Abstract: An electrode configuration for use with a standard electrosurgical generator suitable for performing tissue ablation at relatively low power levels. The electrode has at least one curved wire member at its distal tip, the exposed conductive area of the curved wire member being minimized to create high power densities sufficient for tissue ablation. The exposed conductive area of the wire member is partially surrounded by a ceramic insulating support member to enable ablation laterally of the electrode tip as well as proximally and distally. An insulating layer is applied to portions of the outer surfaces of the electrode and the ceramic insulating support member.

Abstract: Whitened fluff pulp and methods for making whitened fluff pulp. The whitened pulp is a fluff pulp that has been treated with one or more of a white pigment, a colorant, or a fluorescent whitening agent.

Abstract: Suture separation and organization devices for use in a tissue graft tensioning system. The inventive devices help to separate and organize a plurality of suture strands that extend away from a bone tunnel of a patient's leg during joint repair surgery (e.g., while repairing or replacing the anterior cruciate ligament (“ACL”)). The suture separation and organization device may comprise one or more elongate bodies, or a one-piece body, comprising a plurality of suture retention recesses or protrusions disposed on a perimeter of a body. The suture separation and organization device also includes recesses or passages adapted to receive corresponding posts of a graft tensioning device. In this way, the suture separation and organization device can be removably attached to the graft tensioning device.

Abstract: A suture pulley assembly includes a pulley wheel that is rotatably attached to an adjustable tension applicator used in joint repair surgery (e.g., to repair an ACL) so as to equalize the tensile load that is applied to each side of a looped suture by the adjustable tension applicator. The pulley wheel includes a pair of pulley plates that define a pulley space therebetween into which a looped suture is placed and that are oppositely-biased in order to spread apart and contract in response to differences in size of the looped suture as a result of, e.g., the existence of a knot or half knot. The pulley wheel is rotatably attached to the tension applicator by a post. A spring biases one of the suture pulley plates toward the other in a manner that allows for the aforementioned expansion of the pulley space.

Abstract: Oil is used in absorbent structures to promote the retention of superabsorbent materials within the absorbent structures that are formed from fibers and the superabsorbent material. The oil is applied to either the fibers or the superabsorbent material or both prior to or during the formation of the components into an absorbent structure. Acquisition rates and fluid retention levels of the absorbent structures are described.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide is removed or reduced in absorbent products by the use of a particulate material attached to pulp fiber by a retention aid. The particulate material can remove or reduce the hydrogen sulfide in the environment surrounding the fiber. Suitable materials are zinc oxide, calcium oxide, cupric oxide, magnesium oxide, manganese dioxide, manganese oxide and aluminum oxide. Zeolites are also suitable. The particulate material may be combined with a filler prior to attachment to the fiber.

Abstract: Cellulose pulp sheets treated with a saccharide yield less than 20 wt. % knots when fiberized under standard Kamas conditions. The fiberized sheets when airlaid produce fiber webs that exhibit desirable densification properties and softness properties.

Abstract: Whitened fluff pulp and methods for making whitened fluff pulp. The whitened pulp is a fluff pulp that has been treated with one or more of a white pigment, a colorant, or a fluorescent whitening agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer derived from a cellulosic, lignocellulosic, or polysaccharide material having superabsorbent properties. Methods for making the polymer and personal care absorbent products that incorporated the polymer are also provided.

Abstract: A method of color printing is described in which only two transparent inks are used to reproduce a source image The original digitally encoded image in red, green and blue colors may be initially adjusted for contrast, brightness, color balance, and tonal value. This is then converted to cyan, magenta and yellow encoding. The two of these channels which best represent the dominant colors of original image are then selected. The critical colors of the original image to be reproduced with reasonable accuracy are determined and spot colors that best represent these are selected from an ink palette The spot colors are assigned to the selected channels to which they have the closest color relationship. These two channels are next superimposed to form a composite image and their greyscale values are adjusted to produce an image most closely resembling the desired final image. New positive separations are then made and inverted to negative images from which printing plates can be prepared.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer derived from a cellulosic, lignocellulosic, or polysaccharide material having superabsorbent properties. Methods for making the polymer and personal care absorbent products that incorporated the polymer are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to cellulose fluff pulp products that are debondable into fluff with markedly lower energy input, to a process for making the products, and to absorbent products using the fluff Most of the pulp products show no reduction in liquid absorbency rate from that of untreated fiber and significantly higher rates than pulps treated with the usual debonding agents. The products are made by adhering fine non-cellulosic particles to the fiber surfaces using a retention aid. The fiber is preferably treated with the retention aid in an aqueous suspension for a sufficient time so that the retention aid is substantively bonded with little or none left free in the water. The fine particulate additive is then added and becomes attached and uniformly distributed over the fiber surfaces with very little particle agglomeration occurring. The fiber is most usually not refined or only very lightly refined before sheeting.

