Abstract: An anti-condensation arrangement for catheters including a heated air generator, a sheath covering a catheter such as to create a cavity with it, and a device for the input of heated air produced by the generator into the cavity wherein the sheath has a venting opening to allow the exit of heated air from the cavity and therefore continuous exchange of air.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus include an imaging unit configured to capture an object image, a smoothing unit configured to smooth a dynamic range of luminance of an image signal generated based on the object image captured by the imaging unit, and a color conversion unit configured to perform a color conversion with respect to a color of the image signal whose dynamic range is smoothed by the smoothing unit and is specified by a user.

Abstract: When converting image data constituted by a plurality of objects to data for an output device, color appearances of object images specified as a same output color are set so as to not vary even when their respective background colors vary. A color appearance model forward conversion section uses forward conversion of a color appearance model to calculate target appearance colors, which are targets of appearances of objects based on color information of the objects. A surrounding adaptive background color obtaining section generates surrounding adaptive background colors based on pixels around a pixel of interest for object images that have undergone rendering. Then, output pixel values of the pixel of interest are calculated by a color appearance model reverse conversion section using reverse conversion of the color appearance model based on the target appearance color and the surrounding adaptive background colors.

Abstract: A system for charging and/or recharging containers with fluid is provided. The system includes a bottle assembly having a body portion defining a cavity therein, and a valve assembly configured and adapted to open and close a fluid path into the cavity of the body portion; a fluid supply valve assembly for supplying fluid to the valve assembly of the bottle assembly to deliver fluid to the cavity of the body portion; and a fluid supply assembly fluidly connected to the fluid supply valve assembly for delivering fluid thereto. Accordingly, when the bottle assembly is operatively connected to the fluid supply valve assembly, the valve assembly of the bottle assembly actuates the fluid supply valve assembly to the open condition to permit fluid flow into the cavity of the body portion of the bottle assembly.

Abstract: A percutaneous interspinous process device for treating spinal conditions includes a first section, a second section, and a locking mechanism. The first section defines a first lateral surface, a first medial surface and a first lumen extending from the first lateral surface to the first medial surface. The second section defines a second lateral surface, a second medial surface and a second lumen extending from the second lateral surface. The locking mechanism includes an elongate member protruding from the first medial surface of the first section and a medial recess defined in the second medial surface of the second section. The medial recess is configured for securely receiving at least a portion of the elongate member. The elongate member is configured to define a space between adjacent spinous processes and maintain a predetermined distance between adjacent spinous processes.

Abstract: A flat-screen monitor support comprises a body having means for attachment of a monitor thereto and a locking means operable to lock against a support post extending through the body and through the locking means. The locking means supports the body to prevent the body from sliding down the post under the weight of a monitor attached to the body. The body is rotatable relative to the locking means about an axis of a support post extending through the body and locking means, when the locking mechanism is locked to the support post. In addition, a support base for securing a flat-screen monitor support to a table surface, comprising a support post having a support plate secured to one end thereof, a seat cup to sit on a table surface and receive therein the support plate with the support post upstanding from the table surface, and a clamp bracket to sit on the support plate with a tightening means positionable against an underside of a table surface, to clamp the support plate, seat cup and table top together.

Abstract: A novel cycloolefin copolymer that can be employed in the production of molding with fewer defects, for example, fewer gel particles (fish eyes). There is provided a cycloolefin copolymer comprising 80 to 20 mol % of repeating units derived from an ?-olefin monomer and 20 to 80 mol % of repeating units derived from at least one cycloolefin monomer selected from the group consisting of monomer of the general formula (I), monomer of the general formula (II), monomer of the general formula (III), monomer of the general formula (IV) and monomer of the general formula (V), wherein with respect to the repeating units derived from cycloolefin monomer, the proportion thereof being present in the form of dimer (Rd) is 50 mol % or below and the proportion thereof being present in the form of trimer (Rt) 5 mol % or above.

Abstract: An antihazing agent for noncrystalline cycloolefin resins which can inhibit the hazing of the resins due to fine cracking caused by environmental change, particularly, environmental change from high temperature and humidity atmosphere to ordinary temperature and humidity atmosphere without losing the characteristics inherent in the resins to keep the transparency of the resins and inhibit the light transmittance thereof from lowering; noncrystalline cycloolefin resin compositions containing the agent; and optical elements made from the compositions. A compound component containing a metal rosinate as the main component is used as the antihazing agent for noncrystalline cycloolefin resins. It is particularly preferable that the antihazing agent further contain one or more members selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts, and Group 12 metal salts.

Abstract: Provided is a novel uni-planar taper lock screw for connecting a connecting rod to bone. The screw is capable of being secured to the underlying bone while the screw head adapted to securely hold a connecting rod is articulated in a uni-directional manner to facilitate a stable connection to the connecting rod. After the screw had been articulated and properly positioned, it can be partially locked such that the connecting rod will remain in relative position to the bone while permitting flexibility of the screw head relative to the bone along a single plane. The screw head can then be fully locked securing the connecting rod into a selected position. The screw is configured for easy insertion and connection as well as easy removal and disconnection from the connecting rod. Also provided is a system for fixing two or more bones or bone fragments and a kit for fixing bones or bone fragments. A method of fixing bones or bone fragments is also provided.

Abstract: A fluorescent lampholder with a top portion for supporting a fluorescent lamp and a base portion with a wire opening located on the bottom surface of the base that receives wires without exposing the wires to the exterior surface of a fixture. The lampholder is capable of supporting various types and/or sizes of fluorescent lamps such as “tall”, “medium” and “small” T-8 fluorescent lamps as well as other types and/or sizes of fluorescent lamps.

Abstract: A ground fault circuit interrupter device having a feedthrough capacitor for substantially reducing interference from radio frequency signals such as those emitted from cell phones and 2-way radios. The ground fault circuit interrupter device includes a printed circuit board having a system ground terminal and a detection terminal for receiving a fault detection signal. A chip is provided having a ground pin connected to the system ground terminal and an input pin for receiving the fault detection signal. The feedthrough capacitor has a through conductor connected between the input pin and the detection terminal and a capacitor coupled between the through conductor and the system ground terminal.

Abstract: A low profile orthopedic device is used to fix and stabilize bones to correct anomalies in skeletal structure occurring naturally or by trauma. Bone screws are screwed into bones by application of torque. Clamps are movably attached to the screws. Each clamp includes a compression ring. A connecting rod connects several screws through slots in the clamps. The clamps are tightened to hold the rod and the heads in a pre-selected position by linear movement of the compression rings.