Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the hydroformylation of olefins comprising 2 to 8 atoms, whereby a) an inflow containing olefins and a gas mixture containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide are fed into a reaction zone and reacted in the presence of a hydroformylation catalyst, b) the reaction product which is released from the raw hydroformylation product is redirected into the reaction zone during the extraction of a gaseous recovery flow. The inventive method is characterised in that c) the recovery flow is brought into intimate contact with a wash liquid in order to eliminate the unreacted olefins contained therein, the wash liquid being a vented hydroformylation product, and the olefin-charged wash liquid and the raw hydroformylation product are redirected for regeneration. Said inventive method enables unreacted olefins to be reclaimed to a large extent from the recovery flow.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing bisphenol A by subjecting phenol and acetone to condensation reaction in the presence of a catalyst composed of an acid type ion exchange resin which is modified in part with a sulfur-containing amine compound, wherein the ion exchange resin having a modification rate of 10 to less than 20 mol % is used for a methanol concentration in acetone of lower than 250 ppm by weight, and the ion exchange resin having a modification rate of 20 to 65 mol % is used for a methanol concentration in acetone of 250 to 8000 ppm by weight. The above process is capable of producing bisphenol A at high conversion and selectivity by suppressing deterioration of catalytic activity due to methanol as an impurity in acetone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of cumene by reacting isopropanol or a mixture of isopropanol and propene with benzene in presence of a &bgr;-zeolite catalyst having a SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio greater than 10:1 that can be integrated in a process for preparing phenol, which comprises the steps I. preparation of cumene as described above, II. oxidation of cumene to cumene hydroperoxide, III. acid-catalyzed cleavage of cumene hydroperoxide to give phenol and acetone and IV. hydrogenation of acetone to form isopropanol. In the reaction of isopropanol with benzene, propene is formed by dehydration of isopropanol simultaneously with the alkylation of benzene to cumene by means of isopropanol and the propene formed is likewise used for the alkylation of benzene to cumene. Formation of n-propylbenzene in this process step according to the invention is barely observed or is in the range below 150 wppm.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for the preparation of a novel heterogeneous osmate catalyst of the general formula (S—NR3)2OsO4.nH2O wherein S is a support, R is an alkyl group, n is the number of water molecules by reacting potassium osmate with supported quaternary ammonium species in an aqueous solvent.

Abstract: A process is described for the production of propane-1,3-diol. The process comprises subjecting a vaporous feed mixture comprising a hydrogen-containing gas and a feedstock selected from 3-hydroxypropanal, &bgr;-propiolactone, oligomers of &bgr;-propiolactone, esters of 3-hydroxypropanoic acid, and mixtures of two or more thereof to hydrogenation conditions in a hydrogenation zone in the presence of a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst, and recovering a reaction product comprising propane-1,3-diol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel class of modified ruthenium catalysts useful in the one step synthesis of 1,3-PDO comprising (a) a cobalt component comprising one or more non-ligated cobalt compounds; and (b) a ruthenium component comprising in major part a ruthenium carbonyl compound ligated with a phospholanoalkane ligand, solubilized in an ether solvent, that provides potential improvements in cost and performance in one step hydroformylation/hydrogenation. For example, cobalt-ruthenium-bidentate, bis(phospholano)alkane catalyst precursors in ether solvents provide good yields of 1,3-PDO in a one step synthesis.

Abstract: A process to produce a flowable fuel or fuel supplement from solid and/or liquid waste, such as municipal waste, industrial wastes or mixtures thereof and the system to carry out the process in which a feed of solid and liquid municipal waste, industrial wastes or mixtures thereof to a treatment zone under conditions of temperature to produce a solid char and vaporize liquids, recombining the char and the liquids, recovered from the wastes feed, to form a feed slurry containing solids, combining the feed slurry with additional combustible waste liquids which are added at a rate and amount to obtain a fuel slurry of specified properties, particularly specified viscosity and BTU content, subjecting the feed slurry and additional wastes to conditions of attrition in at least one attrition zone to produce a product slurry containing solids of fuel size, recovering the fuel slurry which be used as fuel in partial oxidation processes.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing an &agr;-olefin oligomer which comprises subjecting an &agr;-olefin to oligomerization reaction in an organic solvent in the presence of a Ziegler based catalyst, wherein the oligomerization reaction is carried out through multi-stage reaction steps, and the &agr;-olefin is supplied to each of the reaction steps. It is made possible by the above production process to produce highly pure &agr;-olefin oligomer free from an impurity.

