Abstract: An aqueous hard surface cleaner with improved soil removal is provided and has, as components, the following:(a) either a nonionic or amphoteric surfactant with optionally, a quaternary ammonium surfactant, the total amount of the surfactants being present in a cleaning effective amount;(b) at least one water-soluble or dispersible organic solvent having a vapor pressure of at least 0.001 mm Hg at 25.degree. C., present in a solubilizing--or dispersion--effective amount;(c) Ammonium ethylenediamine--tetraacetate (ammonium EDTA) as a chelating agent, present in an amount effective to enhance soil removal in said cleaner, and(d) the remainder, water.

Abstract: This is a guide catheter assembly. The guide catheter assembly is used to cooperate with a micro-catheter in accessing a tissue target within the body, typically a target which is accessible through the vascular system. Central to the invention is the use of a braided metallic reinforcing member, situated within the catheter body in such a way to create a catheter section having an exceptionally thin wall, controlled stiffness, and high resistance to kinking. The catheter has a terminal segment which is not supported by a braid and the polymer making up that terminal segment is either the same hardness as is the polymer making up the outer covering of next more adjacent section or, preferably, the polymer is harder than is the polymer making up the segment located just proximally of that terminal segment. The braid may have a single pitch or may vary in pitch along the axis of the catheter or catheter section. The braided reinforcing member typically is embedded in a flexible outer tubing member.

Abstract: A solenoid operated control valve (10) including a housing (16) that defines an internal chamber (34) therein, where an electromagnetic coil (44) is coaxially mounted within the internal chamber (34). A tubular shaped movable armature (60) is positioned within the internal chamber (34). An armature spring (72) biases the armature (60) to a first position within the internal chamber (34) when the coil (44) is not energized, and the armature (60) moves to a second position against the bias of the spring (72) when the coil (44) is energized. The armature (60) contacts a first armature stop (76) when it is in the first position and contacts a second armature stop (92) when it is in the second position. Both the first and second armature stops (76, 92) include radially extended protrusions (100) in order to minimize hydraulic tension.

Abstract: An ultrasonic catheter device for removing obstructive matter from anatomical passageway includes a tubular body with distal head member in which a plurality of fluid passageways are formed about the lateral surface to expel fluid outward generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body.

Abstract: An aerosol cleaning composition for hard surfaces is provided. The dispensable includes: (a) an anionic, nonionic, amphoteric surfactant, and mixtures thereof with optionally, a quaternary ammonium surfactant, the total amount of said surfactant being present in a cleaning effective amount; (b) at least one water-soluble or dispersible organic solvent having a vapor pressure of at least 0.001 mm Hg at 25.degree. C., said at least one organic solvent present in a solubilizing--or dispersion--effective amount; (c) a chelating agent selected from the group consisting of tetrapotassium ethylenediamine-tetraacetate (potassium EDTA), tetraammonium ethylenediamine-tetraacetate (ammonium EDTA) and mixtures thereof, said chelating agent present in an amount effective to enhance soil removal in said composition; (d) an effective amount of a propellant; and (e) the remainder, water. The forming action of the aerosol composition facilitates the dispersement of the cleaning components.

Abstract: The invention provides an aqueous, hard surface cleaner with significantly improved residue removal and substantially reduced filming/streaking, said cleaner comprising:(a) an effective amount of at least one organic solvent with a vapor pressure of at least 0.001 mm Hg at 25.degree. C., and mixtures of such solvents;(b) an effective amount of at least one semi-polar nonionic surfactant, said surfactant having the structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is C.sub.5-20 alkyl, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are both C.sub.1-4 alkyl, or --(CH.sub.2).sub.p --OH, although R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 do not have to be equal, and p is 1-6;(c) an effective amount of a buffering system which comprises a nitrogenous buffer which will result in a pH of greater than 6.5; and(d) the remainder as substantially all water.

