Abstract: A system and method for treating a stenosis or blockage in a bodily fluid passageway is described. The system includes a catheter and a controller for generating radio frequency energy along a pair of output lines, a monitoring circuit for monitoring the phase of the radio frequency energy along the output lines, and an impedance matching circuit for adjusting the output impedance of the generator so that it equals that of a load, e.g., the patient. The catheter includes a catheter body which is insertable into the bodily passageway and operatively connected to the controller. A lumen in the catheter body defines an opening and a stainless steel, metallic-plated mandril is disposed within the lumen so that a terminal end thereof extends through the opening and into the bodily passageway.

Abstract: Genomic sequences of human mismatch repair genes are described, as are methods of detecting mutations and/or polymorphisms in those genes. Also described are methods of diagnosing cancer susceptibility in a subject, and methods of identifying and classifying mismatch-repair-defective tumors. In particular, sequences and methods relating to human mutL homologs, hMLH1 and hPMS1 genes are provided.

Abstract: A dispenser for a roll of decorative ribbon secured removably to a backing strip and having design elements formed at spaced intervals along the length of the ribbon by incomplete cut lines and capable of being separated at said cut lines and bent outwardly from the plane of the ribbon to provide a 3-dimensional ribbon effect, includes a container for the ribbon roll and a housing for the container. The space between the back walls of the container and housing serve to guide movement of the ribbon from the roll upwardly to the top of the container where the ribbon is bent sharply forward and extended through an opening at the back end of the top wall of the container. The bending effects detachment of the design element along its cut lines and causes the design element to project upwardly from the plane of the ribbon. As the ribbon is moved forwardly under the top wall of the container toward the front wall thereof, the upstanding design elements are bent rearward.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic lug loader to place blocks on each lug on a lug conveyor in a finger jointing machine. The lug loader includes a support structure with a control station and a feed table. A powered loading conveyor overlies the support structure with an infeed end disposed over the control station. The loading conveyor extends downstream to an outfeed end which is disposed over the upstream end of the lug conveyor. A powered adjuster is connected to the loading conveyor and shifts the loading conveyor toward and away from the control station to selectively grip a block.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a dry-cleaning article suitable for use in the home. The article is characterized by a sheet that is permeated with a composition including 51-98% by weight of organic solvent such as paraffins, olefins, acetylenes or mixtures thereof, 1-35% by weight of water, and 1-14% by weight of emulsifier to allow the water to be uniformly mixed into the solvent. The composition can also include 1-5% by weight of perfume for scenting clothing, and 1-5% by weight of nonionic and/or anionic surfactant to provide additional stain removal capability of the composition. The invented composition is thus organic-solvent-based and is particularly effective to remove body or cosmetic oil stains from garments. The invention is also directed to the composition and methods for using the sheet in a drying machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photomask protection system for minimizing contamination resulting from the removal of a pellicle from a photomask. The system comprises a continuous wall attached to the photomask and disposed between the region of the mask where the pellicle attaches and the photomask pattern. The wall is dimensioned to fit within the pellicle and to be spaced from the pellicle membrane and the pellicle frame. The wall minimizes the likelihood that any contaminants generated by the removal of a pellicle frame from the photomask surface will reach the photomask pattern. The wall may be coated with an adhesive to capture any contaminants that contact it.

Abstract: A method of growing epitaxial semiconductor layers with reduced crystallographic defects. The method includes growing a first epitaxial semiconductor layer on a semiconductor substrate under conditions of relatively high temperature and low source gas flow to heal defects in or on the surface of the substrate. Subsequently, a second epitaxial semiconductor layer is grown on the first layer under conditions of relatively low temperature and high source gas flow. The first epi layer acts as a low-defect seed layer by preventing defects in the surface of the substrate from propagating into the second epi layer. Optionally, a hydrogen chloride etch may be employed during a portion of the first epi layer growth to increase the efficacy of the first layer.

