Abstract: A bioabsorbable interference screw having a tapered profile which extends along substantially the entire length of the screw. The tapered profile makes the screw easy to insert while providing superior fixation resulting from a progressively increasing diameter. Upon insertion, the screw engages cortical bone at the back end of the bone tunnel and fills all but 5-10 mm. of the tunnel, thereby providing increased fixation strength while also promoting fast healing. The screw includes a head provided with a specially designed drive socket with radially extending slots at its outer end for receiving corresponding protrusions on the shaft of screwdriver. The drive socket optimizes the torque capacity of the screw. To maintain wall thickness, the socket has a taper corresponding to the tapered outer profile of the screw. The taper of the socket also permits easy insertion of the tip and shaft of the driver into the screw.

Abstract: A device for maxillary jawbone and dentition expansion and/or retraction is configured for mounting within the mouth and connects the right and left halves of the skull. The maxillary distraction device includes at least two implantable anchors configured to be implanted in the maxillary bones of the skull on opposite sides of a midline of the skull. A facebow having two posterior ends is connectable to the implantable anchors and is configured to extend from the maxillary regions entirely within the mouth across the midline of the skull. The facebow has at least one expandable section for bone lengthening. The facebow is connected to the anchors and is lengthen periodically to lengthen the maxillary bones. The facebow may provide horizontal, vertical, and transverse distraction.

Abstract: A catheter can be formed from an elongate shaft and a distal tip. The catheter can be formed by flaring a proximal end of the distal tip to form a flared proximal end and positioning the distal tip such that the flared proximal end of the distal tip overlaps a distal end of the outer layer. Heat and pressure are applied to melt and flow together a portion of the outer layer proximate the distal end of the shaft and the overlapped portion of the flared proximal end of the distal tip, thereby forming a joint between the elongate shaft and the distal tip.

Abstract: A surgical retrieval device, and related method, for removing material, such as calculi, from a patient's body has the ability to capture and release the material. The surgical retrieval device has a handle, a sheath, and a retrieval assembly that includes a plurality of legs. At least one of the legs of the retrieval assembly has a hollow passageway. In one embodiment according to the invention, a prong is disposed within the hollow passageway of the leg.

Abstract: In a biopsy system having a biopsy needle guide secured to a needle guide support bracket, a biopsy needle guide is provided that includes a body having a periphery that defines an edge of the needle guide, the periphery defining a top surface, a bottom surface and a pair of side surfaces. A cradling aperture is positioned in the body and sized to engage the needle guide support bracket. A channel is provided in communication with the cradling aperture. The channel extends inwardly from one of the side surfaces of the body toward the cradling aperture. The needle guide of the present invention inhibits movement of the needle guide relative to the support bracket during a biopsy procedure.

Abstract: A eyebrow shaping device for shaping eyebrows easily and in a consistent form. The eyebrow shaping device includes a plurality of pairs of forms defining various shapes and sizes of eyebrows. Each pair of forms comprises a right and a left template. Each form has a template portion with a cut-out defining the shape and size, a substrate portion distributed along a first surface of the template portion and designed for removing unwanted eyebrow hair, and a protective portion releasably coupled to the substrate portion for protecting the substrate portion until use.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a surgical instrument. In particular, the present invention relates to a fastener remover for use during the repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The fastener remover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, comprises an outer catheter, an inner sheath, and a gripping member. The outer catheter comprises a hollow passage with a proximal end and a distal end. The inner sheath is disposed within the hollow passage of the outer catheter, extending from the outer catheter's proximal end to the distal end. The gripping member is located within the inner sheath, extending from the outer catheter's proximal end to the distal end. The gripping member comprises a connector portion connected to an elongated stem.

