Abstract: A therapeutic device for promoting the healing of a wound in a mammal is disclosed. An exemplary device comprises a permeable structure having a plurality of depressions formed in a surface thereof. In use, the surface having the depressions is disposed adjacent a surface of the wound. A method of manufacturing a therapeutic device for promoting the healing of a wound in a mammal comprising the steps of providing a permeable substrate, and forming a plurality of depressions into a surface of the permeable substrate to provide the therapeutic device. A method of treating a wound comprises: providing a permeable structure comprising a plurality of randomly disposed fibers and having i) a plurality of wound surface contact elements disposed between end portions of the structure, and ii) a plurality of voids defined by the contact elements; and applying the permeable structure to at least one surface of the wound.

Abstract: An external gear pump which has a certain flow rate or volumetric capacity at a given speed can be taken apart and the parts rearranged and assembled into a second pump operating at the same speed with a flow rate or volumetric capacity that is different from the original pump. No new parts are required for the second pump configuration and all original parts are used. With this structure, pumps with different flow rates can be built using fewer parts than conventional designs.

Abstract: In an embedded magnet motor, radial magnets and first inclined magnets form north poles. The radial magnets and second inclined magnets form south poles. Core sheets each include preformed radial accommodating slots the number of which is expressed by P/2. Some of the preformed radial accommodating slots are short slots and the rest are long slots. The short slots are located at some parts of each radial accommodating slot along the axial direction. Radially inner ends of the short slots restrict the radial magnets from moving radially inward.

Abstract: The present patent application relates to the novel nucleoside derivatives and novel intermediates, which are useful to antiviral, anti tumor and immunomodulatory activity, method of treating diseases, conditions and/or disorders modulated by viral infections with them, and processes for preparing them.

Abstract: Systems, tags and methods for disabling transponders used in electronic toll collection or other RFID systems, wherein the transponders include an antenna and RFID circuitry. The transponders can be selectively disabled by positioning (e.g., pivotably moving) a disabling member having a metallic portion to an operative position over the antenna of the RFID system, whereupon the metallic portion is coupled to the antenna in such a manner as to disable the RFID circuitry so long as the disabling member is at the operative position. The RFID circuitry is arranged to be automatically enabled upon removal of the disabling member from the operative position (e.g., pivoting the disabling member back to an inoperative position).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing titanium compounds from hexachlorodisilane, wherein hexachlorodisilane is treated with an organic compound (V) which contains the structural units ?C—S— or ?C—O—.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for reducing a thickness of a thermomechanically-affected layer on an as-machined surface of a hard metal workpiece being machined by a hard cutting tool exerting a thermomechanical load on a surface of the workpiece. The method involves reducing the thermomechanical load on the surface of the workpiece, and the apparatus includes a means for reducing the thermomechanical load on the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: A laparoscopic instrument holder for positioning a laparoscopic device includes a central portion having a first member operatively associated with a second member, the members selectively movable with respect to one another along a central axis, with the central portion having a proximal end defined by the first member and a distal end defined by the second member. The holder also includes at least three proximal rotational joints coupled to the first member proximate the proximal end, at least two distal rotational joints coupled to the second member proximate the distal end, a first ball and socket joint coupled to a distal rotational joint, and a second ball and socket joint coupled to the first ball and socket joint. In addition, the holder includes a clamp configured and dimensioned for retaining a laparoscopic device, with the clamp coupled to the second ball and socket joint, and a coupling portion proximate a first of the proximal rotational joints.

Abstract: In an RFID system with existing reader and tags communicating with each other, appliqués derive information by listening to this communication to yield significant performance benefits, while not affecting the communication between the existing nodes. For example, an appliqué capable of receiving beamforming can estimate the angle of arrival of the signal emitted by a tag, thereby providing information that can be used to localize the tag. An appliqué may be connected to an existing reader by means of an existing port, such as to an antenna port or to an Ethernet port. The information from appliqués can be integrated with that obtained from existing nodes at either the appliqués, or further up the hierarchy in middleware.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new enantioselective method of preparing (S)-3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid, commonly known as pregabalin. The invention also provides new chiral intermediates useful in the production of pregabalin.

Abstract: An implantable system for the treatment of hydrocephalus has a plurality of hollow microneedles in a fixed array. The microneedles have passages there through and are of a size to extend through dura mater with a proximal end on one side of the dura mater and a distal end communicating with the venous system in an area on a second side of the dura mater. An array of microvalves associated with a proximal end of the microneedles include segments movable by a pressure build up of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the interior of the brain to provide open communication between the interior of the brain on one side of the dura mater and the venous system on the second side of the dura mater. A plurality of fluid transmitting members has distal ends communicating with the microvalves and a proximal end communicating with the ventricular space of the brain.

Abstract: A method of conducting a wagering game includes indicating a random outcome by displaying selected game symbols, initiating a first bonus at a preselected number of plays, providing a first award of a first desired number of credits, initiating a second bonus at a first multiple of the preselected number of plays, wherein the first multiple is a number greater than 1, providing a second award of a second desired number of credits, wherein the second desired number of credits is the product of the first desired number of credits times the first multiple, initiating a third bonus at a second multiple of the preselected number of plays, wherein the second multiple is a number greater than 1, and providing a third award of a third desired number of credits, wherein the third desired number of credits is the product of the first desired number of credits times the second multiple.