Abstract: The present invention relates to a method including thermal spraying a chromium nitride or a chromium carbide and chromium silicide coating material on to an article. The coating material may be in a powder form before thermal spraying. In one aspect, the thermal spraying includes melting the coating material, propelling the molten coating material toward the article to be coated, and coating the article with the molten coating material. In another aspect, the coated article is one or more piston rings.

Abstract: A system for preventing scuffing of a cylinder wall by a piston ring includes a piston ring, the piston ring including a surface, wherein the surface of the piston ring is coated with tungsten disulfide. The coating provides lubrication during the piston and piston ring break-in period and prevents localized high pressure and high temperature areas that produce scuffing.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing microwelding of a piston ring installed in a circumferential groove of a piston, wherein the ring has at least one piston groove engaging surface which is coated with a polyaryletherketone polymer. This composition provides critical lubrication during the piston and piston ring break-in period and prevents localized high pressure, and high temperature areas that promote microwelding.

Abstract: Planting pots and a multi-compartment tray are provided, the pots and tray having a self-orienting configuration for urging the pots into proper alignment when same are placed within compartments of the tray. The pots include angled recesses disposed radially about the bottom portion of the pots. The compartments of the tray include angled protrusions disposed radially about the bottom portion of the compartment. The angled recesses of the pot engage with the angled protrusions of the compartment when the pot is placed in the compartment to urge the pot into proper alignment. A plurality of slots are included along an upper portion of each pot for allowing optional identification tags to be inserted thereinto. The identification tags, in addition to logos, artwork, or other indicia, if included, are positioned by the self-orienting configuration of the pots and tray to face in a desired direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method including thermal spraying a chromium nitride coating material on to an article. The chromium nitride may be in a powder form before thermal spraying. In one aspect, the thermal spraying includes melting the coating material, propelling the molten coating material toward the article to be coated, and coating the article with the molten coating material. In another aspect, the coated article is one or more piston rings.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein provide sustained delivery of a therapeutic agent for treating a patient, e.g., human, to obtain a desired local or systemic physiological or pharmacological effect. Method includes positioning the sustained released drug delivery system at an area wherein release of the agent is desired and allowing the agent to pass through the device to the desired area of treatment. In some embodiments, the method is for treating or reducing the risk of retroviral or lentiviral infection. In certain embodiments, the method is for preventing or reducing the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, wherein the therapeutic agent is an antiviral agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method including thermal spraying a chromium nitride or a chromium carbide and chromium silicide coating material on to an article. The coating material may be in a powder form before thermal spraying. In one aspect, the thermal spraying includes melting the coating material, propelling the molten coating material toward the article to be coated, and coating the article with the molten coating material. In another aspect, the coated article is one or more piston rings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method including thermal spraying a chromium nitride coating material on to an article. The chromium nitride may be in a powder form before thermal spraying. In one aspect, the thermal spraying includes melting the coating material, propelling the molten coating material toward the article to be coated, and coating the article with the molten coating material. In another aspect, the coated article is one or more piston rings.

Abstract: Loss of hearing can be treated by implanting a sustained-release drug delivery device in the inner ear. The slow delivery of medication from the implanted device to the tissues of the ear, including the inner ear, can treat numerous conditions of the ear while avoiding the side effects associated with systemic administration.

Abstract: Genitourinary system disorders are treated with therapeutic agents, and optionally further with radiation treatments.

Abstract: A therapeutically effective compound is locally administered by associating the compound with a piece of orthopedic hardware that is implanted at an appropriate site within a body. The compound is adapted, such as through a sustained release device, to administer an effective dosage continuously over an extended period of time. The compound may be administered, for example, to a joint of a mammal by intraarticularly implanting a sustained release device to deliver the therapeutically effective compound within a synovial capsule of the joint, such that synovial fluid concentration of the compound is greater than plasma concentration of the compound. A wide range of orthopedic hardware, such as bone screws and staples, may be adapted to use in the systems described herein to provide treatment for a variety of medical conditions.

Abstract: A wear resistant coating for protecting surfaces undergoing sliding contact is disclosed. The wear resistant coating is applied by high velocity oxygen-fuel (HVOF) deposition of a powdered blend of the coating constituents. The powdered blend includes a nickel-chromium alloy, chromium carbide, and molybdenum. The disclosed coating should find use as a bearing surface on piston rings, cylinder liners, and other components of a power cylinder assembly of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sustained release system that includes a polymer and a prodrug having a solubility less than about 1 mg/ml dispersed in the polymer. Advantageously, the polymer is permeable to the prodrug and may be non-release rate limiting with respect to the rate of release of the prodrug from the polymer. This permits improved drug delivery within a body in the vicinity of a surgery via sustained release rate kinetics over a prolonged period of time, while not requiring complicated manufacturing processes.

