Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: An atherectomy device for removing deposits such as plaque from an interior of a vessel including an outer member, an inner member and a rotatable shaft positioned for rotational movement within the inner member. The outer and inner members are fixed axially. A rotatable tip is mounted to the distal region of the rotatable shaft for rotation about its longitudinal axis upon rotation of the shaft to remove deposits from the vessel.

Abstract: A thermally reflective membrane apparatus comprises a housing structure, and a thermally reflective membrane contained within the housing structure. The thermally reflective membrane comprises a semipermeable structure, and a porous, thermally reflective structure physically contacting the semipermeable structure. The porous, thermally reflective structure comprises discrete thermally reflective particles, and a binder material coupling the discrete thermally reflective particles to one another and the semipermeable structure. A fluid treatment system and method of treating a fluid are also described.

Abstract: A process for granulating a polyamide resin involving: (a) providing an underwater granulating device having a heated multiple-bore die wherein the bores have an internal diameter ranging from 1.2 to 2.5 mm and a length of from 12 to 50 mm; (b) providing a polyamide resin melt having a viscosity, at 160° C., of less than 3,000 mPas; (c) cooling the polyamide resin melt to form a cooled polyamide resin; (d) introducing the cooled polyamide resin into and through the heated multiple-bore die to form an extrudate; (e) providing a source of water; (f) contacting the extrudate with the water to form a cooled extrudate; and (g) cutting the cooled extrudate into granules.

Abstract: An integrated flight safety device for general aviation aircraft includes a radio altimeter and flight data recorder.

Abstract: The use of multilayer heat shrinkable film for advantageous high shrinkage but low shrinkage force is combined with the use of recycle scrap of such film to provide multilayer heat shrinkable film retaining these advantageous properties. Exemplary of the film is a core of a blend of certain linear low density polyethylene with certain highly branched low density polyethylene sandwiched between two relatively thin outer layers of propylene/ethylene copolymer, with the core also containing recycle scrap of the multilayer film.

Abstract: Method for measuring particulates in flue gas streams containing chemicals reactive with trace elements in the filters is disclosed which features pretreating the filters with chemicals comparable to those in the process stream whereby the reactions are completed prior to the measurement step, in particular, prior to establishment of the tare weight of said filter.

Abstract: A method of determining the alignment of a first transducer mounting surface relative to a second transducer mounting surface includes utilizing a laser in conjunction with first and second precision ground fixtures secured to the first and second transducer mounting surfaces, respectively. An optically flat mirror is carried by each of the fixtures, with the mirror of the first fixture being partially light-transmissive. The incident light beam from the laser is directed at the partially light-transmissive mirror which, in turn, reflects part of the incident beam to form a first reflected beam. The remaining portion of the incident beam is transmitted and is reflected by the other mirror to form a second reflected beam. The two beams reflected by the mirrors are projected upon a screen disposed in front of the laser, such screen having an aperture through which the incident beam passes.