Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for controlling light-induced tissue treatment. In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, the invention provides for improved, real-time control of the light beam operational parameters which enables greater safety, efficiency, uniformity and continuity of the treatment process.

Abstract: A device is described that may be positioned at a location in an intervertebral disc for diagnosis or treatment of the disc. Treatment may include, for example, applying energy or removing material, and may decrease intradiscal pressure. Radiofrequency energy may be applied. A percutaneous method of repairing a fissure in the annulus pulposus comprises placing an energy source adjacent to the fissure and providing sufficient energy to the fissure to raise the temperature to at least about 45-70° C. and for a sufficient time to cause the collagen to weld. An intervertebral fissure also can be treated by placing a catheter with a lumen adjacent to the fissure and injecting sealant into the fissure via the catheter, thereby sealing the fissure. An intervertebral fissure additionally can be treated by providing a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and an intradiscal section at the catheter's distal end on which there is at least one functional element.

Abstract: A method for surgical dissection, sizing and for expansion of a tissue pocket in a naturally occurring fascial cleft is disclosed for use in plastic surgery applications and other applications where it is desirable to dissect an anatomically defined and bounded tissue pocket, determine the appropriate size of a prosthesis to be implanted into the tissue pocket and, if necessary, further expand the tissue overlying the tissue pocket. An inflatable device which performs the three distinct functions of dissection, sizing and tissue expansion is used. In a preferred method, a dissecting balloon device is tunneled bluntly to a desired location within a fascial cleft in the female breast. The device is then inflated to dissect tissue layers adjacent the fascial cleft until ligaments defining boundaries of the fascial cleft are reached, to create a tissue pocket extending to the ligmentous boundaries.

Abstract: A spinal surgical prosthesis such as an artificial disc having a pair of upper and lower plate members, a flexible disc interposes therebetween and a rigid collar made of a bio-compatible and bio-resorbable material surrounding the flexible disc between the upper and lower plate members. Prior to the resorption of the collar, the collar serves to provide stability to the flexible disc for enhancing osteo-integration of the prosthesis with adjacent vertebrae. Subsequent to the resorption of the rigid collar, the flexible disc provides flexibility and compressibility while maintaining the proper inter disc space and lordosis or kyphosis between adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: An orthopedic implantable device articulately connecting a first spinal vertebra to an adjacent second spinal vertebra includes a pair of first components adapted to be attached to locations left and right of a midline of the first vertebra, respectively; and a pair of second components adapted to be attached to locations left and right of a midline of the second vertebra, respectively. Each of the first components includes a body and a male articulation member attached to the first component body and each of the second components includes a body and a female articulation member attached to the second component body. The first components are articulately connected to the second components by engaging the male articulation members to the female articulation members, thereby articulately connecting the first vertebra to said second vertebra along lines left and right of the midlines, respectively.

Abstract: A disk augmentation system and method for situating a retainer comprising artificial supports posterior to or exterior of a spinal column and a spinal column axis. The system and method provides an external retainer having supports for receiving at least one artificial compression body and securing at least one artificial compression body in a supported relationship to facilitate reducing load on the one or more natural disks of a patient.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of aqueous formulations, and aqueous formulations so prepared, the process comprising heating at least one cyclic compound of the formula I in the presence of water and of an acidic catalyst and, during or after the heating, H—X—R3 is at least partially separated off, where, in formula I, X is selected from oxygen, sulfur and N—R6, R1-R6 are as defined, and n is an integer from 1 to 4.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for dyeing keratin fibres, and in particular human keratin fibres such as the hair, containing, in a support that is suitable for dyeing, at least one oxidation dye precursor, characterized in that it comprises at least one alcohol oxidase enzyme and at least one substrate for the said enzyme. This patent application also relates to a process for dyeing keratin fibres, which consists in applying this composition, and also to a dyeing “kit”.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compounds used as direct dyes, and dyeing compositions comprising such compounds. The disclosed compounds have the formula A-L-B, wherein A and B are chosen from arylazoimidazolium coloring functional groups, and L is a linker comprising at least one cationic group C. The disclosure also relates methods of using such compositions for coloring keratin fibers, such as the hair.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to cationic diazo compounds chosen from those of formula (I) and the acid addition salts thereof: Dye1-LK-Dye2 (I); and to dye compositions comprising the the compounds as direct dye, and also to a process for dyeing keratin fibers using this composition and a multi-compartment device.

