Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cutting apparatus for cutting an opening in a vessel for subsequent anastomosis. The cutting apparatus includes an anvil, an anvil pull and a cutter. The anvil is inserted through a small incision at the anastomosis site and brought into contact with the interior wall of a vessel so that the anvil distends the wall of the vessel. The cutter is then urged against the portion of the vessel wall that is distended by the anvil to form an opening in the vessel wall. The anvil has a surface that is softer than the cutter so that the cutter can cut completely through the vessel and depress into the anvil.

Abstract: An improved, asynchronous method of operating a microsurgical instrument, such as a vitrectomy probe. The instrument includes a port for receiving tissue and an inner cutting member. A flow of tissue is induced into the port with a vacuum source. The port is at least partially occluded with the tissue. The occlusion is detected, and the inner cutting member is actuated to close the port and cut the tissue.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for deploying a medical device in a vessel. The apparatus includes a cannula and a medical device, for example a blood filter. The cannula has a lumen that extends from a proximal end to a distal end, and a port on the outer surface of the cannula. The port has a passage extending distally. In use, the distal end of the cannula is inserted into a vessel. The medical device is inserted into the port. The medical device is advanced through the passage into the blood vessel. The medical device is deployed within the vessel. Finally, the medical device is removed from the vessel.

Abstract: The controllable deployment system for a radially expandable frame utilized during catheterization includes a guide wire, a radially expandable frame through which the guide wire passes, an elongated actuation sleeve over the guide wire, and a proximal locking mechanism. The expandable frame has a closed, radially compact form and an open, radially expanded form. The proximal end of the frame is coupled to an actuator sleeve. The actuator sleeve, at its proximal end, includes a friction locking mechanism having locking members with respective locking surfaces. The locking mechanism permits the user to lock or hold static the actuator sleeve (and therefore, the expandable frame) with respect to the guide wire, typically in an open, radially expanded form and a closed form. Tactile markers or indicia may be included.

Abstract: A closure device is provided for sealing a puncture in a body vessel. The closure device includes an energy delivery device for delivering energy to tissue adjacent the vessel puncture which enhances an adhesiveness of the tissue to a closure composition precursor.

Abstract: A light-emitting treatment device including one or more light-emitting elements disposed in a flexible and stretchable pad (or a body-conforming shaped article) defining a skin- or tissue-adhering surface having an inherently tacky characteristic for secure application to the skin, tissue, or other external or internal regions of the patient's body. The light-emitting treatment device is configured to contact and adhere to the skin or tissue of a patient, and irradiate an underlying region for photodynamic therapy. The treatment device may be fabricated from a shell member and a filler material (such as a molded silicone rubber shell member and a silicone gel filler material), to provide a skin-adhering, peelable, washable, and repositionable contact surface.

Abstract: A light weight, portable thermal rescue/recovery system for mammals up to 300 lbs. In in weight, comprising of a mummy bag which contains a circulating liquid which is either heated when the mammal needs to be warmed as in the case of, for example, a mammal suffering from hypothermia, or cooled when the mammal's body temperature or skin temperature needs to be lowered as in the case of a burn, stroke and some heart attack victims. The mammal is placed into the mummy bag of the portable thermal rescue/recovery system which also has a pump to circulate the liquid and a heat exchanger to cool or heat the liquid. This portable thermal rescue/recovery system is suitable for all rescue vehicles including helicopters, boats, EMS ambulances, fire trucks, police cars, avalanche rescues, ice rescues and air cushion vehicles, as well as stretchers and other manual transport means, among others.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are implantable devices, such as vaso-occlusive coils and stents, comprising a junction member linking the device to a delivery mechanism. The junction member is melted or severed from the implantable using low frequency energy or direct current (DC).

