Abstract: A postoperative bilateral augmentation mammaplasty brassiere for use by women with augmented breasts is disclosed. The brassiere provides a support cup shaped to mimic a spherically shaped breast implant. The brassiere further provides an underwire within the construction of the brassiere, the underwire having an arcuate portion to mimic the round base of an augmented breast. A connector is provided between two support cups, each with an associated underwire, such that the distance between proximal ends of the underwires is established for the comfort of the wearer and the attractive appearance of the brassiere.

Abstract: A hammermill having a housing, a rotor assembly, a first plurality of hammers, and a first attrition plate assembly is provided to reduce oversized particulate material to a desired size. The housing has a sidewall that extends between an inlet end and an discharge end which defines an enclosed work space. The rotor assembly is disposed within the housing for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the housing. The first plurality of hammers is coupled to the rotor assembly and is disposed within the enclosed work space. The first attrition plate assembly has a generally circular configuration and is removably secured to the sidewall within the enclosed work space of the housing.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a measuring an analyte in a biological fluid of an animal. A harvesting device (10) is provided suitable for positioning on the surface of tissue of an animal to harvest biological fluid therefrom. The harvesting device (10) comprises an analyte sensor (50) positioned to be contacted by the harvested biological fluid and which generates a measurement signal representative of the analyte. At least one attribute sensor (40) is provided to measure an attribute associated with the biological fluid harvesting operation of the harvesting device (10) or the assay of the biological fluid, and which generates an attribute signal representative of the attribute. Adjustments are made to operational parameters of the harvesting device (10) based on the one or more attributes.

Abstract: A system and method of selling pre-printed lottery game tickets, on-line lottery game tickets, or a combination of pre-printed and on-line lottery game tickets in a retail store is disclosed. At least one lottery game token is provided bearing a game identification code thereon for being scanned at a POS terminal provided as a part of an in-store POS network. The scanned identification code is detected by a POS monitor in communication with the POS terminal, the POS monitor determining from the scanned code the type of lottery game to be played. The POS monitor, or a separate ticket controller in communication with the POS monitor, will then issue a dispense ticket command to a ticket dispenser located at the POS terminal for each pre-printed lottery game to be played.

Abstract: A tufting needle assembly for use with a tufting machine is disclosed that comprises a first gauge block or needle bar having a first series of tufting needles disposed thereon. The respective tufting needles are spaced from one another along a first longitudinal axis extending in the lengthwise direction of the gauge block. The tufting needle assembly further comprises a second series of spaced tufting needles extending along a second longitudinal axis spaced parallel to the first longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oligonucleotide primers, and methods of diagnosis using the primers, wherein particular primer pairs prime the universal amplification of an amplicon for specific Streptococcus pneumoniae from all 90 known serotypes. The amplicon includes at least a portion of the psaA gene of Steptococcus pneumoniae. In the methods, amplification of a biological sample using the primer pairs of the invention provide an amplicon only if the sample contains a serotype of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The invention further relates to an isolated nucleic acid including a nucleic acid amplicon obtained using a pair of oligonucleotide primers of the invention. In still a further aspect, the invention discloses a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence encoded by a nucleic acid amplicon obtained using oligonucleotide primers.

Abstract: A dental drill system for use in preparing an osteotomy of a predetermined depth and diameter sized to receive a dental implant therein is disclosed. The drill system comprises at least one elongate depth drill of a first diameter adapted to drill the osteotomy opening to the predetermined depth, and at least one elongate width increasing drill of a second greater diameter adapted to size the diameter of the osteotomy opening to the predetermined diameter. The invention also teaches a method of using the dental drill system to form the osteotomy opening, the method comprising the steps of using a starter drill to define at least a portion of the osteotomy opening, using at least one elongate depth drill of a first diameter to drill the osteotomy opening to the predetermined depth, and using at least one elongate width increasing drill of a second greater diameter greater than the first diameter to increase the diameter of the osteotomy opening to the predetermined diameter.

Abstract: Concentration of a solute in a solution is determined. Light from a light source is received at a chamber containing the solute and the solution. The light is transmitted along an optical path length of the chamber, through the solute and the solution, and output from the chamber. The light output from the chamber is detected by a detector. The optical path length of the chamber is selected to optimize sensitivity of the detector. The concentration of the solute in the solution is determined based on the light received by the detector.

Abstract: A weapon container and lock assembly for mounting in a vehicle, for example, an aircraft, that may be subject to a positive accelerated gravity environment. The weapon container has a container body defining an interior cavity therein and a top lid that is selectively moved between an open position and a closed position with respect to the container body by a container opening assembly. A lock assembly is provided for movement between a first, locked, position and a second, unlocked, position upon application of an accelerated gravity condition of a predetermined level. In use, the lock assembly prevents movement of the container opening assembly when the lock assembly is in the first position and allows movement of the container opening assembly when the lock assembly is in the second position.

Abstract: A bow and skew reduction control system and method is disclosed. In a tufting machine, an elongate bow roll is positioned intermediate a supply of a backing material to be tufted and a cloth feed roll positioned upstream of a needle bar. The backing material is passed at least partially about the bow roll and is passed over the cloth feed roll and into a tufting zone positioned with respect to the needle bar. The bow roll is provided with an actuator operably coupled to a controller. The roll of backing material is supported at its respective ends by a pair of jack assemblies, the jack assemblies being constructed and arranged for independent operation, and for raising and lowering, respectively, the ends of the roll of backing material as instructed by the controller. At least one, or a plurality, of spaced weft yarn markers are formed or otherwise disposed on the backing material and are parallel with the weft yarns thereof.

Abstract: A golf club, such as a putter, having a first tube, a second tube, and a clamp assembly. The clamp assembly defines a longitudinally extending bore, a shoulder surface on the exterior surface of the clamp assembly, an orifice extending from the inner surface of the bore toward the exterior surface of the clamp assembly, and an aperture extending between the orifice and the exterior surface of the clamp assembly. A lower portion of the clamp assembly is received within the first tube. The putter further including a shaft and a captured fastening member. The shaft is received within the bore of the clamp assembly and a portion of the shaft proximate its rear end is received within the second tube. The fastening member is operatively received within the orifice of the clamp assembly and is in selective contact with a portion of the exterior surface of the shaft such that the shaft and the second tube may be fixed relative to the clamp assembly.