Abstract: A reactive dye composition having satisfactory reproducibility, leveling, washing off and toughness under balanced affinity and reactivity, and improving Right First Time success ratio, for dyeing a cellulose fiber or fiber materials containing the cellulose fiber. The reactive dye composition comprising: (a) at least one reactive red dyestuff selected from the group consisting of the following formulas, the component (a) is present in an amount ranging from 1% to 99% by weight, and (b) at least one yellow reactive dyestuff selected from the group consisting of the following Color Index: C.I. Reactive Yellow 145 and C.I. Reactive Yellow 176, and at least one blue reactive dyestuff selected from the group consisting of the following Color Index: C.I. Reactive Blue 194, C.I. Reactive Blue 221 and C.I. Reactive Blue 222, the component (b) is present in an amount ranging from 99% to 1% by weight.

Abstract: New fuels and fuel components comprising starch are provided, as well as novel methods for operating a combustor such as a boiler or an internal combustion engine by feeding a starch fuel to the combustor.

Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic fuels, additives for use in preparing synthetic fuels and methods for producing synthetic fuel. The synthetic fuels include low levels of a chemical change additive selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth oxides and hydroxides and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the synthetic fuel further includes low levels of a second chemical change additive, which is a petroleum hydrocarbon material.

Abstract: Hydrogen is generated through the use of a fuel solution that is prepared using solid fuel component, e.g., a metal borohydride, and a liquid fuel component, e.g. water. Both of these components are dispensed in response to control signals. The solid fuel component can take different forms, including but not limited to granules, pellets and powder. Various devices, which operate in response to control signals, are disclosed for dispensing predetermined amounts of the solid and liquid components. Advantageously, this solution can be prepared, as needed, so as to obviate the need for storing and disposing of large amounts of highly alkaline fuel and discharged fuel solutions.

Abstract: An auxiliary dust collection system can be interposed between a sander or other dust producing tool and a vacuum source, e.g., shop vacuum. This auxiliary system has a cyclonic separator connected by a flexible hose to the tool and by another hose to the vacuum source. The cone of the separator is mounted onto the lid of a drum into which the dust precipitates. For a tool that has its own blower, the vacuum source can be omitted, and the air leaving the outlet duct of the separator can be filtered and returned to the ambient. A drop in silencer formed of a sleeve or tube of acoustic foam can be positioned into the inlet side of a filter cartridge following a cyclonic separator. The silencer absorbs a significant fraction of the process noise.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a filter having Z-media includes providing a filter having Z-media and cleaning the media construction by directing a pulse of compressed gas into the media construction through the downstream flow face. Filter elements useable with such methods include elements made of Z-media. An example system utilizing the method includes a gas turbine air intake system.

Abstract: An integrated filter lid has a filter surrounded by an outer frame. The outer frame is adapted to seal around an inlet opening of an air box which has a primary filter for filtering air prior to being provided to an engine. The integrated filter lid covers the inlet opening of the air box and filters the air before the air enters the air box. With integrated filter, outside air is filtered at least twice before being provided to an engine, the first time by the filter in the integrated filter, and the second time by the primary filter in the air box. The integrated filter also increases the flow of air into the air box, thereby enhancing performance of the engine.

