Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that pressure-induced changes in the free ion activity of a solution can be used to reversibly modulate the rate or the equilibrium position of chemical reactions, including catalytic reactions and associating/dissociating reactions. Pressure-induced changes in free-ion activity can also be used to improve separation processes.

Abstract: Methods for cell lysis and purification of biological materials, involving subjecting a sample maintained at a subzero temperature to high pressure, are disclosed. Apparatus for practicing the methods are also disclosed. The cell or cells that are lysed may be in suspension or part of a tissue. They are lysed by a method that includes: (i) providing a frozen cell or cells under atmospheric pressure; (ii) while maintaining the cell or cells at a subzero temperature, exposing the cell or cells to an elevated pressure in a pressure chamber, the elevated pressure being sufficient to thaw the frozen cell or cells at the subzero temperature; (iii) depressurizing the pressure chamber to freeze the cell or cells at the subzero temperature; and (iv) repeating the exposing and depressurizing steps until the cell or cells are lysed. This method can lyse a cell or cells with or without cell walls; such cells include, but are not limited to, bacteria, viruses, fungal cells (e.g, yeast cells), plant cells (e.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that hyperbaric, hydrostatic pressure reversibly alters the partitioning of nucleic acids between certain adsorbed and solvated phases relative to partitioning at ambient pressure. The new methods and devices disclosed herein make use of this discovery for highly selective and efficient, low salt isolation and purification of nucleic acids from a broad range of sample types, including forensic samples, blood and other body fluids, and cultured cells.

Abstract: A holographic display system provides a holographic image suitable for use as a nightlight in a dimly lit environment wherein the only light in the field of view of the user is essentially the light diffracted into the holographic image being replayed. The holographic display system includes a low watt light source, a hologram recorded with a reference beam matching the beam of the light source employed to replay the hologram, and an enclosing structure for holding the lightsource and hologram in registration wherein the enclosure is configured so that the only light emitted from the display system is emitted from the hologram.

Abstract: A paint trimming apparatus has a mounting plate of generally uniform thickness having a longitudinal axis, a top surface, a bottom surface, a front edge, a rear edge, and a pair of parallel side edges. A handle having a front end and a back end is mounted on the top surface of the mounting plate and extends along the longitudinal axis forwardly from the rear edge towards and spaced from the front edge. A generally elongated planar guide has a guide edge substantially parallel to the front edge. The guide edge has a length generally corresponding to the length of the front edge. A guide support is coupled to the mounting plate between the front end of the handle and the front edge of the mounting plate. The guide support pivotably couples the guide to the guide support to position the guide edge to overlie the front edge and position the guide between the loading position and paint trimming position. The guide support yieldably biases the guide to the loading position.

Abstract: An orthopedic shoe including an elastic top portion conformable to an irregularly shaped foot is disclosed. The orthopedic shoe conforms to the irregularly shaped foot to provide a comfortable fit, retains an attractive appearance, and fits a number of different shaped feet without further customization of the shoe.

Abstract: A condom retainer ring structure is for use on a condom that has an elongated thin-walled tubular sheath of resilient material closed at one end and open at the other end, with a bead surrounding the opening. The condom retainer ring structure has a first ring for positioning at the periphery of the opening, adjacent the bead that surrounds the sheath. A second ring is connected to and adjacent the first ring. A bridge having a retention notch therein joins the rings generally in a single plane when the retainer ring structure is not in use and in an unflexed condition. In use, when a condom is worn on the penis of a user, the first ring surrounds the sheath on the shaft of the penis, the second ring encircles the scrotum to anchor the condom, and the bridge is flexed thereby, constricting the retention notch. The retention notch, preferably positioned over the bead of the condom, grabs the bead to retain the condom.