Abstract: A reverse vending machine is configured to selectively accept bulk fed containers, the machine including an in-feed station with an in-feed door and a hopper accessible via the in-feed door, the hopper having a first mouth which is open when the in-feed door is in an open orientation and closed when the in-feed door is in a closed orientation. The in-feed door has a second mouth, which is smaller than the first mouth, and which remains open regardless of in-feed door orientation. The in-feed station thus is configured to simultaneously freely receive multiple disarrayed containers through the first mouth when the in-feed door is in the open orientation and is configured to receive containers through the second mouth when the in-feed door is in the closed orientation.

Abstract: A device for detecting chemiluminescence from a sample. The device may include a stage for supporting a sample and one or more of the following elements: (1) an optics head, (2) an optical relay structure for transmitting chemiluminescence from the sample to a detector, (3) a drive mechanism, (4) a sensor for detecting proximity of the optical relay structure to the sample, (5) a mask structure for selecting an effective diameter of the optical relay structure, and (6) a baffle for blocking extraneous light from entering the optical relay structure.

Abstract: A battery retaining system for securing a battery in a children's ride-on vehicle. A battery compartment is disposed on the vehicle and configured to receive the battery. A battery compartment lid attaches to the battery compartment. A battery retaining clip is coupled to the battery compartment and is movable between a locked position in which the clip holds the battery in place, and an unlocked position. Optionally, the retaining clip is configured to block installation of the battery compartment lid unless the clip is in the locked position.

Abstract: A heat dissipation fan as disclosed includes a heat dissipation fan blade, a self-lubricating bearing, a stator having an electrical circuit plate and a casing. The heat dissipation fan blade includes a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft has a rounded free end that and contains a neck to seat a locking plate therein. The casing has a collar extending therefrom to hold the stator in place. The collar contains a recess to securely receive the self-lubricating bearing and forms an internal shoulder to restrain and support the locking plate and the self-lubricating bearing. The locking plate is round and contains a through hole therein. The through hole has a diameter corresponding to that of the neck in the shaft. The locking plate has multiple slits formed on the periphery of the through hole. A washer is placed in the bottom of the recess and contains a hole with a diameter smaller than the shaft to abut the free end of the shaft.

Abstract: A dental prosthetic device, such as a crown or a bridge, which includes a ceramic core that is effectively joined by “cementing” to the stump in a tooth preparation, and a polyceramic outer jacket which is effectively joined by “bonding” to the core.

Abstract: A multi-stage vehicle safety warning and action system which monitors a driver's head position as an indication about whether that driver is nominally in proper control of the vehicle. The system features a laser-beam source which is worn on a driver's head and which is generally aimed toward a system light-sensitive structure. The point of impingement of the beam from the source relative to the light-sensitive structure determines the need of the system to give a warning or to take some other form of safety action. Timing is used by the system to differentiate normal driver head movement from abnormal movement.

Abstract: A display unit is provided which includes a housing configured for mounting in an interior region of a vehicle. The housing has a track which extends from a cavity in the housing and a corresponding carriage which rides along the track. A screen, or display, with a viewing surface is pivotally mounted on the carriage to provide for deployment of the display first by translation of the display along the track between a first position wherein the display is at least partially contained within the cavity in a generally horizontal orientation and an intermediate position with the display still in the generally horizontal orientation, and second by pivot of the display about a first axis from the intermediate position to a deployed position wherein the viewing surface is presented for viewing by an occupant of the vehicle.

Abstract: A splash guard assembly having an attachment mechanism in the form of a collar. The collar is adapted to fit around a portion of a ball mount or receiver hitch of a trailer hitch. A generally horizontal extending structure is attached to the collar and has splash guards operationally attached to its distal ends. The generally horizontal extending structure can be an integral horizontal bar or a series of bars fixedly or adjustably disposed with respect to the collar. The generally horizontal extending structure can include bent portions allowing the splash guards to be connected to the structure at a different vertical position than that of the collar. The collar can be made of any design that allows a firm connection with the ball mount or receiver hitch. The attachment mechanism can alternatively take the form of a generally horizontal plate adapted to be attached to a bumper of the vehicle.