Abstract: The following is a description of a stacked pad 15 for chemical mechanical polishing and/or planarizing substrates. In one embodiment, the stacked pad includes a top pad 20 and a subpad 40 where the modulus of the top pad 20 substantially equals the modulus of the subpad 40. Also presented are methods of using the stacked pad 15 which include methods of chemical mechanical polishing and/or planarization, and products of using the stacked pad.

Abstract: The invention includes biostructures which may be characterized as having substantially all of the organic-solvent-soluble material in the form of a network of irregularly shaped perforated films. The biostructure may further include particles of a substantially-insoluble material, which may be a member of the calcium phosphate family. The biostructure may be osteoconductive. The biostructure may further contain an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient or other bioactive substance. The API may be a substance which stimulates the production of bone morphogenetic protein, such as Lovastatin or related substances, thereby making the biostructure effectively osteoinductive. One or more of the polymers may have a resorption rate in the human body such as to control the release of the API. Methods of manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: A customizable protective athletic jacket is disclosed. Specifically, a jacket with a construction which maximizes protection through the composition of various layers while maximizing comfort and flexibility through the proper selection of layer materials is disclosed. Further, methods providing for minimally destructive maintenance and customizing are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bone putty composition comprising a carrier formulation comprising water and a carrier substance, and granules wherein said bone putty composition exhibits gel-like Theological properties throughout the temperature range between about body temperature and temperatures approaching about 0° C. The bone putty composition further exhibits reverse phase Theological behavior in at least a portion of the same temperature range. The granules may comprise tricalcium phosphate (hereinafter “TCP”) or other calcium phosphates, they may be porous, and they are suspended in the carrier formulation. In one embodiment of the invention, the bone putty composition withstands exposure to certain temperatures below about room temperature without precipitation of the granules from suspension.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel multi-functional fuel and lubricant additive that provides dispersancy properties as well as viscosity index improver credit and, improved fuel economy. The invention further relates to concentrates, and to fuel and lubricating oil compositions containing said additive or concentrates. Finally, the invention provides methods for improving fuel economy, improving dispersancy, and for preparing the hybridized, acylated olefin copolymer useful as an oil additive.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a biostructure comprising an osteoconductive member and an osteoinductive material. The osteoinductive material may be located within a cavity in the osteoconductive material. In one aspect of the invention the osteoinductive material is demineralized bone matrix and the osteoconductive member comprises tricalcium phosphate.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus comprising a hand-portable remote auction terminal operatively connected to an agent via a network, wherein the hand-portable remote auction terminal includes governing protocol executably operable to initiate conferencing with the agent and can also facilitate interactive screening during receipt of goods into a network auction. A method that facilitates the exchange of goods, through a network auction via a network, and systems employing the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A spinal cage insert for a spinal cage is provided. The spinal cage insert has a shape suitable to be inserted into and fit closely in an interior of the spinal cage. The insert may comprise a member of the calcium phosphate family. The spinal cage insert may be made to a desired shape of porous ceramic, and it may include channels and/or surface features. Various shapes of filler pieces are also provided, wherein the filler pieces may be suitable to augment external regions of vertebrae which have been fused to each other so as to promote build-up of bone. The spinal cage insert and/or the filler pieces may be osteoconductive and may also contain osteoinductive substances or material. The articles may also contain cavities suitable for containing particles of demineralized bone matrix (DBM). Methods of use and methods of manufacturing the spinal cage insert and filler pieces are also provided.

Abstract: A lift van system that includes: a top and bottom cap, each comprising a folded sheet, wherein each folded sheet has substantially similar design specifications; first and second side wall sections, each comprising a single sheet, wherein the first and second side wall sections have substantially similar design specifications; and a cardboard pallet, wherein the pallet fits into the bottom cap.

