Abstract: Surgical staplers and methods of their use are provided. In one embodiment, a surgical stapler includes a tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle extending from the proximal end of the tubular shaft, a head assembly extending from the distal end of the tubular shaft, and an insertion guide configured to extend through the head assembly. The insertion guide includes an expandable member configured to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.

Abstract: Organic functional fluids containing halogenated organic compounds present as contaminants therein are treated in an inert atmosphere with a NaPEG decomposition reagent which is prepared in an inert atmosphere, thereby to produce a functional fluid phase substantially free of the halogenated organic compound and a reagent residue phase containing a derivative of the contaminant having a reduced halogen content. The latter may be further dehalogenated by reacting the reagent residue with a NaPEG reagent in the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: Organosulfur compounds containing a C-S bond are decomposed by reaction with a reagent made from an alkali metal, a polyglycol or a monoalkyl ether thereof and oxygen, which effects decomposition by cleavage of the C-S bond.

Abstract: Chemicals spilled on porous surfaces may be removed therefrom by applying to the spill site a poultice in the form of a slurry or paste of finely divided particulate material dispersed in a volatile solvent in which the spilled chemical substance is soluble, allowing the solvent to be absorbed into the porous substrate. The poultice is then allowed to dry, thereby effecting a wicking action causing extraction of the chemical substance from the substrate into the poultice.

Abstract: A composition of matter in the form of a coordination complex which is the product of the reaction of an alkali metal or alkali metal hydroxide of a polyglycol or a polyglycol monoalkyl ether and oxygen having utility as a decomposition reagent for halogenated organic compounds.

Abstract: A reagent comprising the product of the reaction of an alkali metal hydroxide with a polyglycol or a polyglycol monoalkyl ether and oxygen, effects complete decomposition of halogenated organic compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), when mixed therewith in the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: A self-compensating centrifuge arm for use in a centrifuge system having drive means for causing rotation of the centrifuge arm around a center of rotation. The centrifuge arm comprises two elongated members, the first elongated member being attached to the drive means for rotation therewith and extending outwardly from the center of rotation a first predetermined length in a first direction to a terminal end portion. The second elongated member has a second predetermined length and a first end which is attached to the first elongated member at the terminal end portion thereof. The second elongated member extends generally parallel to the first elongated member through the center of rotation without being affixed to the drive means.

Abstract: A unitary, coextruded panel adapted for use as the window of a structure, which panel combines light transmitting and light reflecting properties to permit passage of direct solar radiation at a low solar altitude and to prevent passage of direct solar radiation at a high solar altitude, and which also provides insulating dead air spaces.The panel comprises an essentially clear and planar inner and outer face, positioned along the inner and outer portions of the structure, respectively, and a plurality of ribs, connected to and extending between the inner and outer faces, some of which ribs are transparent, and some of which are opaque to solar radiation, which rib members are placed in a geometrical relationship which provides the selected light transmitting and light reflecting properties in relation to the solar altitude.

Abstract: High, intermediate and low pressure stages are provided in a thermal machine including sealed chambers permitting maintenance of respective pressures but permitting flow of vapor from one vessel to a second within a stage and providing for the flow of an absorbent solution among the vessels in different stages. The intermediate stage includes resorption and regeneration vessels which are thermally coupled, respectively, to a generation vessel and an absorption vessel in the high and low pressure stages, so that a variable fraction of the absorber heat may be transferred to the regenerator and of the resorber heat to the generator. The name Variable Effect refers to this variable internal heat transfer which permits the machine to adjust to a wide range of available heat source and heat rejection temperatures while maintaining high efficiency.

Abstract: A process for the removal and detoxification of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) present in dielectric or other fluids, such as transformer oil, employing polyethylene glycol as the primary extractant, cyclohexane as a secondary extractant and a reagent derived from the reaction of sodium or sodium hydroxide, polyethylene glycol and oxygen for the decomposition and detoxification of the PCBs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and identifying one or more excessively vibrating blades of the rotating portion of a turbomachine utilizing analysis of the characteristic Doppler waveform that results as the rotating, vibrating blade passes a fixed sensor. The acoustic energy in the vicinity of the rotating portion of the turbomachine is sensed to generate a composite electrical signal representative of the broadband acoustic spectrum. Then, through both time domain and frequency domain signal manipulations, the undesirable noise components of the composite signal are removed. The resulting signal is then displayed to reveal the characteristic Doppler waveform of the blade vibrations, which may be analyzed to indicate the location of the excessively vibrating blade as well as its relative vibration amplitude. Changes in the latter with time indicate the initiation or propagation of a blade crack.

