Abstract: An ergonomically superior endoscopic suction-irrigation instrument for surgery comprises a telescope sheath connected at an adjustable angle, preferably approximately 30°, to a vertically elongated handle having thumb-operated irrigation and suction valves and a hook for supporting the handle from the surgeon's hand when the surgeon's grip on the handle is loosened. The instrument is especially suited for sinus surgery.

Abstract: This invention provides non-immunosuppressive rapamycin 29-enols, which are useful as neurotrophic agents, in the treatment of solid tumors, and vascular disease.

Abstract: In a coating film transfer tool, a tape is unwound from a supply reel, fed over a transfer head, and wound onto a take-up reel driven from the supply reel by a drive mechanism having slippage. Instead of setting the average slipping torque at a high value, or minimizing its variations, to prevent it from falling below the winding threshold, the initial slipping ratio is set at a value of at least 34%. This avoids slackening of the tape without the need for close manufacturing tolerances or lubricants, and without causing a condition in which excessive force is required to wind the tape onto a take-up reel in the later stages of the tool's useful life.

Abstract: A test plug and method for isolating and testing a connection, such as a welded connection, which interconnects a wall of tank, vessel, or pipe to a branch pipe or nozzle. The test plug isolates the connection from the remainder of the tank, vessel or piping system and enables pressure/leak testing of the connection without requiring pressurization of the entire tank or vessel or a large section of the piping system. Further, the test plug can be utilized during welding operations to isolate harmful materials, vapors or fumes existing within tanks, vessels or piping systems from the weld location and to permit the flow of an inert gas to safely flush any potentially harmful vapors or the like away from the welding area.

Abstract: A squeezable tube-shaped plastic container (10, 100) having a one-piece construction formed by extrusion blow-molding techniques. The container (10, 100) has a retractable end wall (26, 126) which is positionable into an outwardly projecting position and an inverted position. The end wall (26, 126), as blown, is in the outwardly projecting position and is thereafter inverted so that a tamper indicating covering (28, 128) can be attached to the end (14, 114) of the container (10, 100) thereby sealing the end wall (26, 126). The inverted end wall (26, 126) permits the container (10, 100) to be free standing on the standing ring (20, 120). In use, the flexible sidewall (12, 112) of the container (10, 100) is squeezed to snap the end wall (26, 126) from the inverted position to an outwardly projecting position to enable ready access to a dispensing opening (32, 132) on the end wall (26, 126).

Abstract: An efficient and cost-effective method of designing and manufacturing a plastic blow molded container having highly artistic sculptural relief. Computer software is utilized to graphically design a container skin shape, create 2-D artwork designs, add 3-D relief to the artwork designs, and apply the artwork to the container skin to develop a desired container. The graphics data of the desired container is utilized to make blow molds which, in turn, are utilized to blow containers. A preferred container is disclosed which has a dome with an intricate fruit basket design.

Abstract: A blow-molded plastic container and reinforced lid are simultaneously produced in a blow mold. A lid is reinforced by having a portion of the lid formed by blow molding techniques and another portion of the lid formed by compression molding techniques. The container and lid combination, a method for making the combination and apparatus for making the combination are provided.

Abstract: A safe and reliable aircraft fuel gauging system which eliminates the need for electrical wiring to transmit electrical signals into and out of the fuel tank of an aircraft. The fuel gauging system utilizes at least one light source to generate input light signals which are delivered to a plurality of probes multiplexed on a fiber optic element. The same, or a separate, fiber optic element transmits the probes' output light signals to a light detector located externally of the fuel tank. Each probe includes a photoelectric conversion device, an LC resonant circuit, and a magnetooptic device for generating the responsive output light signal to the input light signal. Based on the output signal form the probes, the light detector determines the level of fuel in the tank.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of treating or inhibiting cardiovascular, cerebral vascular, or peripheral vascular disease in a mammal in need thereof, which comprises providing said mammal with an effective amount of a rapamycin.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for transferring hollow blow molded articles from a vertically disposed wheel blow molding machine to a horizontally-disposed takeaway conveyor. Each mold on the wheel releases multiple blown articles at the six o'clock position on the wheel such that the articles fall freely from the wheel. An inclined end of a takeaway conveyor is located directly underneath the six o'clock position in order to receive the free falling blown articles and transport them to a horizontal transporting section of the takeaway conveyor. Flanges which extend upwardly from the conveying surface of the takeaway conveyor in combination with a powered endless positioning belt which extends a spaced distance along the inclined receiving end are utilized to confine the blown articles on the receiving end and uniformly position the blown articles on the takeaway conveyor.

Abstract: A plastic movable guide for a belt or chain transmission has a plunger-engaging portion for contact with the plunger of a tensioner at a location remote from its pivot axis. A reinforcing plate is located in a slot in a resin guide body, and is slightly recessed at the location of the plunger-engaging portion so that it does not protrude from the slot opening and is not contacted by the plunger of the tensioner. Superior quietness of operation, ease of assembly, and reduction of production cost are achieved.

