Abstract: A laser device preferably includes a laser device body, at least one laser unit and at least one light emitting diodes (LED). The laser device body includes a cover which is attached to a top of a skirt. The skirt includes a contact skirt extending outward from a periphery of a mounting plate. The at least one laser unit and at least one LED are retained in the mounting plate. A DC power supply is preferably used to power the at least one laser unit and the at least one LED. A plurality of rounded projections extend from a bottom of the contact skirt. A strap is preferably included, such that the laser device may be retained by a hand of a user.

Abstract: A tanning bed formed a plurality of modular components that are integrated in a knock-down fashion that allows easy shipment of tanning beds in less than complete form, but allows the rapid assembly without the need of special training or tools.

Abstract: A connector apparatus employable in a patient temperature control system includes a connection end which is employable for connecting to at least one other connector in the system. Includable in the connection end is an orientation device configured to align the connectors and provide for interconnection only at a predetermined orientation. The connector may be configured as either a male or female style connector and include one or more engagement devices or surfaces for engaging with another connector.

Abstract: An improved catheter assembly and method are provided for treating bifurcated vessels. The catheter assembly of the present invention includes a tubular sheath for restraining dual balloons normally biased apart. Withdrawal of the sheath allows the balloons to separate and deploy intravascular stents in a bifurcated vessel. The catheter assembly also includes the feature of containing two guide wire lumens in a single catheter designed to track over a single wire prior to arrival at the bifurcation, thus preventing wire wrapping and crossing of the wires.

Abstract: A stent device is provided. The stent device includes a helical structure. The stent device also includes a ring structure connected to the helical structure. The ring structure includes an inner conducting ring, an outer conducting ring, and a dielectric material disposed between the inner and outer conducting rings. The stent device radiates an induced electromagnetic field when subjected to an applied electromagnetic field.

Abstract: Implants and associated delivery systems for promoting angiogenesis in ischemic tissue are provided. The implants may be delivered percutaneously, thoracically or surgically and are particularly well suited for implantation into the myocardium of the heart. The implants are configured to have a first configuration having a low profile and an expanded, second configuration having a large profile. The implants are delivered to the ischemic tissue location in the first configuration, implanted then expanded to the second configuration. The expanded implants maintain a stress on the surrounding tissue, irritating and slightly injuring the tissue to provoke an injury response that results in angiogenesis. The flow of blood from the surrounding tissue into the implant and pooling of the blood in and around the implant leads to thrombosis and fibrin growth. This healing process leads to angiogenesis in the tissue surrounding the implant.

Abstract: A modular bifurcated stent-graft implant having a trunk portion with graft material supported by a flexible stent lattice, the stent lattice extending from the proximal end of the trunk portion into each leg. The bifurcation of the trunk portion, which is supported by the stent lattice and graft material, is flexible such that the legs can move independently of each other both in and out of the plane of the midsection. The proximal end of the trunk portion is fully supported with one or more sealing stents.

Abstract: An assembly for holding a substantially flexible suture guide of predetermined length in a substantially taut position used to achieve a suture line having a dimension equal to the length of the suture guide, such as the circumference about a heart valve annulus. The assembly includes a rigid suture guide holder having a surface against which the length of suture guide is releasably positioned. The guide holder can have a shape or geometry, such as a circumference or circumferential segment, equivalent to the shape or geometry of the intended suture line. The shape of the guide holder can therefore be selected to hold the suture guide in the shape most advantageous to placing the desired suture line.

Abstract: A surgically implantable prosthetic device includes a first shell having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and enclosing a lumen, wherein the lumen enclosed by the first shell is able to accommodate a first fluid therein. The prosthetic device further includes a second shell having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and enclosing a lumen, wherein the lumen enclosed by the second shell is able to accommodate a second fluid therein. One or more fitted shells arranged adjacent to and in a graduated relation to each other are situated between the exterior surface of the second shell and the interior surface of the first shell. The one or more shells include an innermost fitted shell and an outermost fitted shell, wherein the innermost fitted shell is adjacent to the exterior surface of the second shell and the outermost fitted shell is adjacent to the interior surface of the first shell.

