Abstract: A medical device for delivering a biologically active material into a body tissue, comprising struts and optionally the biologically active material. In an embodiment, the medical device comprises non-structural elements integral with the struts. A method for designing such medical device are also disclosed. Another embodiment is a medical device having an outer surface comprising a middle section and end sections. The end sections have a greater available surface area, greater affinity for or a greater amount of the biologically active material per unit length of the outer surface than the middle section. The middle section may be covered with a barrier layer. Another embodiment is a medical device comprising a rectangular portion having a greater capacity for carrying a biologically active material per unit length of the outer surface. A method for delivering a biologically active material to a body tissue is also disclosed.

Abstract: Patterns for polymeric radially expandable implantable medical devices such as stents for implantation into a bodily lumen are disclosed. Some patterns comprise radially expandable cylindrical rings that are longitudinally aligned, each ring comprising diamond-shaped elements, each formed by four linear bar arms. The patterns con also comprise a cross-like element comprising four linear bar arms interconnected within the diamond-shaped elements, and at least one link between adjacent rings. In other patterns, the rings comprise peaks and valleys formed by linear bar arms. wherein pairs of rings are configured such that the peaks of one pair are connected to the valleys of the other pair at apices of the peaks and valleys to form diamond shaped regions. In yet other patterns, there are two v-shaped elements formed by two short bar arms within the diamond-shaped elements, and a connecting bar arm connecting the two v-shaped elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intraluminal medical device formed of a first base material and having a second material inlaid in the base material wherein at least one of said first material and said second material is more radiopaque than the other. The second material may be inlaid in the first either by swaging, rolling, or by coextruding the two materials. The second radiopaque material forms a substantially smooth surface with the first base material.

Abstract: The present invention is a group of medical devices designed to improve heart valve function. The medical devices may be used individually, or in combination to supplement damaged valves, replace damaged valves, or improve damaged valves function. The medical devices include leaflet retainers, a neo-annulus, neo-leaflet, and a framework. In addition, the present invention is novel methods for surgically treating heart valves.

Abstract: A cartilage implant for replacing a portion of the cartilage adjacent to a skeletal joint is presented.

Abstract: An intervertebral cage includes a thin main wall having two return parts at opposite ends of the wall. The wall has an approximately constant thickness. The return parts are extended by facing end parts having a gap between them. The wall, the return parts and end parts delimit an inner cavity. The gap extends parallel to the wall and has a length between 50% and 100% of the cavity length. The gap length is preferably between 70% to 90% of the cavity length.

Abstract: Artificial disc (ADR) and joint replacement components, particularly those associated with the knee and hip, use compressible, resilient materials to approximate natural kinematics, often in conjunction with elastic or spring components to tether articulating components to avoid dislocation, excessive compression, flexion or other out-of-range movements. The preferred embodiments require only two or a few articulating components. The designs allow for normal flexion, extension, lateral bending, rotation, and translocation, depending upon the application.

Abstract: Artificial intervertebral disc, comprising a nucleus of flexible material with the shape of a flattened body, with a lower and an upper side connected by a lateral surface, having a rounded-preferably circular or ellipsoid-shape, around which at least substantially radially oriented windings of a traction-resistant fibre have been applied. The fibres have a tensile strength of at least 1 GPa and a modulus of at least 10 GPa.

