Abstract: An absorbable and expandable closure member used to occlude or exclude a body lumen or cavity, such as a blood vessel, fallopian tube, duct, aneurysmal sac, etc., comprising a closure member comprising one of more sheets of a biomaterial that are rolled, stacked, or folded to form a multilayer construct of a generally cylindrical configuration for deployment through a delivery system, either as a singularly or part of a multiplicity of closure members. The biomaterial is derived from a source material, such as small intestinal submucosa or another remodelable material (e.g., an extracellular matrix) having properties for stimulating ingrowth of adjacent tissue into the biomaterial deployed within the bodily lumen. The closure member is deployed to the bodily lumen from a delivery sheath, cartridge, and/or over a inner guiding member, such as a wire guide or catheter.

Abstract: A device for acquiring a blood sample comprising a lancet, a puncture drive having a drive rod coupled on the lancet, and a compression spring, which propels it is disclosed. A flywheel mass, which is mounted as to make it movable, is coupled to the drive rod. The flywheel mass can absorb kinetic energy during a propulsion phase and cause retraction of the lancet after reaching a maximum piercing depth. The flywheel mass can be a flywheel connected via a connecting rod to the drive rod and is set into rotation during propulsion of the lancet. After overcoming a dead center defining the maximum piercing depth, rotational energy stored in the flywheel causes the retraction of the lancet. At a specific angle, the rotation of the flywheel is stopped and the residual piercing depth is defined.

Abstract: A lift cord safety system for use with a Roman shade type window covering having a head rail, a bottom rail and a shade movable between a raised and a lowered position. At least one lift cord vertically extends down from the head rail toward the bottom rail. A flexible sleeve is associated with and substantially surrounds each lift cord. A set of vertically spaced guides are also associated with each lift cord and are attached to the shade. The sleeve and the lift cord are disposed within each guide of the associated set of vertically spaced guides. A zip tie affixes the sleeve to each guide of the associated set of vertically spaced guides.

Abstract: A method and device for installing a tube of a geothermal closed loop system in the ground. A drill rod includes a hook for removably mounting the heat exchange tube for positioning the tube in the hole bored in the ground by the drill bit. The tube may be inserted into the bored hole once the drill is removed therefrom, mounted to the tube and then reinserted into the hole. Alternatively, the tube is mounted to the drill rod as the hole is being bored.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise a composite rim used in spoked wheels, such as bicycle wheels, having molded-in spoke holes along with a method of fabricating the composite rim. Advantageously, the present invention dramatically improves the bearing and loading strength of prior art composite rims, which drill the spoke holes therein after fabrication of the rim hoop.

Abstract: A container with a granulated or powdered product stores a scoop in or on a threaded closure for the container, in such a way that the scoop will not sink down into the product. Several embodiments are disclosed, including different ways for retaining the scoop on the closure.

Abstract: Among other things, methods and apparatus regarding collection, dissemination and display of information concerning paintball loaders and markers are disclosed. A loader includes a heads-up display, electronic devices for gathering, storing and disseminating information, and an antenna for sending and receiving data. Wireless voice communications among paintball players is possible via associated headsets.

Abstract: The present invention provides non-petroleum high-octane fuel derived from biomass sources, and a method of producing same. The method of production involves reducing the biomass feedstocks to sugars, fermenting the sugars using microorganisms or mutagens thereof to produce ethanol or acetic acid, converting the acetic acid or ethanol to acetone, and converting the acetone to mesitylene and isopentane, the major components of the renewable engine fuel. Trimerization of acetone can be carried out in the presence of a catalyst containing at least one metal selected from the group consisting of niobium, iron and manganese. The ethanol can be converted to mesitylene in a dehydration reaction in the presence of a catalyst of zinc oxide/calcium oxide, and unreacted ethanol and water separated from mesitylene by distillation.

Abstract: A device for cleaning an artificial “infill turf” field includes a rotating brush assembly and a basket for receiving waste and infill material. The basket has a bottom with openings that allow infill material to be returned to the field, and a vibrator to promote separation of infill from waste. The device may include wheels connected to the brush assembly in a manner effective to rotate the brush when one or both of the wheels rotate, and a magnet for picking magnetic waste material from the field. The device may include an actuator for adjusting the height of the brushes, and a tow bar that allows the device to be positioned in an “active” orientation to sweep a field, or an “uplifted” orientation to transport the device across curbs or rough terrain. Multiple brushes and/or baskets may be provided.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a device for mixing and dispensing a bone cement mixture is provided. The device comprises an injector housing having a chamber for containing a first and a second bone cement component and a second housing having a chamber for containing a flexible wire mixing element. A plunger actuates within the chamber of the second housing to transfer the wire mixing element to the injector housing for mixing the first and second bone cement components to form the bone cement mixture. The plunger rotates the wire mixing element to mix the bone cement mixture. Thereafter, the wire mixing element is withdrawn from the injector housing and the injector housing is assembled with an injector handle. A plunger coupled to the injector handle advances through the injector chamber to dispense the bone cement mixture from the device.

