Abstract: A method of increasing transesterification conversion of oils includes steps of packing a filler into a rotating packed bed reactor having a rotary bed, centrifugally rotating the rotary bed, injecting an oil into the rotary bed, performing transesterification with adding a reaction gas into the rotating packed bed reactor and collecting the modified oil. By centrifugally rotating the rotary bed, the oil is provided with kinetic energy to pass through the filler and transesterification conversion of the oil is raised. Therefore, manufacturing costs can be lowered and the oil is modified to become suitable fuel for automobiles or motorcycles.

Abstract: A volatile nickel aminoalkoxide complex of formula (I) can form a nickel thin film having an improved quality by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD).

Abstract: An improved process for preparing carbamic ester derivatives of the general formula (1) by reaction with carbon monoxide and water in the presence of a palladium catalyst is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing optically active 3-phenylpropionic acid derivatives, to optically active 1-chloro-3-phenylpropane derivatives obtainable therefrom and to optically active intermediates obtained thereby.

Abstract: Isotopically labeled alpha-keto acids and esters are disclosed herein. Also disclosed are methods of synthesizing isotopically labeled alpha-keto acids and esters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing isocyanates, which comprises the steps (1) preparation of a crude MDA mixture by reaction of aniline with formaldehyde, with the reaction conditions being selected so that the resulting crude MDA can be converted completely into the gas phase, (2) conversion of the crude MDA mixture from step (1) into the gas phase and (3) phosgenation of crude MDA in the gas phase to give MMDI and PMDI.

Abstract: Novel compositions of matter and the process of preparing these surfactants having the structure: R1[—(O—(R2O)m—(R3O)n—(R4)]y where: R1=alkyl, alkenyl, amine, alkylamine, dialkylamine, trialkylamine, aromatic, polyaromatic, cycloalkane, cycloalkene, R2=C2H4 or C3H6 or C4H8, R3=C2H4 or C3H6 or C4H8, R4=linear or branched C7H14SO3X to C30H60 SO3X when y=1, R4=linear or branched C7H14SO3X to C30H60 SO3X or H when y>1 but at least one R4 must be linear or branched C7H14SO3X to C30H60 SO3X, m?1, n?0, n+m=1 to 30+, y?1, X=alkali metal or alkaline earth metal or ammonium or amine. These novel ether sulfonate surfactants have excellent surfactant properties making them suitable for a variety of applications as surfactants including agriculture, adhesives, coatings, deinking, detergents, emulsion polymerization, laundry, lubricants, metal working, mining, oilfield, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and soil remediation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a sulphoxide compound of formula (I) either as a single enantiomer or in an enantiomerically enriched form, comprising the steps of: a) contacting a pro-chiral sulphide of formula (II) with a metal chiral complex, a base and an oxidizing agent in an organic solvent; and optionally b) isolating the obtained sulphoxide of formula (I); wherein n, Y, R1, R1a, R2 and R2a are as defined herein.

Abstract: A process for preparing a multielement oxide composition comprising the element iron in oxidic form, in which the source of the elemental constituent of iron used is an aqueous iron nitrate solution whose preparation comprises the melting of a solid hydrate of iron nitrate.

Abstract: A process for converting gaseous alkanes to liquid hydrocarbons wherein a gaseous feed containing alkanes is reacted with a dry bromine vapor to form alkyl bromides and hydrobromic acid vapor. The mixture of alkyl bromides and hydrobromic acid are then reacted over a synthetic crystalline alumino-silicate catalyst, such as a ZSM-5 zeolite, at a temperature of from about 150° C. to about 400° C. so as to form higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and hydrobromic acid vapor. Hydrobromic acid vapor is removed from the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons. A portion of the propane and butane is removed from the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and reacted with the mixture of alkyl bromides and hydrobromic acid over the synthetic crystalline alumino-silicate catalyst to form C5+ hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Organic matter, i.e., biomass, fibrous plant matter, organic chemicals or organic waste, or other carbon-based matter is converted to synthesis fuel gas by reactive contact with superheated steam at a temperature of about 200 to 2000 degrees C., typically 500 to 1700 degrees. A reactor has a generally tubular envelope, a rotor within the envelope, and hot reaction spaces disposed annularly within the wall of the tubular envelope. The steam and biomass particles can be heated to the required temperatures by RF induction. The product gases include H2, CO, and CO2 in ratios controlled by a programmable controller. Control of temperature, biomass feed rate and water flow preselects the output synthesis gas mix. The synthesis gas may be processed into portable liquid fuels, or can be used directly in a fuel cell.

