Abstract: A free point tool comprises an elongated main shaft assembly and a low mass sensor assembly coaxially and slidingly disposed over the elongated main shaft. The low mass sensor assembly is adapted to be supported within the down hole casing by first and second drag spring centralizers coupled respectively to upper and lower ends of the low mass sensor assembly. The low mass sensor assembly comprises a magnetic amplifier sensor disposed in a sensor body and having a variable inductance proportionally responsive to longitudinal and rotational displacement of an adjacent sensor plate portion of a movable sensor sleeve concentric with and enclosing the sensor body, wherein the sensor sleeve is attached to the first drag spring centralizer and the sensor body is attached to the second drag spring centralizer.

Abstract: An instrument assembly for a well casing inspection tool, comprising a main shaft having an extension shaft extending therefrom. An instrument head is supported on bearings proximate one end of the main shaft. The rotating instrument head, which includes sensors for measuring wall thickness and caliper of the well casing, provides continuous 360 degree scanning of the interior of the well casing to obtain detailed measurements of the well casing. A motor drives the rotating instrument head through a gear train. A mandrel supported by the main shaft includes exciter coils for wall thickness, caliper, and permeability measurements. A capacitive slip ring couples signals between the rotating instrument head and stationary circuits in the instrument assembly.

Abstract: An instrument assembly for a well casing inspection tool, comprising a main shaft having an extension shaft extending therefrom. An instrument head is supported on bearings proximate one end of the main shaft. The rotating instrument head, which includes sensors for measuring wall thickness and caliper of the well casing, provides continuous 360 degree scanning of the interior of the well casing to obtain detailed measurements of the well casing. A motor drives the rotating instrument head through a gear train. A mandrel supported by the main shaft includes exciter coils for wall thickness, caliper, and permeability measurements. A capacitive slip ring couples signals between the rotating instrument head and stationary circuits in the instrument assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed are hyaluronic acid derivatives functionalised with S-nitrosothiol groups of the general formula: wherein HA indicates hyaluronic acid and G indicates a suitable spacer.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved coupling arrangements for medical instruments. In one example, a coupling system for a medical dissection tool includes: an internal passage adapted for receiving a portion of a medical dissection tool; and at least one locking member movable through a first angled path into a locked position to prevent the medical dissection tool from moving along a longitudinal axis of the internal passage.

Abstract: Devices are described relating to the retaining of surgical tools within the chuck of a reciprocating surgical instrument, such as a reciprocating saw. A securing chuck is disclosed for securing a surgical tool to a reciprocating surgical instrument that comprises a shaft and a securing member. The shaft defines an axis and has a cylindrical bore extending along the axis. The bore is shaped to receive a substantially rounded tool shank. A pair of transverse slots extends into the shaft along a plane passing through the axis for receiving a substantially flattened tool shank. The transverse slots intersect with the cylindrical bore. The securing member is carried by the shaft and is radially movable relative to the bore both inwardly and outwardly to secure the surgical tool in the chuck.

Abstract: A system of evaluating automatic message accounting records associated with telephony calls is disclosed. The system includes correlation logic to collect originating AMA records having an originating call code to identify a record of an originating long distance call and further to collect terminating AMA records that correspond to the collected originating automatic message accounting records. The system also includes evaluation logic to determine when a call may be by-passing terminating access charges by identifying calls that have been correlated with an originating AMA record having the originating code and with a terminating AMA record having a local termination code.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is disclosed a surgical instrument for the dissection of bone or other tissue, the surgical instrument including a tool having a shaft with a dissection area disposed adjacent a distal end and a coupling area disposed adjacent a proximal end; a coupling assembly configured for coupling to a power output of a motor to said coupling area of said tool; and an angled attachment tube positionable along at least a portion of said shaft and substantially supporting a portion of said shaft disposed adjacent said dissection area.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolation of novel ?-actin and ribosomal protein S21 (rpS21) promoters and uses thereof. In particular, this invention features nucleotide sequences for rodent ?-actin promoters including, hamster, rat, and mouse, and hamster rpS21 promoter.

