Abstract: An improved articulating device for use with a medical insertion instrument comprising in part a first tube having a plurality of ribs defining a plurality of bending segments, a second tube axially disposed within the first tube, and means for transmitting an axial deflecting pull load. Such device has improved controlled for positioning an end of the device at a selected position within the body. The articulating device has a generally constant moment of inertia and a polar moment of inertia that generally decreases from its proximal to distal end.

Abstract: An improved articulating device for use with a medical insertion instrument comprising in part a first tube having a plurality of ribs defining a plurality of bending segments, a second tube axially disposed within the first tube, and means for transmitting an axial deflecting pull load. Such device has improved controlled for positioning an end of the device at a selected position within the body. The articulating device has a generally constant moment of inertia and a polar moment of inertia that generally decreases from its proximal to distal end.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for the warming of materials. In an embodiment, the heat for warming the materials is provided by an activatable heating substance, such as a supercooled salt solution. In an embodiment, an apparatus maintains fluid at a preselected temperature for prolonged durations. In an embodiment, an apparatus may be sterilized for deployment in a sterile surgical field. In an embodiment, an apparatus may be reused. In an embodiment, an apparatus is adapted for easy pouring of contents.

Abstract: A catalytically active aluminoxane can be synthesized from a precursor formed by the combination of at least one trialkylaluminum compound and at least one organoaluminum compound containing a carbon-oxygen bond therein, such as an alkoxy group-containing organoaluminum compound of the formula (CH.sub.3).sub.2 Al--O--R, where R is alkyl.

Abstract: A dental implant prosthesis component package and display system for containing sterile dental prostheses and components thereof for convenient use by a dentist or oral surgeon is disclosed.

Abstract: A dental implant package and holder is provided comprising a resiliently flexible envelope within a component box and a holder for holding a dental implant or implant component inside the resiliently flexible envelope. The resiliently flexible envelope is so configured and constructed that when it is contained in the component box it is under compressive stress. When the top of the component box is opened such stress is relieved by extension of the envelope through the open top. In one form of the invention, the component may be attached to a special holder for the component. The holder is an elongate memeber having a length and proximal and distal ends, a width and a thickness, the width being greater than about ten times the thickness, the length being from about three-fourths inch to one inch and being greater than about four times the width.

Abstract: The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention which in one aspect is an apparatus for packaging a compact disc, comprising a paperboard shell and holding member. The paperboard shell includes a top panel that defines a circular opening passing therethrough having a diameter at least equal to the diameter of a compact disc. The paperboard shell also includes a first side panel, a bottom panel that is disposed opposite the top panel, and a second side panel that is disposed opposite the second side panel. A glue tab extends from the first top panel and is affixed to the second side panel. The top panel, the first side panel, the bottom panel, and the second side panel with the glue tab affixed thereto define a cavity therein. The holding member is disposed within the cavity of the paperboard shell and has a top surface defining a circular recess.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon solutions of a dialkylmagnesium compound having reduced viscosity contain: (a) a hydrocarbon solvent; (b) a dialkylmagnesium compound normally soluble in hydrocarbon solvents; and (c) an effective viscosity reducing amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of a compound having silicon-oxygen bonding, a compound having silicon-nitrogen bonding, and mixtures thereof. Representative viscosity reducing agents include: tetraalkylorthosilicate compounds, such as those of the general formula Si(OR).sub.4, where R is an alkyl group containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, as exemplified by tetraethylorthosilicate; alkylsilazane compounds, including a hexaalkyldisilazane compound containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl groups therein as exemplified by hexamethyldisilazane; and silicone oil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process which comprises the non-hydrolytic transformation of an aluminoxane precursor composition, comprising carbon-to-oxygen bonds which can be alkylated by an alkylaluminum moiety, into a catalytically useful aluminoxane composition. In one embodiment of this invention, the catalytically useful aluminoxane composition is a polymethylaluminoxane composition substantially free of trimethylaluminum. The intermediate precursor is formed by the reaction of a trialkylaluminum compound, or a mixture of trialkylaluminum compounds, and a compound containing a carbon-to-oxygen bond, such as an alcohol, ketone, carboxylic acid, or carbon dioxide. Either unsupported or supported polymethyl-aluminoxane compositions can be formed.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon-soluble alkylaluminoxane composition, such as, methylaluminoxane or even a modified methylaluminoxane, can be prepared by preparing an alkylaluminoxane precursor via non-hydrolytic means, such as, by treating at least one trialkylaluminum compound with a compound containing an oxygen-carbon bond, adding to that precursor an effective amount of an organoaluminum compound which prevents formation of insoluble species, such as, a trialkylaluminum compound where each alkyl group contains two or more carbon atoms, and converting that modified precursor to an alkylaluminoxane, such as, by thermolysis. In a distinct embodiment of the invention, if an insoluble methylaluminoxane product is formed using the non-hydrolytic technique, it can be solubilized by treatment with a solubilizing amount of an alkylaluminoxane, prepared by either hydrolytic or non-hydrolytic means, wherein the alkyl moieties contain two or more carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for forming an aluminoxane composition comprising methylaluminoxane by mixing trimethylaluminum, or a mixture of trimethylaluminum and one or more other trihydrocarbylaluminum compounds, with an organoaluminum compound containing a trialkylsiloxide moiety and then oxygenating the mixture to form the aluminoxane. Oxygenation can be carried out by controlled hydrolysis or by treatment with an organic compound containing carbon-oxygen bonds, such as carbon dioxide. A preferred trialkylsiloxide moiety is of the formula --OSi(CH.sub.3).sub.3, such as in a compound of the formula (CH.sub.3).sub.2 AlOSi(CH.sub.3).sub.3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming a composition comprising oligomeric alkylaluminoxane, e.g., preferably methylaluminoxane, and moieties having the structure--OC(R).sub.3, where R is, for example, methyl, which comprises initially treating a composition comprising trialkylaluminum with a reagent containing a carbon-oxygen double bond, such as, carbon dioxide, followed by hydrolysis of the resulting composition with water.Another embodiment of the invention a composition comprising oligomeric methylaluminoxane and greater than 10 mole % of moieties of the structure --OC(R).sub.3, where R is methyl, which, when such composition is hydrolyzed, there is an evolution of hydrolysis products of methane and at least one C.sub.2 or higher alkane, such as t-butane.