Abstract: A process for the catalytic alkylation of an aromatic substrate with an alkylating agent is disclosed that comprises contacting the aromatic substrate and the alkylating agent in sequential alkylation zones to obtain an alkylaromatic. The first catalyst comprises UZM-8 zeolite and the second catalyst comprises beta zeolite. The process is particularly well suited for the alkylation of benzene with propylene to produce cumene.

Abstract: A process for converting polyalkylaromatics to monoalkylaromatics, particularly cumene, in the presence of a modified LZ-210 zeolite is disclosed. The process attains greater selectivity, reduced formation of undesired byproducts, and increased activity.

Abstract: A process for converting polyalkylaromatics to monoalkylaromatics, particulary cumene, in the presence of a modified Y-85 zeolite is disclosed. The process attains greater selectivity, reduced formation of undesired byproducts, and increased activity.

Abstract: A method for producing an oxidized wax comprising (a) providing a uniform high molecular weight polyolefin resin feedstock having an average particle size smaller than about 30 mesh and a standard deviation in particle size of not greater than about 125 ?m; and (b) oxidizing the resin particles in their solid state to produce a wax having a predetermined acid number.

Abstract: The relationship between an amino acid sequence of a protein and its three-dimensional structure is at the very core of structural biology and bioinformatics. The occurrence and conservation of non-canonical conformations is a “local” phenomenon, i.e., non-canonical conformations are encoded intra-helically by short peptide sequences (heptapeptides at most). Effective descriptors can be formed for these short sequences employing training sets. Multiple, distinct patterns are created representing these sequences. A composite descriptor is formed by selecting from among the patterns discovered. The composite descriptor has a high level of sensitivity and specificity while, at the same time, a boosted signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: Transvaginal delivery instrumentation and methods are disclosed for delivering a biocompatible bulking mass transvaginally into a target tissue mass between the vaginal and urethral walls to constrict the urethra to alleviate female incontinence. Delivery is effected by urging a selected portion of the tissue structure between the vaginal and urethral walls into the vaginal cavity as a target structure, and passing a bulking mass from the vaginal cavity through the vaginal wall and into the target structure. Particular transvaginal delivery instrumentation comprises a vaginal and urethral probes adapted to be introduced into the vagina and urethra and bulking mass delivery instruments adapted to be introduced through a vaginal probe lumen and port into the target tissue structure.

Abstract: A method for making a bioprosthetic device to reduce post-implantation mineralization of the device is provided. The method comprises providing a collagen-containing material, removing cell debris from the collagen-containing material, crosslinking the material, and removing at least a portion of ester bonds from the crosslinked collagen-containing material. Ester bonds can be removed by exposing the collagen-containing material to hydrolyzing conditions or an enzyme.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for grasping and manipulating tissue or organs. In an exemplary embodiment, a magnetic substance is introduced into an organ, and a magnetic element is positioned adjacent to the organ to generate a magnetic field between the magnetic element and the magnetic substance, such that the magnetic element is effective to move the organ. The methods and devices are particularly useful for manipulating tissue or organs during minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Abstract: A biopsy forceps as one of treatment instruments for endoscope includes: a tubular coil sheath introduced into a body cavity through a treatment instrument channel included in an endoscope insertion portion; a treatment portion disposed closer to a distal end side than a distal end surface of the coil sheath; an operation wire for transmitting a turning force to turn the treatment portion in a circumferential direction, the operation wire being inserted in the coil sheath in a forwardly/backwardly movable manner and turned in the circumferential direction; and a turn restricting mechanism portion for restricting a turn position of the treatment portion turned by the turning force transmitted by the operation wire with respect to the coil sheath at a first turn-restricting position or at a second turn-restricting position.