Abstract: A stent (10) formed from cannula and having flexible segments (11) and high hoop strength segments (12) alternating therealong. Axial tie bars (21,22) interconnect the segments; minimal length reduction would occur upon expansion. In the high hoop strength segment (12), struts (16) are initially parallel in the unexpanded strut condition, while in the flexible segment (11), struts (14) extend from a respective bight (15) to converge at distal ends when unexpanded. In one embodiment, certain adjacent struts (16) of the hoop segment are spaced apart by a large gap (20) while others are spaced apart by a small gap (18). In another embodiment all the struts (16) of the hoop segment are spaced apart uniformly from each other (or from an axial tie bar) by a small gap (23), resulting in minimizing the occurrence of fatigue of high-stress sites upon expansion/contraction cycles from continuous pulsatile events.

Abstract: Provided is a biocompatible device which has been coated or sealed with a polyether or polyether/carbonate based urethane polymer that contains functional groups (e.g. carboxylic acid groups) which are capable of serving as anchor sites for protein binding.

Abstract: The mammary prostheses of the invention have a self-sealing area in the upper pole region of the anterior face. The self-sealing area is greater than that of a traditional filling port, and reduces the severity of the consequences of an inadvertent puncture by a hypodermic needle during the filling process. Also, this self-sealing area is thicker than the material in the other areas of the prosthesis, causing fluid introduced to the prosthesis to stay in the lower pole region of the prosthesis, making the shape of the prosthesis appear more like that of a natural breast.

Abstract: Intervertebral cages, and methods of introducing the same, require few, if any, structural components within the cage itself, thereby providing a maximum volume for bone-graft filler. Cages according to the invention may passively expand to fill a volume within the disk space, or active expansion means may be provided. In terms of a passive expansion, at least a portion of the frame may be composed of a shape-memory material, causing the cage to naturally expand from the compressed to the expanded state once the cage is positioned within the intervertebral space. In either case, locking means are provided to maintain the shape of the cage once in position. An alternative embodiment includes first and second components, each having a compressed state which consumes a compressed volume associated with insertion of the component into an intervertebral space, and an expanded state which consumes a greater volume when the component is positioned within the intervertebral space.

Abstract: A graftless spinal implant for mechanically attaching two adjacent vertebrae includes a body having first and second opposite surfaces. The first and second surfaces include at least one protruding member for securing the body to adjacent vertebrae, wherein the exterior surfaces of the body and the first and second protruding members include a bioactive coating. The bioactive coating can be selected from coatings such as for example, hydroxyapatite. The exterior bioactive coating facilitates the ongrowth/ingrowth of vertebral bone between the implantable spinal fusion device and adjacent vertebrae. Advantageously, this allows the device to avoid the use of a bone graft and/or bone growth agents.

Abstract: The invention is a single piece, self seating and locking dynamic intervertebral spacer. The dynamic spacer is load-supporting but also able to undergo flexure in either or both the lateral and sagittal planes.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis system includes a single-piece tibia plateau with two sliding cavities, a single-piece femur component with two condylar sliding surfaces, the distances between and shapes of which are adapted to the tibial sliding cavities and a pair of unconnected femoral condylar cups, the shapes of the sliding surfaces of which are adapted to the tibial sliding cavities. To be able also to adapt their relative positions, including their distances apart, to the sliding cavities, the system includes a position instrument which ensures this adapted relative position of the codylar cups.

