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: According to the present invention, improved methods and apparatus are provided for regaining hemostasis or otherwise minimizing leakage during endoluminal, surgical or percutaneous intraluminal procedures, and for providing a seal during laparoscopic surgical procedures where there is leakage of the CO2 insufflation, when the primary means of hemostasis or pneumatic CO2 seal is compromised or fails. More particularly the present invention relates to devices having a front hub and a rear hub, one or other of which is adapted to retain a compression seal such that when the front and rear hub are matingly engaged, axial and radial pressure is applied to the compression plug and any devices located therebetween, thereby achieving a seal. The compression device can be applied while a guidewire or additional devices remain within the leaking sheath or trocar, thereby allowing the physician to maintain hemostasis or adequate CO2 insufflation, without exchanging the introducer sheath or laparoscopic port.

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 composition comprising (a) an epoxy resin having, on average, more than one 1,2-epoxy group per molecule, (b) a polyol as epoxy resin curing agent and (c) a solid microgel-amine adduct as accelerator has high latency, good storage stability and a wide processing window.

Abstract: A surgical clamp having an elongate cavity to receive a replaceable pad. The pad includes a draw cord to draw the pad into place on the jaw. The pad is formed with an attachment member engagable in the elongate cavity of the jaw. The draw cord is preferably an extension of the attachment member.

Abstract: A process for impregnating an electrical coil which comprises a winding comprising two or more layers consisting of more than one turn of an electrically conducting wire-form material with a polymer material which electrically insulates the individual turns of the wire-form material from one another with the aid of a thermally curable epoxy resin composition, which composition is solid at room temperature and comprises the following constituents: (a) an epoxy resin which is solid at room temperature, selected from (a1) polyglycidyl ethers based on novolaks; (a2) diglycidyl ethers based on bisphenols, and (a3) mixtures of more than one of components (a1) and (a2); (b) a crosslinking agent for component (a); (c) a suitable accelerator for the reaction of component (a) and component (b); (d) from 15 to 70 percent by weight, based on the overall weight of the composition, of filler selected from (d1) calcium carbonate, (d2) quartz flour, (d3) wollastonite whose particles have an average ratio of length

Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for making an absorbent article can include a delivering of a first contoured web-strip (30a) from a first production supply (38) of contoured web-strip material, with the first contoured web-strip (30a) presenting a primary production sequence of side edge contours during its delivery. At least a second contoured web-strip (30b) can be delivered from a second production supply (40) of the contoured web-strip material, with the second contoured web-strip (30b) also presenting the primary production sequence of side edge contours during its delivery. In a particular aspect, the first and second contoured web-strips (30a and 30b) have been produced from a web (22) of absorbent material which has been divided to provided at least two web-strips (30) having a substantially nested configuration.

Abstract: A surgical clamp having an elongate cavity to receive a replaceable pad. The pad is formed with an attachment member engagable in the elongate cavity of the jaw. The pad can include a tab or draw cord to draw the pad into place on the jaw. The draw cord is preferably an extension of the attachment member.

Abstract: A system enables tender of payment manually (e.g., cash, check, etc.) for transactions conducted over a network (e.g., the Internet). The system includes one or more computer systems each located at a corresponding agent site, one or more merchant systems and a server computer system in communication with the agent and merchant systems. The server system accesses the appropriate merchant network or web site in response to transaction selection information received from the agent system, and translates those web pages for transmission to the agent system. The server computer system further receives the required transaction information from the agent system and processes the transaction information for transference to the particular merchant web site. In addition, the server system enters credit card information of a provider of the transaction service within the transaction payment information for transference to the merchant system in order to tender payment for the network transaction.

