Abstract: Filter media and liquid filters are described herein. A filter media comprises a first layer, a second layer disposed adjacent the first layer, and a third layer disposed adjacent the second layer such that the second layer is interposed between the first layer and the second layer. The first layer comprises melt blown fibers, the second layer comprises microglass fibers and the third layer comprises spunbond fibers. The filter media has a relatively high filter life and a filtration efficiency of greater than or equal to about 95% without a substantial increase in pressure over time. The filter media may be particularly useful in separating a discontinuous liquid phase, such as water, from a continuous liquid phase of the solution, such as a hydrocarbon, in fuel tank storage, fuel transportation and/or oil purification applications.

Abstract: Nonwoven material, pleated filter media and filters, such as residential and commercial air filters, are provided. A nonwoven material comprises a first fiber layer and a second layer in contact with the first fiber layer. The second layer comprises two or more rows of filaments spaced from each other and extending along at least a portion of the first layer. The rows of filaments provide sufficient support to the filter media that it is capable of holding its shape over time. Thus, a filter media comprising the nonwoven material may be manufactured without a metal mesh, which improves the safety of the filter during handling and facilitates its incineration at the end of its life. In addition, the overall filter may have a lower pressure loss and a higher dust holding capacity because there it does not contain a metal mesh layer blocking air flow through the filter.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides composite materials comprising reticular structures, such as nettings, mattings, grids, meshes or the like, ultrasonically bonded to outer layers of non-woven fibers. A composite material comprises a first layer of netting comprising strands and a second layer of nonwoven fibers in contact with the first layer. The nonwoven fibers are ultrasonically bonded to the strands of the netting at a plurality of attachment points. The basis weight of the netting and/or the fibers in the second layer are selected to optimize the bonding and increase the overall strength of the material. In embodiments wherein the composite material is used as a filter media, the filter has a longer lifespan, without compromising other performance factors, such as efficiency and capacity.

Abstract: Provided herein are absorbent materials for wound dressings, a bandage comprising an absorbent pad and methods for making the absorbent pad. The absorbent pad comprises a first layer comprising a polymer, such as an extruded apertured polymeric film, and a second layer thermally bonded to the first layer. The second layer comprises at least one thermally bondable fiber, such as a bicomponent fiber having at least a first material with a higher melting point than a second material. The first and second layers are bonded to each other such that the three-dimensional structure and the inherent porosity of the polymeric mesh is substantially maintained, resulting in a bilayer absorbent pad with increased absorbency and enhanced wicking capabilities.

Abstract: A system (100) for handling sheets of flexible material comprises: a plurality of releasable connectors (20) supported on a main carrier (110). The releasable connectors (20) are individually addressable so that when actuated a connector lifts or releases a sheet of flexible material. One or more end adjustment means is provided to vary at least one of: the orientation and/or the location of the connectors (20), with respect to a surface defined in three dimensions, such that in use the sheet of flexible material is placed in a precise user selected position on the three dimensional surface without the material creasing or wrinkling. An advantage of the present invention is that previously actuators were able to orient grippers to be normal to the surface of a cylinder; whereas the provision of parallel, flexible strips enables active surfaces to be positioned normal to the surface of complex surface, such as that defined by a cone.

Abstract: A dual function cleaning nozzle assembly for prewashing kitchen utensils. The cleaning nozzle includes air and fluid inlets. The air inlet is coupled to an air conduit which includes a first control valve, and the fluid inlet is coupled to a fluid conduit which includes a second control valve. A lever or button is coupled to a first valve for discharging pressurized air through the air conduit. The air and fluid conduits are coupled to an outlet chamber which has a spray head. Compressed air is discharged from the spray head for allowing kitchen utensils to be prewashed with air. The lever or button is further coupled to a second valve for discharging pressurized fluid through the fluid conduit. The fluid conduit is also coupled to the outlet chamber for allowing a discharge of pressurized air and fluid to be sprayed from the nozzle to further prewash the kitchen utensils.

Abstract: A blower for the treatment of a patient's sleep apnea is disclosed. The blower includes a start/stop button, an air pump, and a processor connected to the start/stop button and air pump. A user may input a sleep period (Tsleep), an ultimate therapeutic pressure (TP) and an acclimation period (Nset). The processor performs an acclimation procedure to ease the patient in to the use of the positive airway pressure (PAP) system over the selected acclimation period.

Abstract: A blower for the treatment of a patient's sleep apnea is disclosed. The blower includes a start/stop button, an air pump, and a processor connected to the start/stop button and air pump. A user may input a snooze period (Tsnooze), a ramp period, (Tramp1), and an ultimate therapeutic pressure (TP). The processor performs an snooze function that allows a user to stop the delivery of pressure from the blower for the snooze period, after which the processor ramps the pressure gradually over the ramp period until plateauing at the ultimate therapeutic pressure. The processor may limit the number of snooze triggers that a patient may use.

Abstract: A bathroom storage device for convenient concealed storage of a toilet plunger and visible storage of multiple vertically stacked rolls of toilet paper. The cup of the toilet plunger is concealed within a base unit having an open top from which the handle of the toilet plunger protrudes. A top member with a hollow vertical spindle is placed over the open top, thereby concealing the cup and handle of the toilet plunger within the base unit and hollow vertical spindle, respectively. Spaced vertical members about the periphery of the top member partially conceal the vertically stacked rolls of toilet paper while still enabling visual ascertainment of their number. The hollow vertical spindle may serve as a handle by which the top member and stacked rolls of toilet paper can be removed to gain access to the toilet plunger.