Abstract: A lung-assist apparatus includes a tubular housing, a tubular nozzle therein, and a first valve disposed between the housing and nozzle. The housing is implanted across a bifurcation such that the nozzle extends from a first branch communicating with a healthy region of a lung towards a main passage, and terminates proximate a lateral opening in the housing that is disposed within a second branch communicating with a damaged region of the lung. During inhalation, the first valve opens to allow air flow into the first branch, and closes during exhalation to force air through the nozzle, thereby inducing a vacuum for drawing air from the damaged region. A second valve in the second branch opens during exhalation to draw air from the diseased region, and closes during inhalation to prevent air from being drawn into the damaged region.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot is disclosed for improving the gait and comfort qualities of the amputee that participates in walking, running and jumping activities. An ankle pylon component attached to a foot keel of the foot allows hindfoot triplanar motion. An ankle joint and a subtalar joint provided in the hindfoot ankle pylon component permit closed kinetic chain motion of the foot. The ankle and subtalar joints are formed by respective struts of resilient material of a single piece of material of the ankle pylon component. The ankle pylon component can be used as a functional upgrade component to an existing low profile prosthetic foot, for example.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a functionalized fiber material treated with a emulsion containing an ascorbic acid derivative which is hardly soluble in water, wherein the ascorbic acid derivative which is hardly soluble in water is preferably tetraalkylester of L-ascorbic acid. Said treatment method comprises treating a fiber material with an emulsion comprising a mixture of an ascorbic acid derivative which is hardly soluble in water, an anionic surfactant or a combination of an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant, and water, wherein a concentration of the ascorbic acid derivative which is hardly soluble in water is 0.05 to 10 % by weight. The functionalized fiber material of the present invention enables a sustained discharge of the active ingredient without losing the moisture absorption and release properties possessed by the fiber.

Abstract: Described are compositions comprising perfluoroalkyl haloalkyl ethers and, optionally, surfactant; uses for perfluoroalkyl haloalkyl ether compounds and compositions thereof, optionally comprising surfactant; and perfluoroalkyl haloalkyl ethers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for coloring keratinaceous fibers and a method of using the same. The composition of the present invention contains (a) at least one pyrimidine derivative and (b) at least one compound selected from an m-phenylene derivative, an m-aminophenol derivative, a pyridine derivative, a resorcinol derivative, a methylenedioxybenzene derivative, or 3,4-diaminobenzoic acid or combinations thereof. The method of the present invention includes applying the coloring composition to keratin-containing fibers and subsequently rinsing the coloring composition from the fibers.

Abstract: A method for treating hair which comprises: first contacting said hair with a substantially inactive mixture of oxidative hair dye precursors; and allowing said mixture to remain in said hair for a period of about 30 seconds to about 60 minutes; followed by contacting said hair with a developer to achieve long lasting hair color change, is described.

Abstract: A method for permanently dyeing hair which comprises subjecting said hair to a number of treatments, having a set time interval between each two consecutive such treatments, wherein each treatment comprises steps a.) and b.) below: a.) contacting said hair, for a period of about 5 seconds to about 5 minutes with a recently made mixture of: part ai: dye intermediates in water with a gelling agent at alkaline pH part aii an oxidizing compound such as hydrogen peroxide in water at acidic pH; b.) rinsing said mixture from said hair with water; and wherein said number of treatments is between about 2 to about 30; and wherein said set time interval between each two consecutive treatments is between about 8 hours and 30 days.

Abstract: A fuel additive composition for improving the delivery of friction modifier to the lubricant oil of an internal combustion engine comprising (a) a friction modifying amount of a reaction product of at least one natural or synthetic oil and at least one alkanolamine; and, (b) at least one fuel detergent is provided. Also provided is a fuel composition containing the fuel additive composition and a method for operating an engine employing the fuel composition therefor.

Abstract: Gel-free colloidal abrasive polishing compositions and associated methods for polishing (e.g., chemical mechanical polishing) are described. These abrasive polishing compositions are comprised of a surface-modified colloidal abrasive that has been modified with a boron-containing compound(s), such as boron surface-modified colloidal ceria or silica. These compositions are useful in chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) applications as well as in substrate polishing applications. These abrasive compositions are most often negatively-charged colloids, which remain as stable negatively-charged colloids even in acidic media.

Abstract: A tantalum-based liner for copper metallurgy is selectively removed by chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) in an acidic slurry of an oxidizer such as hydrogen peroxide, deionized water, a corrosion inhibitor such as BTA, and a surfactant such as Duponol SP, resulting in a high removal rate of the liner without appreciable removal of the exposed copper and with minimal dishing.

