Abstract: A composition for controlling the release rate of an agent is presented. The composition includes a hydrophilic first component and a polymeric second component mixed with the hydrophilic first component. The composition remains substantially impermeable until exposure to a hydrophilic solvent that converts sites in the composition that are occupied by the hydrophilic first component to permeation channels for the hydrophilic solvent. The composition may be used for coating a core that contains an agent. When the composition is placed in the hydrophilic solvent, the hydrophilic solvent permeates to the core, dissolves the agent, and releases the agent at a controlled rate through the permeation channels. Where the core contains reactants for a target agent, the hydrohphilic solvent reaches the core and dissolves the reactants to trigger a chemical reaction that produces the target agent. The target agent is released at a controlled rate through the permeation channels.

Abstract: A storable, stable composition that provides the effective antimicrobial benefits of halogenated agents is presented. The invention includes a water-soluble biocidal composition. The composition includes: about 0.01 to about 10 wt. % of a water-soluble inorganic halide; about 5 to about 60 wt. % of an oxidizing agent which, in aqueous solution, reacts with the inorganic halide to generate hypohalite ions; about 1 to about 15 wt. % of N-succinimide; and about 1 to about 30 wt. % of a pH buffering agent. The invention also includes a method of producing the above composition.

Abstract: A reactor for an in-situ production of a chemical product in high yield are presented. The reactor, which may be placed in a main solvent, includes a core and a reactor wall around the core. The reactor wall allows controlled permeation of the main solvent to the core. The core contains a reactant that reacts to produce a target product upon being contacted by a main solvent. The target product leaves the reactor at a controlled rate. Because the amount of the main solvent that permeates into the reactor is controlled, a high concentration of the reactant is maintained inside the reactor, resulting in a higher yield of the desired chemical product than if the reactants were directly added to the body of main solvent.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods provide baroreflex activation to prevent, or at least reduce the likelihood of occurrence of, cardiac arrhythmias. Various embodiments may additionally or alternatively promote recovery from arrhythmias. In one embodiment, a device for preventing or reducing the likelihood of occurrence of arrhythmias includes one or more baroreflex activation devices, one or more sensors coupled to the baroreflex activation device(s), and a processor for processing information from the sensor and activating and/or modulation the baroreflex activation device. Sensors, such as electrocardiogram devices, generally sense factors indicative of a potential, ensuing arrhythmia.

Abstract: A method of cleaning water systems and an oxidizer (e.g., a potassium monopersulfate composition) that is used for the method are presented. When potassium monopersulfate is used as the oxidizer, it preferably has a low concentration (<0.5 wt. %) of potassium oxodisulfate byproduct that causes irritation. The low potassium oxodisulfate concentration allows the composition to be used more liberally than conventional potassium monopersulfate. To control the release rate of the oxidizer, the oxidizer is formed into a tablet and placed in an enclosure. The enclosure has pores such that water enters the enclosure at a controlled rate and dissolves the oxidizer. The oxidizer solution that is generated in the enclosure enters the water system through the pores. Optionally, the composition may also include a layer of coating material either under or over the enclosure that further controls the rate of oxidizer dissolution.

Abstract: A frame ensures that the alignment between a high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) transducer designed for vaginal use and a commercially available ultrasound image probe is maintained, so that the HIFU focus remains in the image plane during HIFU therapy. A water-filled membrane placed between the HIFU transducer and the treatment site provides acoustic coupling. The coupling is evaluated to determine whether any air bubbles exist at the coupling interface, which might degrade the therapy provided by the HIFU transducer. HIFU lesions on tissue appear as hyperechoic spots on the ultrasound image in real time during application of HIFU therapy. Ergonomic testing in humans has demonstrated clear visualization of the HIFU transducer relative to the uterus and showed the potential for the HIFU transducer to treat fibroids from the cervix to the fundus through the width of the uterus.