Abstract: An artificial intervertebral disc including housing members including spaced inner surfaces facing each other and oppositely facing outer surfaces for engaging spaced apart intervertebral surfaces; self-adjusting bearing mechanisms operatively disposed between the inner surfaces for moving relative to the housing members to adjust and compensate for vertebral disc motion; and positioning ring for controlling motion and position of the bearing mechanisms and for absorption of compressive loads. An artificial intervertebral disc including housing members having an oval recess on the inner surfaces; oval bearing mechanisms operatively disposed within the oval recess between the inner surfaces for moving relative to the housing members to adjust and compensate for vertebral disc motion; and oval positioning ring. A spring member for an artificial intervertebral disc including a substantially annular body having an axially extended bore therethrough defining a passageway.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee system has a tibial component and a modular sleeve. The tibial component has a tibial tray, a stem and keels extending between the distal surface of the tray and the stem. The modular sleeve has an oval proximal surface with spaced reliefs. The reliefs and keels are sized, shaped and positioned to allow the modular sleeve to be mounted on the tibial component with the stem of the tibial component received in the interior channel of the sleeve and the keels of the tibial component received in the spaced reliefs of the modular sleeve, and to allow for some relative rotation between the tibial component and the sleeve. The system gives the surgeon the freedom to implant the tibial component alone, with the keels providing stability, or, in the case of bone deficiency, to implant the tibial component and sleeve as an assembly.

Abstract: A prosthetic metatarsal implant comprising a head and a neck extending from the head. A stem having at least one anchoring aperture extending transversely therethrough extends from the neck for insertion into a metatarsal bone. Means received by the at least one anchoring aperture for anchoring the stem in the metatarsal bone.

Abstract: This invention provides apparatus and a method for assembling a modular hip implant where the desired orientation of the neck component is uniquely determined during the trialing phase of the operation, and that same desired orientation is accurately reproduced during the implantation phase of the actual hip implant device.

Abstract: A trial system for an acetabular prosthesis is described. The acetabular prosthesis is generally for implantation in an acetabulum and surrounding pelvis. The acetabular prosthesis includes an acetabular cup having a substantially concave inner surface and a substantially convex outer surface. The described acetabular prosthesis is especially useful in revision hip implant procedures where significant bone tissue loss has occurred either in or around the acetabulum and/or the pelvis. A trial shell is provided to trial a range of motion of the hip joint before implanting a prosthetic shell into the acetabular prosthesis.

Abstract: Osteoconductive/osteoinductive titanium/titanium alloy implant comprising an additional element in the titanium oxide, obtained by anodic oxidation. The implant comprises an additional element in the titanium oxide such as calcium, phosphor or sulphur. The invention also relates to a process of producing the implants.

Abstract: Bone graft substitute compositions and methods of making the compositions are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of making a composition includes contacting a mixing solution with a first mixture having calcium sulfate hemihydrate and a plasticizing material to form a second mixture; waiting a predetermined period of time after forming said second mixture; and then contacting demineralized bone with the second mixture to form the composition. A composition can be formed from a kit including a first mixture having calcium sulfate hemihydrate and a plasticizing substance, a second mixture having demineralized bone, and a mixing solution. The first and second mixtures and the mixing solution are unblended.

Abstract: A medical stent is sized for placement in a ureter. The stent includes a first section which includes a first material, defines a lumen, and includes a first coil completing at least one revolution. A second section of the stent includes a second material, defines a lumen, and includes a second coil completing at least one revolution. A third section defines a lumen and is located between the first and second sections. The third section includes a co-extrusion of the first and second materials. One of the first or second sections is harder than the other section.

Abstract: A stump boot for use by an ankle disarticulation patient having a stump. The stump boot includes a sole, an inner casing, and an outer casing having a substantially rectangular cutout covered by a flexible member. The inner casing is custom molded to fit the stump and insertable within the outer casing. The sole is integrally attached to the outer casing and includes a foam inner sole, an outer sole having a non-skid grip material, a contoured wedge therebetween having an adjustable rubber build-up and a rounded bottom. A buckle and a strap are both integrally attached to the outer casing opposite one another. The strap has a securing fastener and a securing means and wraps over the flexible member and through the buckle for securing the stump within the stump boot.

Abstract: Articles of apparel for an amputee's residuum and for non-amputees who desire or require padding or joint support.

