Abstract: Process for treating multiple parallel wafers positioned in a heating zone surrounded by a heater emitting radiant heat. A space of from 0.5 to 2.55 cm is maintained between each wafer, and the outer portions of each wafer are shielded from radiant heat emitted by the heater by means of a circular heat shield positioned between the outer edge of the wafer and the heater. The circular heat shield has an upper edge and a bottom edge, and is positioned at a distance of less than 0.5 cm from the outer edge of the wafer. The wafer is positioned to be substantially centered between said upper edge and said bottom edge of its respective heat shield, and the circular heat shield has a height of from 0.35 to 0.95. The heat provided by the heater can be sufficient to raise the temperature of the wafers from 21.degree. C. up to 1100.degree. C. at a rate of 100.degree. C./min without causing thermal stress damage to the wafers.

Abstract: Thermal treatment boat comprising a cylinder having a central axis and a plurality of band slots having opposed upper and lower surfaces in planes perpendicular to said central axis and spaced at predetermined locations along said central axis. At least one slot in each set extends around at least 180.degree. and less than of the full circumference of said cylinder. Pairs of adjacent band slots define an annular band therebetween. The height of each slot being from about 3.8 to 12.7 mm. Each of the bands having a height, Height.sub.Band, in mm, according to the equation: ##EQU1## wherein Height.sub.Band is always .ltoreq. wafer thickness; ColumnHeight is the total height of the cylinder, mm; BandSlotHeight is the height of the slot, mm; and NumberBands is the total number of bands in the treatment boat. The cylinder can include a wafer loading effector slot therethrough in a plane of the central axis extending along the length of the cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of enzymatically determining the pH of a specimen (e.g., a solution or a biological fluid) and a kit for conducting the method. The present method involves mixing (1) a specimen with (2) an enzyme and (3) one or more substrates for the enzyme in a buffered solution having a pH effective to provide a direct proportional relationship between the activity of the enzyme and the pH of the specimen; determining the activity of the enzyme; and correlating the activity of the enzyme to the pH of the specimen. Each of the sample, the enzyme, the substrate and the buffered solution is present in an amount effective to provide the direct proportional relationship between the activity of the enzyme and the pH of the specimen.

Abstract: Nonporous polymer beads having an average diameter of about 1-100 microns are suitable for chromatographic separation of mixtures of nucleic acids when the polymer beads are alkylated with alkyl chains having at least three carbon atoms. The polymer beads provide efficient separation of nucleic acids using ion-pair reverse phase chromatography.

Abstract: An inexpensive device with a disposable cartridge for preparing tissue sealant is disclosed. The device is particularly applicable to star preparation of autologous tissue sealant. A method of sealing tissue in which the tissue sealant is applied immediately after mixing platelet-rich plasma concentrate (from the device) with a solution of calcium and thrombin is also disclosed. Preparation in the operating room of 5 cc sealant from 50 cc patient blood requires less than 15 minutes and only one simple operator step. There is no risk of tracking error because processing can be done in the operating room. Chemicals added may be limited to anticoagulant (e.g., citrate) and calcium chloride. The disposable cartridge may fit in the palm of the hand and is hermetically sealed to eliminate possible exposure to patient blood and ensure sterility. Adhesive and tensile strengths are comparable or superior to pooled blood fibrin sealants made with precipitation methods.

Abstract: An endometrial ablation device and a method of manufacturing and using the device. An RF current is passed through an endometrium to heat it. An electroconductive expandable member such as a balloon is used as the medium for passing the current and causing the heating of the endometrium. The power delivered from a power source to the balloon is selectively provided to a plurality of electrode area segments on the balloon with each of the segments have a thermistor associated with it whereby temperature is monitored and controlled by a feedback arrangement from the thermistors. The selective application of power is provided on the basis of a switching arrangement which provides either monopolar or bipolar energy to the electrodes. The method of manufacturing the ablation device includes using commercially available stretchable sheet material or providing a mandrel or support base and coating the mandrel or base with an uncured emulsion. The emulsion is then cured to form a bladder-like coating.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a continuous dental floss brush comprising alternating portions of thread sections which do not stretch significantly under tension and brush sections which stretch under slight tension, includes the step of coating at least the thread sections of a reverse twisted high tenacity nylon yarn with a solution of polymer in a volatile solvent, the polymer being selected from nylon, polyurethane and mixtures thereof. The thread sections of the yarn are thereafter heated to vaporize solvent therefrom while the yarn is maintained under a tension of from 0.15 to 1N. In the humidifier assembly, having a housing which defines a humidifier zone, the brush sections of the yarn are exposed to a mixture of steam and gas, the steam and gas mixture having a temperature of from 130.degree. C.