Abstract: A method of cleaning water systems and an oxidizer (e.g., a potassium monopersulfate composition) that is used for the method are presented. When potassium monopersulfate is used as the oxidizer, it preferably has a low concentration (<0.5 wt. %) of potassium oxodisulfate byproduct that causes irritation. The low potassium oxodisulfate concentration allows the composition to be used more liberally than conventional potassium monopersulfate. To control the release rate of the oxidizer, the oxidizer is formed into a tablet and coated with a material that dissolves at a desired rate. The coating material controls the rate at which the oxidizer is released when placed in contact with a solvent. The coated tablets may be aggregated under high pressure to form an agglomerate composition. A binder and/or a filler material may be added when forming the agglomerate composition to achieve a desired oxidizer release rate.

Abstract: An improved oxidizing composition and a method of preparing it are presented. The improved oxidizing composition includes a halogen component and a reactive core that generates a desired oxidizing product. The reactive core generates one or more preselected oxidizing products when contacted by a main solvent, and an oxidizing solution is released. The oxidizing solution contains the generated oxidizing product(s) and a free halogen from the halogen component. The oxidizing composition may be used to treat bodies of water such as pool and spa and to bleach materials. Some examples of the halogen component include calcium hypochlorite, trichloroisocyanurate, dichloroisocyanurate, lithium hypochlorite, dibromo-dimethylhydantoin, bromo-chloro-dimethylhydantoin, sodium bromide, sodium chloride, and a combination thereof.

Abstract: Continuous breakpoint halogenation with hydroxyl free radical species is used to increase the rate of sanitization a water system and maintain a high rate of oxidation in the bulk water of the pool, spas, and other water systems despite the presence of accumulated demand. Undesirable compounds can be eliminated by maintaining a level of desired oxidation potential. The feedrate and ratio of halogen donor and free radical species can be optimized to sustain the desired ppm range of halogen and sustain an ORP of, for example, 780 mV-820 mV. Sustaining these parameters can prevent or even reverse the accumulation of combined halogen and other halogenated volatile compounds, which can contaminate the air and water of water facilities such as indoor swimming pools.

Abstract: An improved oxidizing composition and a method of preparing it are presented. The improved oxidizing composition includes a solvent-activated reactor and a halogen component. The solvent-activated reactor generates one or more preselected oxidizing products when contacted by a main solvent. The halogen component is also added to the main solvent and synergistically performs oxidation. The oxidizing composition may be used to treat bodies of water such as pool and spa and to bleach materials. Some examples of the halogen component include calcium hypochlorite, trichloroisocyanurate, dichloroisocyanurate, lithium hypochlorite, dibromo-dimethylhydantoin, bromo-chloro-dimethylhydantoin, sodium bromide, sodium chloride, and a combination thereof.

Abstract: Ultrasound contrast agents are used to enhance imaging and facilitate HIFU therapy in four different ways. A contrast agent is used: (1) before therapy to locate specific vascular structures for treatment; (2) to determine the focal point of a HIFU therapy transducer while the HIFU therapy transducer is operated at a relatively low power level, so that non-target tissue is not damaged as the HIFU is transducer is properly focused at the target location; (3) to provide a positive feedback mechanism by causing cavitation that generates heat, reducing the level of HIFU energy administered for therapy compared to that required when a contrast agent is not used; and, (4) to shield non-target tissue from damage, by blocking the HIFU energy. Various combinations of these techniques can also be employed in a single therapeutic implementation.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating free radical species can be used to sanitize water systems. The apparatus generates hydroxyl free radical species using substantially pure water, or using a liquid that is substantially free of oxygen-reactive species, to maximize free radical species generation to sanitize the water system. The free radical species are generated by ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength of less than or equal to 254 nm.

Abstract: The present invention describes a solid calcium hypochlorite product formulation, including a polymeric alkali salt, which formulation exhibits improved environmental stability and shelf-life while simultaneously inhibiting scale in dispensing equipment, as well as in and on feed equipment used for delivering a calcium hypochlorite solution to a water stream which is to be treated.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a solid calcium hypochlorite particle having an available chlorine content of at least about 30% by weight and a water content of from about 2% to about 20% by weight; wherein said solid calcium hypochlorite particle is coated with about 0.01 to about 10% by weight of a deposit control agent comprising a sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium or magnesium salt of at least one of polyepoxysuccinic acid and polymaleic acid.