Abstract: An air cleaner that includes a first housing portion having a non-circular attachment fit. A second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion to define a filter space. A filter element includes a non-circular filter aperture that defines a perimeter that is completely defined by four equal arc length segments. The filter aperture is engageable with the attachment fit. The attachment fit and the filter aperture are sized to provide substantially equal contact pressure around the perimeter of the filter aperture when engaged with one another.

Abstract: A wear-resistant iron-based sintered contact material is provided which is sintered by powder sintering so as to have high density, high seizure resistance and wear resistance. A wear-resistant iron-based sintered composite contact component composed of the wear-resistant iron-based sintered contact material sinter-bonded to a backing metal and its producing method are also provided. To this end, at least Cr7C3-type carbide and/or M6C-type carbide which have an average particle diameter of 5 ?m or more are precipitately dispersed in an amount of 20 to 50% by volume within an iron-based martensite parent phase which has a hardness of HRC 50 or more even when tempered at up to 600° C.

Abstract: A thermal spray powder includes cermet particles. Each cermet particle includes tungsten carbide particles having a mean primary particle size of 3 to 9 ?m and metal particles or ceramic particles containing chrome. The mean particle size of the cermet particles is preferably from 2 to 50 ?m and the compression strength of each cermet particle is preferably from 400 to 900 MPa. Such a thermal spray powder enables the formation of a thermal sprayed coating which has both excellent cavitation erosion resistance and slurry erosion resistance.

Abstract: PGMs can be extracted from a source material by heat-treating the source material to form a residue containing PGMs in a cyanide leachable condition and, thereafter, cyanide leaching the residue using a solution containing cyanide to form a pregnant cyanide leach liquor containing PGMs in solution.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improve aeration system. The aeration system of the present invention more efficiently removes contaminates, such as hydrogen sulfide, from water. The increased efficiency is achieved by adjusting the pH level of the water in between sequential mass transfer media stages within the aerator. The present invention also relates to an aeration system wherein the forced or induced air is used to strip contaminants from the processed water is reutilized by one or more aeration towers connected in series.

Abstract: Gasses are separated using a molecular sieve having the CHA crystal structure and having a mole ratio of greater than 50 to 1500 of (1) an oxide selected from silicon oxide, germanium oxide or mixtures thereof to (2) an oxide selected from aluminum oxide, iron oxide, titanium oxide, gallium oxide or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method of identifying, detecting and/or chemically using NOX compounds is provided, wherein calixarene complexes are exposed to a nitrogen-oxide gas containing samples and form calixarene-nitrosonium complexes that are readily identified and detectable. Importantly, the process of forming one or more calixarene-nitrosonium (NO+) complexes is reversible. The calixarene-nitrosonium complexes dissociate upon decoloration enabling the parent calixarenes to be recovered.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a low-pressure storage and delivery system for gases having Lewis acidity, particularly hazardous specialty gases such as BF3 and diborane, which are utilized in the electronics industry. The improvement resides in storing the gases in a liquid incorporating a reactive compound having Lewis basicity capable of effecting a reversible reaction between a gas having Lewis acidity. The reactive compound comprises a reactive species that is dissolved, suspended, dispersed, or otherwise mixed with a nonvolatile liquid.

Abstract: This invention prevents reduction of hydrogen permeability and deterioration in hydrogen separation members that use an oxygen-containing gas as a cathode off gas and a purge gas. Described is a hydrogen separation device that includes a reformed gas passage, a purge gas passage, and a hydrogen separation membrane. A supply of reformed gas flows through the reformed gas passage. A cathode off gas discharged from a fuel cell cathode flows through the purge gas passage to carry hydrogen transmitted through the hydrogen separation membrane to a fuel cell anode. A portion of the hydrogen separation membrane near the supply of the cathode off gas has enhanced heat resistance that prevents deterioration of the hydrogen separation membrane even when hydrogen transmitted through the membrane reacts with oxygen remaining in the cathode off gas to raise the temperature in the vicinity of the portion close to the supply of the cathode off gas.

