Abstract: A coupling unit is disclosed which includes a sleeve opening that extends in the longitudinal direction and into which at least one medium-conveying plug element can be at least partially inserted, A support sleeve includes at least one circumferential pocket on an inner side that faces a plug element and defines the sleeve opening transverse to the longitudinal direction. A sliding element is arranged in the pocket and movably transferred from a release position into a coupling position during the insertion of the plug element. A sealing element is arranged between the sliding element and the pocket of the support sleeve in the release position and pre-stressed in the direction of the plug element. The sealing element is released by the sliding element in the coupling position in order to close and seal a potential gap formed between the support sleeve and the plug element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amino silicone nanoemulsions. More specifically, the present invention relates to amino silicone nanoemulsions that may be used to protect surfaces from being soiled or wetted.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions comprising an active material having groups capable of covalent attachment to a substrate in the presence of an acid or a base, a photocatalyst capable of generating an acid or a base upon exposure to light, and a vehicle. Also included herein is a method for treating a substrate with these compositions. The method includes the steps of applying at least one active material having functional groups to the substrate, applying a photocatalyst to the substrate, and exposing the photocatalyst and the at least one active material to light for forming covalent attachments between the functional groups and constituent groups on the substrate. The compositions and methods described herein are useful in consumer care and personal care product applications.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system, method and computer readable medium capable of verifying healthcare encounters. In one embodiment, an electronic verification process is described which may utilize geographical information to determine the proximity of a health care worker to the patient during a scheduled healthcare visit. The proximity information may then be compared to a threshold value and an electronic signature screen may be presented to the patient based upon the results of the comparison. In one embodiment, a time stamp may be generated and stored to provide confirmation as to the time that the patient's electronic signature was obtained via the electronic signature screen. Verification information stored by the system may be used to simplify the verification process, hasten payments to healthcare organizations and protect against healthcare fraud.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device including two plates and a coupling element for coupling the plates in a fixed manner about adjacent spinous processes of the spine. Each plate is preferably equipped with integral spikes on the inwardly facing surfaces for pressing into the spinal processes and thereby augmenting the purchase between the plates and the spinous processes. Each plate contains a central aperture through which the coupling element passes in order to couple the plates together.

Abstract: An adjustable length corpectomy device is provided with a means for providing bidirectional length adjustment and a means for selectively fixing the length of the implant.

Abstract: A surgical fixation system having an improved mechanism to prevent the back out of screws employed in securing a surgical fixation plate to an intended orthopedic location.

Abstract: A surgical fixation system including a pair of spinal rods, an occipital fixation element (comprising either an occipital plate or a plurality of occipital anchors), a crosslink connector, and a plurality of anchor elements, including but not limited to friction-fit pedicle screws, favored-angle pedicle screws, and laminar hooks. Any or all of these elements may be made of a biologically inert material, preferably any metal customarily used for surgical devices, such as for example titanium or stainless steel. The surgical fixation system of the present invention is described herein for application to the posterior region of the human spine, for attachment to cervical and/or thoracic vertebrae, as well as the occiput portion of the skull.

Abstract: An adjustable spinal implant (10) is provided for use in connecting elongate members (12) as well as vertebral spacers such as corpectomy devices, intervertebral fusion devices, and other prostheses. The implant (10) may have fittings (80) on either end comprising fixed (100) or articulating (200) jaws, endplates, or other engagement structures. The implant (10) comprises a housing (40) with an internal rotor (60); an extending shaft (20); and a locking collar (70). The extending shaft (20) has an external helical groove (23) that meshes with an internal helical groove (63) on rotor (20). Length adjustment occurs by transforming axial movement of the extending shaft (20) into a rotary movement of the rotor (60) via helical engagement. The locking collar (70) comprises protrusion (73) engaging grooves (63) of rotor (60), thus providing a simple, positive locking mechanism without requiring the surgeon to apply excessive force to lock the length.