Abstract: The object of the present patent application is an agent for coloring keratin fibers based on oxidative dyes and which contains as developer at least one heterocyclic hydrazone derivative of formula (I) (with X?S or O) and as oxidant at least one persulfate salt, further objects being a multicomponent kit and a method for coloring keratin fibers by use of said agent

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reducing the total organic carbon (TOC) content of waste water in the course of the preparation of concentrated solutions or suspensions of anionic organic compounds, which method comprises increasing the concentration of an aqueous solution or suspension of an anionic organic compound in the form of its free acid or its alkali metal salt, having a salt content of less than 5% of extraneous salt by weight based on the total solution or suspension, by microfiltration, ultrafiltration and/or nanofiltration, a) the membrane pore size being so selected that compounds having molecular weights in the range from 300 to 1000 Daltons or higher are retained, and b) the content of anionic compound in the concentrate being so adjusted to from 10 to 50% by weight that the total organic carbon (TOC) content of the permeate is less than 0.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a both-side metallized insulation film comprises steps of: depositing zinc or a blend of zinc and aluminum onto both sides of an insulation film; and winding this metallized film into a product roll. The method is characterized in spraying an oxidizing gas onto a deposited layer on an inner side of the insulation film to be wound, during the winding step. During a vacuum deposition step, an oil layer is formed on at least one side of the metallized film. In addition, an oxide layer is formed by exposing a deposited layer on at least one side to oxygen, or by spraying an oxygen-containing gas onto the deposited layer on at least one side during the winding of the metallized film into the product roll.

Abstract: A solid porous zinc electrode for use in alkaline-zinc batteries, zinc-air batteries and fuel cells is provided which comprises specific zinc filaments, fibers, threads or strands compressed into a physically-stable wooly mass to form the electrode with a controlled geometrical shape and porosity distribution. Differential densification incorporates ribs, borders, grids or tabs for good structural integrity, mechanical strength, electrochemical behavior, and electrical conductivity. Pressing in a mold or rolling of a compressed sheet can also provide an anode with a large anode/cathode interface area and a complex geometry. The filaments of controlled dimension and composition are preferably made by spin forming from molten zinc alloys. Such anodes are not susceptible to breakage, have a long storage life and can be used in high rate discharge applications.

Abstract: Scented candles comprise: (a) candle manufacturing material, (b) perfume-loaded porous inorganic carrier particles, and (c) at least one wick. Methods for manufacturing a scented candle comprise: (a) loading porous inorganic carrier particles with perfume, (b) adding the perfume-loaded porous inorganic carrier particles to candle manufacturing material, and (c) providing the candle manufacturing material with a wick.

Abstract: A polishing cloth used in the chemical mechanical polishing treatment comprises a molded body of (meth)acrylic copolymer having an acid value of 10 to 100 mg KOH/g and a hydroxyl group value of 50 to 150 mg KOH/g.

Abstract: A dust collecting apparatus for use in a vacuum cleaner provides improved suction cleaning efficiency. The dust collecting apparatus includes a main body comprising a suction port through which a dust-laden air is drawn, and a first and a second discharge ports through which filtered air is discharged. A filter unit disposed between the suction port and the first discharge port, filters out dusts from the air. A parallel cyclone unit, disposed between the suction port and the second discharge port, removes dusts from the air by centrifugal force. The first discharge port is larger in sectional area than the second discharge port, and therefore, the filter unit has higher dust removal rate than the cyclone unit in the initial stage of the operation. Accordingly, the dust collecting apparatus can provide greater initial suction cleaning efficiency than a dust collecting apparatus having only the cyclone unit.

Abstract: A cyclonic separating apparatus includes at least one cyclone having a first end, a second end a longitudinal axis. An inlet is located at the first end for introducing a fluid flow into the cyclone, and a cone opening is located at the second end.

Abstract: Described herein is a portable storage device that stores a hydrogen fuel source. The storage device includes a bladder that contains the hydrogen fuel source and conforms to the volume of the hydrogen fuel source. A housing provides mechanical protection for the bladder. The storage device also includes a connector that interfaces with a mating connector to permit transfer of the fuel source between the bladder and a device that includes the mating connector. The device may be a portable electronics device such as a laptop computer. Refillable hydrogen fuel source storage devices and systems are also described. Hot swappable fuel storage systems described herein allow a portable hydrogen fuel source storage device to be removed from a fuel processor or electronics device it provides the hydrogen fuel source to, without shutting down the receiving device or without compromising hydrogen fuel source provision.

