Abstract: Compositions and methods for avidin or protein having affinity for biotin immobilized on an inert support material, e.g., agarose, are disclosed. The compositions have high activity levels for binding biotin and may include a bulking agent, e.g., maltose, and a protectant to maintain the stability and integrity of the composition during lyophilization and terminal sterilization processes. The compositions have applicability in any instance where avidin agarose and/or the avidin/biotin technology are useful. In particular, the present compositions are useful in an enzyme capture system to prepare fibrin monomers useful for fibrin sealants.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for avidin immobilized on an inert support material, e.g., agarose, are disclosed. The compositions have high activity levels of avidin and may further include a bulking agent, e.g., maltose, and a protectant to maintain the stability and integrity of the avidin agarose during lyophilization and terminal sterilization processes. A dry composition, and wet compositions such as a gel, slurry or suspension having avidin immobilized on an inert support material are disclosed. The dry composition has at least 1000 biotin binding units of activity, and the wet compositions have at least 50 units of binding activity. These compositions have applicability in any instance where avidin agarose and/or the avidin/biotin technology are useful. In particular, the present compositions are useful in an enzyme capture system to prepare fibrin monomer useful for fibrin sealants.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for avidin immobilized on an inert support material, e.g., agarose, are disclosed. The compositions have high activity levels of avidin and may further include a bulking agent, e.g., maltose, and a protectant to maintain the stability and integrity of the avidin agarose during lyophilization and terminal sterilization processes. These compositions have applicability in any instance where avidin agarose and/or the avidin/biotin technology are useful. In particular, the present compositions are useful in an enzyme capture system to prepare fibrin monomer useful for fibrin sealants.

Abstract: The invention is directed to substrate analogs which are specific for tissue kallikrein. These analogs contain a sequence which corresponds to at least positions 388 to 390 of human kininogen, and which has a 4-aminophenylalanine (Phe(4NH.sub.2)), or a structurally or functionally similar residue, corresponding to position 389. These substrate analogs are useful in compositions and methods for the treatment or prevention of biological activities associated with tissue kallikrein including inflammation, the regulation of blood flow, the regulation of proenzyme activity through processing, shock, hypotension, vascular leakage, and the perception of pain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved seal assembly for sealing between the interior sealing surface of a well housing and the exterior sealing surface of a hanger landed within the well housing and includes a seal body having a pair of outer lips diverging outwardly for sealing against the housing interior sealing surface and an interior series of annular ridges which have a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the hanger exterior sealing surface, an upper energizer and a lower energizer for coacting with said lips to move the lips into sealing position and to store the energy of setting to ensure sealing engagement of the lips. The shape of the sealing lips is such that they each provide a sealing surface and a ridge having a greater outer diameter than the sealing surface so that when the seal assembly is being run into the housing any scratches resulting from the engagement of the seal with the interior of the housing is on the ridges and not on the sealing surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved seal assembly for sealing between the interior sealing surface of a well housing and the exterior sealing surface of a hanger landed within the well housing and includes a seal body having a pair of outer lips diverging outwardly for sealing against the housing interior sealing surface and an interior series of annular ridges which have a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the hanger exterior sealing surface, an upper energizer and a lower energizer for coacting with said lips to move the lips into sealing position and to store the energy of setting to ensure sealing engagement of the lips. In some forms of the invention the energy is stored by virture of the lips being of a relatively low yield stength material as compared to the energizers which have a higher yield strength. Also, structure is provided in some of the forms of the invention to store both radial and axial lip loading forces.

Abstract: An improved length compensating joint suitable for use in repairing pipelines includes an inner tubular member, an outer tubular member which receives the inner member in close fitting engagement, seals disposed radially and axially between the inner and outer members define annular piston areas for providing selective relative motion between the inner and outer members, a pressure responsive locking piston with a camming surface for urging gripping elements into locking engagement with the inner member, a metal-to-metal seal between the inner and outer members which can be deenergized during extension or retraction operations and a test port for verifying the integrity of the metal-to-metal seal after installation. Additionally, a second embodiment provides an alternative metal-to-metal seal configuration which can also be deenergized during extension and retraction operations.

