Abstract: A protective device suitable for being placed in the power supply circuit of an electric motor, having at least one anti-interference coil (20, 30) for the motor, and a thermal switch (10) thermally coupled to coil (20, 30) and capable of opening the power supply circuit when the coil temperature which it detects reaches a predetermined value, representative of the maximum temperature threshold allowed within the motor. Advantageously, the device also has an electric heating element, thermally coupled to the switch and capable of constituting a main current path between the two input terminals of a four-terminal network consisting of the protective device, when the power supply circuit is open, and capable of holding this circuit open in order to limit the opening-closing cycles of the switch, the invention also pertains to the corresponding process and to a drive device containing a motor and of said protective device mounted on the motor, outside of it.

Abstract: Described are preferred myocardial grafts of skeletal myoblasts or cardiomyocytes, and cellular compositions and methods useful in obtaining the grafts. The myocardial grafts are stable and can be used, for example, to deliver recombinant proteins directly to the heart.

Abstract: Inbred maize lines designated as 4SQ601 and 4SQ602, plants and seeds of such maize lines, methods for producing maize plants by crossing said lines with themselves or another maize plant, and hybrid maize seeds and plants produced by crossing said inbred maize lines with another maize line or plant.

Abstract: Method of reducing moisture damage to a building having a foundation, such as crawl space or a basement, with a floor that includes excavating a pit in the floor and positioning a plastic liner in the pit. This plastic liner defines a cavity and an inlet intersecting the cavity that is configured to collect water. A space exists between the liner and the pit. A trench is formed in a portion of the floor and configured to intersect the pit. A drain tile is put in the trench that has an outlet engaging the inlet of the liner. A pneumatic conveyor system is positioned outside the crawl space or basement that has an intake and a dispensing outlet. An aggregate source is provided outside the foundation adjacent the intake, and the aggregate generally does not exceed the size of pea gravel. A flexible hose is connected to the dispensing outlet which has a discharge outlet selectively positioned within the crawl space or basement.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure on an active area mesa with minimal loss of field oxide deposited in isolation trenches adjacent the mesa. The trench insulating material is protected by an etch barrier layer having at least a partial resistance to etchants used in further device processing steps. The barrier layer may also be deposited over the surface of the substrate to protect it from damage during device processing. The barrier layer may be removed by an etchant having a selectivity for the barrier layer over that of the surrounding device elements. Final processing of the device may be completed once the barrier layer is removed.

Abstract: A wheel suspension including a wheel support pivotally attached to a vehicle frame at two, laterally-spaced locations, the wheel support being pivotable between uppermost and lowermost positions, a wheel rotatably mounted to the wheel support, a leaf spring mounted between the vehicle frame and the wheel support to bias the wheel support to a position intermediate the uppermost, and lowermost positions, and a second biasing device, such as an air bag or coil spring, mounted outside of the vehicle frame and biasing the wheel support to an intermediate position.

Abstract: A dovetail joint jig for guiding a power tool for creating a dovetail slot in a first workpiece and a dovetail pin in a second workpiece includes a substantially flat main body portion having a slot portion on one side and a pin portion on an opposite side. The slot portion includes a pair of oppositely-disposed side projections which define a clearance space therebetween. A tapered router bit is guided along the inner edge of the side projections in order to create a dovetail slot in the first workpiece. The pin portion includes a slot-shaped portion whose planar shape coincides with the shape of the slot to be created in the first workpiece and accordingly in the preferred embodiment coincides with the shape of the tapered router bit. A generally cylindrical router bit is guided around the edge of the pin portion in order to remove material from the second workpiece and leave a dovetail pin which matches the dovetail slot in the first workpiece.

Abstract: A multi-axial bone screw assembly includes a bone screw having a partially spherical head. The bone screw head is truncated at an upper surface in which a tool receiving recess is defined. The assembly includes a receiver member including a central bore that defines a tapered recess to receive the head of the bone screw. The bore of the receiver member also defines a channel communicating with the recess and configured to receive a spinal rod therein. A portion of the channel is threaded to receive a set screw above the rod. The assembly also includes a crown member disposed between the rod and the head of the bone screw. As the set screw is tightened into the receiver member, the set screw compresses the rod against the crown member, which presses the head of the bone screw into the tapered recess. In one embodiment, the head of the bone screw includes a flared edge that penetrates at least the crown member as the assembly is tightened.

Abstract: A bypass circuit centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a hollow and generally cylindrical centrifuge bowl which is arranged in combination with a base plate so as to define a liquid flow chamber. A hollow centertube axially extends up through the base plate into the hollow interior of the centrifuge bowl. The bypass circuit centrifuge is designed so as to be assembled within a cover assembly and a pair of oppositely disposed tangential flow nozzles in the base plate are used to spin the centrifuge within the cover so as to cause particles to separate out from the liquid. The interior of the centrifuge bowl includes a plurality of truncated cones which are arranged into a stacked array and are closely spaced so as to enhance the separation efficiency. The incoming liquid flow exits the centertube through a pair of oil inlets and from there is directed into the stacked array of cones.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a spinal fusion implant that is at least partially cylindrical, made of material appropriate for human implantation and having preferably, but not necessarily, one closed end and one end capable of being closed, such that an internal chamber can be filled and hold any natural or artificial osteoconductive, osteoinductive, osteogenic, or other fusion enhancing material. The partially cylindrical implant directly participates and is incorporated in the ensuing fusion. In the preferred embodiment, the implant of the present invention relies on surface roughenings of the outer surface to enhance its stability and resist dislodgement from within the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae. The implant of the present invention incorporates at its rear end, an engagement means to facilitate insertion or extraction of the implant. The implant may be filled with, coated with, and/or composed of, fusion promoting substances.