Abstract: A continuous process for manufacturing a continuous floss brush comprises steps of first applying a polymer solution at a repeated preselected distance interval to a continuous length of floss yarn under tension and solidifying the polymer while the floss yarn is under tension to produce a continuous floss product of yarn sections which stretch under slight tension separated by thread sections which do not significantly stretch under tension. The floss yarn is treated to expand the yarn sections to form brush sections. The passage of a predetermined number of segments comprising thread and brush portions is determined while the continuous floss brush is under substantially zero tension using a optical detector. Finally, a length of the continuous floss segments containing the predetermined number of segments comprising thread and brush portions is cut for packaging.

Abstract: Stannous fluoride containing toothpaste compositions including an alkyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride or acid copolymer as a stabilizing agent for stannous fluoride and methods for preparing such stabilized compositions.

Abstract: The therapeutic compositions of this invention comprise one or more porphycene compounds incorporated within liposomes. The method of this invention for treating cancer comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a porphycene derivative to a patient, and exposing an affected body area of the patient to a therapeutically sufficient amount of light having a wavelength of from 600 to 950 nm.

Abstract: Antigenic parasites are encapsulated in semipermeable polymeric envelope membranes to prepare implant capsules for immunizing an animal against parasitic infection. An animal may be immunized against parasitic infection by implanting into the animal the implant capsule at a location in the animal sufficient to stimulate a protective immune response in the animal to the parasite antigen.

Abstract: Stannous fluoride containing aqueous, non-abrasive home treatment gel compositions including an alkyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride or acid copolymer as a stabilizing agent for stannous fluoride and methods for preparing such stabilized compositions.

Abstract: Aqueous stannous fluoride containing moutwash compositions including an alkyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride or acid copolymer as a stabilizing agent for stannous flouride and methods for preparing such stabilized compositions.

Abstract: A transplantable artificial tissue matrix structure containing viable cells which is suitable for insertion into the body is made by polymerizing precursors in an aqueous solution to form a shape retaining solid matrix comprising viable cells, matrix polymer and reversible gel polymer. The solution contains a matrix polymer precursor, a reversible gel polymer precursor, and viable cells. The reversible gel polymer is dissolved and removed to yield an insoluble, porous matrix containing viable cells. The conditions and reagents are selected to maintain the viability of the cells. The invention is particularly suitable for artificial transplant matrix tissue containing pancreatic islet cells.

Abstract: The multilayer test devices of this invention comprise, in order, (a) an absorbent layer; (b) a waterproof barrier layer; and (c) a quickly absorbent reagent layer having a determinate volume. The absorbent and barrier layers each include an aperture functionally aligned for application of a test sample through the absorbent and barrier layers and onto the surface of the reagent layer. The reagent layer contains one or more reagents which produce a detectable species in the presence of an analyte. The reagent layer preferably comprises an asymmetrical filter, which localizes cellular components of the test sample at or near the surface of the filter, while facilitating saturation of the filter by non-cellular sample components. Preferred embodiments of the test devices include devices for testing glucose, alcohol, cholesterol, or other analytes in whole blood.

Abstract: Aqueous stannous fluoride containing mouthwash compositions including an alkyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride or acid copolymer as a stabilizing agent for stannous fluoride and methods for preparing such stabilized compositions.

Abstract: Stannous fluoride containing toothpaste compositions including an alkyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride or acid copolymer as a stabilizing agent for stannous fluoride and methods for preparing such stabilized compositions.

Abstract: Stannous fluoride containing aqueous, non-abrasive home treatment gel compositions including an alkyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride or acid copolymer as a stabilizing agent for stannous fluoride and methods for preparing such stabilized compositions.

Abstract: Plastic cassettes carrying semiconductor wafers are loaded into and/or unloaded from an extended open drawer. The drawer is retractable to a closed position in a frame where the cassettes may be removed from or returned to the drawer by a programmable elevator. The frame may have several drawers and cassettes may be safely loaded into or unloaded from the open drawer while cassettes are being removed from or returned to a closed drawer.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing an optical detection of a binding reaction between a ligand and an antiligand, including, a pattern formed by a spatial array of microscopic dimensions of antiligand material, ligand material interacting with the antiligand material to produce a binding reaction between the ligand and the antiligand in the pattern, a source of optical radiation including energy at at least one wavelength directed to the pattern at a particular incidence angle to produce scattering of the energy from the pattern in accordance with the binding reaction and with a strong scattering intensity at one or more Bragg scattering angles, and at least one optical detector located relative to the pattern and aligned with a Bragg scattering angle to detect the strong scattering intensity at the Bragg scattering angle to produce a signal representative of the binding reaction.