Abstract: A pharyngeal airway having a pharyngeal wall of a patient at least partially surrounding and defining the airway is treated by selecting an implant dimensioned so as to be implanted at or beneath a mucosal layer of the pharyngeal wall and extending transverse to said wall. The implant has mechanical characteristics for the implant, at least in combination with a fibrotic tissue response induced by the implant, to stiffen said pharyngeal wall to resist radial collapse. The implant is implanted into the pharyngeal wall transverse to a longitudinal axis of the airway.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for performing an anastomosis includes a housing having proximal and distal ends and a shaft extending from the distal end of the housing. The instrument also includes an actuator attached to the housing and a disposable loading unit configured for selective attachment to the shaft. The disposable loading unit includes a fastener support member configured and dimensioned to support an array of surgical fasteners thereon and a fastener pusher member which is movable through a firing stroke in response to movement of the actuator to deform the surgical fasteners.

Abstract: Devices and methods for achieving hemostasis and leakage control in hollow body vessels such as the small and large intestines, arteries and veins as well as ducts leading to the gall bladder and other organs. The devices and methods disclosed herein are especially useful in the emergency, trauma surgery or military setting, and most especially during damage control procedures. In such cases, the patient may have received trauma to the abdomen, extremities, neck or thoracic region. The devices utilize removable or permanently implanted, broad, soft, parallel jaw clips with minimal projections to maintain vessel contents without damage to the tissue comprising the vessel. These clips are applied using either standard instruments or custom devices that are subsequently removed leaving the clips implanted, on a temporary or permanent basis, to provide for hemostasis or leakage prevention, or both. These clips overcome the limitations of clips and sutures that are currently used for the same purposes.

Abstract: A lancet having one or more portions of the shank of the lancet blade exposed for direct engagement with cooperating portion(s) of the lancet carrier of a lancing device. This direct engagement of the lancet blade with the lancet carrier provides more precise positional control of the location of the lancing site by eliminating the effect that any variation in the position of the lancet blade within the lancet body would otherwise have on the positioning of the lancet tip. Tolerance stack-up is thereby reduced and accuracy is improved, reducing the necessary sample size and minimizing pain resulting from the lancing operation.

Abstract: An automatic safe disposable blood sampling device includes a casing with a launching chamber formed therein. The launching chamber has a lancet needle-exiting hole at a front end thereof; a lancet needle arranged inside the launching chamber; a spring; a launching mechanism composed of the spring and a catch-launching mechanism; a press-launching mechanism provided on the casing; and a self-locking mechanism composed of barbs provided on the press-launching mechanism and self-locking hooks or notches provided on the casing which engage corresponding barbs. When pressed, the press-launching mechanism triggers the catch-launching mechanism, to disengage the lancet needle from the casing. The spring pushes the lancet needle so as to launch the lancet needle. During forward movement of the press-launching mechanism, the barbs pass across the self-locking hooks or notches. In the process of retraction, the barbs are locked with the self-locking hooks or notches and cannot return to their initial states.

Abstract: A device for withdrawing blood for diagnostic purposes including a lancet and a lancet drive having a loadable elastic drive spring provided within an elongated housing. A relaxing motion of the drive spring is converted into a puncturing motion to move the lancet at high speed in a puncturing direction until its tip exits out of an opening of the housing. The device includes a transmission in the housing that has an input side that transforms the motion of a loading element along a linear loading path into a rotational motion of a lancet drive rotor to load the lancet drive rotor by tensioning the drive spring. When the lancet drive is triggered, the output side of the transmission converts a rotational motion of the lancet drive rotor, driven by the drive spring, into the puncturing motion in a direction along the main axis.

Abstract: A tissue punch which is configured to operate by utilizing a spring force to compress tissue between a rotatable cutter blade and a tissue piercing element. The tissue punch is configured such that once the spring force is applied, the cutter blade can be selectively rotated by the user. The rotation of the blade, assisted by the compression from the spring force, causes the cutter blade to cut through the tissue. Three different methods for creating an anastomosis for locating a bypass graft are disclosed. In each method, bypass graft material is installed on a tissue punch and then sutured. Depending on the method, the tissue is punched either before or after the suturing.

