Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for treating sleep apnea, snoring, and the like using an implant within an oropharyngeal region adjacent an anterior longitudinal ligament. The implant includes an endless loop defining a curved central region between first and second regions in a horizontal plane. The central region is vertically narrow relative to the first and second regions, and the first and second regions are compressible vertically to allow the first region to be directed through or behind the ligament adjacent the oropharyngeal region such that the central region is disposed within or behind the ligament. The first region is resiliently expandable after passing through or behind the ligament to contact tissue adjacent the oropharyngeal region. The first and second regions are compressible into a “C” shape within the horizontal plane, yet biased to expand and apply a force to dilate the tissue adjacent the oropharyngeal region.

Abstract: A protective lead shield for use during spinal surgery. The lead shield is intended to be draped over the back of a patient lying in the prone position during the surgical procedure. The lead shield includes a central opening that is positioned over the pathology being treated so as to allow the surgeon to gain access thereto with various surgical devices. The lead shield has an hour-glass shape where a narrow part of the shield is aligned with the opening. The wider ends of the shield allow the shield to be maintained in place on the patient, and the narrow part of the shield and the opening allow fluoroscopic X-rays to be taken of the spinal area being treated from both the top and the side. Thus, the surgical procedure can be effectively performed, the surgical area can be effectively X-rayed and the surgeon can be effectively protected from X-rays while the shield is in place.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the tongue, and more particularly for temporarily suspending the tongue. One embodiment of the device comprises an elongate member with a retractable distal tissue-engaging tip that is movable within the lumen of tubular member configured for insertion into the tongue, preferably from an inferior surface of the jaw. The device may be used diagnostically assess the effect of performing tongue suspension in a patient prior to permanent implantation of a glossopexy device. The retractable distal tissue-engaging tip may be removed after diagnostic assessment, or left in place and attached to a temporary external securing device.

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 smoking article having a filter segment that establishes both a desired resistance to draw and a mixing of mainstream smoke with ventilation air. The filter segment includes a fluted portion, a frusto-conical portion and axially extending orifices establishing fluid communication between the frusto-conical portion and voids between one or more walls of the fluted portion.

Abstract: The current invention is a magnetic Cigarette Filter and system of use. It is a filter which has a filter mouth piece with a cellulose filter, an air tube and a cigarette holder with an air hole in a magnetic plate to which magnets are held. The mouth piece and the cigarette holder can be removed from the air tube by a simple turning and pulling motion. There are rings in the connection between the mouth piece and the air tube and the air tube and the cigarette holder. These rings issue an airtight seal on the filter.

Abstract: A hair fastening and hair volume enhancing device is described which includes a thin flat strip, of bendable, lightweight flexible material having bristles on top and bottom sides thereof. A wire is positioned between sheaths of material forming the thin flat strip. The flat strip has a surface finish of a color and shine similar to a wearer's hair color and shine so that the device is imperceptible when worn by the wearer. A hair fastening and hair volume enhancing method using the device involves placing the hair device in hair, moving and/or bending the hair device in any direction, and attaching the hair to the device by means of the bristles on the surfaces of the hair device such that the hair device holds hair in place while also providing hair enhancement by holding the hair in a suspended position away from the scalp, thereby enhancing hair volume appearance while also holding hair in place.

Abstract: An eyelash treatment device includes an applicator equipped with a heater for softening a mascara composition which is solid at a room temperature. The applicator includes, in addition to a comb arranged along the length of the applicator, a heat radiator which is exposed on the applicator and is configured to have a continuous heating strip extending along the length of the applicator to receive the solid mascara composition for softening the composition by heat. Also, the heat radiator is configured to have a trough for holding the softened mascara composition. The comb projects from within the trough for delivering the softened mascara composition to the eyelashes when smoothening the eyelashes. Since the heating strip extends continuously along the length of the heat radiator without being interrupted by any member, the mascara composition can be loaded over the full length of the heating strip so as to be applied successfully and uniformly to the eyelashes from the applicator.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aerosol device containing a hair composition for hair styling which comprises, in a cosmetically acceptable aqueous medium, at least one copolymer based on N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole units having a molecular weight greater than 100 KDaltons, and dimethyl ether as propelling agent. The invention also relates to the use of this device and to a method of hair treatment.

Abstract: Hair styling apparatus comprising a pair of pivotally connected handles and a pair of detachable styling members which are connected to the un-pivoted ends of said handles, said styling member comprising a main housing, a styling roller and an electrical adaptor, said styling roller being roatably supported on said main housing and being rotatable about a longitudinal axis which is substantially orthogonal to the pivotal axis joining said handles, said electrical adaptor and said handle including co-operative electrical interfacing means so that operating power for said heating means of said styling member can be supplied from said handle to said styling member via said electrical interfacing means, wherein said styling roller being rotatable relative to said electrical adaptor.

