Abstract: The capture component of tissue retrieval apparatus is strengthened to improve its structural integrity when utilized within very dense tissue. Eyelet structures carrying pursing cable are improved through the utilization of slightly expanded constant widths with diminished lengths to avoid fold back phenomena. The pursing cables employed with the capture component exhibit more than a 100% improvement in tensile strength at high electrosurgical cutting temperatures through the utilization of strands having about a 1.4 mil diameter formed with a type 316 stainless steel.

Abstract: A showerhead electrode assembly of a plasma processing apparatus includes a thermal control plate attached to a showerhead electrode, and a top plate attached to the thermal control plate. At least one thermal bridge is provided between opposed surfaces of the thermal control plate and the top plate to allow electrical and thermal conduction between the thermal control plate and top plate. A lubricating material between the thermal bridge and the top plate minimizes galling of opposed metal surfaces due to differential thermal expansion between the top plate and thermal control plate. A heater supported by the thermal control plate cooperates with the temperature controlled top plate to maintain the showerhead electrode at a desired temperature.

Abstract: The capture component of tissue retrieval apparatus is strengthened to improve its structural integrity when utilized within very dense tissue. Eyelet structures carrying pursing cable are improved through the utilization of slightly expanded constant widths with diminished lengths to avoid fold back phenomena. The pursing cables employed with the capture component exhibit more than a 100% improvement in tensile strength at high electrosurgical cutting temperatures through the utilization of strands having about a 1.4 mil diameter formed with a type 316 stainless steel.

Abstract: A system cleans a set of optical connectors. The system includes a fluid source, a vacuum source, a support member which defines a cleaning device edge, and a set of cleaning devices. Each cleaning device includes (i) a fluid intake member which connects to the fluid source, (ii) a fluid output member which connects to the vacuum source, and (iii) a cleaning head which connects to the fluid intake member and the fluid output member. Each cleaning device is disposed along the cleaning device edge of the support member. The set of cleaning devices is configured to (a) align over a set of optical interfaces of the set of optical connectors, (b) direct fluid (e.g., gas, gaseous snow, etc.) from the fluid source toward the set of optical interfaces, and (c) draw the directed fluid away from the set of optical interfaces and toward the vacuum source.

Abstract: A pelvic splint for immobilizing and maintaining the annular integrity of the pelvis in the event of a pelvic ring fracture. The pelvic splint extends from about 5-10 cm above the iliac crest down to about the middle third of the thighs and substantially encircles the pelvis of the victim. The splint is then secured about the pelvis of the victim with two or more adjustable straps. The splint comprises a flexible casing having at least one pliable padding layer disposed therein and a plurality of flexible members individually disposed in pockets spaced apart about the casing. Once tightly secured around the pelvis by the adjustable straps, the splint conforms to the contours of the victim's pelvic area and stabilizes the pelvis by preventing lateral movement and constraining the pelvis in such a manner to preserve the annular integrity thereof. An associated method of stabilizing a pelvis is also disclosed.

Abstract: A retroreflective structure includes a retroreflective sheeting having an array of transparent prisms formed into pairs of prisms. Each prism includes a base aperture and three intersecting lateral faces meeting at an apex. Each of the lateral faces includes a base edge which forms a portion of the perimeter of the base aperture. The base edge of each lateral face intersects the base edge of a contiguous lateral face to form a base point, the first face of at least one prism in the array including a first face first planar surface and a first face second planar surface. The first face first planar surface and the first face second planar surface are contiguous along an edge having a first and second end points, wherein the apex, the first end point, and a first base point are coplanar and form a continuous edge from the first base point to the apex.

Abstract: A system enables inspection of an optical connector. The system includes a positioning subassembly, an electronic sensor (e.g., a scanner, a camera, etc.), and a controller coupled to the positioning subassembly and the electronic sensor. The controller is configured to position the electronic sensor over the optical connector, activate the electronic sensor to obtain a set of electronic signals which defines a set of current images of the optical connector, and electronically generate a result based on the set of electronic signals. The result indicates an attribute of the optical connector. Accordingly, the system is capable of inspecting the optical connector in a repeatable and non-subjective manner.

Abstract: A molded snowshoe of a high impact plastic material able to efficiently ascend inclines and yet incorporating the ability to change configuration such that the user can ski downhill. The device includes the ability for the position of the user's foot relative to the present invention to change during transformation from snowshoe mode to ski mode, thus actuating the rotation of wings ending in a position under the device to form a continuous ski-able surface. Snowshoeing is performed when the wings are rotated in an outward position, thus enabling the user's foot to have the freedom to rotate through the plane of the bottom surface of the present invention.

Abstract: A system cleans a set of optical connectors. The system includes a fluid source, a vacuum source, a support member which defines a cleaning device edge, and a set of cleaning devices. Each cleaning device includes (i) a fluid intake member which connects to the fluid source, (ii) a fluid output member which connects to the vacuum source, and (iii) a cleaning head which connects to the fluid intake member and the fluid output member. Each cleaning device is disposed along the cleaning device edge of the support member. The set of cleaning devices is configured to (a) align over a set of optical interfaces of the set of optical connectors, (b) direct fluid (e.g., gas, gaseous snow, etc.) from the fluid source toward the set of optical interfaces, and (c) draw the directed fluid away from the set of optical interfaces and toward the vacuum source.