Abstract: A motor-driven blower, particularly suited for carpet cleaners and other wet vacuuming appliances, includes a rotating separator cup to impede water droplets and foam from being drawn into the blower. The separator cup is removably connected to a spider bracket that is mounted more permanently to one end of the motor shaft. Since the separator cup is not directly connected to the motor shaft, the cup can be removed without disturbing the rest of the blower. Thus, the blower can be run either with or without the separator cup. Moreover, by not attaching the separator cup directly to the motor shaft, the shaft can be made shorter to minimize vibration and noise at high rpm's.

Abstract: A cyclone dust collector and a vacuum cleaner having the same. The cyclone dust collector has a cyclone body shaped to have a relatively wider upper portion and a relatively narrower lower portion and also has a suction port and a discharge port, a grill member connected to the discharge port, a dust receptacle connected to the cyclone body, and a blocking member for partially blocking the grill member. Air drawn in through the suction port moves in an increasingly wider radial path as it travels upwardly to the discharge port, increasing the centrifugal force on suspended particles as they travel toward the discharge port. The shape of the cyclone body prevents turbulent flow from being generated. Dust is prevented by the blocking member from attaching to the grill member before being centrifuged, performance of the grill member is enhanced.

Abstract: A thermal mixer reduces the temperature of flue gas supplied to a fabric filter. Two spray dry absorbers are operable to cool flue gas. A housing of the mixer has first and second inlet passages for gas from the absorbers, an outlet passage for gas to the fabric filter, and a mixing passage. A set of damper vanes extends in the mixing passage and has a mixing position for mixing the flue gases from the inlet passages to supply mixed gas to the outlet passage at relatively high pressure drop but lower temperature if one of the absorbers in not operating. They have a non-mixing position for passage of gases without mixing and at low pressure drop when both absorbers are operating. The invention can also be used to improve mixing of combined gas streams initially having different chemical compositions or amounts of particle loading.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system having a cage mounted in an air-moving system, such as a wet and dry vacuum cleaner, which provides energy-absorbing structural ribbing for a more robust cage. The energy-absorbing ribs can tolerate impacts better than the relatively stiff, axial ribs aligned in a longitudinal direction of the cage found in prior efforts. The energy-absorbing ribs are formed in a non-aligned direction to the longitudinal axis, that is, at some non-zero angle to the axis. Circumferential ribs can be formed at some angle to the energy-absorbing ribs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of making a filamentary pad for improved mist elimination and mass transfer comprising a plurality of layers of mesh, each layer of mesh having a plurality of mesh openings defined therein. A plurality of preferential gas flow openings, each having an area larger than any of the areas of said mesh openings absent said preferential gas flow openings, are defined within at least two layers of mesh. The plurality of layers of mesh are vertically stacked to form the filamentary pad. The preferential gas flow openings provide preferential low-resistance paths for gas flow.

Abstract: A filter element has a filter media and at least one base member. The filter element further has a ceramic paste connecting the filter media to the at least one base member.