Abstract: A combination of a condom and a condom retainer ring structure has an elongated thin-walled tubular sheath of resilient material that is closed at one end and open at the other end. A first ring at the periphery of the opening surrounds the sheath. A second ring adjacent is attached to and adjacent the first ring, with a bridge joining the rings. In use, the first ring and sheath are worn on the shaft of the penis and the second ring encircles the scrotum to anchor the condom. The condom may be made by a method involving a dipping process and by which the two rings are formed individually or by cutting a thick bead rolled from latex coating on a mandrel.

Abstract: A catheter including an elongated highly flexible hollow lumen and a guide wire positioned within the lumen, the guide wire fabricated from nickel-titanium shape-memory alloy, the guide wire having greater than three percent (3%) elasticity over the temperature range of use of the catheter allowing high-elastic deformation at low stress and low rolling and sliding frictional resistance of the guide wire when moved and bent within the lumen producing a high degree of tactile control is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the measurement of the properties of fuel gases dependent upon flow and pressure, and more particularly upon the dyanmic viscosity and/or the density of the fuel gases. The apparatus includes a device to control the flow of the fuel gas and at least one flow restrictor in the gasway. The design and the operation of such an apparatus is simplified by the integration of a gas holding device having a capacity which changes in response to the pressure difference between the pressure inside the inner chamber of the device and the ambient pressure. An aneroid capsule element in a line connecting a closeable gas inlet and at least one flow restrictor may be used for this purpose. A time measurement device may be switched on and off as a function of predetermined capacities of the gas holding device.

Abstract: A catheter for balloon angioplasty includes a flexible shaft (12) defining a hollow passage (18), the shaft having first (14) and second (16) ends. A core means (20) is movably and removably mounted within the hollow passage, the core means having first and second ends adjacent the first and second ends of the shaft. The core means has a first flexible portion (26) adjacent the first end and a second flexible portion (28) of greater flexibility adjacent the second end. The core means may also have an enlarged terminal knob (30) at the second end. A flexible guide wire (32) may be fixed to the second end of either the shaft or the core means. The catheter may be inserted into a vascular tree. After removal of the core means, the core means may be replaced by an exchange wire, an angioscope, a laser fiber, or a rotatable wire. Also, when the core means is replaced by an exchange wire, the shaft may then be removed and replaced by either a different balloon angioplasty catheter or a perfusion catheter.

Abstract: An aircraft engine bleed air ducting system including at least one universal ball joint within said ducting, said joint fitted with an annular bearing seal to seal and reduce the coefficient of friction between moving parts in said joint during angulation of said joint. The annular bearing seal includes a reinforcement wire surrounded by a graphite composition, which composition is in direct contact with parts of said bearing seal and said wire aids in prevention of deformation of said bearing seal.

Abstract: A pre-mixed burner fired at or above atmospheric pressure by a gaseous fuel or a fuel that is liquid at ambient temperature or a liquid fuel completely evaporated prior to combustion comprises a mixer wherein the fuel, combustion air and a cooling fluid are blended prior to combustion downstream of a burner plate. The combustion forms a flame at or near the limit of flame stability. The ionization current which is a characteristic property of each flame is measured by two electrodes which transmit signals to a controller controlling the flow of at least one of the fluids flowing to the mixer by corresponding valve actuation for safe burner operation at or near the limit of flame stability.

Abstract: A catheter for balloon angioplasty includes a flexible shaft defining a hollow passage. The shaft has first and second ends. A core is movably and removably mounted in the passage and has first and second ends adjacent the first and second ends of the shaft. The core has a first flexible portion adjacent the first end and a second flexible portion of greater flexibility adjacent the second end. The core also has an enlarged terminal knob at the second end. A flexible guidewire may be fixed to the second end of one of the shaft and the core. The catheter may be inserted into a vascular tree and the core removed. The core may be replaced by an exchange wire, an angioscope, a laser fiber, or a rotatable bit. Also, when the core is replaced by an exchange wire, the shaft may then be removed and replaced by either a balloon angioplasty catheter or a perfusion catheter.