Abstract: A pacifier retaining device for holding a pacifier on a child so that the child does not lose the pacifier. The pacifier retaining device includes a first strap for encircling the torso of a user. A second strap connects a pacifier to the first strap. The second strap has a first end and a second end. A pacifier is coupled to the second strap. A connecting device rotatably connects the first strap to the second strap. The connecting device comprises a female portion and a male portion. The second end of the second strap is coupled to the male portion. The female portion is coupled to the first strap.

Abstract: A cosmetic system and technique are provided for improving the texture and appearance of an individual's skin. The system includes a light transport modifier that may be applied to a portion of the individual's epidermis. The light transport modifier is designed to displace naturally occurring water within that portion. Energy from an appropriate laser, infrared lamp, or the sun can then be directed to a treatment area beneath the epidermal layer without detrimental heat buildup in that area of the epidermis.

Abstract: Low level laser therapy apparatus for treatment of various tissue injuries is described. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a handheld laser probe coupled to a control unit for selecting and controlling laser energy dosage from about 1 joule/point to about 10 joules/point. The apparatus emits laser energy at a wavelength from about 630 nm to about 904 nm, with a mean power output of between about 100 mW to about 500 mW. The apparatus further includes an access control mechanism to limit operability to trained personnel.

Abstract: A guidable catheter for heating or cooling a surrounding fluid in a feeding vessel in a vasculature of a patient. The catheter includes a heat transfer element, the heat transfer element having a plurality of exterior surface irregularities shaped and arranged to create turbulence in a surrounding fluid. The surface irregularities have a depth at least equal to the boundary layer thickness of flow of the surrounding fluid in the feeding vessel. The catheter assembly also includes a supply catheter having a portion disposed within the heat transfer element to deliver a working fluid to an interior of the heat transfer element. The catheter assembly further includes a return catheter to return a working fluid from the interior of the heat transfer element. A guidewire tube is provided adjacent one of the supply catheter or the return catheter and runs substantially parallel to the axis of the guidable catheter to receive a guidewire disposed within the guidewire tube.

Abstract: A device for cooling an infant's brain includes a cooling liner that may be sandwiched between an outer padded cap and an inner elastic liner. The device fits closely over the infant's skull and is cooled by a recirculating cooling fluid passing through a serpentine conduit. One application for the device is to cool a newborn infant's brain that has suffered a hypoxic shock.

Abstract: A stent assembly comprises a stent whose configuration can change between a transversely compressed state for delivery into a lumen in a human or animal body, and a relaxed state in which in use the stent contacts the lumen to support it. The stent is positioned in a delivery device and constrained by it in its transversely compressed state. The delivery device comprises a tubular member formed from a shape memory alloy and can be fitted to or within a catheter for delivery of the stent through a lumen.

Abstract: A stent for use in a lumen in a human or animal body, has a generally tubular body formed from a shape memory alloy which has been treated so that it exhibits enhanced elastic properties with a point of inflection in the stress-strain curve on loading, enabling the body to be deformed inwardly to a transversely compressed configuration for insertion into the lumen and then revert towards its initial configuration, into contact with and to support the lumen. The shape memory alloy comprises nickel, titanium and from about 3 at. % to about 20 at. %, based on the weight of the total weight of the alloy composition, of a ternary element selected from the group consisting of niobium, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten and gold. The ratio of the stress on loading to the stress on unloading at the respective inflection points on the loading and unloading curves is at least about 2.5:1, and the difference between the stresses on loading and unloading at the inflection points at least about 250 MPa.

Abstract: A stent, in particular a coronary stent, includes a thin-walled, hollow-cylindrical base body of an X-ray transparent material, the surface area of which has an open-worded, net-shaped design owing to recesses. The stent has at least one X-ray opaque element or region, wherein the X-ray opaque element or the X-ray opaque region extends essentially in a linear direction over at least a portion of the circumference of the stent located at least one end region of the stent while the rest of the stent remains X-ray transparent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a prosthesis for implantation within a body lumen. The prosthesis includes a biocompatible elongate intraluminal liner in the form of a graft, with a biocompatible adhesive being disposed on an exterior surface of the graft. The adhesive is active in an intraluminal environment so as to bond the exterior surface of the graft to an intraluminal surface of said body lumen, such as the interior of a blood vessel.

Abstract: An improved endoluminal prosthesis is described which possesses increased flexibility and longitudinal compliance with a stent/graft/stent securement member combination.

