Abstract: Process for the polymerization of one or more monomers in a fluidized bed reactor, which reactor comprises a reaction zone which is confined at the underside by a gas distribution plate and at the top side by a virtual end surface, in which a fluidized bed is maintained between the underside and the top side, and in which at least part of the gaseous stream withdrawn from the top of the reactor is cooled to a point where the stream partially condenses into a liquid and in which at least part of the resulting two-phase stream is recycled to the reactor via an inlet which terminates in the reactor below the gas distribution plate, wherein, the reaction zone of the reactor is divided into two compartments by a draft tube extending from a point located above the gas distribution plate such that the area ratio of the circumferential draft tube inlet area (Ahb) to annular area (Aa) is between 0.5 to 3, preferably 2, to a point located below the end surface.

Abstract: An inflatable central distractor is inserted in to a disc space between two vertebral endplates. A perimeter balloon is inserted into the disc space in such a manner as to surround the central inflatable distractor. The perimeter balloon and the central inflatable distractor are simultaneously expanded such that as the central inflatable distractor expands the perimeter balloon surrounds the central inflatable distractor and such that the central inflatable distractor and the perimeter balloon, when expanded, contribute to forcing adjacent vertebral endplates apart.

Abstract: An autoclaving microplate washing system for cells and non-adhering three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures includes one or more pumps for controlling the dispensing of washing fluid and the evacuation of fluid from microwells to gently wash the cells. A method of controlling the autoclaving microplate washing system includes controlling the one or more pumps for dispensing and evacuation.

Abstract: An autoclaving microplate washing system for cells and non-adhering three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures is provided. The autoclaving microplate washing system may include a dispensing pump; an aspirating peristaltic pump; and a processor configured to execute a cleaning control program, which when executed causes the autoclaving microplate washing system to independently control: the dispensing pump to control a first flow rate of a solution from a fluid reservoir through a plurality of dispense lines for output via the dispense pipes in microplate wells corresponding to positions of the dispense pipes; and the aspirating peristaltic pump to control a second flow rate of a waste solution through a plurality of aspiration lines for aspiration via aspiration pipes in microplate wells corresponding to positions of the aspiration pipes.

Abstract: Provided are devices, systems, and methods for treating or preventing heart failure or a symptom of heart failure through coordinated nerve activity interruption for one or more target nerves. Devices disclosed herein may comprise a vascular catheter comprising a telescopic needle assembly configured to puncture vascular tissue in contact with the catheter, wherein the needle assembly comprises one or more electrodes configured to deliver electrical energy to a tissue in contact with the one or more electrodes. Methods may include treating or preventing heart failure or a symptom of heart failure by inserting a catheter into a vascular tissue of the subject; guiding the catheter towards the greater splanchnic nerve; piercing the vascular tissue of the subject with a telescopic needle assembly extending outwards from the catheter towards the target nerve; and ablating the target nerve by delivering a stimulation energy to the target nerve with one or more electrodes.

Abstract: Provided are devices, systems, and methods for treating or preventing heart failure or a symptom of heart failure through coordinated nerve activity interruption for one or more target nerves. Devices disclosed herein may comprise a vascular catheter comprising a telescopic needle assembly configured to puncture vascular tissue in contact with the catheter, wherein the needle assembly comprises one or more electrodes configured to deliver electrical energy to a tissue in contact with the one or more electrodes. Methods may include treating or preventing heart failure or a symptom of heart failure by inserting a catheter into a vascular tissue of the subject; guiding the catheter towards the greater splanchnic nerve; piercing the vascular tissue of the subject with a telescopic needle assembly extending outwards from the catheter towards the target nerve; and ablating the target nerve by delivering a stimulation energy to the target nerve with one or more electrodes.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus and method for treating tension pneumothorax by using a rapid deployment chest port. The rapid deployment chest port can penetrate a patient's body to access a distressed pleural space. The rapid deployment chest port may create an airtight seal between the inside and outside of the patient's body and, when expanded, allow air or fluid to flow in one direction from inside the body to outside the body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are tissue marking devices and methods that enables marking a target tissue more than 24 hours prior to surgery. The tissue marking device includes a hook assembly having a compressed configuration and a deployed configuration and a handle assembly for positioning the hook assembly in a targeted tissue. The hook assembly may include a hook body comprising at least two hooks and a thread connected to the hook body. The handle assembly may include a handle body, a needle having a lumen, and a stylet having a lumen.

Abstract: An inflatable central distractor is inserted in to a disc space between two vertebral endplates. A perimeter balloon is inserted into the disc space in such a manner as to surround the central inflatable distractor. The perimeter balloon and the central inflatable distractor are simultaneously expanded such that as the central inflatable distractor expands the perimeter balloon surrounds the central inflatable distractor and such that the central inflatable distractor and the perimeter balloon, when expanded, contribute to forcing adjacent vertebral endplates apart.

