Abstract: A method for providing a paraffin treatment to a patient, including the steps of: (a) melting a paraffin composition to a melted, flowable state; (b) immersing at least a portion of an absorptive strip into the melted paraffin composition so that the strip absorbs some of the melted paraffin composition; (c) applying the strip containing the melted paraffin composition to a portion of skin on the patient; (d) allowing the strip containing the melted paraffin composition to remain in contact with the portion of skin whereby the melted paraffin transfers heat to the patient's skin; and (e) removing the strip from the portion of the patient's skin wherein the paraffin composition is contained by the strip making removal of strip and paraffin composition substantially simultaneous. The present invention is also directed to a therapeutic strip, containing melted paraffin, to be applied to a portion of a patient's skin to provide a therapeutic treatment of heat to the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of using current but incomplete data to prepare an approximated complete image of a patient potentially undergoing radiation therapy. A complete image of the patient is fused or aligned with a limited patient image using image registration techniques. The aligned image is converted to sinogram data. This sinogram data is compared to sinogram data corresponding to the limited patient image to determine what data exists beyond the scope of the limited sinogram. Any additional data is added to the limited data sinogram to obtain a complete sinogram. This complete sinogram is then reconstructed into an image that approximates the complete image that would have been taken at the time the limited image was obtained.

Abstract: A connector has a female receptacle and/or a male plug, or combination thereof. The female receptacle has a sleeve for holding prongs plugged into the receptacle and a mechanism for applying pressure against the sleeve such that actuation of the collar causes the socket to clamp to the prong. The male plug has a prong for insertion into a socket or other receptacle and a mechanism for applying pressure against the prong to clamp the prong within the socket or other receptacle.

Abstract: An edible dry-powder formulation of a film coating for pharmaceuticals and confectioneries using gum acacia as a low-cost film former is provided. A cellulosic polymer such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is used in addition to the gum acacia. A plasticizer such as propylene glycol is also added. The resulting formulation is a dry, free flowing powder that can be put into solution and applied to a tablet or other substrate without an extended waiting period. The resulting film coating is clear, shiny, durable and extremely economical. Because the formulation is a dry powder, it has along shelf life and low shipping costs.

Abstract: The present invention provides combinatorial methods for rapidly generating a diverse library of glycorandomized structures, comprising incubating one or more aglycons and a pool of NDP-sugars in the presence of a glycosyltransferase. The glycosyltransferase may be one that is associated with or involved in production of natural secondary metabolites, or one which is putatively associated with or involved in production of natural secondary metabolites. The glycosyltransferase may show significant flexibility with respect to its NDP-sugar donors and/or its aglycons. NDP-sugar donors may be commercially available, or may be produced by utilizing mutant or wild type nucleotidyltransferases significant flexibility with respect to their substrates.

Abstract: An improved cap style soap gripper for a magnetic soap holder including a hole in the side wall of the cap to facilitate insertion into a bar of soap and textured grooves on the inside surface to increase pullout force. A powder coating further increases the pullout force by increasing the surface energy of the cap. Elevating the temperature of the cap prior to insertion also facilitates the cap's insertion into a bar of soap and increases the required pullout force. A decreased diameter to height ratio, in addition, eases the insertion of the cap into a bar of soap, and lessens the effect of soap erosion.

Abstract: A patellar trial and drill guide for use during knee replacement surgery comprising an articular surface member and a fixation peg drill guide. The articular surface member is the exact geometry as the artificial patellar implant, and the drill guide aligns the holes for the fixation pegs of the artificial patellar implant. The patellar trial is placed on the resected patella in the desired position, a patellar clamp is used to temporary fix the patellar trial to the patella. The patella is then returned to its normal position and a trial reduction of the total knee replacement is completed. If the placement and/or size of the patellar trial is unacceptable, the patella is inverted, the patellar trial removed, and a different sized trial or new location is determined. The new patellar trial is secured to the resected patella, and another trial reduction of the total knee replacement is completed. This procedure can be repeated until the patellar trial is the correct size and in the proper location.

Abstract: A lenticular imaging system for viewing printed images on a printed article, the lenticular imaging system creating the illusion of three-dimensional (3-D) images moving or floating across the printed article. The lenticular imaging system of the present invention comprises a substrate with a plurality of images preferably printed on at least one of the surfaces of the substrate and a plurality of spaced-apart convex lenses forming a lenticular lens array applied on top of the plurality of images. The images may be centered directly under each of the lenses of the lens array or shifted in relation to the lenses of the lens array creating the appearance of depth, three-dimensionality and motion to a viewer viewing the printed article.

Abstract: A lenticular imaging system for viewing printed images on a printed article, the lenticular imaging system creating the illusion of three-dimensional (3-D) images moving or floating across the printed article. The lenticular imaging system of the present invention comprises a substrate with a plurality of images preferably printed on at least one of the surfaces of the substrate and a plurality of spaced-apart convex lenses forming a lenticular lens array on-top of the plurality of images. The images may be centered directly under each of the lenses of the lens array or shifted in relation to the lenses of the lens array creating the appearance of depth, three-dimensionality and motion to a viewer viewing the printed article. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the images on the substrate are preferably separated from the lenses of the lens array by a fixed distance.

Abstract: A method of determining the concentration of a surfactant-based neutral cleaner in a wash liquor, a hand-held apparatus, and a test kit for carrying out the method are provided. According to the method, a cleaner composed of the cleaning agent, an amount of a reducing sugar that is proportional to the cleaning agent, and a sugar preserving agent, is added to a wash solution. The concentration of reducing sugar present in the wash solution may then subsequently be determined by infrared quantitative analysis to provide a concentration of reducing sugar correlative with the amount of cleaning agent remaining in the wash liquor. An apparatus suitable for carrying out infrared quantitative analysis can be packaged with associated test supplies and reagents in a test kit.

Abstract: A printed circuit board 1 providing superior adhesion between a substrate 2 and a conductor pattern 3 and preventing damage of the substrate 2. The width c of the bottom surface 310 of the conductor pattern 3 is greater than the width d of the top surface 320. Accordingly, the conductor pattern 3 has a trapezoidal cross-section. The two side surfaces 315 of a lower portion 31 of the conductor pattern 3 are coated by a solder resist. The two side surfaces 325 at the upper portion 32 of the conductor pattern 3 are exposed from the solder resist 4. A solder ball 6 engages the two side surfaces 325.