Abstract: A filter element is includes a cylindrical media pack defining a central open volume and a longitudinal axis; a first end cap having a central aperture in flow communication with the central open volume; and a second, closed end cap having a central region closing an end of the media pack central, open volume. The closed end cap includes a projection extending axially outwardly therefrom and positioned at a location intersected by the longitudinal axis. An end cover for an air cleaner includes an inner side including a central projection thereon. Preferably, the central projection comprises a wall that includes an outer perimeter defining a regular polyhedron having at least five sides. An air cleaner comprises a cylindrical filter element having a first open end cap, a second closed end cap, and a cylindrical media pack extending therebetween. The first end cap defines an internal radial seal region. The second, closed end cap has a central region including a circular recessed portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of plant growth stimulator from fly ash, comprising treating fly ash with effluent NOx gases in a reactor under agitation at a temperature in the range of 60 to 100 degree celsius, for a time period in the range of 2 to 5 hours and treating the resulting material with effluent ammonia gas in the same reactor under ambient conditions for time period in the range of 20 to 50 minutes.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide spherical metal particles having excellent monodispersity. The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing monodisperse spherical metal particles characterized by passing liquid metal through a porous membrane so as to disperse the resulting liquid metal particles in a continuous liquid phase.

Abstract: A method for making Nano-scale lead-free solder includes the following steps of: forming a mixture solution Sn-Ag or Sn-Ag-Cu; making NaBH4, NaOH and alkyl C12H25OSO3Na to a reducing dispersing solution; producing reactant Sn-Ag or Sn-Ag-Cu by means of the oxidation reduction method; and adding 95% ethanol to be mixed, and cleaning the reactant by using a supersonic vibrator for removing boron (B) and sulfur (S) atom which adhere to the reactant, thereby producing the Nano-scale (0.1˜100 nm) lead-free solder Sn-3.5Ag or Sn-3.5Ag-xCu (x=0.2˜1.0).

Abstract: A process for mutual separation of platinum group metals (PGM), wherein highly stable compounds and steps are used to efficiently remove impurity elements while preventing increase of impurity content relative to that of the PGM in the mother liquor and also preventing decomposition of a chloro complex, and palladium, platinum, iridium, ruthenium and rhodium are separated mutually in such a way that each of the separated PGM has a sufficient purity to be a commercial product.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for performing GC separations using a separation protocol including at least one negative temperature ramp, where the negative temperature ramp is controlled either by the introduction of a gaseous coolant at a controlled and adjustable rate or by the introduction of the coolant along with the application of microwave radiation to a column capable of absorbing microwave radiation, where the rate of coolant introduction or the rate of coolant introduction and radiation introduction is sufficient to achieve a desired rate of cooling.

Abstract: A separation membrane module having hollow fibers, wherein a plurality of hollow fibers are heated and melted to bond and thermally fuse the external surfaces of the hollow fibers with each other; and a method of manufacturing a separation membrane module having hollow fibers whereby the ends of a plurality of hollow fibers are inserted into a sheath, the sheath and the hollow fibers are tightly bonded together to form spaces, and the sheath portion into which hollow fibers have been inserted is heated up to the temperature at which the surfaces of the hollow fibers melt, with the spaces thus formed kept in a decompressed state, so that the exterior surfaces of the hollow fibers are thermally fused and integrated together.

Abstract: An air cleaner eliminates moisture laden in air, thus preventing the moisture from being added to a dust collecting filter and, for example, a deodorizing filter, therefore preventing performance of the dust collecting filter and the deodorizing filter from being deteriorated. The air cleaner includes a cabinet having an air inlet port and an air outlet port, a blowing unit provided in the cabinet to circulate air from the air inlet port to the air outlet port, and a filtering unit provided between the air inlet port and the air outlet port to filter the air drawn into the cabinet. The filtering unit includes a dehumidifying filter to adsorb moisture laden in the air, a dust collecting filter to collect dust laden in the air, and a deodorizing filter to remove an odor from the air. In this case, the dehumidifying filter is placed nearer to the air inlet port in comparison with both the dust collecting filter and the deodorizing filter.

