Abstract: A mix-effects bank architecture of a video switcher having a plurality of video processing units; and an internal switcher routing matrix. The internal switcher routing matrix routing, a video source currently providing a video feed to an auxiliary output and a desired new source for the auxiliary output to a video processing unit that is not contributing towards video processing and routing an output of said video processing unit to said auxiliary output. The video processing unit that is not contributing towards video processing performs a transitional effect for the auxiliary output.

Abstract: A steel strip having a metal coating on at least one surface of the strip is disclosed. The strip is characterised in that the coating includes aluminium-zinc-silicon alloy that contains magnesium and the coating has small size spangles.

Abstract: A bipolar transistor has a collector having a base layer provided thereon and a shallow trench isolation structure formed therein. A base poly layer is provided on the shallow trench isolation structure. The shallow trench isolation structure defines a step such that a surface of the collector projects from the shallow trench isolation structure adjacent the collector.

Abstract: A steel strip having a metal coating on at least one surface of the strip. The coating includes an aluminum-zinc-silicon alloy containing magnesium and has small spangles. The magnesium concentration is between 1 and 5% by weight.

Abstract: A stress and torque reducing tool has a plunger that reciprocates inside of a body. The tool is connected between the pump and the sucker rod string and reduces stress transmitted therebetween. The body and plunger have longitudinally extending surfaces located at the plunger upper end portion, which surfaces cooperate and limit rotation of the body with respect to the plunger. An upper fluid port is located in an upper end of the body, while one or more lower fluid ports are located in a lower end of the body.

Abstract: According to the present invention, improved methods and apparatus are provided for providing cushioning and other ergonomic surfaces on devices requiring the patient or tissue to be compressed, such as radiography machines, fluoroscopy units, mammography units and the like. In particular a radiolucent pad element is provided for releasable attachment to at least one surface of a compression device to be used under x-ray, for example, during mammography. The pad element of the present invention can be disposable or constructed to be reusable and in some cases may be applied directly to the patient's breast. Furthermore, a cushioned paddle is provided wherein the compression paddle and the cushion can be separately or integrally formed.

Abstract: According to the present invention, improved methods and apparatus are provided for providing cushioning and other ergonomic surfaces on devices requiring the patient or tissue to be compressed, such as radiography machines, fluoroscopy units, mammography units and the like. In particular a radiolucent pad element is provided for releasable attachment to at least one surface of a compression device to be used under x-ray, for example, during mammography. The pad element of the present invention can be disposable or constructed to be reusable and in some cases may be applied directly to the patient's breast. Furthermore, a cushioned paddle is provided wherein the compression paddle and the cushion can be separately or integrally formed.

Abstract: A stress and torque reducing tool has a plunger that reciprocates inside of a body. The tool is connected between the pump and the sucker rod string and reduces stress transmitted therebetween. The body and plunger have longitudinally extending surfaces located at the plunger upper end portion, which surfaces cooperate and limit rotation of the body with respect to the plunger. An upper fluid port is located in an upper end of the body, while one or more lower fluid ports are located in a lower end of the body.

Abstract: Hot dip coating apparatus for coating a steel strip in an Al—Zn alloy bath comprises components that are made from stainless steel containing an appreciable amount of nitrogen distributed substantially uniformly through its microstructure. The nitrogen is incorporated into the stainless steel as an alloy additive and improves the steel's corrosion resistance and minimizes pitting and thinning of the component when immersed in the metal bath for extended periods.

Abstract: A stress and torque reducing tool has a plunger that reciprocates inside of a body. The tool is connected between the pump and the sucker rod string and reduces stress transmitted therebetween. The body and plunger have longitudinally extending surfaces located at the plunger upper end portion, which surfaces cooperate and limit rotation of the body with respect to the plunger. An upper fluid port is located in an upper end of the body, while one or more lower fluid ports are located in a lower end of the body.

Abstract: A bipolar transistor has a collector having a base layer provided thereon and a shallow trench isolation structure formed therein. A base poly layer is provided on the shallow trench isolation structure. The shallow trench isolation structure defines a step such that a surface of the collector projects from the shallow trench isolation structure adjacent the collector.

