Abstract: A metering roller, for a fuser release oil applicator, which enables precise and consistent application of a predetermined target amount of release oil to the fuser roller. Starting with tubing stock that has been machined and course ground to a final outside diameter, the metering roller is produced by initial pre-finish polishing, electroplating with Nickel, heat treatment to achieve a hardened surface, and final post-finish polishing. Both pre-finish and post-finish polishing steps are performed on a lathe with continuously fed polishing paper according to a parameter recipe that includes lathe spindle rpm and lead screw speed, and polishing paper grit, feed rate, pressure, and oscillatory rate.

Abstract: Provided are crosslinked polymer compositions that include a first synthetic polymer containing multiple nucleophilic groups covalently bound to a second synthetic polymer containing multiple electrophilic groups. The first synthetic polymer is preferably a synthetic polypeptide or a polyethylene glycol that has been modified to contain multiple nucleophilic groups, such as primary amino (—NH2) or thiol (—SH) groups. The second synthetic polymer may be a hydrophilic or hydrophobic synthetic polymer, which contains or has been derivatized to contain, two or more electrophilic groups, such as succinimidyl groups. The compositions may further include other components, such as naturally occurring polysaccharides or proteins (such as glycosaminoglycans or collagen) and/or biologically active agents.

Abstract: Provided are crosslinked polymer compositions that include a first synthetic polymer containing multiple nucleophilic groups covalently bound to a second synthetic polymer containing multiple electrophilic groups. The first synthetic polymer is preferably a synthetic polypeptide or a polyethylene glycol that has been modified to contain multiple nucleophilic groups, such as primary amino (—NH2) or thiol (—SH) groups. The second synthetic polymer may be a hydrophilic or hydrophobic synthetic polymer, which contains or has been derivatized to contain, two or more electrophilic groups, such as succinimidyl groups. The compositions may further include other components, such as naturally occurring polysaccharides or proteins (such as glycosaminoglycans or collagen) and/or biologically active agents.

Abstract: Provided are crosslinked polymer compositions that include a first synthetic polymer containing multiple nucleophilic groups covalently bound to a second synthetic polymer containing multiple electrophilic groups. The first synthetic polymer is preferably a synthetic polypeptide or a polyethylene glycol that has been modified to contain multiple nucleophilic groups, such as primary amino (—NH2) or thiol (—SH) groups. The second synthetic polymer may be a hydrophilic or hydrophobic synthetic polymer, which contains or has been derivatized to contain, two or more electrophilic groups, such as succinimidyl groups. The compositions may further include other components, such as naturally occurring polysaccharides or proteins (such as glycosaminoglycans or collagen) and/or biologically active agents.

Abstract: Provided are crosslinked polymer compositions that include a first synthetic polymer containing multiple nucleophilic groups covalently bound to a second synthetic polymer containing multiple electrophilic groups. The first synthetic polymer is preferably a synthetic polypeptide or a polyethylene glycol that has been modified to contain multiple nucleophilic groups, such as primary amino (—NH2) or thiol (—SH) groups. The second synthetic polymer may be a hydrophilic or hydrophobic synthetic polymer, which contains or has been derivatized to contain, two or more electrophilic groups, such as succinimidyl groups. The compositions may further include other components, such as naturally occurring polysaccharides or proteins (such as glycosaminoglycans or collagen) and/or biologically active agents.

Abstract: A fireplace including a backlighting system. The backlighting system can be positioned in a back portion of the bottom panel of the fireplace. The backlighting system includes at least one light source to shine light upon the components of the fireplace. For example, the light source can be positioned to shine light on a back panel of the fireplace. The light source of the backlighting system can be modulated depending on a state of the fireplace. For example, the light source can be turned on or off depending on whether the flame of the fireplace is on or off.

