Abstract: An enhanced catheter introducer and method for making the same are disclosed. The catheter introducer may have a splittable sleeve assembly configured to be inserted into a blood vessel with a cannula. The cannula may then be removed, and a catheter may be inserted into the sleeve assembly. The sleeve assembly may be removed from the catheter by pulling handles of the sleeve assembly in different directions to split the sleeve assembly into two pieces. The sleeve assembly may have failure zones that enable the sleeve assembly to be easily split; the failure zones may take the form of thinned regions running along the length of the sleeve assembly. The sleeve assembly may be injection molded with a single step by injecting flows of molten plastic into a cavity of a mold such that the flows converge into an even distribution about the circumference of the sleeve. The mold may have a core pin designed to fit into the cavity.

Abstract: A filter device is adapted to function as a guidewire, an exchange guidewire, and provide embolic protection during a procedure. The filter device includes a filter assembly that is either integral with or coupled to a guide member. The filter assembly includes a plurality of struts that expand outwardly to deploy a filter that collects or captures material flowing along the blood vessel within which the filter device is deployed. The plurality of struts are constrained by a restraining member or mechanism that prevents the plurality of struts from expanding or extending outwardly to deploy the filter. Cooperating with the restraining member or mechanism is an actuating assembly that is adapted to release the restraining member or mechanism and enable the filter to be deployed from the guide member. A capture catheter that cooperates with the filter device and substantially surrounds the filter during removal of the filter device.

Abstract: A lubrication system is disclosed which minimizes friction and that is useful for application on the surface of a flexible portion of a medical device. Such a lubrication system includes a lubricant that is able to move when the flexible portion of the medical device flexes and is biocompatible and is not degraded by the application of alcohol or other conventional medical sterilizing and cleaning agents. The lubricant is bonded to the surface of the flexible portion of the medical device. The lubrication system may be used on an elastomeric septum, such as a silicone rubber elastomer. The lubricant coating may be any type of coating that can be chemically bonded to the elastomer, such as di-paraxylene, poly-(p-xylene), polytetrafluoroethylene, or polyvinylpyrrolidone.

Abstract: A delivery device adapted to insert and deploy a stent within a body lumen. The delivery device includes a guide member adapted to retain a dilation assembly and a stent within a lumen thereof until the stent is to be deployed into the body lumen. The delivery device is configured to enable simultaneous insertion of the guide member, dilation assembly, stent, and optional guidewire within a body lumen. Following deploying the stent, the delivery device can be removed, while providing the capability of optionally maintaining the guide member or the guidewire to function or act as an exchange wire for additional surgical devices.

Abstract: A delivery device adapted to insert and deploy a stent within a body lumen. The delivery device includes a guide member adapted to retain a dilation assembly and a stent within a lumen thereof until the stent is to be deployed into the body lumen. The delivery device is configured to enable simultaneous insertion of the guide member, dilation assembly, stent, and optional guidewire within a body lumen. Following deploying the stent, the delivery device can be removed, while providing the capability of optionally maintaining the guide member or the guidewire to function or act as an exchange wire for additional surgical devices.

Abstract: A filter device is adapted to function as a guidewire, an exchange guidewire, and provide embolic protection during a procedure. The filter device includes a filter assembly that is either integral with or coupled to a guide member. The filter assembly includes a plurality of struts that expand outwardly to deploy a filter that collects or captures material flowing along the blood vessel within which the filter device is deployed. The plurality of struts are constrained by a restraining member or mechanism that prevents the plurality of struts from expanding or extending outwardly to deploy the filter. Cooperating with the restraining member or mechanism is an actuating assembly that is adapted to release the restraining member or mechanism and enable the filter to be deployed from the guide member. A capture catheter that cooperates with the filter device and substantially surrounds the filter during removal of the filter device.

