Abstract: A surgical stapler assembly for joining a tubular prosthesis to an organic duct such as a blood vessel or artery is disclosed. The assembly has a handle and a set of interchangeable heads attachable to a distal end of the handle. Each head has a staple holder housing a plurality of radially arrayed staples, a plurality of anvils disposed concentrically opposite said staples and an annular gap between the staples and the anvils for receiving the prosthesis and an end of the organic duct. The annular gap of each head in the set has a different median diameter for use with prostheses and organic ducts of different diameters. Hammers are provided to eject the staples through the prosthesis and organic duct in the annular gap and onto the anvils. The heads can be replaceably attachable to the distal end of the handle. The annular gap can be enlarged to facilitate insertion and removal of the organic duct into and from the annular gap prior to and following ejection of the staples.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes extended surfaces, such as studs and fins, on a low-flux surface area of radiant heat transfer tubes in a fired furnace to more uniformly distribute heat flux. The invention increases the overall heat transfer of the tube by increasing heat flux rate for the backside of the tube, for example, and thus decreases the temperature differential between the opposing tube sides.

Abstract: The retrofitting of an existing methanol or methanol/ammonia plant to make acetic acid is disclosed. The plant is retrofitted to feed carbon dioxide into a reformer to which natural gas and steam (water) are fed. Syngas is formed in the reformer wherein both the natural gas and the carbon dioxide are reformed to produce syngas with a large proportion of carbon monoxide relative to reforming without added carbon dioxide. The syngas is split into a first part and a second part. The first syngas part is converted to methanol in a conventional methanol synthesis loop that is operated at about half of the design capacity of the original plant. The second syngas part is processed to separate out carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, and the separated carbon dioxide is fed back into the feed to the reformer to enhance carbon monoxide formation. The separated carbon monoxide is then reacted with the methanol to produce acetic acid or an acetic acid precursor by a conventional process.

Abstract: A color coding system and method for visually identifying and distinguishing ultrasonic dental tool inserts. The invention employs a color-coded removable cap that is used to secure a handgrip, which can also be color-coded, to the insert. The caps and/or handgrips of different inserts thus have different colors to visually distinguish one insert or type of insert from another.

Abstract: A self-leveling window support bracket for supporting window coverings within and/or over a window casing. The window support bracket comprises an L-shaped face plate, with a vertical and a horizontal section, which engages the exterior face of the window casing. Vertical and horizontal ears extend perpendicularly from the vertical and horizontal sections of the face plate. The ears are attached to the interior face of the window casing such that they are self-leveling. At least one curtain mounting projection is mounted on the face plate for supporting window coverings.

Abstract: A clamp for repairing a damaged pipe member. Shell members are matingly engaged around the damaged pipe member. Segmented inserts are received in a complementary annular channel formed in an inside face of the shell members to form a ring assembly supporting annular seals between the ring assembly and the damaged pipe member. A shell-sealing annular channel is formed between the ring assembly and the shell members to receive a liquid sealant to form an annular seal between the ring assembly and the shell members. A longitudinal channel is formed in longitudinal faces of the shell member to form longitudinal seals in the shell assembly when a ring assembly is disposed at either end of the shell members. The ring assemblies support seals against the damaged pipe member, including a pipe-sealing annular channel formed between each ring and the damaged pipe member between inner and outer annular seals for receiving a liquid sealant.

Abstract: A model airplane, airplane kit, and method of making a model airplane. The kit of the present invention enables children and adults to easily make a well-flying model airplane using recycled plastic foam moldings such as polystyrene food trays well known as 10-S in the food packaging arts.

Abstract: The retrofitting of an existing methanol or methanol/ammonia plant to make acetic acid is disclosed. The plant is retrofitted to feed carbon dioxide into a reformer to which natural gas and steam (water) are fed. Syngas is formed in the reformer wherein both the natural gas and the carbon dioxide are reformed to produce syngas with a large proportion of carbon monoxide relative to reforming without added carbon dioxide. The syngas is split into a first part and a second part. The first syngas part is converted to methanol in a conventional methanol synthesis loop that is operated at about half of the design capacity of the original plant. The second syngas part is processed to separate out carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, and the separated carbon dioxide is fed back into the feed to the reformer to enhance carbon monoxide formation. The separated carbon monoxide is then reacted with the methanol to produce acetic acid or an acetic acid precursor by a conventional process.

Abstract: Disclosed is an instrument, valve prosthesis and procedure for the minimally invasive implantation of an anti-reflux valve in a patient for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Self-anchoring or stapleable one-way anti-reflux valve prostheses are provided, which may be implanted proximate a patient's gastroesophageal junction without open or laparoscopic surgery. An instrument for the peroral insertion, positioning and fixing of the valve prosthesis to the tissue of the esophagus is described for the implantation of either the self-anchoring or stapleable prosthesis.

