Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter, a fluid containing sleeve, and a container. The catheter may include a tubular portion between a proximal end and a distal end, a coating on a length of the tubular portion, and at least one drainage opening on the distal end. The fluid containing sleeve is designed for arrangement on the tubular portion to maintain the coating in a hydrated state. The container may have at least one foil inner layer containing therein the catheter and the fluid containing sleeve. Substantially or nearly all fluid contained in the container may be disposed in the fluid containing sleeve.

Abstract: Methods for the deposition of silver-comprising films on nonconducting substrates, and, more particularly, to deposition of such films that are very thin, are provided. The surface of nonconducting substrates is modified with a superabsorbent polymer to increase silver deposition when compared to a non-modified surface. Also provided are films produced using a swelling agent, whereby porosity of the surface of the nonconducting substrate is increased, thereby permitting increased silver deposition when compared to an unmodified surface.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with improving the fuel efficiency of an engine. An engine or method of operating an engine that by introducing a secondary additive fuel or fuels in order to effect within the engine an extended combustion time and improve the ‘burn’ during the power stroke so as to ensure that fuel is utilised (burnt) as fully as possible thus improving the efficiency of the engine and bringing about a reduction of harmful exhaust emissions.

Abstract: The present disclosure discusses conductive pads that are disposable, shape-stable lubricious hydrogel couplants that can be used in place of liquid gel couplants the field of ultrasound. The conductive pad can include dual-surface acoustic hydrogel couplants that have one adhesive surface to provide a position-stable coupling to a transducer or other contact surface and a second surface that is lubricious, enabling it to slide across the surface of a test subject. The lubricious surface of the hydrogel enables low friction repositioning of the transducer. The conductive pad can also include a plurality of layers, each of which can include different properties.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter, a fluid containing sleeve, and a container. The catheter may include a tubular portion between a proximal end and a distal end, a coating on a length of the tubular portion, and at least one drainage opening on the distal end. The fluid containing sleeve is designed for arrangement on the tubular portion to maintain the coating in a hydrated state. The container may have at least one foil inner layer containing therein the catheter and the fluid containing sleeve. Substantially or nearly all fluid contained in the container may be disposed in the fluid containing sleeve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system of parts for modifying and supporting a c-channel type firearm receiver. More specifically, the invention provides modifying members and subassemblies for Kalashnikov-type rifles having c-channel type receivers comprising separate internal & external support members that are adapted to be interconnected where the receiver is placed between and connected to the support members.

Abstract: A catheter assembly including an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end has at least one drainage opening. A hydrophilic coating is provided on at least a portion of the elongate end of the catheter. A fluid containing member is provided and is either arranged on the elongate member or within a separate area of the container. The fluid containing member contains sufficient hydrating fluid to hydrate the coating of the catheter. A container contains the elongate member and the fluid containing member and incorporates at least one foil layer to prevent evaporation of the hydrating fluid. A method of using the catheter includes inserting a catheter into a user's body and draining fluid from the user's body.

Abstract: A gaming terminal is configured to permit each player of a plurality of players to play a game in a tournament. The gaming terminal includes a processor configured to specify the maximum number of games which may be played in the tournament, count the number of games which have been played by each player, and verify the identity of a winning player. The gaming terminal also includes a prize fulfillment mechanism configured to pay out a cash prize to the winning player. The prize fulfillment mechanism pays out the cash prize instantly and directly to the winning player upon verification of the winning player's identity and when the number of games played equals the maximum number of games which may be played in the tournament.

Abstract: A dialysis like therapeutic (DLT) device is provided. The DLT device includes at least one source channel connected at least one collection channels by one or more transfer channels. Fluid contacting surface of the channels can be an anti-fouling surface such as slippery liquid-infused porous surface (SLIPS). Fluids can be flown at high flow rates through the channels. The target components of the source fluid can be magnetic or bound to magnetic particles using an affinity molecule. A source fluid containing magnetically bound target components can be pumped through the source channel of the microfluidic device. A magnetic field gradient can be applied to the source fluid in the source channel causing the magnetically bound target components to migrate through the transfer channel into the collection channel. The collection channel can include a collection fluid to flush the target components out of the collection channel. The target components can be subsequently analyzed for detection and diagnosis.

Abstract: An Otto cycle, Atkinson cycle or supercharged internal combustion engine (10) and a timing mechanism therefor. The engine comprising: a cylinder (14) and a piston (12) reciprocally mounted within the cylinder (14) in which reciprocating movement of the piston is converted into rotational movement of an output shaft (28) by way of rollers (20, 24) engaging primary (22) and secondary (26) cam means which are affixed to, and rotatable with, the output shaft (28). The timing mechanism comprising cam means (52, 53) mounted on, and rotatable in unison with, the output shaft (28), a cam follower (54, 55) arranged to engage the cam means (52) and a linkage connecting the cam follower to a pivoting rocker arm for actuating the engine's induction and exhaust valves, the rocker arm pivot being adapted to be moveable on an arcuate locus centered on the axis of the output shaft (28).

