Abstract: A method and device delivers microwave power to an antenna through a coaxial cable utilizing air or other gases as its dielectric core. The cable includes supports made of low-loss materials to keep the inner conductor centered in the cable, and defining spaces therebetween for the air or gas. Channels in the supports allow the air or gas to circulate in the cable. The gas may be chilled or cooled to provide an addition level of heat dissipation. The device enables delivery of large amounts of power to tissue without undue heating of the feed cable or peripheral tissues, and without increasing the diameter of the feeding cable or antenna, keeping the antenna safe for percutaneous use.

Abstract: A high-frequency generator for high-frequency surgery is driven by a d.c. voltage supply. This d.c. voltage supply has a first working mode for transferring energy in a direction of the high-frequency generator, and also a second working mode for transferring energy in an opposite direction. With this arrangement, a particularly fast and efficient regulation of output voltage of the generator is possible. Therefore a reliable first cut may be performed on different kinds of tissue without any coagulation. Furthermore, owing to a high efficiency, a particularly small constructional size can be achieved.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device having an electrode and an insulating piece such as a ceramic insulator is disclosed. The electrode includes an active surface for ablating and/or coagulating tissue in an electrosurgical procedure. The insulating piece surrounds the active surface and provides a barrier for the intense heat created during ablation. The insulating piece is also electrically nonconductive to prevent unwanted discharge of energy. Electrode has a retaining ledge configured to engage a lip formed on the insulating ring. The insulating ring is secured to the electrosurgical device by connecting the electrode to an electrode seat and capturing the insulating piece in between. The electrode can be connected to the electrode seat by projection welding. The insulating piece is connected to the electrode without the use of an adhesive.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to electrosurgical pencils having variable controls. In one aspect, the electrosurgical pencil, includes an elongated housing, an electrocautery blade supported within the housing and extending distally from the housing, the electrocautery blade being connected to a source of electrosurgical energy, an activation button supported on the housing, the activation button being movable from a first position to at least a subsequent position, and a transducer electrically connected between the activation button and the source of electrosurgical energy. The transducer is configured to transmit an electrical output signal to the electrosurgical energy source correlating to the movement of the activation button. The source of electrosurgical energy correspondingly supplies an amount of electrosurgical energy to the electrocautery blade dependant upon the electrical output signal.

Abstract: Methods and instrumentation particularly adapted for disc space preparation for insertion of implants from an anterior approach to the spine are provided. The instruments include a guide sleeve defining a channel having overlapping cylindrical working channel portions and lateral non-distracting extensions extending from reduced thickness wall portions. The guide sleeve has an overall reduced width configuration. A pair of distractors are provided. A first distractor includes a shaft and distal tip, each having convex walls. A second distractor includes a shaft and distal tip including a recessed area at least along the tip. The first distractor is at least partially received within the recessed area of the second distractor when the first and second distractors are in side-by-side relation and a reduced overall width of the distractors is obtained. Preferably, the first and second distractors are used with the guide sleeve. Methods using the disclosed instruments are also provided.

Abstract: A surgical guide and its use in medical procedures such as to treat female urinary incontinence are provided. The guide preferably includes a stem portion having a proximal end and a distal end and a cross-sectional shape having a recess therein along its length and first and second extension portions extending outwardly from opposites sides of the distal end of the stem portion. Each of said first and second extension portions further include a stationary portion that is fixedly coupled to the stem portion and a movable portion that is movably coupled to the stationary portion. The movable portions are movable relative to the respective stationary portions between a first position wherein the stem portions extends beyond the extension portions by a first distance and a second position wherein the stem portion extends beyond the extension portions by a second distance that is greater than the first distance.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding and arranging threads in surgical operations with a flexible structure being in a ring form, connecting straight linear forms or divided linear forms, with flexible metal inserted within foaming material. V shape ditches are cut on the upper portion, and the base has adhesiveness. Affordable and simple manufacturing method is established with extrusion molding process or heat press molding process, after which extrusion cut process is conducted with the mold. Labor within hospitals can be reduced, by providing an affordable apparatus which prevents the threads from being damaged, also solving the concern of tissue damage due to thread tension, as the threads are accurately held and arranged without any mixing up with neighboring threads, and the apparatus size, the fixing position of the apparatus, and the operating tissue area can be adjusted at the surgeon's will.

