Abstract: An improved process is provided for the removal of sulfur oxides from gas or vapor media containing oxygen and H.sub.2 O by contacting the media with a catalytically-active carbonaceous char. The improvement is provided by the use of a catalytically-active carbonaceous char prepared by low-temperature carbonization and oxidation of a bituminous coal or bituminous material at temperatures below 700.degree. C., followed by contact of the carbonized, oxidized char with one or more nitrogen-containing compounds at a temperature which is stable at, or is increasing to, temperatures less than 700.degree. C., and then increasing the temperature of the resultant material to or above 700.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substantially leak proof tamper-evident container closure that combines a reusable, push-pull spout with a snap-on tamper evident closure which is substantially tamper proof. The closure has first and second locking members characterized by the first locking member having an inward flange with an upturned locking edge forming an annular groove in the flange. The push pull resealable pour spout with an opening therein which is partially closed by a second top having a secondary opening therein and a plug space thereabove with upwardly angled legs formed integral with the closure. Integrated into the periphery of the secondary opening is at least one and preferably two annular flanges. The annular flanges engage and create a sealing contact with the annular surface of the plug to provide a seal which is leak proof after many uses.

Abstract: A package and method for the packaging of contents at a reduced pressure which provides for improved protection of said materials from contamination. The method includes hermetically sealing a gas and vapor impermeable packaging containing both the material, object, and/or device and an adsorbent at elevated temperature. Subsequent cooling of the adsorbent results in the production of a partial vacuum within the packaging. Alternatively, if the packaging is evacuated prior to sealing by use of some mechanical device, the subsequent cooling of the adsorbent results in a further reduction of the interior pressure of the packaging. The improvement is provided by the presence of the cooled adsorbent in the packaging. Due to the presence of the cooled adsorbent within the packaging, the vacuum within the packaging is produced or increased and more readily maintained due to the adsorptive action of the adsorbent.

Abstract: Described herein is a technique for covalently modifying tissue and cellular surfaces to inhibit cell adhesion. The process described herein is conducted under conditions tolerable in vivo and employs a biocompatible polymer having a reactive group attached to at least one end that reacts with groups present or on tissue and cellular surfaces under aqueous and mild conditions and thereby covalently attaches the polymer to the tissue or cellular surface. Preferably, the reactive group attached to the polymer reacts with amines and hydroxyls present on tissue and cellular surfaces. In one preferred embodiment, the methods described herein provide for the covalent modification of tissue and cellular surfaces using a PEG-diisocyanate solution. The methods described herein are particularly useful in impairing platelet and leukocyte deposition in blood vessels and thereby thwarting thrombosis and restenosis, a common complication of vascular procedures including PTCA and vascular surgery.

Abstract: The pneumatically operated projectile launching device is preferably comprised of three principal elements: a body which houses and interconnects all of the pneumatic components and also houses the electrical power source, a grip mounted to the body which includes an electrical switch that activates a launching sequence, and an electrical control unit housed within both the body and the grip which directs flow between the pneumatic components to load, cock and fire the gun. The body preferably contains a plurality of chambers in communication with each other including a chamber containing and distributing pressurized gas, a chamber containing a compressed gas storage chamber and mechanisms for filling the storage chamber with gas and releasing gas from the storage chamber to fire the projectile, and a chamber containing mechanisms for loading and launching the projectile.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for the manufacture of N-phosphonomethylglycine from N-phophonomethyliminodiacetic acid in the presence of a molecular-oxygen containing gas utilizing a catalytically active carbonaceous char. The improvement is provided by the use of a carbonaceous char capable of rapidly decomposing hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A pneumatic valve and regulator, and more particularly to a pneumatic valve and regulator used in a compressed gas powered gun system which is designed to project a fragile liquid-containing spherical unit which bursts upon impact with the intended target. The regulator possesses a pressure balancing device, a temperature compensating device, and relief valve features. The temperature compensator of the temperature compensating device is made of a synthetic compound material which expands and contracts at a rate that equals but is inverse to the rate of change caused by changes in the modulus of elasticity of a helical compression spring caused by a temperature differential. The valve possesses a seal made of pressure-activated material, the outer diameter of the seal is mechanically captured, the inner diameter of the seal is not constrained from moving into the cavity.