Abstract: A process for removing the coating layers from finished golf balls is disclosed herein. The process involves soaking the golf balls in a removal solution and then subjecting the golf balls to ultrasonic treatment in order to remove a coating layer, an indicia and/or a paint layer.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for cleaning a deposition chamber that is compatible with large area deposition. It comprises transport of activated gas from a remote plasma source to an area in the chamber in a uniform way through at least two injection points on equivalent paths for the reactive species. A respective gas injection system for the distribution of activated reactive gas comprises a source of reactive gas, a tubing for distributing the gas and an evacuable chamber. The gas is discharged to the tubing having at least one inlet constructively connected to the source and at least two outlets open to the chamber, thereby forming at least partially independent tube branches, wherein the length and the cross-section perpendicular to the gas flow of each tube branch, calculated between inlet and each respective outlet is essentially equal.

Abstract: In a cleaning apparatus and a method of cleaning a chamber used in manufacturing a semiconductor device, a first plasma may be provided into a chamber to remove a first residue from an inner wall of the chamber where the first residue is attached. A second plasma may then be provided into the chamber to remove a second residue formed by the first plasma from an inside of the chamber where the second residue remains. The second residue formed by the first plasma used to clean the chamber may not pollute a semiconductor substrate located in the chamber.

Abstract: A porous member cleaning method enables effective cleaning of the interior of a porous member even when it has a small pore size, a high density and a large volume. The porous member cleaning method includes: disposing a porous member in a hermetic space, and cleaning the interior of the porous member with a pressurized cleaning liquid passing through the interior of the porous member; and then disposing the porous member in said hermetic space or in a different hermetic space, and supplying pressurized pure water to the interior of the porous member so that the pure water passes through the interior of the porous member.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus configured to clean a consumable drink or food container includes a handle portion, a bristle base, and a plurality of bristles. The handle portion, which is generally cylindraceous, includes a first end, a second end, a grip, and an end portion. The grip is positioned proximate to the first end and comprises a gripping feature. The gripping feature is configured to facilitate gripping of the cleaning apparatus by a user. The end portion is positioned proximate to the second end and includes an attachment structure. The attachment structure is configured enable attachment of the cleaning apparatus to an accessory. The bristle base is capable of being positioned adjacent to the first end of the handle portion. The plurality of bristles are attached to and project outwardly from the bristle base.

Abstract: A stem web is disclosed that comprises a backing layer having a first surface and a second surface, and an array of 600 to 20000 upstanding stems projecting from the first surface of the backing. The stems comprise a height from 0.3 and 2.0 millimeters and a shore hardness less than 90A. In one embodiment, the stem web further comprises a reinforcing layer secured to the second surface. In one embodiment, the stem web is secured to a tool to be passed across a surface to be cleaned to capture lint and hair.

Abstract: An article, containing: a support in the form of at least one sheet containing fibres that are water-soluble at a temperature of 0-30° C., and a composition carried by the support, containing at least one foaming surfactant chosen from acylamino acid compounds.

Abstract: A conveyor-type dishwasher and related method of operation utilizes a recirculated spray solution for a spray operation of items to be cleaned and produces a control signal that is contamination dependent or time dependent to cause a filtering operation to be carried out on the recirculated spray solution or a regeneration operation to be carried out on the recirculated spray solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile or stationary waste container cleaning system used for residential, commercial and industrial waste, garbage, trash, storage or operations containers or receptacles. Other applications include, but are not limited to cleaning of chemical drums, grease dumpsters (e.g. behind restaurants), rain barrels and non-uniform residential, commercial or industrial dumpsters or waste containers. The container cleaning system can alternatively be used for rural areas, farms or ranches.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted patching system for patching potholes and the like and incorporating method and apparatus for removing and flushing asphalt emulsion from the feed lines of the patcher which completely recycles the cleaning agent used to flush the feed lines, as well as eliminating any external discharge of potentially toxic materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for cleaning passages in workpieces, in particular cooling-air passages in turbine components, such as transition pieces or turbine blades or vanes, wherein the workpiece having the passages is immersed in a liquid bath and a liquid is suddenly forced under pressure through the passages.

Abstract: A surface treatment device (10) is provided for applying a surface treatment medium to an article (60). The device comprises an application member (12, 14) for holding and applying the surface treatment medium to the article. The device has a securing arrangement (40) for securing the application member to the article.

