Abstract: A well treatment microemulsion includes an oil external phase, an internal aqueous phase and a hydrophilic surfactant. The surfactant has a hydrophile lipophile balance of between 8-18. The oil external phase may include d-Limonene, xylenes, light mineral oil, or kerosene. The surfactant is configured to emulsify the water of the internal aqueous phase into the oil of the external (continuous) phase. The surfactant may include polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan tristearate, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate or mixtures therebetween. The use of hydrophilic surfactants to emulsify an internal aqueous phase within an oil external microemulsion produces unexpected and beneficial results.

Abstract: A gel, comprising: an ester and a polymer having at least one of the following rigid block groups; polystyrene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and phenolics as well as one elastic block that is a member of the group consisting of ethylene/butadiene copolymers, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, ethylene/propylene copolymers, or ethylene-propylene/diene copolymers, wherein the polymer is either triblock copolymers, star polymers, radial polymers, multi-block copolymers, or combinations thereof, wherein the composition is substantially free of mineral oils; wherein the ester's chemical formula is: Wherein n=1, 2, 3, and 4, and R1 represents a member of the group consisting of: hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, phenyl, methoxyphenyl, alkylphenyl, substituted alkyl, and substituted phenyl; R2 represents a member of the group consisting of: hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, phenyl, methoxyphenyl, alkylphenyl, substituted alkyl, substituted phenyl, alkylene, phenylene, substituted alkylene, and substituted phenylene, and R3 represents

Abstract: A well treatment microemulsion includes an oil external phase, an internal aqueous phase and a hydrophilic surfactant. The surfactant has a hydrophile lipophile balance of between 8-18. The oil external phase may include d-Limonene, xylenes, light mineral oil, or kerosene. The surfactant is configured to emulsify the water of the internal aqueous phase into the oil of the external (continuous) phase. The surfactant may include polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan tristearate, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate or mixtures therebetween. The use of hydrophilic surfactants to emulsify an internal aqueous phase within an oil external microemulsion produces unexpected and beneficial results.

Abstract: A well treatment microemulsion includes an oil external phase, an internal aqueous phase and a hydrophilic surfactant. The surfactant has a hydrophile lipophile balance of between 8-18. The oil external phase may include d-Limonene, xylenes, light mineral oil, or kerosene. The surfactant is configured to emulsify the water of the internal aqueous phase into the oil of the external (continuous) phase. The surfactant may include polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan tristearate, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate or mixtures therebetween. The use of hydrophilic surfactants to emulsify an internal aqueous phase within an oil external microemulsion produces unexpected and beneficial results.

Abstract: A wire marker is provided. A carrier strip includes a first layer having at least one opening, two bands applied to opposite edges of the first layer, the bands including an adhesive on at least one side, and a label secured into the opening and attached to the adhesive. At least one access perforation may be located on the first layer that is horizontal and adjacent to one side of the opening. The access perforation facilitates removal of the label from the carrier and allows for insertion of a cable through the label. A plurality of horizontal carrier perforations may further be located between each opening on the first layer to facilitate removal of the carrier strip from a printer.

Abstract: A suturing instrument having a dock at the end for receiving and securing a needle attached to a suture. The suturing instrument includes a cannulated handle attached to the proximal end of a cannulated shaft. The proximal end of a needle is removably received and securely received in the curved needle dock formed on the distal end of the shaft. The suture attached to the needle passes through the shaft and out the proximal end of the handle. Once the instrument is inserted into the body (usually through a cannula), the suture is retracted at the proximal end of the instrument handle, which draws the attached needle into the needle dock. The suture dock preferably has a compound curvature which prevents substantial rotation of the needle upon insertion.

Abstract: Flexible button cannulas for arthroscopic surgery made from silicone, or a similar flexible material. Exemplary embodiments of the button cannula have large inner and outer flanges for improved stability when installed into the body. Exemplary embodiments of the button cannula include two fluid dams. A first dam is located within the cannula elongated portal between the inner and outer flanges and prevents fluid from squirting out of the body when instruments are being inserted through the cannula. A second dam is located at the outer, or top, flange (i.e., the flange that remains outside of the body) to prevent fluid from squirting when the cannula itself is being inserted within the body. Exemplary embodiments of the button cannula also include an outer, or top, flange that is thicker than the inner, or bottom, flange, to prevent the over insertion of the cannula into the body.

Abstract: A gel, comprising: an ester and a polymer having at least one of the following rigid block groups; polystyrene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and phenolics as well as one elastic block that is a member of the group consisting of ethylene/butadiene copolymers, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, ethylene/propylene copolymers, or ethylene-propylene/diene copolymers, wherein the polymer is either triblock copolymers, star polymers, radial polymers, multi-block copolymers, or combinations thereof, wherein the composition is substantially free of mineral oils; wherein the ester's chemical formula is: Wherein n=1, 2, 3, and 4, and R1 represents a member of the group consisting of: hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, phenyl, methoxyphenyl, alkylphenyl, substituted alkyl, and substituted phenyl; R2 represents a member of the group consisting of: hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, phenyl, methoxyphenyl, alkylphenyl, substituted alkyl, substituted phenyl, alkylene, phenylene, substituted alkylene, and substituted phenylene, and R3 represents

