polysilicon plug below the surface of the insulation layer, allowing the depression formed at the interface of the insulating layer and the top of the polysilicon plug to be filled with a diffusion barrier/liner layer before deposition and etching of the metal interconnection layer. This allows the etching of the polysilicon contact plug and deposition of the barrier layer to occur along with other process steps. In an embodiment of the present invention the peripheral metal contact plugs and polysilicon contact plugs of a memory array are deposited with liner material and removed in a series of concurrent process steps.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of treating a patient with diseased or damaged organs comprising administering to said patient a bioremodelable collagen-containing material which promotes the production of structural collagen, vascularization and epithelialization by the ingrowth of patient cells, wherein the material undergoes controlled biodegradation occurring with adequate living cell replacement such that the original implanted graft is bioremodeled by the patient's living cells.

Abstract: The invention is directed to collagenous tissues which have been treated to remove non-collagenous components such as cells, cellular debris, and other extracellular matrix components, such as proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans, normally found in native tissues. Treatment of the tissue with alkali, chelating agents, acids and salts removes non-collagenous components from the collagenous tissue matrix while controlling the amount of swelling and dissolution so that the resultant collagen matrix retains its structural organization, integrity and bioremodelable properties. The process circumvents the need to use detergents and enzymes which detrimentally affect the cell compatibility, strength and bioremodelability of the collagen matrix. The collagenous tissue matrix is used for implantation, repair, or use in a mammalian host.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described to facilitate forming of polysilicon contact plugs with an improved diffusion barrier that can be formed in conjunction with other process steps. Embodiments of the present invention are formed by recessing the polysilicon plug below the surface of the insulation layer, allowing the depression formed at the interface of the insulating layer and the top of the polysilicon plug to be filled with a diffusion barrier/liner layer before deposition and etching of the metal interconnection layer. This allows the etching of the polysilicon contact plug and deposition of the barrier layer to occur along with other process steps. In an embodiment of the present invention the peripheral metal contact plugs and polysilicon contact plugs of a memory array are deposited with liner material and removed in a series of concurrent process steps.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a cylindrical bowl having a conical lower end with an opening through which feed liquid is injected during a feed mode of operation. The feed liquid is separated into centrate and solids, which accumulate along the inner surface of the bowl. A piston assembly includes a conical piston coupled to a piston actuator by a two-part piston shaft. During the feed mode of operation, the piston shaft is disconnected, the piston is held in an uppermost position by hydraulic pressure from the feed liquid, and a centrate valve on the piston is urged open to permit the centrate to flow out to a centrate discharge port. In a solids discharge mode of operation, the piston shaft is connected and the piston actuator urges the piston axially downward, closing the centrate valve and forcing the accumulated solids from the bowl via the opening in the conical lower end of the bowl.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a cylindrical bowl having a conical lower end with an opening through which feed liquid is injected during a feed mode of operation. The feed liquid is separated into centrate and solids, which accumulate along the inner surface of the bowl. A piston assembly includes a conical piston disposed within the cylindrical bowl, coupled to a piston actuator by a two-part piston shaft. During the feed mode of operation, the piston shaft is disconnected, and the piston is held in an uppermost position by hydraulic pressure from the feed liquid as the bowl is rotated, and a centrate valve on the piston is opened to permit the centrate to flow out to a centrate discharge port. After solids are separated and accumulated on an interior surface of the bowl, the rotation of the bowl is stopped and residual centrate is drained therefrom.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the single particle detection of submicron structures such as biological molecules and viruses utilises an optical element (100) comprising an optically transparent substrate (1) partially coated with a thin film of me (2) illuminated with an optical beam (4) incident on a non-metal coated region (3) of the surface of the optical element at a point adjacent or close to the metal coated region of the optical element such that the beam propagates above but close and substantially parallel to the metal surface defining a measurement zone from within which submicron particles (7) contained in a sample (6) placed in contact with the optical element scatter or emit light which can be detected in the far field by conventional photodetection systems. The apparatus can be configured in a flow cell or optical microscope configuration.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to devices, systems, and methods for percutaneous closure of cardiac openings and obliteration of the cardiac cul-de-sacs. In one embodiment, a closure device includes a patch with an adhesive and/or a removable frame. The patch may be placed across a cardiac opening, such as a patent foramen ovale, or across a cardiac cul-de-sac, such as a left atrial appendage. In another embodiment, a closure device includes a balloon together with adhesives and/or substances for stimulating tissue growth coated on, or contained within, the balloon. The balloon may be inserted into a cardiac opening, such as the patent foramen ovale, or into a cardiac cul-de-sac, such as a left atrial appendage.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to devices, systems, and methods for percutaneous closure of cardiac openings and obliteration of the cardiac cul-de-sacs. In one embodiment, a closure device includes a patch with an adhesive and/or a removable frame. The patch may be placed across a cardiac opening, such as a patent foramen ovale, or across a cardiac cul-de-sac, such as a left atrial appendage. In another embodiment, a closure device includes a balloon together with adhesives and/or substances for stimulating tissue growth coated on, or contained within, the balloon. The balloon may be inserted into a cardiac opening, such as the patent foramen ovale, or into a cardiac cul-de-sac, such as a left atrial appendage.

Abstract: An armrest apparatus for a passenger seat includes a longitudinally-extending center armrest adapted to be disposed between side-by-side first and second seats, and a privacy divider. The divider is moveable between a stowed position wherein an upper surface of the center armrest is accessible by an occupant of the first or second seat, and a deployed position wherein the divider extends to the center armrest and forms a generally vertically extending wall between of occupants of the first and second seats. The privacy may include a plurality of linked panels.

Abstract: An armrest assembly for a passenger seat is arranged so as to allow sharing of a common armrest by side-by-side seated passengers. The armrest assembly may include a laterally-moveable upper panel, a deployable auxiliary armrest, and/or a raised extension armrest.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to devices, systems, and methods for percutaneous closure of cardiac openings and obliteration of the cardiac cul-de-sacs. In one embodiment, a closure device includes a patch with an adhesive and/or a removable frame. The patch may be placed across a cardiac opening, such as a patent foramen ovale, or across a cardiac cul-de-sac, such as a left atrial appendage. In another embodiment, a closure device includes a balloon together with adhesives and/or substances for stimulating tissue growth coated on, or contained within, the balloon. The balloon may be inserted into a cardiac opening, such as the patent foramen ovale, or into a cardiac cul-de-sac, such as a left atrial appendage.

Abstract: The invention includes a memory device supported by a semiconductor substrate and comprising in ascending order from the substrate: a floating gate, a dielectric material, a layer consisting essentially of tungsten nitride, a first mass consisting essentially of tungsten, and a second mass consisting essentially of one or more nitride compounds. The invention includes a memory device having a floating gate and a dielectric material over the floating gate. The device has a mass consisting essentially of tungsten over the dielectric material, with the mass having a pair of opposing sidewalls. A pair of sidewall spacers are along the opposing sidewalls of the mass. The sidewall spacers comprise a first layer consisting essentially of one or more nitride compounds and a second layer different from the first layer. The invention includes methods of making memory devices.