Abstract: A surgical system or assembly for performing cardiac surgery includes a surgical instrument; a servo-mechanical system engaged to the surgical instrument for operating the surgical instrument; and an attachment assembly for removing at least one degree of movement from a moving surgical cardiac worksite to produce a resultant surgical cardiac worksite. The surgical system or assembly also includes a motion tracking system for gathering movement information on a resultant surgical cardiac worksite. A control computer is engaged to the attachment assembly and to the motion tracking system and to the servo-mechanical system for controlling movement of the attachment assembly and for feeding gathered information to the servo-mechanical system for moving the surgical instrument in unison with the resultant surgical cardiac worksite such that a relative position of the moving surgical instrument with respect to the resultant surgical cardiac worksite is generally constant.

Abstract: A process for preparing crystalline particles of a drug substance is disclosed, said process comprising recirculating an anti-solvent through a mixing zone, dissolving the drug substance in a solvent to form a solution, adding the solution to the mixing zone to form a particle slurry in the anti-solvent, and recirculating at least a portion of the particle slurry back through the mixing zone. Particles produced from the process are also disclosed. The present invention has the ability to be operated in a continuous fashion, resulting in a more efficient process and a more uniform product. The present invention has the additional advantage of having the ability to operate at a relatively low solvent ratio, thereby increasing the drug to excipient ratio.

Abstract: A combination carpenter square and bevel/sliding bevel having three triangle-shaped adjoining legs, with an articulating joint between the hypotenuse leg and each adjoining leg. The other two non-hypotenuse legs are capable of being latched or detached by a latching joint that, when latched, forms a substantially 90 degree angle between the two non-hypotenuse legs to function as a carpenter's square. One of the articulating joints at the hypotenuse leg is capable of tightening and loosening. The hypotenuse leg also consists of a slot positioned longitudinally of the hypotenuse leg. The tightening and loosening articulated joint joins the hypotenuse leg with an adjacent leg through the slot, which allows the adjacent leg movement about the joint relative to the hypotenuse leg to function as a bevel. The articulated joints and the detaching function of the latching joint allows the combination square and bevel/sliding bevel to be folded into a compact shape.

Abstract: A single operator exchange biliary catheter having a common distal lumen. The biliary catheter includes an elongate shaft having a proximal portion defining an ancillary lumen and a distal portion defining a common guidewire and ancillary lumen. The common distal lumen reduces the profile of the distal portion of the shaft. The elongate shaft also includes a proximal guidewire port disposed between the proximal end of the shaft and the distal end of the shaft to facilitate single operator use. A seal may be disposed adjacent the proximal guidewire port to thereby seal the port. Preferably, the shaft includes a single lumen distal portion and a bitumen proximal portion. The single lumen distal portion of the shaft may be curved and may include a tapered or spherically shaped distal tip.

Abstract: A system unit has at least a first network identity and a second network identity for communicating with a network, and an indication of which of the network identities was effective on the most recent complete initialization of the system unit. On a subsequent initialization of the system unit, for example after moving the system unit, the effective network identity is changed. The indication is reset to the effective network identity if initialization completes. A system unit can thus be taken out of service and then restarted with a different identity. This enables the system unit reliably to check information from the network without fear of conflict with its previous network identity. The system unit can be a service processor that is operable to allocate network identities to further units (e.g. on a shelf on which the service processor resides).

Abstract: A computer system (for example a blade server system) includes a connection framework for receiving at least two replaceable units (e.g., service processor units). Where a first replaceable unit is provided in the connection framework, the first replaceable unit can, on a second replaceable unit being received in the framework, allow restricted use of a default admin user login without a password for up to the end of predetermined period following receipt of the second replaceable unit. On receipt of an admin login with a configured password during the period, or on expiry of the period, the system can revert to normal operation.

Abstract: A modular computer system (for example a blade server system) includes a plurality of information processing modules (e.g., server blades). Each information processing module can include a processor operable to provide information processing functions and a service controller operable to provide both management and console functions. A service processor can be connectable via a respective management connection to the service controller of each information processing module. Each management connection between the service processor and a service controller can be operable to carry both management signals and console signals. Management signals to be sent between the service processor and the service controller can be interlaced with console signals via the management connection in one or more management packets bounded by terminal escape sequences.

Abstract: A multi-tier rotary grill for grilling and heating food items such as hot dogs, sausages, metts and similar food items. The rotary grill includes heated rollers that are arranged in vertically spaced apart roller tiers. The rollers in the multiple roller tiers lie in common respective planes that are substantially parallel to each other and may slope upwardly from a front to a back of the rotary grill.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the in vitro or in vivo cyclization of protein or peptide sequences. Also disclosed is a method of fusing polypeptide sequences while bound to a solid support These protein manipulation techniques relied on the trans-splicing activity of a split intein such as the naturally occuring split intein form the DnaE gene of Synechocysil sp. PCC6803 (Ssp DnaE intein). The cyclization procedures required the fusion of C- and N-terminal intern splicing domains to the N- and C-termini, respectively, of a target protein (Ineinc-target protein-InteinN). Cyclization in vivo occurred post-translationally when the two complementary intein splicing domains ligated the N- and C-terminus of the target protein. In vitro cyclization also utilized and InteinC-target protein-InteinN precursor protein, in which the intein domains were fused to a chitin binding domain (CBD). Protein expression was conducted under conditions that favored the accumulation of precursor protein.

Abstract: A multi-function laparoscopic instrument with an end effector assembly including at least first and second movable members, a first actuator coupled to the first movable member, a second actuator coupled to the second movable member, and a handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a drive mechanism, at least one movable trigger pivotably connected with the drive mechanism, and a switching mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism and having at least two positions, a first position in which the drive mechanism is engaged with the first actuator to operate the first movable member when the movable trigger is activated and, a second position in which the drive mechanism is engaged with the second actuator to operate the second movable member when the movable trigger is activated.

