Abstract: A method for threading a suture in a patient's body. The method includes the steps of providing a suture, providing a threading device comprising an elongated rod having a suture tie-off location and first and second ends, tying the suture to the suture tie-off location, inserting the first end of the elongated rod through a first opening in the patient's skin, passing the first end of the elongated rod subcutaneously to a second opening in the patient's skin, pulling the first end of the elongated rod and a portion of the suture through the second opening, without turning the elongated rod around, and passing the second end of the elongated rod subcutaneously to an opening in the patient's skin. At least one point during the performance of the method the first end of the elongated rod extends out of the first opening and the second end of the elongated rod extends through the second opening.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of performing surgery and the associated instruments therefor. The method includes the steps of placing a tape template onto a portion of a patient's skin, marking a plurality of access sites, making an opening to form a mid-line access site, performing liposuction, forming a plurality of openings in the skin at the access sites, inserting a skin port into each of the openings, inserting a skin port into the mid-line access site, providing a threading device having a suture tied thereto, inserting the threading device and suture through at least one skin port to form a suture matrix under the skin, pulling the ends of the suture through the skin port in the mid-line access site, tying the ends of the suture into a knot, pushing the knot through the skin port in the mid-line access site and under the skin, and removing the skin ports from the openings at the access sites.

Abstract: A method of marking a patient's skin before surgery. The method includes the step of providing a first tape member having first and second layers. The first and second layers each have a plurality of perforations defined therethrough. The second layer overlies the first layer. At least one of the perforations of the second layer at least partially overlaps with at least one of the perforations of the first layer, thereby forming at least one double perforation. The method further includes placing the first tape member on a portion of the patient's skin, marking the skin through at least one of the double perforations, removing the second layer from the first layer, marking the skin through at least one of the perforations of the first layer that has not previously been marked, and removing the first layer from the patient's skin.

Abstract: A skin port that includes a flange defining a longitudinal axis, and a tube extending downwardly from the flange. The flange is axially aligned with the tube, the flange and tube cooperate to define a tunnel therethrough, the tube is rotatable within the flange, and the tube includes a folding mechanism and threads defined on an outside surface thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the folding mechanism includes a pair of folding members that each have a fold crease defined therein, and the folding members can be disposed in an unfolded position and a folded position. In another preferred embodiment, the tube includes at least one tooth projecting from a proximal end thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein is a braided suture that includes at least three strands. At least one of the strands is comprised of a fiberoptic material. In a preferred embodiment, more than one of the strands is comprised of a fiberoptic material. Also provided is a method of suturing. The method includes the steps of providing a braided suture comprising at least three strands, wherein at least one of the strands is comprised of a fiberoptic material, connecting the suture to a threading device, placing the suture at a predetermined location on a patient's body, and using a light source to illuminate the fiberoptic strand.

Abstract: Described herein is a surgical clearing device that includes a neck that defines a longitudinal axis and a clearing portion extending from the neck. The clearing portion extends in a curved path that defines a plane that is approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the neck. In a preferred embodiment, the neck includes a cone-shaped portion. A portion of the neck extends downwardly from the bottom of the cone-shaped portion and a portion of the neck extends upwardly from the top of the cone-shaped portion.

Abstract: A holder for a label includes a cover panel having a front surface, a rear surface, an upper end, and a lower end. The holder further includes a body panel having a front surface, a rear surface, an upper end, and a lower end. A hinge connects the lower end of the cover panel with the lower end of the body panel wherein the cover panel includes an upper portion which is disposed at an acute angle in relation to a plane of a remainder of the cover panel. The rear surface of the cover panel and the front surface of the body panel define a pocket therebetween for selectively accommodating an associated label.

Abstract: A merchandising system includes an elongated mounting member selectively securable to an associated shelf. A cooperating member is received on the mounting member, wherein the cooperating member extends rearwardly over the associated shelf. The cooperating member includes an elongated body. An engaging element is mounted to the elongated body and is movable in relation thereto. The engaging element selectively contacts the mounting member in order to selectively secure the cooperating member to the mounting member.

Abstract: A product pusher device includes an elongate track having a front end, a rear end, and a rail and a paddle movably connected to the track for movement along the rail. The paddle has a front face for engagement with a rearmost one of a set of associated products located on the track. A foot protrudes from the paddle. The foot extends away from the front face and is slidably engaged with the rail. A biasing element is operatively connected to the paddle for urging the paddle toward the track front end.

Abstract: A merchandising system includes an elongated mounting member selectively securable to a front portion of an associated shelf. A track is received on the mounting member, wherein the track extends rearwardly over the associated shelf. The track includes an elongated body which is substantially solid in cross section both along a longitudinal axis of the body and in a direction approximately transverse to the longitudinal axis. A first rail extends from the body and, a second rail extends from the body. The second rail is spaced from the first rail.

