Abstract: Methods of separating a glass web include exposing a separation path on the glass web to a laser beam that produces thermal stress along the separation path without damaging the glass web. The methods further include redirecting a portion of the laser beam to create a defect on the separation path while the separation path is under thermal stress produced during the exposing the separation path on the glass web to the laser beam, whereupon the glass web separates along the separation path in response to creating the defect. Apparatus are further provided for separating a glass web with at least one laser beam generator that produces a laser beam to heat a separation path and a mirror configured to reflect an end portion of the laser beam to create a defect at a location of the separation path on the glass web.

Abstract: Methods of separating a glass web include exposing a separation path on the glass web to a laser beam that produces thermal stress along the separation path without damaging the glass web. The methods further include redirecting a portion of the laser beam to create a defect on the separation path while the separation path is under thermal stress produced during the exposing the separation path on the glass web to the laser beam, whereupon the glass web separates along the separation path in response to creating the defect. Apparatus are further provided for separating a glass web with at least one laser beam generator that produces a laser beam to heat a separation path and a mirror configured to reflect an end portion of the laser beam to create a defect at a location of the separation path on the glass web.

Abstract: Methods of separating a glass web include the step (I) of exposing a path on the glass web to at least one laser beam to produce thermal stress along the path without damaging the glass web. The methods further include the step (II) of creating a defect on the path while the path is under thermal stress produced during step (I), whereupon the glass web spontaneously separates along the path in response to the defect.

Abstract: Methods of separating a glass web include the step (I) of exposing a path on the glass web to at least one laser beam to produce thermal stress along the path without damaging the glass web. The methods further include the step (II) of creating a defect on the path while the path is under thermal stress produced during step (I), whereupon the glass web spontaneously separates along the path in response to the defect.

Abstract: A protective device having a substantially rigid casing for placement on a patient's skin, wherein the casing has a hollow interior facing the patient's skin and a lip. The casing can be spanned across its hollow interior by a membrane. The casing can have a first adhesive seal attached to a bottom surface of the lip of the casing, and a second adhesive seal attached to the top surface of the lip of the casing.

Abstract: A protective device having a substantially rigid casing for placement on a patient's skin, wherein the casing has a hollow interior facing the patient's skin and a lip. The casing can be spanned across its hollow interior by a membrane. The casing can have a first adhesive seal attached to a bottom surface of the lip of the casing, and a second adhesive seal attached to the top surface of the lip of the casing.

Abstract: A protective device having a substantially rigid casing for placement on a patient's skin, wherein the casing has a hollow interior facing the patient's skin and a lip. The casing can be spanned across its hollow interior by a membrane. The casing can have a first adhesive seal attached to a bottom surface of the lip of the casing, and a second adhesive seal attached to the top surface of the lip of the casing.

Abstract: A protective device having a substantially rigid casing for placement on a patient's skin, wherein the casing has a hollow interior facing the patient's skin and a lip. The casing can be spanned across its hollow interior by a membrane. The casing can have a first adhesive seal attached to a bottom surface of the lip of the casing, and a second adhesive seal attached to the top surface of the lip of the casing.

Abstract: An oral care system includes a universal handle which is configured to hold any of a plurality of oral hygiene instruments, and a lavage source to apply lavage solution through the oral hygiene instruments to facilitate complete cleaning of a patient's mouth. Preferably, the universal handle and lavage source are configured to be held in the user's hand with both suction and lavage being controlled manually. The orally hygiene instruments attachable to the universal handle typically include a lavage toothbrush, at least one catheter and at least one swab, to thereby enable cleaning of the teeth, gums, soft tissue and crevices therebetween.

Abstract: An oral care system includes a universal handle which is configured to hold any of a plurality of oral hygiene instruments, and a lavage source to apply lavage solution through the oral hygiene instruments to facilitate complete cleaning of a patient's mouth. Preferably, the universal handle and lavage source are configured to be held in the user's hand with both suction and lavage being controlled manually. The orally hygiene instruments attachable to the universal handle typically include a lavage toothbrush, at least one catheter and at least one swab, to thereby enable cleaning of the teeth, gums, soft tissue and crevices therebetween.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed by which a closed ventilating system accommodates multiple access to the respiratory system of an intubated medical patient. Access to the respiratory system is accomplished via one or more access ports through an attached accessory device in order to ventilate the lungs of the patent with gas or gasses, aspirate secretions from the lungs, oxygenate the lungs, visually inspect selected parts of the respiratory system, sample sputum and gasses, sense parameters such as flow rates, pressure, and temperature, flush the respiratory tract with washing solution, and/or administer medication, gasses, and/or lavage. The embodiments of the present invention may have such accessory devices permanently fixed to the adaptor or may be removable and replaceable. Access control means may be provided whereby one or more access ports are selectively aligned with the adaptor in order to allow passage of an attached accessory device therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed by which a closed ventilating system accommodates multiple access to the respiratory system of an intubated medical patient without comprising the closed character of the system. Access to the respiratory system through one or more access sites of the closed system apparatus is provided at proximal adapter ports to ventilate the lungs of the patient with gas or gases, to aspirate secretions from the lungs, to oxygenate the lungs to eliminate or reduce residual co.sub.2 therefrom, to visually inspect selected parts of the respiratory system, to sample sputum and gases, to sense parameters such as flow rates, pressure, and temperature, to flush with washing solution, and/or to administer medication, gases, and/or lavage.

Abstract: A canless method for hot working a nickel-base gas atomized alloy powder. The powder is blended with nickel powder, consolidated and sintered to a sufficient green strength. The surface of the resultant form is sealed to create an oxygen impervious layer so as to prevent oxidation therein. The sealed surface, in a sense, acts as a can. The form is then reheated and hot worked.