Abstract: ?-and ?-amino acid hydroxyethylamino sulfonamide compounds are effective as retroviral protease inhibitors, and in particular as inhibitors of HIV protease.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions comprising an active material having groups capable of covalent attachment to a substrate in the presence of an acid or a base, a photocatalyst capable of generating an acid or a base upon exposure to light, and a vehicle. Also included herein is a method for treating a substrate with these compositions. The method includes the steps of applying at least one active material having functional groups to the substrate, applying a photocatalyst to the substrate, and exposing the photocatalyst and the at least one active material to light for forming covalent attachments between the functional groups and constituent groups on the substrate. The compositions and methods described herein are useful in consumer care and personal care product applications.

Abstract: A method and system of remotely monitoring an operational status of electronic discharge devices in an air purification system senses emitted radiation at a location proximate the air purification system, alone or in combination with a determination of an amount of time remaining in an operational lifetime of the electronic discharge device, or an amount of power delivered to at least one of the electronic discharge devices. A determination of the operational status of at least one of the electronic discharge devices is made based on at least emitted radiation, and the status information is transmitted to a remote monitoring unit that receives the status information and displays an indicator of operational status. In one embodiment, the operational status of a UV-C germicidal lamp may be monitored using optically sensitive devices located within a purification system.

Abstract: The various embodiments provide a composition including an active material having functional groups capable of covalent attachment to a substrate in the presence of an acid or a base, a photocatalyst capable of generating an acid or a base upon exposure to light, and a vehicle. The compositions may also include surfactants, emulsifiers, oxidants, and other components. A method for treating a substrate is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of applying at least one active material having functional groups to the substrate, applying a photocatalyst to the substrate, and exposing the photocatalyst and the at least one active material to light for forming covalent attachments between the functional groups and constituent groups on the substrate. The compositions and methods described herein are useful in personal care product and consumer care product applications, for example.

Abstract: A spinal fixation apparatus comprising an upper and lower endplate. Depending distally in a longitudinal direction from the upper endplate is an inner sleeve that fits inside an outer sleeve that depends distally in a longitudinal direction from the lower endplate. The inner sleeve includes grooves located on its outer surface. A finger cage including resilient fingers fits around the outer sleeve. The fingers have ends that include male grooves. The ends of the fingers fit into apertures located in the outer sleeve. The apparatus further includes a locking mechanism that pushes the tips of the fingers through the apertures of the outer sleeve such that they mesh with the grooves of the inner sleeve. When the locking mechanism is unlocked the tips of the fingers disengage from the grooves of the inner sleeve, and the inner sleeve slide axially within the outer cage, adjusting the height of the device.

Abstract: ?- and ?-amino acid hydroxyethylamino sulfonamide compounds are effective as retroviral protease inhibitors, and in particular as inhibitors of HIV protease.

Abstract: An adjustable length corpectomy device is provided with a means for providing bidirectional length adjustment and a means for selectively fixing the length of the implant.

Abstract: An instrument guide and implant holding device is provided which releasably secures an implant to the instrument guide. The device provides a convenient guide for surgeons to perform various operative techniques on the subject bone without the need for separate devices, and allows all these operative techniques to be performed without removing the instrument guide from the dissected area until all operative techniques have been completed. The releasable mechanism allows the surgeon to easily hold the instrument to an implant using a simple press-fit approach, and easily releases from the implant with a minimal amount of force. An embodiment also allows the surgeon to releasably lock the cannula in a given orientation about the centroidal axis of the implant fastener hole.

Abstract: ?- and ?-amino acid hydroxyethylamino sulfonamide compounds are effective as retroviral protease inhibitors, and in particular as inhibitors of HIV protease.

Abstract: ?- and ?-amino acid hydroxyethylamino sulfonamide compounds are effective as retroviral protease inhibitors, and in particular as inhibitors of HIV protease.

Abstract: ?- and ?-amino acid hydroxyethylamino sulfonamide compounds are effective as retroviral protease inhibitors, and in particular as inhibitors of HIV protease.