Abstract: The invention relates to heterocyclic substituted amide derivatives that display selective binding to dopamine D3 receptors. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for treating central nervous system disorders associated with the dopamine D3 receptor activity in a patient in need of such treatment comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of said compounds for alleviation of such disorder. The central nervous system disorders that may be treated with these compounds include Psychotic Disorders, Substance Dependence, Substance Abuse, Dyskinetic Disorders (e.g. Parkinson's Disease, Parkinsonism, Neuroleptic-Induced Tardive Dyskinesia, Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome and Huntington's Disease), Dementia, Anxiety Disorders, Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm Disorders and Mood Disorders.

Abstract: A shelving system includes an elongated mounting member operationally securable to an associated shelf. The mounting member includes an approximately vertically oriented wall and an approximately horizontally oriented wall. A track is received on the mounting member in a non-sliding manner. The track extends transversely to a longitudinal axis of the associated shelf. An elongated rail extends longitudinally along the track. A spring urged pusher is slidably mounted in relation to the rail. A slot extends transversely along a bottom face of the track. A first smooth contact surface is located on the mounting member approximately a horizontally oriented wall. A second smooth contact surface is located on the track adjacent the slot. The second contact surface engages the first contact surface to retard a sideward sliding motion of the track in relation to the mounting member.

Abstract: A method for treating a fluid by providing a raw fluid to a process tank. The raw fluid may be water having varying degrees of contamination or another type of fluid. The method further consists of adding an ion exchange resin to the process tank to form a raw fluid/ion exchange resin mixture. After the fluid has been sufficiently contacted with the ion exchange resin, treated fluid is removed from the process tank through a membrane filter located within the process tank. The method is completed by regenerating the ion exchange resin within the same process tank.

Abstract: The invention concerns an engine-mounted fan shroud for use in a vehicle that has a shroud body supported by a vehicle engine, including an outer ring made of a first material having a first stiffness, and a bodyside seal extending from and being integral with the outer ring, with the bodyside seal being made of a second material having a second stiffness that is less than the first stiffness. The bodyside seal fits into and seals around a seal opening in a body-mounted shroud that is mounted to radiator support structure.

Abstract: A method for treating a fluid by providing a raw fluid to a process tank. The raw fluid may be water having varying degrees of contamination or another type of fluid. The method further consists of adding an ion exchange resin to the process tank to form a raw fluid/ion exchange resin mixture. After the fluid has been sufficiently contacted with the ion exchange resin, treated fluid is removed from the process tank through a membrane filter located within the process tank. The method is completed by regenerating the ion exchange resin within the same process tank.

Abstract: A gage and gripper assembly for directly measuring characteristics of a workpiece. The assembly is adapted to be attached to a transfer mechanism, such as a robot arm, and includes a head having a gripper and a gage. The gripper is adapted to lift and hold the workpiece using jaws or other means, and the gage is adapted to directly measure characteristics of the workpiece while the workpiece is held by the gripper.

Abstract: Semifinished products, especially strand sections that are cut off from continuous cast strands, are marked in steel mills and rolling mills so that individual pieces can be tracked. The marks applied or attached to the pieces have to be machine-readable in a sorting station. Marking and reading devices are expensive and produce undesired reading errors. The aim of the invention is therefore to create a method and a device that avoid the aforementioned disadvantages and that allow for a reliable and cost-efficient identification of semifinished products. For this purpose, a first camera is used in an identification station to obtain digitized images of optically visible separating section-specific and strand section-specific surface features on an identification surface and the images are stored in a database.

Abstract: A shelving system includes an elongated mounting member operationally securable to an associated shelf. The mounting member includes an approximately vertically oriented wall, and an approximately horizontally oriented wall. A track is received on said mounting member in a sliding manner. The track extends approximately transversely to a longitudinal axis of the associated shelf. The track includes an elongated rail extending longitudinally along the track, and a pusher slidably mounted in relation to the rail. A divider is received on the mounting member in a non-sliding manner, wherein the divider extends approximately transversely to the longitudinal axis of the associated shelf. The divider is spaced from the track.

Abstract: A method for treating a fluid by providing raw fluid to a process tank, adding an ion exchange resin to the process tank to form a raw fluid/ion exchange resin mixture, removing treated fluid from the process tank through a membrane filter located within the process tank, and regenerating the ion exchange resin within the process tank. The method may be set up as a batch process or as a continuous process using a magnetic ion exchange resin and continuous withdrawal of the magnetic ion exchange resin from the process tank by use of a magnetic separator. The method may also consist of reusing the regenerant in multiple regeneration steps and periodically filtering the regenerant to restore its regenerative properties. Alternatively, an upflow bed of ion exchange resin may be used to treat the raw fluid before membrane filtration.