Abstract: The techniques described herein are directed to removing material that has attached to or preventing material from attaching to the surface of a piezoelectric cantilever. The material can be a target material, other, non-target, material that may be weakly bound or attached to the cantilever sensor, or the material may be a combination thereof. Accordingly, the cantilever sensor can be reused, in situ, without degraded detection performance of the cantilever sensor. The techniques may also be utilized to remove all material that has attached to a surface of the cantilever sensor which provides means for reusing the cantilever sensor.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a cleaning apparatus which can subject wafers that have undergone polishing to various cleaning processes while reducing the usage amount of pure water, increase the processing speed of wafers per unit floor area and significantly improve the operating rate, enable change or rearrangement of a plurality of cleaning processing chambers to more optimum arrangement in accordance with the cleaning treatment processes and the like, prevent generation of defects in wafers that are in process of, for example, pre-treatment, and simplify the configuration of the apparatus.

Abstract: A substrate treatment apparatus, comprising a box-shaped treatment tank (11) having an opening part at its upper side and a cover body (21) openably covering the opening part of the treatment tank. The cover body (21) is characterized in that a drying chamber (23) storing and drying a treated substrate (W) is formed therein, the treatment tank (11) is so formed that at least three of treatment fluid feed nozzle tubes (14a) to (14c) and (14a?) to (14c?) are disposed at each of the opposed side wall faces thereof forming the box shape horizontally at specified intervals and these feed nozzle tubes (14a) to (14c) and (14a?) to (14c?) are formed to be connected to a switching mechanism to supply a treatment fluid from the opposed side wall sides while alternately switching them at the opposed side wall faces. Thus, the treatment of various types of chemical liquids, flushing, and drying can be performed in the same treatment tank.

Abstract: A dishwasher with a rinsing container having the advantages of an inert, steel rinsing container, which is easy to produce and which can be adapted to differing requirements. Said aim is achieved in that the dishwasher is provided with a bottom module and a rinsing container, wherein the bottom group forms the bottom of the rinsing container and the top wall of the rinsing container consists of a separate top part. Production and mounting of the rinsing container is considerably simplified by preferably embodying the casing as a single part and by reduction of parts associated therewith, resulting in a reduction in production costs for the inventive dishwasher. Even when the height of the rinsing container varies, it is possible to use the same top part and bottom group; the height of the single-part casing simply needs to be adapted accordingly.

Abstract: The cleaning nozzle according to the invention having a nozzle body (100) and a nozzle head (104) arranged on a shaft (106) rotatably seated on said nozzle body, and having a cavity (107), which extends in axial direction in said nozzle body (100) and which is connected with a pressurized water supply (102), by means of which cavity pressurized water supplied via the pressurized water supply (102) is guided to the nozzle head (104) and is discharged to the outside in said nozzle head (104) by at least one nozzle orifice (118), is formed especially by a friction brake comprising at least two disc elements (108, 110) that are in mechanical contact one with the other in the axial direction for restricting the rotational motion of the shaft (106).

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a paint roller includes a container having a top with an insertion opening for introducing a paint-carrying surface of the paint roller into the container and a bottom with a discharge opening for discharging paint out of the container. A spray pipe has holes formed therein for directing water toward the paint-carrying surface within the container. The spray pipe rotates and the paint roller is movable vertically, for washing paint off substantially all of the paint-carrying surface and out of the discharge opening.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a housing, a dish rack movably disposed in the housing, and a first and a second roller respectively disposed on opposite sides of the dish rack. The first and second rollers are configured to movably support the dish rack on respective first and second running surfaces. A respective angle of inclination of at least a respective portion of the first and second running surfaces is adjustable so as to enable the dish rack to automatically move outward from the housing.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a regeneration assembly to regenerate a filter assembly during a regeneration cycle, and for supplying fuel through a fuel flow path to at least one fuel injector unit associated with the regeneration assembly during the regeneration cycle. The method includes dispensing a cleaning substance into the fuel flow path during a cleaning cycle. The method further includes directing the cleaning substance through the at least one fuel injector unit during the cleaning cycle.

