Abstract: A telephone conferencing system includes a voice services equipment (VSE) allowing a number of telephone calls to be connected together to form a conferencing function. Parties wishing to set up a conference agree on one of their telephone numbers being designated as a “link number”. The conference participants dial into the system and then each enters the link number. The system stores the link number in a link number store when the first caller calls in. The system also checks the caller's calling line identity (CLI) with the entered link number, and the conference will not be enabled unless there is a match; thus, the conference cannot be initiated until the link number participant has called in. Any other participant calling earlier can be put on “hold”. A number of different conferences may be taking place simultaneously, and participants will be grouped together correctly in their conference in accordance with the entered link number.

Abstract: A telephone conferencing system includes a voice services equipment (VSE) allowing a number of telephone calls to be connected together to form a conferencing function. Parties wishing to set up a conference agree on one of their telephone numbers being designated as a “link number”. The conference participants dial into the system and then each enters the link number. The system stores the link number in a link number store when the first caller calls in. The system also checks the caller's calling line identity (CLI) with the entered link number, and the conference will not be enabled unless there is a match; thus, the conference cannot be initiated until the link number participant has called in. Any other participant calling earlier can be put on “hold”. A number of different conferences may be taking place simultaneously, and participants will be grouped together correctly in their conference in accordance with the entered link number.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clamping device for insertion through a working channel of an endoscope. The clamping device comprises an elongated housing body having a thumb ring on a first end thereof and a flexible elongated outer sheath attached to a second end of the housing. An inner sheath is slidably arranged within the housing and the outer sheath. A biasable clamp arrangement is connectively disposed on the distal end of the inner sheath. An annular ring is arranged on the distal end of the outer sheath. The biasable clamp arrangement is openable and closable in response to longitudinal movement of the inner sheath with respect to the outer sheath by a camming action between the arms and the annular ring. The arms may be connected to a proper circuit for providing mono-polar or bi-polar energization to tissue clamped between the arms comprising the clamp arrangement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bifunctional nucleic acid which includes a first nucleic acid which comprises an aptamer bonded to a second nucleic acid that possesses a biological activity (herein referred to as a “biological effector sequence”) and which is not a nucleic acid ligand.

Abstract: A containment device for retaining semiconductor wafers (54) is disclosed. The containment device comprises a first housing member (10) having a frame (12), an inner wall (14) and an outer wall (16). The inner wall (14) and outer wall (16) each extend generally perpendicularly from the frame (12). The inner wall (14) and outer wall (16) have a spaced apart relationship forming a gap (18) therebetween. The inner wall (14) closely receives the semiconductor wafers (54). The containment device also comprises a second housing member (36) that is securably attachable to the first housing member (10). The second housing member (36) has a frame (38) that forms the top of the containment device when the first and second housing members (10, 36) are securably attached together.

Abstract: A novel, monopolar, electrosurgical instrument is provided with one active and one non-active end effector. Current is passed through a conductive portion of one effector into tissue of a patient. The active blade may be partially or totally conductive. The non-active blade may be utilized to shield current from the active electrode effector.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer having a molecular weight of at least 800, containing at least 5 aldehyde groups per molecule and at least 1 carboxyl group per molecule, the ratio of aldehyde groups to carboxyl groups being higher than 0.75.1, as a wet strength additive. The invention also discloses novel cationic derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A containment device for retaining semiconductor wafers (54) which includes a first housing member (10) having a frame (12), an inner wall (14) and an outer wall (16), the inner wall (14) and outer wall (16) having a spaced apart relationship forming a gap (18) therebetween. The inner wall (14) closely receives the semiconductor wafers (54). The containment device also includes a second housing member (36) that is securably attachable to the first housing member (10) and which has a frame (38) that forms the top of the containment device when the first and second housing members (10, 36) are securably attached together. The first and second housing members are secured by a plurality of latches (20), each with a hook (22) secured to the first housing member which passes through a hole (40) in the second housing member and is releasably secured within the hole by the hook.

Abstract: A superabsorbent polysaccharide derivative is obtained by oxidation of the polysaccharide to the extent that the derivative contains 0.2-0.3 carboxyl group per monosaccharide unit and cross-linking the oxidized polysaccharide with 0.0001-0.2 equivalent of cross-linking agent per monosaccharide unit. The polysaccharide may also be cross-linked prior to oxidation.

Abstract: A method of frequency hopping is supported by a basestation having a broadband transceiver. The method permits changing physical channels upon which mobile subscribers communicate with the basestation, wherein the broadband transceiver is operated using static transceiver frequencies, the method exclusive of switching communication signals between transceivers. In one embodiment, the method maps baseband output signals from a digital channelizer which represent physical channels to ones of digital signal processors representing logical channels and baseband input signals of a digital combiner to ones of logical outputs of digital signal processors according to a mapping signal.