Abstract: In SAPO manufacture, handling of the synthesis mixture is facilitated by providing an initial aluminium-containing aqueous slurry with an H2O:Al2O3 weight ratio of 3:1 to 8:1.

Abstract: Materials that consist at least in part of aluminum quasi-crystals whose composition is represented by the general formula:

Abstract: A method is provided for the prevention or inhibition of cardiovascular disease by a method comprising the administration of a cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor and a dose of radiation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed employing ionizing radiation for forming lines of ablation or lesions in cardiac tissue to treat atrial fibrillation or other electrophysiological problems with the heart. The apparatus may include a catheter in which the radiation source is advanced hydraulically after the catheter is in place within the heart. Various fixation devices are also disclosed for fixing the location of the catheter within the heart.

Abstract: A modified Fletcher-Suit tandem tube applicator includes a balloon which can be inflated to both positionally secure the applicator within the vaginal canal and to distend the confronting vaginal wall thereby increasing the distance of such tissue from the radioactive source contained in the tandem tube of applicator and correspondingly reducing radiation damage to nearby tissues and organs such as the rectum and bladder.

Abstract: Radioactive sources, preferably radioactive seeds, for use in brachytherapy comprising a radioisotope within a sealed biocompatible container, wherein at least one part of the outer surface of the container is grooved, preferably with a curved groove. The grooved outer surface is preferably substantially free from angularities. Such grooves enhance the echogenicity of the source using medical ultrasound at a greater range of angles to the ultrasound probe, thus enhancing the ultrasound visibility of the source. Preferred radioisotopes are palladium-103 and iodine-125.

Abstract: An infant support for an incubator or an infant warmer or a combination thereof is disclosed. The support comprises a frame, a mattress tray disposed above the tray, an x-ray tray and one or more weight cells having an actuator supporting the mattress tray above the frame. The x-ray tray is received in a space below the top surface of the mattress tray. The support is configured to be received on a tilt mechanism of the incubator or an infant warmer or a combination thereof to provide an inclination to the mattress tray. The support is configured to permit x-rays to be taken of an infant supported above the mattress tray and to provide an indication of the weight of the infant supported on the mattress tray regardless of its inclination.

Abstract: Active tissue augmenting agents, compositions and methods for use are disclosed. In a typical embodiment, the active augmenting agents of the invention can be used to form an artificial sphincter around a lumen of a human or animal body. In one embodiment, the active augmenting agent comprises magnitizable particles which can provide occlusion of a lumen, such as the urethral lumen, by circumferential attraction of the injected material toward the center of the lumen by the inherent magnetic flux field created from the magnetic dipoles of the magnetic particles.

Abstract: A urinary flow control device having a bladder responsive flow control assembly operatively engaged with an elongate member having proximal and distal ends, and a lumen capable of discharging urine therethrough is provided. The flow control assembly includes first and second fluid containing compartments adapted to be in fluid communication. The flow control assembly is adapted to receive and contain urine from a bladder so as to impinge upon the first fluid containing compartment. The flow control assembly is responsive to increased bladder pressure such that fluid is displaced from the first fluid containing compartment to the second fluid containing compartment to thereby permit select passage of received urine to the lumen of the elongate member for discharge therethrough. A method of controlling urinary flow is likewise provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of FF-MAS and/or its analogues to increase the implantation rate of preimplantational embryos.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for providing males with the means to enlarge and enhance the size and shape of their penis without the use of drugs or medicaments, natural or herbal formulas and to further provide males with a means of solving and correcting the problem of a small or misshapen penis and to help the male to overcome the negative psychological and sexual impacts of same, as well as to provide a means to treat female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) when engaging in sexual contact and sexual intercourse directly as a result of the increased penetration and stimulation from the device which will enhance and increase the ability of females who experience FSD and FSAD as well as all other women to achieve increased sexual arousal, orgasm and total sexual satisfaction.

Abstract: An improvement in a method for closed-chest, video-assisted diagnostic or surgical treatment of a patient is provided. The improvement comprises draping a video monitor with a transparent sterile surgical drape and positioning the draped monitor within the surgical field so that a surgeon can perform an internal surgical or diagnostic procedure and view it on the monitor to provide improved visual alignment for the surgeon. A flexible, sterile drape for covering the video monitor is disclosed. An apparatus for assisting the surgeon in performing closed-chest, video-assisted surgical or diagnostic treatment of a patient is disclosed which comprises a movable cabinet having an adjustable arm to which is affixed a video monitor that can be extended into the surgical field of an operating room to improve the visualization of the surgery performed by the surgeon.

