Abstract: In prostate brachytherapy or the like, a preplan is formed for the prostate in its condition at the time, and needles pre-loaded with radioactive seeds are ordered. In the operating room, it is determined whether the prostate has changed in size, shape or position. If so, the preplan is deformed to conform to the prostate in its new condition. The needles are inserted into the prostate through a template, which can have a hole spacing in each dimension that is smaller than that that of conventional templates or can have holes arranged in a non-rectilinear pattern. Alternatively, a virtual template, having a single movable needle passage, can be used. The therapeutic agents can be provided in a biodegradable carrier for timed release.

Abstract: A medical grasper device (10) that is useful for grasping and manipulating a body organ is described. The grasper device is partially inserted into a body cavity and comprises a flexible strap (16) having a distal section (18) that is deployed from a tube (12) to form a partially closed loop (22). A terminal end of the strap has an attachment means, such as aperture (32), that is manipulated by a separate forceps-type device to mate the attachment aperture with a connection means (34) to complete the loop. The closed loop is then adjustable in size to provide for positioning the loop at a desired location around the target body organ to grasp and manipulate the body organ. Various embodiments show the connection means provided on either the tube, a drive rod (406) disposed in a movable relationship inside the tube and on the strap itself, and connectable to the strap attachment means to close the loop.

Abstract: A medical grasper device (10) that is useful for holding and manipulating a body organ is described. The grasper device is partially inserted into a body cavity and comprises a flexible strap (14) having a distal section (18) that is deployed from a tube (12) to form a partial closed loop (2). A terminal end of the strap has an aperture (42) that is manipulated by a separate forceps-type device to mate with a connection means (56) provided on the grasper device to complete the loop. The closed loop is then adjustable in size to provide for positioning the loop at a desired location around the target body organ to hold and manipulate the body organ. At such time as the grasper device is no longer needed in the surgical procedure, the strap is either removed from the connection means with the aforementioned forceps-type device or is cut by a separate cutting means to release the loop from the body organ and the grasper device is removed from the body cavity.

Abstract: A medical grasper device (10) that is useful for holding and manipulating a body organ is described. Grasper device (10) is inserted into a body cavity through a cannula port and in the form of a flexible strap (26) preferably made of a plastic material having traction formations, in the form of openings (34, 34D), ridges (34C) or scalloped edges (34B) provided along the length of a holding section and serving to prevent the strap from releasing from a position encircling the organ. The strap is housed within a tube (12) that is provided with a handle (68). During the laparoscopic procedure, the strap is moved by hand or by suitable manipulation mechanism out through the opposite, distal end (20) of the tube to define a loop (28) of adjustable size. The loop is thus useful for holding and manipulating body organs and body tissue.

Abstract: In a process for the manufacture of shaped polyethylene terephthalate structures, such as film or fiber, a crystalline sodium aluminosilicate molecular sieve is used as the catalyst for the polymerization of di(2-hydroxyethyl phthalate) or higher oligomer intermediate. In film, especially for audio and video tapes, the molecular sieve serves both as the catalyst and as a slip additive. In addition to the fact that this process eliminates antimony trioxide, heretofore used as the polymerization catalyst, the polyethylene terephthalate film made by the process of this invention has considerably fewer defects such as microgel inclusions, black specks, and pimples. Further, the amount of diethylene glycol formed in the process is reduced. Finally, polyethylene terephthalate degradation, contributing to the exudation of lower molecular weight materials, also is reduced.

Abstract: A mold for molding elongated workpieces is comprised of three vertically oriented quadrants and a fourth quadrant pivotally mounted relative to the three quadrants between a mold open position and a generally vertically oriented mold closed position. A workpiece is loaded into the mold by positioning end plates on the workpiece and locating the combination on the fourth quadrant by positioning of the end plates on locating pins projecting from a frame member or tilt beam associated with the fourth quadrant. Slide assemblies are then moved into workpiece engaging positions on each end of the workpiece to accurately locate the workpiece relative to the fourth quadrant. The fourth quadrant with the workpiece locked thereon is then moved into a mold closed position for molding.

Abstract: A mold for molding elongated workpieces is comprised of three vertically oriented quadrants and a fourth quadrant pivotally mounted relative to the three quadrants between a mold open position and a generally vertically oriented mold closed position. A workpiece core is loaded into the mold by positioning end plates on the workpiece core and locating the combination on the fourth quadrant by positioning of the end plates on locating pins projecting from a frame member or tilt beam associated with the fourth quadrant. Slide assemblies are then moved into core-engaging positions on each end of the workpiece core to accurately locate the workpiece core relative to the fourth quadrant. The fourth quadrant with the workpiece core locked thereon is then moved into a mold closed position for molding.

Abstract: A clamp for sharpening chain saws does not require removal of the saw chain from the saw prior to the sharpening operation. The clamp comprises a supportive backing plate, a threaded member for fixing the saw blade into position relative to the plate, and a stop for preventing movement of the saw chain teeth along the saw blade during the sharpening operation. Preferably, the stop comprises a pivotable arm which is engageable with any one of the saw teeth.