Abstract: Hydrothermally synthesized catalysts comprising a mixed metal oxide are utilized to produce unsaturated carboxylic acids by the vapor phase oxidation of an alkane, or a mixture of an alkane and an alkene, in the presence thereof; or to produce unsaturated nitrites by the vapor phase oxidation of an alkane, or a mixture of an alkane and an alkene, and ammonia in the presence thereof.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for hydrocyanation of ethylenically unsaturated organic compounds comprising at least a nitrile function. The invention provides a method for hydrocyanation of an ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon compound by reacting in liquid medium the hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a catalyst comprising a metal element selected among transition metals and an organophosphorous ligand, characterised in that the organophosphorous ligand is a furylphosphine. The invention is in particular useful for synthesizing adiponitrile from butadiene.

Abstract: A process for reaction and separation which comprises inputting a process material into at least one column of a plurality of columns wherein each column has at least one inlet for accepting flow from another column or group of columns, an external feed stream, an external eluent stream or a combination thereof, and each column has at least one outlet for connecting to another column, a group of columns, an external product stream or a combination thereof. Each column is independently operable in an up-flow or down-flow mode and connected independently to one of the group comprising another column, an external feed stream, an external eluent stream, an external product stream and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 4-methyl-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl alcohol comprising hydrogenating 4-methyl-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzonitrile to 4-methyl-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzylamine and converting 4-methyl-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzylamine to 4-methyl-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl alcohol. The process optionally also comprises the further step of reacting 4-Methyl-2,3,5,6-tetrafluobenzyl alcohol with cis-Z-3-(2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-propenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarbonyl chloride to the form tefluthrin. 4-Methyl-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzylamine and salts thereof are also claimed.

Abstract: Amino Acids of formula (1) having high purity, free from the corresponding lactams and chloride anions obtained by reduction of oxyaminoacids of formula (II) 1

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid by reacting an alkali metal salt of iminodiacetic acid with phosphorus trichloride in aqueous solution with formation of the hydrochloride of iminodiacetic acid, phosphorous acid and of the corresponding alkali metal chloride, followed by reaction with a formaldehyde source and, if desired, recovery of the N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid from the reaction mixture, in which water, which may comprise HCl, is removed from the reaction mixture during and/or after reacting the alkali metal salt of iminodiacetic acid with phosphorus trichloride until the concentration of iminodiacetic acid hydrochloride is at least 40% by weight, based on the weight of the reaction mixture minus the weight of alkali metal chloride.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of N-phosphonomethylglycine by reacting a hexahydrotriazine derivative with a triacyl phosphite. The process gives N-phosphonomethylglycine in high yield and in a simple and inexpensive manner.

Abstract: A process for synthesis of 1-(aminomethyl)cyclohexane acetic acid hydrochloride (Gabapentin hydrochloride) comprising:

Abstract: A method is disclosed which produces acrylic acid in a high yield as maintaining the conditions for purifying acrylic acid in constant ranges and preventing the acrylic, acid from polymerization. By using single a single reactor, propylene concentration adjusting in the range of 7-15 vol. % and water concentration adjusting in the range of 0-10 vol. % are introduced thereinto thereby obtaining an acrylic acid-containing gas. Then the gas is introduced to an acrylic acid absorption column to adjust water concentration in the range of 1-45 wt. %, thereby preventing from polymerization.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a process for the production of an optically active amino alcohol, particularly an optically active amino alcohol of a trans-form, being excellent in economy and efficiency, and suitable for industry using easily available and less expensive materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of organic synthesis and more precisely to a process for the synthesis of an unsaturated aldehyde or ketone by oxidation of the corresponding alcohol. The oxidation is performed by a hypochlorite salt and a catalytic amount of a N-(2,2,6,6-tetraalkyl-4-piperidinyl-N-oxyl)-2-amino-1,3,5-triazine compound, preferably a N-oxyl derivative of one of the polymers known under the trademark Chimassorb® 944 or 2020.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing ethylene oxide-capped polyols which involves combining a double-metal cyanide-catalyzed polyol with a basic catalyst. The present invention is also directed to a process for preparing ethylene oxide-capped polyols which involves combining a double-metal cyanide-catalyzed polyol with a base-catalyzed polyol. The present invention is also directed to a process for preparing ethylene oxide-capped polyols in which removal of catalyst residues or salts formed by the neutralization of the basic catalyst is not required. The polyols produced by the processes of the present invention have a relatively high content of primary hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing dimethylether from methanol using a membrane reactor, more particularly to a method for preparing dimethylether from methanol using a membrane capable of carrying out a reaction and a separation at the same time while preparing dimethylether from methanol. Because water vapor generated by dehydration of methanol can be selectively removed from the catalytic reaction zone, decrease in catalytic activity can be prevented and thus life span of a catalyst can be extended. Further, reaction efficiency can be improved even at a temperature milder than the conventional one for dimethylether preparation, and also additional steps of separation and purification after completion of the reaction is no longer necessary.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for reactions of hydrogen over a Re-containing catalyst with compositions containing a 5-carbon sugar, sugar alcohol, or lactic acid are described. It has been surprisingly discovered that reaction with hydrogen over a Re-containing multimetallic catalyst resulted in superior conversion and selectivity to desired products such as propylene glycol. A process for the synthesis of PG from lactate or lactic acid is also described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards the fluorination of polymeric C60 and towards the chemical and physical modifications of polymeric C60 that can be accomplished through fluorination.