Abstract: An aqueous hard surface cleaner with improved soil removal is provided and has, as components, the following:(a) either a nonionic or amphoteric surfactant with optionally, a quaternary ammonium surfactant, the total amount of the surfactants being present in a cleaning effective amount;(b) at least one water-soluble or dispersible organic solvent having a vapor pressure of at least 0.001 mm Hg at 25.degree. C., present in a solubilizing--or dispersion--effective amount;(c) Ammonium ethylenediamine-tetraacetate (ammonium EDTA) as a chelating agent, present in an amount effective to enhance soil removal in said cleaner; and(d) the remainder, water.

Abstract: A method for rapidly producing a high volume individually customized printed novelties containing printed text located within defined regions of text displays of various sizes and shapes. The method is particularly well-suited for the rapid mass production of customized or personalized comics or comic books. The method involves predetermining the location and maximum length of the variable text to be included in the text, providing paper stock containing art and the borders of text displays without text sized to accommodate the maximum length of the variable text strings, integrating and formatting the fixed and variable text so as to control excess spacing between the variable and surrounding text, and printing the integrated text within the blank text displays in a manner which controls spacing between the text and the borders of text displays. The method utilizes conventional printing equipment to generate the printed stock and an electronic computer printer to add the customized text.

Abstract: Latitude and longitude information within a wireless navigation and information system (200) is transmitted from route planning equipment (207) to a base site (201). A translator (203) converts each reference point from an absolute coordinate to a relative coordinate by subtracting a reference geographic location from each absolute coordinate (350). The base site (201) then sends a message comprising the relative coordinates for each reference point to the remote unit (213). Finally, the remote unit (213) utilizes the reference geographic location and calculates absolute coordinates for each reference point and passes this information to any navigation equipment (705) that is coupled to the remote unit (213). Broadcasting only the relative coordinates of each reference point to the remote unit (213) allows reference points to be transmitted to the remote unit (213) in a shorter length message than with prior-art methods.

Abstract: A leg stretching apparatus is disclosed. The leg stretching apparatus includes a pair of leg assemblies, a handle assembly, and attachment means for securing each leg assembly to the handle assembly. Each leg assembly includes a first leg including a pivot end and an opposite end, and a second leg including a first end slidingly received within the opposite end of the first leg and an opposite end for engaging a user's legs. First means for securing the second leg within the first leg are included so that movement of the second leg is prohibited. The handle assembly includes a first handle having a first and second side and a first and second end, and a second handle having a first and second end. The first end of the second handle is slidingly received within the second end of the first handle. The second end of the second handle may be grasped by a user when the leg stretching apparatus is in use.

Abstract: A supercritical water oxidation reactor is alternately supplied with a feed stream and a flushing stream. The feed stream contains organic and inorganic materials. The organic materials are oxidized under supercritical conditions in the reactor and the inorganic materials precipitate out of solution under the same conditions. The flushing stream is a solution in which the inorganic material is soluble. More than one supercritical water oxidation reactor may be connected so that the feed stream is alternately supplied to each reactor. During the period when the feed stream is being supplied to a reactor the effluent from the reactor is cooled to a temperature at which inorganic precipitates are soluble and is then supplied as a flushing stream to one or more of the remaining connected supercritical water oxidation reactors.

Abstract: The invention provides an aqueous, hard surface cleaner with significantly improved residue removal and substantially reduced filming/streaking, said cleaner comprising:(a) an effective amount of at least one organic solvent with a vapor pressure of at least 0.001 mm Hg at 25.degree. C., and mixtures of such solvents;(b) an effective amount of at least one semi-polar nonionic surfactant, said surfactant having the structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is C.sub.5-20 alkyl, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are both C.sub.1-4 alkyl, or --(CH.sub.2).sub.p --OH, although R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 do not have to be equal, and p is 1-6;(c) an effective amount of a buffering system which comprises a nitrogenous buffer which will result in a pH of greater than 6.5; and(d) the remainder as substantially all water.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods and apparatus for perforating and treating zones of a well, as by hydraulic fracturing, stimulating and acidizing, and otherwise performing related activities within a well, wherein a plurality of perforating assemblies containing shaped charges are connected as part of a casing liner which is lowered into a well bore and then anchored therein by a column of cement in the annulus between the liner and bore to locate the assemblies opposite zones in a horizontal section of the well. Work strings are lowered into selected assemblies to cause tools carried thereby to sequentially detonate the shaped charges to perforate the zone opposite thereto and to selectively open or close the perforated zones by shifting a sleeve within a housing of the assembly as well as treating the perforated zones.

