Abstract: An endoprosthesis is provided which presents an endoprosthesis body of a helically wound strand of generally malleable material exhibiting a repeating pattern of undulations that follow a generally helically wrapped axis. Adjacent full circle windings each have at least one weld joining together apex-like portions of adjacent full circle windings. In a preferred arrangement, a plurality of these welds define a substantially in-line helical pattern of welds along the endoprosthesis or stent. One, two, three or more of these substantially in-line helical patterns of welds can be provided. Also provided is a method for forming the endoprosthesis which includes fusion welding, typically within an inert gas atmosphere and in a manner such that the entirety of the stent lies along the same generally cylindrical three-dimensional plane.

Abstract: A folder for holding a compact disc in a position for binding the folder into a magazine is made from a single web of cardstock. The web is folded into two equal portions along a central foldline to form two opposing front and rear panels of the folder. A circular section is cut out of the front panel to display the condition of a compact disc held in the folder. The two panels are glued together to capture the compact disc therebetween and a line of weakening is applied to the panels along one marginal edge thereof to define a combined binding and tear strip. This strip may be edge bound in a magazine and the line of weakening is spaced apart from the edge so that the folder may be separated from the magazine along the tear strip.

Abstract: A photodynamic therapy balloon catheter with microporous membrane is provided which has an elongated optical fiber, an inner tubular member, a porous balloon member surrounding the inner tubular member, and fluid material provided between the inner tubular member and the porous balloon member. The porous balloon member having a plurality of holes of a size to permit medication delivered through a lumen to pass outwardly through the holes. The balloon carries on an outer surface a substantially hydrophilic, tubular microporous membrane covering the holes, to break up streams of flowing medication. Light-reflective material is included in any one of a plurality of the inner member, fluid material, porous balloon member, and microporous membrane in any combination to provide a uniform light illumination for activating treatment fluids located on an elongated treatment site within a living body.

Abstract: A device and method for encouraging proper timing compliance in accordance with a medication prescription regimen. The device is preprogrammed so as to be tailored for the particular prescription regimen to be complied with. Appropriate circuitry is provided in order to generate a dosage signal, which dosage signal persists and changes in an easily recognizable manner until compliance with that dosage requirement is indicated by interacting with the device. Also included is circuitry for prompting compliance with refill requirements of the prescription. The device includes a casing which can have members for facilitating stand-up display or hang-up display of the device.

Abstract: An easy access tear-open paperboard package and method of making same are provided including a pair of corrugated paperboard sheets, each having an interior surface flood coated with a cohesive material which sheets are then joined together in surrounding relation to an article such as a book contained therebetween. A strip of polyolefin tape extends across the interior surface of at least one of the corrugated paperboard sheets to provide a non-bonding area. A pair of spaced parallel perforations extend through paperboard sheet and the tape to form a tear strip which is narrower in width than the tape to provide access to the interior compartment.

Abstract: A shaped generally rigid, synthetic plastic sealed package having multiple stacks of sliced bacon is provided. A generally rigid cover is releasably hermetically secured to a rigid tray. Package walls are substantially transparent so that the consumer can readily inspect, prior to purchase, multiple entire lengths of bacon slice surfaces. At least two stacks of vertically aligned bacon slices are arranged longitudinally in side-by-side relationship to each other.

Abstract: A medication dispensing and timing system includes a central monitoring computer which generates and sends a periodic time reference message over a two-way paging system to a plurality of patient communicators carried by respective patients. Each communicator includes sufficient memory to store the individual medication schedule of the particular patient, and processing circuitry which utilizes the time reference to interrogate the memory and generate a display and audible alarm to alert the patient when medication is to be taken. Upon the patient acknowledging the prompt, the communicator sends a reply message over the paging network to the central monitoring computer. Only in the event that a reply message is not received by the monitoring computer within a predetermined time period following the dispensing event, the computer initiates a procedure which includes an address-specific follow-up prompt message to the particular patient communicator.

Abstract: Sources of meat having a high fat content, such as meat trimmings, are processed in a manner by which meat products prepared therefrom have a dramatically reduced fat content while retaining the desirable functionality of the unprocessed meat sources. The fat-containing meat trimmings or the like are comminuted, heated and centrifuged under specific processing conditions in order to provide unformulated raw reduced fat meat having a fat content of not greater than on the order of about ten percent by weight while having excellent functionality. The unformulated reduced fat meat is formable into a variety of familiar meat products, including wieners, sausages, hamburger patties, and the like, thereby providing products having taste, appearance, texture and other qualities which are substantially indistinguishable from products prepared from high fat unformulated raw materials but which have dramatically reduced fat contents.

Abstract: A two-way dual action clamp for accurately clamping together from directions at right angles to each other, two or more workpieces. The clamps are particularly useful in clamping the stiles of the face frames of cabinet units which are to be joined together during installation. Each clamp has two jaws, one L-shaped and one I-shaped which, when assembled together, form a U-shape. The jaws are manipulated by a hand operating screw so as to clamp together workpieces such as frame face stiles from opposite sides. A second hand operating screw carries a pressure plate and extends transversely through a threaded opening in the bite portion of the U-shape assembly. The pressure plate acts to clamp workpieces in a front-to-rear direction which are clamped in a side-to-side direction. If desired one of the jaws can be provided with a drill guide so that a hole for a screw can be accurately drilled in stiles or other workpieces that are clamped together and a screw installed while a clamp or clamps remain(s) in place.

Abstract: The preparation and use of quarternized bis hydroxy alkyl amines by the reaction of a tertiary amine and an alkylene oxide in a strong acid system are disclosed. Cationic polyurethane compositions containing pendent hydroxy alkyl groups and methods for their preparation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Assembled bacon slices which do not overlap are provided by assembling a plurality of bacon belly portions by a process that does not require the use of added binders or the use of spring-loaded forms or other compression-imparting devices. Heating followed by chilling effects belly portion assembly that holds during slicing and subsequent cooking. Pre-cooked generally square assembled bacon slices which do not overlap are thus provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process which enables colored foreign bodies to be detected in continuous fibre transport and removed therefrom. A stream of fibres is examined for foreign bodies by color sensors (11). If the color differs, a control system (12) activates compressed air nozzles (13) and removes foreign bodies (17).

Abstract: An automatic catheter exchange syringe has a biasing means which drives the syringe in a fluid expelling stroke at a single touch. The syringe includes a barrel portion with a plunger slidably disposed therein. The biasing means applies a driving force to the plunger to drive the plunger in a fluid expelling stroke at a predetermined rate. The biasing means may include compression or tension springs or a bifurcated compression spring assembly.