Abstract: This invention relates generally to the fields of separation and conversion technologies, and more particularly to materials for use in tangential-flow filtration techniques. The tangential-flow materials are useful in a wide range of separation and conversion processes, including those reliant on reverse osmosis, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, or nanofiltration semipermeable filtration membranes, and provide efficient methods for purifying or producing various target substances, including biopolymer particles for use in tangential-flow filtration.

Abstract: A surgical support system including a positioning pillow to support a patient on an operating table. An example embodiment of the positioning pillow includes a head supporting surface and a bottom surface disposed opposite to the head supporting surface, the head supporting surface being angled relative to the bottom surface to align the patient's thoracic and cervical spine at a predetermined angle with respect to the operating table when the patient's head is positioned on the head supporting surface, including one or more inclined removable members to adjust the height and angle of the head supporting surface relative to the bottom surface.

Abstract: A surgical support system including a positioning pillow to support a patient in a lateral position on an operating table. The positioning pillow includes a head supporting surface having an opening to accommodate an ear of the laterally positioned patient and a channel intersecting the opening to accommodate an eye of the laterally positioned patient, a shoulder supporting surface disposed adjacent to the head supporting surface and oriented substantially perpendicular to the head supporting surface to accommodate a shoulder of the laterally positioned patient, and a bottom surface disposed opposite to the head supporting surface and adjacent to the shoulder supporting surface, the head supporting surface being angled relative to the bottom surface to align the patient's thoracic and cervical spine at a predetermined angle with respect to the operating table when the patient's head is positioned on the head supporting surface in the lateral position.

Abstract: A surgical support system including a positioning pillow to support a patient in a lateral position on an operating table. The positioning pillow includes a head supporting surface having an opening to accommodate an ear of the laterally positioned patient and a channel intersecting the opening to accommodate an eye of the laterally positioned patient, a shoulder supporting surface disposed adjacent to the head supporting surface and oriented substantially perpendicular to the head supporting surface to accommodate a shoulder of the laterally positioned patient, and a bottom surface disposed opposite to the head supporting surface and adjacent to the shoulder supporting surface, the head supporting surface being angled relative to the bottom surface to align the patient's thoracic and cervical spine at a predetermined angle with respect to the operating table when the patient's head is positioned on the head supporting surface in the lateral position.

Abstract: A sleep surface is formed by joining longitudinal sides of two juxtaposed air bladders, thereby providing a continuous sleep surface having two independently inflatable air chambers. The union of the two bladders ensures that the bladders remain in a desired position despite being repeated inflated, deflated, folded and unfolded. A support member can be inserted and secured between the two independently inflatable air bladders to provide an enhanced continuous sleep surface.