Abstract: An expandable stent design for use in small vessels, such as the distal regions of the coronary arteries, is disclosed. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common longitudinal stent axis and interconnected by one or more interconnecting members placed so that the stent is flexible in a longitudinal direction. The strut width of the interconnecting members is narrower than the strut width of each cylindrical element thereby increasing the flexibility of the interconnecting members relative to the struts of the cylindrical elements. In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the strut width of the connecting segment between alternating peaks and valleys of the cylindrical element is designed to be wider than the width of the strut in the peak and valley portions of the cylindrical element to enhance the radiopacity of the stent.

Abstract: The hinge stent is a balloon-expandable or self-expandable intravascular endoprosthesis used for treatment of vascular injury. The hinge stent is formed of a single stent section or of multiple stent sections joined together. Each stent section has a node and strut structure extending throughout in order to uncouple expansion forces of the stent to hold a blood vessel outward from crush forces that resist the formation of an oval shape during a crush deformation. Each node includes a hinge which is joined via a transition region to a strut. The hinge can bend in the direction of a uniformly curved surface of the stent but not in the radial direction. The strut can bend in the radial direction but not in the uniformly curved surface of the stent. The widths, lengths, and radial dimensions of the hinges and struts provide a balloon-expandable hinge stent that is non-crushable. For a self-expandable stent the hinge and strut dimensions provide expansion forces that are controlled independently from crush forces.

Abstract: A stent radially expandable from a radially contracted introduction state into a radially expanded position state, in which the final shape of the stent can be controlled by varying the amount and places photo-thermal energy is projected onto the interior surfaces of the tubes from which the stent is fabricated.

Abstract: The device of the present invention comprises a bifurcated graft fabricated from expanded PTFE (ePTFE). The inventive device is double walled so that following insertion into an aneurysm, fluid can be injected between the walls to expand the device thereby opening the inner tubular graft for receiving blood flow and locking the device into place in the aorta. The injected fluid may polymerize so that the device is permanently held in its expanded form. One embodiment of the device is fabricated with pockets or channels. After the device is delivered and expanded additional stiffening struts can be inserted into these pockets. In this way the basic device can be furled and tightly compressed for delivery (something not possible with a stent containing device). After the device is expanded, a stent-like structure can be inserted endovascularly giving the strength and resiliency of a stent-containing prosthesis.

Abstract: A prosthesis for treating a body passage includes a micro-porous tubular element and a support element. The tubular element is formed from a thin-walled sheet having a wall thickness of 25 micrometers or less, preferably a coiled-sheet exhibiting temperature-activated shape memory properties. The mesh pattern includes a plurality of openings in the sheet having a maximum dimension of not more than about 200 micrometers, thereby acting as a filter trapping embolic material while facilitating endothelial growth therethrough. The support element includes a plurality of struts, preferably having a thickness of 100-150 micrometers. The support element is preferably an independent component from the tubular element. Alternatively, the support element may be attached to or integrally formed as part of the tubular element. The tubular and support elements are placed on a catheter in contracted conditions and advanced endoluminally to a treatment location within a body passage.

Abstract: A method of implanting a valve prosthesis in an atrio-ventricular valve of a patient's heart generally comprising securing a distal end of the valve prosthesis to the leaflets of the atrio-ventricular valve, and securing a proximal end of the valve prosthesis to the annulus of the atrio-ventricular valve, so that the chordae tendineae and the continuity between the papillary muscle and the valve annulus of the atrio-ventricular valve is preserved. Depending on the etiology of the valve disease, the method of the invention may comprises implanting the valve prosthesis in an intact atrio-ventricular valve, or alternatively, in a resected atrio-ventricular valve.

Abstract: A valve body assembly for being mounted adjacent an annulus within a heart. A first retainer is attached to the valve body assembly for engaging a first side of the annulus. A second retainer is attached to the valve body assembly and includes a resiliently-deformable retaining member for resiliently engaging a second side of the annulus. The resiliently deformable retaining member is collapsed to a size permitting it to be inserted into through the annulus and positioned adjacent the second side of the annulus. The retaining member is then allowed to expand such that it resiliently engages the second side of the annulus.

Abstract: There is disclosed medical prostheses filled with an aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol. The aqueous solution can be a saline solution. There is also disclosed a method of making such medical prostheses. The novel prostheses are useful, for example, as breast implants.