Abstract: A retroreflective structure includes a retroreflective sheeting having an array of transparent prisms formed into pairs of prisms. Each prism includes a base aperture and three intersecting lateral faces meeting at an apex. Each of the lateral faces includes a base edge which forms a portion of the perimeter of the base aperture. The base edge of each lateral face intersects the base edge of a contiguous lateral face to form a base point, the first face of at least one prism in the array including a first face first planar surface and a first face second planar surface. The first face first planar surface and the first face second planar surface are contiguous along an edge having a first and second end points, wherein the apex, the first end point, and a first base point are coplanar and form a continuous edge from the first base point to the apex.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate an analysis of a commercial mortgage backed security portfolio. According to one embodiment, base information is determined associated with a CMBS portfolio having a plurality of mortgage loans. Information associated with an additional mortgage loan to be added to the portfolio is also determined, including at least one desired profitability value for the additional mortgage loan. At least one loan spread value associated with the additional mortgage loan is then transmitted to a user terminal via a communication network.

Abstract: Genetic testing for male infertility or damage to spermatozoa is accomplished by providing a microarray of DNA probes with a sample of spermatozoa to determine the mRNA fingerprints of the sample; and comparing the mRNA fingerprints of the sample with the mRNA fingerprints of normal fertile male spermatozoa.

Abstract: There is proposed an optical amplifier apparatus particularly for use in networks distributing signals by optical fibers, comprising first and second parallel optical branches (1, 2), the first optical branch (1) including optical amplifier means (5, 6) for amplifying digital signals and the second optical branch including optical amplifier means (7) for amplifying analogue signals, the optical amplifier means (5, 6) of the first optical path (1) being adapted to amplify bidirectional digital signals and the optical amplifier means (7) of the second optical branch (2) being adapted to amplify unidirectional analogue signals.

Abstract: A pelvic splint for immobilizing and maintaining the annular integrity of the pelvis in the event of a pelvic ring fracture. The pelvic splint extends from about 5-10 cm above the iliac crest down to about the middle third of the thighs and substantially encircles the pelvis of the victim. The splint is then secured about the pelvis of the victim with two or more adjustable straps. The splint comprises a flexible casing having at least one pliable padding layer disposed therein and a plurality of flexible members individually disposed in pockets spaced apart about the casing. Once tightly secured around the pelvis by the adjustable straps, the splint conforms to the contours of the victim's pelvic area and stabilizes the pelvis by preventing lateral movement and constraining the pelvis in such a manner to preserve the annular integrity thereof. An associated method of stabilizing a pelvis is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pelvic splint for immobilizing and maintaining the annular integrity of the pelvis in the event of a pelvic ring fracture. The pelvic splint extends from about 5-10 cm above the iliac crest down to about the middle third of the thighs and substantially encircles the pelvis of the victim. The splint is then secured about the pelvis of the victim with two or more adjustable straps. The splint comprises a flexible casing having at least one pliable padding layer disposed therein and a plurality of flexible members individually disposed in pockets spaced apart about the casing. Once tightly secured around the pelvis by the adjustable straps, the splint conforms to the contours of the victim's pelvic area and stabilizes the pelvis by preventing lateral movement and constraining the pelvis in such a manner to preserve the annular integrity thereof. An associated method of stabilizing a pelvis is also disclosed.

Abstract: A glass composition well suited for use in optical amplification consists of an erbium-doped borate glass composition comprising at least 30 mole percent of B2O3, not over 30 mole percent of SiO2, preferably not over 5 mole percent of La2O3, a ratio of B2O3 to (&Sgr;X2O+&Sgr;YO) that is at least 3.5, preferably 4.5, where X2O represents monovalent metal oxides(s) and YO represents divalent metal oxides, the glass providing a wide useful bandwidth (50 nm and greater) for optical amplification around the 1545 nm region.

Abstract: There is provided a multi-ring animal training collar that can be used to restrain the animal or to choke the animal. The unit features a plurality of rings spaced around the periphery of the collar thus facilitating attachment of a leash or other restrain at or near the top of the animal's head. This eliminates the need to access the lower area of the animal's neck thereby improving both convenience and safety when attaching the leash to the training collar. The collar may be formed from steel chain or the like or from straps of material such as leather or nylon. Multiple rings allow for two modes of operation: restraint or restraint and choking. These modes are selected by selecting different attachment rings according to the function desired.

Abstract: A retroreflective structure includes a retroreflective sheeting having an array of transparent prisms formed into pairs of prisms. Each prism includes a base aperture and three intersecting lateral faces meeting at an apex. Each of the lateral faces includes a base edge which forms a portion of the perimeter of the base aperture. The base edge of each lateral face intersects the base edge of a contiguous lateral face to form a base point, the first face of at least one prism in the array including a first face first planar surface and a first face second planar surface. The first face first planar surface and the first face second planar surface are contiguous along an edge having a first and second end points, wherein the apex, the first end point, and a first base point are coplanar and form a continuous edge from the first base point to the apex.

Abstract: A multi-ring animal training collar that can be used to restrain the animal or to choke the animal. The unit may be made from a plurality of materials including steel, leather and nylon.

Abstract: The invention describes an apparatus which can be used both for aeration of water and mixing of water. The apparatus comprises a power source which can drive a helical propelling device, whereby the propelling device can operate in both directions of rotation. The propelling device is located completely below the surface of the water. Further, the apparatus is fitted with an additional circulation element which is positioned above the propelling device and at least partly below the surface of the water. The apparatus can also be fitted with further conventional elements such as a pump housing, a deflector and so on.