Abstract: A surgical instrument for harvesting vessels from the body includes an elongated shaft having distal and proximal ends and a plurality of lumens disposed therethrough. The shaft also includes a tip having a dissecting portion disposed at a distal end thereof and a cradle section. The tip is movable from a first position proximate the distal end of the shaft to at least one additional position distally further from the distal end of the shaft to expose the cradle section. The instrument also includes an endoscope disposed in one of the plurality of lumens and at least one additional surgical instrument disposed in one of the remaining lumens. Methods are disclosed for utilizing the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A composite armor element for protection against projectiles. At least one layer of effective bodies is disposed in rows next to one another in the composite armor element, the effective bodies being embedded in a matrix material. The effective bodies of one row are fixedly interconnected at least partially by means of webs to form a chain which is a monolithic element. An effective body element for insertion in a composite armor element comprises at least two effective bodies fixedly interconnected by at least one web to form a chain. The effective body element is a monolithic element, and a plurality of effective body elements are embedded in a matrix material.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and compositions for remodeling a peptide molecule, including the addition or deletion of one or more glycosyl groups to a peptide, and/or the addition of a modifying group to a peptide.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for harvesting vessels from the body includes an elongated shaft (12) having distal and proximal ends and a plurality of lumens (150a, 150b) disposed therethrough. The shaft also includes a tip having a dissecting portion disposed at a distal end thereof and a cradle section (114). The tip is movable from a first position proximate the distal end of the shaft to at least one additional position distally further from the distal end of the shaft to expose the cradle section. The instrument also includes an endoscope (162) disposed in one of the plurality of lumens and at least one additional surgical instrument (132) disposed in one of the remaining lumens. Methods are disclosed for utilizing the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Pigmented powder coating suspensions (pigmented powder slurries) preparable by (1) mixing at least two liquid components comprising in each case at least one liquid starting product in a static mixer, to give a liquid, (2) emulsifying the liquid (1) in an aqueous medium in a dispersing unit, to give an aqueous emulsion of liquid particles, and (3) cooling the emulsion (2) so that a suspension of dimensionally stable particles is formed, wherein said aqueous medium comprises the suspension of at least one pigment; and also processes for preparing them and their use as coating materials, adhesives, and sealing compounds or to prepare such compositions.

Abstract: Processes comprising: (i) providing a filter aid comprising a co-extrudate of a water-insoluble polyvinylpyrrolidone and a thermoplastic polymer; (ii) treating the filter aid with aqueous alkali; (iii) subsequently treating the filter aid with an enzyme; and (iv) subsequently thereto carrying out a second treatment with aqueous alkali, to provide a regenerated filter aid, and uses therefor.

Abstract: An instrument for distracting and/or compressing adjacent vertebrae is described. The instrument includes a yoke, a first blade movably mounted to the yoke, a second blade mounted to the yoke and an adjustment system. The yoke, the first blade and the second blade form a working channel for the instrument. The adjustment system of the instrument is configured to adjust a spacing between the first blade and the second blade by selectively moving the first blade relative to the second blade to distract and/or compress adjacent vertebrae when the first blade and the second blade have been secured to the adjacent vertebrae. The instrument may include a depth stop system that limits an insertion depth of an associated tool inserted into the working channel of the instrument. The adjustable depth stop system includes a releasable catch for securing a stop element of the associated tool.

Abstract: A method for removing residual styrene monomers from co-extrudates comprising polystyrene and water-insoluble, crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, which comprises subjecting an aqueous suspension of the particulate solid co-extrudate to a heat treatment at temperatures of 60 to 99° C., the weight ratio of solid co-extrudate to water in the suspension being 1:1.5 to 1:20, and the concentration of the suspension being kept constant during the treatment.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and compositions for remodeling a peptide molecule, including the addition or deletion of one or more glycosyl groups to a peptide, and/or the addition of a modifying group to a peptide.

Abstract: A bone plate having at least one screw hole adapted to receive a bone screw, a blocker having a blocking end for blocking a bone screw from further backout of bone the blocker being predisposed in a blocking position wherein the blocking end at least partially overlaps a portion of the screw hole, the blocker being moveable from the blocking position by contact with the bone screw during insertion of the bone screw into the screw hole, and a blocker fixation element having an open orientation at which the blocker can move from the blocking position and a closed orientation preventing substantial movement of the blocker from the blocking position. The blocker fixation element cannot be moved to the closed orientation unless the screw head passes the blocker, thereby revealing that the blocker fixation element is in position to prevent substantial movement of the blocker.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a housing, a stylet having a portion in the housing, a cannula coaxially receiving the stylet and having a portion in the housing, and a member slidably coupled to the housing. The stylet and the cannula are movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The member is configured with first and second bars to move the stylet and the cannula from their extended positions to their retracted positions.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a housing, a stylet having a portion in the housing, a cannula coaxially receiving the stylet and having a portion in the housing, and a member slidably coupled to the housing. The stylet and the cannula are movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The member is configured with first and second bars to move the stylet and the cannula from their extended positions to their retracted positions.

Abstract: Powder coating materials preparable by (1) mixing at least two liquid components comprising in each case at least one liquid starting product in a static mixer, to give a molecularly disperse and/or finely dispersed liquid mixture, (2) emulsifying the liquid mixture (1) in an aqueous medium in a dispersing unit, to give an aqueous emulsion of liquid particles, (3) cooling the emulsion (2) so that a suspension of dimensionally stable particles is formed, (4) isolating the dimensionally stable particles from the suspension (3) or alternatively (3) isolating the dimensionally stable particles directly from the emulsion (2); and also processes for preparing them and their use as coating materials, adhesives, and sealing compounds or to prepare such compositions.

Abstract: Medical instruments and methods of using the instruments are described. In some embodiments, a medical instrument includes a housing, a stylet having a portion in the housing, a movable first member in the housing, the movable member being connected to the stylet, and a second member located in the housing to reduce movement of the first member. The second member is configured to change movement of the first member from a first direction to a second direction different than the first direction.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and compositions for remodeling a peptide molecule, including the addition or deletion of one or more glycosyl groups to a peptide, and/or the addition of a modifying group to a peptide.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and compositions for remodeling a peptide molecule, including the addition or deletion of one or more glycosyl groups to a peptide, and/or the addition of a modifying group to a peptide.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and compositions for remodeling a peptide molecule, including the addition or deletion of one or more glycosyl groups to a peptide, and/or the addition of a modifying group to a peptide.

Abstract: Process for removal of residual styrene monomers from polystyrene and from blends comprising water-insoluble, crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, via treatment with water, which comprises carrying out the treatment on a particulate solid blend.

Abstract: A pigment formulation in granule form obtainable by a) dispersing at least two different pigments (A) in a solution of a thermoplastic polymer (B) in an organic solvent in the presence or absence of a dispersant (C), and b) applying as a layer the dispersion produced in step a) to granules of a thermoplastic polymer (B?), which is the same as the polymer (B), with removal of the solvent, wherein the pigment formulation includes the granules of the thermoplastic polymer (B?); and a coating on the granules of the thermoplastic polymer (B?), where the coating comprises the at least two different pigments (A) and the thermoplastic polymer (B).

Abstract: The invention includes methods and compositions for remodeling a peptide molecule, including the addition or deletion of one or more glycosyl groups to a peptide, and/or the addition of a modifying group to a peptide.