Abstract: A water vapor cleaning system includes a vapor-producing chamber in communication with a water source, e.g. a hot water line, of an existing plumbing system. The vapor-producing device includes a vapor exit. The cleaning system includes a nozzle having an inlet, an outlet, and a valve selectively allowing or denying fluid communication between the inlet and outlet. The nozzle includes an actuator for selection between allowing or denying fluid communication. The nozzle is connected to the vapor-producing chamber with tubing. The nozzle also includes a vacuum device for suctioning items or blowing air through the tubing. A selector switch on the nozzle facilitates selection between steaming, vacuuming, blowing, soaping, and rinsing modes. A set of nozzle accessories are included for cleaning various types of surfaces.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes an outer housing, a drawer having front, rear, bottom and opposing side walls that collectively define a washing tub, a lid for selectively closing the washing tub and an operating mechanism that raises and lowers the lid as the drawer is shifted into and out of the outer housing. The operating mechanism includes a lifting slider slidably mounted in the outer housing operatively coupled to a lifting spring and a compression slider, also slidably mounted in the outer housing coupled to a compression spring. The lifting slider and compression slider are provided with corresponding lifting rollers and compression rollers that engage the lid. As the drawer is withdrawn from the outer housing, the lifting spring urges the lifting slider upward raising the lid and, as the drawer is inserted into the outer housing, the compression slider forces the lid downward onto the washing tub.

Abstract: The invention is a shoulder support for a crutch having a pair of upper tubes that slide inside a pair of lower tubes. The shoulder support includes tube caps that are supported at a top of the upper tubes and a channel section positioned between the tube caps and attached to the tube caps by a bolt. A shoulder spring is bent into a bow-tie shape with two loops and a narrow portion. A crutch user positions his underarm atop the shoulder spring to support his weight, and the shoulder spring loops deflect outwardly when a user bears his weight on the crutch. The shoulder support includes a resilient shoulder pad that covers the shoulder spring to protect skin beneath arms of the user from scraping and chafing. Two rivets secure the narrow portion of the shoulder spring to the channel section at a top of the channel section.

Abstract: The invention is for a handle assembly for an adjustable crutch having two upper tubes each of which slides inside one of two lower tubes to adjust the height of the crutch. The handle assembly has a body, a lever attached to the outside of the body; and two locking pins positioned inside the body. Each locking pin is mechanically coupled to the lever and each locking pin is normally biased through tube holes formed in the upper tubes and through tube openings defined in the lower tubes to prevent the sliding of the upper tubes inside the lower tubes. The depression of the lever causes the locking pins to retract from the tube holes and the tube openings such that a user may slide the upper tube inside the lower tube to change the crutch height.

Abstract: The invention is for a handle body for a crutch used to aid a person in walking on a walking surface. The handle body includes a generally cylindrical palm grip about which a user wraps his hand to grip the handle assembly, a generally vertical front post, a generally vertical rear post, a web upon which the web of the hand of the person rests when the person grips the handle body, and a thumb rest upon which the person positions a thumb to more securely grip the handle body and to physiologically and psychologically encourage the person to refrain from engaging in twisting and rolling motions of the hands and wrist. The thumb rest is a contoured ridge integrally formed on a side of the handle body.

Abstract: The invention is for a foot assembly for a walking aid. The foot assembly is attached to a strut at a lower end of the walking aid. The foot assembly has a cylinder attached to a bottom of the strut and a foot pivotally attached to the cylinder by a foot bolt. The foot has a hemispherical portion and a flat ring portion. The foot bolt is positioned through a dome hole and a cylinder bottom opening, and the foot bolt is secured by a foot bolt nut that tightens on the foot bolt threads to attach the foot dome hemispherical portion to a concave cylinder bottom wall. A resilient foot pad is attached to a bottom of the foot. A spacer fits on the foot bolt and retains the foot bolt head inside the hemispherical portion.

Abstract: A method for disassembling and packaging the canopy in a container, wherein the length of the container is 25% shorter than the length of each of the upright assemblies. As a result, the length of the container is significantly short as compared with prior art containers. To accommodate the shortened length, the width and/or the height of the container may be increased as necessary to still house all of the components of the canopy. Preferably, the length of the container is sufficiently short to accommodate placing the container in a traditional sedan automobile trunk.

Abstract: Representative configurations for improved thermoelectric power generation systems to improve and increase thermal efficiency are disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preventing the distortion of a frame of a solar module (10) wherein the frame (12) is comprised of two side rails (15) joined together by end members to form a rectangular frame. At least one support bar member (26) is attached to and extends between the rails at a point intermediate their ends. The support bar is of a shape and material capable of withstanding both the compression and the tension forces applied on the frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides photoactive materials that include quantum-confined semiconductor nanostructures in combination with non-quantum confined and bulk semiconductor structures to enhance or create a type II band offset structure. The photoactive materials are well-suited for use as the photoactive layer in photoactive devices, including photovoltaic devices, photoconductors and photodetectors.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a solar cell (1) comprising a semiconductor substrate (2) is proposed where electrical contacting is made on the back side of the semiconductor substrate. The back side of the semiconductor substrate has locally doped regions (3). The adjacent regions (4) exhibit different doping from the region (3). The two regions (3, 4) are initially coated with electrically conductive material (5) over the entire area. So that the conductive material (5) does not short-circuit the solar cell, the two regions (3, 4) are covered with a thin electrically insulating layer (7) at least at the region boundaries (6). The electrically conductive layer (5) is separated by applying an etch barrier layer (8) over the entire surface which is then removed free from masking and selectively e.g. by laser ablation, locally above the insulating layer (7). The conductive layer is locally removed in the area of the openings (9) of the etch barrier layer (8) by subsequent action of an etching solution.