Abstract: A vascular occlusive device, such as an embolic coil, having thrombogenic fibers extending from the coil and having an outer barrier which encapsulates fibers extending from the embolic coil for preventing activation of the fibers until the outer barrier has been dissolved, or removed, from the embolic coil.

Abstract: A method for detecting transverse mode vibrations in an ultrasonic hand piece/blade is achieved by monitoring the power delivered to the hand piece/blade to determine whether it increases as expected when power levels applied to the hand piece/blade are changed. While the blade is being held in midair, the power delivered to the hand piece/blade and/or the impedance of the hand piece/blade is measured at a first power level. Using the value obtained at the first power level, the expected power at a second power level is calculated and used to set a pass/fail threshold level for an actual measured power. Alternatively, the threshold is set for the impedance is set. Next, the actual power delivered to the hand piece/blade and/or the impedance of the hand piece/blade is measured at a level 5 power setting. A determination is made whether the hand piece/blade exhibits transverse mode behavior based on whether the actual measured power exceeds the established pass/fail threshold level.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, suitable for endoscopic surgery has a first member and a movably driven second member movable in such first member. One such member comprises a generally tubular proximal member and a tissue working tip which are relatively telescoped and have opposed surfaces. A projection protrudes from such tip surface through such generally tubular member surface to fixedly secure same together.

Abstract: An integrated lancing test strip includes a pair of blade members that each have a lancing tip that are configured to lance skin. A pair of spacer members connect the blade members together such that the blade members define an internal capillary. A test strip is positioned along the internal capillary, and the test strip is configured to test analyte levels in the bodily fluid. During use, the lancing tips form one or more incisions in the skin. The fluid from the incisions is drawn via capillary action through the internal capillary and onto the test strip.

Abstract: These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site that includes a drive force generator and a penetrating member operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing with a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. The drive force generator is configured to be controlled to follow a predetermined velocity trajectory into the tissue and out of the tissue. A tissue stabilizing member is associated with the device and at least partially surrounds an impact location of the penetrating member on the tissue site. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.

Abstract: Lancet system for pain-reduced blood withdrawal comprising an impulse generator which exerts an impulse on a body part in a sequence which is synchronized with the movement of a lancet. Method for the pain-reduced blood withdrawal in which an impulse is exerted on an adjacent body part in a sequence which is synchronized with the generation of an opening in the skin.

Abstract: A system for enabling the insertion and removal of an embolic protection device, for capturing and retaining embolic debris which may be created during the performance of a therapeutic interventional procedure in a stenosed or occluded region of a blood vessel. The system, in an embodiment thereof, enables the device to be snap-fitted so as to engage the distal end of a guide wire, to provide a reference for positioning the device at a location distal to the interventional procedure site, and to enable an end of the device to be in tension, enabling a portion of the device to be in tension and another portion to be in compression, so as to assist in bending thereof in tortuous vasculature.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for conveniently and removably sealing inlet ports within an inflatable thermal blanket. In accordance with the present invention a generally planar sheet of material having a plurality of resilient side extensions extending from a central body is used to close an inlet port within an inflatable thermal blanket. In accordance with the preferred invention, the generally circular portion of the central body has a diameter which is slightly smaller than the diameter of the inlet port. Preferably, for extensions extend from the central body each extension being generally circular. Each extension is preferably formed from the same material used to form the central body, and is sufficiently resilient to be easily flexed and to return to an essentially coplanar sheet when released.