Abstract: An implantable heart valve having an oscillator for resonating the valve to prevent clotting.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for the manufacture of N-phosphonomethylglycine from N-phophonomethyliminodiacetic acid in the presence of a molecular-oxygen containing gas utilizing a catalytically active carbonaceous char produced at low temperature. The improvement is provided by the use of a carbonaceous char capable of rapidly decomposing hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A computer-coded software instructions capable of being executed by a conventional computer microprocessor to perform information processing on pre-existing medical billing record information, preferably consisting of hospital or individual doctor Medicare billing records. The software contains at least one set of instructions for receiving, converting, sorting and storing input information from the pre-existing medical billing records into a form suitable for processing. The software contains at least one set of instructions for processing the input medical billing record information, preferably to identify potential Medicare "72 hour billing rule" violations. This processing is preferably performed by comparing each input medical billing record containing dates of medical inpatient admission and discharge to each input medical billing record containing a date of medical outpatient service.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and process for liquid immersion natural convection chemical cleaning of industrial and/or household items and in particular to an apparatus and process for cleaning dishware. The invention provides an apparatus for removing foreign substances from a surface through contact with a heated liquid cleaning solution circulating by natural convection. A preferably stainless steel tank holds the cleaning solution and the articles to be cleaned. The tank has at least one electrical heating element preferably energized by a thermostat regulated electrical control system to maintain the temperature of said cleaning solution at a value lying within a predetermined range for a predetermined time period which have both experimentally been proven to provide optimum cleaning results. The cleaning solution comprises a mixture of water and an alkalike non-toxic solution containing no organic solvents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing and administering one or more drug solutions for continuous infusion. Flow rates are standardized by varying the drug concentrations according to a preestablished set of tables. The method of the present invention greatly simplifies clinical application of continuous infusion anesthesia, and allows easy preparation of different volumes which can minimize drug wastage. The standardization of rate taught by the present method eases interpretation and mixing, resulting in easier application of drugs and increased patient safety. An apparatus is desirably used to assist in achieving the objectives of the present invention. The device facilitates accurate and efficient conversion to the nonstandard flow rates required for special applications such as neonatal anesthesia and others.

Abstract: A removable floor drain odor control device which fits into standard floor drains of various sizes and acts to reduce or eliminate odors emitted from floor drains through use of a washable and regenerable carbon-based adsorbent. The preferred carbon-based adsorbents is a catalytically-active carbonaceous char, with the Centaur.TM. carbon being most preferred.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing contaminates from an air stream in which an adsorbent activated carbon cloth is positioned in said air stream. The method and apparatus provide for impressing an electric current through the cloth adsorbent to desorb any contaminates adsorbed thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device designed to accompany the playing of a guitar or other non-percussion instrument, which provides the capability for a musician to accompany his own playing of the guitar or other non-percussion instrument with a device which produces percussion while in simultaneous use with the guitar or other non-percussion instrument. The present invention is generally comprised of a member which mechanically strikes upon a sound-producing base, by means of an actuation device that is triggered by a mechanical or electrical impulse, initiated by the instrument player and transmitted by a triggering mechanism to the actuation device.

Abstract: A conduit coating which is made by covering a surface thereof with a polymeric material which may include an additive made of bacteriostatic, bacteriocidal, fungicidal, fungistatic or mildew-suppressing material. The coating material may be cross-linked using radiation exposure to improve the high temperature characteristics of the conduit.

Abstract: The pneumatically operated projectile launching device is preferably comprised of three principal elements: a body which houses and interconnects all of the pneumatic components and also houses the electrical power source, a grip mounted to the body which includes an electrical switch that activates a launching sequence, and an electrical control unit housed within both the body and the grip which directs flow between the pneumatic components to load, cock and fire the gun. The body preferably contains a plurality of chambers in communication with each other including a chamber containing and distributing pressurized gas, a chamber containing a compressed gas storage chamber and mechanisms for filling the storage chamber with gas and releasing gas from the storage chamber to fire the projectile, and a chamber containing mechanisms for loading and launching the projectile.

Abstract: Treatment of a wet activated carbon with carbon dioxide or with carbon dioxide followed by air results in a carbon having a reduced contact pH. The activated carbon is characterized by a modified contact pH less than about 9.0 and typically between about 7.3 and 9.0. Use of this carbon in a water treatment system eliminates the excessive effluent water pH rise which commonly occurs with activated carbon. Also use of this carbon in a water treatment system reduces the aluminum concentration of the water when compared to an untreated carbon.