Abstract: A lofty, nonwoven material having a nonwoven web having a plurality of substantially continuous fibers oriented in a z-direction of the nonwoven web and a method for producing the lofty, nonwoven material from as-formed z-direction fibers. The method is fast, having no mechanical manipulation of the fibers to slow it down, easily adjustable and allows for in-line processing. The material can be varied from preponderantly open to preponderantly closed in its web structure.

Abstract: A system for treating obesity in a patient including a gastric implant to control alimentary absorption, the gastric implant including a ring sized and shaped to fit around an esophagus of the patient and a motorized controller to adjust extension of the ring, and an induction coil to power the motorized controller, wherein the induction coil is integrated in the implant; and a control equipment unit including a device to adjust emission power of the induction coil; wherein the implant further includes an electronic circuit delivering a response signal to a command transmitted by the control equipment unit.

Abstract: Semiconductor materials such as silicon particles are doped by mixing the semiconductor material with a solution having a dopan and a solvent. The solvent is removed from the wetted surface of the particles of the semiconductor material, thereby yielding particles that are substantially free from the solvent and are uniformly coated with the dopant.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for concurrent growth of multiple crystalline ribbons from a single crucible employ meniscus shapers to facilitate continuous growth of discrete and substantially flat crystalline ribbons having controlled width.

Abstract: Semiconductor materials such as silicon particles are doped by mixing the semiconductor material with a solution having a dopan and a solvent. The solvent is removed from the wetted surface of the particles of the semiconductor material, thereby yielding particles that are substantially free from the solvent and are uniformly coated with the dopant.

Abstract: A prosthesis for correcting urinary stress incontinence in women including right and left para-urethral hemi-prostheses, each of the hemi-prostheses formed of a biocompatible material and in the form of a strip, one end of the strip having a bulged portion and another end of which is adapted to be attached to the aponeurosis of the rectus muscle of the abdomen, and means for attaching the another end to the aponeurosis of the rectus muscle of the abdomen.

Abstract: A method provides for merging lists of newly found and old network elements. The method comprises receiving the list of newly found elements and deriving a potential key value for a portion of the newly found elements from configuration data associated therewith and a key format. The method also updates one of the old elements with the configuration data of a newly found keyed element having the same key. The method compares attributes of newly found elements for components to attributes of old network elements for attribute matches and reports matches. The report lists matching old elements and newly found elements as unresolved if either one does not have a unique key.

Abstract: A method for remote and nonconnected interaction between an implant having an electrical motor and a transmitter/receiver inverter having an induction source having/connected to a power source for operating the electrical motor including creating modifications in an electromagnetic field by the transmitter/receiver inverter, and transmitting information in the form of binary data from the transmitter/receiver inverter to the implant; and a device for remote and nonconnected interaction with an implant having a transponder including an induction source having/connected to a power source, and means enabling the induction source to create modifications in an electromagnetic field generated in the device to transmit information in the form of binary data to the implant.

Abstract: A lofty, nonwoven material having a nonwoven web having a plurality of substantially continuous fibers oriented in a z-direction of the nonwoven web and a method for producing the lofty, nonwoven material from as-formed z-direction fibers. The method is fast, having no mechanical manipulation of the fibers to slow it down, easily adjustable and allows for in-line processing. The material can be varied from preponderantly open to preponderantly closed in its web structure.

Abstract: A lofty, nonwoven material having a nonwoven web having a plurality of substantially continuous fibers oriented in a z-direction of the nonwoven web and a method for producing the lofty, nonwoven material from as-formed z-direction fibers. The method is fast, having no mechanical manipulation of the fibers to slow it down, easily adjustable and allows for in-line processing. The material can be varied from preponderantly open to preponderantly closed in its web structure.

Abstract: A method provides for merging lists of newly found and old network elements. The method comprises receiving the list of newly found elements and deriving a potential key value for a portion of the newly found elements from configuration data associated therewith and a key format. The method also updates one of the old elements with the configuration data of a newly found keyed element having the same key. The method compares attributes of newly found elements for components to attributes of old network elements for attribute matches and reports matches. The report lists matching old elements and newly found elements as unresolved if either one does not have a unique key.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus enabling the introduction of a prosthesis of the pad form with increased ease into the interior of the abdominal cavity and to automatically unroll it, such that its installation and stapling are easier for the practitioner. More specifically, the invention includes a device for the installation of a prosthesis in the treatment of inguinal hernias via peritoneoscopy, including an applicator essentially constituted of a substantially cylindrical tube capable of containing the prosthesis, a plunger for injecting the prosthesis from the tube at the desired site, and a spring attached to the plunger such that it is capable of attaching to the prosthesis in a detachable manner and of spreading it out when it is discharged to the exterior of the tube.