Abstract: A system and method for treating water in an aqueous system includes measuring or characterizing one or more specific oxidizing species by utilizing species-specific or selective techniques. The selective techniques utilize an amperometric or potentiometric sensor having a selective membrane or analytical techniques to provide an indication of a concentration of one or more oxidizing species. The system and method also determines an overall characteristic of the water, which can be used to control addition of additional oxidizing species.

Abstract: A precipitation measuring system comprising a top thermal plate positioned to maximize exposure to falling precipitation and includes at least one ridge circumscribing the top surface for capturing precipitation. A second thermal plate is positioned under the top thermal plate to protect it from falling precipitation while still exposing it to the same atmospheric temperature and wind conditions. At least one solar radiation sensor is connected to the precipitation measuring system to measure solar radiation contacting at least one of the top and bottom thermal plates. During a precipitation event, the top and bottom thermal plates are maintained at a constant temperature and a power consumption curve for each thermal plate is quantified. The precipitation rate is measured by the difference in the power consumption curve for the top thermal plate and the power consumption curve for the bottom thermal plate.

Abstract: A precipitation measuring system comprising a top thermal plate positioned to maximize exposure to falling precipitation and includes at least one ridge circumscribing the top surface for capturing precipitation. A second thermal plate is positioned under the top thermal plate to protect it from falling precipitation while still exposing it to the same atmospheric temperature and wind conditions. At least one solar radiation sensor is connected to the precipitation measuring system to measure solar radiation contacting at least one of the top and bottom thermal plates. During a precipitation event, the top and bottom thermal plates are maintained at a constant temperature and a power consumption curve for each thermal plate is quantified. The precipitation rate is measured by the difference in the power consumption curve for the top thermal plate and the power consumption curve for the bottom thermal plate.

Abstract: A precipitation measuring system comprising a top thermal plate positioned to maximize exposure to falling precipitation and includes at least one ridge circumscribing the top surface for capturing precipitation. A second thermal plate is positioned under the top thermal plate to protect it from falling precipitation while still exposing it to the same atmospheric temperature and wind conditions. At least one solar radiation sensor is connected to the precipitation measuring system to measure solar radiation contacting at least one of the top and bottom thermal plates. During a precipitation event, the top and bottom thermal plates are maintained at a constant temperature and a power consumption curve for each thermal plate is quantified. The precipitation rate is measured by the difference in the power consumption curve for the top thermal plate and the power consumption curve for the bottom thermal plate.

Abstract: A precipitation measuring system comprising a top thermal plate positioned to maximize exposure to falling precipitation and includes at least one ridge circumscribing the top surface for capturing precipitation. A second thermal plate is positioned under the top thermal plate to protect it from falling precipitation while still exposing it to the same atmospheric temperature and wind conditions. At least one solar radiation sensor is connected to the precipitation measuring system to measure solar radiation contacting at least one of the top and bottom thermal plates. During a precipitation event, the top and bottom thermal plates are maintained at a constant temperature and a power consumption curve for each thermal plate is quantified. The precipitation rate is measured by the difference in the power consumption curve for the top thermal plate and the power consumption curve for the bottom thermal plate.

Abstract: An appliance for sharpening razor blades of the type held in a blade cartridge comprises a leather strop bonded onto a magnetic substrate that is in turn bonded onto a support. The width of the strop does not exceed the width of the blades in typical cartridges, so that the blades may rest on the strop when the cartridge is stroked over the strop to hone the blade edges. The surface of the strop is proud of the support surface adjacent the strop, to ensure that edges of the cartridge that are typically proud of the blades do not prevent contact of the blades with the strop. The ends of the strop are secured in undercut formations in the holder.