Abstract: A method of producing reconstructed bone. The method includes providing an implant structure having a calcium phosphate component, and stabilizing the implant adjacent the healthy bone until tissue can recover, bond to the implant and support the normal required loading. The implant structure provides morphological continuity and anatomical contact between the implant body and the adjacent healthy bone. The method further includes providing for physiological processes to maintain a healthy junction between the implant and the healthy bone. The method further includes controlling, guiding and directing the bone reconstruction process in surgical situations where healthy recovery would not otherwise occur.

Abstract: The present invention provides a synthetic silicon-substituted apatite or hydroxyapatite which comprises 0.1% to 5% by weight of silicon. The silicon-substituted apatite or hydroxyapatite may be used as a synthetic bone material for use in bone substitution, implants, fillers and cements, coatings for metallic implants, and for making hydroxyapatite-polymer composites. The silicon-substituted apatite is prepared by reacting a calcium salt or calcium hydroxide with orthophosphoric acid or a salt of orthophosphoric acid in the presence of a silicon-containing compound, the molar ratio of calcium ions to phosphorous-containing ions being from 1:0.5 to 1:0.7 and the molar ratio of calcium ions to silicon-containing ions being at least 1:0.2, whereby a precipitate of a silicon-substituted apatite is formed. On heating and/or sintering the silicon-substituted apatite at a temperature of from 500° C. to 1400° C.

Abstract: A prosthetic lamina that replaces a portion of the lamina bone structure. The prosthetic lamina may be configured to deliver a variety of medical therapies, such as electrodes for electrical stimulation, fluid channels for delivering drugs, catheters for dispensing drugs and various systems for healing bone tissue.

Abstract: A spacing device for supporting a joint adjacent to diseased bone or missing bone tissue, including a support piece and a semi-resilient pad. The pad is shaped to cradle and support the healthy bone joint. The reverse side of the pad is fixedly connected to one end of the support piece. The other end of the support piece is shaped to straddle healthy tissue adjacent the damaged area, such as the ilium when supporting a hip joint and is to be fixedly connected to the adjacent healthy tissue, using a suitable mechanism, such as biocompatible Steinman pins. Diseased, damaged, or necrotic tissue can be removed without requiring removal of the natural bone joint. Because the undamaged bone joint is not replaced, the problems commonly experienced during and following bone joint replacement are avoided. In particular, blood loss during surgery, surgical cost, surgical time, and rehabilitation of the patient after surgery is reduced.

Abstract: An artificial condyle (2) for use in a human hip joint in which the condyle has a spherical joint shell (1) which has a radius of curvature R1 and a curvature midpoint M1 and in cross-section a circular concave section contour. A functional surface which is convex at least in a region which articulates in the joint shell (1) is designed as a sphere such that when it is inserted in the shell (2), in a longitudinal plane X—X passing through the midpoint M1, a radius RK1=R1 is formed which has a midpoint MK1 coinciding with M1. A transverse plane Y—Y perpendicular to the longitudinal plane X—X has, passing through the midpoint MK1, a radius RK2<RK1 having the midpoint MK2. In the transverse plane Y—Y a stable dimeric joint chain is formed, with which the joint axis path of the midpoints MK1 and MK2 has a joint path radius R=RK1−RK2.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to make available implant elements or other medical products made of biological material with optimum mechanical and biological properties for a wide group of materials by introduction of a specially designed surface layer onto a strong core, where the surface layer is densified by means of hot isostatic pressing and dimensioned according to the basic fracture mechanics equation so that the thickness of the surface layer is less than c in the equation KIC=Y&sgr; c½, where Klc is the fracture toughness, Y a position and shape factor, c the critical defect size, and &sgr; the permitted stress for the actual material and the chosen design stress.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved orthopedic implant system with satisfied biological, mechanical and morphological compatibilities. Solid metal femoral stem and solid metal acetabular head are covered with diffusion-bonded foamed-shaped sheet made of commercially pure titanium or titanium alloy(s). The open-cells in said foamed metal sheet are impregnated with biocompatible polymethyl methacrylate resin cement, which is reinforced with selected oxides including alumina, magnesia, zirconia, or a combination of these oxides along with an application of a small amount of a metal primer agent.