Abstract: Method of carrying out the cryogenic therapy, particularly on the whole body of one or several patient/s, characterized in that said patient/s are introduced along a transport route through the upper part of a chamber and then through the interior of said chamber, wherein said chamber has thermally insulated walls and a space containing a deposited low temperature cooling agent. The patient/s are then led to a cryogenic treatment cabin having a very low temperature from ?60.c to ?160.c with exposure times ranging from 0.5 to 5 minutes, whereafter said patient/s leave said treatment cabin through the interior of said chamber and further along said transport route outside chamber to an area at room temperature. The corresponding device for carrying out cryogenic therapy is characterized by a chamber with an open upper part and by a separated cryogenic treatment cabin inside said chamber said cabin being cooled in its whole volume by a cooling agent in the form of liquid air sprayed by nozzles.

Abstract: Medical devices, systems and kits for filling tissue are disclosed. The device has a first configuration wherein the device can pass through a small catheter or needle placed in the tissue to be filled and a second configuration in which the device is expandable to a predetermined or customizable shape. In one application, the device is adapted to be placed into the skin to reduce facial wrinkles or augment facial features such as the lips. Kits and systems include multiple device sizes, filler tubes, and filler media.

Abstract: An implantable microporous ePTFE tubular vascular graft exhibits long term patency, superior radial tensile strength and suture hole elongation resistance. The graft includes a first ePTFE tube and a second ePTFE tube circumferentially disposed over the first tube. The first ePTFE tube exhibits a porosity sufficient to promote cell endothelization, tissue ingrowth and healing. The second ePTFE tube exhibits enhanced radial strength in excess of the radial tensile strength of the first tube.

Abstract: A vascular prosthesis comprising a first layer having a predetermined first porosity and a second layer having a predetermined second porosity, wherein the first layer and the second layer are each made of first and second electrospun polymer fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for alleviating and/or preventing conditions relating to damaged joints involving articulating surfaces. In a first aspect the present invention relates to a prosthetic device for insertion into a joint cavity of a joint of a vertebrate, such as a human, said device consisting of a biocompatible material comprising at least a first polymeric component and a second polymeric component, wherein the chain length of the first polymeric component is longer than the chain length of the second polymeric component, the polymeric components in particular being polyethylene, polypropylene and/or polyvinylpyrrolidone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a joint prosthesis, especially a knee joint prosthesis, for establishing an articulated connection between a first bone and at least one second bone. The inventive prosthesis comprises a first component (1) that is at least indirectly linked with the first bone, at least one second component (2) on which the second bone at least indirectly supports itself and which is movably mounted on at least one bearing surface (22) of the first component (1), and a connecting element (4) that interlinks the first component (1) with the second component (2). The connecting element (4) comprises an elastically deformable element (5) that facilitates a deflection of the first component (1) relative to the second component (2) from an initial position. When the first component (1) is deflected, the elastically deformable element (5) generates a restoring force that acts upon the first component (1) and restores the first component (1) to the initial position.

Abstract: The present invention is a specialized orthopedic implant having an exterior surface for engaging bone. The surface comprises arrayed projections having at least one forward facing facet directed at least in part toward the leading end of the implant and at least one rearward portion directed at least in part toward the opposite trailing end of the implant. Each of the forward facet and rearward portion has a length and a slope. The length of the forward facet is longer than the length of the rearward facet. The slope of the rearward facet is steeper than the slope of the forward facet. The surface projections also have opposed side facets directed generally toward the sides of the implant. The side facets are located between the forward facet and rearward facet and converge toward each other in a direction away from the base of the surface projections. The surface may also include projections having left and right forward side facets and a rearward facet.

Abstract: A dry cleaning process for in-home dry cleaning comprising a non-aqueous dry cleaning step of contacting a laundry article with a non-aqueous dry cleaning composition whereby the liquor to cloth ratio (w/w) (LCR) is at most 20, and the composition comprises a) a non-flammable, non-chlorine containing organic dry cleaning solvent; b) from 0 to 0.1 wt. % water by weight of the composition; and c) less than 0.9 wt. % of a surfactant wherein the surfactant comprises at least one anionic headgroup.

