Abstract: A system and method for moving water up a water column to achieve a sufficient pressure to overcome a reverse osmosis filter. The system includes a rigid outer column for receiving and holding water, with an inner, deformable hose located inside the rigid outer column. The hose has a one-way valve at a distal end of the hose to allow water to enter the hose and an outlet at the proximal end of the hose to allow water to exit the hose. A water-raising device to raise the water within the inner, deformable hose includes a roller to selectively clamp the hose, and a buoyancy support attached to the roller. The buoyancy support is selectively inflated and deflated to move the clamp (and water inside the deformable hose) within the rigid outer column.

Abstract: A system and method for moving water up a water column to achieve a sufficient pressure to overcome a reverse osmosis filter. The system includes a rigid outer column for receiving and holding water, with an inner, deformable hose located inside the rigid outer column. The hose has a one-way valve at a distal end of the hose to allow water to enter the hose and an outlet at the proximal end of the hose to allow water to exit the hose. A water-raising device to raise the water within the inner, deformable can include a system that moves sections of water within an inner lumen using a peristaltic motion to drive water upwardly through the inner lumen.

Abstract: A penile prosthesis implantation apparatus and related methods are described.

Abstract: A penile prosthesis implantation apparatus and related methods are described.

Abstract: Some implementations can include a retraction system that provides broad based retraction for minimally invasive procedures (e.g., laparoscopic or robot-assisted) similar to that achieved by fixed retractors often used in open surgery. The retraction system can hold viscera out of the pelvis, for example. Some implementations can include a first instrument, a first locking trocar, a second instrument, and a second locking trocar. The first instrument can include an articulated first device having a mesh net. The first device is capable of unfurling the mesh net and winding the net back up into the first device. The second instrument can include a second device that articulates and engages an edge of the mesh net. The second device can engage the mesh net and assist in unfurling the mesh net by pulling the mesh net so that the mesh net unwinds from the first device and can be used to retract the viscera.

Abstract: A penile prosthesis implantation apparatus and related methods are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods comprising washing or, preferably, washing and neutralizing a sulfur acid containing crude MMA stream to generate a two phase stream containing at least methacrylic acid, methacrylamide (MAM), water and methanol, and an organic component containing methyl methacrylate and thereby form an aqueous component; including in any of the organic component, the aqueous component of a neutralized sulfur acid containing crude methyl methacrylate (MMA) stream or the organic component of a neutralized sulfur acid containing crude methyl methacrylate (MMA) stream one or more N-oxyl compound polymerization inhibitor; followed by separating the aqueous component from the organic component, thereby forming a treated crude MMA stream and an aqueous stream to remove residual (meth) acrylic acid.

Abstract: Some implementations can include a retraction system that provides broad based retraction for minimally invasive procedures (e.g., laparoscopic or robot-assisted) similar to that achieved by fixed retractors often used in open surgery. The retraction system can hold viscera out of the pelvis, for example. Some implementations can include a first instrument, a first locking trocar, a second instrument, and a second locking trocar. The first instrument can include an articulated first device having a mesh net. The first device is capable of unfurling the mesh net and winding the net back up into the first device. The second instrument can include a second device that articulates and engages an edge of the mesh net. The second device can engage the mesh net and assist in unfurling the mesh net by pulling the mesh net so that the mesh net unwinds from the first device and can be used to retract the viscera.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods comprising washing or, preferably, washing and neutralizing a sulfur acid containing crude MMA stream to generate a two phase stream containing at least methacrylic acid, methacrylamide (MAM), water and methanol, and an organic component containing methyl methacrylate and thereby form an aqueous component; including in any of the organic component, the aqueous component of a neutralized sulfur acid containing crude methyl methacrylate (MMA) stream or the organic component of a neutralized sulfur acid containing crude methyl methacrylate (MMA) stream one or more N-oxyl compound polymerization inhibitor; followed by separating the aqueous component from the organic component, thereby forming a treated crude MMA stream and an aqueous stream to remove residual (meth) acrylic acid.

Abstract: Some implementations can include a retraction system that provides broad based retraction for minimally invasive procedures (e.g., laparoscopic or robot-assisted) similar to that achieved by fixed retractors often used in open surgery. The retraction system can hold viscera out of the pelvis, for example. Some implementations can include a first instrument, a first locking trocar, a second instrument, and a second locking trocar. The first instrument can include an articulated first device having a mesh net. The first device is capable of unfurling the mesh net and winding the net back up into the first device. The second instrument can include a second device that articulates and engages an edge of the mesh net. The second device can engage the mesh net and assist in unfurling the mesh net by pulling the mesh net so that the mesh net unwinds from the first device and can be used to retract the viscera.