Abstract: A non-crosslinked, decellularized and purified mammalian tissue (e.g., bovine pericardium) having particular use as an implantable resorbable material. The material is treated by alkylating its primary amine groups in a manner sufficient to reduce the antigenicity of the tissue, permitting the treated tissue to be used in vivo and without crosslinking, and in turn, permitting it to be resorbable. The material can be used in surgical repair of soft tissue deficiencies for a certain period of time while the implant itself is gradually remodeled or absorbed by the host. Also provided are a method of preparing such a material, as well as a method of using such a material for surgical repair.

Abstract: An adaptor which may be secured to the lower end of a lower limb prosthesis which would allow the lower limb prosthesis to be secured to an ankle joint or prosthetic foot with a mechanical locking or anchoring type of fixation. What is provided is the lower limb prosthesis which would include an upper socket portion for receiving the stump of the wearer, a limb portion which extends from the socket portion down to approximately the ankle portion of the wearer, and an adaptor portion. The adaptor portion would further include a triangulated base portion which would mate with the lower end of the prosthetic limb. There would be further included a second barb portion extending from the base portion, which would define an area between the barb portion extending from the base portion, so that when the adaptor is fabricated onto the limb through either a lamination process or a drape molding process, the adaptor is secured more tightly against the limb during the fabrication process.

Abstract: A process for removing malodorous elements from silicone dry cleaning solvents, comprising contacting the used silicone solvent with adsorbent to remove the odor, and separating the silicone solvent.

Abstract: The present application relates to a cosmetic composition intended for treating keratin fibres, comprising, in a support which is suitable for keratin fibres: (a) at least one enzyme of 2-electron oxidoreductase type in the presence of at least one donor for the said enzyme; (b) at least one anionic amphiphilic polymer containing at least one hydrophilic unit and at least one allyl ether unit containing a fatty chain; as well as to processes for treating keratin fibres, in particular processes for dyeing, permanently reshaping or bleaching the hair, using this composition.

Abstract: The method for temporarily coloring and later decolorizing hair includes applying a colorant to the hair, which contains a monomethine or polymethine dye of formula (Ia/Ib), or a salt thereof, W=L−V′(Ia)&rlarr2;W′−L=V (Ib), wherein W=L−V′ and W′=L−V are tautomers, W and V are each a substituted five-member or six-member heterocyclic ring, each of which is a substituted pyrazolone, substituted pyridone, substituted dioxothiazoline, substituted rhodanine, substituted dioxoimidazolidine or substituted barbituric acid; wherein L represents —[—CH═CH—]m—CR═[═CH—CH═]n═ and R is hydrogen, a phenyl group, a halogen atom, a methyl group or a carboxamido group, and wherein m and n are each 0, 1 or 2, but n+m≦2; then allowing the colorant to act for from 10 to 45 min at 20 to 50° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ready-to-use composition for the oxidation dyeing of keratin fibers, and in particular human keratin fibers such as the hair, comprising, in a medium which is suitable for dyeing, at least one oxidation base, 2-amino-3-hydroxypyridine as coupler and at least one enzyme of 2-electron oxidoreductase type in the presence of at least one donor for the said enzyme, and to the dyeing process using this composition.

Abstract: Solid or pasty fuel additive compositions comprise a homogeneous mixture of a solid compacting agent soluble in fuel and at least one liquid fuel additive, the compositions having an additive content of from more than about 40 to 99% by weight, based on their total weight.

Abstract: Monoamide-containing polyether alcohol compounds of the formula: wherein R1, R2 and R3 are each independently selected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyl of 1 to 100 carbon atoms, substituted hydrocarbyl of 1 to 100 carbon atoms and polyoxyalkylene alcohol of 2 to 200 carbon atoms or R2 and R3 taken together form a heterocyclic group of 2 to 100 carbon atoms or a substituted heterocyclic group of 2 to 100 carbon atoms with the proviso that at least one of R1, R2 or R3 must be polyoxyalkylene alcohol have been found to decrease intake valve deposits, control octane requirement increases and reduce octane requirement when used as gasoline additives.

Abstract: A combined, integral steam generator coal gasifier includes a vertically elongated, all welded, gas tight enclosure with a burner zone having a double pitch sloping furnace floor and a slag tap extending therethrough. Successive zones located above the burner zone are provided with appropriate tube materials for conveying synthesis gas produced by the coal gasification process. A multi-pass convection pass zone having upflow and downflow passes is located at an upper portion of the enclosure and contains a plurality of superheater (primary and secondary) as well as economizer heating surfaces which extract heat from the synthesis gas to produce steam. An ash remover is connected to the outlet of the convection pass zone to remove ash from the synthesis gas exiting from the convection pass zone. The slag tap located at the bottom of the burner zone communicates with a slag tank or a drag chain deasher for receiving and removing slag from the burner zone.