Abstract: A coated piston ring and method of manufacture for internal combustion engines and compressors. The piston ring having a outer peripheral surface that is coated with a thin substantially final finish spray wear resistant coating for contacting the cylinder wall. The material coating is deposited by high velocity oxygen fuel spray apparatus and a sharp bottom edge is lapped thereon for contacting the cylinder wall of the apparatus. The method of manufacturing comprising rotating a plurality of piston rings about a central axis while the high velocity oxygen fuel gun sprays molten coating material thereon. The molten coating material forming a mechanical interlock with the ring blank to produce a substantially final finish spray coating on the periphery of the piston rings.

Abstract: A positionable clip is provided that is engageable on a spinal rod to capture a rod-borne component in a variable position on the rod. In one embodiment, the positionable clip includes a pair of clamping members, each including a pair of opposed arms configured for engaging the rod therebetween. A biasing hinge biases the arms together to grip the rod with sufficient force to maintain the position of the clip on the rod during manipulation of the rod. A bar connects the two clamping members to define a receiving space to receive a component that is disposed on the spinal rod. In one aspect, the bar includes a pressure surface such that a force applied to the pressure surface will cause the arms of the clamping members to displace apart to disengage from the spinal rod. The clip is configured so that this force can be applied by the component captured by the positional clip as the component is itself tightened onto the spinal rod.

Abstract: A clamping load distributor disposed and connecting between a fuel injector body and a clamping device. The clamping load distributor functions as an intermediary to transmit the static clamping load from the clamping device to the fuel injector body. The clamping load distributor includes a cylindrically shaped main body having a bore extending therethrough between an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface of the main body being adapted for receiving the clamping load from a clamping device. The lower surface having at least one portion normally contacting the deck of the fuel injector body. The clamping device engages the upper surface of the clamping load distributor at a position axially aligned with a portion of the lower surface that normally does not contact the fuel injector body. The geometric relationship of the clamping load distributor functions to more uniformly distribute the static clamping load across the fuel injector body.

Abstract: A new top-loading transverse connector of the present invention for bridging between longitudinal members of a spinal fixation system implant. The transverse connector is loaded and clamped to the longitudinal member from the top permitting easy access and adjustment and may clamp at the same location along the rod as a vertebral fixation element. The transverse connector comprises an elongate body and an engagement portion on each opposing end of the elongate body. The engagement portion includes downward legs each with a surface to engage the longitudinal member. The downward legs are displaced from each other to define a space therebetween. The engagement portion includes an upper surface defining an opening therethrough. The opening intersects the space defined between the downward legs. Together, the space and opening are configured to receive the clamp assembly carried on the longitudinal member. Another object of the invention, is to provide an improved system including the transverse connector.

Abstract: A lateral biopsy device for retrieving tissue samples atraumatically from remote locations within a patient's body. The biopsy device comprises an elongated flexible catheter which terminates at its distal tip in an annular cutting edge. Disposed within the central lumen of the catheter is an elongated flexible shaft which is somewhat longer than the catheter. An anvil having a rounded outer tip is securely attached to the distal end of the shaft. The anvil includes an annular surface that contacts the annular cutting edge of the catheter when the shaft is retracted with respect to the catheter. Gripping means attached to the proximal end of the shaft are also included to better enable the operator to advance and retract the anvil with respect to the annular cutting edge at the distal end of the catheter. A tissue sample positioned between the anvil and the distal end of the catheter is cut and removed when the annular surface of the anvil contacts the annular cutting edge of the catheter.

Abstract: An interbody fusion device in one embodiment includes a tapered body defining a hollow interior for receiving bone graft or bone substitute material, The body defines exterior threads which are interrupted over portions of the outer surface of the device. The fusion device defines truncated side walls so that on end view the body takes on a cylindrical form. The side walls are provided with vascularization openings, and the body wall device includes opposite bone ingrowth slots extending through the interrupted thread portion of the body. In another embodiment, the tapered body is solid and formed of a porous biocompatible material having sufficient structural integrity to maintain the intradiscal space and normal curvature. The material is preferably a porous tantalum having fully interconnected pores to facilitate complete bone tissue ingrowth into the implant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for structural elucidation and determination of a nanoliter size sample of analyte. The method includes separating the analyte using a microseparation technique and then substantially simultaneously analyzing or detecting the sample using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer. The apparatus includes an RF microcoil positioned for operable communication with a capillary member of the microseparation system and the NMR spectrometer to provide enhanced sensitivity and improved signal-to-noise ratio of the NMR spectrometer necessary to accurately analyze or detect nanoliter size samples.

Abstract: A method and a device to measure portal blood pressure with an endoscope and an inflatable balloon inserted into the esophagus and positioned at the diaphragmatic hiatus. A balloon mounted over a tube is placed within the diaphragmatic hiatus and gradually inflated through a lumen that runs from the balloon to a position that is external from the patient. The pressure within the balloon is increased until the blood flow in the collateral portal hepatic veins that traverse the diaphragm at this location are occluded. The occlusion of the blood flow is signaled when esophageal varices visible above the balloon collapse. The internal balloon pressure required to occlude the blood flow in these collateral portal veins is approximately equivalent to the pressure in the main portal vein.