Abstract: A gel, comprising: an ester and a polymer having at least one of the following rigid block groups; polystyrene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and phenolics as well as one elastic block that is a member of the group consisting of ethylene/butadiene copolymers, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, ethylene/propylene copolymers, or ethylene-propylene/diene copolymers, wherein the polymer is either triblock copolymers, star polymers, radial polymers, multi-block copolymers, or combinations thereof, wherein the composition is substantially free of mineral oils; wherein the ester's chemical formula is: Wherein n=1, 2, 3, and 4, and R1 represents a member of the group consisting of: hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, phenyl, methoxyphenyl, alkylphenyl, substituted alkyl, and substituted phenyl; R2 represents a member of the group consisting of: hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, phenyl, methoxyphenyl, alkylphenyl, substituted alkyl, substituted phenyl, alkylene, phenylene, substituted alkylene, and substituted phenylene, and R3 represents

Abstract: Flexible button cannulas for arthroscopic surgery made from silicone, or a similar flexible material. Exemplary embodiments of the button cannula have large inner and outer flanges for improved stability when installed into the body. Exemplary embodiments of the button cannula include two fluid dams. A first dam is located within the cannula elongated portal between the inner and outer flanges and prevents fluid from squirting out of the body when instruments are being inserted through the cannula. A second dam is located at the outer, or top, flange (i.e., the flange that remains outside of the body) to prevent fluid from squirting when the cannula itself is being inserted within the body. Exemplary embodiments of the button cannula also include an outer, or top, flange that is thicker than the inner, or bottom, flange, to prevent the over insertion of the cannula into the body.

Abstract: A wire marker is provided. A carrier strip includes a first layer having at least one opening, two bands applied to opposite edges of the first layer, the bands including an adhesive on at least one side, and a label secured into the opening and attached to the adhesive. At least one access perforation may be located on the first layer that is horizontal and adjacent to one side of the opening. The access perforation facilitates removal of the label from the carrier and allows for insertion of a cable through the label. A plurality of horizontal carrier perforations may further be located between each opening on the first layer to facilitate removal of the carrier strip from a printer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a hand-held printer that includes an area for receiving a cassette carrying label material, a drive system for positioning the label material relative to a printhead, and a processing circuit for receiving inputs, producing outputs and controlling the drive system. In addition, a cassette having an ID circuit is described. The hand-held printer obtains information from the ID circuit when the cassette is inserted into the printer. The information may include, for example, a label type, label quantity, date information or information regarding printer settings for a print job previously printed from the cassette. In other embodiments, the hand-held printer may have a modular keyboard, such as a keyboard adapted for a particular application or language. The hand-held printer may include a latching mechanism that is capable of positioning a nip roller in relation to a printhead after a cassette is inserted and/or secure the cassette.

Abstract: A multi-stranded suture having a stiff portion adjacent to at least one end of the suture to facilitate advancement of the suture through a cannulated surgical suturing instrument. The suture preferably has a non-stiff distal tip to provide flexibility for passing the suture through bends in the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A multi-stranded suture having a stiff portion adjacent to at least one end of the suture to facilitate advancement of the suture through a cannulated surgical suturing instrument. The suture preferably has a non-stiff distal tip to provide flexibility for passing the suture through bends in the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon gels comprising from about 0.1 to about 50 percent on a weight. basis of diblock, triblock, multiblock and/or radial block copolymers based on synthetic thermoplastic rubbers or mixtures, in a mixture with a hydrocarbon, one or more hydrocarbon-soluble substances, or mixtures thereof, which are useful as suspending or dispersing agents for solids and/or liquids.

Abstract: A self-extinguishing candle and method of making the candle are described. The self-extinguishing candle comprises a candle body formed of a candle base material and a flame resistant block in contact with or attached to the candle body. The flame resistant block is capable of extinguishing the candle flame after the candle body is substantially consumed by the candle flame. The flame resistant block is formed of at least one flame resistant.

Abstract: A solid or semi-solid hydrocarbon gel comprising: a) a solid or semi-solid hydrocarbon; and b) at least one block copolymer selected from the group consisting of: a triblock copolymer; a radial block copolymer; a multiblock copolymer a diblock copolymer; and mixtures of these polymers. The hydrocarbon gel is useful as an ointment, balm or salve for wounds. Medicinal ingredients may be included in the hydrocarbon gel for application of such ingredients to wounds, burns or injuries.

Abstract: Transparent stiff gel candles comprising a hydrocarbon oil, a wick, and one or more triblock, radial block or multiblock copolymer of a thermoplastic rubber, and optionally a diblock copolymer.

Abstract: Transparent stiff gel candles comprising a hydrocarbon oil, a wick, and one or more triblock, radial block or multiblock copolymer of a thermoplastic rubber, and optionally a diblock copolymer.

Abstract: Controlled release non-aqueous air care gels comprising from about 1 to about 50 percent on a weight basis of diblock, triblock, multiblock and/or radial block copolymers based on synthetic thermoplastic rubbers. The ratio of the diblock to triblock, multiblock and/or radial block copolymers can be varied from about 0 percent to about 100 percent in either direction. The material to be gelled is a hydrocarbon, one or more hydrocarbon-soluble substances, or mixtures thereof, which based on its physical properties plays an important role in setting the controlled release rate. The composition of the hydrocarbon can vary in carbon length from about C-5 to about C-30 and can vary in vapor pressure up to about 600 mm Hg at 20.degree. C. The hydrocarbon range on a weight basis is from about 20 to about 95 percent of the total weight of the gelled composition.