Abstract: An integrated FSK detector circuit includes a first counter that receives a carrier signal and provides a multiple-bit output for reducing the frequency of the carrier signal into a plurality of weighted sub-multiples. An oscillator enable decoder circuit provides predetermined calibrate and measure pulses in response to the first counter output. A gated oscillator receives the calibrate and measure pulses and provides a burst of oscillator pulses during these time intervals. A second counter has an input coupled to the output of the gated oscillator and an up/down control terminal coupled to the output of the first counter. The output of the second counter also provides a multiple-bit output for reducing the frequency of the gated oscillator pulses. An FSK decoder logic circuit decodes the multiple-bit output of the second counter into a single bit FSK detect signal. The FSK detector circuit also includes a reset circuit coupled to the first counter for resetting between FSK detections.

Abstract: A filter circuit includes an input node for receiving an unfiltered input signal, an output node for providing a filtered output signal, and an intermediate node. An integrator has an input coupled to the input node and an output coupled to the intermediate node. A Schmitt trigger has an input coupled to the intermediate node and an output coupled to the output node. A reset circuit has a first input coupled to the input node, a second input coupled to the output node, and an output coupled to the intermediate node. The signal on the intermediate node is generated by integrating the unfiltered logic input signal if the input signal and the output signal are at opposite logic states. A filtered output logic signal is generated by conditioning the intermediate signal with the Schmitt trigger. The reset circuit resets the intermediate signal if the input signal and the output signal are each at a zero logic state or if the input signal and the output signal are each at a one logic state.

Abstract: A power supply self-contained within a portable RF/ID transponder includes a full wave rectifier having an input for receiving an antenna signal and outputs for providing power supply and ground voltages, wherein the power supply voltage has a time varying voltage waveform corresponding to the electric field generated by a reader/controller. The power supply further includes a clamping circuit for regulating the power supply voltage and a ferroelectric filter/storage capacitor coupled between the power supply and ground outputs of the full wave rectifier. The power supply further includes a power enable circuit for constantly monitoring the supply voltage waveform and for providing a power enable indication after an initial portion of the supply voltage waveform rises above a predetermined power-up threshold level and for removing the power enable indication when a terminal portion of the supply voltage waveform falls below a predetermined power-down level.

Abstract: A system and method for initiating communication between a controller and a selected one or other subset of multiple transponders in a common RF field in which each transponder has a unique, (or commonly unique) preprogrammed ID number. The controller transmits a series of commands/questions to the transponders and they either respond, or do not respond, to the controller based on their ID number, with the non-responding transponders entering a reset state. The transponders respond to the controller in such a way that, if multiple transponders respond, the controller can recognize that at least one transponder has responded and, for individual responses, the controller is not required to determine how many transponders have responded. Through use of the communications system and method disclosed, a sequence of controller commands and transponder responses single out a selected individual transponder or group of transponders based upon its particular ID number.

Abstract: A substantially pure, chemically distinct halomagnesium alkoxide compound is formed by reaction of a dihydrocarbylmagnesium compound with a compound which will replace an hydrocarbyl functionality thereon with an hydrocarbyloxy functionality and thereafter reacting the resulting product with a compound which replaces the other hydrocarbyl functionality with a halogen functionality, such as chlorine. The .sup.13 C nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the product exhibits no more than one strong, narrow absorption peak for each chemically inequivalent carbon atom in the hydrocarbyloxy ligand of the compound.