Abstract: A fluorescence endoscope to view human organs exhibiting zones marked by fluorescence, the endoscope including a light conduit, a lamp, a short pass filter controlled by a timer so as to be selectively movable into and out of the light path between the lamp and the light conduit, a video camera system viewing the image through a stationary long pass filter, and a video-processing unit connected in series with the video camera system. The video processing unit is controlled by the timer and timed to generate time-separate normal and fluorescence images. The video camera system includes a video camera having a frame frequency that is synchronized with the timer. The video processing unit separately processes and prepares the fluorescence images taken when the short pass filter is inserted into the light beam path and the normal images taken when the short pass filter is retracted out of the light beam path, and displays the fluorescence and normal images in congruent superposition on a display.

Abstract: A probe of a video microscope system has a window sealed to a casing, the window having a flat outer surface for contacting an area of the body of a patient, such as the patient's mouth In the method of the invention, a dye is administered to the body area so as to stain both normal and any abnormal cells, which stained area is then examined with magnification means of the probe so as to allow a surgeon to interpret the images and identify any cancerous cells.

Abstract: A rigid endoscope optics, comprising an outer tube (1) of which the distal aperture is closed by a window (2) affixed to it in sealed manner, said outer tube enclosing an image transmitter (4, 5) running through it and a light pipe (6) running parallel to said transmitter, said transmitter and pipe being configured by their distal ends (5, 7) looking and. radiating resp. through the window, the light-pipe being cross-sectionally separated from the image transmitter's cross-section at least in the region subtended between their distal ends and the window by an optically opaque partition (3) that rests by its distal edge against the window, is characterized in that the distal end of the partition (3) rests by means of an elastic and opaque insert (9) against the window (2).

Abstract: The quality control system includes a network, a plurality of medical diagnostic apparatuses which exist on the network and have respective histories of evaluation results on specific items regarding quality of individual medical diagnostic apparatuses and a control device which exists on the network, stores all of the histories of the evaluation results that individual medical diagnostic apparatuses hold and controls them centrally. By this unified quality control system, quality control of a plurality of medical diagnostic apparatuses connected to each other on the network can efficiently be performed.

Abstract: A medical information system has a patient server firstly retains vital information received from a patient terminal. The patient server transmits the vital information to a medical care provider server through a network. The vital information retained in the medical care provider server can be browsed from a doctor terminal.

Abstract: Method and system for remotely conducting medical imaging transactions conducive to meeting the individualized imaging needs of a plurality of users are provided. The method provides a user interface configured to present a menu of prompts to a user of a respective medical imager and/or imaging equipment associated with the imager. The menu of prompts is configured to elicit information indicative of imaging performance of the medical imager and/or equipment relative to imaging preferences of the user. The method further allows transmitting the information indicative of the imaging performance over a communications network to an imaging service center. A database is configured to store the information indicative of the imaging performance of the medical imager and/or imaging equipment. The database is further configured to store the imaging preferences of the user.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing a computerized system having an interface arrangement for interfacing a data source. The data source delivering data related to motion of a person, a memory arrangement for storing said data, a processor for processing the data, an artificial neural network (ANN) using the processor, means for collecting a second set of data from the person, means for calculating one or several parameters distinctive of various features of said person, and means for feeding the parameter values to the ANN trained to recognize the various features.

Abstract: A medical information system processes information from multiple sources suitable for access by healthcare personnel for use in clinical (e.g., critical) care delivery. The system includes a communication interface for receiving information from patient monitoring devices and for bidirectionally communicating with a hospital information database containing patient records. The system also includes a data processor using the communication interface for acquiring patient record information from the hospital information database and for acquiring information from patient monitoring devices. The data processor updates the acquired patient record information based on the acquired information from the patient monitoring devices and communicates updated patient record information to the hospital information database. A display processor initiates display of the updated patient record information to a user.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is directed to a system and method for allowing a patient to access an automated process for managing a specified health problem called a disease. The system performs disease management in a fully automated manner, using periodic interactive dialogs with the patient to obtain health state measurements from the patient, to evaluate and assess the progress of the patient's disease, to review and adjust therapy to optimal levels, and to give the patient medical advice for administering treatment and handling symptom flare-ups and acute episodes of the disease. The medical records are updated, the progression of the disease is stored and tracked, and the patient's preferences for treatment are stored and then used to offer medical advice based on the current state of the disease. Subjective and objective health measurements are used to determine a metric, which can be used to adjust patient therapy.