Abstract: A supercritical water oxidation reactor is alternately supplied with a feed stream and a flushing stream. The feed stream contains organic and inorganic materials. The organic materials are oxidized under supercritical conditions in the reactor and the inorganic materials precipitate out of solution under the same conditions. The flushing stream is a solution in which the inorganic material is soluble. More than one supercritical water oxidation reactor may be connected so that the feed stream is alternately supplied to each reactor. During the period when the feed stream is being supplied to a reactor the effluent from the reactor is cooled to a temperature at which inorganic precipitates are soluble and is then supplied as a flushing stream to one or more of the remaining connected supercritical water oxidation reactors.

Abstract: The invention provides an aqueous, hard surface cleaner with significantly improved residue removal and substantially reduced filming/streaking, said cleaner comprising:(a) an effective amount of a solvent selected from C.sub.1-6 alkanol, C.sub.3-24 alkylene glycol ether, and mixtures thereof;(b) an effective amount of at least one nonionic surfactant;(c) an effective amount of a buffering system which comprises a nitrogenous buffer selected from the group consisting of:ammonium or alkaline earth carbamates, guanidine derivatives, alkoxylalkylamines and alkyleneamines; and(d) the remainder as substantially all water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for driving an ultrasound transducer coupled to an ultrasound transmission disposed within an elongate catheter has a modulated output and utilizes feedback control. A modulating signal varying in amplitude and continuous in duration modulates an ultrasound transducer drive signal. The resulting modulated ultrasound transducer drive signal is likewise continuous in duration such that it lacks the abrupt accelerations which cause stress to be applied to the ultrasound transmission member in prior art devices. The current of the modulated drive signal is monitored and the voltage thereof is varied in response to changes in the current in order to provide feedback control.

Abstract: The invention provides an aqueous, hard surface cleaner with significantly improved residue removal and substantially reduced filming/streaking, said cleaner comprising:(a) an effective amount of a solvent selected from C.sub.1-6 alkanol, C.sub.3-24 alkylene glycol ether, and mixtures thereof;(b) an effective amount of a surfactant selected from amphoteric, nonionic and anionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof;(c) an effective amount of a buffering system which comprises a nitrogenous buffer selected from the group consisting of:ammonium or alkaline earth carbamates, guanidine derivatives, alkoxylalkylamines and alkyleneamines; and(d) the remainder as substantially all water.

Abstract: An ultrasonic guidewire insertable into a mammalian body for purposes of guiding a medical catheter, scope or other medical device into the body and, additionally, connectable to an external ultrasound generating source to transmit ultrasonic energy into the body. The invention includes methods of using the ultrasonic guidewire for purposes of ablating obstructive matter in a blood vessel or other body cavity and/or for delivering ultrasonic energy to treat vasospasm or muscular spasms within the body.

Abstract: A connector for attaching an ultrasound transducer to an ultrasound catheter has a support member formed on the ultrasound transducer for supporting at least a portion of a catheter coupling which is disposed at the proximal end of ultrasound catheter. The support member preferably comprises a collar slideably disposed upon the ultrasound transducer so as to move from a non-supporting position wherein the collar is disposed adjacent the catheter coupling to a supporting position wherein the collar is disposed around and engages the catheter coupling. Supporting at least a portion of the catheter coupling mitigates the occurrence of ultrasound transmission member breakage by reducing mechanical stress applied to the proximal end thereof.

Abstract: Well apparatus is disclosed in which a tool is lowered on a pipe string into a well conduit for shifting a sleeve slidably mounted within a tubular housing connected as part of the well conduit. The sleeve has vertically spaced grooves about its inner diameter, and the tool has latches which are selectively moved into and out of engagement with a selected groove in the sleeve in response to the control of the pressure of fluid within the tool. When engaged in a groove, the tool may be raised or lowered with the pipe string to raise or lower the sleeve.