Abstract: A mix-effects bank architecture of a video switcher having a plurality of video processing units; and an internal switcher routing matrix. The internal switcher routing matrix routing, a video source currently providing a video feed to an auxiliary output and a desired new source for the auxiliary output to a video processing unit that is not contributing towards video processing and routing an output of said video processing unit to said auxiliary output. The video processing unit that is not contributing towards video processing performs a transitional effect for the auxiliary output.

Abstract: A space occupying device for deployment within a patient's stomach and methods of deploying and removing the device. The device includes an expandable member and fasteners, such as sutures, that extend to least partially through the patient's stomach wall, and that anchor the device with the patient's stomach. The device can be deployed and/or removed through transesophageal approaches and/or through a combination of transesophageal and transabdominal approaches.

Abstract: Compositions comprising (a) an epoxy resin, (b) a hardener for the epoxy resin, (c) a product of the reaction of a microgel containing carboxylic acid groups and a nitrogen-containing base, and (d) an electrically conducting filler combination comprising, based on the total amount of filler, at least 75% by weight of graphite, are particularly suitable for producing biopolar plates.

Abstract: According to the present invention, improved methods and apparatus are provided for providing cushioning and other ergonomic surfaces on devices requiring the patient or tissue to be compressed, such as radiography machines, fluoroscopy units, mammography units and the like. In particular a radiolucent pad element is provided for releasable attachment to at least one surface of a compression device to be used under x-ray, for example, during mammography. The pad element of the present invention can be disposable or constructed to be reusable and in some cases may be applied directly to the patient's breast. Furthermore, a cushioned paddle is provided wherein the compression paddle and the cushion can be separately or integrally formed.

Abstract: A compression device for a mammography unit includes a compression plate positionable in an x-ray field of the mammography unit, and a radiolucent foam pad removably attached to the compression plate that includes an impermeable exposed surface for contacting tissue disposed on the pad within the x-ray field. The pad includes an adhesive layer on the first surface, or a hook and eye fastener for removably attaching the pad to the compression plate. The pad is attached to the compression plate in the x-ray field of the mammography unit, a breast is compressed using the compression plate, a mammogram of the compressed breast is obtained, the pad producing no significant visual artifact on the mammogram, and thereafter the pad is removed.

Abstract: According to the present invention, improved methods and apparatus are provided for providing cushioning and other ergonomic surfaces on devices requiring the patient or tissue to be compressed, such as radiography machines, fluoroscopy units, mammography units and the like. In particular a radiolucent pad element is provided for releasable attachment to at least one surface of a compression device to be used under x-ray, for example, during mammography. The pad element of the present invention can be disposable or constructed to be reusable and in some cases may be applied directly to the patient's breast.

Abstract: A steel strip having a metal coating on at least one surface of the strip is disclosed. The strip is characterised in that the coating includes aluminium-zinc-silicon alloy that contains magnesium and the coating has small size spangles.

Abstract: A stress and torque reducing tool has a plunger that reciprocates inside of a body. The tool is connected between the pump and the sucker rod string and reduces stress transmitted therebetween. The body and plunger have longitudinally extending surfaces located at the plunger upper end portion, which surfaces cooperate and limit rotation of the body with respect to the plunger. An upper fluid port is located in an upper end of the body, while one or more lower fluid ports are located in a lower end of the body. The tool is exceptionally strong and is less likely to fail.

Abstract: A load bearing device for supporting ceilings during repair, said load bearing device including: a base having at least one support; a lifting means connected to said base, said lifting means including an operating mechanism used to operate said lifting means and an elongate extension means having a lower end and a upper end; a pressure plate mounted on said upper end of said elongate extension means to apply a load to and raise a portion of said ceiling when said lifting means is operated; said lifting means being arranged to move through a predetermined distance, the distance being substantially equivalent to a typical sagging distance, the lifting means being arranged to indicate to a user when it has moved through the predetermined distance.