Abstract: A method for the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament of a patient is described.

Abstract: A prosthetic nucleus replacement embodiment of the present invention comprises a rounded shaped ceramic domed body with a receptacle in its bottom side. A keeled base of biocompatible metal is press-fit into the receptacle at any relative angle to complete a two-piece assembly. A keel part of the base especially is finished in porous coated metal and shaped to promote natural in-growth of bone from the inferior vertebrae.

Abstract: A patellar implant for total or partial prosthesis of the knee joint incorporates an outer articular surface and an inner articular surface provided to cooperate respectively with an outer side and an inner side of a femoral trochlea or of a femoral prosthetic component. The inner and outer articular surfaces are separated by a transition ridge which is curved, as viewed from a front of the implant, so as to be concave facing the outer articular surface. The outer articular surface is concave in a plane parallel to a sagittal plane and in a transverse plane of the knee joint.

Abstract: The femoral component of a knee prosthetic includes a trochlean part (3) and at least one, but preferably two condyles (2) wherein a trochlean trajectory is defined within the external surface of the component by the trochlea. A set of internal flat sides (5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) are implemented to make contact with corresponding re-cut sides of the extremity of the femur and define an internal open cage within the internal surface of said component and further define edges (15, 16, 17 and 18) between themselves. The perpendicular projection (4) of said trochlean trajectory in the medial lateral perspective of said femoral component has a tilt angle (alpha) with a value different from zero relative to the line (23) perpendicular to the perpendicular projection of said edges in said medial lateral perspective.

Abstract: A hip joint prosthesis has an external metal shell, an internal socket insert in which a ball head can rotate. The ball head is joined to a metal prosthesis shaft of the femoral shaft component and the movement of the prosthesis shaft is limited by abutting against the margin of the socket insert. A soft, biocompatible cushioning element is applied to the socket insert on the circumferential surface of the prosthesis shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed is an orthopedic implant suitable for arthroplasty procedures. The orthopedic implant includes a first plate, a second plate, an axial support between the first plate and the second plate and one or more torsional supports connecting the first plate and the second plate. The axial support may be, for example, one or more flexible struts, such as cables, or a ball and socket joint. The torsional supports connect the first and second plates and may be, for example, curved around the axial support. The torsional supports may be integrally formed with the first and second plates as a single unitary device, by, for example, a Laser Engineered Net Shape (LENS) process.

Abstract: A method for treating morbid obesity in a body of a mammal having a gastrointestinal tract extending through a stomach and a pyloric sphincter and a wall forming the stomach and pyloric sphincter. At least one implant is formed in the wall in the vicinity of the pyloric sphincter to inhibit emptying of the stomach.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel rayon fiber which possesses characteristics similar to those of a viscose rayon fiber as to be suitable for use in clothes in addition to being produced at an economical cost. The rayon fiber is prepared from a cellulose acetate fiber with a degree of substitution of 2.0 or higher by saponifying 75% or greater of the total acetyl groups of the cellulose acetate fiber into hydroxyl groups and has a composite crystalline structure of cellulose II and IV.

Abstract: A solventless cleaning and treating composition for carpet is described. The composition comprises an aqueous solution of a stainblocking polymer, a silsesquioxane anti-soiling polymer, a surfactant and optionally a sequesting agent or salt.

Abstract: Compositions which, as well as water, contain certain sulfonate salts or polyhydric alcohols together with ethoxylated/propoxylated alcohols and ethoxylated alcohols are useful for pretreating textile sheet materials. Further ingredients also render them useful for hydrogen peroxide bleaching. The compositions, which provide the textiles with good primary wettability and good rewettability, are low-foaming. Batchwise pretreatment processes, for example in jet machines, therefore represent no problem.

