Abstract: An implement for increasing tissue vascularization includes a handle with a receiving post and a retainer movable between a first position and a second position, and a cutting wheel disposed on the receiving post. The cutting wheel includes at least one cutting element disposed on an outer periphery of the cutting wheel. In the first position, the handle permits the cutting wheel to be mounted on the receiving post. In the second position, the cutting wheel is held in place with respect to the receiving post yet freely rotatable with respect to the receiving post.

Abstract: An asphalt binder blend includes a mixture of new and/or recycled asphalt cement and brown grease, wherein the brown grease has a free fatty acid (FFA) level greater than about 40% w/w, preferably greater than about 75% w/w. A volatile fraction of the brown grease may be removed, and the brown grease may be polymerized. An asphalt pavement material and a method of preparation thereof, wherein the asphalt pavement material includes a mixture of new and/or recycled aggregate and the asphalt binder blend including brown grease.

Abstract: A pollution control device for a hot-mix asphalt manufacturing system includes a filter that receives and filters emissions from a rotary dryer. The filter may include a pre-filter and/or a fiber bed filter. The filtered emissions are then sent to an oxidizer where they are heated to remove hydrocarbons. Heat energy from the emissions from the oxidizer is used to pre-heat emissions introduced into the oxidizer.

Abstract: A hot-mix asphalt manufacturing system for recycled asphalt coated aggregate (RAP) has a rotary dryer and burner operable to heat the dryer to create a maximum gas temperature at a location between first and second ends of the dryer. A first inlet is upstream and a second inlet is downstream of the maximum temperature. A first coarse aggregate is introduced through the first inlet, fine RAP is introduced through the second inlet, and the aggregates are heated and mixed forming a mixture outputted at an outlet. For 100% RAP processes, the first and second aggregates can consist of RAP. For less than 100% RAP processes, virgin aggregate can be introduced through the first inlet, located adjacent the first end of the rotary dryer, and a third inlet can be located between the maximum temperature and the first inlet, with fine and coarse RAP introduced through the second and third inlets.

Abstract: An asphalt binder blend includes a mixture of new and/or recycled asphalt cement and brown grease, wherein the brown grease has a free fatty acid (FFA) level greater than about 40% w/w, preferably greater than about 75% w/w. A volatile fraction of the brown grease may be removed, and the brown grease may be polymerized. An asphalt pavement material and a method of preparation thereof, wherein the asphalt pavement material includes a mixture of new and/or recycled aggregate and the asphalt binder blend including brown grease.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for use in positioning a breast implant comprising a sheet of a prosthetic material configured to form a sling-shaped receiving area for receiving and supporting the breast implant. The surface area of the implantable prosthesis contacting the breast implant comprises a biocompatible or chemically inert material to prevent abrasion of or reaction with the breast implant. The implantable prosthesis of the present invention can be used during corrective procedures to reposition and support a malpositioned breast implant or during reconstructive or cosmetic procedures at the time the implant is first positioned within the patient. The prosthesis is used with implants in the partial sub-muscular, completely sub-muscular, and sub-glandular position and is used to prevent medial, lateral and inferior displacement of the implant.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for use in positioning a breast implant comprising a sheet of a prosthetic material configured to form a sling-shaped receiving area for receiving and supporting the breast implant. The surface area of the implantable prosthesis contacting the breast implant comprises a biocompatible or chemically inert material to prevent abrasion of or reaction with the breast implant. The implantable prosthesis of the present invention can be used during corrective procedures to reposition and support a malpositioned breast implant or during reconstructive or cosmetic procedures at the time the implant is first positioned within the patient. The prosthesis is used with implants in the partial sub-muscular, completely sub-muscular, and sub-glandular position and is used to prevent medial, lateral and inferior displacement of the implant.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for use in periareolar mastopexy. The prosthesis may constructed of a prosthetic or biological mesh material, or a biodegradable/resorbable material, and may be either annular or frusto-conical in shape. An aperture of the prosthesis is sized to surround an areola upon implantation. The prosthesis may include a plurality of teeth, extending outwardly from a top surface of the prosthesis, and canted generally towards an apex of the prosthesis. The implantable prosthesis permits a resorbable, rather than a nonresorbable suture to be used in the periareolar mastopexy procedure.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for use in positioning a breast implant comprising a sheet of a prosthetic material configured to form a sling-shaped receiving area for receiving and supporting the breast implant. The surface area of the implantable prosthesis contacting the breast implant comprises a biocompatible or chemically inert material to prevent abrasion of or reaction with the breast implant. The implantable prosthesis of the present invention can be used during corrective procedures to reposition and support a malpositioned breast implant or during reconstructive or cosmetic procedures at the time the implant is first positioned within the patient. The prosthesis is used with implants in the partial sub-muscular, completely sub-muscular, and sub-glandular position and is used to prevent medial, lateral and inferior displacement of the implant.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for use in periareolar mastopexy. The prosthesis may constructed of a prosthetic or biological mesh material, or a biodegradable/resorbable material, and may be either annular or frusto-conical in shape. An aperture of the prosthesis is sized to surround an areola upon implantation. The prosthesis may include a plurality of teeth, extending outwardly from a top surface of the prosthesis, and canted generally towards an apex of the prosthesis. The implantable prosthesis permits a resorbable, rather than a nonresorbable suture to be used in the periareolar mastopexy procedure.