Abstract: A pre-ionizer for use with an electrostatic precipitator is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The pre-ionizer includes two or more corona ground elements arranged in a substantially parallel orientation. A corona ground element of the two or more corona ground elements includes a substantially elongate body including a proximate end and a distal end and first and second projections formed on the proximate end and the distal end. The first and second projections retain the corona ground element in the electrostatic precipitator. The pre-ionizer further includes one or more corona charge elements positioned between two adjacent corona ground elements of the two or more corona ground elements. When a high voltage electrical field is placed across the two or more corona ground elements and the one or more corona charge elements, the pre-ionizer at least partially ionizes airflow through the pre-ionizer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for moving air using an air treatment apparatus, the air treatment apparatus preferably including at least one first electrode, at least one second electrode, and at least one third electrode, and at least a portion of the third electrode is positioned downstream of the second electrode. The air treatment apparatus includes a grill configured to be attached to the air treatment apparatus, and the grill is movable between a first position in which the grill covers the portion of the third electrode and a second position in which the portion of the third electrode is uncovered. The grill is attached to or detached from the housing when in the second position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for filtering contaminants, such as particulates and vapor phase contaminants, from a confined environment such as electronic or optical devices susceptible to contamination (e.g. computer disk drives) by improving performance and possibly incorporating multiple filtration functions into a unitary filter. Filtration functions include a passive adsorbent assembly and can include a combination of inlet, or breather filter and adsorbent filter. Moreover, recirculation filter, diffusion tube, and outside mount functions can be added to the filter depending on desired functionality within the enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inks for silk-screen printing technique, as well as the corresponding printing technique, designed to bestow upon the reproduction obtained by means of the use of said inks on an appropriate substrate, preferably of a paper type, a particular feel, preferably a particular roughness or coarseness. In particular, the present invention relates to an ink for silk-screen printing of catalogues or advertising leaflets for products designed for decorative wall coatings that will reproduce also the feel of the final decoration applied on the wall substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a first solid drawing material comprising water, a coloring agent, a solidifying agent that is a fatty acid alkali metal salt, and an O/W type emulsion of a separating agent that is an oily material which hardly volatilizes at room temperature. The first solid drawing material preferably contains silicone oil. A second solid drawing material is also disclosed, which comprises an organic solvent, a coloring agent, a solidifying agent that is at least one selected from the group consisting of dibenzylidene sorbitol, tribenylidene sorbitol, and derivatives thereof, a separating agent that is an oily material which hardly volatilizes at room temperature, and a resin soluble in the organic solvent. In these solid drawing materials, the separating agent is evenly dispersed, and therefore they have stable drawing properties and erasability.

Abstract: An aqueous ink is provided which comprises a dispersible colorant comprising a colorant and chargeable resin pseudo fine particles smaller than the colorant, the colorant and the chargeable resin pseudo fine particles fixing to each other; and at least one of a water-soluble nonionic resin and an emulsion particle. As a result, it becomes possible to provide an aqueous ink suitable for ink jet recording which has high dispersion stability, is excellent in long-term dispersion stability, and is capable of providing an image excellent in fastness such as rubfastness, especially a highly glossy image. Further, there can also be provided an ink tank, an ink jet recording apparatus, an ink jet recording method, and an ink jet recorded image each using such aqueous ink.

Abstract: An inkjet recording ink composition comprising an aqueous medium having dissolved and/or dispersed therein at least one dye, wherein at least one betaine-type surfactant is contained in the ink composition. The dye is preferably a magenta dye having an azo structure or a cyanine dye having a phthalocyanine structure. The inkjet recording ink composition is excellent in ejection property, light fastness, heat fastness and oxidation resistance and causing less dye bleeding.

Abstract: An ink composition comprising: a coloring agent having an oxidation potential of more electropositive than 1.0V (vs SCE); a water; a guanidine compound; and a surfactant, the ink composition to be used in inkjet recording and an inkjet recording method with the use of the ink composition.

Abstract: An ink to be used in an ink jet recording method of ejecting an ink from a recording head through action of thermal energy can improve the ink ejection stability. An ink to be used in an ink jet recording method of ejecting an ink from a recording head through action of thermal energy is characterized in that the ink comprises a pigment represented by the general formula (1), a dispersant and a water-soluble organic compound, and the pigment substantially shows neither an exothermic peak nor an endothermic peak in the range 25° C. or more to 200° C.