Abstract: A hairdye composition containing a metallic compound such as AgNO3 and C3H5AgO3 is disclosed, in which the metallic compound is mixed with a cream type composition that can be applied to hair, thereby gradually coloring gray hair. To this end, AgNO3 is composed of 0.05˜10.0 wt % based on total weight and C3H5AgO3 is composed of 0.05˜10.0 wt % based on total weight.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing dyed textile materials consisting of polyester and polyamide. The textile material is dyed by means of pigments or a disperse dye that stains polyester. Surplus dye is removed. The polyamide portion is dyed using vat dyes, leuco vat dyes, sulphide dyes or soluble sulphide dyes. Said dyes are vatted if this is required for obtaining a solubility and are oxidatively converted into the real dyes after attaching.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to linear compounds in the form of oligomers or polymers containing unsubstituted or substituted phenol units and unsubstituted or substituted salicylic acid units. These compounds are useful as additives for lubricants and fuels. Metal salts of these compounds are useful as lubricant additives. A process for making these compounds is disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrogen supply system for a fuel cell, which is small and discharges almost no carbon dioxide. The hydrogen supply system includes a fuel chamber for storing isopropyl alcohol (IPA), a dehydrogenation reactor for forming hydrogen gas and acetone gas from IPA, a gas-liquid separator for separating hydrogen gas from acetone liquid, and a recovery chamber for storing the acetone liquid. The separated hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel cell.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing hydrogen by a steam reforming reaction, on a catalyst, of a hydrocarbon or an oxygen-containing hydrocarbon as a raw material is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a hydrogen separation type reformer which has a means for heating the catalyst and which has a hydrogen separation membrane built into a layer of the catalyst for selectively separating hydrogen; a cooling means for cooling high temperature high purity hydrogen obtained from the reformer; and a hydrogen charge/discharge means disposed downstream from the cooling means and composed of a hydrogen storage material.

Abstract: A semiconductor polishing device having a substantially cylindrical roller body made of polyvinyl acetal with a uniform material porosity having a mean flow pore pressure ranging from about 0.30 PSI to about 0.35 PSI with 80% of its pores ranging from 7 to 40 microns in size coated with a low viscosity adhesive composition of an appropriately formulated aliphatic or aromatic difunctional polyether urethane methacrylate or formulated multifunctional allphatic urethane acrylate and abrasive particles to form an adhesive skin of about 1 micron in thickness. The abrasive particles typically have a particle size ranging from about 0.05 to about 7 microns and a Mohs' hardness of at least about 7.

Abstract: Sintered alpha alumina-based abrasive particles comprising alpha alumina, Gd2O3, and ZnO, and methods of making the same. The abrasive particles can be incorporated, for example, into a variety of abrasive articles, including bonded abrasives, coated abrasives, nonwoven abrasives, and abrasive brushes.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved vacuum collection bag for vacuum cleaners and other appliances. By employing an impermeable bag and an air-permeable particle separator together with a tight seal against a vacuum system dirt tube in place of a conventional paper bag filter, it has been determined that the vacuum cleaner bag can be reused and significantly improve the filtration performance of the vacuum system.

Abstract: An air guide filter for an internal combustion engine includes an air filter having a pair of support rings coupled to upper and lower portions of the filter. A pleated filter plate is disposed between the support rings, and an air guide is disposed between the support rings parallel with the filter plate. The air guide comprises a plurality holes defined by half-cone cross-section depressions uniformly disposed about its face, such that, when the air guide is placed at a certain elevation angle with respect to the support rings, air flowing into the filter is guided, rotated and mixed with fuel to generate a uniform air-fuel mixture. The uniform mixture improves combustion and engine performance.