Abstract: A device for the implantation of electrolytically severable occluding spirals in body cavities or blood vessels comprising a source of electrical power, a cathode, a catheter and an occluding spiral adapted to serve as an anode and able to slide in the catheter in the longitudinal direction, wherein the occluding spiral (3) is designed to be electrolytically corrodible at several spaced apart points so that when in contact with a body fluid one or more variably dimensioned lengths of the occluding spiral (3) may be severed by electrolysis.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body comprising a filter element. The filter is expandable from a collapsed configuration when the filter element is restrained to an expanded configuration when the filter element is unrestrained, and the filter element comprises a self-expanding material having pores. When the filter element is in the expanded configuration, the average pore size is from 30 to 300 microns and the standard deviation of the pore size is less than 20 percent of the average pore size.

Abstract: An emboli extraction catheter and vascular filter system comprising a guidewire, a vascular filter attached near the distal end of the guidewire, and an emboli extraction catheter. The vascular filter has a smaller first diameter for insertion into the lumen of a vessel, and a second larger diameter for expanding to substantially equal the diameter of the lumen and to be placed in generally sealing relationship with the lumen. The emboli extraction catheter is a flexible catheter comprising a hub attached to the proximal end of the catheter. The hub further comprises a sideport and means for maintaining a seal on the guidewire. The emboli extraction catheter can be used to aspirate embolic particulates, so as to avoid their accidental release after they are captured in a vascular filter, and can also be used to empty full vascular filters of embolic particulates which may block distal flow.

Abstract: An intravascular expandable filter which has centering members that work to center the filter in a body vessel, the centering member creating a zone at the radial extent of the filter substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter. A device to deploy the filter consisting of an inner sheath with radially expandable distal arms having slots in them to receive the elongate members of the filter. A device to receive the filter consisting of a member to push a central portion of the filter into a receiving portion of the device.

Abstract: An automatic suturing device including: a body for insertion into an opening in tissue; a plurality of hooks movably disposed in the body between retracted and extended positions; a suture holder having sutures disposed therein, the suture holder having a mechanism for engaging a portion of the hooks when in the retracted position and for attaching the sutures to a portion of the plurality of hooks; and an actuator for actuating the plurality of hooks from the retracted position to the extended position and for embedding the exposed plurality of hooks with the attached sutures into the tissue surrounding the opening.

Abstract: A stent and stent catheter for intra-cranial use. The stent is a rolled sheet stent and is releasably mounted on the distal tip of the catheter with a low profile retaining tab. The stent is rolled tightly on the distal tip of the catheter and flexibility of the tightly rolled stent is promoted by ribbed or slatted construction (or, alternatively, slotted construction) in which the various layers of the stent are provided with numerous slats which counter align when the stent.

Abstract: Wire-guided interventional devices and methods are provided which enable faster and easier catheter exchanges. The interventional devices include a catheter shaft and a guidewire tube wherein the catheter shaft and the guidewire tube each have a length sufficient to extend to the vascular penetration when the interventional device is positioned at the treatment site. In some embodiments, a collar is disposed around the catheter shaft and guidewire tube that automatically inserts or removes the guidewire from the guidewire tube or automatically collapses or extends the guidewire tube as the catheter is introduced or withdrawn.

Abstract: To provide a lumen-friendly, flexible stent which is excellent in trackability to lumens (thus, it is able to pass through the three-dimensionally meandering lumens), substantially free from shortening (shortening of the length), uniformly expandable.

Abstract: A stent device including a stent body having a plurality of adjacent rows and one or more interconnections or interlocking rings between rows. The interconnections have first and second connecting portions with first ends permanently and immovably coupled to the rows and second ends interlocked with each other, such that the second ends of each portion can move independently of the other. The interconnections include ball and socket joints, hinge joints or universal joints. Interlocking rings have indentations for receiving the other ring, such that when interlocked, the rings will lay flat against a body lumen wall.

Abstract: A balloon catheter for use in treating a condition of a vessel occurring near a bifurcation defined by the intersection of a main vessel with a side branch vessel comprises a shaft which comprises a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal passageway extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a transverse hole extending from the passageway. The balloon catheter also comprises a balloon head which is mounted on the shaft and which comprises an elongated balloon portion having a generally uniform outer diameter surface, an intermediate portion secured to the shaft proximate the hole, a port formed in the intermediate portion in alignment with the hole, and a portal extending between the outer diameter surface and the intermediate portion.

