Abstract: A pouch is disclosed for protecting delicate medical instruments during ethylene oxide and steam sterilization procedures, which is formed by opposed front and rear panels, wherein one of the panels has a flap portion for enclosing the pouch when a medical instrument is placed inside for sterilization.

Abstract: The present invention is a laminated glass window that is resistant to extreme heat, or fire as the heat source, comprising a coating on the surface of the glass nearest the heat source.

Abstract: The present invention is a laminated glass window that is resistant to extreme heat, or fire as the heat source, comprising a coating on the surface of the glass nearest the heat source.

Abstract: A sterilization wrap protector separates a sterilization tray from a sterilization wrap, the protector may include a foam plastic material having an inside engagement surface. The inside engagement surface may include a first inside surface that is generally planar, a second inside surface which extends from the first inside surface and that is generally arcuate in cross section and a third inside surface which also extends from the first inside surface and is also generally arcuate in cross section. An outside engagement surface may include a first outside surface that is generally planar, a second outside surface that is generally planar and which extends in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the first outside surface and a third outside surface that is generally planar and which extends in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the first outside surface and to the second outside surface.

Abstract: An instrument organizer for at least partially supporting one or more surgical instruments includes a base structure having opposed terminal ends and at least one end post fixedly positioned at one terminal end of the base structure. The instrument organizer also includes at least one movable stabilizing structure that is mountable on the base structure at a location spaced from the end post, to thereby stabilize and at least partially support the one or more instruments. At least one of the base structure and the movable stabilizing structure may include a radiopaque material. Also, the end post may include a generally triangular shape in cross section and a coupling device for coupling multiple instrument organizers together. Further, a method of applying a radiopaque substance to the instrument organizer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an absorbent liner for use in a sterilization process and, more particularly, to an absorbent liner for cushioning surgical instruments and sterilization packs and providing an advantageous moisture absorption functionality during and after completion of a sterilization process. The absorbent liner functions advantageously with steam or ethylene oxide gas as the sterilization agent. The absorbent liner is fabricated from a material having a desired level of moisture absorption, e.g., on the order of at least about thirty percent (30%) by dry weight, and is preferably fabricated from a hydrophilic polymeric foam material, e.g., a hydrophilic polyurethane foam. The disclosed absorbent liner may be advantageously utilized in sterilizing surgical instruments and in conjunction with sterilization carts such that potential residual moisture is eliminated from the surface of the sterilized surgical instruments and the shelves of the sterilization carts.

Abstract: A process in which a ridge flow analysis of a fingerprint image can be used to determine a fingerprint classification. Areas of like valued ridge flow are collected as regions and said regions are then joined together when edges of the regions exist. These vertices are then reduced to form polygons. Polygons that have a predetermined number of vertices (i.e., 8) and contain values from across a range of the possible ridge flow values (i.e., one of each possible ridge flow value) from the ridge flow table are primary polygons associated with singularity points. These singularity points are further identified as cores or deltas allowing the print image to be globally classified as loop, arch or whorl. Further techniques including, but not limited to, ridge counting can be used to classify the fingerprint as a left or right loop, plain or tented arch, or whorl.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for milling a section of casing in an upward direction, utilizing a downhole hydraulic thrusting mechanism for pulling a section mill upwardly. A downhole motor and torque anchor can be used to rotate the section mill, or the mill can be rotated by a work string. A stabilizer above the section mill can be used to stabilize the mill relative to the casing being milled. A spiral auger below the section mill can be used to move the cuttings downwardly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for milling a section of casing in an upward direction, utilizing a downhole hydraulic thrusting mechanism for pulling a section mill upwardly. A downhole motor and torque anchor can be used to rotate the section mill, or the mill can be rotated by a work string. A stabilizer above the section mill can be used to stabilize the mill relative to the casing being milled. A spiral auger below the section mill can be used to move the cuttings downwardly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a super-absorbent trayliner for use in a sterilization process and, more particularly, to a super-absorbent trayliner for cushioning surgical instruments and providing an advantageous moisture absorption functionality during and after completion of a sterilization process. The super-absorbent trayliner functions advantageously with steam or ethylene oxide gas as the sterilization agent. The super-absorbent trayliner is fabricated from a material having a desired level of moisture absorption, e.g., on the order of at least about thirty percent (30%) by dry weight, and is preferably fabricated from a hydrophilic polymeric foam material, e.g., a hydrophilic polyurethane foam. The disclosed super-absorbent trayliner may be advantageously utilized in sterilizing surgical instruments such that potential residual moisture is eliminated from the surface of the sterilized surgical instruments.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an absorbent liner for use in a sterilization process and, more particularly, to an absorbent liner for cushioning surgical instruments and sterilization packs and providing an advantageous moisture absorption functionality during and after completion of a sterilization process. The absorbent liner functions advantageously with steam or ethylene oxide gas as the sterilization agent. The absorbent liner is fabricated from a material having a desired level of moisture absorption, e.g., on the order of at least about thirty percent (30%) by dry weight, and is preferably fabricated from a hydrophilic polymeric foam material, e.g., a hydrophilic polyurethane foam. The disclosed absorbent liner may be advantageously utilized in sterilizing surgical instruments and in conjunction with sterilization carts such that potential residual moisture is eliminated from the surface of the sterilized surgical instruments and the shelves of the sterilization carts.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing an article in a sterilization unit, the method including placing the article within a foam plastic instrument pouch having a closed cell construction, and positioning the closed cell foam plastic instrument pouch containing the article within the sterilization unit. The sterilization unit is then operated such that the article within the instrument pouch is sterilized, whereby the instrument pouch containing the article is removed from the sterilization unit. An instrument pouch for containing and protecting an article during sterilization is also provided. The pouch includes a foam plastic backing sheet for lining a base of a tray, the base having a multiplicity of holes, and a foam plastic pocket secured to the backing sheet such that at least a portion of an article can be received between the pocket and the backing sheet.