Abstract: The present invention is a separation apparatus that combines the effects of a cylindrical vortex and a series of partial toroidal vortices. The toroidal vortex and cylindrical vortex fluid flows combined provide better separation than either fluid flow alone. Moreover, the present invention may be constructed such that an arbitrary number of partial toroidal vortices, in series, having relatively small radii are formed thereby allowing any level of separation to be achieved.

Abstract: The use of inorganic or organic polyacids for the treatment of inorganic fertilizers, in particular the use of the polyacids as a mixture with at least one nitrification inhibitor for the treatment of inorganic fertilizers; the use of selected pyrazole derivatives as nitrification inhibitor in inorganic fertilizers and also as stabilizers of liquid manure or liquid fertilizer formulations, as well as the corresponding treated inorganic fertilizers per se; and novel pyrazole derivatives which can be used as nitrification inhibitors in inorganic fertilizers and also as stabilizers of liquid manure or liquid fertilizer formulations are described.

Abstract: An iron-based sintered alloy, which consists of from 0.5 to 5% of Ni, from 0.5 to 4% of Cr, from 0.5 to 2% of C, the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities, and which has a micro-structure comprising an iron-based matrix containing Ni and a part of Cr as solutes and carbides containing the other part of Cr and dispersed in the matrix. The iron-based sintered alloy is appropriate for use as a valve seat of an internal combustion engine. Wear resistance is maintained at a moderate level while the additive amount of alloying elements is decreased to attain low cost.

Abstract: The allows: Ta—Si, Nb—Si, TaN—Si, NbN—Si and variants are used as enhanced powder anode substrates for electrolytic capacitor anodes (sintered powder masses) with dielectric oxide formation at walls of the internal pores.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved metallurgical powder compositions that incorporate solid lubricants, methods for preparing and using the same, and methods of making compacted parts. Ejection properties, such as stripping pressure and sliding pressure, of compacted parts can be improved by using the solid lubricants. The solid lubricants contain functionalized polyalkylene lubricants have the formula: R1—Q—R2 where Q is a linear or branched, polyalkylene containing from about 10 to about 200 carbon atoms, and R1 and R2 are each independently a hydroxyl group, a carboxylic acid group or a metal salt thereof, an amine group, a mono- or di-C1 to C25 alkyl substituted amine group, or an alkylene oxide group having the formula: —[(CH2)qO]nH where q is from about 1 to about 7, n is from about 1 to about 100.

Abstract: The invention is a method of making metallized iron agglomerates by combining iron/steel particles and a reductant material with a cellulose fiber binder material, compacting the combination to form a solid agglomerate, and reducing the iron portions of the agglomerate in a direct reduction furnace. The cellulose fiber binder material provides an agglomerate having improved strength and lower overall cost than comparable agglomerates using binders known in the art.

Abstract: A method is for feeding a gas into a metallurgical vessel having a condensable and/or evaporable component entrained by the gas. The gas is fed to the metallurgical vessel via one or more gas supply means. According to the method, if there are a number of the gas supply means, in a first section, the gas velocity is continuously increased, in a turbulence zone, the gas is intimately mixed with the condensable and/or evaporable component, in an exit section, the gas velocity is kept substantially constant, and the gas which has been intimately mixed with the entrained component is blown into the metallurgical vessel. A gas supply device for carrying out the method is also disclosed. The method and apparatus according t the invention make it possible to prevent or reduce nozzle damage.

Abstract: According to the process, a heap preferably having dimensions of at least 2.5 m high and 5 m wide is constructed with hypogenic copper sulfide bearing ore. The constructed heap includes exposed sulfide mineral particles at least 25 weight % of which are hypogenic copper sulfides. The concentration of the exposed sulfide mineral particles in the heap is such that the heap includes at least 10 Kg of exposed sulfide sulfur per tonne of solids in the heap. Furthermore, at least 50% of the total copper in the heap is in the form of hypogenic copper sulfides. A substantial portion of the heap is then heated to a temperature of at least 50° C. The heap is inoculated with a culture including at least one strain of thermophilic microorganisms capable of bioleaching sulfide minerals at a temperature above 50° C. A process leach solution that includes sulfuric acid and ferric iron is applied to the heap.

