Abstract: A material includes a metallic, nanoporous structure having a plurality of nanopores having a porosity that allows passage of insulin but not IgG. The metallic nanoporous structure includes titanium, 316L stainless steel and may have a textured nano-sericeous surface. A nanoporous bicontinuous structure can be integrated with nanopores.

Abstract: A pipe coupling for connecting adjacent pipes. The pipe coupling has a connection type at each end that may be male or female. A female end may have an interior surface defining a receiving chamber. An interior circumferential groove is formed in the interior surface in which a band is seated. A plurality of rigid fingers is extends from the band into the receiving chamber. The receiving chamber receives a male end of an adjacent pipe, the male end having an exterior surface. An exterior circumferential groove is defined on the exterior surface to receive the plurality of rigid fingers. A variety of connection types and combinations are disclosed. The female end may define a sight window to permit viewing of the position of a male end of an adjacent pipe. The receiving chamber may have a reduced diameter proximate to the middle of the coupling to improve sealing.

Abstract: A pipe for connecting to a similar adjacent pipe. The pipe has a male end with a plurality of rigid fingers extending from within and out of at least one exterior circumferential groove disposed on its exterior surface. On the female end is at least one interior circumferential groove sized and positioned to receive the plurality of rigid fingers from a corresponding exterior circumferential groove on the male end of an adjacent pipe. The number of exterior circumferential grooves on the male end typically corresponds to the number of interior circumferential grooves on the female end. When the male end of the pipe inserts into the female end of a similar adjacent pipe, the plurality of rigid fingers is received within a corresponding interior circumferential groove on the female end, thereby preventing the male end of the pipe from being withdrawn from the female end of the similar adjacent pipe.

Abstract: A pipe coupling for connecting adjacent pipes. The pipe coupling has a connection type at each end that may be male or female. A female end may have an interior surface defining a receiving chamber. An interior circumferential groove is formed in the interior surface in which a band is seated. A plurality of rigid fingers is extends from the band into the receiving chamber. The receiving chamber receives a male end of an adjacent pipe, the male end having an exterior surface. An exterior circumferential groove is defined on the exterior surface to receive the plurality of rigid fingers. A variety of connection types and combinations are disclosed. The female end may define a sight window to permit viewing of the position of a male end of an adjacent pipe. The receiving chamber may have a reduced diameter proximate to the middle of the coupling to improve sealing.

Abstract: A pipe coupling for connecting adjacent pipes. The pipe coupling has a connection type at each end that may be male or female. A female end may have an interior surface defining a receiving chamber. An interior circumferential groove is formed in the interior surface in which a band is seated. A plurality of rigid fingers is extends from the band into the receiving chamber. The receiving chamber receives a male end of an adjacent pipe, the male end having an exterior surface. An exterior circumferential groove is defined on the exterior surface to receive the plurality of rigid fingers. A variety of connection types and combinations are possible. The female end may define a sight window to permit viewing of the position of a male end of an adjacent pipe. The receiving chamber may have a reduced diameter proximate to the middle of the coupling to improve sealing.

Abstract: A pipe for connecting to a similar adjacent pipe. The pipe has a male end with a plurality of rigid fingers extending from within and out of at least one exterior circumferential groove disposed on its exterior surface. On the female end is at least one interior circumferential groove sized and positioned to receive the plurality of rigid fingers from a corresponding exterior circumferential groove on the male end of an adjacent pipe. The number of exterior circumferential grooves on the male end typically corresponds to the number of interior circumferential grooves on the female end. When the male end of the pipe inserts into the female end of a similar adjacent pipe, the plurality of rigid fingers is received within a corresponding interior circumferential groove on the female end, thereby preventing the male end of the pipe from being withdrawn from the female end of the similar adjacent pipe.

