Abstract: Methods of depositing improved quality silicon nitride (SixNy) films are disclosed. Exemplary methods include exposing a semiconductor substrate in a semiconductor processing chamber to a silicon-containing precursor, to a first plasma produced from a first gas mixture comprising helium (He) and nitrogen (N2), the first gas mixture comprising a ratio of helium:nitrogen in a range of from 20:1 to 1000:1, and exposing the semiconductor substrate to a second plasma produced from a second gas mixture comprising helium (He), nitrogen (N2), and ammonia (NH3).

Abstract: A tool for forming a predetermined shaped and sized piece of tissue membrane from a sheet of surgically implantable tissue membrane comprising a body having a cutting portion configured to engage and to form a piece from a sheet of tissue membrane and a drive portion configured to apply a force to the cutting portion to form the piece of tissue membrane. The shapes and sizes of the cutting portions include those typically used in medical procedures.

Abstract: A wrist fusion apparatus and method for attachment to and positioning at least one carpus area bone relative to a radius bone without an attachment to a metacarpal bone. The wrist fusion apparatus includes an elongated plate with a bottom and top side and with a proximal portion for positioning an attachment to a radius bone and a distal portion for positioning over and attachment to at least one carpus area of bone without extending over or attaching to a metacarpal bone. The proximal portion has a linear longitudinal axis and the distal portion is disposed along a curved longitudinal line extending from the linear longitudinal axis of the approximal portion. The plate includes fastener holes defined therethrough for receiving bone fasteners.

Abstract: A bone fusion apparatus and method for positioning over and attachment to a desired bone area which can provide for radial compression of bones, with particular suitability for wrist fusion by attachment to suitable bones such as, for example, a plurality of carpus area bones, with or without attachment to the radius bone and/or to one or more metacarpal bones. The bone fusion apparatus includes an annular plate having an outer side for at least partially contacting bone and an opposite inner side. The plate has a top outer edge of greatest diameter and a smaller diameter, bottom inner edge which defines an at least substantially central opening through the plate. The plate is substantially conical in shape such that the plate tapers outwardly from the inner edge of the plate to the outer edge of the plate. The plate defines a plurality of preferably countersunk holes therethrough between the inner edge and the outer edge, wherein each of the holes is adapted for receiving a bone fastener.

Abstract: A carpal tunnel release apparatus and method including a surgical knife including an elongated handle having a forward portion and a rearward portion with the forward portion of the handle terminating in a cutting head. The cutting head has top edge and a bottom edge with the cutting head terminating in a substantially linear cutting edge extending from proximate the bottom edge of the cutting head toward the top edge of the cutting head. The cutting edge intersects and forms an angle with an upper guide finger which is the only structure which projects forwardly past the plane of the cutting edge and which at least partially forms the top edge of the cutting head. The guide apparatus includes an elongated bar defining one or more elongated grooves therein.

Abstract: Bacterial meningitis infection in a mammal is treated by intravenous infusion of a therapeutically effective amount of a monoclonal antibody which binds to tumor necrosis factor alpha and an antibiotic. Treatment can be initiated up to five hours after bacterial challenge and the antibiotic is preferably selected from cephalosporins and aminoglycosides.

Abstract: Method of preventing or treating a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Method comprises topical application of antibodies to P. aeruginos under conditions and in an amount sufficient to prevent or treat the infection in a mammal. In one embodiment, the antibodies are administrered in form of an aerosol. A preferred dosage for polyclonal antibody preparations (i.e. ISG or high titer P. aeruginosa ISG) ranges from 2 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg body weight of the mammal. A preferred monoclonal antibody dosage ranges from 0.02 to 1.0 mg/kg of body weight.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for introducing anti-bacterial agents, for example, quinolone carboxylic acid derivatives into blood bag systems for preventing massive bacteria growth in stored blood and blood components. The quinolone carboxylic acid derivative can be added to a collection container before, during or after the collection of blood and blood components. The addition of a quinolone carboxylic acid derivative to blood bag systems allows for increase in storage time for blood and blood components without the threat of massive bacterial contamination.

Abstract: Normal plasma from donors who have not been vaccinated with a P seudomonas vaccine or had a Pseudomonas infection can be screened for higher than normal titers of naturally occurring antibody to four or, preferably, two of seven Fisher Immunotypes of Pseudomonas. Those plasmas with higher titers of such antibody can be pooled and fractionated to give hyperimmune serum globulin having high titers of antibody against all seven Fisher Immunotypes. The product may be treated to render it intravenously injectable and the so-prepared material is effective in treating patients with Pseudomonas infection. Also disclosed is a novel antibody preparation including minimum titers of the seven Fisher Immunotypes.

Abstract: A method for increasing the survival rate in hypercatabolic mammals following the onset of burn wound sepsis. The method comprises orally administering to the mammal, sufficient doses of ciprofloxacin to attain high concentrations in extra vascular fluid, and parenterally administering to the mammal, Pseudomonas immune globulin. The combination therapy of treating Pseudomonas burn wound sepsis with ciprofloxacin and Pseudomonas immune globulin results in a higher rate of survival than the treatment utilizing a single agent. This suggests a synergistic interaction between the two agents in the therapy of polymicrobial burn wound sepsis.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies specific to serotypic determinants on the flagella of a microorganism and found to be useful in inhibiting motility.

Abstract: There is disclosed an immunizing composition comprising a non-toxic polysaccharide isolated from gram-negative bacteria, especially from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, covalently coupled to a non-toxic protein from the gram-positive bacterium Micrococcus luteus by means of a 4-12 carbon moiety. To prepare the above immunizing agent, the lipid A portion of lipopolysaccharide from a gram-negative bacterium is separated to give a non-toxic polysaccharide. Reactive aldehyde groups are generated on the non-toxic polysaccharide by selective oxidation. The non-toxic polysaccharide is then covalently coupled to a non-toxic protein isolated from said gram-positive bacterium, Micrococcus luteus, by means of a polyfunctional compound having 4-12 carbon atoms and having at least two functional groups which are reactive to the aldehyde groups on the non-toxic polysaccharide and to the carboxylic groups on the non-toxic protein.

Abstract: An immunizing composition is disclosed and comprises a detoxified polysaccharide from a gram-negative bacterium covalently coupled to a detoxified protein from said gram-negative bacterium by means of a 4-12 carbon moiety. To prepare the above immunizing agent, the lipid A portion of lipopolysaccharide from a gram-negative bacterium is separated to give a detoxified polysaccharide. Reactive aldehyde groups are generated on the detoxified polysaccharide by selective oxidation. The detoxified polysaccharide is then covalently coupled to a detoxified protein from said gram-negative bacterium by means of a 4-12 carbon moiety having functionalities reactive to the aldehyde groups on the detoxified polysaccharide and to the carboxylic groups on the detoxified protein.

Abstract: Normal plasma from donors who have not been vaccinated with a Pseudomonas vaccine or had a Pseudomonas infection can be screened for higher than normal titers of naturally occurring antibody to four of seven Fisher Immunotypes for Pseudomonas. Those plasmas with higher titers of such antibody can be pooled and fractionated to give hyperimmune serum globulin having high titers of antibody against all seven Fisher Immunotypes. The product may be treated to render it intravenously injectable and the so-prepared material is effective in treating patients with Pseudomonas infection.