Abstract: A system for analyzing and managing a plurality of specified life insurance policies and annuity contracts on behalf of an insurance carrier. The life insurance policies or annuity contracts depend on stock market performance in that the account value increase is determined as a percentage of the performance of a stock market index, with set caps and floors. The percentage is adjusted according to the yield on fixed rate assets. The system manages the increased risk from participation in the stock market by periodically monitoring assets and liabilities and determining the purchase and sale of stock options and other hedging instruments to cover the risks. The system also provides cash and profit determinations from the life insurance policies and annuity contracts.

Abstract: A system for analyzing and managing a plurality of specified life insurance policies and annuity contracts on behalf of an insurance carrier. The life insurance policies or annuity contracts depend on stock market performance in that the account value increase is determined as a percentage of the performance of a stock market index, with set caps and floors. The percentage is adjusted according to the yield on fixed rate assets. The system manages the increased risk from participation in the stock market by periodically monitoring assets and liabilities and determining the purchase and sale of stock options and other hedging instruments to cover the risks. The system also provides cash and profit determinations from the life insurance policies and annuity contracts.

Abstract: A cantilevered roller assembly for a conveyor system includes a non-rotating shaft, a sprocket, a roller, a sleeve, and a clutching spring. The non-rotating shaft has a first end with a first retention feature and second end with a second retention feature. The sprocket is rotatably disposed over the shaft. The roller is rotatably disposed over the shaft adjacent the sprocket. The sleeve is slidably and rotatably disposed over the non-rotating shaft. The sleeve has a first end in non-rotatable engagement with one of the sprocket and the roller on a first end and has a second end with an adjusting nut threadably disposed thereover. The clutching spring is axially disposed between the second end of the sleeve and the second end of the shaft. The clutching spring induces a clutching load between the sprocket and the roller. Rotation of the nut varies the clutching load between the sprocket and the roller.

Abstract: Apparatus for end-pumping of a solid-state laser with a source of high optical brightness. A stack of diode laser bars are excited, and each bar emits a light beam of a selected pump wavelength in a chosen direction. The light beam output of the diode bar stack is divided into a plurality of smaller, approximately rectangular light beams, which serve as extended light sources, by a plurality of mirrors that are positioned to receive one or more of these smaller beams and redirect such beams onto first, light-receiving ends of one or more optical fibers. Light collection optics receive the beams issuing from the mirrors and focus these beams onto a light-receiving end of an optical fiber with beam convergence angles that are appropriate for the numerical aperture of that fiber.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for modulating the phase or the amplitude of a monochromatic light beam, the apparatus including in one embodiment a Mach-Zehnder interferometer that consists of two beam splitters or beam combiners, a fully reflective mirror and an electro-optical crystal for modulation of one of two beam components. The electro-optical crystal serves as an optical resonator for the portion of the light beam admitted into the crystal material, using total internal reflection of the light beam from two or more of the crystal surfaces. The crystal has a high finesse so that a relatively small change in voltage applied across the crystal produces a large (.apprxeq.180.degree.) change in the external phase shift associated with the modulated component of the light beam.

Abstract: A method for preventing inhalation or ingestion of airborne aerosol particles of toxic or life-threatening materials by medical laboratory personnel wherein a portable safety shield is placed between the body of the laboratory personnel and a container of toxic or life-threatening material prior to opening. The container is opened behind the shield so that any airborne aerosols of the material cannot directly be inhaled or ingested by the laboratory personnel. The safety shield is an upright self-supporting body of a rigid transparent sheet material which comprises a horizontal base, wherein the body is inclined with respect to the base. Notches are provided in the body to facilitate access to the base.

Abstract: An air driven dental handpiece is disclosed for rotating a bur in an angled housing that utilizes an arrangement of cooling water, chip air, and light services which are configured at their terminus into a form resembling a human eye. These services are integrated into an oval shape which is totally contained within the handle structure of the handpiece, and exit from the handle immediately adjacent the housing.In the handpiece, light is transmitted by optic fibers that are enclosed within a rigid, metallic sheath. Light is provided by a flexible fiber optic which abuts the entrance face of the handpiece sheath in a readily detachable, threaded coupling. A spring in the coupling presses the cable fibers firmly against the sheath fibers for maximum light transmission, and also holds the cable securely in the coupling.A flexible, multi-cavity supply hose includes four cavities which provide the five services of turbine air, turbine exhaust, water, chip air, and light.