Abstract: A filter cleaning apparatus for cleaning a filter using cleaning fluid comprises a housing, a filter holder for holding the filter, wherein the filter holder is mountable in the housing, a rotating means for rotating the filter holder, wherein the filter holder holds the filter such that when the filter holder rotates, the filter likewise rotates and, a cleaning fluid injector, wherein the cleaning fluid injector injects the cleaning fluid into the filter holder, such that when the filter holder is rotated, the cleaning fluid is forced through the filter by centrifugal force.

Abstract: An inert impingement surface that is pliable and which, when set in motion, works to shed itself of particle deposits. The pliable surface may be formed of a plurality of coactive members that co-operate with one another to clean-off the particle deposits from each other's surfaces. The coactive members may be in the form of chains, rods, cables, wires, granular inert materials such as gravel or metal balls or other impact means. The pliable surface may also be formed of a heat-resistant material which is caused to experience a continuing shape change, thereby casting-off the particle deposits adhering to the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous concentrate which is stable with respect to freezing and defrosting and which contains at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible copper compound and, optionally, also a water-soluble or water-dispersible tin compound for use in a diluted state as a bath for the currentless copper plating or bronze plating of objects, especially metal objects such as iron or steel wires, characterized in that it contains at least one complexed water-soluble or water-dispersed copper compound. The invention also relates to an aqueous bath which contains at least one aqueous or water-dispersible copper compound and, optionally, a water-soluble or water-dispersible tin compound for the currentless copper plating of objects in addition to at least one brightening agent and which has an adjusted pH value of less than 2.5. The invention also relates to a method for currentless copper plating or bronze plating of an object, especially a metallic object.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a dye-based inkjet ink set and, more particularly, to a dye-based inkjet ink set suitable for printing on polyamide fabric.

Abstract: An ink jet ink includes at least a coloring material. The coloring material is composed of at least one selected from the group consisting of C.I.

Abstract: A cellulose acylate-based dope, which has an exothermic peak giving a calorific value of 1 to 10 J/g (inclusive), between 0 and 40° C.; wherein collected wastes of cellulose acylate which are obtained by collecting and crushing a cellulose acylate film edge trimmed when raw material of the film is cast, are used in an amount of 5 to 60% by weight of the whole of the cellulose acylate or; wherein the dope comprises a solvent, wherein a recovery solvent is used in an amount of 20 to 100% of the entire solvent and; a cellulose acylate film produced by using the same.

Abstract: Novel waterglass compositions comprise a zirconium containing anionic aggregate, preferably potassium zirconium carbonate or ammonium zirconium carbonate, in a quantity sufficient to provide at least 0.5% as zirconium metal. The compositions can be dried and/or gelled to form optically clear interlayers useful in the production of fire resistant glass laminates. The incorporation of the zirconium containing aggregate improves the fire resistant performance of the laminates.

Abstract: Foamed cement compositions comprising carbon fibers, a hydraulic cement material, sufficient water to form a slurry, an expanding additive, and optionally, other ingredients, including any suitable additives.

Abstract: To precisely predict the distribution of densities and sizes of void defects comprising voids and inner wall oxide membranes in a single crystal. The computer-based simulation determines, at steps 1 to 7, the distribution of temperatures within a single crystal 14 growing from a melt 12 from the time of its pulling-up to the time of its completing cooling with due consideration paid to convection currents in the melt 12. The computer-based simulation, at steps 8 to 15, determines the density of voids considering the cooling process of the single crystal separated from the melt, that is, the pulling-up speed of the single crystal after the separation from the melt, and reflecting the effect of slow and rapid cooling of the single crystal in the result, and relates the radius of voids with the thickness of inner wall oxide membrane developed around the voids.