Abstract: The present invention describes novel, cost-effective and rapid processes suitable for recycling and degradation of specially designed plastics, which are instantly degradable synthetic polymeric plastics having the characteristics and properties of conventional forms of plastics. These novel plastic products are made from a variety of compositions of polymers and their compatible nontoxic modifiers. The resulting novel instant degradable plastic products retain latent solubility properties which are triggered upon mild chemical processes of the present invention, thus enabling cost effective and facile recycling of plastic refuge.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for removing catalyst fines from an effluent stream in an oxygenate to olefin process. Specifically, the catalyst fines in the effluent stream are separated from the effluent stream. Then the carbonaceous deposits are removed from the catalyst fines by incineration.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for integrating a catalyst regeneration system with a plurality of hydrocarbon conversion apparatuses, preferably, a plurality of multiple riser reactor units. One embodiment of the present invention is a reactor system including a plurality of reactor units, at least one reactor unit preferably comprising a plurality of riser reactors. The system also includes a regenerator for converting an at least partially deactivated catalyst to a regenerated catalyst. A first conduit system transfers the at least partially deactivated catalyst from the reactor units to the regenerator, and a second conduit system transfers regenerating catalysts from the regenerator to the plurality of reactor units. Optionally, catalysts from a plurality of hydrocarbon conversion apparatuses may be directed to a single stripping unit and/or a single regeneration unit.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising molecular sieve particles in a matrix, at least 75% of the pore volume of the composition, as measured by mercury porosimetry, having a pore size of at most 20 nm, as well as processes for the manufacture of such catalysts and their use as catalysts, especially for methanol to hydrocarbon processes. These catalyst compositions have a high proportion of mesopores (pores of at most 20 nm as measured by mercury porosimetry).

Abstract: A method for processing an olefin-containing product stream that contains dimethyl ether as a by-product is described. Such a product stream arises, for example, in the synthesis of olefin from methanol. For separation of the dimethyl ether from the product stream, it is proposed that at least a partial stream chiefly containing C3 hydrocarbons is separated from the product stream by fractionation, and is sent to a rectification column (C3 splitter) (16) for separation of propylene and propane. The dimethyl ether goes together with the propane into the bottom of the rectification column in the rectification process and can be withdrawn (42). A substantially pure propylene product (41), which contains at most only traces of dimethyl ether, can be removed from the top of the rectification column.

Abstract: A target material (60) to be treated in a liquid reactant metal is loaded into a containment area defined within a liquid reactant metal treatment vessel (11). The containment area is then placed below the level (L) of the liquid reactant metal in the treatment vessel (11). This places the target material (60) in contact with the liquid reactant metal and allows the desired reactions to occur. Reaction products are then removed from the treatment vessel (11). Placing the containment area below the level (L) of liquid reactant metal in the treatment vessel (11) may be accomplished by pivoting the vessel from a loading position to a treating position to shift the level of liquid reactant metal in the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to an activatable seed consisting of at least one cylindrical body comprised of: a) a metal, for example metallic palladium, a palladium compound, a composite material made of a Pd compound and metal or mixtures thereof, optionally combined with b) a metallic material not containing Pd, wherein the palladium contained in a) contains Pd102.

Abstract: A blood pump system includes a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port, a rotor rotated in the housing for pumping blood, and a motor for rotating the rotor. The blood pump system includes a motor current measuring function, and a backflow detecting function for detecting a backflow of blood by use of the motor current value continuously measured by the motor current measuring function.