Abstract: Biomaterial including tissues basically obtained from an animal cornea, in particular, from a fish cornea. A cardiac valve (10) which may envisage at least one cusp (15) made with an organic tissue obtained from this particular biomaterial.

Abstract: A sterile composite bone graft for use in implants comprising a T shaped cortical bone load bearing member mated to a cancellous member. The crosspiece of the T defines an inner planar surface and dove tail shaped mating member extends outward from the inner planar surface. The allograft cancellous bone member defines tapered side walls on the exterior surface of the body, a flat proximal end surface and a flat distal end surface. A dove tail shaped recess with the narrowest portion exiting the flat proximal end surface is cut into the interior of the cancellous member body. The dove tail shaped member and dove tail shaped recess are mated together to hold both component members together. Pins are mounted in both members to provide additional stability.

Abstract: A modular ankle implant. The implant includes a tibial component coupled to a talar component with a bearing. The bearing is adapted for hinged articulation relative to the talar component and limited rotation relative to the tibial component.

Abstract: A prosthetic femoral implant for use in a hip joint, as a ball and socket type joint, is disclosed. The implant includes a modular neck having a variety of adjustable positions to adjust the lateral offset and version angle of the femoral implant in relation to the femur. The implant further includes a broad, full collar for providing a compression force increasing the interdigitation between the interface of the bone, implant and cement. The implant also includes a stem having a depression having a roughened porous surface for resisting the increased torsional loads placed on the implant due to the increased lateral offset and version angle. The stem further comprises three distinct zones, each zone having its own roughened surface creating a tripartite differential porosity.

Abstract: A fabric cleaning system, especially a system for use in the consumer's home, utilizing down the drain detergent composition for a non-aqueous, lipophilic fluid based washing process and automatic laundry machines useful for this process.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a composition for the oxidation dyeing of keratin fibers, for example human keratin fibers, such as hair, comprising, in an appropriate dyeing medium, at least one oxidation dye, at least one C10-C14 fatty alcohol and a cationic poly(vinyllactam), and to dyeing methods and devices using this composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an optical line detector for regulating the position of the wash front and/or of the build-up front of the crystal bed of a wash column in a melt crystallization process and a corresponding regulation method. The line detector, for example a CCD camera or a linear array of reflection probes, is arranged in such a way that optical properties of the crystal bed can be detected continuously in a region running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wash column, this region covering the desired setpoint position of the wash front or of the build-up front.

Abstract: Valve metal material, including a valve metal, a nitride layer located on the valve metal, and an oxide layer located on the nitride layer is described. Methods of forming such a valve metal material are also described. The method includes forming an oxide layer onto the valve metal and then forming a nitride layer between the oxide layer and the valve metal.

Abstract: When lead plates (10) for industrial batteries are jacketed the lead plate (10) is surrounded with a first layer (12) of fiber nonwoven, with a second layer (24) of fiber nonwoven, with a layer (28) of punched or perforated plastic film and with a sleeve (30) of separator material. To simplify the jacketing, the second layer (24) of nonwoven and the layer (28) of plastic film are folded jointly around the lengthwise edges (20, 22) of the lead plate (10) and immediately after the first layer (12) of nonwoven has been folded around the lead plate (10). To do this, the lead plate (10) which has been jacketed in the first layer (12) of nonwoven and the second layer (24) and the layer (28) of plastic film are moved jointly into a folding station (C). In the folding station (C) the layer (28) of plastic film for purposes of securing the two nonwoven layers (12) and (24) which have been placed around the lead plates (10) are closed into a sleeve by joining their lengthwise edges to one another.

Abstract: An additive for low-sulfur mineral oil distillates having improved cold flowability and paraffin dispersancy, comprising at least one ester of an alkoxylated polyol and at least one polar nitrogen-containing paraffin dispersant.

Abstract: A method of making a fuel composition for a modified internal combustion spark ignition engine comprising combining a fuel grade ethanol, an oxygen-containing component and at least one C6-C12 hydrocarbon. A fuel produced by such a method is also provided.