Abstract: Keratinic fibers are colored by a two-component composition for coloring keratinous fibers comprising a first preparation (A) comprising at least one oxidation dye precursor and a second preparation (B) comprising at least one care component, wherein the two preparations are packaged separately from one another in the compartments of a two-compartment tube. The compartment openings in the tube are oriented in such a way that the contents of each of the compartments are emitted simultaneously into a common space.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is a ready-to-use agent for coloring keratin fibers containing (i) at least one heterocyclic hydrazone derivative of formula (I), (ii) at least one aromatic enamine of formula (IIa) or an acid addition compound thereof (IIb) and (iii) at least one oxidant, a multicomponent kit and a method for coloring keratin fibers by use of said agent

Abstract: Deposition of a metal-containing reagent solution or suspension onto a conductive substrate by various pad-printing techniques is described. The result in a pseudocapacitive oxide coating, nitride coating, carbon nitride coating, or carbide coating having an acceptable surface area for incorporation into an electrolytic capacitor, such as one have a tantalum anode.

Abstract: A method for producing an electrochemical device which exhibits improved output performance and improved durability in thermal, chemical, and mechanical is provided. The electrochemical device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an ion exchange membrane held between the two electrodes. The method includes forming a catalyst layer containing a catalytic substance such as platinum and polyvinylidene fluoride and attaching ion exchange groups to the polyvinylidene fluoride in the catalyst layer. The resulting catalyst layer containing ion exchange groups is used for at least either of the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A plasma fuel reformer assembly for producing reformate gas includes a fuel reformer having an air/fuel input assembly, an electrode assembly, and a soot trap positioned downstream of the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a first electrode and a second electrode that is spaced apart from the first electrode. The fuel reformer further includes a reformer controller electrically coupled to the air/fuel input assembly. The reformer controller includes a processing unit electrically connected to a memory unit.

Abstract: A separator device, particularly a separator for separating particles from an air stream, which includes a first stage having at least one centrifugal separator through which the fluid flows along a first axial path. The centrifugal separator has a guide device for generating a spiral movement of the fluid. A second stage is directly downstream from the first stage and has an essentially cylindrical housing. A dust discharge is provided in the area of the fluid outlet, and a central pipe which is arranged concentrically and has a truncated conical shape is provided in the second stage.

Abstract: A grease filter assembly is provided for absorbing airborne grease discharged from a grease discharge vent extending from a roof. A support is mountable to the duct of the grease discharge vent and grease absorbing pads are supportable upon the support frame in stationary position surrounding the discharge vent and in spaced relation from the roof. A fireproof barrier is disposed between the grease absorbing pads and the roof. Additionally, one or more hinges may be provided to allow the grease discharge vent to be easily opened for cleaning and maintenance.

Abstract: A honeycomb filter of the present invention is a honeycomb filter 10 including a number of through-holes 12 surrounded by partition walls and extending through an axial direction, in which the partition walls have filterability, predetermined through-holes 12 are plugged at one end portion, and the remaining through-holes 12 are plugged at the other end portion to trap particulate matter contained in a dust-containing fluid. The honeycomb filter is characterized in that a heat capacity of a central part 11 is set to be larger than that of a peripheral part 13 in a section of the honeycomb filter 10 perpendicular to the axial direction. There is provided a honeycomb filter in which a crack is not generated by thermal stress during use, especially at a regeneration time and which is superior in durability.

Abstract: In a filter body for a particle filter with a filter part, comprised of a gas-permeable support material coated with a sintered metal powder, and with a connection part connected with the filter part and provided for welding together with a holding element, the filter part and the connection part together form a closed volume and the connection part is comprised of a gas-impermeable material.