Abstract: [Problem] A silicon single crystal ingot in which point defect agglomerates do not exist over a substantially entire length thereof is manufactured without reducing a pure margin. [Solving Means] A heat shielding member 36 comprises a bulge portion 41 which is provided to bulge in an in-cylinder direction at a lower portion of a cylindrical portion 37 and has a heat storage member 47 provided therein. A flow quantity of an inert gas flowing down between the bulge portion 41 in the heat shielding member 36 and an ingot 25 when pulling up a top-side ingot 25a of the silicon single crystal ingot 25 is set larger than a flow quantity of the inert gas flowing down between the bulge portion 41 and the ingot 25 when pulling up a bottom-side ingot 25b of the silicon single crystal ingot 25, thereby pulling up the ingot 25.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a support body with a substrate holder, mounted thereon on a gas bearing with rotating drive. The gas bearing and the rotating drive are formed by gas flowing in through nozzles arranged in the separating gaps between support body and substrate. The support body and the substrate holder are embodied as rings, whereby the rings lie on each other in a self-centering manner and the one ring comprises a ring bead extending into a ring recess on the other ring.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a slit valve door seal. In one embodiment, a slit valve door seal includes a ring-shaped base having a center axis and at least one finger extending from the base. The finger is oriented substantially parallel to the center axis, wherein the base and the finger define a single, one-piece seal member. The seal is particularly suitable for using in sealing substrate access passages formed in load lock chambers.

Abstract: A method for reducing energy consumption, and amounts of cleaning liquids and rinse liquids used. A cleaning head has a plurality of cleaning units and a drying unit. The organic, and inorganic, substance cleaning portions of each cleaning head, blows a first, and a second, cleaning agent selectively over a portion to be cleaned of a substrate, and sucks reaction products etc. through a first, and second, suction mouth, respectively. A rinse portion blows pure water over the portion of the substrate from which inorganic substances have been removed, and sucks its vapor through a third suction mouth. The drying unit dries the substrate by blowing out a heated gas from a hot wind blowing-out mouth. A light guide illuminates the portion to be cleaned, of the substrate, with ultraviolet light, and thereby decomposes residual organic substances.

Abstract: Method for processing an article by contacting the article with a dense fluid. The article is introduced into a sealable processing chamber and the processing chamber is sealed. A dense fluid is prepared by introducing a subcritical fluid into a pressurization vessel and isolating the vessel, and then heating the subcritical fluid at essentially constant volume and essentially constant density to yield a dense fluid. At least a portion of the dense fluid is transferred from the pressurization vessel to the processing chamber, wherein the transfer of the dense fluid is driven by the difference between the pressure in the pressurization vessel and the pressure in the processing chamber, thereby pressurizing the processing chamber with transferred dense fluid. The article is contacted with the transferred dense fluid to yield a spent dense fluid and a treated article, and the spent dense fluid is separated from the treated article.

Abstract: A system for cleaning acid rain and mineral deposits from glass and/or painted surfaces includes powdered kaolin clay. The glass is preferably cleaned with this system, then a system for more effectively delivering Fibershield 218 and like protectants to glass is used to add a protectant.

Abstract: A method for dissolving a measured quantity of a solute in a solvent. First, a tracer is combined with a solute in known proportions to form a mixture. The tracer is capable of increasing the turbidity of a solvent in proportion to the concentration of the solute dissolved in the solvent. Then, a container is provided for receiving the mixture and the solvent. Next, the solvent and the mixture are introduced into the container. Finally, the solvent is stirred until its turbidity reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a high silicon grain-oriented electrical steel sheet. In a method for manufacturing a high silicon grain-oriented electrical steel sheet, comprising the steps of: reheating and hot-rolling a steel slab to produce a hot-rolled steel sheet; annealing the hot-rolled sheet and cold rolling the annealed steel sheet so as to adjust a thickness of the steel sheet; decarburization annealing the cold rolled steel sheet; and finish-annealing the decarburization annealed steel sheet for secondary recrystallization, the improved method further comprising the step of: coating a powder coating agent for siliconization on a surface of the decarburization annealed steel sheet in a slurry state, the powder coating agent including 100 part by weight of MgO powder and 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides an iron-base amorphous alloy thin strip excellent in soft magnetic properties, an iron core manufactured by using said thin strip, and a mother alloy for producing a rapidly cooled and solidified thin strip. More specifically, the present invention is an iron-base amorphous alloy thin strip produced by rapidly cooling and solidifying molten metal by ejecting it onto a moving cooling substrate through a pouring nozzle having a slot-shaped opening, characterized by having an ultra-thin oxide layer of a thickness in the range from 5 to 20 nm on one or both of the surfaces of the amorphous mother phase containing P in the range from 0.2 to 12 atomic %.