Abstract: A system (100) for handling sheets of flexible material comprises: a plurality of releasable connectors (20) supported on a main carrier (110). The releasable connectors (20) are individually addressable so that when actuated a connector lifts or releases a sheet of flexible material. One or more end adjustment means is provided to vary at least one of: the orientation and/or the location of the connectors (20), with respect to a surface defined in three dimensions, such that in use the sheet of flexible material is placed in a precise user selected position on the three dimensional surface without the material creasing or wrinkling. An advantage of the present invention is that previously actuators were able to orient grippers to be normal to the surface of a cylinder; whereas the provision of parallel, flexible strips enables active surfaces to be positioned normal to the surface of complex surface, such as that defined by a cone.

Abstract: A dual function cleaning nozzle assembly for prewashing kitchen utensils. The cleaning nozzle includes air and fluid inlets. The air inlet is coupled to an air conduit which includes a first control valve, and the fluid inlet is coupled to a fluid conduit which includes a second control valve. A lever or button is coupled to a first valve for discharging pressurized air through the air conduit. The air and fluid conduits are coupled to an outlet chamber which has a spray head. Compressed air is discharged from the spray head for allowing kitchen utensils to be prewashed with air. The lever or button is further coupled to a second valve for discharging pressurized fluid through the fluid conduit. The fluid conduit is also coupled to the outlet chamber for allowing a discharge of pressurized air and fluid to be sprayed from the nozzle to further prewash the kitchen utensils.

Abstract: An impact wrench, includes a housing including a handle. A rotating anvil is supported by the housing and includes a polygonal head adapted for receiving a socket thereon. A socket retention device is mounted to the polygonal head of the rotating anvil for securing a socket to the polygonal head. A socket release mechanism includes an actuator mounted to the housing and operable to disengage the socket retention device from the socket to allow the socket to be removed from the anvil.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes independent wastewater treatment facilities. Each of the facilities has wastewater treatment subsystems and is monitored by a central monitoring location. Wastewater collection subsystems hold wastewater to be treated. Monitoring subsystems measure wastewater process parameters. Control devices receive control commands and, dependent upon the command received, alter parameters of the wastewater treatment subsystems. A communication device connects the wastewater treatment subsystems and the control devices and sends information corresponding to the wastewater process parameters measured by the monitors, receives control messages corresponding to the control commands, and transmits control commands the control devices to alter wastewater process parameters.

Abstract: A method of preparing anti-b amyloid immunoglobulin involves treating human plasma anti-b amyloid immunoglobulin under alkaline conditions, such as at pH 10.25 to 11.75 using diethylamine HCl, to dissociate b amyloid protein therefrom. Typically, the anti-b amyloid immunoglobulin is present in human immunoglobulin preparations obtained from plasma or serum. Anti-b amyloid immunoglobulin prepared by the method is substantially free of b amyloid protein and has therapeutic activity in compositions and/or methods for treating a disease or condition associated with b amyloid plaques, such as Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: An impact wrench, includes a housing including a handle. A rotating anvil is supported by the housing and includes a polygonal head adapted for receiving a socket thereon. A socket retention device is mounted to the polygonal head of the rotating anvil for securing a socket to the polygonal head. A socket release mechanism includes an actuator mounted to the housing and operable to disengage the socket retention device from the socket to allow the socket to be removed from the anvil.

Abstract: Devices and methods for endolumenally manipulating stomach fundus tissue alter the function of nearby nerves. The altered function of the nerves interacts with the cardiopulmonary system to cause a substantially permanent reduction in blood pressure. The altered nerve function may also treat heart disease as well. This application also relates to devices and methods for endolumenally manipulating stomach tissue to alter hormone production from cells associated with stomach tissue, providing a therapeutic effect in treating hypertension and heart disease, not conventionally associated with the stomach.

Abstract: A method of preparing anti-b amyloid immunoglobulin involves treating human plasma anti-b amyloid immunoglobulin under alkaline conditions, such as at pH 10.25 to 11.75 using diethylamine HCl, to dissociate b amyloid protein therefrom. Typically, the anti-b amyloid immunoglobulin is present in human immunoglobulin preparations obtained from plasma or serum. Anti-b amyloid immunoglobulin prepared by the method is substantially free of b amyloid protein and has therapeutic activity in compositions and/or methods for treating a disease or condition associated with b amyloid plaques, such as Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an immunogenic complex comprising a charged organic carrier and a charged antigen and, more particularly, a negatively charged organic carrier and a positively charged antigen, wherein the charged antigen is a polyprotein of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), particularly the core protein of HCV, or a fragment thereof, or a fusion protein comprising the polyprotein or a fragment thereof. The complexes of the present invention are useful, inter alia, in vaccine compositions as therapeutic and/or prophylactic agents for facilitating the induction of immune responses, and in particular a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response, in the treatment of a disease condition which results from an HCV infection.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a curved facet joint fixation assembly and an associated implantation tool and method. The curved facet joint fixation assembly includes an elongated curved shaft adapted to conform to various spinal morphologies. The implantation tool includes a bone fastening device with an angled lower end portion and a removable drive for cutting a hole and for driving the curved facet joint fixation assembly through the hole.