Abstract: A construct for making a drainage device for a basement waterproofing system is made from a sheet of waterproof material with two generally parallel sides. A series of longitudinal slots is provided parallel to one of the sides, and a series of tabs that fit in the slots is provided along the other side. The bottom surface is scored to provide a series of fold lines to facilitate folding the construct into a rectangular tubular shape, with the tabs fitting into the slots to hold the shape. Perforations are provided in the device to allow water to flow easily through three of the sides of the device when folded to its rectangular tubular shape. A portion of the device may be folded upward to cover the lower portion of a building wall, or a separate piece may be used to bridge the gap between the device and the wall.

Abstract: A stabilized HSA-free liquid pharmaceutical composition is described, which comprises an interferon (IFN), wherein said formulation is a solution that comprises a buffer, a surfactant, an isotonicity agent and an antioxidant. Preferably the interferon is human recombinant IFN-beta.

Abstract: Analytes in a liquid sample are determined by methods utilizing sample volumes of less than about 1.0 ?l and test times within about nine seconds. The methods are preferably performed using small test strips including a sample receiving chamber filled with the sample by capillary action.

Abstract: A dumping vehicle with a dump bed for holding and dumping material is disclosed. Embodiments include a coupler for coupling the dump bed with a tractor and a linkage connecting the dump bed and coupler, the linkage maintaining the orientation of the coupler steady during dumping. Embodiments include a linkage, dump bed and coupler forming a quadrilateral that deforms during dumping. The linkage can include two arms of different lengths, each pivotally connected to the dump bed and the coupler. In alternate embodiments, the dump bed and a rear support connect at a physical pivot location and the dump bed rotates about a location that is different from the physical pivot location and can rotate about a location that moves. The hinge assembly can include two hinge arms of different lengths that move the dump bed sill rearward and upward as the forward end of the dump bed is raised.

Abstract: The contact clip according to the invention comprises a contact portion (11) comprising two elastic blades (15) capable of pressing a male contact portion (2) against an interior cylindrical portion (110) of the said contact portion. In view of the elongate shape of this contact portion, electrical contact between the contact clip and the male contact piece portion is had over a large surface area, thus reducing the contact resistance and the heating when high currents are passed. The contact clip further comprises an attachment portion (10) and possibly an end portion (12) and is intended to be fitted inside a hollow housing of a female contact piece (3).

Abstract: Composite leaflets and prosthetic valves incorporating the same are disclosed. An illustrative composite leaflet includes a flexible inner region, which is formed with a synthetic polymeric material, and a flexible peripheral region, which is formed with a remodelable material effective to promote tissue ingrowth. The peripheral region extends from at least a portion of the flexible inner region and is configured to contact a wall of a tubular body passage and thereby promote tissue ingrowth into the peripheral region from the wall of the tubular body passage.

Abstract: A disposable diagnostic article comprising a lancing element that can be pierced into a body part and a collection area formed on the lancing element for body fluid obtained by the puncture is disclosed. The lancing element can comprise at least two bent parts folded towards each other such that the at least two bent parts can partially delimit the collection area.

Abstract: Apparatus for checking the validity of a banknote wherein a light source illuminates a banknote through a slit as it is transported along a note path, the emitted light being detected at different wavelengths to generate a plurality of images such that a three dimensional matrix can be created, for comparison against matrices of authentic banknotes.

Abstract: An electrochemical biosensor test strip with four new features. The test strip includes an indentation for tactile feel as to the location of the strips sample application port. The sample application port leads to a capillary test chamber, which includes a test reagent. The wet reagent includes from about 0.2% by weight to about 2% by weight polyethylene oxide from about 100 kilodaltons to about 900 kilodaltons mean molecular weight, which makes the dried reagent more hydrophilic and sturdier to strip processing steps, such as mechanical punching, and to mechanical manipulation by the test strip user. The roof of the capillary test chamber includes a transparent or translucent window which operates as a “fill to here” line, thereby identifying when enough test sample (a liquid sample, such as blood) has been added to the test chamber to accurately perform a test. The test strip may further include a notch located at the sample application port. The notch reduces a phenomenon called “dose hesitation”.