Abstract: A process for producing a light absorbing layer for thin-film solar cell that possesses a film structure having a constituent component of chalcopyrite compound (Cu(In+Ga)Se2) uniformly distributed thereinside. There is provided a process for producing a light absorbing layer, including the precursor forming step of superimposing on an Mo electrode layer, adjacent to the electrode layer, an In metal layer and a Cu—Ga alloy layer according to sputtering technique; a first selenization step of, while accommodating precursor-provided substrate in an airtight space, introducing hydrogen selenide gas in the airtight space conditioned so as to range from room temperature to 250° C.; a second selenization step of additionally introducing hydrogen selenide gas in the airtight space heated so as to range from 250° to 450° C.

Abstract: A hydrogen accumulation and storage material and a method of forming thereof are provided. The material comprises a plurality of various-sized and at least partially permeable to hydrogen microspheres bound together to form a rigid structure in which a diameter of the microspheres is reduced from a center of the structure towards edges of the structure. An outer surface of the rigid structure can be enveloped by a sealing layer, thereby closing interspherical spaces.

Abstract: Fire fighting equipment uses an electronically controlled direct injection foam delivery system. A water pump pumps water through a pipe. A foam pump pumps foam into a mixing chamber within the pipe to produce a water-foam mixture. A microprocessor-based control unit controls the water pump and foam pump. A conductivity sensor is coupled in-line with the pipe for monitoring conductivity of the mixture and providing a feedback signal to the control unit to regulate the foam pump. A speed sensor monitors the foam usage. The conductivity sensor uses stainless steel plates positioned in the flow stream of the pipe for measuring conductivity of the mixture. A second conductivity sensor monitors conductivity of the water and provides a feedback signal to the control unit. An interface circuit generates a voltage having dual polarity and a fifty percent duty cycle for the conductivity sensors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring gas flow are provided. In one embodiment, a calibration circuit for gas control may be utilized to verify and/or calibrate gas flows utilized for backside cooling, process gas delivery, purge gas delivery, cleaning agent delivery, carrier gases delivery and remediation gas delivery, among others.

Abstract: A wheel having a controlled and compensated pressure includes a rim associated with a tank adapted to be filled with a fluid to a first pressure; a tyre mounted on the rim and having an inner volume inflated to an operating pressure, the operating pressure being lower than the first pressure; at least one valve adapted to regulate a communication between the tank and the inner volume of the tyre, the valve having at least one elastic element operatively associated with a closure member designed to open and close a port of the valve to bring the tank into communication with the tyre when the pressure of the tyre is lower than the operating pressure, the elastic element having an elastic constant showing a variation of 10% to 40% within a temperature range of about ?50° C. to about 50° C.

Abstract: Loss reduction apparatus for a fluid transfer system includes a fluid device. The fluid device defines a first fluid path along which a greater part of a fluid flows in a first condition, and a second fluid path along which a greater part of the fluid flows in a second condition. The apparatus is arranged so that when a leak occurs at a location in the system, the leak causes a relative reduction in fluid pressure at the location, which moves the device from the first condition to the second condition.

Abstract: A method for the internal cleaning of a tank. An oil sump and a gas mixture which is diffused out of the oil sump and has a hydrocarbon-containing gas being present in the crude-oil tank. The gas mixture is sucked away out of the tank and a feed of an inert gas into the tank is permitted. An energy content of the sucked-away gas mixture is determined. The gas mixture is fed to a compressor for compressing the gas mixture, if the energy content of the gas mixture overshoots a limit value, in order to compress the gas mixture in the compressor. The gas mixture is fed to a consumer unit, if the energy content of the gas mixture undershoots the limit value.

Abstract: A fill valve for a toilet tank includes a multi-piece shank assembly. The shank assembly includes a first hollow member coupled with a second hollow member using a snap joint. The first hollow member has a tortuous outer surface, which together with the second hollow member forms a plurality of flow paths. The flow paths are configured to reduce water noise. The first and second hollow members are provided separately, resulting in simplified molding process and improved assembly automation.

Abstract: A microfluidic case and an electronic device including a microfluidic case are described.