Abstract: A unique class of tissue kallikrein inhibitors is provided which are specific for tissue kallikreins and do not substantially cross-react with plasma kallikreins or other serine proteases in-vivo. These inhibitors are substrate analogues of low molecular weight kininogens but are highly inhibitory, stable and resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis, and release non-toxic degradation products.

Abstract: A hawser chain assembly and method for installation of its sealing element is disclosed. The assembly includes a housing adapted for connection in series with a hawser pipe of a marine vessel such as a semi-submersible drilling rig. The housing may be moved to an open position for installation or replacement of the sealing element, and a closed position to longitudinally surround and secure the sealing element. The sealing element has at least two semi-cylindrical elastomeric parts, each of which is adapted for placement partially about the hawser chain when the housing is in the open position. Each semi-cylindrical part has at least one inflatable bladder. A manifold is provided by which fluid pressure may be introduced to the bladders of the sealing element causing them to expand. The sealing element is restricted on its outer diameter by the closed housing causing the elastomeric material to move inwardly forming a sealing engagement with the chain.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for remotely connecting or disconnecting upper flexible choke/kill lines (including auxiliary lines) to choke/kill lines of a floating drilling rig riser which has been lowered toward the sea floor. Remote stab assemblies are mounted to a stowable tension ring releasably secured to a housing secured to rig beams. In the stowed position, hydraulic stab connectors secured to travelling yoke assemblies are disconnected from each line. The travelling yoke assemblies are moved to an outer position so that the flexible drape hoses clear the space beneath the housing in order that a blowout preventer stack may be trolleyed in from the side of the rig moon pool during running or retrieval. The stack is lowered toward the sea floor by the riser. A telescopic joint is connected to the top of the riser and lowered through the housing and the tension ring.

Abstract: A packer unit and packer insert adapted for use in an annular blowout preventer. The packer insert includes a generally longitudinal web with its leading edge facing the axial bore of the packing unit sloping from top to bottom in a generally radially outward direction.

Abstract: A process and apparatus has been developed for radioassay of ligand in solution which eliminates the separation step required in conventional techniques. A chamber is provided containing a quenching solution, a plurality of ligand molecules and a plurality of receptor molecules. One of pluralities forms a free species labelled with a beta particle emitter while the other is immobilized on a solid support, e.g., the chamber wall or a microbead, within the chamber. Ligand introduced with the sample competes with ligand molecules already in the chamber for receptor sites on the receptor molecules and the free species is allowed to diffuse about the chamber. A beta particle detector in communication with the chamber at a fixed position detects only those beta particles emitted from within the quenching distance of the quenching solution. The quenching properties of the solution are used in place of the conventional separation step.

Abstract: An annular blowout preventer packer unit is disclosed having an annulus of elastomeric material in which is embedded metallic drive inserts provided in an outward circle about the axis. Metallic lead inserts are provided in an inward circle about the axis. The top and bottom plates of the drive inserts have two angled longitudinal forward surfaces which interface with reverse angled adjacent longitudinal rearward surfaces of the top and bottom plates of the lead inserts, respectively. When the BOP piston is closed, the drive inserts cause the lead inserts to advance inwardly a greater radial distance than the advance of the drive inserts. The result is that less stroke may be required to close the blowout preventer, and a controlled, predictable, uniform movement of the lead inserts is achieved. The drive inserts top plates are broad across their rearward longitudinal surface operably covering the area behind the lead inserts on closure of the packer unit.

