Abstract: The invention is a method of dehydrogenating a hydrocarbon, especially an alkane, to form an unsaturated compound, especially an alkene, by contacting the alkane with a catalyst comprising a form of carbon which is catalytically active for the dehydrogenation reaction. The catalyst may be formed by passing a hydrocarbon over a metal compound at a temperature greater than 650° C.

Abstract: A device for centering a work piece with respect to a centerline of a tool includes a radially-stationary component rigidly secured with respect to the tool such that the radially-stationary component and the tool are concentric. A biasing mechanism is biased away from the radially-stationary component to apply substantially equally-distributed radial force at a periphery of the work piece to thereby center the work piece with respect to the tool. A method of broaching a work piece having an inner and an outer diameter includes machining the outer diameter and then applying circumferentially-distributed radial force to the inner diameter or the outer diameter to thereby center the work piece with respect to a broach tool. After the applying step, the method includes broaching the inner diameter of the work piece using the broach tool.

Abstract: A device for centering a work piece with respect to a centerline of a tool includes a radially-stationary component rigidly secured with respect to the tool such that the radially-stationary component and the tool are concentric. A biasing mechanism is biased away from the radially-stationary component to apply substantially equally-distributed radial force at a periphery of the work piece to thereby center the work piece with respect to the tool. A method of broaching a work piece having an inner and an outer diameter includes machining the outer diameter and then applying circumferentially-distributed radial force to the inner diameter or the outer diameter to thereby center the work piece with respect to a broach tool. After the applying step, the method includes broaching the inner diameter of the work piece using the broach tool.

Abstract: The invention provides a material for use in a wound dressing or wound implant, the material comprising a plurality of beads, wherein each bead comprises a porous core of a first bioabsorbable material and a substantially non-porous layer of a second bioabsorbable material around the core. The porous core is preferably a sponge formed by freeze-drying a liquid suspension of the first bioabsorbable material. The preferred diameter of the beads is 0.1-4.0 mm, and the beads are preferably dispersed in a liquid or solid matrix. The invention also provides a method of making beads for use in the materials of the invention.

Abstract: An integrated and compact bag filling machine comprising a material dispensing spout, a slip tube suspended in substantially vertical alignment with the spout, and a bag sealing apparatus comprising a pair of opposable forming bars and a pair of independently actuable and opposable sealing bars is herein disclosed. The bag filling machine is capable of bottom filling and sealing both paper and plastic bags having gusseted or flat sides with little or no modification.

Abstract: Absorbable implant materials having controlled porosity are formed by a method comprising the steps of: providing a dispersion of a bioabsorbable polymer, such as collagen, in a first solvent, such as water; adding particles of a second material, e.g. frozen water droplets or ice particles to the dispersion; followed by freezing the dispersion to form a frozen dispersion having the particles embedded therein, and removing both the first solvent and the second material from the frozen dispersion by freeze-drying or solvent extraction to leave the porous implant material. The invention also encompasses the use of such implant materials for wound healing applications.

Abstract: An apparatus for shouldering and deaerating filled bags provides rapid expulsion of excess gas from flexible top-closure bags containing particulate material. The automated apparatus permits completely controlled handling of the filled bags from the filling station through their movement to a bag closing station. The filled bag is transported to the shouldering and deaerating station where a portion of its top edge is clamped and held by upwardly-biased bag grippers while the contents are settled, compacted and degasified by vibration. Pressure rollers mounted on the front and rear of the bag below the bag grippers compressively roll downward to collapse the bag top and expel gas upwardly therefrom. Downward movement of the rollers ceases when indirect contact with the bag contents activates a limit switch or servo mechanism.

Abstract: A fully absorbable prosthesis (1) for the repair of damaged ligaments and/or tendons in the form of a multilayer spiral roll comprising the following spiral layers: a foraminous layer (2) of a synthetic bioabsorbable material; a bioabsorbable film (3); and a layer (4) of a bioabsorbable biopolymer sponge. The invention also provides a method of making such a prosthesis, comprising the steps of: providing a laminate of a foraminous layer of bioabsorbable material and a bioabsorbable film; coating the laminate with a layer of an aqueous gel comprising a bioabsorbable polymer; rolling up the laminate and the gel layer into a spiral roll, followed by drying the gel to form a layer of bioabsorbable sponge. The foraminous layer (2) preferably comprises a synthetic bioabsorbable polymer having high tensile strength. The bioabsorbable film (3) and sponge layer (4) preferably comprise a chemotactic biopolymer such as collagen.