Abstract: A movable stabilizing structure for use with an instrument organizer including an elongated base having a uniform, predetermined width and fixed posts extending upwardly from the base. The movable stabilizing structure includes two gripping legs with opposing, inwardly facing surfaces spaced-apart a distance substantially equal to the predetermined width of the base of the organizer, so that the opposing, inwardly facing surfaces of the two gripping legs will grip opposite sides of the base of the organizer so that the movable stabilizing structure can be attached to the base at any point between the fixed posts of the organizer and held in place by the gripping legs to help maintain instruments in an organized and upright state on the organizer.

Abstract: A one-trip system for removing casing from a wellhead is described. The string includes a cutting device spaced at the required depth and a grappling device above it at the appropriate location. A swivel tool, such as a marine swivel, is used in conjunction with a seal-pulling assembly so that after cutting the casing, the seal assembly can be pulled without an additional trip into the well. The grappling device or spear can be hydraulically actuated to grab the casing for removal from the wellbore. The spear features a drop-in restrictor which allows sufficient flow during cutting operations with a mechanical cutter without actuating the spear, while at the same time allowing actuation of the spear by circulation after dropping in the restrictor after the casing section has been cut.

Abstract: An instrument organizer for at least partially supporting one or more surgical instruments includes a base structure having opposed terminal ends and at least one first end post fixedly positioned at one terminal end of the base structure. The instrument organizer also includes at least one movable stabilizing structure that is mountable on the base structure at a location spaced from the first end post, to thereby stabilize and at least partially support one or more instruments. At least one of the base structure and the movable stabilizing structure may include a radiopaque material. Also, the end post base may include a generally triangular shape in cross section and a coupling device for coupling multiple instrument organizers may be provided. Further, a method of applying a radiopaque substance to an instrument organizer is also presented.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drawing small milling debris into a combination milling and debris retrieval tool, during the performance of the milling operation. A milling tool has a fluid intake port near its lower end, where debris-laden fluid is drawn into the milling tool and subsequently into a separator section. The separator section has a debris deflection tube and a screen for separating the debris from the fluid. Fluid is drawn into the tool by either a set of eductor nozzles or a downhole motor and pump.

Abstract: A trayliner for cushioning an article contained in a tray during a sterilization process, the tray including a base having a multiplicity of holes. The trayliner has a multiplicity of holes arranged such that at least a portion of the holes of the trayliner will be generally aligned with at least a portion of the holes of the base of the tray when the trayliner is positioned on the base of the tray. A method of sterilizing an article is also provided and includes positioning a closed cell polyethylene foam plastic trayliner having a multiplicity of holes into a tray, and positioning the article onto the trayliner. The tray containing the trayliner and the article is placed in a sterilization unit, and the sterilization unit is operated. According to one aspect, a base of the tray includes a multiplicity of holes.

Abstract: A downhole tool for engaging a borehole wall of a well, with outwardly displacing gripping elements to engage the borehole wall in such a way as to prevent rotation of the tool relative to the borehole wall, thereby preventing a downhole motor from imposing a reactive torque on the workstring uphole from the tool. The gripping elements can have one or more rolling elements, such as wheels, to roll longitudinally along the borehole wall in either the uphole or downhole direction, or both, while preventing transmission of reactive torque to the workstring. The gripping elements can also be configured to prevent longitudinal motion of the tool, such as blades. Displacement of the gripping elements can be hydraulically actuated.

Abstract: A blade support assembly for use with a casing cutter to cut through casing or pipe downhole in a well. A tubular body fits over the casing cutter, with slots aligned with the pivoting cutter blades. Support plates next to each slot provide support for the blades during cutting operations. Torque keys and matching torque slots in the blade support assembly and the casing cutter body transfer torque from the casing cutter body to the blade support assembly, and thence to the blades.

Abstract: In a process for making detergent tablets comprising spraying a coating of a water-soluble organic polymeric binder onto the exterior of particles of detergent composition containing detergent active and detergency builder and compacting the composition, the improvement comprises spraying an external coating of a film-forming water-soluble organic polymer onto the tablets. The coating on the tablet exterior reduces friability and abrasion and provides extra enhancement of strength while permitting disintegration/dissolution in a wash liquor.