Abstract: The invention includes a three-dimensional printing (3DP) machine that has at least one ultraviolet (UV) light source directed at powder or slurry being processed by the 3DP machine and/or directed at any of various surfaces or machine components, in a manner suitable to kill or damage microorganisms to a desired extent. The UV light sources may be either stationary or movable, and may be either pulsed or substantially continuous, and may operate in any desired sequence and timing with respect to other operations performed by the machine. The invention may include ultraviolet illumination in such a way as to interact with powder to sterilize or disinfect powder either while the powder is stationary or, alternatively, as powder is being moved from one place to another within the 3DP machine, or both. The invention also includes methods of performing three-dimensional printing using such illumination.

Abstract: A cup-like broth container comprising four mutually opposed pairs of connected sidewalls with a protruding rib formed on each of four perpendicularly opposed single sidewalls and four Y-shaped clamping ridges attached to and extending outwardly from a single one of the four sidewalls located between the four sidewalls having a protruding rib.

Abstract: Bone void filler pieces that are conducive to packing or nesting when a plurality of pieces are located in a cavity in random orientation. The bone void filler of the present invention includes a higher bulk packing density and a porosity of less than 80% to provide a better match native bone ingrowth rate. Further, the bone void filler includes a bi-modal pore distribution with a high frequency of smaller pores to enhance the density characteristic of the bone void filler pieces. A method of manufacturing the bone void filler pieces includes a precursor powder composition suitable to form a ceramic matrix; the preform is converted by chemical reaction to a final composition. The preform further includes the use of a porogen that decomposes to gaseous decomposition products upon heating.

Abstract: The invention provides a foldable box design having a box flap locking system, comprising: a first flap having an edge with a generally trapezoidal shaped tab cut therein, wherein said generally trapezoidal shaped tab is defined by two inwardly projecting grooves; and a second flap that locks with the first flap, wherein the second flap includes an edge with a second generally trapezoidal shaped tab cut therein, and wherein said second generally trapezoidal shaped tab is defined by two outwardly projecting grooves.

Abstract: The invention provides a foldable box member that can be used to create an enclosure and/or box that is configured to hold a set of supports. The foldable box member includes a set of elements that are each capable of being configured to accept a support. Additionally, a flap located opposite of each element can be configured to accept an opposing end of the support. As a result, the resulting enclosure can hold each support in a desired location and configuration.

Abstract: A composition having an electrical conductivity sufficient to enable droplets to be easily charged when printing through a continuous jet with deflection printhead. The composition may include a halogenated hydrocarbon solvent, a co-solvent that is miscible with the halogenated hydrocarbon solvent, and a conductivity enhancing substance. The halogenated hydrocarbon solvent may be chloroform, and the co-solvent may be an alcohol, such as methanol or ethanol. The conductivity enhancing substance may be a salt that dissociates upon dissolution to form ions, or may be an acid or a polymer. The conductivity enhancing substance may be chosen to be benign if left in a printed product. The conductivity enhancing substance may be chosen to be volatile so as to be able to evaporate from whatever it is printed upon, and specifically may be chosen to be a liquid at room temperature.

Abstract: A closed elongate canister having a generally rectangular cross-section formed by a front wall, a five-section back wall and two side walls, the walls of dimensions to house a plurality of ID test rotors stacked one atop another within the canister.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel multi-functional fuel and lubricant additive that provides dispersancy properties as well as viscosity index improver credit and, improved fuel economy. The invention further relates to concentrates, and to fuel and lubricating oil compositions containing said additive or concentrates. Finally, the invention provides methods for improving fuel economy, improving dispersancy, and for preparing the hybridized, acylated olefin copolymer useful as an oil additive.

Abstract: A method for making a shelf-stable soft pretzel without using a caustic bath. The method substitutes several processing steps for the caustic bath, in combination with other microbal spoilage hurdle strategies, resulting in a uniformly browned, topically salted soft pretzel uniquely possessing a relatively low surface pH and long shelf life.

Abstract: An elongate canister having a generally rectangular cross-section sized to house a plurality of antibiotic susceptibility test arrays stacked one atop another and maintained secure within an environmentally controlled inventory chamber in a random access microbiological analyzer.

Abstract: A closed elongate canister having a generally rectangular cross-section formed by a front wall, a five-section back wall and two side walls, the walls of dimensions to house a plurality of ID test rotors stacked one atop another within the canister.