Abstract: A hot-mix asphalt manufacturing system includes a counter-flow rotary dryer having a combustion chamber, an inlet for dry ingredients, an outlet for hot-mix asphalt, and a pollution control device. The pollution control system includes a pre-filter, a cooling device and a fiber bed filter. Combustion gases from the combustion chamber are directed onto the ingredients for the hot-mix asphalt without substantial introduction of excess air or recirculated air and contact the hot-mix asphalt at a temperature substantially equal to the temperature of the combustion gases. The pollution control system removes substantially all particulates and hydrocarbons from the emissions from the hot-mix asphalt ingredients.

Abstract: A hot-mix asphalt manufacturing system including treatment of emissions and recirculated gases includes a counter-flow rotary dryer 12 having a combustion chamber 28, an inlet 24 for dry ingredients, an outlet 26 for hot-mix asphalt, and a plate collector 70 for treating recirculated gases. A fiber bed filter 90 (FIG. 5) is provided to remove hydrocarbons and particulates from the rotary dryer emissions before they are released into the surrounding environment. A cooling zone 92 is provided upstream from the fiber bed filter to cool the emissions to a temperature that is compatible with the fiber bed filter.

Abstract: Internal states of storage devices within a digital data processing system are made accessible using variable mode multi-bit shift register storage devices. The inputs and outputs of these shift register storage devices are interconnected by gating means which may be selectably controlled to form separately selectable serial strings along which the bits of a selected string may be caused to be shifted to a monitoring unit for monitoring, diagnosing and/or correcting purposes and then returned, via the string, to their original locations in the shift register storage devices, after which normal data processing operations can be resumed, or other appropriate action taken.

Abstract: Internal states of storage devices within a modular digital data processing system are made accessible using variable mode multi-bit shift register storage devices in each module. The inputs and outputs of the shift register storage devices in each module are interconnected by gating means within the module which may be selectably controlled to form separately selectable serial strings along which the bits of a selected string of a selected module may be caused to be shifted to a monitoring unit for monitoring, diagnosing and/or correcting purposes and then returned, via the string, to their original locations in the shift register storage devices of the selected module, after which normal data processing operations can be resumed, or other appropriate action taken. At least one string in each module is formed of monitoring storing devices which are not involved in data processing operations so as to permit the module to be monitored simultaneously with the performance of data processing operations.

Abstract: The internal states of a memory and other storage devices within a digital data processing system are made accessible for monitoring purposes using variable mode multi-bit shift register storage devices which are also used for the input-output register of the memory to be monitored. The inputs and outputs of the shift register storage devices are interconnected by gating means which may be selectably controlled to form separately selectable serial strings along which the bits of a selected string may be caused to be shifted to a monitoring unit for monitoring, diagnosing and/or correcting purposes and then returned, via the string, to their original locations in the respective shift register storage devices of the selected string, after which normal data processing operations can be resumed.

Abstract: The internal states of one or more micro-code storing RAMs (random access memories) which control program flow in a digital data processor are made accessible for loading, changing or monitoring purposes using variable mode multi-bit shift register storage devices for the input-output register of each RAM. When the contents of a selected location in a RAM is to be monitored, changed or loaded, the data stored in the selected location is read into the RAM's input-output register and the interconnections of the corresponding storage devices are reconfigured to form a serial string along which the bits in the string are shifted to a monitoring unit for monitoring, diagnosing, changing and/or loading purposes and then returned, via the string, to their original locations in the RAM's input-output register. If changes are required, the changed bits returned to the RAM's input-output register are written into the selected location in the RAM before normal operations are resumed.

Abstract: A system for purifying bodies of water, such as swimming pools, includes a prefilter upstream of a catalytic filter, and a pump for periodically circulating water to be treated through the prefilter and then through the catalytic filter. The catalytic filter includes a series of horizontally disposed filter elements each having a stationary layer of a permeable water-purifying biocatalyst composition. The preferred biocatalyst is a microbicidal surface compound formed by wet processing finely divided silver oxide, zinc oxide and lampblack. Water circulated through the prefilter is filtered to remove suspended solids or algae which would clog or otherwise disturb the biocatalyst filter cake. Water circulated through the catalytic filter is purified by surface contact with the biocatalyst. Repeated pool water contact with the biocatalyst generates a residual microbicidal condition in the pool water.