Abstract: An apparatus for converting at least one nitrogen oxide, such as NO, O2, or N2O converts oxide in the presence of a catalyst supported on a metal mesh-like structure. The mesh-like structure is preferably fibrous formed of metal or ceramic fibers which may include knitted wire, sintered metal fibers and so on and has a porosity greater than about 85%. The mesh is formed into channels, preferably corrugations, and includes vortex generators, which generate turbulence to create a pressure differential across the mesh, to promote flow of fluids through the mesh pores which normally do not exhibit flow therethrough in the absence of such pressure differential. Preferred embodiments of structured packing and monoliths are disclosed each having a catalyst preferably in the mesh pores and/or coated on the fibers for converting the nitrogen oxide.

Abstract: Wavelength conversion element for car use constituted in the following manner can provide practical LED components for headlights and fog lamps. The element comprises a heat conductive base having a cavity; one or more chips fitted to the cavity bottom, and a wavelength conversion part, which converts emitted light from the chip to visible rays, arranged above the chip. The chip comprises a substrate and a light emitting part constituted by an n-type GaN film, an active layer and a p-type GaN film successively laminated on the substrate. The chip has one straight side in its plan view; an angle formed between the bottom and the side cavity surface is over 0 degree and below 90 degree. The cavity has one straight side in its opening. A ratio of the cavity opening to the totaled areas in plan view of the respective chips, is set less than three.

Abstract: The invention relates to an economical and precise method for the production and configuration of an organic field-effect transistor (OFET) whereby the solubility of at least one functional polymer of an OFET is utilized to such a degree, that the functional polymer is deposited on the OFET, or a substrate, by means of a conventional printing process as for a color.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manhole cover/frame exchange method capable of minimizing the size of a portion to be mended, of eliminating a pressing step by a roller machine, of eliminating/reducing steps and a required mending time and of suppressing vibrations, noises and the like during the exchanging process. The manhole cover/frame exchange method comprises steps of: cutting a portion of a paved road around the manhole cover/frame spherically; removing the spherically cut portion; filling a self-curing highly fluid non-shrink filler into a spherical hollow space formed by the removing step, and filling a surface layer material over the self-curing highly fluid non-shrink filler. Thus, the pressing step by the roller machine is eliminated by the present invention.

Abstract: A prior art security seal is molded one piece thermoplastic having a flag for receiving indicia such as serial number and so on and a strap extending from the flag. A locking socket depends from the flag at the junction with the strap. One or more projections extend from the flag from a surface opposite to the socket. The flag is too small for certain implementations which require a flag for receiving large labels. A large flag capable of receiving such labels is attached to the seal via the seal flag and projection. The flag has a channel for receiving the seal flag in an axial direction parallel to the plane of the flags and an opening for receiving the one or more projections, the opening having a contour that matches that of the projection(s). Snap fit latches secure the seal at flanges thereof as the projection(s) is inserted in the opening in a direction normal to the plane of the flags. The seal flag is releasably held in two normal directions to the large flag.

Abstract: An inhaler disc cartridge comprises a carrier disc with radially outwardly extending resilient fingers, each with a medicament powder dosage. A sealing disc and an indexing ring are bonded to the disc. A cam sequentially and manually deflects a selected finger causing it to snap against an anvil to release the dosage by momentum energy transfer. In other embodiments, a cassette includes a carrier substrate reel of deposited powder dosages with a dosage sealing tape. The substrate comprises a belt with a plurality of transversely extending triangular fingers, each finger tip with a dosage thereon. Each finger is snapped in sequence against an anvil while a clamp secures the belt as the fingers are deflected. The spring fingers are corrugated in one embodiment cooperating with an anvil having channels and a device for inducing agglomeration breakup air streams through the channels.

Abstract: A spinal implant tool comprises a steel shaft bifurcated into shaft portions at one end at which a pair of extensions extend from the bifurcated shaft portions. The extensions are flat members which extend from an implant impact element at the end of each of the shaft portions. A spinal bone implant is inserted between the extensions. A shaft portion displacement member has a stud threaded to one of the shaft portions and a knob head for capturing the other shaft portion to the member threaded stud. When the knob is rotated the shaft members are moved apart or closer together. A stop member limits the spread apart distance of the shaft portions.