Abstract: Organic functional fluids containing halogenated organic compounds present as contaminants therein are treated with a NaPEG decomposition reagent in an inert atmosphere to produce a functional fluid phase substantially free of the halogenated organic compound and a reagent residue phase containing a partially dehalogenated organic derivative therein. The latter may be further dehalogenated by reacting the reagent residue with oxygen.

Abstract: A reagent comprising the product of the reaction of an alkali metal hydroxide with a polyglycol or a polyglycol monoalkyl ether and oxygen, effects complete decomposition of halogenated organic compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), when mixed therewith in the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: An improved high gradient magnetic separation device wherein field gradients are produced by applying a relatively uniform magnetic field to a matrix of filamentary ferromagnetic material contained in a separation chamber, the improvement comprising providing the filamentary material with a coating of a hydrogel polymer. The improved device is particularly useful for the separation of biological entities, such as cells, proteins, organelles, enzymes, and the like for mixtures containing same.

Abstract: A detection/identification method for determining the presence of a Mossbauer isotope-containing taggant in a carrier material, e.g., explosives, weapons, currency, tax stamps, or identification documents. The detector includes a Mossbauer isotope-containing detecting substance that is identical to the taggant, and a sensing element responsive to the presence of the tagging substance in the carrier material, provided that the Mossbauer isotope of the tagging substance is in a state of resonance excitation and causes excitation of the Mossbauer isotope of the detecting substance. The sensing element is operatively associated with an indicator for indicating whether or not the sensing element has been actuated. The method is initiated by irradiating the carrier material while in detecting proximity to the detector, with radiation from a radioactive source comprising a Mossbauer isotope-containing substance which corresponds exactly to the taggant.

Abstract: Valuable metals are recovered from metal-containing materials, such as scrap or waste materials, in which the metal is present in chemically combined form, by a process which comprises contacting the metal-containing material with a reagent comprising the product of the reaction of an alkali metal or alkali metal hydroxide with a polyglycol or a polyglycol monoalkyl ether and oxygen.

Abstract: A motion system is provided by a platform generally parallel to a base and connected thereto by a column and powered and controlled extensible members, at least three of which are connected between distributed points around the column. In a three degree of freedom device, the column is conical, rigidly supported at its base with a universal joint at its top. The points of attachment define triangles in the base and in the platform surrounding the column with one extensible member connected between each.In the four degree of freedom version, the column is modified by making it effectively a column which is pivoted or guided at the base or contains an extensible member, preferably retains its triangular shape and its universal joint connection to the platform at its apex. For stability four powered and controlled extensible members are provided between points in the base and platform distributed around the column, a preferred pattern of arrangement being a square with the column at the center.

Abstract: A mixer and dispenser is described which thoroughly and quickly mixes a fluid and catalyst without the occlusion of air. The combination mixer/dispenser is in the form of a syringe having a hermetic sealing arrangement including a rubber septum at the dispensing end, which syringe converts from a mixer to a dispenser by the simple use of a rigid spacer.

Abstract: A reagent, comprising the product of the reaction of an alkali metal with a polyglycol or a polyglycol monoalkyl ether and oxygen, effects complete decomposition of halogenated organic compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), when mixed therewith in the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: A d.c. generator is connected in series opposed to the polarity of a d.c. power source supplying a d.c. drive motor. The generator is part of a motor-generator set, the motor of which is supplied from the power source connected to the motor. A generator field control means varies the field produced by at least one of the generator windings in order to change the effective voltage output. When the generator voltage is exactly equal to the d.c. voltage supply, no voltage is applied across the drive motor. As the field of the generator is reduced, the drive motor is supplied greater voltage until the full voltage of the d.c. power source is supplied when the generator has zero field applied. Additional voltage may be applied across the drive motor by reversing and increasing the reversed field on the generator. The drive motor may be reversed in direction from standstill by increasing the generator field so that a reverse voltage is applied across the d.c. motor.