Abstract: Output power delivery from an electrosurgical generator is evaluated to avoid malfunctions and risk conditions. Output power is delivered in a selected delivery path and the flow of output power is sensed in the selected delivery path and other delivery paths which have not been selected. The output power delivery is terminated upon determining that output power is not flowing in the selected delivery path or that output power is flowing in a delivery path that was not selected.

Abstract: Methods of forming electrostatically charged gelatin are provided. Gelatin is extracted by an acid extraction method (12) thereby producing a gelatin dispersion (14), the pH of which is adjusted to the isoelectric point of the gelatin. The pH of the gelatin dispersion (14) is then further adjusted (22) so as to cause the gelatin to assume an electrostatic charge.

Abstract: A highly selective and sensitive of a carbonic anhydrase-based method for measurement of zinc ion by an excitation ratiometric format based on resonance energy transfer: i.e., where the zinc ion level is transduced as the ratio of fluorescence intensities excited at two different excitation wavelengths, is provided. The method can be used very well in a fluorescence microscopy format. A detection limit of about 10 pM in zinc buffered systems, a ten to one thousand-fold improvement on the Fura indicators (which respond to Ca and Mg as well), and a one hundred thousand-fold improvement on the recently described FuraZin-1 is achieved.

Abstract: Output power delivery from an electrosurgical generator is evaluated to avoid malfunctions and risk conditions. Output power is delivered in a selected delivery path and the flow of output power is sensed in the selected delivery path and other delivery paths which have not been selected. The output power delivery is terminated upon determining that output power is not flowing in the selected delivery path or that output power is flowing in a delivery path that was not selected.

Abstract: Semi-autonomously executed routines accomplish the primary functions of electrosurgical energy delivery on a responsive basis for power control purposes and to adapt the delivered output waveform to perform new and better surgical procedures. The routines include and output voltage and output current sampling routine, a control routine for establishing the width of drive pulses used to create the output waveform, a pattern generation routine for establishing the pattern of drive pulses to be delivered in one mode cycle established by a selected mode of operation, a pattern delivery routine for repeatedly delivering sequences of the mode cycle pattern of drive pulses, and a power supply control routine for varying the voltage of the drive pulses in coordination with varying the width of the drive pulses.

Abstract: Animal feed compositions comprising amounts of protein, carbohydrate, fat and a functional ingredient for preventing hairball formation are provided.

Abstract: DC input energy is converted into DC output voltage which is used to create an output RF waveform for use in electrosurgery, by the use of a switched current mode high-voltage power supply. Pulses of input current are switched through a conversion transformer and the energy content of each pulse is converted into the DC output voltage. The time widths of the input current pulses are regulated relative to the DC output voltage, the magnitude of the current within each input current pulse, and in relation to maintaining a plurality of different selected operational conditions. The rate at which the input current pulses are converted is changed relative to the level of the DC output voltage.

Abstract: Methods of forming electrostatically charged gelatin are provided. Gelatin is extracted by an acid extraction method (12) thereby producing a gelatin dispersion (14), the pH of which is adjusted to the isoelectric point of the gelatin. The pH of the gelatin dispersion (14) is then further adjusted (22) so as to cause the gelatin to assume an electrostatic charge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a scissor-action hand surgical instrument having first and second limbs pivotally connected together by a box-joint comprising a tenon portion and a mortice portion through which the tenon portion extends. The second limb has at the mortice portion a pivot pin comprising a neck portion and an enlarged head portion. The tenon portion has a keyhole aperture with a first reduced diameter portion and a second enlarged diameter portion spaced apart from and connected to the first portion and through which the pivot pin head portion is passable for assembly and disassembly of the limbs. The pivot pin neck portion is translatable between the first and second aperture portions. The mortice portion has a central opening at one side around the pivot pin head portion.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a stabilization brace includes an upper belt configured to be positioned around a portion of a user's body, a lower belt configured to be positioned around the portion of the user's body, and one or more supports coupled between the upper and lower belts. Each support includes a housing, a piston slidably engaged with the housing, and a motion limiter adjustably coupled to the housing in one of a plurality of predetermined positions, the support operable to limit flexion of the portion of the user's body to a predetermined range according to the position of the motion limiter.

Abstract: A method of firing a heat consuming device such as a boiler or furnace in which an oxygen transport membrane is integrated with the device such that part of the permeated oxygen supports an initial combustion to heat the incoming air to the oxygen transport membrane system. A remaining portion of the oxygen after having been diluted with flue gases from the boiler supports a secondary combustion of fuel within the heat consuming device.

Abstract: One preferred embodiment of the present invention provides systems and methods for removing noise from an input analog signal in continues time. Briefly described in architecture, one embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows. An analog filtering system including VLSI circuitry separates an analog input signal into a plurality of sub-band signals. Then, an analog gain system including VLSI circuitry calculates a gain for each sub-band signal that suppresses the noise within the sub-band signal. In some preferred embodiments, VLSI circuitry includes floating gate technology. Methods and other systems are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of preparation for cultured milk based products and products prepared thereby are provided wherein a yogurt is produced containing 0.1% to about 5% confectionery filaments. The process involves providing a cooled fermented yogurt base at a temperature of 0° C. to 5° C.; injecting a liquid fat-bearing compound having a total fat concentration of 24% to about 40% into the cooled yogurt base; whereby the liquid fat-bearing compound is shattered into filaments upon contact with the cooled fermented yogurt.

Abstract: A method of firing a heat consuming device such as a boiler or furnace in which an oxygen transport membrane is integrated with the device such that part of the permeated oxygen supports an initial combustion to heat the incoming air to the oxygen transport membrane system. A remaining portion of the oxygen after having been diluted with flue gases from the boiler supports a secondary combustion of fuel within the heat consuming device.

Abstract: A quick coupler for attaching implements, such as buckets or other tools, to heavy equipment, such as backhoes and excavators, which includes two recesses or channels for receiving a pair of machine pins of an implement. A hydraulic piston actuates a first locking lever to enclose one of the pair of machine pins in one recess and a second locking lever to enclose the other one of the pair of machine pins in the other recess.

Abstract: An introducer deploys an endoluminal device in a distal location from a proximal location. The introducer comprises a retrograde portion, an anterograde portion axially moveable relative to the retrograde portion, a shaft having a distal tip and an anterograde sheath attached to the distal tip, and an inflatable balloon mounted radially outside the retrograde portion for anchoring the device during deployment from its proximal end to its distal end. The retrograde portion may comprise bilumen tubing having an external wall, an internal wall that defines a central lumen radially inward of the internal wall, and an annular lumen in fluid communication with the balloon defined between the external wall and the internal wall.

Abstract: A package based upon an air pump system is provided for dispensing a cosmetic composition. In one aspect, the package provides enhanced delivery of the composition without affecting the stability of the composition. The pump system includes a bulb system and a balloon element in fluid communication therewith. Compression of the bulb system transmits air from the bulb system into the balloon to inflate the balloon, applying pressure to the composition to extrude it through an exit orifice in the container. When the bulb system is decompressed, some air returns from the balloon to the bulb system, thereby releasing pressure on the composition.