Abstract: This invention pertains generally to valve lift spacers that determine the travel distance of a valve member, such as movement between upper and lower seats. In the case of pressure switching valves, such as those used in the fuel injection industry, valve travel distance is often relatively small. Because of realistic machining tolerances, it is often difficult to mass produce valves that consistently exhibit comparable travel distances, especially when those distances are on the order of microns. The present invention addresses this issue by providing valve lift spacers with a variety of thicknesses in order to compensate for the inevitable variation that would otherwise be produced due to the various valve components having realistic geometrical tolerances. The valve lift spacer and a valve using the same finds a principal use in fast response pressure switching valves, such as those utilized in electro-hydraulic actuator portion of a fuel injector.

Abstract: Production of human procollagen or collagen in cells which ordinarily do not produce these molecules is effected by constructing expression systems compatible with mammary glands of non-human mammals. For example, expression systems can be microinjected into fertilized oocytes and reimplanted in foster mothers and carried to term in order to obtain transgenic non-human mammals capable of producing milk containing recombinant human procollagen or collagen. Human procollagen or collagen produced in this manner can be made of a single collagen type uncontaminated by other human or non-human collagens.

Abstract: The invention provides transgenic nonhuman mammals capable secreting exogenous procollagen or collagen into their milk. The mammals are healthy and capable of producing procollagen or collagen at high levels, usually in trimeric form. Suitable transgenes for incorporation into the mammals are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides recombinant procollagen chains having a natural collagen chain separated from one or two propeptides by one or two non-natural site-specific proteolytic agent (e.g., protease) recognition sites. A wide variety of propeptides and site-specific proteolytic agent recognition sites may be used: the selection of particular site-specific proteolytic agent/recognition site pairs is based on the conformation of the resulting procollagen, the availability of the site-specific proteolytic agent, the compatibility of the proteolysis with production of mature collagen, among other factors. Recombinant collagens chains are produced by contacting the subject recombinant procollagen chains with the appropriate site-specific proteolytic agents. Nucleic acids encoding the subject procollagen chains operably linked to transcription regulatory elements are used in vectors and cells for the production of recombinant collagen.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for spraying makeup that masks imperfections in the skin including, but not limited to, freckles, tattoos, birthmarks, scars and post-laser surgery discoloration. The apparatus of the present invention is a hand-held sprayable cosmetic container containing a cosmetic composition that may be a foundation, a shimmer, a bronzer, a glitter, a self-tanning composition, a moisturizer, a toner, a lip color, an eyebrow color, a cheek color and/or an eye color. The apparatus may also be designed to deliver drugs (both prescription and over the counter medicines), deliver vitamins or other skin care compositions, to protect the skin from the sun, treat the skin after exposure to the sun, and/or provide an aromatherapy treatment.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for spraying makeup that masks imperfections in the skin including, but not limited to, freckles, tattoos, birthmarks, scars and post-laser surgery discoloration. The apparatus of the present invention is a hand-held sprayable cosmetic container containing a cosmetic composition that may be a foundation, a shimmer, a bronzer, a glitter, a self-tanning composition, a moisturizer, a toner, a lip color, an eyebrow color, a cheek color and/or an eye color. The apparatus may also be designed to deliver drugs (both prescription and over the counter medicines), deliver vitamins or other skin care compositions, to protect the skin from the sun, treat the skin after exposure to the sun, and/or provide an aromatherapy treatment.

