Abstract: Apparatus and a method for treating an irregularity in a wall of a vessel of a patient defined by an irregular or afflicted wall portion with adjacent normal wall portions comprises a catheter having a distal end portion for being guided through the vessel to the site of the irregularity. A balloon associated with said distal end portion of the catheter for selective inflating to contact the walls of the vessel urges a stent carried by the distal end portion of the catheter in a constricted condition for passage through the vessel into an expanded form with the stent spanning the afflicted wall portion and contacting the adjacent wall portions. The catheter is formed with lumens for inflating the balloon, for receiving a guidewire for guiding the catheter through the vessel, and for connecting a port in the catheter proximate the afflicted wall portion to enable delivery of a therapeutic agent into the vessel to contact the stent and the irregular wall portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for renewing a roof system of a building includes a blower having an intake port and an exhaust port in gaseous communication with the interior of the roof system to reduce the moisture content of the roof system. A method of renewing the roof system includes the steps of blowing air into the roof system until the roof system is dried to a predetermined level and applying a coating or second covering to the dried roof system.

Abstract: A more efficient portable emission microscope system comprising a cooled CCD camera coupled to microscope optics for detection of photon emissions from integrated circuits. Portability is achieved with a small light tight box and rubber boot combination which are used in conjunction with a probe station or portable stand. The optics are modified to contain an illuminating ring of light emitting diodes for sample illumination prior to or after emission acquisition. Sensitivity is increased by elevating the substrate temperature. In operation, an integrated circuit is enclosed by a rubber boot. An illuminated reference image is then obtained with the LEDs "on," and a background image is obtained with the LEDs "off." The background image represents illumination noise. The temperature of the circuit is then raised while the circuit is biased. Temperature elevation is accomplished by installing small power resistors at the base of an appropriate burn-in socket.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for treating an irregularity in a wall of a vessel of a patient defined by an irregular or afflicted wall portion with adjacent normal wall portions comprises a catheter having a distal end portion for being guided through the vessel to the site of the irregularity. A balloon associated with said distal end portion of the catheter for selective inflating to contact the walls of the vessel urges a stent carried by the distal end portion of the catheter in a constricted condition for passage through the vessel into an expanded form with the stent spanning the afflicted wall portion and contacting the adjacent wall portions. The catheter is formed with lumens for inflating the balloon, for receiving a guidewire for guiding the catheter through the vessel, and for connecting a port in the catheter proximate the afflicted wall portion to enable delivery of a therapeutic agent into the vessel to contact the stent and the irregular wall portion.

Abstract: A method of restoring a color image comprised of one or more colorants and which image may have faded over time, which image is represented by an image signal. The method uses both a restoration model and provides a means which enable a user to readily interact with the restoration process to obtain a final restoration. In a second aspect, the restoration model is used in conjunction with a lightness distribution mapping to provide a high quality restoration. The restoration model is a function of a variable time, and is the inverse of a model representing the fade rate of at least one of the colorants as a function of at least a variable time (and preferably also as a function of the other colorants). An apparatus for performing the method is provided. A computer readable medium has computer readable code means which can execute the method in a suitable computer.

Abstract: A portable emission microscope for analyzing failures in an integrated circuit chip while the chip is contained within a wafer sorter. A base for the microscope is placed over an opening in the wafer sorter. A translational apparatus is attached to the base for lowering a charge coupled device camera into an opening in the wafer sorter. A compact housing containing microscope optics is coupled to the camera. Also, a flexible rubber boot is coupled to the microscope optics for shielding extraneous light from entering the camera. A vibration reducing apparatus is coupled to the microscope optics for preventing movement of the camera relative to the chip. The vibration reducing apparatus fits within the rubber boot and is a rigid, hollow cylinder having an adjustable length. The microscope optics view the chip through the cylinder.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for treating an irregularity in a wall of a vessel of a patient defined by an irregular or afflicted wall portion with adjacent normal wall portions comprises a catheter having a distal end portion for being guided through the vessel to the site of the irregularity. A balloon associated with said distal end portion of the catheter for selective inflating to contact the walls of the vessel urges a stent carried by the distal end portion of the catheter in a constricted condition for passage through the vessel into an expanded form with the stent spanning the afflicted wall portion and contacting the adjacent wall portions. The catheter is formed with lumens for inflating the balloon, for receiving a guidewire for guiding the catheter through the vessel, and for connecting a port in the catheter proximate the afflicted wall portion to enable delivery of a therapeutic agent into the vessel to contact the stent and the irregular wall portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for pneumatically controlling the velocity of flow of liquid metal from a tundish into a continuous casting machine through a nozzle. A chamber encloses the nozzle outlet, and at least a portion of the continuous casting machine, and a pressurized gas is supplied to the chamber. The flow velocity of the liquid metal at the nozzle outlet is controlled by controlling the gas pressure in the chamber in response to the level of the liquid metal in the tundish, and the measured atmospheric pressure acting on the liquid metal in the tundish.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for treating an irregularity in a wall of a vessel of a patient defined by an irregular or afflicted wall portion with adjacent normal wall portions comprises a catheter having a distal end portion for being guided through the vessel to the site of the irregularity. A balloon associated with said distal end portion of the catheter for selective inflating to contact the walls of the vessel urges a stent carried by the distal end portion of the catheter in a constricted condition for passage through the vessel into an expanded form with the stent spanning the afflicted wall portion and contacting the adjacent wall portions. The catheter is formed with lumens for inflating the balloon, for receiving a guidewire for guiding the catheter through the vessel, and for connecting a port in the catheter proximate the afflicted wall portion to enable delivery of a therapeutic agent into the vessel to contact the stent and the irregular wall portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for pneumatically controlling the velocity of flow of liquid metal from a tundish into a continuous casting machine through a nozzle. A chamber encloses the nozzle outlet, and at least a portion of the continuous casting machine, and a pressurized gas is supplied to the chamber. The flow velocity of the liquid metal at the nozzle outlet is controlled by controlling the gas pressure in the chamber in response to the level of the liquid metal in the tundish, and the measured atmospheric pressure acting on the liquid metal in the tundish.

Abstract: A holder for sheet material such as paper, which may be attached to a wall or other surface to serve as a retainer to display notes and the like. The holder comprises an inverted V-shaped elongate member (10) with one vertical leg (11) and one outwardly projecting leg (12). A brush strip (16,17) extends across the slot between the legs to trap the edge region of a sheet (21) of paper or the like introduced into the holder. The holder may be supplied in any suitable length according to its intended use. Sheets of paper introduced into the holder are retained thereby but readily removed when required.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the production of "no-cook" dehydrated ice which can be rehydrated and rendered palatable in a few minutes by the addition of boiling water thereto. The process comprises soaking parboiled rice, cooking it, drying it to a moisture content of 2-20% by weight, and puffing the rice at a temperature in the range 150.degree.-350.degree. C. In a preferred embodiment, the parboiled rice is soaked to a moisture content of about 50%, washed, drained, allowed to stand for at least 1/2 hour, cooked in dry steam, washed, cooled, dried to a moisture content around 10%, allowed to stand for at least 1/2 hour, and puffed in a stream of hot air for 13-20 seconds at 240.degree.-270.degree. C.

Abstract: Elastic resistor compositions comprising metallic-conductive particles and solid conductive lubricant particles codistributed in a matrix of a curable, elastomer-forming polymer and the cured compositions formed therefrom. Elastic resistors made from said compositions are also disclosed.