Abstract: A filter device is adapted to function as a guidewire, an exchange guidewire, and provide embolic protection during a procedure. The filter device includes a filter assembly that is either integral with or coupled to a guide member. The filter assembly includes a plurality of struts that expand outwardly to deploy a filter that collects or captures material flowing along the blood vessel within which the filter device is deployed. The plurality of struts are constrained by a restraining member or mechanism that prevents the plurality of struts from expanding or extending outwardly to deploy the filter. Cooperating with the restraining member or mechanism is an actuating assembly that is adapted to release the restraining member or mechanism and enable the filter to be deployed from the guide member. A capture catheter is cooperates with the filter device and substantially surrounds the filter during removal of the filter device.

Abstract: A filter device is adapted to function as a guidewire, an exchange guidewire, and provide embolic protection during a procedure. The filter device includes a filter assembly that is either integral with or coupled to a guide member. The filter assembly includes a plurality of struts that expand outwardly to deploy a filter that collects or captures material flowing along the blood vessel within which the filter device is deployed. The plurality of struts are constrained by a restraining member or mechanism that prevents the plurality of struts from expanding or extending outwardly to deploy the filter. Cooperating with the restraining member or mechanism is an actuating assembly that is adapted to release the restraining member or mechanism and enable the filter to be deployed from the guide member. A capture catheter that cooperates with the filter device and substantially surrounds the filter during removal of the filter device.

Abstract: A filter device is adapted to function as a guidewire, an exchange guidewire, and provide embolic protection during a procedure. The filter device includes a filter assembly that is either integral with or coupled to a guide member. The filter assembly includes a plurality of struts that expand outwardly to deploy a filter that collects or captures material flowing along the blood vessel within which the filter device is deployed. The plurality of struts are constrained by a restraining member or mechanism that prevents the plurality of struts from expanding or extending outwardly to deploy the filter. Cooperating with the restraining member or mechanism is an actuating assembly that is adapted to release the restraining member or mechanism and enable the filter to be deployed from the guide member. A capture catheter that cooperates with the filter device and substantially surrounds the filter during removal of the filter device.

Abstract: A lubrication system is disclosed which minimizes friction and that is useful for application on the surface of a flexible portion of a medical device. Such a lubrication system includes a lubricant that is able to move when the flexible portion of the medical device flexes and is biocompatible and is not degraded by the application of alcohol or other conventional medical sterilizing and cleaning agents. The lubricant is bonded to the surface of the flexible portion of the medical device. The lubrication system may be used on an elastomeric septum, such as a silicone rubber elastomer. The lubricant coating may be any type of coating that can be chemically bonded to the elastomer, such as di-paraxylene, poly-(p-xylene), polytetrafluoroethylene, or polyvinylpyrrolidone.

Abstract: A toilet ventilation system including a toilet bowl having a plurality of ports for directing water into an interior of the bowl. The toilet includes a tank for holding water, and an interior passageway for conveying water from the tank to the ports of the toilet bowl. The toilet also includes an overflow tube mounted within the tank which is in fluid communication with the interior passageway. The toilet further includes a ventilation port in fluid communication with the interior passageway. A valve structure allows water to flow from the tank to the interior passageway of the overflow tube, but prevents air from being drawn from the tank into the interior passageway through the overflow tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the desulfurization of a fossil fuel containing one or more organosulfur compounds. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of (1) contacting the fossil fuel with a biocatalyst capable of converting the organosulfur compound to an oxyorganosulfur compound which is separable from the fossil fuel; and (2) separating the oxyorganosulfur compound from the fossil fuel. The oxyorganosulfur compound can then be isolated, discarded or further processed, for example, via desulfurization by a biocatalyzed process or an abiotic process, such as hydrodesulfurization.

Abstract: A multiple sheath catheter is provided for placing an IV catheter or other medical instrument into a blood vessel of a patient. The multiple sheath catheter includes a first stage catheter having a distal end for introducing into a blood vessel, a proximal end, and an internal lumen between the distal and proximal ends. Disposed lengthwise within the lumen of the first stage catheter is a needle for piercing a blood vessel of a patient. The device uses a small diameter needle to gain venous access, thereby reducing the probability of failure. The multiple sheath catheter also includes a second stage catheter or introducer.