Abstract: Sulphur control in fluidized bed combustion systems often involves adding a source of calcium to the combustor so that the calcium may combine with the sulphur. Ash resulting from such combustion often contains a significant amount of calcium which does not combine with the sulphur compounds. This invention teaches a method of reactivating that ash by grinding the ash in a positive transport grinding mill with water. The grinder causes the ash to simultaneously undergo grinding and hydration to convert the calcium to calcium hydroxide. Advantageously drying agents are added to the ground hydrated ash after grinding to facilitate the formation of acceptably crumbly pellets thereby increasing the amount of calcium available to react with the sulphur. A particularly advantageous aspect of the invention involves the use of wet coal slurries which are otherwise waste products as the source of water to be ground with the ash. The coal content of the slurry then forms additional fuel for the combustion process.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a vacuuming machine with a primary chamber in which vacuum pressure within allows the ingress of debris through a hose. Air and debris entering the primary chamber decelerate upon entry into the chamber which allows debris to settle out of the air column within the primary chamber. Air within the primary chamber is evacuated through an enlarged filter and duct system that carries the air through a filter hopper and fan plate to a rotating fan. The blades of the fan move air and particulate matter through a second duct into a secondary chamber in which another deceleration of air and debris allows additional debris to settle to the bottom of the secondary chamber before air is finally evacuated from the vacuum machine.

Abstract: A cyclone separator (14) for use in a suction apparatus (4) of a hand-held power tool (2) includes a dirty air inlet (12), a suction ventilator (38) for aspirating, through a suction opening (8) which is connected with the dirty air inlet (12), abrasion particle-carrying suction air, a pure air outlet for letting out purified air, a vortex chamber (16) arranged between the dirty air inlet (12) and the pure air outlet, with the dirty air inlet (12) opening substantially tangentially into the vortex chamber (16) for generating a swirling stream in a direction toward the pure air extraction element (24), a collection chamber (36), and particle outlet having at least two particle outlet openings and connecting the vortex chamber with a collection chamber (36), with the dirty air inlet opening into the vortex chamber between the two particle outlet openings.

Abstract: Chemical processing apparatuses which incorporate a process vessel, such as a crucible or retort, and which include a gas separation or filtration system. Various embodiments incorporate such features as loose filtration material, semi-rigid filtration material, and structured filtration material. The vessel may include material that is a microwave susceptor. Filtration media may be selected so that if it inadvertently mixes with the chemical process or the reaction products of such process, it would not adversely affect the results of the chemical process.

Abstract: There is provided a system for protection/isolation against infections or disease-bearing persons including an enclosure defining at least two chambers, an isolation chamber having at least one entering and exiting closable opening, at least one ambient air inlet and at least one air outlet connectable to a blower/filter, and an airlock chamber juxtaposed the opening having an access and egress closable aperture, means for forming under-pressure in the isolation chamber and airlock chamber, and at least one biological filter operationally connected to the means for forming under-pressure. A method for protecting/isolating against infection or disease-bearing persons, is also provided.

Abstract: A safety cabinet which can prevent contaminated air from leaking from a working space through the periphery of a front shutter, and which can prevent outside air from entering the working space has a peripheral structure part surrounding the working space formed with air suction ports in a part opposed to the inner surface of the front shutter connected to a negative pressure passage formed outside of the working space. The negative pressure passage guides air sucked through the air suction ports from the inside and the outside of the working space, toward a filter for purification of the air.

Abstract: A fan fixture includes a base having a chamber to receive a fan, the chamber of the base having two adjacent side faces formed with a slot and an air inlet respectively, a cover detachably mounted on the base to fix the fan in the chamber of the base and having a plurality of air outlets, and a filter net inserted through the slot into the chamber of the base to cover the air inlet of the base. Thus, the filter net of the fan fixture covers the air inlet of the base to provide a dustproof effect so as to prevent the dust or insects from entering the fan to protect the fan and the electronic parts contained in the housing.