Abstract: A system for communicating with a residential electrical load center, including a residential electrical wiring system and at least one electronic communicating circuit breaker. The electronic communicating circuit breaker includes a fuse protected communications and control module. The system provides power to the fuse protected communications and control module utilizing the residential electrical wiring system, and operates the electronic communicating circuit breaker utilizing the fuse protected communications and control module regardless of whether the electronic communicating circuit breaker is in an ‘Open’ or ‘Closed’ state.

Abstract: A heat shield protecting the face, forehead, ears, and neck and to promote medical safety for users of hooded hair dryers and other heated hair appliances. The shield includes a face shield holder being generally unshaped in construction and adapted to from around the front and side of the user's face. The holder has a pair of retainer elements adapted for holding said face shield around said user's head. A face visor is attached to the face shield and generally extending downward to cover the user's face when said face shield holder is held around the user's head. A forehead protector shield also is attached to the face shield holder. for shielding the user's forehead from air blown by said hooded hair dryer. A neck shield cape has a pair of handles for attaching in front of a user's neck and the ends of the cape rests on a user's shoulders or are attachable to the sides and rear of a hooded hair dryer.

Abstract: An improved drawer glide for a drawer slide assembly provides drawer slide securement means taking the form of an internal recess with a ramped locking tab that lockingly secures a rear portion of an elongated metal drawer slide extending past a rear panel of a drawer. By providing the recess within the drawer glide as part of the drawer slide securement means, a range of lengths of drawer slides may be used for a given drawer length, significantly reducing the number of different sizes of drawer slides required to meet demands of the furniture industry. The ramped locking tab also facilitates furniture assembly by providing reliable securement of the drawer slide in the drawer guide prior to installation on in a furniture unit. External integral reinforcement means are also provided in the form of gussets.

Abstract: A surgical system or assembly for performing cardiac surgery includes a surgical instrument; a servo-mechanical system engaged to the surgical instrument for operating the surgical instrument; and an attachment assembly for removing at least one degree of movement from a moving surgical cardiac worksite to produce a resultant surgical cardiac worksite. The surgical system or assembly also includes a motion tracking system for gathering movement information on a resultant surgical cardiac worksite. A control computer is engaged to the attachment assembly and to the motion tracking system and to the servo-mechanical system for controlling movement of the attachment assembly and for feeding gathered information to the servo-mechanical system for moving the surgical instrument in unison with the resultant surgical cardiac worksite such that a relative position of the moving surgical instrument with respect to the resultant surgical cardiac worksite is generally constant.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and apparatus represents system management information for components of the system as instances of object classes within a defined inheritance hierarchy. The class inheritance hierarchy includes multiple levels below a root object class including at least a first level below the root object class and a second level below the first level. At least one first level object class at the first level forms an instance of the root class and at least one second level object class at the second level forms an instance at the first level object class. Each instance of an object class has at least one attribute with a value representing a characteristic of that instance of the object class. The method and apparatus involve populating a plurality of tables. The tables are allocated to respective object classes at the multiple levels. The tables are populated with instance entries for instances of the object classes to which the tables are allocated.

Abstract: The present invention provides various processes for the preparation of (R)-&agr;-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-piperidinemethanol.

Abstract: A method and product for marketing and selling cotton candy comprises forming cotton candy from molten sugar to form a fluffy wad of cotton candy and positioning the fluffy wad of cotton candy in a rigid, sealed container through an opening in the container. The rigid container defines a static volume which surrounds the cotton candy wad and generally prevents the wad from being easily compressed. The rigid container is sealed with a lid which covers the opening in an airtight fashion and further defines a generally airtight static volume within the container for surrounding the wad of cotton candy. The wad of cotton candy in the rigid container is presented for direct consumption by a consumer from the container.

Abstract: A multi-function laparoscopic instrument with an end effector assembly including at least first and second movable members, a first actuator coupled to the first movable member, a second actuator coupled to the second movable member, and a handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a drive mechanism, at least one movable trigger pivotably connected with the drive mechanism, and a switching mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism and having at least two positions, a first position in which the drive mechanism is engaged with the first actuator to operate the first movable member when the movable trigger is activated and, a second position in which the drive mechanism is engaged with the second actuator to operate the second movable member when the movable trigger is activated.

Abstract: A processing unit is connectable to a data communications network. The processing unit includes a device reader for a portable storage device. The portable storage device (e.g., a secure smart card) includes storage operable to supply a network identity for the processing unit and an access controller. The access controller is operable to prevent unauthorised writing to the storage. Before reading the network identity from the portable storage device, the processing device attempts a write to the storage of the portable storage device, and, only on determining that the write has failed, reads the supplied network identity. The processing unit is thereby able to check that the portable storage device is a valid secure data storage device and not a counterfeit portable storage device. If it is a genuine secure portable storage device, the write access will not be permitted, whereas if it is a non-secure portable storage device, there is a risk that it is a counterfeit.

Abstract: A sign-mounting system for mounting a sign to a structure, includes a frame portion mountable to the sign and a mounting portion mountable to the structure. The system can be symmetrical with each side having coupling elements of the frame and mounting portions which include generally circular rims which fit generally concentrically one within the other. Each rim has locking parts of different radius than adjacent portions of that rim, and the locking parts of respective rims engage to resist rotation. The locking parts can be configured so that resistance to rotation occurs at a plurality of orientations. The respective locking parts can be of different arc lengths to provide a limited range of rotation before the locking parts resist rotation, and a spring can bias rotation in one direction. At least one of the coupling elements can be reversible with two opposite-facing rims.