Abstract: Carboxypolysaccharides (CPS) including carboxymethyl cellulose and their derivatives are provided that can be made into sponges, gels, membranes, particulates and other forms, for a variety of antiadhesion, antithrombogenic, drug delivery and/or hemostatic applications during surgery and pharmacological therapeutics. CPSs derivatized with primary amines can be used alone or in combination with poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(ethylene oxides) and other poly(alkylene oxides) to form materials having improved drug delivery, antiadhesion, and hemostatic uses. Applications include other types of chemical modifications of CPS to provide hydrogen, ionic, Van der Walls interactions and/or covalent bonding with drugs, biologicals and other therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: This invention pertains generally to valve lift spacers that determine the travel distance of a valve member, such as movement between upper and lower seats. In the case of pressure switching valves, such as those used in the fuel injection industry, valve travel distance is often relatively small. Because of realistic machining tolerances, it is often difficult to mass produce valves that consistently exhibit comparable travel distances, especially when those distances are on the order of microns. The present invention addresses this issue by providing valve lift spacers with a variety of thicknesses in order to compensate for the inevitable variation that would otherwise be produced due to the various valve components having realistic geometrical tolerances. The valve lift spacer and a valve using the same finds a principal use in fast response pressure switching valves, such as those utilized in electro-hydraulic actuator portion of a fuel injector.

Abstract: Crosslinked polymer compositions comprise a first synthetic polymer containing multiple nucleophilic groups covalently bound to a second synthetic polymer containing multiple electrophilic groups. The first synthetic polymer is preferably a synthetic polypeptide or a polyethylene glycol that has been modified to contain multiple nucleophilic groups, such as primary amino (—NH2) or thiol (—SH) groups. The second synthetic polymer may be a hydrophilic or hydrophobic synthetic polymer which contains, or has been derivatized to contain, two or more electrophilic groups, such as succinimidyl groups. The compositions may further comprise other components, such as naturally occurring polysaccharides or proteins (such as glycosaminoglycans or collagen) and/or biologically active agents.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for spraying makeup that masks imperfections in the skin including, but not limited to, freckles, tattoos, birthmarks, scars and post-laser surgery discoloration. The apparatus of the present invention is a hand-held sprayable cosmetic container containing a cosmetic composition that may be a foundation, a shimmer, a bronzer, a glitter, a self-tanning composition, a moisturizer, a toner, a lip color, an eyebrow color, a cheek color and/or an eye color. The apparatus may also be designed to deliver drugs (both prescription and over the counter medicines), deliver vitamins or other skin care compositions, to protect the skin from the sun, treat the skin after exposure to the sun, and/or provide an aromatherapy treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for performing surgery, and in particular to devices employing magnetic fields to position and orient medical instruments inside a human body. To provide for greater flexibility of endoscopic viewing and instrument usage and to reduce morbidity, the inventors have developed of a novel laparoscopic system that allows for intra-abdominal movement of an endoscopic camera and surgical instruments without additional port sites. A set of one or more magnets located external to the patient's body are used to position, orient, and/or secure instruments located internal to the patient's body.

Abstract: Crosslinked polymer compositions comprise a first synthetic polymer containing multiple nucleophilic groups covalently bound to a second synthetic polymer containing multiple electrophilic groups. The first synthetic polymer is preferably a synthetic polypeptide or a polyethylene glycol that has been modified to contain multiple nucleophilic groups, such as primary amino (—NH2) or thiol (—SH) groups. The second synthetic polymer may be a hydrophilic or hydrophobic synthetic polymer which contains, or has been derivatized to contain, two or more electrophilic groups, such as succinimidyl groups. The compositions may further comprise other components, such as naturally occurring polysaccharides or proteins (such as glycosaminoglycans or collagen) and/or biologically active agents.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for spraying makeup that masks imperfections in the skin including, but not limited to, freckles, tattoos, birthmarks, scars and post-laser surgery discoloration. The apparatus of the present invention is a hand-held sprayable cosmetic container containing a cosmetic composition that may be a foundation, a shimmer, a bronzer, a glitter, a self-tanning composition, a moisturizer, a toner, a lip color, an eyebrow color, a cheek color and/or an eye color. The apparatus may also be designed to deliver drugs (both prescription and over the counter medicines), deliver vitamins or other skin care compositions, to protect the skin from the sun, treat the skin after exposure to the sun, and/or provide an aromatherapy treatment.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods for effecting the production of recombinant mammalian procollagen in yeast, as well as compositions comprising yeast cells cap producing mammalian procollagen.