Abstract: Rapid cycle pressure swing adsorption processes, systems and apparatus for the separation of a multi-component feed gas mixture by selectively adsorbing at least one more readily adsorbable component in a bed of adsorbent material are provided.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator assembly, which is attached to a fluidized bed reactor for separating solid particles from gas exhausted from a reaction chamber of the fluidized bed reactor, includes a vortex chamber. The vortex chamber is in a horizontal direction defined by vertically-extending outer walls formed of planar water tube panels, the inside of the outer walls being at least partly provided with a refractory lining and defining a gas space in the vortex chamber, where at least one vertical gas vortex is established. The separator assembly also includes at least one inlet for introducing gas into the gas space from the reaction chamber, at least one outlet for discharging purified gas from the gas space, and at least one outlet for discharging separated solid particles from the gas space.

Abstract: Air filters include a composition which has a biostatic or biocidal agent adapted to migrate through particulates accumulating in use on the filter. The biocidal agent may have bacteriostatic and/or fungistatic properties and may optionally include a humectant, a surfactant or rheological additive. Compositions for treating filters and methods of reducing airborne contaminants in the air are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for condition of an organic fluid for subsequent us in a medical procedure includes a cabinet having a secure environment and a door providing the only access to the environment. An input system is provided for transporting an organic fluid charge from a source to the cabinet and a container is removably contained in the secure environment and coupled to the charge input system to receive the charge. Stressors are coupled to the cabinet and positioned for operation to create a conditioned charge in the container. An output system is coupled to the container and includes a receiver for the conditioned charge. The receiver, which may be a syringe, includes a sensor to detect when gas bubbles have been eliminated from the receiver.

Abstract: An ink for ink jet recording including at least a particulate pigment having a sulfur-containing dispersibility providing group chemically bonded to the pigment surface with a treatment containing sulfur, a penetrating agent and a liquid component including water. In one embodiment, the liquid component includes polyvalent metal ions and has a sulfur content that is 2,000 ppm or less as calculated in terms of SO42−. In other embodiments, the ink has (a) a sulfonic acid anion group or a sulfinic acid anion group and an alkaline metal or monovalent counter ion; (b) a penetrating agent having the formula R—EOn2—POm2—X; and (c) a sulfur-containing dispersibility providing group in an amount of 10×106 equivalent or more per gram of particulate pigment.

Abstract: This invention is directed to lithium disilicate (Li2Si2O5) based glass-ceramics comprising silica, lithium oxide, alumina, potassium oxide and phosphorus pentoxide. The glass-ceramics are useful in the fabrication of single and multi-unit dental restorations (e.g. anterior bridges) made by heat pressing into refractory investment molds produced using lost wax techniques. The glass-ceramics have good pressability, i.e., the ability to be formed into dental articles by heat-pressing using commercially available equipment. In accordance with one embodiment directed to the process of making the glass-ceramics, the compositions herein are melted at about 1200 ° to about 1600 ° C., thereafter cast into steel molds in the shape of cylindrical blanks (pellets), or alternately, cooled to the crystallization temperature. The resulting glass blank are heat-treated to form glass-ceramic blanks via a one or two step heat-treatment cycle preferably in the temperature range of about 400 ° to about 1100 ° C.

