Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems to non-invasively determine intra-luminal placement and patency of a vascular access device. Patency and/or placement are estimated indirectly by measuring a physiological parameter which is indicative of proper patency and/or placement of the vascular access device in a patient. The measurement is compared to a reference value or calibration. If the comparison indicates indication of proper patency and/or placement, a signal is generated. The signal can be used in a number of ways. One example is to give a user-perceivable alarm or indication of proper patency and/or placement. Non-limiting examples include activating a light, an audible buzzer, a vibration, readable displayed text or graphics, or some combination of the same. The user can then have an indirect and at least semi-automatic way of estimating proper patency and/or placement of a vascular access device.

Abstract: A spinal fixation construct for aligning vertebral bodies includes a bone screw, a spinal rod, a flexible member, and a fixation member. The spinal rod is disposed within a saddle portion of a housing of the bone screw, and includes an elongated body having a first end and a second end. The spinal rod is formed from a first material having a first modulus of elasticity. The flexible member is coupled to the spinal rod, and includes an elongated body having a first end portion and a second end portion. The flexible member is formed from a second material having a second modulus of elasticity that is different from the first modulus of elasticity. The fixation member includes a threaded body portion and a head portion defining a hole therethrough. A portion of the flexible member extends through the hole of the head portion.

Abstract: A ceramic-metal article including a ceramic rod, a metal rod, and a braze joining the ceramic and metal rods at a braze area of a coaxial bore in the metal rod. The bore gradually decreases in diameter, having an inward seat area sized for close sliding fit about the ceramic, a larger brazing area near the joint end, and a void area intermediate the braze and seat areas. The ceramic is seated without brazing in the bore seat area. The side wall between the brazing area and the metal outer surface is about 0.030-0.080 inch. The braze includes an inner braze layer, an outer braze layer, and an interlayer about 0.030-0.090 inch thick. A shoulder between the brazing and void areas supports the interlayer during bonding while preventing bonding between the void area and the ceramic member, leaving a void space between the void area and the ceramic member. A venting orifice extends generally radially through the metal member from the outer surface to the void space.

Abstract: A material for electrical contact use has the following composition: 6 to 18 percent tin oxide, 0.25 to 1% germanium oxide, 0.2 to 2% indium oxide, balance silver, all percentages by weight. The material exhibits superior erosion characterstics.

Abstract: Ferrous bimetals bearing easily read indicia and methods of making them. The bimetals of the present invention have a transparent oxide coating of a controlled thickness in the interference range and are prepared by immersing them in a acid bath, then washing away a film that is formed, followed by tempering them in an oxidizing atmosphere. Bimetals prepared this way have a golden hue an are easily marked with indicia that can be read by a consumer.

Abstract: A two-layer contact having a silver backing and a silver cadmium oxide body which backing is relatively free of warpage and macroscopic voids is produced from a mixture of silver oxide, silver acetate and silver.

Abstract: Addition of copper to silver-cadmium oxide by adding copper to submicron silver powder improves the morphology of the cadmium oxide in the sintered material and enables sintered densities greater than 96% of theoretical to be achieved.

Abstract: An additive for an electrical contact is selected according to a method wherein the additive has a substantially smaller contact angle with a liquid phase of a ductile metal than the weld inhibiting material has with the liquid phase.

Abstract: An electrical contact of the type having a working surface and comprising a ductile metal and weld inhibiting material includes a wetting agent present in an amount sufficient to reduce the surface energy between said contact surface and the liquid phase of the ductile metal. Improved wettability of the surface results in reduced arc erosion due to the spattering loss of ductile metal. Also, described is a method for selecting and testing proposed additives.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a method of preparing an electrical contact from sub-micron size silver and less than two micron size cadmium oxide particles with the contact having finally dispersed particles of cadmium oxide within grains of silver. In the instant invention the particles of silver and cadmium oxide are intimately blended together and subjected to a reducing atmosphere at a temperature of from 321.degree. C. to 550.degree. C. to reduce the cadmium oxide and form an alloy powder of cadmium and silver. The alloy formed is held at an elevated temperature following reducing and then oxidized at a temperature of from 321.degree. C. to 550.degree. C. to precipitate a dispersion of cadmium oxide within grains of silver and form a silver-cadmium oxide alloy powder. In an alternative embodiment an alloy powder of cadmium and silver already prepared from sub-micron size particles of silver and less than two micron size particles of cadmium oxide is heated to a temperature of from 321.degree. C.

Abstract: This application describes the step-wise application of heat during the sintering of a mixture of silver and cadmium oxide to give an alloy having improved characteristics. These alloys are useful as electric contacts in high electric current applications.

Abstract: This application describes a method of preparing cadmium-containing refractory metal-silver alloys by using a liquid phase sintering technique featuring a cadmium vapor over-pressure. The resultant alloys are useful as electric contacts in high electric current applications.

Abstract: This application describes the addition of an alkali metal, generally in the form of a salt thereof, to a mixture of silver and cadmium oxide, prior to the sintering step, to improve the as-sintered densities of the resultant alloy material.

Abstract: This application describes the addition of an alkali metal, generally in the form of a salt thereof, to a mixture of silver and cadmium oxide, prior to the sintering step, to improve the as-sintered densities of the resultant alloy material.

Abstract: This application describes the addition of an alkali metal, generally in the form of a salt thereof, to a mixture of silver and cadmium oxide, prior to the sintering step, to improve the as-sintered densities of the resultant alloy material.