Abstract: A glass-to-metal hermetic seal device which is adapted for suppressing or dissipating electrostatic energy comprises an improved glass-to-metal hermetic seal, with the interior of the device incorporating and creating a gas-filled electrical discharge tube. The gas is an ionizable gas and may conveniently comprise a mixture of nitrogen and Argon. The devices of the present invention utilize one or more electrodes which enter the gas-filled chamber, and when the electrical field of sufficiently high potential is created within the gas-filled chamber, the gas ionizes and becomes conductive so as to effectively dissipate the field.

Abstract: A glass-to-metal hermetic seal device which is particularly adapted for application in high pressure and other hostile environments for suppressing or dissipating electrostatic energy incorporating an improved glass-to-metal hermetic seal. The interior of the device incorporates and creates an in-situ gas-filled electrical discharge tube. The gas is an ionizable gas and may conveniently comprise a mixture of nitrogen and Argon, although other ionizable gases such as Xenon may be used. The devices of the present invention utilize one or more electrodes which enter the gas-filled chamber, and when the electrical field of sufficiently high potential is created within the gas-filled chamber, the gas ionizes and becomes conductive so as to effectively dissipate the field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for separating a sulfur compound from a fossil fuel containing sulfur compounds comprising contacting said fossil fuel with a biosorption agent which binds said sulfur compound, thereby forming a sulfur-biosorption complex and separating said sulfur-biosorption complex. The method can further include introducing said separated sulfur biosorption complex to an aqueous phase having an effective amount of oxygen and water to form a reaction medium, optionally adding a biocatalyst which degrades the sulfur compound; incubating the medium for a sufficient period of time to produce an organic product, an inorganic sulfur and spent biocatalyst; and isolating said biosorption agent and/or biocatalyst from said organic product and said inorganic sulfur. The invention also relates to the preparation of the products of the oxidation reaction of organic sulfur compounds by a biocatalyst, such as 2-hydroxybiphenyl compounds.

Abstract: An apparatus for intimately contacting particulate solids with a heavy liquid, said apparatus comprising:(a) a contacting vessel;(b) a particulate solids inlet in communication with an upper end of the contacting vessel;(c) a generally conical deflector positioned in the contacting vessel beneath the particulate solids inlet;(d) an inlet control to control the flow of the particulate solids into the contacting vessel and prevent the discharge of gaseous materials from the contacting vessel;(e) a particulate solids outlet in communication with a lower end of the contacting vessel;(f) an outlet control to control the flow of particulate solids from the contacting vessel so that a bed of particulate solids is maintained in a lower portion of the contacting vessel; and,(g) spray nozzles positioned in the contacting vessel to spray heavy liquid onto the particulate solids as they fall downwardly to the bed of particulate solids.

Abstract: A process for separating crude oil from a mixture comprising crude oil, finely divided organic solids and water by contacting the mixture with a solvent and a solvent vapor stream in a first contacting zone to heat the mixture and produce a vaporous stream containing at least a major portion of the water and a crude oil laden solvent and inorganic solids mixture which is thereafter separated into a crude oil laden solvent stream and an inorganic solids stream with the inorganic solids stream being thereafter contacted with additional solvent to remove additional quantities of crude oil from the inorganic solids. Crude oil is recovered from a crude oil laden solvent stream.

Abstract: In a coal gasification system using hot recycled inert heat transfer medium solids, before the solids are heated and recycled back to a gasification reactor, the solids are separated from ash and unreacted char. The unreacted char is thereafter burned producing a hot flue gas. The hot flue gas and separated inert heat transfer solids are thereafter mixed to reheat the solids. Two alternate forms of multiple bed solids heating arrangements are described. One uses countercurrent slowly moving beds. The other uses countercurrent fluidized beds. The slow moving bed arrangement is preferred.