Abstract: A trocar assembly for providing a pressurized insufflation fluid into a patient cavity and for providing sealable access to the patient cavity by a surgical instrument. The assembly comprises an inner tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end. An outer tubular member is disposed about the inner tubular member, the outer tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the inner tubular member and the distal end of the outer tubular member define a trocar seal nozzle arranged therebetween.

Abstract: A device for the in vitro development of an embryo in a fluid. A method for the in vitro development of an embryo in a fluid is also provided.

Abstract: A surgical method for treating urinary incontinence by securing a suture within a patient's body, retrieving a portion of the suture into the patient's vagina, and supporting the patient's urethra using the suture. A surgical method for elevating a patient's urethra in order to treat urinary incontinence, a surgical method for securing an anchor in a patient, a helical anchor and an anchor-insertion tool are also provided.

Abstract: An embryo support assembly, embryo support system, a method for maintaining the viability of a growing embryo, and a method for shipping a metabolically active embryo are provided.

Abstract: A relocation tracking system (10) and method are provided. The relocation tracking system (10) includes a mass storage device for storing a relocation database (22) and a processor (40). Relocation database (22) includes a transferee table (44) and a shipping table (48). Relocation database (22) may include any of a variety of other tables such as an expense table (46), a shipping table (48), a home selling table (50), a home buying table (52), a tracking table (54), a non-relocation table (56), and a comment table (58). The processor (40) processes a relocation request that indicates the authorized benefits for each relocation. The processor (40) accesses and updates the transferee table (44) and the shipping table (48) of relocation database (22) in response to processing the relocation request.

Abstract: A support stand formed by a plurality of identical panels each having multiple slots which allow the panels to be assembled into a variety of different configurations or shapes. The panel is generally rectangular in shape, having at least two slots extending generally half way through the panels, with the slots being located on opposite corners. Optionally, a third slot is formed in the center of the panel parallel to one of the other two slots. The panels can have a recess that creates extensions at each corner that support a workpiece or form legs. A bracket can be mounted in grooves of each panel to hold a cutting guard.

Abstract: A deoxo unit is operated with excess oxygen to produce high purity nitrogen from a partially purified stream passing from a membrane or pressure swing adsorption unit. Essentially complete fuel utilization is achieved in applications in which essentially oxygen-free nitrogen product is not required.

Abstract: A data-flow architecture and software environment for high-performance signal and data procesing. The programming environment allows applications coding in a functional high-level language 20 which a compiler 30 converts to a data-flow graph form 40 which a global allocator 50 then automatically partitions and distributes to multiple processing elements 80, or in the case of smaller problems, coding in a data-flow graph assembly language so that an assembler 15 operates directly on an input data-flow graph file 13 and produces an output which is then sent to a local allocator 17 for partitioning and distribution. In the former case a data-flow processor description file 45 is read into the global allocator 50, and in the latter case a data-flow processor description file 14 is read into the assembler 15. The data-flow processor 70 consists of multiple processing elements 80 connected in a three-dimensional bussed packet routing network.

Abstract: On-site membrane systems are used for air separation to produce a low purity nitrogen stream and for purifying impure hydrogen, the nitrogen and hydrogen being passed to a catalytic combustion system in which the oxygen content of the nitrogen stream is reacted with said hydrogen to reduce the residual oxygen content of the nitrogen in a final purification operation to produce high purity nitrogen. Pressure swing adsorption systems can be employed in place of the membrane systems for particular applications, and a cryogenic system can be employed for said hydrogen purification.

Abstract: Enriched oxygen from a pressure swing adsorption system and air are blended to provide oxygen enriched air of desired purity, particularly for use at flow rates between those for which liquid oxygen and on-site cryogenic air separation plants are desirable.

Abstract: Permeable membranes are operated, under reduced demand conditions, by reducing feed flow and the partial pressure driving force across the membrane, using the installed surface area, with product purity and/or flow being reduced. The driving force is reduced by reducing feed pressure and/or increasing permeate side pressure.

Abstract: A membrane system is positioned within an insulated enclosure heated to maintain superheat conditions for the feed gas to the system, wherein individual membrane modules are not insulated. The feed gas compression heat is desirably used to supply the superheat to the feed gas within the insulated enclosure.

Abstract: A heat shrunk, high bulk, elastic, corrugated fabric comprising low shrink fill yarns and an alternating pattern of high shrink and ultra low shrink texturized warp yarns; and wherein substantially parallel corrugations extending along the fill direction are formed by repeated sinuous twists of the low shrink warp yarns.

Abstract: A high bulk, heat shrunk fabric of texturized thermoplastic yarns in an open pattern of lock stitch knitted or leno woven yarns, said fabric exhibiting good biaxial stretch and recovery.

Abstract: A membrane system is positioned within an insulated enclosure heated to maintain superheat conditions for the feed gas to the system, wherein individual membrane modules are not insulated. The feed gas compression heat is desirably used to supply the superheat to the feed gas within the insulated enclosure.

Abstract: Enriched oxygen from a pressure swing adsorption system and air are blended to provide oxygen enriched air of desired purity, particularly for use at flow rates between those for which liquid oxygen and on-site cryogenic air separation plants are desirable.