Abstract: A novel, bipolar, electrosurgical instrument is provided with two end effectors. Current is passed through the second end effector and through an insulated conduit to the distal tip of the first end effector. The first and second end effectors allow the current to travel along exposed conductive strips which are spaced apart cutting surfaces by a gap of preferably approximately 0.020-0.040 inches when the first and second blade supports are brought into contact with tissue. Current flows between the exposed metal strip on the first blade and the exposed metal strip on the second blade thereby effecting cauterization, preferably slightly in advance or at the point of cutting between the ceramic and metal blades. The first and second end effectors may be partially insulated to direct current between the conductive strips, and both may have gaps at their respective surfaces.

Abstract: A simplified process for oxidizing starch and other polysaccharides in an aqueous solution or suspension using hypochlorite in the presence of a catalytic amount of a nitroxyl compound is described. The oxidation is process is bromide-free and is carried out at a pH between 7 and 9.3 and at a temperature between 15 and 25° C.

Abstract: A wireless telephone architecture employs a broadband transceiver that is coupled to a digital channelizer and digital combiner, such as may employ a real-time Fast Fourier Transform, to extract or combine a set of simultaneous baseband signals. The baseband signals which represent physical channels are mapped to a bank of digital signal processors representing logical channels according to a mapping instituted at the initialization of the call. The mapping is changed on a periodic basis to follow a predetermined frequency hopping schedule. Frequency hopping is thus enabled in a statically tuned broadband transceiver.

Abstract: A containment device for retaining semiconductor wafers (54) is disclosed. The containment device comprises a first housing member (10) having a frame (12), an inner wall (14) and an outer wall (16). The inner wall (14) and outer wall (16) each extend generally perpendicularly from the frame (12). The inner wall (14) and outer wall (16) have a spaced apart relationship forming a gap (18) therebetween. The inner wall (14) closely receives the semiconductor wafers (54). The containment device also comprises a second housing member (36) that is securably attachable to the first housing member (10). The second housing member (36) has a frame (38) that forms the top of the containment device when the first and second housing members (10, 36) are securably attached together.

Abstract: A telephone conferencing system includes a voice services equipment (VSE) allowing a number of telephone calls to be connected together to form a conferencing function. The initiator of the telephone conference calls in on an incoming line and is asked by the VSE to give the telephone numbers of the desired other participants to the conference. These numbers are then stored in a participant number store and the system dials out to these telephone numbers with an invitation to join the conference by ringing a certain number. When the participants call back on the incoming/outgoing lines, their identity is checked, preferably automatically by means of calling line identity signals, with the numbers in the store, and only in the event of a match is each participant allowed to join the conference. For additional security, the participants may also need to enter a specific PIN, which may have been read out by the stem during the invitation to join the conference.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ligating tissue is disclosed. The applicator utilizes a jaw portion having jaw members with jaw faces to grasp tissue and operating portions to apply a surgical clip. In a presently preferred embodiment, the surgical clip utilized is a self-closing clip. Operating faces in the operating portion of the jaw members separate the clip from the tissue prior to clip installation. The applicator has a channel in the operating portion for user viewing which also may allow for lateral displacement of a clip external to the jaw faces.

Abstract: A trocar is formed from a cannula and an interfitting obturator for penetrating body cavity walls in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. The obturator is provided with an improved piercing tip having a pointed blade with an improved sheath mounting and shield design. Hydrophilic coatings or components are also employed on the shield and cannula to facilitate quicker shield action covering the pointed blade and ease of entry of the cannula tube through the body cavity wall. The sheath and obturator handle and housing assembly may be fabricated as a single plastic piece.

Abstract: A swirler is releasably attached to a spacer and lies in the opening through the spacer lying above a part-length fuel rod in a nuclear fuel bundle. Adjacent ferrules have upstanding tabs with loops forming part of connecting elements for releasably securing the swirler to the spacer. The spacer is mounted on a mounting ring having radially outwardly directed elements terminating in barbed ends for insertion through the loops in response to rotation of the swirler mounting ring relative to the tabs. The barbed ends can be squeezed together to release the swirler from its attachment with the spacer.

Abstract: A voice services equipment includes a voice services module with a plurality of audio ports and a switching device responsive to an interactive control signal from a call control processor of the module to provide a selectable switching function between the audio ports of the module and a plurality of connections to a telephone network. The VSE is user programmable and includes a plurality of connections for incoming calls via an interface and a plurality of connections for outgoing calls via an interface. The switching device can switch between selected combinations of incoming call connections, outgoing call connections and the audio ports of the module. The switching device can thus connect a caller to a called party via the incoming and outgoing connections, and keep monitoring the call for billing purposes or in order to provide a follow-on call.

Abstract: A tube and end plug assembly include a tube having an inner diameter and an outer diameter; an end plug having a tapered body portion with minimum and maximum diameters and a radial flange adjacent the minimum diameter. The tapered body portion is located within an end portion of the tube which is in substantially continuous engagement with the tapered body portion of the plug.