Abstract: A system for improving the biocompatibility of medical devices present within a patient's body. In one embodiment, the present subject matter reduces the thrombogenicity of polyurethane materials in contact with the blood of a patient. In one embodiment, the medical device has a polymeric wall and a coating of polyurethane, said coating of polyurethane having the same chemical composition throughout the thickness and displaying an antithrombogenic effect when inserted into a patient's body in contact with blood for a period of at least twenty-four hours. The present subject matter relates to the manufacture and treatment of polymeric materials that may be inserted as medical devices, accessories, implants or replacements into animal bodies, such as the human body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making a multiphase personal wash bar having artisan crafted appearance. The bars are made by combining the second solid mass phase to a first continuous phase wherein the hardness of the second phase is at least twice the hardness of noodles forming the continuous phase.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multi-mode crystal oscillator system selectively configurable to minimize power consumption or noise generation. Such a system is particularly applicable to the communication system of an implantable device, e.g., the microstimulator/sensor device described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,164,284 and 6,185,452. In such devices, their small size limits the size of the battery contained within and thus makes it essential to minimize power consumption. Additionally, the small size and battery capacity result in a limited transmission power. Furthermore, the small size limits the antenna efficiency which makes it desirable to limit any noise generation to maximize the signal-to-noise level of the resulting receive signal. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention alternatively supply power to the oscillator in either a first mode that minimizes power consumption or a second mode that minimizes noise generation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of cleansing and moisturizing skin using multiphase extruded soap bar achieving hardness of a discontinuous phase is at least two times the hardness of a continuous phase in which it is found.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making a multiphase personal wash bar having artisan crafted appearance. The bars are made by combining the second solid mass phase to a first continuous phase wherein the hardness of the second phase is at least twice the hardness of noodles forming the continuous phase.

Abstract: There are provided 3-heterocyclic substituted benzisothiazole and benzisoxazole compounds having the structural formula I where Q, X, X1 and Z are defined as in claim 1. Further provided are compositions and methods comprising those compounds for the control of undesirable plant species.

Abstract: The invention is a disk-shaped combination drink coaster and air freshener for a drink holder. The top layer absorbs condensation or liquid spills from a drink container. The disk may have a layer impregnated with an air freshener, which will gradually be released into the vehicle or room. The disk has a plurality of layers designed to absorb liquid spills and prevent liquid spills and the air freshener material from leaving deposits on the bottom of the drink holder. The device may be imprinted with advertising names or symbols. The device has perforations to facilitate tearing off part of the circumference of the disk to reduce its diameter. The disk can also be used in combination with a coaster holder impregnated with air freshener, the weight of which prevents the coaster and air freshener from sticking to the bottom of a liquid container when the container is lifted.

Abstract: A tool is described for the backside removal of single pins from a high pin density connector, either from the connector itself or a connector with pins such as compliant pins mounted in plated through vias on a host such as a printed circuit board. A pin is driven from a connector by advancing a sleeve portion to surround the pin and subsequently pushing the pin from the connector using a shaft with a spherical, concave end surface, whereby the pin is radially confined by the sleeve and aligned and driven by the shaft as it is advanced through the sleeve. Where the connector is mounted on a printed circuit board with the pin resident in a plated through via, the sleeve is aligned with and abutting the printed circuit board at the via opening and the shaft is thereafter advanced through and beyond the sleeve to engage, align and drive the pin with the via wall providing radial confinement.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a RAM data memory that generates predictable noise/interference components that are coherent with each write cycle and essentially independent of the data content of the RAM data memory. The RAM data memory is comprised of a plurality of cells, each representing a data bit, which are selectively addressable as memory bytes formed of multiple bits. Each cell is formed of two sets of cross-coupled transistors. By causing each set of cross-coupled transistors to be set to a common voltage level at the beginning of a write cycle before setting one set of transistors to a low level and the one set of transistors to be set to a high level (thus representing a desired data bit value), the associated noise/interference components of the power drain are data independent. Furthermore, the data-independent noise occurs at frequencies at or above the write cycle rate.

Abstract: A tool is described for the backside removal of single pins from a high pin density connector, either from the connector itself or a connector with pins such as compliant pins mounted in plated through vias on a host such as a printed circuit board. A pin is driven from a connector by advancing a sleeve portion to surround the pin and subsequently pushing the pin from the connector using a shaft with a spherical, concave end surface, whereby the pin is radially confined by the sleeve and aligned and driven by the shaft as it is advanced through the sleeve. Where the connector is mounted on a printed circuit board with the pin resident in a plated through via, the sleeve is aligned with and abutting the printed circuit board at the via opening and the shaft is thereafter advanced through and beyond the sleeve to engage, align and drive the pin with the via wall providing radial confinement.

