Abstract: A paranasal sinus access implant device to provide an artificial fluid path in fluid communication with the lacrimal apparatus may be implanted through a fistula opening into the lacrimal apparatus. The implant device may have a conduit with a first longitudinal portion having a larger minimum wall thickness than a minimum wall thickness of a second a second longitudinal portion of the conduit located distal of the first longitudinal portion. Various kits may include a paranasal sinus access implant device and one of more other components for a procedure involving implantation. A method involves use of a cutting tool to cut away tissue to prepare a fistula sized for implantation.

Abstract: An implant device is configured to be implanted in a fistula to fluidly connect the lacrimal apparatus and a paranasal sinus. A surgical tool has an implant the implant device mounted on a carrier. Various methods involve a fistula between the lacrimal apparatus and a paranasal sinus. A kit includes an entry device for use to form a fistula and an implant tool for use to implant an implant device following formation of a fistula.

Abstract: An implant device is configured to be implanted in a fistula to fluidly connect the lacrimal apparatus and a paranasal sinus. A surgical tool has an implant the implant device mounted on a carrier. Various methods involve a fistula between the lacrimal apparatus and a paranasal sinus. A kit includes an entry device for use to form a fistula and an implant tool for use to implant an implant device following formation of a fistula.

Abstract: An implant device to provide an artificial fluid path in fluid communication with the lacrimal apparatus is implanted through a fistula opening into the lacrimal apparatus using a working member disposed through the implant device and a break-away sheath. Implantation kits and tool assemblies including the working member, implant device and break-away sheath facilitate implantation of the implant device.

Abstract: An implant device is configured to be implanted in a fistula to fluidly connect the lacrimal apparatus and a paranasal sinus. A surgical tool has an implant the implant device mounted on a carrier. Various methods involve a fistula between the lacrimal apparatus and a paranasal sinus. A kit includes an entry device for use to form a fistula and an implant tool for use to implant an implant device following formation of a fistula.

Abstract: An implant device is configured to be implanted in a fistula to fluidly connect the lacrimal apparatus and a paranasal sinus. A surgical tool has an implant the implant device mounted on a carrier. Various methods involve a fistula between the lacrimal apparatus and a paranasal sinus. A kit includes an entry device for use to form a fistula and an implant tool for use to implant an implant device following formation of a fistula.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a handling device for a biological specimen. The handling device includes a substrate with at least one crease that divides the substrate into a handle portion and a receiving portion that includes an aperture having a perimeter that is configured so that it receives a container having a cover that includes a biological specimen for testing, while resisting pull-through of the container relative to the substrate.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for reducing or eliminating airborne pollutants and generating a measure of usable energy from the same are provided. The Implo-Dynamics™ Treatment System includes several embodiments for mixing steam and emissions and injecting said mixture into a process fluid transmission network. The vacuum induced flow of the Working Fluid provides a means of propelling a Hydro Turbine unit for energy recovery purposes. The process includes reactant injection, gas transfer, filtration, remediation of pollutants, and delivers a novel means for carbon dioxide capture and sequestration. Furthermore, the detoxified process by-product solids represent a beneficial reutilization and/or recycling resource. The methods and systems of the present invention include a comprehensive arrangement of process configurations and components as well as a means of operation.

Abstract: A process for producing tissue webs is disclosed. The process may include the step of partially dewatering a tissue web, subjecting the web to at least one deflection against a fabric, such as a coarse fabric, and then creping the web. During the process, after being dewatered, the tissue web is transferred from a transfer conveyor to the fabric using a pneumatic force, such as a suction force. In order to prevent liquids from rewetting the tissue web as the tissue web is being transferred to the fabric, the transfer conveyor is made from a material that inhibits or prevents liquids from flowing into the tissue web. For instance, in one embodiment, the transfer conveyor may comprise a felt comprised of small capillary materials. The felt may have an intake rate, for instance, of less than about 150 ?L/s when wet, may have a mean free pore size of less than about 20 microns, and may have a minimum pore size of less than about 5 microns.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for generating energy from a process-contained series of thermobaric reactions and/or explosion cycles are provided. The Xplogen™ energy generating system includes several embodiments for stimulating the heat and pressure release episodes, which are directed by the process system toward the task of dissociating a target substance being subjected to the hyper-stimulated pulse of energy. The target substance is thermolyzed by the pulse energy episode and the resulting dissociated gases are either quenched and captured or they are consumed in a direct thermal conversion process and are thus translated into steam pressure, and/or torque, thrust, motive force, and/or super-heat impulses. The methods and systems of the present invention include a comprehensive arrangement of process configurations and components as well as a means of operation.

Abstract: Noninvasive methods for monitoring at least one hair characteristic on a human or animal comprise magnifying a predetermined skin area having reference indicia to provide a first magnified image, digitally capturing the first magnified image to form a reference image, after a predetermined time period, magnifying the predetermined skin area to provide a second magnified image, and superimposing the second magnified image on the reference image to align the reference indicia in the second magnified image with the reference indicia in the reference image. Apparatus for noninvasive monitoring of at least one hair characteristic on a human or animal comprise a fiber optic remote head microscope, means for digitally capturing a first magnified image provided by the microscope to form a reference image, and means for superimposing a second magnified image provided by the microscope on the reference image and aligning reference indicia in the second magnified image with reference indicia in the reference image.