Abstract: An endoscope of the present invention includes an insert section inserted in a subject body, an operation section provided on a base end side of the insert section, a grasping section provided to the operation section and formed to be substantially bilaterally symmetric to a reference line extending in a longitudinal direction, and a plurality of instruction input sections provided to be substantially bilaterally symmetric to the reference line extending in the longitudinal direction of the grasping section.

Abstract: A medical apparatus includes a medical device, a first support mechanism, a second support mechanism, and a resistance force generation mechanism. The first support mechanism has the medical device arranged therein, and a turning portion that is turned around a predetermined rotation axis. The second support mechanism has the first support mechanism arranged therein and includes a support portion that supports the turning portion to allow the support portion to turn around the rotation axis of the first support mechanism. The resistance force generation mechanism is provided between the turning portion of the first support mechanism and the support portion of the second support mechanism and produces a predetermined resistance force with respect to a relative turning motion of the turning portion and the support portion.

Abstract: A metal endoscope housing designed with longitudinal segments of different cross-sections and/or with a longitudinal axis which may be elbowed or arcuate, is characterized in that the housing consists of separate partial shells which are separated at separation lines running substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and which are joined in sealed manner to the separation lines.

Abstract: In a basal blood pressure measuring method, an examinee presses a basal blood pressure measuring key after the examinee gets out of bed in the morning to start a sphygmomanometer to measure the basal blood pressure A microprocessor in the sphygmomanometer displays the measured basal blood pressure and date on a display screen and saves the measured basal blood pressure into a basal blood pressure buffer of a memory automatically. When the examinee presses a basal blood pressure average key, the microprocessor in the sphygmomanometer computes and processes the basal blood pressure data in the memory and displays the basal blood pressure average of the current week or the past few weeks on the display screen to inform whether or not the examinee is a hypertension patient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring long term and short term effects of a medical treatment having a build-in dilemma between conflicting objectives are provided. A plot of the temporal development of a balance between long term and short term effects is obtained. Thereby is provided an illustrative and easy-to-use tool to express contradicting objectives and enabling a user to balance the two in a deliberate and calculated fashion. Suitable for diabetes treatment balancing the risk of long term complications against the short term risk of severe hypoglycemia.

Abstract: A device (1) for determining a stress related condition of a person and providing feedback about this condition comprises body sensors (20) for detecting stress related body parameters, a stress assessing element (40), and a feedback device, wherein the stress assessing element (40) is designed for processing input provided by the body sensors (20) and for determining control parameters for controlling the feedback device, on the basis of the input provided by the body sensors (20). The body sensors (20) are integrated in a textile structure, so that the tested person does not sense the sensors (20), as a result of which there is no chance that the test results get influenced by an interaction between the device (1) and the person.

Abstract: A biological signal measurement device includes: a circular or hyperbolic fitting section (101) to be worn on a part of a human body; a sensing section (103) which is provided to the fitting section (101), and senses a biological signal by being closely attached to a specific part of the human body; a measurement environment judging section for judging an environment for measuring the biological signal by using the sensing section (103); a measurement environment notifying section (104) for notifying a user of a judgment result, according to the result of judgment performed by the measurement environment judging section; and a measurement environment adjusting section (102) for adjusting the measurement environment of the sensing section (103). Thus, it is possible to provide a human-wearable biological signal measurement device that allows easier maintenance of suitable measurement conditions.