Abstract: Granules based on aluminium oxide having the characteristics: Average grain diameter: 5.0 to 150 &mgr;m Tamped density: 300 to 1200 g/l The granules are produced by dispersing aluminium oxide in water, performing spray drying, optionally heat treatment and/or silanization. In silanized form, the granules have the following characteristics: Average grain diameter: 5 to 160 &mgr;m Tamped density: 300 to 1200 g/l Carbon content: 0.3 to 12.0 wt. % The granules are used inter alia as catalyst supports, in cosmetics, in toner powders, in paints and lacquers, as abrasives and polishing agents and as a raw material in the production of glass and ceramics.

Abstract: A filter portion of a filter includes a plurality of bag-like members. The bag-like members are formed in a container shape having an opening and disposed with intervals therebetween. The periphery of the opening of each bag-like member is supported by a supporting member, and the bag-like members are mutually connected by the supporting member. Consequently, the strength of the filter portion comprising the bag-like members is improved.

Abstract: An air filter for gasoline and diesel engines that drastically improves the burning efficiency of gasoline and diesel engines is provided. The air filter includes a, replaceable filtering member made of natural fibres or synthetic fibres inside an outer box. The natural or synthetic fibres are adhered with naturally radioactive rare earth element minerals that release negative ions. The element minerals are in the form of fine powders with average diameter of 0.1 &mgr;m˜100 &mgr;m, such that when air passes through the filtering member, it is purified by the released negative ions and becomes oxygen-rich air for use in the combustion chambers of gasoline or diesel engines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter bag for holding filtering material located inside a gas-installed housing of the electrical installation. The filter bag is produced from a fabric that is resistant to high temperatures, which eliminates the need for holding devices protecting the filter bag from hot switching gases to be provided inside the compressed gas housing.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved polymer materials. Also disclosed are fine fiber materials that can be made from the improved polymeric materials in the form of microfiber and nanofiber structures. The microfiber and nanofiber structures can be used in a variety of useful applications including the formation of filter materials.

Abstract: A seal member is attached to a peripheral edge portion of a filter body by being fused to semi-melted fibers that form the filter body when the semi-melted fibers are layered over a forming surface. Therefore, the formation of the filter body and the attachment of the seal member can be simultaneously accomplished.

Abstract: Ferrous metal briquettes made from ferrous metal particles and an alkaline metal silicate, for adding to ferrous melts to recycle the particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for solar heating a leach solution prior to its distribution over an ore heap. The apparatus includes a heat absorbing mat having a series of individual heat absorbing tubes joined to each other by heat reflecting panels. The heat reflecting panels and heat absorbing tubes collect and transfer solar energy to the leach solution passing through the heat absorbing tubes. The temperature of the leach solution passing through the heat absorbing tubes is elevated above ambient prior to the leach solution being distributed to a series of emitter tubes positioned on top of the ore heap. The array of emitter tubes are connected to the heat absorbing mats such that the leach solution is heated within the mat and immediately distributed to the emitter tubes for distribution onto the ore heap.

Abstract: A cargo or bulk product off-load system includes a compressor (10) that pressurizes air. The air is dried by a dryer (12, 14) and routed to a supply tank (16). From the supply tank, the air is either used to pressurize service reservoirs (24, 26) or to assist the off-load system. Air stored in the service reservoirs (24, 26) is used to pressurize purge volumes associated with the dryers (12, 14). The compressor (10) operates at a lower pressure when supplying air to assist the off-load system than when pressurizing the service reservoirs (24, 26). Controllers (30, 40) coordinate switching of airflow, and alternating purging and drying of the dryers.