Abstract: A pharmaceutically active inventive compound comprises two independently active analgesic moieties covalently conjoined through a physiologically labile linker. A preferred embodiment comprises an opioid, such as morphine, covalently linked to at least one analgesic compound selected from the group consisting of an opioid or a non-opioid compound through a physiologically labile linker. Suitable covalent linkers are covalently bonded to the two independently active analgesic compounds through one or more lactone, lactam, or sulfonamido linkages. Suitable linkers include endogenous carboxylate, amido, and sulfonamido moieties, and exogenous moieties that form the aforementioned lactone, lactam or sulfonamido linkages.

Abstract: An implantable drug delivery system is provided including a mechanical member attachable to a portion of a body, a first chamber having an opening configured to receive a sustained release device, a sustained release device, and a removably attachable retainer for retaining the sustained release device in the first chamber. A method for administering a drug to a joint is provided including the steps of positioning a mechanical member in or adjacent a bone, the mechanical member configured to hold a sustained release drug delivery device bearing at least one drug, and outputting the at least one drug from the sustained release drug delivery device at a substantially controlled rate.

Abstract: The present invention combines the gasoline vapor recovery efficiency advantages of a flirt “Partial Seal System”, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,004 to flirt, with the customer convenience advantages of gasoline vapor recovery systems employing “bootless” nozzles. The use of bootless nozzles in combination with strict environmental vapor emissions compliance is made possible because of specific system advantages, which include the use of a burner designed to operate at two different flow rates, a coaxial processor stack which permits second and third stage combustion of excess gasoline vapor generated by the system before it is released to atmosphere, and a remote sensor which continually monitors system vacuum pressure to ensure that a sufficient vacuum is maintained at all times.

Abstract: An inventive cylinder liner of the present invention includes a dual phase graphite morphology. An outer diameter of the cylinder liner is comprised of ductile (nodular) and vermicular iron while an inner diameter of the cylinder liner is comprised of predominantly gray iron. A transition region of predominantly vermicular iron is preferably disposed between the inner diameter and the outer diameter. The inventive cylinder is preferably made using a centrifugal casting process, which provides a transition in the cylinder wall between the ductile and vermicular iron at the outer diameter to the predominantly gray iron at the inner diameter.

Abstract: An inventive cylinder liner of the present invention includes a dual phase graphite morphology. An outer diameter of the cylinder liner is comprised of ductile (nodular) and vermicular iron while an inner diameter of the cylinder liner is comprised of predominantly gray iron. A transition region of predominantly vermicular iron is preferably disposed between the inner diameter and the outer diameter. The inventive cylinder is preferably made using a centrifugal casting process, which provides a transition in the cylinder wall between the ductile and vermicular iron at the outer diameter to the predominantly gray iron at the inner diameter.

Abstract: A system and method for purifying water in large quantities for drinking. The system comprises a housing having a water inlet, filtering means connected to the water inlet for filtering sediment and particulate matter from the water, an inlet pump to keep the water flowing through the housing at a predetermined pressure and a mixed bed multimedia unit connected to the filtering means for removing pollutants and controlling organic growth from the water. There is also an ultra-violet treatment means connected to the mixed bed multimedia unit for subjecting the water in the system to ultraviolet radiation and carbon block filtration means disposed for a final filtering prior to dispensing the water at one or more dispensing. There is also a bottle washing means provided within the housing for cleaning water bottles prior to filling with the purified water. The system can supply drinking water for entire communities, yet is portable enough to be easily transported to disaster areas.

Abstract: An inventive cylinder liner of the prevent invention includes a dual phase graphite morphology. An outer diameter of the cylinder liner is comprised of ductile (nodular) and vermicular iron while an inner diameter of the cylinder liner is comprised of predominantly gray iron. A transition region of predominantly vermicular iron is preferably disposed between the inner diameter and the outer diameter. The inventive cylinder is preferably made using a centrifugal casting process, which provides a transition in the cylinder wall between the ductile and verimcular iron at the outer diameter to the predominantly gray iron at the inner diameter.