Abstract: Non-thermoplastic starch fibers having no melting point and having apparent peak wet tensile stress greater than about 0.2 MegaPascals (MPa). The fibers can be manufactured from a composition comprising a modified starch and a cross-linking agent. The composition can have a shear viscosity from about 1 Pascal·Seconds to about 80 Pascal·Seconds and an apparent extensional viscosity in the range of from about 150 Pascal·Seconds to about 13,000 Pascal·Seconds. The composition can comprise from about 50% to about 75% by weight of a modified starch; from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of an aldehyde cross-linking agent; and from about 25% to about 50% by weight of water. Prior to cross-linking, the modified starch can have a weight average molecular weight greater than about 100,000 g/mol.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method of forming a lightweight fly ash aggregate together with the resultant fly ash aggregate. The invention further relates to various aspects of the method of forming the lightweight fly ash aggregate including methods of forming fly ash slurry, briquettes, or lightweight fly ash particles. The general steps involved in forming a lightweight fly ash aggregate are as follows: I. blending fly ash together with a plasticiser and a reduced quantity of water; II. compacting or compressing the resultant fly ash slurry or dough; III. cutting or otherwise forming the dough into briquettes; IV. heating the briquettes to effectively cure the dough; V. firing the briquettes to sinter the fly ash; VI. crushing the sintered briquettes and sizing, preferably screening, the resultant fly ash particles to provide the lightweight fly ash aggregate of a predetermined size range.

Abstract: A slurry mixture of sulfur in a liquid carrier comprising an ester derived from vegetable oils or animals fats such as biodiesel is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a mixture of asphalt, polymer and sulfur comprising blending together, at asphalt blending conditions, the asphalt and a slurry of sulfur particles in a biodiesel liquid carrier comprising an ester derived from vegetable oils or animal fats.

Abstract: The present invention relates to concrete, mortar and other hardenable mixtures comprising cement and fly ash for use in construction. The invention relates to hardenable mixtures comprising cement and fly ash which can achieve greater compressive strength than hardenable mixtures containing only concrete over the time period relevant for construction. In a specific example, processing fly ash by grinding to the desired size distribution range gives a 100% yield of fly ash for utilization in high quality concrete and mortar. Such materials can thus significantly reduce construction costs, as well as provide a useful outlet for material that is generally regarded as a pollutant and a nuisance.

Abstract: There is provided a manufacturing process for a CZ silicon single crystal wafer which is subjected to heat treatment wherein slip resistance of a portion of the CZ silicon single crystal wafer in contact with a heat treatment boat is improved with extreme simplicity, convenience and very low cost. A silicon single crystal rod is grown by means of a Czochralski method in a condition that an OSF ring region is formed in a peripheral region of the silicon single crystal rod and the grown silicon signal crystal rod is processed into silicon single crystal wafers, whereby the silicon single crystal wafer is obtained such that when the silicon single crystal wafer is subjected to heat treatment, at least a portion of the silicon single crystal wafer in contact between the wafer and the boat is formed of an OSF ring region.

Abstract: Provided are a liquid phase growth method including a step of immersing a substrate in a crucible storing a solvent having a growth material dissolved therein; and a step of cooling the solvent from an interior thereof, and a liquid phase growth apparatus for use in the method, by which a temperature difference of a solution is decreased and by which a deposited film is formed in a uniform thickness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the manufacturing of high purity optical flouride crystals, the making of purified optical flouride crystal feedstocks and to the anionic purification of optical fluoride crystalline materials. The invention relates generally to methods for removing oxide impurities from optical fluoride crystal feedstocks. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for preparing purified optical fluoride crystal feedstocks and the use of the feedstock in manufacturing VUV<200 nm transmission optical fluoride crystals for VUV lithography/laser systems.

Abstract: A process for producing an epitaxial layer of gallium nitride (GaN). A film of a dielectric whose thickness is about one monolayer is formed on a surface of a substrate. A continuous gallium nitride layer is then deposited on the dielectric film at a temperature sufficiently low to suppress island formation of the gallium nitride. The deposited gallium nitride layer is annealed at a temperature sufficiently high to promote island formation of the gallium nitride. An epitaxial regrowth with gallium nitride at the end of a spontaneous in situ formation of islands of gallium nitride then takes place. This method makes it possible to avoid having to use ex situ etching of masks by photolitographiy or chemical ethching techniques.