Abstract: The invention relates to cellulose fluff pulp products that are debondable into fluff with markedly lower energy input, to a process for making the products, and to absorbent products using the fluff. Most of the pulp products show no reduction in liquid absorbency rate from that of untreated fiber and significantly higher rates than pulps treated with the usual debonding agents. The products are made by adhering fine non-cellulosic particles to the fiber surfaces using a retention aid. The fiber is preferably treated with the retention aid in an aqueous suspension for a sufficient time so that the retention aid is substantively bonded with little or none left free in the water. The fine particulate additive is then added and becomes attached and uniformly distributed over the fiber surfaces with very little particle agglomeration occurring. The fiber is most usually not refined or only very lightly refined before sheeting.

Abstract: A multi-ply paperboard comprising at least one ply of conventional cellulose fibers and from about 0.1 to about 6 weight percent of a water-borne binding agent; and at least one ply containing up to 20% of chemically intra-fiber crosslinked cellulosic high-bulk fibers and from about 0.1 to about 6 weight percent of a water-borne binding agent. The water-borne binding agent may be a starch, a modified starch, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinyl acetate, a polyethylene/acrylic acid copolymer, an acrylic acid polymer, a polyacrylate, a polyacrylamide, a polyamine, guar gum, an oxidized polyethylene, a polyvinyl chloride, a polyvinyl chloride/acrylic acid copolymer, an acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene copolymer or polyacrylonitrile. A method for making the paperboard is disclosed.

Abstract: A densified web of cellulose fibers has a high absorbent capacity and good wet strength. The web is produced by combining cellulose fibers with a bonding agent, activating the bonding agent, allowing it to contact the cellulose fibers, and thereafter deactivating the bonding agent. The web is thereafter compressed in a cooled state to form a densified web. The web exhibits an absorbent capacity superior to that of prior densified and bonded webs.

Abstract: A fiber/binding agent composition comprising: individualized chemically crosslinked high-bulk fibers comprising individualized fibers chemically intra-fiber crosslinked with a crosslinking agent that is a polycarboxylic acid or is selected from the group of urea derivatives consisting of methylated urea, methylated cyclic ureas, methylated lower alkyl substituted ureas, dihydroxy cyclic ureas, and methylated dihydroxy cyclic ureas, and mixtures thereof; and from about 0.1 to about 6 weight percent of a water-borne binding agent. The water-borne binding agent is selected from the group consisting of starch, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinyl acetate latex, a polyethylene/acrylic acid copolymer, an acrylic acid polymer, an oxidized polyethylene, a polyvinyl chloride, a polyvinyl chloride/acrylic acid copolymer, an acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene copolymer and polyacrylonitrile.

Abstract: A web of fibers is bound together by a bonding medium that has been activated by partially solubilizing the bonding medium with a solvent therefor. The fibers are insoluble in the bonding medium. As the bonding medium is partially solubilized, it becomes tacky and flows into contact with the fibers and with itself Thereafter, the solvent is absorbed by the bonding medium, allowing the bonding medium to resolidify and bond the fibers in a matrix, increasing the web strength.

Abstract: A three-part dry blended soluble mixture which includes a water soluble hydroxyl group bearing polymer, a covalent crosslinking agent, and a catalyst is made into an aqueous solution which is then applied to any underlying material of choice. After drying, the crosslinked polymer forms a material that is completely insoluble in water, thereby serving as a binder or tackifier. One additive that may be included with the dry blend is wood fiber in an approximate weight ratio of nine to one and thereafter this dry blend is combined with water where the three-part dry blend goes into solution while the fibers remain in suspension. This composition is then spray applied to any underlying material and upon drying, there is formed a bonded fiber matrix which is relatively strong and which has many applications such as for use as an erosion control/seeding material, a covering for landfills, or a covering for other particulate materials stored in an outside location.