Abstract: A multiple fused junction with blown fuse indication which generally includes a main body, a fuse connected to the main body and a switch disposed within the main body. The main body has multiple cable ports extending outwardly therefrom. At least one of the ports is adapted for electrical connection with a feeder cable and another of the ports is adapted to receive a fuse. The fuse is removably connected to the fuse port of the main body and has an indicator rod movably disposed therein, which protrudes from an axial end of the fuse into the main body upon electrical interruption of the fuse. The switch is disposed within the main body adjacent the fuse port and is activated by the indicator rod of the fuse upon protrusion of the rod from the fuse to provide indication of electrical interruption of the fuse.

Abstract: A multiple fused junction with blown fuse indication which generally includes a main body, a fuse connected to the main body and a switch disposed within the main body. The main body has multiple cable ports extending outwardly therefrom. At least one of the ports is adapted for electrical connection with a feeder cable and another of the ports is adapted to receive a fuse. The fuse is removably connected to the fuse port of the main body and has an indicator rod movably disposed therein, which protrudes from an axial end of the fuse into the main body upon electrical interruption of the fuse. The switch is disposed within the main body adjacent the fuse port and is activated by the indicator rod of the fuse upon protrusion of the rod from the fuse to provide indication of electrical interruption of the fuse.

Abstract: Antimicrobial compositions having a rapid antiviral and antibacterial effectiveness are disclosed. The antimicrobial compositions contain a phenolic antimicrobial agent, a surfactant, a hydrotrope, and a disinfecting alcohol, wherein the phenolic antimicrobial agent is present in a continuous aqueous phase in an amount of at least 25% of saturation concentration.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a skin care moisturizing composition that quickly provides relief from the visual appearance of dry skin, particularly the ashen appearance of darker complexioned individuals. The invention further comprises a moisturizing composition that provides intermediate term, long term, and continuous relief of dry skin and its attendant symptoms. The moisturizing composition comprises a protease enzyme that facilitates the digestion of corneodesmosomal linkages between skin corneocyte cells.

Abstract: A device suitable for providing access through an incision in the skin of a patient to a spinal location within the patient is provided. The device comprises an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the elongate body can comprise an oblong perimeter. The proximal end can be positioned outside of the patient and the distal end can be positioned inside the patient adjacent the spinal location. The elongate body can be enlarged such that a transverse dimension at a first location is greater than a transverse dimension at a second location, where the first location is distal to the second location. The elongate body provides an access path through the incision to the spinal location such that one or more surgical instruments can be advanced simultaneously along the access path between the proximal end and the spinal location.

Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.

Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.

Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.

Abstract: A method and system for learning. Items to be learned are distributed among an unmastered pool, a ready pool, a mastered pool, and a delayed pool. Items from the unmastered pool are placed in the ready pool. A current item randomly selected from the ready pool is presented to a user who responds to the item. The current item is sent to the mastered pool if the user's response is correct and (the current item was not previously presented to the user or the user responded correctly to the current item during the last J times that the user responded to the current item). Otherwise, the current item is sent to the delayed pool followed by transferring the current item to the ready pool after K additional items are presented to by the user. J and K are each at least 1.

Abstract: Accordingly, this invention provides a fastener system which is weldable to a substructure that overcomes the problems and disadvantages of the fasteners of the prior art. Generally, a weldable fastener is disclosed that has a coating applied to at least one surface of the fastener. The coating functions to prevent the deposit of a further coating, particularly an electrodeposition coating, upon further processing.

Abstract: A secondary engine speed control mechanism for small internal combustion engines, including an operator control which is manually operable to override an engine running speed which is set by the engine's primary speed control mechanism and governed by the governor. The secondary speed control mechanism may be selectively actuated by the operator in anticipation of an increased engine load to provide a temporary increase or “boost” to engine speed above the set, governed engine running speed. The secondary speed control mechanism may include an operator actuated, trigger-type mechanism located on the handle of an implement with which the engine is used.

Abstract: A method of fixing vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes the following steps: inserting a first cannula (10) into the body (130) of the patient; moving a first fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the first fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the first fastener (624) to a first vertebrae (601 or 1601); moving a second fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the second fastener (624) to a second vertebrae (602 or 1602); moving a first fixation element (650) through the cannula (10); and fixing the first fixation element (650) to the first and second fasteners (624).

Abstract: A venetian blind system having an improved method for prohibiting light infiltration and line of sight vision through the closed blind and an improved method for preventing the blowing or flapping of the blind is disclosed. Unique “S” shaped slats, which allow uninhibited light flow and line of sight vision through the blind when in the open position, interlace in the closed position to greatly improve blockage of light and line of sight vision. End channels attached to the vertical sides of the window receive the ends of the blind slats, preventing flapping. Vertical end slats hingedly attached to the end channels maintain contact with the front and rear edges of the blind slats, whether in the opened or closed position, adding additional protection from light infiltration or line of sight vision around the ends of the blind.

Abstract: Accordingly, this invention provides a fastener system which is weldable to a substructure that overcomes the problems and disadvantages of the fasteners of the prior art. Generally, a weldable fastener is disclosed that has a coating applied to at least one surface of the fastener. The coating functions to prevent the deposit of a further coating, particularly an electrodeposition coating, upon further processing.

Abstract: Antimicrobial compositions having an excellent antibacterial and antiviral effectiveness are disclosed. The antimicrobial compositions contain an aromatic carboxylic acid, a hydric solvent, a pH-adjusting compound, and water.

Abstract: A method for improving the edge-to-center photoresist ash rate uniformity in lower temperature (typically, but not limited to <100° C.) processing of integrated circuits and micro-electro-mechanical devices. A varying gap distance 32 from the edge-to-center of the upper and lower grid plates, 30 and 31, of a plasma ashing machine is provided to allow additional flow of plasma gases into the normally semi-stagnated area near the center of the wafer being processed. This improvement overcomes the problem of slower photoresist removal in the center of the wafer. Three configurations of the invention is described, including both stepwise and continuous variation of the grid plate gap spacing and optionally, the variation of the size of grid plate holes in a parallel grid plate assembly.

Abstract: A method of performing a surgical procedure on a body includes providing a cannula having a tubular structure with first and second tubular portions defining first and second passages for receiving surgical instruments. The second tubular portion is inserted inside the body and the first tubular portion is inserted so that the first tubular portion extends from an exterior of the body to inside the body. The second tubular portion expands to increase the cross-sectional area of the second passage in the second tubular portion while the second tubular portion is inside the body. The cross-sectional area of the first passage in the first tubular portion is maintained. The first tubular portion has a first thickness and the second tubular portion has a second thickness different than the first thickness.

Abstract: A method for improving the edge-to-center photoresist ash rate uniformity in lower temperature (typically, but not limited to <100° C.) processing of integrated circuits and micro-electro-mechanical devices. A varying gap distance 32 from the edge-to-center of the upper and lower grid plates, 30 and 31, of a plasma ashing machine is provided to allow additional flow of plasma gases into the normally semi-stagnated area near the center of the wafer being processed. This improvement overcomes the problem of slower photoresist removal in the center of the wafer. Three configurations of the invention is described, including both stepwise and continuous variation of the grid plate gap spacing and optionally, the variation of the size of grid plate holes in a parallel grid plate assembly.

Abstract: A soap bar that exhibits antibacterial effectiveness includes, by weight, at least about 45% soap having alkyl chain lengths of 8-10 carbon atoms, water, and free fatty acid such that the pH of a 10% aqueous solution of the soap bar is no greater than about 9.5.