Abstract: A pipe for connecting to a similar adjacent pipe. The pipe has a male end with a plurality of rigid fingers extending from within and out of at least one exterior circumferential groove disposed on its exterior surface. On the female end is at least one interior circumferential groove sized and positioned to receive the plurality of rigid fingers from a corresponding exterior circumferential groove on the male end of an adjacent pipe. The number of exterior circumferential grooves on the male end typically corresponds to the number of interior circumferential grooves on the female end. When the male end of the pipe inserts into the female end of a similar adjacent pipe, the plurality of rigid fingers is received within a corresponding interior circumferential groove on the female end, thereby preventing the male end of the pipe from being withdrawn from the female end of the similar adjacent pipe.

Abstract: A single piece of pipe connectable to a similar adjacent pipe and including a female end that is reinforced with a band. The pipe includes in one embodiment a male end having external threads, a female end having an enlarged exterior diameter, a first section at the female end having an interior diameter to receive a male end of the similar adjacent pipe, a second section at the female end having internal threads to mate with the external threads of the male end of the similar adjacent pipe. The first section is positioned to funnel the male end of the similar adjacent pipe to the second section, and the second section is positioned between an intermediate section and the first section. At least one reinforcement band is positioned circumferentially around at least a portion of the female end. The pipe is disconnectable from the similar adjacent pipe and reusable.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to manufacturing processes for manufacturing a single piece of thermostatic pipe from a length of pipe with a female end that is reinforced by a band of reinforcing material extending around the female end. When the pipe and a similar adjacent pipe are threaded together, the band of reinforcing material helps protect the female end against failure due to hoop stresses and/or lateral stresses. In this regard, the reinforcing material is any material with a higher resistance to hoop stresses and/or lateral stresses than the material from which the pipe is made.

Abstract: A pipe coupling for connecting adjacent pipes. The pipe coupling has a connection type at each end that may be male or female. A female end may have an interior surface defining a receiving chamber. An interior circumferential groove is formed in the interior surface in which a band is seated. A plurality of rigid fingers is extends from the band into the receiving chamber. The receiving chamber receives a male end of an adjacent pipe, the male end having an exterior surface. An exterior circumferential groove is defined on the exterior surface to receive the plurality of rigid fingers. A variety of connection types and combinations are disclosed. The female end may define a sight window to permit viewing of the position of a male end of an adjacent pipe. The receiving chamber may have a reduced diameter proximate to the middle of the coupling to improve sealing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to manufacturing processes for manufacturing a single piece of thermostatic pipe from a length of pipe with a female end that is reinforced by a band of reinforcing material extending around the female end. When the pipe and a similar adjacent pipe are threaded together, the band of reinforcing material helps protect the female end against failure due to hoop stresses and/or lateral stresses. In this regard, the reinforcing material is any material with a higher resistance to hoop stresses and/or lateral stresses than the material from which the pipe is made.

Abstract: A pipe for connecting to a similar adjacent pipe. The pipe has a female end with a plurality of rigid fingers extending into the space within the female end. The plurality of rigid fingers extends from at least one interior circumferential groove on the interior surface of the female end. On the male end of the pipe there is at least one exterior circumferential groove that is sized and positioned to receive the plurality of rigid fingers from a corresponding interior circumferential groove on the female end of an adjacent pipe. The number of interior circumferential grooves on the female end with the plurality of rigid fingers extending from them typically corresponds to the number of exterior circumferential grooves on the male end.

Abstract: A pipe for connecting to a similar adjacent pipe. The pipe has a female end with a plurality of rigid fingers extending into the space within the female end. The plurality of rigid fingers extends from at least one interior circumferential groove on the interior surface of the female end. On the male end of the pipe there is at least one exterior circumferential groove that is sized and positioned to receive the plurality of rigid fingers from a corresponding interior circumferential groove on the female end of an adjacent pipe. The number of interior circumferential grooves on the female end with the plurality of rigid fingers extending from them typically corresponds to the number of exterior circumferential grooves on the male end.