Abstract: A copper alloy powder for an electrically conductive paste is provided, which is characterized in that the copper alloy powder comprises 80 to 99.9 mass % of Cu and 0.1 to 20 mass % of one or two elements selected from the group consisting of Ta and W and has an average particle size of 0.1 to 1 ?m. This copper alloy powder has a higher starting temperature for sintering, higher oxidation resistance and better heat resistance than a copper powder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a magnetic particle including forming a layer containing an alloy particle that can form a CuAu-type or Cu3Au-type hard magnetic ordered alloy phase on a support, oxidizing the layer, and annealing the layer in a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The invention also relates to a method of producing a magnetic particle including producing an alloy particle that can form a hard magnetic ordered alloy phase, oxidizing the alloy particle, and annealing the particle in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, and a magnetic particle produced by the foregoing production method. Further, the invention relates to a magnetic recording medium comprising a magnetic layer containing a magnetic particle and a method of producing a magnetic recording medium including forming a layer containing an alloy that can form the foregoing hard magnetic ordered alloy phase, oxidizing the layer, and annealing the layer in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: Vapor concentrators are used to provide a higher concentration of trace target vapor than would normally be available in the environment. This is accomplished by allowing the trace target vapor to adsorb onto a concentrating surface and subsequently releasing the trace target vapor by heating the surface. An improved desorbing method is providing by a fast pulse of photons, which only heats the near surface region, rather than the entire mass of the substrate on which the concentrating surface resides. Since all of the trace target vapor is released in a short time interval, the vapor is less diluted by carrier gas than would occur during the slower temperature ramp that results when the entire substrate mass is heated. A more highly concentrated target vapor is produced with less input of energy.

Abstract: An air purifier includes an outer casing and an ionizer module. The outer casing has a top portion, a bottom portion having an electrode opening, an air purifying cavity defining between the top and bottom portion, and a peripheral opening communicating with the air purifying cavity. The ionizer module includes a power unit and an ionizing electrode unit. The ionizing electrode unit is detachably slid into the air purifying cavity through the electrode opening of the bottom portion of the outer casing, wherein the ionizing electrode unit has a top terminal end arranged to electrically contact with the power unit to ionize the ambient air for emitting ozone thereto when the ambient air is circulated through the peripheral opening along the ionizing electrode unit.

Abstract: An electrostatic room air cleaner includes a housing having a given profile and a plurality of electrostatic precipitation collector units arrayed in the housing with a common fan to circulate room air through the plurality of electrostatic precipitation collector units simultaneously. A total clean air delivery rate is delivered that is determined as the arithmetic sum of the clean air delivery rates of the plurality of electrostatic precipitation collector units arrayed in the housing of given profile. The greater the number of units arrayed, the smaller may be their size, and the easier they are to handle, maintain and replace.

Abstract: An electret article that includes a polymeric material that has electric charge imparted thereto, that has a CF3:CF2 ratio of at least 0.15 and that has a fluorosaturation ratio greater than about 200. The electret article may be in the form of a porous web of polymeric fibers suitable for use as a filter. The inventive electret article is resistant to charge degradation upon exposure to high temperatures for prolonged time periods.

Abstract: An electret article that includes a polymeric material that has electric charge imparted thereto, that has one or more heteroatoms, that has a fluorosaturation ratio of less than 200, and that has an atomic percent fluorine of greater than about 40%. The inventive electret article is resistant to charge degradation upon exposure to high temperatures for prolonged time periods.

Abstract: A reservoir tank which includes: a container for storing fluid therein, having an inlet through which the fluid flows into the container and an outlet through which the fluid flows out of the container; and a duct provided inside the container, which is connected to the inlet of the container and has a first opening open inside the container. The first opening is located above the outlet of the container and below a surface of the fluid in the container.