Abstract: A fluid storage and dispensing apparatus, including a fluid storage and dispensing vessel having an interior volume, in which the interior volume contains a physical adsorbent sorptively retaining a fluid thereon and from which the fluid is desorbable for dispensing from the vessel, and a dispensing assembly coupled to the vessel for dispensing desorbed fluid from the vessel. The physical adsorbent includes a monolithic carbon physical adsorbent that is characterized by at least one of the following characteristics: (a) a fill density measured for arsine gas at 25° C. and pressure of 650 torr that is greater than 400 grams arsine per liter of adsorbent; (b) at least 30% of overall porosity of the adsorbent including slit-shaped pores having a size in a range of from about 0.3 to about 0.72 nanometer, and at least 20% of the overall porosity including micropores of diameter <2 nanometers; and (c) having been formed by pyrolysis and optional activation, at temperature(s) below 1000° C.

Abstract: An air handling unit having a unique air treatment device, and a method for retrofitting existing air handling units to include the air treatment device. The air handling unit includes a casing defining a space for conditioning air, and forming an inlet and an outlet; a cooling coil supplied by a central chiller system and disposed inside the casing; a sump located below the cooling coil; and a supply air blower for drawing air into the casing, and forcing air through the cooling coil. The air handling unit further includes a spray header secured inside the casing, adjacent the cooling coil; and a pumping system for delivering liquid solution from the sump and pumping the solution onto the cooling coil and the solution flows downward over the cooling coil and into the sump below, and the solution treats the air flowing through the cooling coil. In a preferred embodiment, the liquid solution is an anti-bacteria solution, and the solution kills bacteria in the air forced through the cooling coil structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for separating entrained particles from a gas in a fluidised bed reactor system and fluidised bed reactor system including a particle separator for separating entrained particles from a gas. The particles are separated from the gas flowing in a direction other than the main gas flow direction, whereby the separation is multidimensional. The gas is allowed to pass from the outside of the configuration to the inside thereof and/or vice versa, wherein the particles are separated from the gas during such a travel. The gas flow can be multileveled.

Abstract: A fluid filtration system, such as an ambient air cleaner, employs a measurement mechanism to determine the amount of fluid flow through the system. The measurement system provides data or actuates an indicator. The indicator may have a pointer to indicate fluid flow along a gradient display that contains numeric information and/or is color coded. Alternatively, fluid flow may be displayed electronically. The indicator may be protected within a separate housing that projects from a filtration unit housing or may be disposed within a recess of the filtration unit housing.

Abstract: A furnace filter system or kit for installation on an existing furnace duct having upper and lower supply roll supports respectively mountable on the top and bottom walls of the duct adjacent one side wall of the duct for removably receiving a supply roll of filter media therebetween, and upper and lower take-up roll supports respectively mounted on the top and bottom walls of the duct adjacent the other side thereof for removably receiving a filter media take-up roll therebetween. Slots are provided in the side walls of the duct inwardly adjacent the corresponding one of the supply roll and take-up roll and between the top and bottom walls of the duct, and a filter media supporting frame assembly is received in the duct and has opposite sides provided with guide slots therein aligned with the duct slots.

Abstract: Disclosed is a blue luminous ink composition comprising a luminous compound represented by the formula: wherein R1 is a group selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and a halogen atom, R is a group selected from the group consisting of a fluorine-comprising alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group having from 7 to 10 carbon atoms and a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, M is a two-valent or three-valent metal, provided rare-earth metal and alkaline earth metal (IIa group) are eliminated, and n is an integer of 2 or 3. The blue luminous ink composition exhibits satisfactory emission intensity under ultraviolet irradiation.

Abstract: A printing ink composition is provided comprising water, a coloring agent and at least two types of polyalkylene glycol alkyl ethers each having at least one oxyalkylene in its polyoxyalkylene group, wherein at least one of the polyalkylene glycol alkyl ethers is polypropylene glycol n-butyl ether having three or more oxypropylenes in its molecule. This printing ink composition can inhibit color bleeding not only on a printing medium specifically designed for ink-jet printing but also on plain paper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pigment mixtures in the form of a dispersion or powder, consisting of at least two components, where component A comprises coated or uncoated BiOCl pigments in the form of a powder or dispersion, and component B comprises pearlescent pigments, platelet-shaped, needle-shaped or spherical colorants and/or fillers, and to the use thereof in paints, coatings, printing inks, plastics, powder coatings, plastic films, for the finishing of seed and in particular in cosmetic formulations.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions comprising inorganic solids for use as pigments in paints, papers and plastics.