Abstract: A fluid coupling device employs a male spherical member with a fluid receiving bore and a female housing. The spherical member abuts two axially spaced Teflon ring seats between the member and the housing in the housing chamber. The ring seats reduce friction between the member and the housing and axially retain the member in the housing with no metal to metal contact. A first O-ring provides fluid sealing between the spherical member and housing inner wall in the chamber. A hose receiving nipple member with a fluid receiving bore has a threaded concave end with a peripheral region that engages the first O-ring to hold the O-ring against the spherical member, one of the ring seats and housing chamber wall to seal the interface between the spherical member and housing. The nipple member has a flange which abuts the housing to limit squeezing action on the O-ring to ensure sufficient contact of the O-ring and mating surfaces to obtain a good seal without creating excessive friction loads.

Abstract: A relatively high perm pliable moisture barrier material pliable sheet material exhibits a breathable perm value, e.g., over 0.4, that repels liquid water applied to a surface thereof and which permits water vapor to permeate therethrough in response to a pressure differential thereacross to preclude substantial condensation collection in the interior of said wall at the opening while providing a water barrier to liquid water applied thereto is applied to corners of the window opening in a wall as a plurality of corner seals with leg portions for application to the face of sheathing and leg portions for overlying the sill, jambs and head of the opening at the corners. Flanges may be included for sealing the sheet material to an interior vapor barrier material. Sill, jamb and head seals are applied over the corner seals and over the sill, head and jambs to completely seal the window opening with the sheet material.

Abstract: A C-shaped or ring shaped implant formed of cortical bone has its C-shaped or inner channel filled with a bone promoting material which is preferably demineralized bone fibers formed as a flexible wet sheet or may be cancellous bone, pressed bone fibers formed from demineralized cortical bone chips soaked in acid, or a flex material formed of demineralized bone growth promoting bone fibers. The discrete bone filler element may be secured by a bonding agent, pins or screws, metal, polymer or bone material. The bone filler material is preferably bonded by filling a section of a long bone medullary cavity with wet bone fibers and then drying the fibers to bond them to the outer bone. A filled bone ring may be sliced to form annular filled sections which are then divided into mirror image C-shaped halves each forming an implant. Flex material of compressed bone fibers may be formed with an opening shaped to receive a cortical bone implant element having a C-shaped channel.

Abstract: Apparatus for aiding in the identification of tissue type for an anomalous tissue in an impedance image comprising: a first device for providing an polychromic immitance map of a portion of the body; a second device for determining a plurality of polychromic measures from one or both of a portion of the body; and a display which displays an indication based on the plurality of polychromic measures.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of removing earth/sand, waste thread, dust and the like stuck to the washing. In order to realize the objective, the washing machine is constituted so as to be operated as follows: overflowed washing water or rinsing water from washing/dehydrating tank to an annular drainage pipe by reciprocating revolutions of the tank is led to a side pipe, where the water is filtered and circulated to the tank by a pump arranged in the middle of the side pipe for utilizing the washing or the rinsing operation.

Abstract: An insertion tool for a C-shaped bone spinal wedge shaped intervertebral implant comprises an outer shank with a hollow core in which is placed a shaft with a threaded stud which passes through a bore in the shank at an implant insertion end of the shank. A flat extension member defines a plane and extends from the shank overlying the stud, the stud for receiving a threaded bore of the spinal implant. The shaft has a knob distal the stud for rotatably attaching the stud to the implant. The extension member abuts the implant at mating flat surfaces which are spaced by a medial recess formed by a portion of the medullary canal of a long bone. A cap slides over the shank at an end opposite the extension member to capture the shaft in the shank core. A guide rod is attached to a collar on the shank normal to the plane of the extension member to assist the surgeon in orienting the implant to the disc space orientation during insertion of the implant.

