Abstract: A heart valve repair device may include a support configured to extend through a native annulus of a native heart valve, wherein the support comprises an upstream portion and a downstream portion; an annular expandable retainer extending from the upstream portion of the support, and an arm extending from the downstream portion of the support. The annular expandable retainer may include a C-shaped cross-section that is open inwardly. The arm may be configured to reach behind a leaflet of the native heart valve and sandwich the leaflet between the arm and the support.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying microbial DNA in the tissues or body fluid samples of patients. More particularly, the invention relates to two-step polymerase chain reaction based methods for identifying microbial DNA in the tissues or body fluid samples of patients, and compositions therefor. Microbial DNA can also be quantified using the methods described herein.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying microbial DNA in the tissues or body fluid samples of patients. More particularly, the invention relates to two-step polymerase chain reaction based methods for identifying microbial DNA in the tissues or body fluid samples of patients, and compositions therefor. Microbial DNA can also be quantified using the methods described herein.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying microbial DNA in the tissues or body fluid samples of patients. More particularly, the invention relates to two-step polymerase chain reaction based methods for identifying microbial DNA in the tissues or body fluid samples of patients, and compositions therefor. Microbial DNA can also be quantified using the methods described herein.

Abstract: This invention discloses a high rate, cement slurry mixing system and method which produces a highly dispersed slurry with the lowest possible viscosity in respect to the water cement ratio and the type and amount of chemical dispersant used in the slurry formulation. The slurry so produced is used in soil-cement construction operations and has the advantage of delayed hydration to allow reasonable time for slurry transport, spreading, intermixing with the soil, plus time for grading, shaping and compaction before a significant amount of cement hydration (setting) occurs.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of preparing, transporting, disposing and distributing a load of cement slurry, especially for highway and similar construction work. This method is particularly adapted to be used to reconstruct old road beds, which already have a surface material thereon, but which surface has deteriorated to such an extent that a new road surface is required. This method and apparatus provide a greatly improved safety means to the construction industry, which heretofore has relied on the "dry cement powder" process, which generates a toxic dust cloud that is harmful to humans, animals and vegetation, to obtain the widely used "cement treated base" for construction or renovation of roads, streets and highways.

Abstract: A piling-jacket system (10) and method involves a piling jacket (12) having a side, vertically-slit, open port arrangement (14) with an internal flap valve in the shape of a duct (48) attached to a cord (56) which extends externally of the piling jacket to positively force the duct flap valve closed. The piling jacket system includes a steel band (84) at the top of the piling jacket which clamps the piling jacket in a notch (86,88) cut in a piling (80) to be repaired with the piling-jacket system. When the piling jacket is thusly hung from the piling, the lower portion of the piling jacket, pulling down on the vertically-slit open port tends to close the open port. A portable, rigid, access tube (66) is placed through the vertically-slit open port to hold it open for the insertion of a grout-supply hose.