Abstract: Apparatus, method and system for delivering a sterile unit dose of ozone that may include concentrating oxygen from air, which can include pressurizing at least one zeolite chamber having at least one zeolite material where the at least one zeolite material selectively adsorbs a substantial amount of nitrogen and not a substantial amount of oxygen. An oxygen-ozone cell may be filled with substantially concentrated oxygen from the at least one zeolite chamber. The oxygen-ozone cell may then be sequestered. The oxygen-ozone cell may be removed and may be engaged with an ozone conversion unit. The ozone conversion unit may charge the substantially concentrated oxygen generating a predetermined concentration of ozone. The oxygen-ozone cell may be disengaged from the ozone conversion unit.

Abstract: An optical probe has multiple side-firing optical fibers which terminate in a linearly staggered fashion. A central fiber can be used as well. In diagnostic techniques, one fiber can be used as an emitter, while the others are used as receivers, or various fibers can be used as emitters and receivers at different times to form a map of the area. In therapeutic techniques, the treatment light can be emitted from the fibers in parallel or in sequence, and the fluence can be independently adjusted for each of the fibers. Therapy is readily combined with diagnosis and monitoring by directing the therapeutic light through the central fiber and using the side-firing fibers for reflectance and/or fluorescence spectroscopy before, during, and after therapy.

Abstract: A process for identifying and treating cells in a living organism. The cells are labeled, circulated within the organism, detected with an implanted detector, and then either isolated or ablated.

Abstract: An irrigation catheter having at least two lumens for supplying irrigation fluid in minimally-invasive surgical procedures is revealed. The catheter works alongside but independently of an endoscope or other diagnostic or therapeutic instrument. The catheter may direct flow of the irrigation fluid in the same direction as the body's natural flow, thus enhancing visualization by the endoscope or other instrument.

Abstract: A draught beverage 170 which may be alcoholic or non-alcoholic, for example a lager or cider in an open-topped drinking vessel or glass 172. The beverage comprises a water content and dissolved gas content. The draught beverage is dispensed from a font at a cooled temperature below the freezing point of water at ambient atmospheric pressure. The dispense temperature may be in the range of ?1° C. to ?12° C. The beverage in the glass may or may not be subjected to external excitement energy, for example ultra-sound, to encourage formation of nucleation sites in the beverage. Either way dissolved gas bubbles out of the beverage causing occurrence of nucleation sites at which ice 188A, 188B from the water content forms. At least in part the ice has a slushy character. A head 174 also forms on the dispensed draught beverage and below the head the ice 188A, 188B locates and develops downwards into the beverage.

Abstract: An open topped drinking vessel containing a beverage, the beverage comprising a water content and a dissolved gas content and having a head overlying an ice formation made of many ice crystals, the ice formation having been produced by ice formed in the beverage whilst the beverage is in the drinking vessel.

Abstract: A solar cell and method for producing same is disclosed. The solar cell includes a multijunction solar cell structure and a notch filter designed to reflect solar energy that does not contribute to the current output of the multijunction solar cell. By reflecting unused solar energy, the notch filter allows the solar cell to run cooler (and thus more efficiently) yet it still allows all junctions to fully realize their electrical current production capability.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to processes for electrographic image development. An electrographic development apparatus is provided wherein a film is adjacent a cylindrical toning shell and a mixture of toner and carrier is particles disposed on the cylindrical toning shell in contact with the film. The cylindrical toning shell is closest to the film at a first location, the mixture of toner and carrier particles being movable through the first location with a flow direction. A magnetic core disposed within the cylindrical toning shell offset toward the cylindrical shell such that a magnetic field strength is greater at the second location than the first location.

Abstract: A spinal implant provides support for desired parts of the spine. The implant can provide support in both fusion and non-fusion situations. The spinal implant includes an implant rod and fasteners for coupling or fastening the implant rod to the affected regions of the spine via the pedicles of the affected vertebrae). The implant rod includes a flexible portion and rigid end portions. The fasteners couple the end portions of the rod to the pedicles in the affected level. The flexible portion can take a variety of shapes, such as non-helical, multi-curve springs. One may combine several implant rods to provide an overall implant for more than one level of the spine. The implant can allow desired motion while tending to limit undesirable motion, thus protecting areas of the diseased or injured spine, such as the nucleus pulposus or anulus fibrosis. Furthermore, the implant can provide a combination of rigid and flexible support, as desired.