Abstract: A catheter for introduction and removal of fluids from a body and tunneling device therefor, the catheter has a body having a first conduit for removing fluid from the body and a second conduit for delivering fluid to the body wherein at least a part of each of the lumens is integrally formed within a first end of the body and extends along side one another. The first conduit extends beyond the second conduit and forms a terminal point of the first end and defines a first opening thereat and the second conduit extends to a point short of the terminal point defining a second opening. A bumper portion is adjacent the second opening extending toward the terminal point. Another part of each the first and the second lumens are disjoined and form part of a second Y-shaped end. The tunneling device has a channel to removably receive the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter for introduction and removal of fluids from a body and tunneling device therefor, the catheter has a body having a first conduit for removing fluid from the body and a second conduit for delivering fluid to the body wherein at least a part of each of the conduits is integrally formed within a first end of the body and extends along side one another. The first conduit extends beyond the second conduit and forms a terminal point of the first end and defines a first opening thereat and the second conduit extends to a point short of the terminal point defining a second opening. A bumper portion is adjacent the second opening extending toward the terminal point. Another part of each the first and the second conduits are disjoined and form part of a second Y-shaped end. The tunneling device has a channel to removably receive the catheter.

Abstract: A method of eliminating an ectoparasite infestation is disclosed that may include steps of defining a target area on an animal having an ectoparasite infestation, heating a volume of air to a temperature to form heated air, applying the heated air to the target area with an airflow such that the heated air impinges directly on substantially all ectoparasites located within the target area, and maintaining the heated air at the target area for a period of time sufficient to affect an ectoparasite mortality rate of at least 50%.

Abstract: A method of eliminating an ectoparasite infestation is disclosed that may include steps of defining a target area on an animal having an ectoparasite infestation, heating a volume of air to a temperature to form heated air, applying the heated air to the target area with an airflow such that the heated air impinges directly on substantially all ectoparasites located within the target area, and maintaining the heated air at the target area for a period of time sufficient to affect an ectoparasite mortality rate of at least 50%.

Abstract: Polycyclic trisaminomethanes of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, alike or different, are alkylene;R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, alike or different, are alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aralkyl; or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are joined together to form an alkylene group which may be interrupted by(1) ##STR2## WHERE Q is hydrogen or alkyl, or (2) ONE OR TWO --O-- linkages; andThere are at least 2 carbons between each two hetero atoms in the outer ring system, are useful as initiators for the polymerization of pivalolactone. These polycyclic trisaminomethanes are prepared by reacting a polyamine of the formulaR.sup.3 NHR.sup.1 NHR.sup.2 NHR.sup.4with a dialkoxy(dialkylamino)methane of the formula(RO).sub.2 CHNR'.sub.2in which R and R', alike or different, are alkyl.

Abstract: A boat steering system has a rudder post actuator, a steering actuator, a pair of operating strands trained therebetween and an adjustable strand directing mechanism positioned between the rudder post actuator and the steering actuator for changing the direction of the operating strands. Such mechanism comprises a base plate defining a mounting plane and having an aperture for the operating strands and a strand directing pulley cooperating with the aperture for changing the direction of the strand passing therethrough. Both pulleys are mounted for rotation in a plane perpendicular to the mounting plate plane and have adjustable mounting means, including a link mounted for arcuate movement for arcuate adjustment of the pulley in the mounting plane while maintaining the rim of the pulley adjacent the aperture.

Abstract: Polycyclic phosphorous triamides of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, alike or different, are alkylene of 2 to about 6 carbons;R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, alike or different, are alkyl of 1 to about 8 carbons, cycloalkyl of 5 to about 8 carbons, or aralkyl where the aryl group is of 6 to about 12 carbons and the alkyl is of 1 to about 8 carbons; or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are joined together to form an alkylene group of 2 to about 6 carbons which may be interrupted by1. a ##STR2## group where Q is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to about 18 carbons, or 2. ONE OR TWO --O-- linkages;There are at least 2 carbons between each two hetero atoms in the outer ring system, and when the triamide is tricyclic, at least one of the chains between the nitrogens linked to phosphorus contains at least three atomsAre useful as flame retardants for cotton.

Abstract: Polycyclic phosphorous triamides of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, alike or different, are alkylene of 2 to 6 carbons;R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, alike or different, are alkyl of 1 to 8 carbons, cycloalkyl of 5 to 8 carbons, or aralkyl where the aryl group is of 6 to 12 carbons and the alkyl is of 1 to 8 carbons; or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are joined together to form an alkylene group of 2 to 6 carbons which may be interrupted by1. a ##STR2## group where Q is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 18 carbons, or 2. ONE OR TWO --O-- linkages; there are at least 2 carbons between each two hetero atoms in the outer ring system, and when the triamide is tricyclic, at least one of the chains between the nitrogens linked to phosphorus contains at least three atomsAre useful as flame retardants for cotton.