Abstract: A moisture resistant package for storing and transporting sterile items, such as specimens of human or animal tissue, comprises an inner tray that fits within a moisture resistant outer tray. The inner tray has a cavity for storing the specimen. The specimen is enclosed within the cavity by a non-porous inner lid that is sealed to the inner tray by an adhesive to create a moisture and microbial contaminant resistant environment that prevents moisture uptake into the specimen. The inner tray is enclosed within a complementary shaped cavity of the outer tray by an outer lid sealed to the outer tray to complete the assembly of the package. Thereafter, the package is terminally sterilized (using gas or radiation) so that the inner tray can be introduced into a sterile environment when it is removed from the outer tray.

Abstract: A rapid vascular endothelium function examining method with improved reproducibility is provided. An apparatus for the method comprises systems for acquiring ultrasound images by an ultrasound probe, processing the acquired images and moving/rotating the ultrasound probe. The method comprises: a first step where the acquired image is processed so that the center of a blood vessel is laid on the center of the image; a second step where a series of operations for acquiring an image, processing the acquired image and moving the probe based on the processed result, are repeated so that the probe is moved in parallel to the blood vessel; a third step where the similar operations to the second step are executed so that the probe is moved in parallel to and immediately above the blood vessel; a fourth step for determining a blood vessel diameter from the finally acquired image at the third step.

Abstract: A compact millimeter wave radar transceiver at low cost is provided wherein a direct current voltage applying circuit is coupled to a high frequency line to apply a fast pulse wave without losing a sharp input pulse pattern. A voltage is applied to a negative resistance diode, such as a Gunn diode, which is variably controlled to vary the diode oscillating frequency signal, which signal is outputted as a transmitting wave. The transmitted wave is reflected by a target and received by the negative resistance diode. The received wave is detected as a heterodyne detection utilizing a non-linear property of the negative resistance diode. A frequency difference between the transmitted wave and the received reflected wave is outputted via a low-pass filter and processed to detect the target.

Abstract: A method of impedance imaging of a region within a body. The method includes positioning a multi-element probe, including a plurality of sensing elements, on one side of the region, positioning a plurality of electrifying elements on a second side of the region, electrifying the plurality of electrifying elements, measuring a signal at at least some of the sensing elements of the multi-element probe, and analyzing the region responsive to the measured signals and the positions of the electrifying elements.

Abstract: One end of a stranded steel cable is attached to a cast zinc seal housing having a chamber in which a steel sleeve with a tapered bore is positioned. The sleeve in one embodiment is fixed to the housing in the chamber or may be displaceable and captured in the chamber in a further embodiment. A serpentine clip locking member captured in the housing chamber resiliently radially grips the a second end of the shackle inserted into the sleeve bore and wedges and locks to the cable and sleeve when the shackle is withdrawn. The sleeve precludes damage to the softer zinc housing by the locking member when the locking member is displaced in the housing chamber. Various embodiments are disclosed. In a further embodiment, the one end of the cable exits the housing in a plane different than where the second end enters the chamber to enhance ease of insertion of the second end into engagement with the locking member.

Abstract: A latch for securing a wafer to a clamp plate. The latch may include a bearing that couples a wheel to a horizontal shaft. The horizontal shaft is adapted to rotate relative to the clamp ring so that the wheel secures the wafer. The bearing minimizes the amount of particles generated by the moving components of the latch that may contaminant the wafer.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting at least one nitrogen oxide, such as NO, NO2, or N2O converts oxide in the presence of a catalyst supported on a metal mesh-like structure. The mesh-like structure is preferably fibrous formed of metal or ceramic fibers which may include knitted wire, sintered metal fibers and so on and has a porosity greater than about 85%. The mesh is formed into channels, preferably corrugations, and includes vortex generators, which generate turbulence to create a pressure differential across the mesh, to promote flow of fluids through the mesh pores which normally do not exhibit flow therethrough in the absence of such pressure differential. Preferred embodiments of structured packing and monoliths are disclosed each having a catalyst preferably in the mesh pores and/or coated on the fibers for converting the nitrogen oxide.