Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of carbon nanotubes, in particular those having a diameter of 3-150 nm and an aspect ratio of length:diameter (L:D)>100, by decomposition of hydrocarbons on a heterogeneous catalyst which comprises Mn, Co, preferably also molybdenum, and an inert support material, and the catalyst and the carbon nanotubes themselves and the use thereof.

Abstract: A method for performing a coronary artery bypass graft procedure on a patient to connect a bypass vessel to a target vessel includes the steps of creating an opening in the patient that communicates with the thoracic cavity of the patient; providing a bypass vessel having a lumen and at least one free end; passing the free end of the bypass vessel from the thoracic cavity through the opening to a position outside the body of the patient; attaching a connector to the free end of bypass vessel while the free end of the bypass vessel is outside the body of the patient; passing the free end of the bypass vessel from the position outside the body of the patient through the opening and into the thoracic cavity; and connecting the free end of the bypass vessel to a target vessel with the connector.

Abstract: A spectroscopic sensor for measuring flat sheet product is disclosed. The disclosed sensor uses a combination of spectrometers and single-channel detectors and filters together with a broadband source of illumination to optimally measure multiple properties of a flat sheet product. A spectrometer is used to measure over a spectral range where an easily configurable set of wavelength channels is needed and where the signal-to-noise ratios and spectral resolutions of the channels are consistent with the spectral range and number of pixels of the spectrometer; while one or more single channel detector and filter combinations are used to measure, with high signal-to-noise ratio, at specific wavelengths within or outside the spectral range of the spectrometer(s).

Abstract: An apparatus includes a gas chamber comprising a gas feed nozzle, an exhaust nozzle, and a window. The apparatus also includes a first partial reflector, in the gas chamber, sharing an optical path with the exhaust nozzle, and the window. Optionally, The apparatus includes a gas source communicating with the gas feed nozzle. Optionally, the gas source includes a gas having an ionization potential higher than air and a nonlinear index of refraction lower than air.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing robotic tooling for vehicle body sheet metal robotic assembly operates a robot to transfer robotic tooling between an assembly station and a rotary storage rack (56) of a storage rack assembly (28). The storage rack (56) has vertically spaced storage locations and is rotated about a vertical axis to provide circumferentially spaced storage locations.

Abstract: Impression devices are provided for making an impression of a desired feature. The impression devices include: a flexible bladder having a cavity formed therein, the flexible bladder being capable of conforming to the details of the desired feature; a rheological material, such as a magnetorheological fluid, disposed in the cavity of the flexible bladder; and an activator for applying an external stimulus to the rheological material to change the state of the rheological material and thereby capture an impression of the desired feature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structured surface with ultraphobic properties. Said surface as a surface topography in which the value of the integral of a function S: S(log f)=a(f)·f, which gives a relationship between the spatial frequencies f of the individual Fourier components and their amplitudes a(f) is at least 0.5 between the integration limits log (f1/?m?1)=?3 and log (f2/?m?1)=3. The surface consists of a hydrophobic or oleophobic material or is coated with a hydrophobic or oleophobic material.

Abstract: A spectroscopic sensor for measuring flat sheet product is disclosed. The disclosed sensor uses a combination of spectrometers and single-channel detectors and filters together with a broadband source of illumination to optimally measure multiple properties of a flat sheet product. A spectrometer is used to measure over a spectral range where an easily configurable set of wavelength channels is needed and where the signal-to-noise ratios and spectral resolutions of the channels are consistent with the spectral range and number of pixels of the spectrometer; while one or more single channel detector and filter combinations are used to measure, with high signal-to-noise ratio, at specific wavelengths within or outside the spectral range of the spectrometer(s).

Abstract: An apparatus includes a gas chamber comprising a gas feed nozzle, an exhaust nozzle, and a window. The apparatus also includes a first partial reflector, in the gas chamber, sharing an optical path with the exhaust nozzle, and the window. Optionally, The apparatus includes a gas source communicating with the gas feed nozzle. Optionally, the gas source includes a gas having an ionization potential higher than air and a nonlinear index of refraction lower than air.

Abstract: A leg model, designed to teach endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting, is provided that accurately models the anatomy of the saphenous vein in the human thigh, and closely approximates the subcutaneous tissues in a human. The subcutaneous tissue is formulated and manufactured such that the saphenous vein adheres to the subcutaneous tissue to simulate the adhesion in a human leg. The model includes a reusable base and a replaceable single use insert. The base is size and configured to receive the insert. The tray can include a slit located at a point along its length that permits the ends of the tray to rotate about the slit so that the ends can be bent with respect to one another.