Abstract: The retrofitting of an existing methanol or methanol/ammonia plant to make acetic acid is disclosed. The existing plant has a reformer to which natural gas or another hydrocarbon and steam (water) are fed. Syngas is formed in the reformer. All or part of the syngas is processed to separate out carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and the separated carbon dioxide is fed either to the existing methanol synthesis loop for methanol synthesis, or back into the feed to the reformer to enhance carbon monoxide formation in the syngas. Any remaining syngas not fed to the carbon dioxide separator can be converted to methanol in the existing methanol synthesis loop along with carbon dioxide from the separator and/or imported carbon dioxide, and hydrogen from the separator. The separated carbon monoxide is then reacted with the methanol to produce acetic acid or an acetic acid precursor by a conventional process.

Abstract: A combination torque wrench and positioning assembly are used to provide the torque wrench function to both make up/break out pipe stands and to service drill string. While serving to make up/break out pipe stands, the wrench is positioned over and used in conjunction with a rotary or powered mouse-hole. When servicing drill string, the wrench is positioned over the drill bore rotary table. The combination of the present apparatus allows the rapid make up of pipe stands having individually torqued connections, eliminates the need for top drive torquing, and reduces the need for tongs and spin chains to handle drill pipe.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device, kit and method for concurrent sampling of a fecal specimen and temperature measurement from a single rectal penetration. The device comprises an elongated, rigid, cylindrical sleeve with a partially cutaway distal end to form a scoop and a thermometer optionally inserted into a bore in the sleeve. The kit includes, in addition to the sleeve, a vial adapted to receive the sleeve therein for permitting analysis of the fecal specimen in the sampling scoop in the vial by enclosure thereof with the vial for containment of an analyzing solution in contact with the fecal specimen. The method includes inserting the sleeve into the rectum, obtaining a fecal specimen in the scoop, optionally measuring the rectal temperature, withdrawing the sleeve, securing the scoop end of the sleeve in the vial, and contacting the fecal specimen from the scoop with an analysis solution contained in the vial.

Abstract: A three-part ultrasonic dental insert and replacement system used in a handpiece having an induction coil disposed about a well and operably connected to power supply. The three parts include a magnetostrictive element, a velocity transducer and a tip. The magnetostrictive element has a crown at one end which is releasably attached to a distal end of the velocity transducer. The tip is releasably attached to a proximal end of the velocity transducer. The insert can comprise a set of interchangeable tips wherein the velocity transducer and the tips are ultrasonically operable with the coil and the magnetostrictive element. The three-part replacement system comprises a set of the magnetostrictive coils and a set of the velocity transducer elements, as well as the interchangeable tips. The velocity transducer and tip sets include a plurality of transducer-tip combinations ultrasonically operable at the ultrasonic frequencies of the magnetostrictive elements.

Abstract: A method for treating hair loss by repeated topical application of a ASCORBATES compound, a flavine or another hydroxyl radical scavenger.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for making bladders filled with a high viscosity fluid or gel. An elastic film is placed over a cavity formed in a first mold half and vacuum drawn into the shape of the cavity. A quantity of fluid is then deposited on the first film in the cavity and the first film and fluid are overlaid with a second film. The second mold half is placed in register with the first mold half to mate opposed sealing surfaces along an outer perimeter of the cavity. The vacuum is released to expel air from the cavity between the first and second films through channels corresponding to transverse grooves formed in the sealing surface of the first mold half. The first and second films are then welded at the sealing surfaces to form a sealed bladder filled with the fluid, and the fluid-filled bladder is removed from the mold halves.

Abstract: A model airplane, airplane kit, and method of making a model airplane. The kit of the present invention enables children and adults to easily make a well-flying model airplane using recycled plastic foam moldings such as polystyrene food trays well known as 10-S in the food packaging arts.

Abstract: A tunnel jet propulsion unit (11) for marine craft, wherein the passing water mass in the tunnel is converged by decreasing the cross-section flow area of the tunnel. The unit (11) comprises an intake section (1); an impeller section comprising a cylindrical housing (31), a rotatable hub (34) and a plurality of a radially spaced impeller blades (36); a diffuser section comprising an inwardly tapered inside surface (39), a fixed hub (38) and a plurality of radially spaced diffuser blades (40); discharge section (D); a bearing between the hubs (34) and (38); and means for rotating the rotatable hub (34). Additional features include anti-balling by-pass valve (172) positioned upstream from the impeller (33) to relieve excessive water pressure on the hull if unit (11) handling capcity is exceeded and a trim adjusting machanism in the discharge section (D) for adjusting the height of the unit outlet (30) with respect to the water surface.