Abstract: A filter screen assembly for use with an air intake structure, the structure including a face within which is formed an air intake opening. The filter screen assembly includes a screen having a flexible mesh material and an outer perimeter edge. The perimeter edge is secured at specified locations to the face of the air intake structure, by a plurality of fastener components each including a fixed portion and an actuating portion, in order to filter out contaminants associated with an air stream entering the intake structure and to prevent the screen from being drawn into the air intake opening. Alternatively, at least one elongated track may be secured to a face of the intake structure proximate the intake opening and, in use with a plurality of traversably secured trolley hooks, operates to advance the screen in a given fashion across the intake opening.

Abstract: An air cleaner arrangement or assembly is provided. The air cleaner arrangement includes a serviceable filter cartridge. The air cleaner assembly also includes an arrangement for positioning the filter cartridge into a preferred, sealing, orientation and for securing the filter cartridge in that location. Preferred serviceable filter cartridges are provided, as well as methods of assembly and use.

Abstract: An internally insulated exhaust aftertreatment device with a converter body, an end cone assembly and a sealing device inserted in an annular area between the external shell and the substrate of the converter body. The sealing device is sealingly engaged between an inner end cone and the insulating material. The sealing device comprises a wire-mesh ring-shaped device conformable to the annulus between the substrate and the shell, and may have a substantially round cross-sectional area, a C-shaped cross-sectional area, or an L-shaped cross-sectional area.

Abstract: The invention relates to zinc powders or zinc alloy powders with an inhomogeneous bulk density distribution depending on the particle size, wherein the difference of the bulk density measured according to ASTM B212 in the particle size range smaller than 75 ?m and that in the particle size range greater than 150 ?m is at least 0.5 g/cm3, and the mean bulk density of the powder, measured according to ASTM B212, ranges from 1.8 to 4.0 g/cm3. The invention is also directed to mixtures of said zinc powders or zinc alloy powders and to an alkaline battery including said powders.

Abstract: This invention is provided for improvement of corrosion-resistant property of a crucible and for promotion of safety in a pyrochemical reprocessing method for the spent nuclear fuel. The spent nuclear fuel is dissolved in a molten salt placed in the crucible. In a pyrochemical reprocessing method, the nuclear fuel is deposited, and the crucible (2) is heated by induction heating. Cooling media (5, 6) are supplied to cool down, and a molten salt layer (7) is maintained by keeping balance between the heating and the cooling, and a solidified salt layer (8) is formed on inner wall surface of the crucible.

Abstract: A nanostructured substrate is disclosed having a plurality of substrate openings disposed between the nanostructures on the substrate. When a desired fluid comes into contact with the substrate, at least a portion of the fluid is allowed to pass through at least one of the openings. In a first embodiment, the fluid is caused to pass through the openings by causing the fluid to penetrate the nanostructures. In a second embodiment, the substrate is a flexible substrate so that when a mechanical force is applied to the substrate, such as a bending or stretching force, the distance between nanoposts or the diameter of nanocells on the substrate increases and the liquid penetrates the nanostructures. In another embodiment, a first fluid, such as water, is prevented from penetrating the nanostructures on the substrate while a second fluid is permitted to pass through the substrate via the openings in the substrate.

Abstract: A hydrogen permeation membrane is provided having a cP2 Pearson symbol (Pm3m space group) structure. Suitable alloys include an “A” element from Periodic Table groups 3b-5b and an “M” element from the Periodic Table groups 6b-1b present at a stoichiometry that achieves the inventive crystal structure. Zr and Nb are the preferred A elements followed in preference by Ti and V. First Periodic Table row elements from groups 6b-1b are the preferred B elements. The inventive alloys also find applications as hydrogen getters, Ni-metal hydride battery materials, and hydrogen storage materials.

Abstract: A dehumidifying device for absorbing water vapour from ambient air comprising a container having an opening to permit water vapour to enter the container, the container having a water-absorbing agent disposed therein for absorbing water vapour, wherein a first portion of the water-absorbing agent is adapted to provide an indication of water absorption faster than a second portion of the water-absorbing agent following exposure of the first and second portions of water-absorbing agents to water vapour, thereby providing an early indication of the operation of the device.