Abstract: A threaded coupling for connecting a threaded first connecting drop pipe to a second connecting drop pipe. The coupling has a first female end having an enlarged exterior diameter and an interior diameter defining a lead in section which provides strength to resist lateral forces exerted on the threaded drop pipe connection. Adjacent the lead in section, internal threads are located in the first female end of the coupling. A second female end having an interior diameter substantially the same size as the lead in section of the first female end is located adjacent the internal threads, opposite the first female end. A male connecting end of a first connecting drop pipe having external threads is inserted into the lead in section and screwed into the coupling. A male connecting end of a second connecting drop pipe is coated with an adhesive and inserted into the second female end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a length of pipe with a female end that is reinforced by a band of reinforcing material that extends around the female end. When the pipe and a similar adjacent pipe are threadably connected, the reinforcement material reinforces the female end against failure due to hoop stresses and/or lateral stresses. In this regard, the reinforcing material is any material with a higher resistance to hoop stresses and/or lateral stresses than the material from which the pipe is made. The present invention is also directed to manufacturing processes for manufacturing the pipe of the present invention.

Abstract: A pipe for connecting to a similar adjacent pipe. The pipe has a female end with a plurality of rigid fingers extending into the space within the female end. The plurality of rigid fingers extends from at least one interior circumferential groove on the interior surface of the female end. On the male end of the pipe there is at least one exterior circumferential groove that is sized and positioned to receive the plurality of rigid fingers from a corresponding interior circumferential groove on the female end of an adjacent pipe. The number of interior circumferential grooves on the female end with the plurality of rigid fingers extending from them typically corresponds to the number of exterior circumferential grooves on the male end.

Abstract: A disconnection tool and system for disconnecting pipes which are connected through the connection system disclosed in application Ser. No. 12/365,000 and/or connections systems similar thereto. The disconnection tool of the present invention positions around a male end of a male pipe that is within a female end of a female pipe. The male end is locked within the female end with one or more locking members extending across a clearance that exists between the interior surface of the female end and the exterior surface of the male end. The one or more locking members engage both the male end of the male pipe and the female end of the female pipe. The disconnection tool has an insertion member that inserts into the clearance and disengages the one or more locking members from the male end of the male pipe or the female end of the female pipe.

Abstract: A pipe for connecting to a similar adjacent pipe. The pipe has a male end with a plurality of rigid fingers extending from within and out of at least one exterior circumferential groove disposed on its exterior surface. On the female end is at least one interior circumferential groove sized and positioned to receive the plurality of rigid fingers from a corresponding exterior circumferential groove on the male end of an adjacent pipe. The number of exterior circumferential grooves on the male end typically corresponds to the number of interior circumferential grooves on the female end. When the male end of the pipe inserts into the female end of a similar adjacent pipe, the plurality of rigid fingers is received within a corresponding interior circumferential groove on the female end, thereby preventing the male end of the pipe from being withdrawn from the female end of the similar adjacent pipe.

Abstract: A pipe for connecting to a similar adjacent pipe. The pipe has a female end with a plurality of rigid fingers extending into the space within the female end. The plurality of rigid fingers extends from at least one interior circumferential groove on the interior surface of the female end. On the male end of the pipe there is at least one exterior circumferential groove that is sized and positioned to receive the plurality of rigid fingers from a corresponding interior circumferential groove on the female end of an adjacent pipe. The number of interior circumferential grooves on the female end with the plurality of rigid fingers extending from them typically corresponds to the number of exterior circumferential grooves on the male end.

Abstract: A threaded coupling for connecting a threaded first connecting drop pipe to a second connecting drop pipe. The coupling has a first female end having an enlarged exterior diameter and an interior diameter defining a lead in section which provides strength to resist lateral forces exerted on the threaded drop pipe connection. Adjacent the lead in section, internal threads are located in the first female end of the coupling. A second female end having an interior diameter substantially the same size as the lead in section of the first female end is located adjacent the internal threads, opposite the first female end. A male connecting end of a first connecting drop pipe having external threads is inserted into the lead in section and screwed into the coupling. A male connecting end of a second connecting drop pipe is coated with an adhesive and inserted into the second female end.