Abstract: A method is provided for continually or continuously measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system, and processing analyte-specific signals to obtain a measurement value that is closely correlated with the concentration of the target chemical analyte in the biological system. One important application of the invention involves a method for signal processing in a system for monitoring blood glucose values.

Abstract: A method is provided for continually or continuously measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system, and processing analyte-specific signals to obtain a measurement value that is closely correlated with the concentration of the target chemical analyte in the biological system. One important application of the invention involves a method for signal processing in a system for monitoring blood glucose values.

Abstract: A method is disclosed which provides for a reduced corrosion of an electrically conductive metallic layer during storage of an electrode comprising said electrically conductive metallic layer in intimate contact with an electrically conductive gel, said electrode being adapted for establishing electrical contact with the skin, wherein the access to oxygen is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively analyzing digital images of approximately elliptical body organs, and in particular, echocardiographic images is provided. In particular, methods are disclosed for obtaining short-axis apical four-chamber views of a heart, and particularly for obtaining high-quality automated images of particular regions of the heart muscle, as viewed along its long axis.

Abstract: A biological information sensing device capable of minimizing the variations of the support for a sensor portion or the displacement thereof despite the exposure of the device to accelerative motion during exercise or regardless of the size of a neck-like portion of a user is provided.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a series of optical and electronic elements to detect and image cancerous and/or pre-cancerous cells in living tissue. The invention further uses the images thus obtained to adaptively and dynamically shape a treatment light beam so as to maximize the beam's intensity in proportion to the areas with the most cancer or pre-cancer and to minimize the irradiation of normal tissue by the beam.

Abstract: A series of fMRI image frames are acquired along with interleaved navigator signals. The navigator signals are acquired while three orthogonal readout gradients are applied such that a spherical surface is sampled in k-space. The navigator signals are analyzed to measure subject rotational and translational motion during the scan.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for locating a magnetic implant in a surgical application using the field of a source magnet for the implant guiding field. The source magnet is an electromagnet having a separate calibrated magnetic field component in addition to the guiding field, so that both the magnitude and orientation of the magnetic field as a function of position around the magnet are known. A magnetic implant is provided with a sensor, such as a three-axis Hall effect sensor, to provide an indication of the magnitude and orientation of an applied magnetic field when the implant is surgically implanted in a patient. After implantation, the source magnet is energized with a current having a modulated component.

Abstract: An X-ray CT examination using a radiation examining apparatus corresponding to an X-ray CT is effected on an unbreathed examinee. A tomogram creating apparatus creates a first tomogram, based on an X-ray detect signal outputted from a corresponding radiation detector of the radiation examining apparatus. An X-ray CT examination and a PET examination using a radiation examining apparatus are effected on the breathed examinee. The tomogram creating apparatus creates a second tomogram, based on an X-ray detect signal outputted from a corresponding radiation detector of the radiation examining apparatus and creates a third tomogram, based on a ?-ray detect signal outputted from the corresponding radiation detector. Correction information is created based on the first and second tomograms. The third tomogram is corrected using the correction information. Therefore, the corrected third tomogram can be obtained which is not affected by a swing produced with breathing.

Abstract: The invention includes: a locating system; a computer, interfaced to the locating system and interpreting the positions of tracked objects in a generic computer model of a patient's hip geometry; a software module, executable on the computer, which defines the patient's pelvic plane without reference to previously obtained radiological data, by locating at least three pelvic landmarks; and a pelvic tracking marker, fixable to the pelvic bone and trackable by the locating system, to track in real time the orientation of the defined pelvic plane. Preferably, the system also includes a femoral tracking marker, securely attachable to a femur of the patient by a non-penetrating ligature and trackable by the locating system to detect changes in leg length and femoral offset.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for implementing emission tomography of a compressed and/or immobilized body part with open access for interventions, such as biopsy, hook-wire placement, or minimally invasive therapy, are provided. The apparatus includes one or more holders that compress and/or immobilize the body part on one or more sides of the body part. One or more of the holders contains an aperture through which an intervention can be carried out. Affixed to one or more holders are mechanical stages that carry and move a gamma-ray detector or detectors across the body part, so that the gamma-ray detector(s) can at times stay on the mechanical stages in a position that does not interfere with interventions through the aperture in the body part holder(s). A safety door mechanism is affixed to the aperture in the body part holder(s) in order to prevent the gamma-ray detector(s) from coming into physical contact with one or more portions of the body part that might otherwise protrude through the aperture.