Abstract: A concrete in which the aggregate of sand and stones in at least partially replaced by crushed glass. The sand fraction may be replaced by a glass of grain size 0-5 mm, a non-alkali reactive mineral with grain size 0-5 mm or a combination thereof. The stone fraction may be replaced by glass of grain size 5-20 mm. The concrete further may further comprise silica dust, fly ash or crushed slag.

Abstract: Improved well cement additives, compositions and methods of using the compositions are provided. The well cement additives are basically comprised of a first monomer selected from the group of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, 2-allyloxy-2-hydroxy-1-propane sulfonic acid and vinylsulfonic acid, a second monomer selected from the group of N,N-dimethylacrylamide, acrylamide, N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-vinylacetamide and acrylonitrile and a third monomer selected from the group of C6 to C22 dimethylaminopropylmethacrylamide bromide, chloride and iodide and C6 to C22 dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate bromide, chloride and iodide.

Abstract: A thermal annealing process for producing a low defect density single crystal silicon wafer. The process includes thermally annealing a wafer having a first axially symmetric region which extends radially inwardly from the circumferential edge, contains silicon self-interstitials as the predominant intrinsic point defect and is substantially free of agglomerated interstitial defects and a second axially symmetric region which has vacancies as the predominant intrinsic point defect. The wafer is subjected to a thermal anneal at a temperature in excess of about 1000° C. in an atmosphere of hydrogen, argon or a mixture thereof to dissolve agglomerated vacancy defects present in the second axially symmetric region within a layer extending from the front side toward the central plane.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising one or more undecamantanes. Specifically disclosed are compositions comprising 25 to 100 weight percent of one or more undecamantanes. Also disclosed are novel processes for the separation and isolation of undecamantane components into recoverable fractions from a feedstock containing at least a higher diamondoid component which contains one or more undecamantane components.

Abstract: A process of fabricating a CMOS device comprised with super-steep retrograde (SSR), twin well regions, has been developed. The process features the use of two, selective epitaxial growth (SEG), procedures, with the first SEG procedure resulting in the growth of bottom silicon shapes in the PMOS, as well as in the NMOS region of the CMOS device. After implantation of the ions needed for the twin well regions, into the bottom silicon shapes, a second SEG procedure is employed resulting in growth of top silicon shapes on the underlying, implanted bottom silicon shapes. An anneal procedure then distributes the implanted ions resulting in an SSR N well region in the composite silicon shape located in the PMOS region, and resulting in an SSR P well region in the composite silicon shape located in the NMOS region of the CMOS device.

Abstract: A thin film structure is provided including a silicon substrate with a layer of silicon dioxide on a surface thereof, and a layer of cubic oxide material deposited upon the layer of silicon dioxide by ion-beam-assisted-deposition, said layer of cubic oxide material characterized as biaxially oriented. Preferably, the cubic oxide material is yttria-stabilized zirconia. Additional thin layers of biaxially oriented ruthenium oxide or lanthanum strontium cobalt oxide are deposited upon the layer of yttria-stabilized zirconia. An intermediate layer of cerium oxide is employed between the yttria-stabilized zirconia layer and the lanthanum strontium cobalt oxide layer. Also, a layer of barium strontium titanium oxide can be upon the layer of biaxially oriented ruthenium oxide or lanthanum strontium cobalt oxide.

Abstract: A crucible used in the growth of polycrystal silicon by a cast method comprises a crucible body for, when solid material silicon is melted, containing the melted material silicon, and a material holder provided on the crucible body, for holding further material silicon on the material silicon loaded into the crucible body.