Abstract: An incubator including a substantially airtight heated chamber equipped with a door to access the heated chamber; a culture plate with multiple wells placed in the heated chamber, the culture plate being adapted to contain an organism in at least one of the wells; and means associated with the heated chamber and controlled from the exterior to remove the organism from a well in which it is contained to put it in another well filled with new culture medium.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating a diseased heart including devices and methods for remodeling or reconfiguring a shape of a diseased heart, assisting in function of a diseased heart, and stabilizing such devices on a diseased heart. In some embodiments, the devices and methods include one or more segments for changing a shape of the heart or a portion thereof, and methods for using such devices and methods.

Abstract: An endo-therapy accessory device used in combination with an endoscope having an endo-therapy accessory channel includes a catheter and an endo-therapy accessory inserted into the catheter. The catheter is inserted into the endo-therapy accessory channel of the endoscope, and has a tip opening, and a first main-index recognized at a hand side in a predetermined position of a rear side from the tip opening. The endo-therapy accessory is inserted into the catheter so that its tip is recessed/projected from the tip opening, and has a second main-index in a position where a distance from the tip coincides with a distance from the tip opening of the catheter to the first main-index, and an insertion portion of the endo-therapy accessory to recognize a projection length when projected from the tip opening of the catheter based on a relative position of the second main-index with the first main-index of the catheter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a diagnosis supporting system that acquires a reference image signal of a subject that is illuminated with visible light and a fluorescent image signal of the subject that is excited by irradiation with excitation light, calculates a difference between brightness level of a pixel in the reference image signal and brightness level of a pixel in the fluorescent image signal at the corresponding position for all of target pixels and generates an observation image signal by converting the pixels in the reference image signal whose differences are larger than a predetermined value into red pixels. In the case of high contrast, all of the pixels become target pixels to be processed. In the case of low contrast, the number of the target pixels is reduced to ¼ of all the pixels.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating rectovaginal fistulas, including a cannula of a predetermined length, open-ended on its first end having an inflatable balloon portion on its closed second end; the first end of the cannula further comprising a cone portion along its length to seal up against the exterior wall entrance to the rectum, after the second end of the cannula has been inserted into a patient's rectum; a fluid line is positioned within the cannula space for inflating the balloon after the cannula is in place in the rectum to seal the distal end of the rectum passage; a plurality of openings are provided along the wall of the cannula between the balloon and the cone at the first end of the cannula; a colored gel or other fluid insertable into the cannula to the extent that the gel or other fluid escapes the cannula through the openings and enters the void between the cannula and the wall of the rectum, with sufficient gel or other fluid entering the void so that gel or fluid would seep into any fistulas prese

Abstract: An endoscope that has an integrated light source and camera mounted at the distal end of the endoscope. The light source is a class of LED devices constructed of high-efficiency LEDs that emit narrow-band blue light coupled with phosphors, which cause a nearly natural “white” light to be emitted. The LEDs are coupled to a waveguide for transmission of the light to the distal end of the endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscope assembly consisting of an endoscope 622, a light source, 626 and a camera 552 with display 558. The endoscope contains a memory 670 with data that describes the endoscope and its operating characteristics. When the light source is connected to the endoscope with a fiber optic cable 628, the data in the memory are read into a control processor 538a internal to the light source. The control processor, based on the endoscope data configures the light source so that it emits an appropriate amount of light for that endoscope. The light source also sends a control unit 556 of the camera data indicating the type of endoscope to which the camera is attached. Based on this endoscope type data, the control unit processes the image signals generated by the camera head in an appropriate form for the attached endoscope so as to produce appropriate signals for presenting an image on the display.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method and an apparatus for analyzing measured signals, including the determination of a measurement of correlation in the measured signals during a calculation of a physiological parameter of a monitored patient. Use of this invention is described in particular detail with respect to blood oximetry measurements.

Abstract: A catheter system is suitable for the simultaneous, continuous, mutually unaffected measurement of the centrovenous oxygen saturation and the local concentration of injected indocyanine green. It has a centrovenous catheter with a fiber-optic lumen and a fiber-optic probe that can be inserted into the fiber-optic lumen for taking reflecto-oximetric measurements at a first wavelength of 660 nm, a second measuring wavelength of 805 nm and a reference wavelength of 880 nm. To prevent a longitudinal shift of the fiber-optic probe relative to the fiber-optic lumen, a connecting piece, securely connected to the fiber-optic probe, and a counterpart, securely connected to the catheter, are provided which can be joined together. The fiber-optic lumen which continues in the interior of the connecting piece can be cleaned when the connecting piece is attached to the counterpart. For this purpose, the connecting piece has a cleansing attachment for connecting a cleansing device.