Abstract: As part of the present invention, a motion detector for detecting motion inside of a body may include a first oscillator to produce an electrical scanning signal and a second oscillator to produce an electrical Doppler signal. A vibrating element may vibrate in response to the scanning and Doppler signals. A vibration transducer may receive vibrations reflected from a structure inside the body and may convert the reflected vibrations into an electrical signal. Doppler shifts between the transmitted and received vibrations may be used to estimate the velocity of the structure inside the body.

Abstract: A smart monitoring system for enabling remote, interactive scanning and monitoring of internal bodies. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a smart monitoring system comprises at least one Active Sensing Unit (ASU), which includes at least one vibration element for generating micro mechanical vibrations and/or receiving signals of micro mechanical vibrations, a Portable Sensing Unit (PSU), connected to the ASU (by cable or wirelessly); and at least one Central Diagnostic and Control Unit (CDCU), enabled to remotely command the PSU to control the functionality of the ASU.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter system. The system comprises a catheter body having a chamber containing a low acoustic impedance medium. The catheter body includes an elongated body with an external surface and an ultrasound transducer having an external side between a first end and a second end. The ultrasound transducer is positioned over the external surface of the elongated body such that the first end is adjacent to the chamber.

Abstract: Wiring an IC, using flexible circuits, by relating a circuit board to an IC and using traces on the circuit board as a second set of input to the IC. More specifically, a set of first lands on the circuit board are connected to a first set of lands on the IC. The circuit board and IC are positioned so as to present a second set of lands on the circuit board in close proximity to a second set of lands on the IC. A first flex circuit is connected to the second lands on the circuit board while a second flex circuit is connected to the second lands on the IC. The flex circuits may be connected to signal wires or may serve themselves as the main signal wires.

Abstract: A wavefront curvature modulating device is provided with a beam generating system that emits a plurality of beams having different wavefront curvatures, and a beam selecting system that selects at least one of the beams generated by the beam generating system.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for detecting abnormal situations, in particular falls, in a living being, comprising means generating an alarm signal representing an abnormal situation, based on analysis of at least an activity information and, at least in some cases, at least a physiological information.

Abstract: A left-ventricular pressure waveform is obtained non-invasively by obtaining pressure waveforms from first and second pressure measurements and selecting a segment from each of the first and second pressure waveforms. Each segment is associated with a different interval of a cardiac cycle. The segments are then time-shifted by an amount indicative of a relative time of occurrence of each of the first and second segments.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring an inferior-and-superior-limb blood-pressure index of a living subject, including an inferior-limb blood-pressure measuring device which measures an inferior-limb blood pressure of an inferior limb of the subject, a superior-limb blood-pressure measuring device which measures a superior-limb blood pressure of a superior limb of the subject, an inferior-and-superior-limb blood-pressure index determining device for determining the inferior-and-superior-limb blood-pressure index based on the inferior-limb blood pressure measured by the inferior-limb blood-pressure measuring device and the superior-limb blood pressure measured by the superior-limb blood-pressure measuring device, a heartbeat-synchronous-signal detecting device which detects a heartbeat-synchronous signal that is produced from the subject, a pulse-period-related-information obtaining device for obtaining, based on the heartbeat-synchronous signal detected by the heartbeat-synchronous-signal detecting device, pulse-period

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a velocity at which a pulse wave propagates between a first portion and a second portion of a living subject, the apparatus including a propagation-signal producing device which is adapted to be worn on the first portion of the subject and produces a propagation signal, a propagation-signal detecting device which is adapted to be worn on the second portion of the subject and detects the propagation signal that has been produced by the propagation-signal producing device, has propagated through a body tissue of the subject, and has reached the second portion, a blood-vessel-length determining device for determining a length of a blood vessel of the subject that is located between the first and second portions of the subject, based on a signal propagation time from a time when the propagation signal is produced by the propagation-signal producing device, to a time when the propagation signal is detected by the propagation-signal detecting device, and a pre-stored velocity at which the

Abstract: A physiological-signal-analysis device including a lead set connected to a central unit. The lead set includes a plurality of electrodes connectable to a patient. Each electrode has a non-alphanumeric symbol that defines a placement of the electrode on the patient in relation to the other electrodes. The lead set further includes a plurality of lead wires. Each lead wire is connected to one of the electrodes, respectively, and has a symbol that defines the electrode connected to the lead wire. The electrodes may be provided to an attendant as an electrode pack.