Abstract: A method of sampling data in a database includes designating permanent read locations in a database. The database is populated with randomly loaded data. The permanent read locations in the database are sampled to form sampled repeatable results attributable to the permanent read locations and the randomly loaded data.

Abstract: A catheter assembly including an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end has at least one drainage opening. A hydrophilic coating is provided on at least a portion of the elongate end of the catheter. A fluid containing member is provided and is either arranged on the elongate member or within a separate area of the container. The fluid containing member contains sufficient hydrating fluid to hydrate the coating of the catheter. A container contains the elongate member and the fluid containing member and incorporates at least one foil layer to prevent evaporation of the hydrating fluid. A method of using the catheter includes inserting a catheter into a user's body and draining fluid from the user's body.

Abstract: An apparatus to reduce the sensitivity of the vestibular system to stimulation. The apparatus comprises a plugging device configured to constrain the movement of endolymph fluid within a semicircular canal, and a control module coupled to the plugging device that causes the plugging device to maintain a set actuated position.

Abstract: A catheter assembly (11) includes an elongate member (14) having a proximal end (18) and a distal end (19). The distal end (19) has at least one drainage opening (15). A fluid containing member (20) is arranged on the elongate member (14). A container (12) contains the elongate member (14) and the fluid containing member (20). A method of using the catheter assembly (11) includes inserting a catheter (14) into a users body and draining fluid from the users body.

Abstract: A gaming terminal is configured to permit each player of a plurality of players to play a game in a tournament. The gaming terminal includes a processor configured to specify the maximum number of games which may be played in the tournament, count the number of games which have been played by each player, and verify the identity of a winning player. The gaming terminal also includes a prize fulfillment mechanism configured to pay out a cash prize to the winning player. The prize fulfillment mechanism pays out the cash prize instantly and directly to the winning player upon verification of the winning player's identity and when the number of games played equals the maximum number of games which may be played in the tournament.

Abstract: An apparatus to reduce the sensitivity of the vestibular system to stimulation. The apparatus comprises a plugging device configured to constrain the movement of endolymph fluid within a semicircular canal, and a control module coupled to the plugging device that causes the plugging device to maintain a set actuated position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions, methods for the production of these compositions, and use of these compositions with medical devices, such as catheters, and implants. The compositions of the present invention advantageously provide varying release kinetics for the active ions in the compositions due to the different water solubilities of the ions, allowing antimicrobial release profiles to be tailored for a given application and providing for sustained antimicrobial activity over time. More particularly, the invention relates to polymer compositions containing colloids comprised of salts of one or more oligodynamic metals, such as silver. The process of the invention includes mixing a solution of one or more oligodynamic metal salts with a polymer solution or dispersion and precipitating a colloid of the salts by addition of other salts to the solution which react with some or all of the first metal salts.

Abstract: An Otto cycle, Atkinson cycle or supercharged internal combustion engine (10) and a timing mechanism therefor. The engine comprising: a cylinder (14) and a piston (12) reciprocally mounted within the cylinder (14) in which reciprocating movement of the piston is converted into rotational movement of an output shaft (28) by way of rollers (20, 24) engaging primary (22) and secondary (26) cam means which are affixed to, and rotatable with, the output shaft (28). The timing mechanism comprising cam means (52, 53) mounted on, and rotatable in unison with, the output shaft (28), a cam follower (54, 55) arranged to engage the cam means (52) and a linkage connecting the cam follower to a pivoting rocker arm for actuating the engine's induction and exhaust valves, the rocker arm pivot being adapted to be moveable on an arcuate locus centred on the axis of the output shaft (28).

Abstract: Described herein are coatings containing water-soluble oligodynamic metal salts that are formulated and applied from hydrophobic solvents. In particular, articles of manufacture comprising polymer coatings containing oligodynamic metal salts can include hydrophobic polymer coatings made from water-reactive monomers and hydrophilic polymers compounded in hydrophobic solvents which contain a small amount of water that aids in the solubilization and suspension of the oligodynamic metal salts. Methods of preparing these antimicrobial polymer coatings, and methods of coating a substrate to produce an article of manufacture having an antimicrobial polymer coating are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus to stimulate the vestibular system of an individual. The apparatus comprises an actuator configured to mechanically stimulate a semicircular canal, and a control module coupled to the actuator that controls the actuator in response to motion information associated with the individual.