Abstract: A real-time monitoring system that monitors various aspects of the operation of a refrigerant-cycle system is described. In one embodiment, the system includes a processor that measures power provided to the refrigerant-cycle system and that gathers data from one or more sensors and uses the sensor data to calculate a figure of merit related to the efficiency of the system. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of the following sensors: a suction line temperature sensor, a suction line pressure sensor, a suction line flow sensor, a hot gas line temperature sensor, a hot gas line pressure sensor, a hot gas line flow sensor, a liquid line temperature sensor, a liquid line pressure sensor, a liquid line flow sensor. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of an evaporator air temperature input sensor, an evaporator air temperature output sensor, an evaporator air flow sensor, an evaporator air humidity sensor, and a differential pressure sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating composition including a sol-gel matrix and a dendrimeric organochalcogeno derivative and a system including the coating composition and a substrate. The present invention also relates to a method of preventing fouling of surfaces subjected to a marine environment.

Abstract: A water based ink set for ink-jet recording includes a yellow ink, a magenta ink, a cyan ink, a black ink, and a red ink and/or a blue ink each including at least a coloring agent, water and a water soluble organic solvent. In the water based ink set, a water soluble dye is employed as the coloring agent of each of the yellow ink, the magenta ink and the cyan ink, and a pigment is employed as the coloring agent of each of the black ink and the red ink and/or the blue ink. In an ink-jet recording method employing the water based ink set for ink-jet recording, the red ink and the magenta ink are employed together for a magenta-ink-recording portion, and the blue ink and the cyan ink are employed together for a cyan-ink-recording portion.

Abstract: A water based ink set for ink-jet recording has a yellow ink, a magenta ink and a cyan ink each having at least a coloring agent, water and a water soluble organic solvent. The coloring agent of each of the black ink and the red ink is a pigment and the coloring agent of each of the yellow ink, the magenta ink and the cyan ink is a water soluble dye. The black ink and the red ink each have a dynamic surface tension at a lifetime of 100 ms of 40 mN/m or more and 45 mN/m or less as measured by a maximum bubble pressure method at 25° C.

Abstract: A metal chelate compound of Formula (1) or a salt thereof: [A-N?N—B]M??Formula (1) wherein: A is an optionally substituted pyridyl ring; and B is of the Formula (2): wherein: X and W are substituents other than H; M is a metal chelated to A-N?N—B; and n is 0 to 4, also claimed are compositions and inks containing a compound of Formula (1), a process for ink jet printing using the inks and an ink jet printer cartridge containing the ink.

Abstract: An ink jet recording ink comprising at least a copper phthalocyanine dye represented by the following general formula (1) and a compound represented by the following general formula (2):

Abstract: An inkjet recording ink of giving an image having high image quality and excellent weather resistance is provided, which is an inkjet recording ink comprising a specific phthalocyanine dye, wherein the total amount of cations in the ink except for a lithium ion, a hydrogen ion, an ammonium ion, an organic quaternary nitrogen ion and an ion produced by the proton addition to a nitrogen atom in a basic organic material is 0.5 wt % or less.

Abstract: An injectable heat generating biocompatible ceramic compositions based on hydraulic calcium aluminate, which can be used for therapeutic treatment in vivo, such as tumour treatment, pain control, vascular treatment, drug activation etc, when curing in situ, and which form a biocompatible solid material that can be left in the body for prolonged periods of time without causing negative health effects, and can also be used to restore the mechanical properties of the skeleton after cancerous diseases as well as in a medical implant, an orthopaedic implant, and a dental implant as a dental filling material.

Abstract: A powder containing particles with a core of titanium dioxide and a coating of silicon dioxide in an amount of between 0.5 and 40 wt. %, the particles have a BET surface of between 5 and 300 m2/g, and the particles are primary particles that have a coating of silicon dioxide and a core of titanium dioxide.

Abstract: Cement compositions, that comprise water, a cement, a strength-retrogression additive, and an acid, wherein the acid comprises ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, or a combination thereof, are provided. Methods of cementing in a subterranean formation, methods of retarding the set time of a cement composition, and set retarder compositions also are provided.