Abstract: A bone morselization apparatus and method according to which a cutter bit is mounted to a casing containing a motor; and the casing is manually grasped and positioned over a plurality of bone segments. When the motor is activated, the cutter bit reciprocates and the bone segments are impacted by the cutter bit to morselize the segments.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolation of novel ?-actin and ribosomal protein S21 (rpS21) promoters and uses thereof. In particular, this invention features nucleotide sequences for rodent ?-actin promoters including, hamster, rat, and mouse, and hamster rpS21 promoter.

Abstract: A method of evaluating automatic message accounting records associated with telephony calls that originate at a local exchange carrier telephony office and that are routed over an inter-exchange carrier telephony facility is disclosed. The method comprises collecting originating automatic message accounting records associated with the originating local exchange carrier telephony office, and collecting terminating automatic message accounting records that correspond to the originating automatic message accounting records. A first portion of the terminating automatic message accounting records have a terminating access code and a second portion of the terminating automatic message accounting records have a local termination code.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of determining the point at which a tubular is stuck within another tubular or a wellbore by applying a tensile or torsional force to the stuck tubular and measuring the response of various locations within the tubular. In addition, the apparatus may be combined with a cutting tool to separate the free portion of the tubular from the stuck portion.

Abstract: A free point tool comprises an elongated main shaft assembly and a low mass sensor assembly coaxially and slidingly disposed over the elongated main shaft. The low mass sensor assembly is adapted to be supported within the down hole casing by first and second drag spring centralizers coupled respectively to upper and lower ends of the low mass sensor assembly. The low mass sensor assembly comprises a magnetic amplifier sensor disposed in a sensor body and having a variable inductance proportionally responsive to longitudinal and rotational displacement of an adjacent sensor plate portion of a movable sensor sleeve concentric with and enclosing the sensor body, wherein the sensor sleeve is attached to the first drag spring centralizer and the sensor body is attached to the second drag spring centralizer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing noise in a speech signal. A handset or remote unit provides to users with a hearing deficiency, a first mode of operation where noise suppressant/speech enhancement algorithms are used during any auditory-related service. There is also provided, in a related mode of operation, speech filtering for reducing noise in a speech signal received through the microphone and outputting the filtered sound to the speaker. The handset includes a microphone for receiving an auditory sound, a receiver for receiving an auditory signal and a speech filter for suppressing noise in the auditory signal and sound. The speech filter also may be configured to shift the frequency and/or alter the intensity of the auditory signal and sound. The speaker is used for amplifying and outputting the enhanced speech component as an audible sound.

Abstract: A roller cone body defines a circumferential channel or race into which a plurality of cutter or wear segments are mounted. The wear segments may be of any appropriate contour or shape, such as for example chisel, spherical, or even flat face and are preferably made or carbide. The wear elements may be all the same within a channel or race, or they may be varied within a race as needed for a particular application.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated and purified nucleic acid molecule encoding mammalian immunoglobulin A inducing protein (IGIP), and methods of using the IGIP nucleic acid molecule and IGIP, e.g., to prepare antibodies. Also provided is an anti-IGIP antibody and uses therefor.

Abstract: The present invention addresses this need in the art by providing a cutter insert comprising a plug section and a cutter pedestal. The cutter insert is preferably formed of tungsten carbide, except for two exterior surfaces covered with PDC. The plug section may be circular or oval in cross section perpendicular to the axis of the insert. The plug section and the pedestal each defines a shoulder which is coated with a PDC layer. In this way, two cutting surfaces are applied to the formation, enhancing the cutting ability of the insert.

Abstract: A roller cone bi-center bit for economically drilling an enlarged borehole below casing in earth formation is provided. The bi-center bit includes a rolling cone cutter or other appropriate cutter to enlarge a pilot bore also made by rolling cone or other type of cutters. The bit comprises a single-diameter body with a recess to accommodate the trailing cutter which enlarges the pilot bore. The bi-center bit may also provide the ability to change out the cutters efficiently in the field. The cutters are oriented to enhance drilling out the cement plug at the bottom of the casing. The cone cutter may be also be mounted on segments which are designed to be easily removed for replacement or adjustment in position in the field.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of determining the point at which a tubular is stuck within another tubular or a wellbore by applying a tensile or torsional force to the stuck tubular and measuring the response of various locations within the tubular. In addition, the apparatus may be combined with a cutting tool to separate the free portion of the tubular from the stuck portion.