Abstract: An inflatable central distractor is inserted in to a disc space between two vertebral endplates. A perimeter balloon is inserted into the disc space in such a manner as to surround the central inflatable distractor. The perimeter balloon and the central inflatable distractor are simultaneously expanded such that as the central inflatable distractor expands the perimeter balloon surrounds the central inflatable distractor and such that the central inflatable distractor and the perimeter balloon, when expanded, contribute to forcing adjacent vertebral endplates apart.

Abstract: A surgical device that provides a suction force against a patient's body. The device includes a stem having a proximate end and a distal end, the stem disposed about a channel, a suction head extending from the stem and defining a suction chamber in fluid communication with the channel, the suction head having a contact surface, and an articulating joint disposed between the contact surface of the suction head and the distal end of the stem. The articulating joint may be an annular joint and a living hinge. The surgical device may also include a handle disposed about the channel directly or may be disposed about the stem which is disposed about the channel. The handle may include a plurality of ribs extending outward which form a profile matching a profile of a user's hand.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing dicyclopentadiene from cyclopentadiene using reactive jet mixing are disclosed. A C5 hydrocarbon mixture that comprises cyclopentadiene (C5H6) is injected as a jet stream into C5 hydrocarbon liquid in a reactor tank. Under appropriate reaction conditions, cyclopentadiene is dimerized to form dicyclopentadiene.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus and method for treating tension pneumothorax by using a rapid deployment chest port. The rapid deployment chest port can penetrate a patient's body to access a distressed pleural space. The rapid deployment chest port may create an airtight seal between the inside and outside of the patient's body and, when expanded, allow air or fluid to flow in one direction from inside the body to outside the body.

Abstract: An inflatable central distractor is inserted in to a disc space between two vertebral endplates. A perimeter balloon is inserted into the disc space in such a manner as to surround the central inflatable distractor. The perimeter balloon and the central inflatable distractor are simultaneously expanded such that as the central inflatable distractor expands the perimeter balloon surrounds the central inflatable distractor and such that the central inflatable distractor and the perimeter balloon, when expanded, contribute to forcing adjacent vertebral endplates apart.

Abstract: An autoclaving microplate washing system for cells and non-adhering three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures includes one or more peristaltic pumps for controlling the dispensing of washing fluid and the evacuation of fluid from microwells to gently wash the cells.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing dicyclopentadiene from cyclopentadiene using reactive jet mixing are disclosed. A C5 hydrocarbon mixture that comprises cyclopentadiene (C5H6) is injected as a jet stream into C5 hydrocarbon liquid in a reactor tank. Under appropriate reaction conditions, cyclopentadiene is dimerized to form dicyclopentadiene.

Abstract: An autoclaving microplate washing system for cells and non-adhering three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures includes one or more peristaltic pumps for controlling the dispensing of washing fluid and the evacuation of fluid from microwells to gently wash the cells.

Abstract: A surgical device that provides a suction force against a patient's body. The device includes a handle and a suction head pivotally attached to the handle. The suction head includes an open-ended suction chamber having a rim positioned to engage the patient's skin. An actuator on the handle operates a pump to draw a negative pressure in the suction chamber, causing the rim to seal against the patient's skin via the suction force. Once the suction force is initiated, the user may lift the handle away from the patient's body to lift tissue. The lifted tissue provides a site for insertion of a trocar or Veress needle for a laparoscopic procedure in some embodiments. A gimbal disposed between the handle and the suction head provides at least two degrees of freedom such that the handle can be rotated and pivoted to optimize the direction of applied lifting force.

Abstract: A surgical device that provides a suction force against a patient's body. The device includes a stem having a proximate end and a distal end, the stem disposed about a channel, a suction head extending from the stem and defining a suction chamber in fluid communication with the channel, the suction head having a contact surface, and an articulating joint disposed between the contact surface of the suction head and the distal end of the stem. The articulating joint may be an annular joint and a living hinge. The surgical device may also include a handle disposed about the channel directly or may be disposed about the stem which is disposed about the channel. The handle may include a plurality of ribs extending outward which form a profile matching a profile of a user's hand.

Abstract: A method of manipulating patient tissue with a surgical device that provides a suction force against a patient's body. The device includes a handle and a suction head pivotally attached to the handle. The suction head includes an open-ended suction chamber having a rim positioned to engage the patient's skin. An actuator on the handle operates a pump to draw a negative pressure in the suction chamber, causing the rim to seal against the patient's skin via the suction force. Once the suction force is initiated, the user may lift the handle away from the patient's body to lift tissue. The lifted tissue provides a site for insertion of a trocar or Veress needle for a laparoscopic procedure in some embodiments. A gimbal disposed between the handle and the suction head provides at least two degrees of freedom such that the handle can be rotated and pivoted to optimize the direction of applied lifting force.