Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for repairing or reinforcing a tissue or muscle wall defect including a first composite structure including at least one layer of a non-absorbable material, wherein the first composite structure has a central portion sized and shaped to cover at least a portion of the tissue or muscle wall defect, and has an outer periphery. The prosthesis further includes a second structure having a reinforced central region and an outer peripheral edge, a reinforcing element positioned between the first and second structures, and having an outer periphery and a stiffness greater than that of the first and second structures, and at least one pulling element coupled to the reinforced central region of the second structure. The second structure is coupled to the first structure substantially only at their respective peripheries.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides chemical compositions useful for minimizing or preventing the precipitation of sludge, such as asphaltenes, maltenes, or similar asphaltic components, during an acidizing treatment. Methods for preventing or minimizing sludge formation are also disclosed. The anti-sludge compositions can be added to an aqueous acidic solution before injecting the solution into a well for treatment. The compositions can include a formulated dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid, a cationic surfactant, a corrosion inhibitor, and an iron reducing agent, in addition to other additives.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for repairing or reinforcing a tissue or muscle wall defect including a first composite structure including at least one layer of a non-absorbable material, wherein the first composite structure has a central portion sized and shaped to cover at least a portion of the tissue or muscle wall defect, and has an outer periphery. The prosthesis further includes a second structure having a reinforced central region and an outer peripheral edge, a reinforcing element positioned between the first and second structures, and having an outer periphery and a stiffness greater than that of the first and second structures, and at least one pulling element coupled to the reinforced central region of the second structure. The second structure is coupled to the first structure substantially only at their respective peripheries.

Abstract: A substantially flat implant for repositioning a patient's eyebrow that may allow for a gradient lift across the eyebrow. The implant may be geometrically non-symmetrical, and/or may have non-symmetric physical properties. The implant may include a foot portion that extends along a first longitudinal axis and has a length, and a vertical strip portion that extends outwardly from the foot portion along a second longitudinal axis. The strip portion has a length and a width that is smaller than the length of the foot. The second longitudinal axis is offset from the center of the length of the foot portion.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for repairing or reinforcing a tissue or muscle wall defect including a first composite structure including at least one layer of a non-absorbable material, wherein the first composite structure has a central portion sized and shaped to cover at least a portion of the tissue or muscle wall defect, and has an outer periphery. The prosthesis further includes a second structure having a reinforced central region and an outer peripheral edge, a reinforcing element positioned between the first and second structures, and having an outer periphery and a stiffness greater than that of the first and second structures, and at least one pulling element coupled to the reinforced central region of the second structure. The second structure is coupled to the first structure substantially only at their respective peripheries.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for repairing or reinforcing a tissue or muscle wall defect including a first composite structure including at least one layer of a non-absorbable material, wherein the first composite structure has a central portion sized and shaped to cover at least a portion of the tissue or muscle wall defect, and has an outer periphery. The prosthesis further includes a second structure having a reinforced central region and an outer peripheral edge, a reinforcing element positioned between the first and second structures, and having an outer periphery and a stiffness greater than that of the first and second structures, and at least one pulling element coupled to the reinforced central region of the second structure. The second structure is coupled to the first structure substantially only at their respective peripheries.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for repairing or reinforcing a tissue or muscle wall defect including a first composite structure including at least one layer of a non-absorbable material, wherein the first composite structure has a central portion sized and shaped to cover at least a portion of the tissue or muscle wall defect, and has an outer periphery. The prosthesis further includes a second structure having a reinforced central region and an outer peripheral edge, a reinforcing element positioned between the first and second structures, and having an outer periphery and a stiffness greater than that of the first and second structures, and at least one pulling element coupled to the reinforced central region of the second structure. The second structure is coupled to the first structure substantially only at their respective peripheries.

Abstract: A substantially flat implant for repositioning a patient's eyebrow that may allow for a gradient lift across the eyebrow. The implant may be geometrically non-symmetrical, and/or may have non-symmetric physical properties. The implant may include a foot portion that extends along a first longitudinal axis and has a length, and a vertical strip portion that extends outwardly from the foot portion along a second longitudinal axis. The strip portion has a length and a width that is smaller than the length of the foot. The second longitudinal axis is offset from the center of the length of the foot portion.

