Abstract: A process for reducing the amount of mercaptan sulfur in a petroleum stream without significantly changing its octane value. The process comprising a three-phase system wherein the petroleum stream to be treated is passed through a fixed bed of catalyst in the presence of a stripping gas. The stripping gas can be either hydrogen containing gas or an method wherein the composition of the catalyst utilized varies according to the stripping gas.

Abstract: Chemiluminescent devices are attached to water bottles or similar drinkwear containers by a variety of holders to decoratively illuminate the contents of the container. A thin elongated chemiluminescent charge container is wound within the holder and supported there so that substantially the entire periphery of the drinkwear container is illuminated. The holders are reusable and useful with a variety of conventional drinkwear articles.

Abstract: A vascular system guidewire composed of a helically wound proximal spring segment attached to an additional helically wound distal spring segment of a more radiopaque material by winding the two segments together over a core. The helically wound springs may be tapered from the proximal to distal segment or straight, and a length of tubing is attached to the proximal end of the proximal spring segment with a ground distal tube segment to make for a flush fitting and a smooth continuous outside diameter of the guide wire. A core wire is attached to the end of the distal spring segment and moveable within the tube and proximal spring providing torque to the entire spring and movement of the core wire allows for varying the stiffness and support of the spring segment and for straightening the distal spring segment.

Abstract: A hoop support device for insertion into flexible tubes or other body cavities designed to hold open these areas due to the hoop strength of the device while maintaining flexibility to bend with the area within which it is placed. The device, consisting of one or more hoops of coiled wire of any desirable material, either metallic or non metallic, is preferably non magnetic. The hoop or series of hoops is preformed to match the structure within which it is to be placed by utilizing a length of coiled material and forming it over a mandrel of desired shape and then instilling a memory in the resulting shape by heat treatment or other suitable means such that the formed shape will be reformed after placement into the desired configuration. For placement, the formed shape may be reformed into a linear coil configuration by means of inserting the linear coil into a tube or onto a rod.

Abstract: A guidewire arranged to be transported through the vascular system composed of a helically wound spring attached to a second helically wound distal spring of a more radiopaque material by winding the two segments together over the core, but without attachment to the core thus allowing the core to freely move within the spring thus providing for tip flexibility and movement. The helically wound springs may be tapered from the proximal to distal segment or straight, and a length of tubing is attached to the proximal end of the proximal spring segment with a ground distal tube segment to make for a flush fitting to the coil and a smooth continuous outside diameter of the guide wire. A tapered core wire is moveably disposed in the tubing and springs with a swaged distal segment to allow for forming and to increase flexibility in one plane without sacrificing torque.

Abstract: A dilation steerable guidewire for use in the vascular system having an inflatable balloon at the distal end and a bi-directional fluid and/or mechanical pressure operated valve forward of the balloon position. The guidewire construction provides torque and improved flexibility for manipulating the guidewire through the anatomy while the valve regulates fluid emission from the tip of the guidewire for visualization or into the balloon for inflation and deflation. One embodiment provides connection to the distal end via a spring element under the balloon to provide enhanced flexibility.

Abstract: A single lumen catheter used alone or in multiples of various diameters in a coaxial disposition over a guidewire or catheter having a means to occlude the distal opening of the single lumen catheter. Each single lumen catheter includes a flexible tube and a balloon disposed about the exterior of the single lumen catheter near the distal end, and a opening in the tube to permit fluid communication into the balloon from the interior of the single lumen catheter. Alternate embodiments include an interior fluted collar upon which the balloon of the inner catheter abuts, forming an orifice providing a selected fluid flow into the catheter. Thus, the single lumen catheters provide a steerable guidewire system having a greater selection of catheters without requiring an inner lumen.

Abstract: A dilatation steerable guidewire for use in the vascular system having an inflatable balloon at the distal end and a bi-directional fluid pressure actuated ball valve forward of the balloon position. The guidewire construction provides torque and direction for manipulating the guidewire through the anatomy while the valve regulates fluid emission from the tip of the guidewire for visualization or into the balloon for inflation and deflation and is originated by fluid pressure.

Abstract: A guidewire arranged to be transported through the vascular system composed of a helically wound tapered spring, a length of tubing attached to the proximal end of the spring, a wire attached to the inner surface of and extending to the tip of the spring for curving the tip to a desired shape, and a tapered core wire moveably disposed in the tubing and spring and or sufficient length to extend to the tip of the spring to vary the stiffness and curvature of the tip.