Abstract: A medical sealant applicator device for delivery of a multi-component sealant including a first body having a base, a first syringe plunger, a second syringe plunger, and a longitudinal channel, laterally interposed between the first syringe plunger and the second syringe plunger. Each of the first syringe plunger and the second syringe plunger is oriented to extend in a first direction from the base. The first syringe plunger has a first free end having a first proximal plunger piston. The second syringe plunger having a second free end having a second proximal plunger piston. A second body of the medical sealant application device has a first syringe chamber, a second syringe chamber, and a longitudinal fluid chamber laterally interposed between the first syringe chamber and the second syringe chamber. The longitudinal fluid chamber has a proximal end and a distal end.

Abstract: A sealant injection needle assembly includes a cannula assembly and a stylet assembly. The cannula assembly has a cannula hub and a cannula having a first longitudinal sealant passage and a second longitudinal sealant passage. The first longitudinal sealant passage has a first proximal sealant port and a first distal sealant port. The second longitudinal sealant passage has a second proximal sealant port and a second distal sealant port. The stylet assembly has a stylet advance hub and a stylet configured for longitudinal movement in a lumen of the cannula. The stylet has a first stage position and a second stage position. The stylet has a first exterior circumvolving channel longitudinally spaced apart from the second exterior circumvolving channel that are separately selectively and sequentially positionable in fluid communication with both of the first distal sealant port and the second distal sealant port of the cannula.

Abstract: Sealant delivery systems, sealant applicators, and injection needle assemblies are disclosed. A sealant delivery system includes a sealant applicator that has two chambers separate from one another. Each chamber includes an output port on a distal end thereof. The sealant applicator also has a quarter turn connector disposed on a distal end of the sealant applicator adjacent to the output port of each chamber. The quarter turn connector is shaped to releasably interlock with a corresponding quarter turn connector of an injection needle assembly having input ports or a corresponding quarter turn connector of a dual chamber mixing syringe having mixing ports. When the injection needle assembly or the dual chamber mixing syringe is coupled to the sealant applicator via the quarter turn connector, the input ports or the mixing ports are aligned and sealed with the output port of each chamber of the sealant applicator.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical pleura sealing device includes an electrosurgical probe assembly having a coaxial arrangement that includes an inner stylet, a first intermediate cannula, a second intermediate cannula, and an outer cannula, having appropriate insulation. A first mesh electrode connects to and extends between a distal end portion of the inner stylet and a distal end of the first intermediate cannula, and is movable between a first extended position and a first retracted position by an axial movement of the inner stylet and/or the first intermediate cannula. A second mesh electrode connects to and extends between a distal end of the second intermediate cannula and a distal end of the outer cannula, and is movable between a second extended position and a second retracted position by an axial movement of the second intermediate cannula and/or the outer cannula.

Abstract: A sealant delivery apparatus for use in a lung access procedure to aid in preventing pneumothorax includes a sealant applicator device and an injection needle assembly. The injection needle assembly has a hub and an elongate hollow stylet. The hub is configured for removable connection to the sealant applicator device. The elongate hollow stylet is configured to facilitate fluid communication with at least one output port of the sealant applicator device to receive a multi-component sealant. The elongate hollow stylet has a proximal portion, a distal portion having a closed distal end, and a plurality of side ports proximal to the closed distal end. The plurality of side ports radially extend from a lumen and through a side wall of the elongate hollow stylet in the distal portion. The plurality of side ports are in fluid communication with the at least one output port of the sealant applicator device.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical pleura sealing device includes an electrosurgical probe assembly having a coaxial arrangement that includes an inner stylet, a first intermediate cannula, a second intermediate cannula, and an outer cannula, having appropriate insulation. A first mesh electrode connects to and extends between a distal end portion of the inner stylet and a distal end of the first intermediate cannula, and is movable between a first extended position and a first retracted position by an axial movement of the inner stylet and/or the first intermediate cannula. A second mesh electrode connects to and extends between a distal end of the second intermediate cannula and a distal end of the outer cannula, and is movable between a second extended position and a second retracted position by an axial movement of the second intermediate cannula and/or the outer cannula.

Abstract: Exemplary practice of the present invention provides a carriage including a body having a void, a vertical rod passing through the void, four legs arranged rectangularly and projecting obliquely downward and outward from the body, and a vertical coil spring coaxially encompassing a lower portion of the vertical rod. The carriage is coupled with a retroreflective laser target at the bottom of the vertical rod whereby the top of the spring pushes against the bottom of the body and the bottom of the spring pushes against the top of the target. The target continuously adjusts in height so that the bottom of the target remains in constant spring-tension contact with the surface on which the carriage sits or travels, supported by its legs. The carriage is electromechanically propelled, and laser tracking is conducted to direct laser beams at and receive laser retroreflections from the target at various surface locations.

Abstract: Exemplary practice of the present invention provides a carriage including a body having a void, a vertical rod passing through the void, four legs arranged rectangularly and projecting obliquely downward and outward from the body, and a vertical coil spring coaxially encompassing a lower portion of the vertical rod. The carriage is coupled with a retroreflective laser target at the bottom of the vertical rod whereby the top of the spring pushes against the bottom of the body and the bottom of the spring pushes against the top of the target. The target continuously adjusts in height so that the bottom of the target remains in constant spring-tension contact with the surface on which the carriage sits or travels, supported by its legs. The carriage is electromechanically propelled, and laser tracking is conducted to direct laser beams at and receive laser retroreflections from the target at various surface locations.

Abstract: A merchandise display system for use in promoting retail consumer products, such as baking goods, includes a supporting element and individual product receptacles which are designed to effectively display the retail products. Each of the individual product receptacles, are removable from the main display and printed with indicia that is related to the particular consumer product or promotion being offered. An incentive or promotional product that has been selected and packaged based on a particular theme or message, such as a holiday or sporting event, is provided in conjunction with the retail product to stimulate sales of the retail product during periods where such retail products are not normally purchased.