Abstract: A sealing-object (4) is fixed to a base-object (10). The sealing-object comprises a through-hole (5). The objects are fixed to each other in the following manner. In a preparation step, a fixing layer (1, 2, 3) is provided between the base-object and the sealing-object. In addition an evacuation device (6) equipped with an evacuation channel (7) is placed onto the sealing-object. The through-hole of the sealing object has a first extremity opening out on the evacuation channel and a second extremity opening out on the fixing layer. In a fixing step, the fixing layer is heated which causes the fixing layer to release gas. The gas is at least partially evacuated via the through-hole of the sealing-object and the evacuation channel of the evacuation device.

Abstract: Miniature planar IR waveguides of thickness 30–50 ?m, consisting of 12-mm long, 2-mm wide strips of Ge supported on ZnS substrates and tapered quasi-tapered waveguides, tapered from a thickness of 1 mm at the ends to a minimum of 1–100 ?m at the center, are disclosed. The surface sensitivity is increased as a function of incidence or bevel angle. The tapered waveguide improves the efficiency of the optical coupling both into the waveguide from an FTIR spectrometer, and out of the waveguide onto a small-area IR detector. The tapering makes it possible to dispense with using an IR microscope couple light through the waveguide, enabling efficient coupling with a detector directly coupled to an immersion lens. This optical arrangement makes such thin supported waveguides more useful as sensors, because they can be made quite long (e.g. 50 mm) and mounted horizontally.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for the fabrication of features on a silicon wafer utilizing ribbons comprising organic polymer and inorganic material.

Abstract: An aircraft part manufacturing device for automated composite lamination on a mandrel surface of a tool having a rotational axis includes a mechanical supporting structure that supports multiple material delivery heads. The tool is moveable and rotatable relative to the mechanical supporting structure. The mechanical supporting structure provides for axial translation of the material delivery heads relative to the mandrel surface while the mandrel surface is rotated for laying down courses of composite material over the entire mandrel surface of the tool. The position and movement of each of the plurality of material delivery heads is individually adjustable. Arm mechanisms provide motion of each material delivery head in a direction normal to the mandrel surface; rotation about an axis normal to the mandrel surface; circumferential position adjustment in a hoop direction relative to the mandrel surface; and axial position adjustment relative to the other material delivery heads.

Abstract: Method for producing a multi-ply web comprising at least three plies of flexible material, such as paper and nonwoven material and a multi-ply product produced according to the method. A first and second ply are glued together with a first glue pattern and a second and third ply are glued together with a second glue pattern which, as seen in the thickness direction of the multi-ply web, is substantially aligned with the first glue pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a laminated porous polyolefin film, the method comprising steps of: providing a pair of tools for thermocompression bonding two resin films therebetween, laminating two films each comprising at least one layer made of a polyolefin resin composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin resin having a melt index of 0.1 g/10 min or less and 80 to 300 parts by weight of a filler to form a laminated film by piling and thermocompression bonding the films between the thermocompressing portions of the tools, wherein the surface temperature of each thermocompressing portion is adjusted to a temperature higher than the melting point of the polyolefin resin by from 5 to 25° C. during the lamination, and drawing the laminated film to form micropores therein, thereby yielding a porous film.