Abstract: A laser system for a spectroscopic catheter system uses multiple semiconductor gain media having gain peaks at different wavelengths. The output from the gain media is preferably coupled into single-mode fiber using conventional opto-electronic packaging techniques. As a result, the laser oscillator source has a spectral output that is wider than the gain bandwidth of a single medium to enable it to access the entire spectrum of interest, which is presently in the near infrared. Moreover, the semiconductor gain media can be packaged in a stable and controlled environment for long-term performance.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of treating an intervertebral disc comprising locally identifying a pathologic tissue site and therapeutically treating the identified site.

Abstract: A guide catheter and medical lead are provided wherein the lead may be used as a pull wire to steer the guide catheter. The guide catheter is provided with a flexible distal segment and the lead is provided with a distal engaging member, which may also serve as an electrode. The distal engaging member interacts with the distal catheter end such that traction applied to the proximal lead end causes flexion of the distal segment of the catheter to advance the flexible distal segment between a non-flexed position and a flexed position, allowing the catheter to be steered around obstacles.

Abstract: An electrode assembly (10) for connection to a patient's body comprising electrodes (20) and a transmitter (50) for operable connection to the electrode assembly (10) to receive the output therefrom and transmit these to a receiver associated with monitoring equipment.

Abstract: An electrode providing electrical contact with a patient's skin includes a conductive member adapted for connection to an external electrical apparatus and a non-liquid water containing film for electrically interfacing to said patient's skin, the non-liquid film being electrically and mechanically connected to said conductive member. The non-liquid water containing film includes an electrically conductive organic polymer plasticized with a polyhydric alcohol with said organic polymer being derived from a monomeric mixture comprising from about 2 to 30 pph acrylic acid, 2 to 30 pph of a glycolvinylether and 0.01 to 1.5 pph of a crosslinking agent. Preferably the polyhydric alcohol is glycerol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for determining a sensor holder (1) for holding an object (20), whereby the sensor holder (1) carries a digital sensor (5) of a dental X-ray unit (21). The inventive system comprises an input t and display unit (23, 24) for interactively controlling the same, whereby a schema image (11) can be displayed on the display unit (24). The system also comprises a processing unit (22) that, based on the selected sensor holder (1), simulatively generates the schema image (10) from which is apparent which area (8, 8′) of the object (20) is displayed when using the selected sensor holder (1).

Abstract: In a head-fixing device for a medical imaging examination device, an acoustic signal emitter is integrated into the head-fixing device. A fixing cushion is shaped such that when fixing the head it forms a chamber enclosing the ear. In this chamber, sound is transmitted pneumatically via an air canal.

Abstract: Candidate anomalies in an anatomical structure are processed for classification. For example, false positives can be reduced by techniques related to the anomaly's neck, wall thickness associated with the anomaly, template matching performed for the anomaly, or some combination thereof. The various techniques can be combined for use in a classifier, which can determine whether the anomaly is of interest. For example, a computed tomography scan of a colon can be analyzed to determine whether a candidate anomaly is a polyp. The technologies can be applied to a variety of other scenarios involving other anatomical structures.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for detecting an injection port subcutaneously implanted in a patient's body to enable accurate positioning of an injection needle outside the patient's body to enable the injection needle to be injected directly into the injection port. Also disclosed is a method for detecting the injection port whereby an injection needle can be positioned to be injected directly into the injection port. The apparatus includes a magnetic device that is subcutaneously implanted in the patient adjacent to the injection port to emit a local magnetic field through the patient's skin adjacent to the injection port. A magnetic detector movable externally along the patient's body is capable of detecting the local magnetic field emitted by the magnetic device. This allows the injection port to be located for the insertion of the injection needle directly into the injection port.

Abstract: A thermal control system having an initial bore condition and a thermal boundary condition for an MRI includes a thermal controller adapted to set at least one dynamic limit on power input into an MRI gradient coil. The dynamic limit is determined for a first commanded prescription as a function of the initial bore condition and the thermal boundary condition.