Abstract: Arcuate seal layers conforming with one another are disposed between inner retainer segments and inner rails of nozzle segments of a gas turbine. The layers are secured to the aft axial face of the segments and project radially outwardly to seal against the forward axial faces of the rails. The rear axial faces of the rails have chordal seals for sealing against the forward axial faces of the support rings. The seal layers have radial cuts misaligned with one another in an axial direction to preclude leakage flows through gaps formed by the cuts. Arcuate spacers are staggered circumferentially with the arcuate retainer segments whereby an intermediate pressure plenum is formed between the finger seals and chordal seals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transfer case or gearbox used in a motor vehicle that is capable of transferring power to both the front and rear wheels of the vehicle. The transfer case uses two or more chains for transferring power the various outputs of the transfer case. The use of two or more chains allows the transfer case housing to be curved so that is can be positioned around other underbody components.

Abstract: A method of controlling a printer to print of an image, the printer having a predetermined marking material printed dot size, the method comprising the steps of rasterizing the image and defining halftone super pixels within the image, calculating the average density of the marking material within the super pixels, selecting a pattern for marking the pixels within the super pixels as a function of the printed dot size so as to expand the distribution of printed densities printable by the printer.

Abstract: A method of rendering the appearance of a printed input digital image comprised of an array of pixels and wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information, the method comprising defining each pixel as either a stand alone pixel or diagonal line pixel; and, reassigning the digital value of the stand alone pixels or diagonal line pixels independently of one another. The rendering of the present invention occurs post RIP.

Abstract: A retractor may be used during spinal surgery. The retractor may include a frame and one or more retractor blades. Each retractor blade may include a coupling arm, a retainer, and a retraction component. The coupling arms may be coupled to the frame such that the coupling arms are able to move inward or outwards relative to the frame. The retainer may secure the retraction component to the coupling arm. In some embodiments, the retraction blades may be made of a radiolucent material that allows radiological images to be taken during a surgical procedure with the retractor in place. A position of retraction components relative to the frame may be changed during a surgical procedure. One or more of the retraction components may be replaced during a surgical procedure without removing the retractor from the patient.

Abstract: A method of altering the appearance of an input digital image when printed, the digital image comprised of an array of pixels and wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information, and wherein the pixels comprise Text/Line pixels and halftone pixels, the method comprising the steps of changing the value of halftone pixels using a custom tone transfer function that anticipates the effect of the reassigned pixel values on halftone appearance; rasterizing the digital image; reassigning the digital values of all pixels; and, printing the image.

Abstract: A method of keeping an alcoholic beverage in an open topped vessel cool, said beverage comprising a water content and a dissolved gas content, and said method comprising forming ice in the beverage in the open-topped vessel said ice having a cooling effect on the beverage, said ice being formed in the beverage from water of said water content.

Abstract: A paper having toner fixed on its surface, with the toner including a near infrared absorbing dye. The toner-paper absorbance difference is about 0.2 or less at 450 nm, 550 nm, and 650 nm, and about 0.1 or greater at 935 nm.

Abstract: A process for identifying and treating cells in a living organism. The cells are labeled, circulated within the organism, detected with an implanted detector, and then either isolated or ablated.

Abstract: A method of printing an image comprising the steps of converting the image into a digital bitmap comprised of an array of pixels wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information, identifying a first edge of a first character, identifying a second edge of a second character and, reassigning the digital value(s) pixel(s) adjacent to the first edge and/or the second edge in order for the first edge to appear contiguous with the second edge.

Abstract: A self-tensioning handle for use with endoscopic devices is disclosed. The handle may have mounting features for mounting a sheath and a control rod from an endoscopic device, such as a grasper or a retrieval basket. One mounting feature, such as a pin vise to hold a sheath, may be mounted in a distal portion of the handle, nearer a patient. Another mounting feature for a control rod or cannula of the endoscopic device is preferably mounted in a proximal portion of the handle. The handle is assembled with a tension or a pre-load so that a surgeon is not required to continually grip and compress the handle to retain a sample in the retrieval basket or other end-effector used with the handle.