Abstract: This device is advantageous for connecting an electronic circuit card to a test system to inspect the assembled electronic circuit card without damage to the mating connector thereon. A toggle actuated pressing member supports an electrical connector and a flex cable which, in turn, is connected to an electronic device. The pressing member or slide member may be moved toward a mating electrical connector attached to an electronic circuit card, aligned with the connector on the slide member, and forced into a connected condition therewith. The controlled action of the slide block and the connector supported thereon effect connection of the connectors without creating stresses that may damage the electronic circuit card or the connector thereon. A connector supported by the slide block is disconnected by moving the slide block away from the electronic circuit card and, by permitting spring-biased foot blocks to hold the electronic circuit card against movement until after disengagement occurs.

Abstract: A front side extractor is shown which removes single connector pins from connectors utilizing high pin densities. The tool includes a sleeve that is aligned with a pin to be extracted and advanced to surround the pin. A shaft with a terminal wedge surface is then advanced through the sleeve to wedge the pin against the inner surface of the sleeve and capture the pin, thereby allowing the pin to be extracted as it is retracted, in unison with the tool, away from the connector. To enhance the ability of the tool to capture the pin, the sleeve inner surface is roughened to increase the frictional force retaining the pin against the sleeve wall surface.

Abstract: A swiveling handle is attached to a square, rectangular, or oval curved base plate, with curvature selected to match the curvature of a vehicle tire sidewall. A pad containing the liquid or gel to be applied to a tire is attached to the underside of the curved base plate in order to contact the tire sidewall, so that one quick circular motion of the operator's hand applies the liquid or gel uniformly to the entire sidewall of the tire. A matching holder with a curved sponge or pad for resaturating the pad on the curved base plate may be included.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for improving the bio-compatibility of devices, especially medical devices which are invasively present within a patient's body and the improved medical device. The present invention particularly reduces the thrombogenicity of polyurethane materials in contact with the blood of a living patient. The method comprises providing a bio-compatible medical device having polymeric polyurethane components thereon, exposing the polyurethane components of the medical device to polar solvents for said polymeric components while the polar solvents are in the vapor phase, and allowing said vapor phase exposure to continue for a sufficient amount of time as to reduce at least some irregular or sharp features on the surface of the polymeric component.

Abstract: The invention discloses bars and process for making bars comprising synthetic anionic, fatty acid soap and hydroxy acid salt wherein bar can be extruded at minimum rates and wherein the bar and process are defined by specified ratio of hydroxy acid salt to calcite filler.

Abstract: There are provided 3-heterocyclic substituted benzisothiazole and benzisoxazole compounds having the structural formula I 1

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for improving the biocompatibility of devices, especially medical devices which are invasively present within a patient's body and the improved medical device. The present invention particularly reduces the thrombogenicity of polyurethane materials in contact with the blood of a living patient. The method comprises providing a biocompatible medical device having polymeric polyurethane components thereon, exposing the polyurethane components of the medical device to polar solvents for said polymeric components while the polar solvents are in the vapor phase, and allowing said vapor phase exposure to continue for a sufficient amount of time as to reduce at least some irregular or sharp features on the surface of the polymeric component.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrical housing having a cover portion 14, and a base portion (not shown) defining recesses for receiving electrical connectors 24. Each connector has a casing 26 defining a nozzle portion 28 through which terminations of electrical conductors 30 are receivable into the casing 26. The casing 26 holds captive a displaceable element 34 resembling a cylindrical plunger. The element 34 co-operates with a metal blade located within the casing 26 to strip off the insulation of the conductors 30 and join them electrically when the element 34 is urged into the casing. In use, a tool formation 40 forming part of the cover portion 14 is positioned over the displaceable element 34. When a downward force is applied to the cover portion 14 the tool portion 40 effectively urges the element 26 into its final position, thereby joining the conductors 30 electrically to each other.

Abstract: There are provided 3-(1,2-benzisothiazol- and isoxazol-5-yl)-2,4(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione or thione compounds of formula I and 3-(1,2-benzisothiazol- and isoxazol-5-yl)-4(3H)-pyrimidinone or thione compounds of formula II ##STR1## Further provided are compositions and methods comprising those compounds for the control of undesirable plant species.

Abstract: An electrical plug is equipped with an earthing pin 180 comprises an elongate metal body 260 defining a groove for holding captive a split band 460 of a moulded plastic material, which has inwardly facing nodes 480 which are receivable in a transverse passage through the body. The body 260 further defines a longitudinal threaded bore for receiving a threaded shank 380 having a tapered tip which, in use, is seated between the inner nodes on the band 460. When the pin 180 is inserted into a corresponding socket of an existing electrical outlet (not shown) and a circular cap 420 on the exposed end of the threaded shank 380 is rotated, the tip of the shank 400 bears against the nodes 480 on the band 460, thereby expanding the band radially outwardly until it frictionally engages an adjacent portion of the socket in which the pin 180 is located. The pin 180 together with any electrically conducting pins associated with the same plug are hence secured against inadvertent extraction from their respective sockets.