Abstract: Combustible gases from pulverized solid fuel are generated by semi-coking the pulverized solid fuel in a reactor in the absence of oxygen to produce a solids stream that includes carbonaceous material and a gas stream that includes hydrocarbon gases and tar fumes. The carbonaceous material in the solids stream is gasified in a fluidized bed using steam and hot air to produce an output stream that includes combustible gases and coke particles. The output stream is combined with the gas stream to form a combined stream which is separated into a combustible gas stream and a hot particulate stream. At least a part of the hot particulate stream is applied to the reactor.

Abstract: An abrasive article is provided having a rebulkable nonwoven web and a continuous sheet-like abrasive coating bonded to the first major surface of the nonwoven web. The abrasive coating comprising a plurality of abrasive particles dispersed in a binder.

Abstract: A polymeric foam finishing pad is made by attaching an array of foam fingers to a suitable support substrate. The foam fingers are attached to the substrate in a continuous strip of interconnected fingers or may be individually inserted into a support substrate and attached to the substrate by an adhesive layer. Each of the foam members is preferably formed in and cut from an advancing foam strip and folded and inserted into a preformed opening contained in the support substrate, such that each foam member forms a pair of fingers that extend from the front face of the support substrate. The outer tip of each foam finger may include a pair of slits extending into the foam member from the outer tip to divide each outer tip into a plurality of contact tips, thereby increasing the amount of surface contact between the finishing pad and the surface being finished. The tips of the fingers may also be provided with abrasive particles to provide a more aggressive pad finishing surface.

Abstract: A slurry composition enhances the removal of polish-resistant surface moieties from the surface of a semiconductor wafer during chemical-mechanical polishing. The slurry composition is a mixture including a solvent, a plurality of abrasive particles, and a chelating agent. The abrasive particles abrade the surface of the wafer to remove surface moieties and underlying material. The chelating agent is selected to react with polish-resistant surface moieties on the surface of the wafer surface, to thereby render the surface moieties easier to remove from the surface layer with substantially non-aggressive chemical-mechanical polishing techniques. In operation, the surface moieties and the underlying bulk material are removed by a combination of the chemical effects of the chelating agent and the mechanical effects of the abrasive particles.

Abstract: A polishing compound in the form of a dispersion containing silicon oxide particles having an average diameter of 8 to 500 manometers and at least one kind of metal compound particles having an average diameter of 10 to 3000 nanometers and selected from metal oxides, metal nitrides and metal carbides. The concentration of silicon oxide particles is 1 to 15 wt. %. The concentration of silicon oxide particles is 0.1 to 10 wt. %. The pH of the dispersion is 8.3 to 11.5, and is buffered by the addition of a buffering combination composed of weak acid and/or weak base, wherein the logarithms of reciprocal number of acid dissociation constant at 25° C. of the weak acid and/or weak base is 8.0 to 12.5.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating liquids, in particular water, from gasses, in particular for separating entrained water from the intake air of an internal combustion engine. This is achieved by appropriately configuring a selected connection site in the intake section which precedes the air filter of the internal combustion engine. This has the advantage of requiring no parts in addition to the air conduit pieces already present. Separated water may be discharged, for example, through an outlet valve or small opening.

Abstract: A filter element for an air filter, including a filter insert (2; 8; 10) and a seal (6) extending around the outer edges of the filter insert on the flat side thereof; the filter insert being folded in a zig-zag or pleated form and being composed of filter paper or filter fabric. The filter element (1; 7; 9; 10) rests against parts of a filter housing through the seal (6). The folded filter insert has a contour on one side which deviates extensively from a plane, at least in certain predetermined areas, thus creating a continuous zig-zag fold.

Abstract: A fail-safe/regenerator device (68), for use within a filter assembly (60) also containing a main filter element (28), contains a top main support (90), and a bottom main support (82), where a rigid, static bed of needles, fibers or wires (92), having an aspect ratio of 30 to 2000 and having crossover points (94), are effective to trap contacting contaminating particulates permanently, and may have an associated safety filter 99.

