Abstract: Bi-axial implants for the replacement of human joints which require multi-axis rotation and translation as well as for the replacement of anatomical ball and socket joints. A first member has a fixation element such as a stem for affixation to a first bone and a convex head, which head is received in a cavity in a second member having a concave surface which member is designed for attachment to a second bone. Located between the convex and concave surfaces is a ring bearing which forms a circular line of contact with the convex head and a circular line of contact with the concave surface. When a load is applied and transferred between the first and second members, the position of the ring bearing shifts to an alignment substantially transverse to the direction in which the load is being applied.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for managing waste from patient care, maintenance, and/or treatment includes an inflatable bladder member disposed to support at least a first portion of the body of the patient. A flexible basin member is fitted over the bladder and receives waste materials, and a filter sheet is disposed atop the basin member. The basin member is connected to a liquid/gas separator and a vacuum blower. A liquid waste pump is connected to the separator to transfer liquid waste to a holding jug. A vacuum wand provides both suction and rinsing liquid via an on-demand pumping supply configuration that enables the rinsing liquid supplied from a rinse jug to be heated. Liquid levels in the rinse liquid jug, the holding jug, and the separator's holding reservoir are sensed by capacitive level sensing devices which supply signals to a microprocessor which controls various functions of the apparatus. Special inflatable sacks are provided to assist turning the patient to facilitate cleansing of the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which supports a patient on an inflatable structure. The inflatable structure preferably has two components: a) lower inflatable layer which is selectively operable to provide basic support for the patient and which includes a plurality of laterally offset zone which may be independently inflatable to control rotation of the patient. Further, a second inflatable layer includes a plurality of zones for establishing optimal patient interface pressures and patient comfort levels, and may also include sufficiently independent inner chambers to facilitate the providing of specific therapies such as alternation of primary pressure contact areas, or percussion or vibration of the patient through inner cell inflation.

Abstract: A dual wall, air gap exhaust manifold with an integral inlet connecting flange defining an elongated, internal, air injection passageway enclosed by an L-shaped plate welded over an elongated slot in the flange to form the elongated passageway, the L-shaped plate also being welded over a series of short channels which extend between the elongated passageway and the manifold inlet openings. The elongated passageway has an air inlet connector. The spaced dual walls of the manifold runners are joined together at the flange openings, just downstream of the channels.

Abstract: The present invention includes diaromatic substituted heterocyclic compounds (III) ##STR1## which are useful in treating individuals infected with the HIV virus.

Abstract: A sleeping bag for supporting and insulating an individual during sleep. The inventive device includes a sleeping bag having a pneumatic support assembly for supporting the sleeping bag in a spaced relationship relative to a ground surface. The pneumatic support assembly includes a plurality of elongated flexible air tubes which can be individually pressurized to a desired pneumatic pressure to support the sleeping bag at a desired height and firmness.

Abstract: The present invention includes a DNA clone from the myotonic muscular dystrophy gene, a cosmid probe to the myotonic dystrophy site, as well as methods of detecting myotonic muscular dystrophy using RFLP. The method involves the steps of digesting DNA from an individual to be tested with a restriction endonuclease and detecting the restriction fragment length polymorphism with hybridization to probes within the myotonic muscular locus and southern blot analysis. Alternatively, the myotonic muscular dystrophy gene can be measured by determining the amount of mRNA or measuring the amount of protein with an antibody. Further, the myotonic muscular dystrophy gene defect can be detected using either fluorescence in situ hybridization or pulsed field gel electrophoresis using the probes described herein.

Abstract: Dicitrate cyclic diester (dicitrate) is a novel compound which is found in patients who do not exhibit symptoms or predisposition to idiopathic renal calculous disease. Dicitrate can be isolated and detected by novel chromatographic methods. Further, treating patients prophylactically and therapeutically with dicitrate cyclic diester can prevent or reduce the effects of calcification-related disease, including some types of kidney stones, or other disease or condition associated with the presence of metal ions. The metal ion complexing properties exhibited by dicitrate are also applicable to the use of the subject compounds as chelating agents and methods of binding, and thereby reducing, the amounts of metal ions in a substance.

Abstract: A bileaflet heart valve is shown which incorporates a pivot arrangement that minimizes resistance to downstream blood flow in the open position yet has prompt response and therefore minimal regurgitation upon flow reversal. The valve employs a pair of identical flat leaflets that can assume a precisely parallel orientation in the fully open position at or near peak downstream blood flow or can alternatively assume other low energy positions. As the downstream flow of blood slows near the end of a pumping stroke, downstream displacement of the leaflets results in their prerotation toward the closed position orientation, all being controlled by the interengagement of flat ears, which extend laterally from opposite surfaces of the leaflets, and receiving cavities of unique design. The cavities include upstream and downstream lobes separated by an intermediate throat portion defined by inward and outward fulcrums.