Abstract: An improved technique is described for acquiring MR image data such as needed for FSE-based Dixon imaging techniques. A gradient-induced echo shift is produced in the pulse sequences by a small gradient applied along the readout axis prior to a readout pulse. When necessary, another small pulse is applied along the readout axis, equal in area and opposite in polarity to the first, to compensate for the shifting effect. Similar pulses are applied for each acquisition window. While data with non-zero phase shifts between water and fat signals are collected as fractional echoes, no increase in echo spacing is necessary with the modified acquisition strategy. Images corresponding to different phase shifts are reconstructed using phase-sensitive partial Fourier reconstruction algorithms whenever necessary. These images are then used to separate different chemical species (such as water and fat) in the object to be imaged.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods that reduce artifacts in images reconstructed from MRI data acquired during planned radial acquisition trajectories are provided. One example method includes obtaining a planned radial trajectory along which MRI data should be acquired, predicting trajectories that may actually be taken during MRI data acquisition, and measuring an actual trajectory taken during MRI data acquisition. The method also includes acquiring an MRI data, where it is attempted to acquire the MRI data in accordance with the planned radial trajectory, and selectively reconstructing the MRI data into an image using one or more of, the planned radial trajectory, the measured trajectory, and the predicted trajectories based, at least in part, on an artifact level in a reconstructed image and discrepancies between planned trajectories and actual trajectories.

Abstract: A method of magnetic resonance analysis of at least one type of molecules present in a solvent, the method comprises (a) applying a first radiofrequency pulse sequence selected so as to initially select a coherence of an order n for the at least one type of molecules in the solvent, wherein n is zero, a positive or a negative integer other than ±1, and thereafter to select an exclusive excitation of the at least one type of molecules in the solvent; (b) measuring at least one magnetic resonance parameter of the solvent; and (c) using the at least one magnetic resonance parameter of the solvent for calculating at least one magnetic resonance parameter of the at least one molecule.

Abstract: For the purpose of providing a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for capturing water/fat-separated images free of banding artifacts in an SSFP state, an apparatus comprises: acquiring means (202) for acquiring echo data of a plurality of views in which a phase difference between water and fat is 2&pgr;/m with spins within a subject brought to the SSFP state and repeating the acquisition for k=0 through M−1 with a step difference in a phase of an RF pulse of 2&pgr;·k/M; transforming means (204) for conducting Fourier transformation on the echo data based on the phase step difference; separating means (206) for separating water data and fat data respectively in F(0) term and F(1) term of the Fourier-transformed data using the phase difference between water and fat; adding means (208′) for obtaining a sum of absolute values of at least the water data or fat data in the F(0) term and F(1) term; and image producing means (210′) for producing an image based on the sum data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for tracking motion in a medical imaging system. The methods use landmark sets including hard landmarks and soft landmarks. The systems can include means for generating a landmark set, means for constructing a landmark set spatial relationship, means for computing a context similarity measurement, means for cost function construction, and means for cost function minimization and motion estimation. The invention provides advantages because, among other reasons, the use of a cost function of two or more variables, where the cost function is defined over members of the landmark set collection, and the cost function subject to at least two constraints and the landmark set stability in terms of context similarity measurements and spatial relationship provide effective and robust motion tracking.

Abstract: A technique flexibly applies pre-programmed rules that specify the manner in which medical image data is to be classified or otherwise processed. A rules-based system selects from the pre-programmed rules, with different rules being used based on different doctors' preferences, such as during contrast agent studies. The rules-based system is initially “taught” how to apply a doctor's rules via a sample data image set, and then automatically applies the same rules to that doctor's image data whenever that image data is subsequently provided, thereby avoiding the need for doctors to constantly reconfigure a system with their own rules repetitively for each and every image or to otherwise place the burden of processing on the doctor. The programmed rules can include rules from the available literature—the doctors or other users are free to select from these available rules, modify/customize them to generate new rules, or provide completely new rules.

Abstract: A method is for organ-specific image optimization in computed tomography. In this case, the HU values of a layer of the body previously recorded with a CT device are calculated and, on this basis, a first CT image is created. For this first CT image, a histogram is also created, in which the frequency distribution of the HU values is reproduced. In a histogram, at least one organ-specific HU region is defined and the latter is allocated an HU-dependent transfer function. Furthermore, a second CT image is created on the basis of the previously calculated HU values for the layer of the body which has been recorded. The first and second CT image are filtered with the HU-dependent transfer function and, finally, the filtered first CT image is mixed with the filtered second CT image.

Abstract: A myocardial imaging method that is accomplished by administering one or more adenosine A2A adenosine receptor agonist to a human undergoing myocardial imaging.