Abstract: A pad for cushioning a compression device, e.g., an x-ray plate, of a mammography unit. The pad includes a radiolucent central region, e.g., including radiolucent orientation markings, that is secured adjacent a contact surface of the x-ray plate. The pad includes a pair of side regions secured along respective side surfaces of the x-ray plate including a slot for inserting an x-ray cassette into the x-ray plate. The pad also includes a front region securable along a front surface of the x-ray plate. A double coated tape may be attached to the pad that includes a pressure sensitive adhesive for removably attaching the pad to the x-ray plate. Alternatively, the side regions may extend around the compression device and connect to one another to secure the pad or the pad may be a sleeve that is slidably received around at least a portion of the compression device.

Abstract: A surgical clamp having an elongate cavity or channel to receive a replaceable pad. The pad is formed with a flexible attachment member engageable in the elongate cavity or channel of the jaw. The pad can include a tab, draw cord, pull string or pull strap to draw the pad into place on the jaw.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an article (94) includes a moving of a forming surface (22) through an operative forming chamber (24) along a forming path length (40). A first fibrous stratum (26) of fiber material (96) can be deposited onto the forming surface (22), and the first fibrous stratum (26) can have a first stratum thickness (28). A first quantity of a first superabsorbent material (30) can be directed to form a selected combination with the first fibrous material to provide a first superabsorbent-containing stratum. A second fibrous stratum (32) of fibrous material can be deposited to overlie the first fibrous stratum (26), and the second fibrous stratum (32) can have a second stratum thickness (34). A second superabsorbent material (36) can be directed to form a selected combination with the second fibrous material to provide a second superabsorbent-containing stratum.

Abstract: Tissue approximation devices for the minimally invasive approximation of muscle or fascia, such as approximation of the rectus muscles in the abdomen (abdominoplasty), or hernia repair and other such applications using minimally invasive methods to access and perform the procedures thereby reducing or eliminating visible scars.

Abstract: A surgical clamp having an elongate cavity or channel to receive a replaceable pad. The pad is formed with a flexible attachment member engageable in the elongate cavity or channel of the jaw. The pad can include a tab, draw cord, pull string or pull strap to draw the pad into place on the jaw.

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: A surgical clamp having an elongate cavity to receive a replaceable pad. The pad is formed with an attachment member engagable in the elongate cavity of the jaw. The pad can include a tab or draw cord to draw the pad into place on the jaw. The draw cord is preferably an extension of the attachment member.

Abstract: According to the present invention, improved methods and apparatus are provided for regaining hemostasis or otherwise minimizing leakage during endoluminal, surgical or percutaneous intraluminal procedures, and for providing a seal during laparoscopic surgical procedures where there is leakage of the CO2 insufflation, when the primary means of hemostasis or pneumatic CO2 seal is compromised or fails. More particularly the present invention relates to devices having a front hub and a rear hub, one or other of which is adapted to retain a compression seal such that when the front and rear hub are matingly engaged, axial and radial pressure is applied to the compression plug and any devices located therebetween, thereby achieving a seal. The compression device can be applied while a guidewire or additional devices remain within the leaking sheath or trocar, thereby allowing the physician to maintain hemostasis or adequate CO2 insufflation, without exchanging the introducer sheath or laparoscopic port.

Abstract: A jaw-type surgical clamp having replaceable clamp members is disclosed. The jaws are pivotally movable and include telescoping attachment portions and anti-rotation surfaces. The clamp members connect to the attachment portions and include anti-rotation surfaces that engage the anti-rotation surfaces of the jaws to prevent rotation. Mutually engagable structures releasably lock the jaws and the clamp members together.

Abstract: A surgical clamp having an elongate cavity to receive a replaceable pad. The pad is formed with an attachment member engagable in the elongate cavity of the jaw. The pad can include a tab or draw cord to draw the pad into place on the jaw. The draw cord is preferably an extension of the attachment member.

Abstract: A surgical clamp having an elongate cavity to receive a replaceable pad. The pad includes a draw cord to draw the pad into place on the jaw. The pad is formed with an attachment member engagable in the elongate cavity of the jaw. The draw cord is preferably an extension of the attachment member.