Abstract: The present disclosure sets forth an improved integrated circuit in which circuit elements, adjacent to a fuse, are protected by barriers positioned adjacent the fuse. In the improved integrated circuit the barriers are non-frangible, high melting point structures buried in the passivating layer, covering a wiring layer containing a fuse, and are between the fuse and adjacent circuit elements in the wiring layer structures.Also taught is a method of protecting circuit elements adjacent a fuse comprising the steps of depositing an insulating layer on the surface of a semiconductor device having active regions therein, forming a plurality of fuses and circuit elements in said layer, coating said fuses and elements with a second insulating layer, patterning said second insulating layer to form grooves between each of said fuses and any adjacent fuse or circuit element, and depositing a high melting point and non-frangible material in said grooves.

Abstract: An automated system and method for remote workstation inventorying and monitoring within a distributed computing environment are presented. The computing environment includes a plurality of workstations interconnected by a network. Each workstation has basic peer-to-peer communication ability providing remote file transfer and remote command execution. A designated non-server workstation operates as a monitor for generating an execute command to be sent to each remote workstation to undergo monitoring. At the remote workstation a diagnostic routine is executed for monitoring at least one configuration characteristic of the remote workstation and for providing based thereon a report file. The report file is then returned to the monitor workstation for analysis, including compiling of an appropriate report and possible issuance of an alert message.

Abstract: An artist's brush washing apparatus providing multiple washings of an artist's brush utilizing fresh solvent and facilities for holding contaminated solvent. A top unit includes a washing basin which receives fresh solvent from a solvent reservoir assembly. The top unit overlies a holding pan and a solvent flushing assembly provides for the control and removal of contaminated solvent from the washing basin into the pan and the introduction of fresh solvent into the washing basin from the solvent reservoir assembly.

Abstract: A circuit board resists shear stress caused by the unequal thermal coefficients of expansion of a mounted electronic component and a circuit board upon which it is mounted. The circuit board is defined by a support layer, a shear stress-relieving layer and a conductive layer. The shear stress-relieving layer comprises a layer of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene having a compressive modulus of less than 50,000 pounds per square inch.

Abstract: A rust, corrosion, and scale removing composition is provided. It comprises an additive concentrate and water. The additive concentrate preferably consists of, on a parts by weight basis, 1.5 to 5 parts glycolic acid, 0.2 to 1 parts tetrasodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 2 to 6 parts citric acid, and 1 to 3 parts trisodium citrate dihydrate.

Abstract: A method for the production of a hydrolytically stable nylon membrane includes providing a nylon having at least about 0.9 moles of amino end groups per mole of nylon and preparing the nylon membrane therefrom. The membrane can be used in cartridges for use in filtration applications as may be necessary in the food and beverage industry as well as for the production of pharmaceuticals and the manufacture of electronic components. The membrane is capable of withstanding autoclaving and hot water sanitization without molecular dissociation regardless of its pore size, or thickness of the membrane, or the nylon solids content of the dope or, the temperature at which the dope is made.

Abstract: A liquid delivery system for a chemical vapor deposition apparatus, and a method of using the same employs one or more ultrasonic atomizing nozzles to inject one or more liquid precursor solutions directly into a CVD reactor chamber. The liquid delivery system can be operated either in a continuous mode or in a pulsed mode. In the pulsed mode, measured pulses of the liquid precursor solution are injected by the one or more ultrasonic atomizing nozzles so that control of film deposition rates as fine as monolayers per pulse can be obtained. Use of the ultrasonic nozzles insures that the liquid will be vaporized in the reactor chamber so that uniform deposition of films on one or more substrates in the reactor chamber is achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for managing waste from patient care, maintenance, and/or treatment includes an inflatable bladder member disposed to support at least a first portion of the body of the patient. A flexible basin member is fitted over the bladder and receives waste materials, and a filter sheet is disposed atop the basin member. The basin member is connected to a liquid/gas separator and a vacuum blower. A liquid waste pump is connected to the separator to transfer liquid waste to a holding jug. A vacuum wand provides both suction and rinsing liquid via an on-demand pumping supply configuration that enables the rinsing liquid supplied from a rinse jug to be heated. Liquid levels in the rinse liquid jug, the holding jug, and the separator's holding reservoir are sensed by capacitive level sensing devices which supply signals to a microprocessor which controls various functions of the apparatus. Special inflatable sacks are provided to assist turning the patient to facilitate cleansing of the patient.