Abstract: A connector apparatus for releasably securing two separate force transmitting assemblies in a force transfer relationship is disclosed. A first connector assembly having a tubular member forming a central opening having a locking recess formed therein is anchored at a desired location. A second connector assembly having a primary and a secondary housing operably connects with the first connector assembly for transferring the static forces therebetween. The primary housing mounts an expandable locking ring which fits in the recess of the first connector assembly for effecting the mechanical securing. The locking ring may be released by two separate modes of operation. When released, all operating parts of the connector except the first connector assembly may be retrieved to a convenient location for inspection or repair. Should the locking ring fail to release by either mode, the secondary housing may in the alternative be released from the primary housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for deviated hole drilling upwardly and outwardly from beneath a shallow hydrocarbon formation pay zone. A large diameter vertical hole is first formed as by drilling below the pay zone. A first casing having a directional window provided in its wall is cemented in the large diameter hole. One or more casings are then provided in the borehole below the first casing. A carriage assembly loaded with drilling tools for drilling upwardly and outwardly is then lowered by means of a working drill string and landed within the first casing.The carriage assembly has a first passage in fluid communication with the drill string. The drilling tools are loaded within a second passage of the carriage assembly. The top opening of the second passage is below the directional window when the carriage assembly is landed and angularly oriented in the first casing.

Abstract: Drilling apparatus is disclosed adapted for drilling upwardly a deviated hole from a carriage assembly disposed in a cased vertical hole below a target zone of a hydrocarbon bearing formation. The drilling apparatus includes a drill motor assembly having a drill bit driven by a shaft of a drill bit mud pressure driven motor. A weight on bit assembly is provided below the drill bit motor for imparting "weight-on-bit" drilling force to the drilling bit against the face of the borehole. The weight on bit assembly includes an anti-rotation assembly for preventing rotation of the drill bit motor with respect to the borehole and an axial drive assembly for applying axial force to the drill bit. Apparatus is provided to reverse the direction of the axial force generated by the weight on bit assembly. Apparatus is also provided to limit the axial force applied to the drill bit to a predetermined level.

Abstract: A compound of the formulaZ-His-Pro-Phe-His-X-X-Val-Tyr-(D-)-Ywherein the Xs are the same or different and selected from the group consisting of an aromatic, a chlorinated aromatic, an aliphatic and a chlorinated aliphatic amino acid residue;Y is a positively or negatively charged amino acid residue; andZ is a proline or a polyprolyl residue having up to 5 prolyl residues, is useful for decreasing renin-related high blood pressure.

Abstract: A pentapeptide of the formula:H--A--B--C--D--E--OXwhereinA, B, D are the same or different amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of Phe, Phe(4-Cl, Phe(4-F), Phe(4-Br), Phe(OMe), Tyr, Phe (4-I) and Tyr (ortho-Me);C is Val, threo-.alpha.-amino-3-chlorobutyric acid, or Thr;E is lysine or arginine;X is NH.sub.2, NHR, wherein R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, OH, OR.sup.1, wherein R.sup.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, or OM, where M is a physiologically acceptable cationor addition salts of said pentapeptide, is useful as a renin inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a connector for mechanically joining members having large force loading while enabling limited relative angular movement therebetween. The connector employs a plurality of stacked metal roll plates to provide rolling metal-to-metal contact while avoiding sliding movement of contacting members transmitting the force load between connector members. Each of the roll plates is provided with a concave and convex load carrying surface with the radius of the concave surface greater than that of the convex surface to provide rolling rather than sliding contact. To obtain universal angular movement, one embodiment of the connector employs a single stack of spherical surface roll plates while a second embodiment employs a plurality of roll plate stacks having substantially cylindrical load carrying surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surge absorber that may be easily custom fabricated to a particular flow line application. The surge absorber prevents "water hammer" by providing an enlarged compressible fluid chamber that is separated from the flow line by a diaphragm. When the pressure surge occurs, the greater incompressible fluid volume provided by the intermediate tubular section of the pressure vessel housing provides sufficient baffling while an internal diaphragm protector protects the diaphragm from damage by the incompressible fluid.