Abstract: A top side brick extraction tool, for removing or extracting DC-DC converter components or bricks from header sockets, or the like, which are soldered onto printed circuit boards or circuit card assemblies, is effectively engaged with or affixed to the top side or upper surface portion of the converter component or brick. In this manner, there is no need to engage the converter component or brick from a side position which would structurally interfere with other electrical components arranged within a relatively dense array upon the printed circuit board or circuit card assembly whereby damage to the header sockets, the solder joints, or other electrical components, mounted upon the printed circuit boards or circuit card assemblies, is effectively prevented.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for repairing or reinforcing a tissue or muscle wall defect including a first composite structure including at least one layer of a non-absorbable material, wherein the first composite structure has a central portion sized and shaped to cover at least a portion of the tissue or muscle wall defect, and has an outer periphery. The prosthesis further includes a second structure having a reinforced central region and an outer peripheral edge, a reinforcing element positioned between the first and second structures, and having an outer periphery and a stiffness greater than that of the first and second structures, and at least one pulling element coupled to the reinforced central region of the second structure. The second structure is coupled to the first structure substantially only at their respective peripheries.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for repairing or reinforcing a tissue or muscle wall defect including a first composite structure including at least one layer of a non-absorbable material is disclosed. The first composite structure has a central portion sized and shaped to cover at least a portion of the tissue or muscle wall defect, and has an outer periphery. The prosthesis further includes a second structure having a reinforced central region and an outer peripheral edge, a reinforcing element positioned between the first and second structures, and having an outer periphery and a stiffness greater than that of the first and second structures, and at least one pulling element coupled to the reinforced central region of the second structure. The second structure is coupled to the first structure substantially only at their respective peripheries.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for repairing or reinforcing a tissue or muscle wall defect including a first composite structure including at least one layer of a non-absorbable material, wherein the first composite structure has a central portion sized and shaped to cover at least a portion of the tissue or muscle wall defect, and has an outer periphery. The prosthesis further includes a second structure having a reinforced central region and an outer peripheral edge, a reinforcing element positioned between the first and second structures, and having an outer periphery and a stiffness greater than that of the first and second structures, and at least one pulling element coupled to the reinforced central region of the second structure. The second structure is coupled to the first structure substantially only at their respective peripheries.

Abstract: A structural frame assembly that is adapted to support a chute of a sorting machine, the frame assembly including two laterally spaced beams and at least one cross-beam interconnecting the two laterally spaced beams, the beams and the at least one cross-beam including a projecting edge thereon.

Abstract: A structural frame assembly that is adapted to support a chute of a sorting machine, the frame assembly including two laterally spaced beams and at least one cross-beam interconnecting the two laterally spaced beams, the beams and the at least one cross-beam including a projecting edge thereon.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for producing a braided suture having an improved knot strength comprising heating a braided suture coated with a low molecular weight biocompatible polymer to a temperature sufficient to melt the low molecular weight biocompatible polymer for a time sufficient to allow the low molecular polymer to be redistributed into the interstices of the braided suture thereby providing a coated braided suture with an improved knot tensile strength. Also disclosed is the coated braided suture having a low molecular weight polymer optimally dispersed throughout the braided suture's cross-section.

Abstract: An acidic fluid that is useful in stimulation and workover operations, and in particular, in matrix acidizing treatments, comprises an acid, such as hydrochloric acid; water; an aliphatic aldehyde having 1-10 carbon atoms; and an aromatic aldehyde having 7-20 carbon atoms. The aliphatic aldehyde preferably has 1-6 carbon atoms. Glyoxylic acid and glyoxal are especially preferred aliphatic aldehydes. The aromatic aldehyde preferably has 7-10 carbon atoms. Cinnamaldehyde is especially preferred.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for producing a braided suture having an improved knot strength comprising heating a braided suture coated with a low molecular weight biocompatible polymer to a temperature sufficient to melt the low molecular weight biocompatible polymer for a time sufficient to allow the low molecular polymer to be redistributed into the interstices of the braided suture thereby providing a coated braided suture with an improved knot tensile strength. Also disclosed is the coated braided suture having a low molecular weight polymer optimally dispersed throughout the braided suture's cross-section.

Abstract: A prosthesis device for repairing a hernia having an insertion canal made of sheet material for extending through the hernia. The insertion canal is attached at one end to a collar and at the other end to a base that is to be on the inside of the abdominal cavity. The base may be a sheet or a pouch that is to be brought to bear on the inside the wall of the abdominal cavity. The insertion canal providing a simple way of deploying the sheet or pouch against the wall of a abdominal cavity.

Abstract: An acidic fluid that is useful in stimulation and workover operations, and in particular, in matrix acidizing treatments, comprises an acid, such as hydrochloric acid; water; an aliphatic aldehyde having 1-10 carbon atoms; and an aromatic aldehyde having 7-20 carbon atoms. The aliphatic aldehyde preferably has 1-6 carbon atoms. Glyoxylic acid and glyoxal are especially preferred aliphatic aldehydes. The aromatic aldehyde preferably has 7-10 carbon atoms. Cinnamaldehyde is especially preferred.

Abstract: A surgical cord comprising a interlocking multifilament sheath and an interlocked multifilament core. The interlocking multifilament core construction is characterized by being braided or knitted; preferred are braided cores with a pick counts ranging between 5 and 40.