Abstract: An air filter has a tubular metal housing with an air inlet and a plastic end cap affixed to one end of the housing. The opposite end of the housing is enclosed by a removable cover. The plastic end cap has an integral cylindrical air outlet with a portion thereof extending into the tubular housing. A generally cylindrical air filter element includes an inner liner, an outer liner, filter media captured therebetween, a closed end and an open end. The open end of the filter element has an end cap formed of an elastomeric material with an opening defined by a generally cylindrical radially inward-facing surface. The diameter of the opening is smaller than the outside diameter of that portion of the outlet member of the end cap that extends into the housing. The filter element is mounted on that portion of the outlet member extending into the tubular housing and the elastomeric material provides a seal.

Abstract: A process for treating animal manure, particularly poultry feces, with concentrated sulfuric acid (about 93 to 95% H2SO4). The product of the process can be used for treating agricultural soils.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid water soluble fertilizer composition containing one or more fertilizer materials and a phosphate free, organic acid which is solid at ambient temperatures. The fertilizer materials include primary macro nutrients, secondary macro nutrients, micro nutrients and mixtures thereof. The organic acid has a water solubility of at least 10 g/l (at 25° C.) and an acidifying effect in the range of 0.5 to 1.3 g HCO3−/g acid. The acidifying effect is defined as the amount of HCO3− that can be transformed into H2CO3 per gram of acid and is calculated in accordance with the following formula: 61 ⁢ n M w , acid wherein Mw,acid is the molecular weight of said acid and n represents the number of dissociation constants (i.e., pKa values) of the acid below the value of 6.35.

Abstract: A thin arc segment magnet made of a rare earth sintered magnet substantially comprising 28-33 weight % of R and 0.8-1.5 weight % of B, the balance being substantially Fe, wherein R is at least one rare earth element including Y, and T is Fe or Fe and Co, which has an oxygen content of 0.3 weight % or less, a density of 7.56 g/cm3 or more, a coercivity iHc of 1.1 MA/m (14 kOe) or more at room temperature, and an orientation Br/4&pgr;Imax of 96% or more in an anisotropy-providing direction at room temperature can be produced by using a slurry mixture formed by introducing fine alloy powder of the above composition into a mixture liquid comprising 99.7-99.99 parts by weight of a mineral oil, a synthetic oil or a vegetable oil and 0.01-0.3 parts by weight of a nonionic surfactant and/or an anionic surfactant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a powder-metallurgically produced composite material comprising a matrix and a granular additive comprising at least one fine-grained refractory metal with an average grain size of at most 2 &mgr;m uniformly distributed in the matrix, so that the composite exhibits a residual porosity of <0.5%. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the production of the composite and its use as an electrical contact material.

Abstract: A nickel ultrafine powder which is characterized by having an average particle diameter of 0.2 to 0.6 &mgr;m and containing coarse particles whose particle diameter is larger than 2.5 times the average particle diameter in an amount less than 0.1% in terms of number-size distribution. It is produced from nickel chloride vapor by reduction with hydrogen in the gas phase. It gives thin internal electrodes (which contributes to high capacity) with only a few short circuits across them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a pre-alloyed powder as a binder in the manufacture of diamond tools by hot sintering. This powder is characterized in that it has an average particle size of less than 10 &mgr;m as measured with the Fisher SSS and loss of mass by reduction in hydrogen of less than 2% as measured according to the standard ISO 4491-2:1989 and in that it contains, in % by weight, up to 40% of cobalt, up to 50% of nickel, from 5 to 80% of iron and from 5 to 80% of copper; the other components in the powder consist of unavoidable impurities.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing solder balls is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a tundish, a vibrator, a cooling liquid tank, an inactive atmospheric chamber, a molten metal receiving tray, a ball collecting barrel and a cooling liquid reservoir. The tundish has orifices at its bottom. The vibrator is immersed in the molten metal of the tundish and generates vibrations. The cooling liquid tank is situated under the tundish and is provided with a cooling liquid heater at its upper and middle outer surface and a cooling liquid cooler at its lower outer surface. The inactive atmospheric chamber is interposed between the bottom of the tundish and the top surface of the cooling liquid. The molten metal receiving tray is seated on a portion of the inactive atmospheric chamber and is horizontally movable. The ball collecting barrel is positioned under the cooling liquid tank and is provided with a cut-off valve at its top, a ball removing valve at its bottom and a cooling liquid supply conduit at its upper portion.