Abstract: A method for performing a coronary artery bypass graft procedure on a patient to connect a bypass vessel to a target vessel includes the steps of creating an opening in the patient that communicates with the thoracic cavity of the patient; providing a bypass vessel having a lumen and at least one free end; passing the free end of the bypass vessel from the thoracic cavity through the opening to a position outside the body of the patient; attaching a connector to the free end of bypass vessel while the free end of the bypass vessel is outside the body of the patient; passing the free end of the bypass vessel from the position outside the body of the patient through the opening and into the thoracic cavity; and connecting the free end of the bypass vessel to a target vessel with the connector.

Abstract: A retractor including: an extension member having distal and proximal ends; a retractor member connected to the distal end of the extension member, the retractor member having a retractor surface. In a first implementation, at least a portion of the retractor surface has a distal vacuum port for positively retaining the tissue upon application of a vacuum to the vacuum port. In an alternative implementation, the retractor has an illuminator for transmitting light into an interior of the body proximate to the tissue.

Abstract: A retractor including: an extension member having distal and proximal ends; a retractor member connected to the distal end of the extension member, the retractor member having a retractor surface. In a first implementation, at least a portion of the retractor surface has a distal vacuum port for positively retaining the tissue upon application of a vacuum to the vacuum port. In an alternative implementation, the retractor has an illuminator for transmitting light into an interior of the body proximate to the tissue.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards a process for the epoxidation of olefins, using molecular oxygen and hydrogen, characterized in that, as catalyst, a compound comprising gold, preferably in nanometer size, on a support material, in which the support material is comprised of Scandium, Yttrium, Lanthanide, Zirconium, Hafnium, Vanadium, Niobium, Tantalum, Chromium, Molybdenum and/or Tungsten and is essentially free of titanium is applied, and a compound comprising gold, preferably in nanometer size, on a support material, in which the support material is comprised of Scandium, Yttrium, Lanthanide, Zirconium, Hafnium, Vanadium, Niobium, Tantalum, Chromium, Molybdenum and/or Tungsten and is essentially free of titanium, a process for the preparation of said compounds and a method of catalyzing a chemical reaction through conducting said chemical reaction in the presence of said compound.

Abstract: A retractor including: an extension member having distal and proximal ends; a retractor member connected to the distal end of the extension member, the retractor member having a retractor surface. In a first implementation, at least a portion of the retractor surface has a distal vacuum port for positively retaining the tissue upon application of a vacuum to the vacuum port. In an alternative implementation, the retractor has an illuminator for transmitting light into an interior of the body proximate to the tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to an agent for protecting a material, especially a wood protection agent. The inventive agent is based on a polymer or resin, with a waterproofing agent and filler particles which are dispersed in said resin or said polymer. The invention also relates to bodies consisting of wood which have been treated with the wood protection agent and to a method for protecting materials that are sensitive to the weather, especially wood.

Abstract: Impression devices are provided for making an impression of a desired feature. The impression devices include: a flexible bladder having a cavity formed therein, the flexible bladder being capable of conforming to the details of the desired feature; a rheological material, such as a magnetorheological fluid, disposed in the cavity of the flexible bladder; and an activator for applying an external stimulus to the rheological material to change the state of the rheological material and thereby capture an impression of the desired feature.

Abstract: A leg model, designed to teach endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting, is provided that accurately models the anatomy of the saphenous vein in the human thigh, and closely approximates the subcutaneous tissues in a human. The subcutaneous tissue is formulated and manufactured such that the saphenous vein adheres to the subcutaneous tissue to simulate the adhesion in a human leg. The model includes a reusable base and a replaceable single use insert. The base is size and configured to receive the insert. The tray can include a slit located at a point along its length that permits the ends of the tray to rotate about the slit so that the ends can be bent with respect to one another.

Abstract: A suction device includes a suction cup having a vacuum inlet for connection to a vacuum source. The suction cup has a wall defining a cavity that is in fluid communication with the vacuum inlet and an engagement surface for engaging a tissue surface. The suction cup is formed of a material that minimizes injury to the tissue surface contacted by the engagement surface and tissue captured when the vacuum is applied and permits the captured tissue to be perfused during use of the suction device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an ultraphobic surface on aluminium as the supporting material and to the resulting surface and its use. According to said method, the surface of an aluminium support is anodized, especially by anodic oxidation, and/or electrochemically pickled in an acid solution with an alternating voltage, treated in hot water or water vapor at a temperature of 50 to 100° C., optionally coated with an adhesion promoter layer and then provided with a hydrophobic or especially oleophobic coating.