Abstract: A programmable device for the display of information, comprising, a spherical or curved element, such as a globe, which is programmable/reprogrammable for the display of geographical, political, meteorological, biological, and cultural information. A spherical or curved element having a plurality of optical lens segments is in operable communication with programmable electronic displays, for displaying and representing information on the spherical element. The programmable displays are secured to the inside faces of lens segments so that images are directed to the outside surface of the sphere.

Abstract: The general object of this invention is to provide an improved process for sweetening and desulfurizing sulfur-containing crude oil streams. Heating the sulfur-containing crude oil stream to an elevated temperature for an extended period of time while stirring and bubbling an inert gas into the crude accelerates the removal of sulfur containing gases from the crude oil stream. Furthermore, the addition of a polyalkylamine to the stirred crude oil can also greatly assist in the expulsion of sulfur containing gases. After processing under these conditions, the hydrogen sulfide producing capacity of the crude oil is reduced significantly, thus making the crude safer for transportation and handling by reducing the health and environmental risks.

Abstract: An approach for processing data received from a communications channel in finite precision arithmetic applications generally involves equalizing received data in the time domain prior to demodulation using finite impulse response (FIR) filtering. FIR coefficients used in FIR filtering are selected to minimize SNR degradation attributable to ISI and roundoff errors due to finite precision arithmetic, thereby maximizing channel capacity. The approach considers the communications channel noise attributable to crosstalk, white noise and analog to digital converter quantization noise, ISI attributable to failure of the equalizer coefficients to completely eliminate ISI, round off noise due to the use of finite precision arithmetic in the equalizer and roundoff noise due to the use of finite precision arithmetic in the FFT algorithm.

Abstract: A method of reducing the viscosity of a heavy oil flowing through a pipe is disclosed. The method includes mixing heavy oil, water and an effective amount of C1 to C10 alcohol so as to reduce the viscosity by at least 20% that of the heavy oil. The amount of water present in the heavy oil should be less than about 50% vol. and preferably from about 1% vol. to about 10% vol. The alcohol preferably should be a primary linear alcohol and more preferably is a C3 to C7 primary linear alcohol which may be selected from 1-propanol, 1-butanol, 1-pentanol, 1-hexanol, 1-heptanol or combinations thereof The concentration of alcohol should be less that 10% by weight of the mixture. The mixture may further include a polymeric drag reducing agent in a concentration from about 1 to about 10,000 ppm.

Abstract: A composition of matter useful as an asphaltene dispersant, comprising a mixture of:(a) poly[P,P'-(propylene oxide-400)phosphite) poly[di(propylene oxide--400)diol)]]-P,P diasphalenate;(b) poly[P,P'-(propylene oxide-400)phosphite -poly[di(propylene oxide--1000) diol)]]-P,P'-diasphalenate;(c) Poly[P,P'-(propylene oxide-400)phosphite) -poly(propylene oxide-400-poly(propylene oxide-1000)diol)]]-P-P'-diasphalenate(d) Poly[P,P'-(propylene oxide-1000)phosphite -poly[di(propylene oxide-400) diol)]]-P,P'-diasphalenate;(e) poly[P,P'-(propylene oxide-1000)phosphite) poly[di(propylene oxide-1000)diol)]]-P,P'-diasphalenate;(f) poly[P,P'(propylene oxide-1000)phosphite) poly[di([propylene oxide-400-poly (propylene oxide-1000)diol)]]-P,P'-diasphaltenate;(g) cyclo[P,P'-di(polypropylene oxide -400)phosphite]-P,P'-diasphaltenate;(h) cyclo[P,P'-di-(polypropylene oxide-1000) phosphite]-P,P'-diasphaltenate;(i) cyclo[P,P'-(polypropyleneoxide-400) -(polypropyleneoxide-1000)-phosphite]-P,P'diasphaltenate;(j) poly[(dipropyleneoxide-4

Abstract: A composition of matter useful as an asphaltene dispersant, comprising a mixture of:(a) poly[di(propylene oxide-400)phosphite]-g-poly(propylene oxide-400) alcohol;(b) poly[di(propylene oxide-1000)phosphite]-g-poly(propylene oxide-400) alcohol;(c) poly[di(propylene oxide-400)phosphite]-g-poly(propylene oxide-1000) alcohol;(d) poly[di(propylene oxide-1000)phosphite]-g-poly(propylene oxide-1000) alcohol;(e) poly{star[di(propylene oxide-400)phosphite]-g-poly(propylene oxide-400)} alcohol;(f) poly{star[di(propylene oxide-1000)phosphite]-g-poly(propylene oxide-400)} alcohol;(g) poly{star[di(propylene oxide-400)phosphite]-g-poly(propylene oxide-1000) } alcohol; and(h) poly{star[di(propylene oxide-1000)phosphite]-g-poly(propylene oxide-1000)} alcohol.

Abstract: A catalyst and method for preparing a mixture of lower aliphatic alcohols is provided. The method includes reacting a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen under suitable conditions of temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalyst composition. The catalyst composition comprises rhodium, cobalt, molybdenum and cesium.

Abstract: A catalyst and method for preparing a mixture of lower aliphatic alcohols is provided. The method includes reacting a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen under suitable conditions of temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalyst composition. The catalyst composition comprises rhodium, cobalt, molybdenum and a combination of potassium and rubidium.

Abstract: A process for preparing MTBE wherein TBA and MeOH are continuously fed to a rectification tower having a packed solid-acid catalyst bed where the TBA and MeOH react in the presence of the catalyst to produce MTBE.