Abstract: Disclosed are laser-resistant surgical devices. In one embodiment, a laser-resistant surgical device includes a laser-resistant wire that is exposed when used in the body during a surgical procedure so as to be susceptible to a laser beam strike, the wire comprising a high-temperature metal that is highly resistant to thermal shock.

Abstract: A method and system for private wireless network communications is provided. A private wireless network controller is coupled to a Private Branch Exchange (PBX), a private base transceiver station, and a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The private base transceiver station is coupled to a wireless macro network. The private wireless network controller and private base transceiver station allow connection of interconnect and dispatch wireless calls, which originate on the private wireless network, to other mobile stations on the private wireless network, to terminals connected to the PBX, to mobile stations on wireless macro networks, and to terminals coupled to the PSTN.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved sled assembly for use with surgical retractors and devices for stabilizing a predetermined area of the body during a surgical procedure, more particularly to surgical retractors and stabilizing devices used in connection with coronary artery bypass grafting surgical procedures, and more specifically to a sled assembly having a sled member and mounting mechanism thereon for use with surgical retractors and medical or stabilizing devices especially configured for use with each other for such surgical procedures wherein the retractor includes an external rail system which enables the surgeon to position a stabilization arm system on either of the arms or the rack segment of the retractor and also includes a sled assembly which releasably controls the rotation of the stabilizing device in a three dimensional directions relative to the retractor upon actuation of a single knob or actuator.

Abstract: In the ruthenium complexes of the general formula A or B, 1

Abstract: Cationic ruthenium complexes of the formula A or B or mixtures containing them, where B may be stabilized by a further ligand L4 and X is an anion which does not coordinate or coordinates weakly to the metal center, Y is a monodentate or multidentate anionic ligand, R and R′ are each, independently of one another, hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20-alkyl, C6-C20-aryl or C7-C20-alkylaryl radical and L1, L2, L3 and L4 are, independently of one another, uncharged electron donor ligands, are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved sled assembly for use with surgical retractors and devices for stabilizing a predetermined area of the body during a surgical procedure, more particularly to surgical retractors and stabilizing devices used in connection with coronary artery bypass grafting surgical procedures, and more specifically to a sled assembly having a sled member and mounting mechanism thereon for use with surgical retractors and medical or stabilizing devices especially configured for use with each other for such surgical procedures wherein the retractor includes an external rail system which enables the surgeon to position a stabilization arm system on either of the arms or the rack segment of the retractor and also includes a sled assembly which releasably controls the rotation of the stabilizing device in a three dimensional directions relative to the retractor upon actuation of a single knob or actuator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surgical retractors and devices for stabilizing a predetermined area of the body during a surgical procedure, more particularly to surgical retractors and stabilizing devices used in connection with minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting surgical procedures, and more specifically to surgical retractors and stabilizing devices especially configured for use with each other for such surgical procedures wherein the retractor includes an external rail system which enables the surgeon to position a stabilization arm on either of the arms or the rack segment of the retractor and also includes a connector which releasably controls the rotation of the connector with respect to the retractor and the rotation of the stabilization arm with respect to the retractor as well as the rotational and sliding movement of the stabilization arm with respect to the connector upon actuation of a single knob or actuator.

Abstract: Ruthenium complexes of the formula I or IV RuX2(═CH—CH2R)L1L2  (I) RuXY(═CH═CH2R)L1L2  (IV) where X, Y are anionic ligands, R is hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20-alkyl radical or C6-C20-aryl radical and L1 and L2 are, independently of one another, uncharged electron donor ligands, are prepared by (a) reaction of RuX3 with L1 and L2 in an inert solvent in the presence of a reducing agent and hydrogen and (b) reaction with compounds of the formula II R—C≡CH  (II) where R is as defined above, in the presence or absence of water, and, if desired after isolation of the intermediate, with HY, [HL1]Y or [HL2]Y.

Abstract: Preparation of methylene-bridged compounds of the formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 are identical or different and are each saturated C.sub.1 -C.sub.30 -hydrocarbyl, unsubstituted phenyl, phenyl substituted by substituents inert under the reaction conditions, or hydrogen, E.sup.1 and E.sup.2 are identical or different and are each phosphorus, arsenic or antimony, and X is a chemical bond or oxygen by reacting a tin compound of the general formula IIR.sub.3.sup.5 Sn--CH.sub.2 M II,where R.sup.5 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 -hydrocarbyl and M is an alkali metal, with a compound of the general formula III ##STR2## where Y is halogen, metallating the thus-obtained tin compound of the general formula IV ##STR3## with an alkali organometallic, and reacting the product with a compound of the general formula V ##STR4## to give a methylene-bridged compound of the formula I. And novel 45 bis(diorganophosphino)methanes.

Abstract: Preparation of methylene-bridged compounds of the formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 are identical or different and are each saturated C.sub.1 -C.sub.30 -hydrocarbyl, unsubstituted phenyl, phenyl substituted by substituents inert under the reaction conditions, or hydrogen, E.sup.1 and E.sup.2 are identical or different and are each phosphorus, arsenic or antimony, and X is a chemical bond or oxygen by reacting a tin compound of the general formula IIR.sub.3.sup.5 Sn--CH.sub.2 M, IIwhere R.sup.5 is C.sub.1 --C.sub.20 -hydrocarbyl and M is an alkali metal, with a compound of the general formula III ##STR2## where Y is halogen, metallating the thus-obtained tin compound of the general formula IV ##STR3## with an alkali organometallic, and reacting the product with a compound of the general formula V ##STR4## to give a methylene-bridged compound of the formula I. And novel bis(diorganophosphino)methanes.