Abstract: An acoustic guitar having a hollow body constructed with a pre-finished graphite soundboard and a pre-finished high pressure laminate backboard and sidewall. The graphite soundboard provides the acoustic guitar with a unique appearance and enhances durability without adversely affecting the tonal qualities of the guitar. A bracing pattern particularly for use with the graphite soundboard is also provided.

Abstract: A random arrangement type silent chain is provided, which restricts run-upon and reduces contact noise and vibration noise of the free span of the chain, and also restricts abnormal elongation and excessive load during power transmission. In the silent chain a first link plate, which begins to engage with a sprocket tooth by its inner crotch and sits on the sprocket teeth by its outer flanks, and a second link plate, which engages with and sits on the sprocket teeth only by engagement with its outer flanks, are mixed and combined in an endless chain in the longitudinal direction. The mixture ratio of the first link plates to the total link plates is less than 50%, at least one or more of the second link plates are arranged before and after each of the first link plates, and the number of second link plates arranged before and after each first link plate varies randomly along the length of the chain.

Abstract: A blow-molded plastic bottle body for use in containing hot-filled beverages. The bottle body has a dome with various interactive functional zones. For example, some of the zones are primarily responsible for accommodating vacuum absorption, while other zones are primarily intended to rigidify the container such as by providing column strength to improve container top loading capability. Although each zone may have a primary function, each zone also aids adjacent zones in providing their functions. Thus, the entire dome, and not merely selected locations, reacts in a progressive manner to the forces generated by the hot-fill process on the bottle body. Preferably, the bottle body is slender and capable of readily being gripped by a single hand, and preferably the flex panels in the dome accommodate at least 90% of the total vacuum absorption required by the bottle.

Abstract: A novel isolated Borrielia burgdorferi sensu lato surface antigen is characterized by a relative molecular mass of 39.5 kDa. This antigen is expressed in vitro by spirochetes of a B. burgdorferi sensu lato strain. This antigen induces antibodies which kill spirochetes of a B. burgdorferi sensu lato strain by ADCK in vitro. Novel Borrelia cassette string protein or fragments thereof are also useful, as is the P39.5 protein in diagnosing Lyme disease and in compositions for treatment or prophylaxis thereof.

Abstract: A method of making a fiberoptic dental light probe having a bent distal end with a tapered tip. The method includes the step of heating just the mid-section of a vertically-disposed, solid, cylindrical fused fiberoptic rod and permitting the midsection to stretch and thin under its own weight by the force of gravity. Local heating of the mid-section is accomplished with a high-temperature small flame, such as the flame emitted by a gas-fired blow torch. The heat is removed when the rod stretches to a predetermined length, and then after the mid-section cools, the mid-section is cut to produce a pair of identical tapered tip probes. Thereafter, the distal ends of the probes can be bent to a desired angle and the ends of the probes can be cut to size, ground, and polished. A unique probe configuration is also provided.

Abstract: Methods for production of chirally pure &agr;-amino acids and N-sulfonyl &agr;-amino acids are described. An aldehyde and a cyanide salt are reacted with an &agr;-methylbenzylamine to afford product. The product reacts with a strong acid, neutralized, and extracted. The resulting product is hydrolyzed to provide a product which is dissolved in a strong acid to provide a salt of a chirally pure &agr;-amino acid, which is reacted to provide the chirally pure &agr;-amino acid. Another method involves mixing ephedrine hemihydrate and an N-sulfonyl &agr;-ethylnorvaline in ethanol at a molar ratio of 1:1; heating the mixture to dissolve the solids; cooling to allow formation of a precipitate; washing with an organic solvent to give diastereomeric salt; recrystallizing the salt; dissolving the recrystallized salt in an organic solvent and strong aqueous acid, separating the layers; washing the organic extract; drying and concentrating to provide chirally pure N-sulfonyl &agr;-amino acid.

Abstract: A method for producing a coated polymeric article by co-extruding polypropylene and a maleic anhydride modified polypropylene, corona-treating, and applying a polysilicate barrier is described. Also provided are films and bottles produced using this method.

Abstract: A kit useful for immunization is described. The kit contains an antigenic substance from a Mycobacterium and an adjuvant combination of dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium bromide and monophosphoryl lipid A.

Abstract: A ball screw device utilizes spacers having concave ball-contacting surfaces with distributed protrusions or dimples. Balls having needle-like recesses may also be used. The spacers are provided in two thicknesses, and the relative numbers of the thinner and thicker spacers are selected in order to ensure retention of the spacers in their proper positions, while providing a small clearance between the balls and spacers to avoid fluctuations or sharp increases in dynamic torque.