Abstract: This algorithm and corresponding computer program emulates the diagnostic reasoning of a clinician. Accurate and efficient, it concludes only those final diagnoses that agree with the diseases that actually afflict a patient. A differential diagnosis list is created and the probability of each diagnosis is calculated with a novel procedure that we call Mini-Max Procedure that uses the positive predictive value of clinical data present to increase probability and the sensitivity of clinical data absent to reduce probability. The probability of a diagnosis is considered equal to the maximum positive predictive value of all clinical data present that support the diagnosis, circumventing more complex and inaccurate prior art methods. The Mini-Max Procedure also identifies concurrent diseases. Bayes formula, because of its inability to process properly interdependent clinical data and concurrent diseases, is used with modifications.

Abstract: This invention discloses a medical measuring apparatus that includes a medical measuring body and a transparent display unit. The medical measuring body is used for measuring at least one physiological information such as body temperature, pulse, blood pressure, blood sugar, blood oxygen, uric acid, cholesterol, pH value, body fat or bone density. The transparent display unit includes two corresponding display surfaces for displaying the physiological information, and the two display surface are mirrored or inverted, so that the two display surfaces can display identical physiological information to provide different view angles from different directions.

Abstract: The invention is a wireless communications device, such as a cellular telephone, having sensors to generate data indicative of a physiological or contextual parameters of a user. A processor on the wireless communications device is adapted derive physiological state information of the user from the contextual or physiological parameters. The apparatus may include a central monitoring unit remote from the sensors for storing data and transmitting data to a recipient.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus that includes a sensor device and an I/O device in communication with the sensor device that generates derived data using the data from the sensor device. The derived data cannot be directly detected by the associated sensors. Alternatively, an apparatus that includes a wearable sensor device and an I/O device in communication with the sensor device that includes means for displaying information and a dial for entering information. Alternatively, an apparatus for tracking caloric consumption and caloric expenditure data that includes a sensor device and an I/O device in communication with the sensor device. The sensor device includes a processor programmed to generate data relating to caloric expenditure from sensor data. Alternatively, an apparatus for tracking caloric information for an individual that utilizes a plurality of classification identifiers for classifying meals consumed by the individual, each of the classification identifiers having a corresponding caloric amount.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatuses for measuring a state parameter of an individual using signals based on one or more sensors are disclosed. In one embodiment, a first set of signals is used in a first function to determine how a second set of signals is used in one or more second functions to predict the state parameter. In another embodiment, first and second functions are used where the state parameter or an indicator of the state parameter may be obtained from a relationship between the first function and the second function. The state parameter may, for example, include calories consumed or calories burned by the individual. Various methods for making such apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatuses for measuring a state parameter of an individual using signals based on one or more sensors are disclosed. In one embodiment, a first set of signals is used in a first function to determine how a second set of signals is used in one or more second functions to predict the state parameter. In another embodiment, first and second functions are used where the state parameter or an indicator of the state parameter may be obtained from a relationship between the first function and the second function. The state parameter may, for example, include calories consumed or calories burned by the individual. Various methods for making such apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatuses for measuring a state parameter of an individual using signals based on one or more sensors are disclosed. In one embodiment, a first set of signals is used in a first function to determine how a second set of signals is used in one or more second functions to predict the state parameter. In another embodiment, first and second functions are used where the state parameter or an indicator of the state parameter may be obtained from a relationship between the first function and the second function. The state parameter may, for example, include calories consumed or calories burned by the individual. Various methods for making such apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of being implanted in a patient's body, including a posture sensor, a heart rate sensor, and a processor coupled to the posture sensor and the heart rate sensor. The processor is configured to measure the patient's heart rate via the cardiac signal sensor, detect a change in a posture of the patient's body via the posture sensor, and determine an autonomic tone of the patient's body based on the patient's heart rate measured during a time period corresponding to the change in posture.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for non-invasive determination of attributes of human tissue by quantitative infrared spectroscopy. The system includes subsystems optimized to contend with the complexities of the tissue spectrum, high signal-to-noise ratio and photometric accuracy requirements, tissue sampling errors, calibration maintenance problems, and calibration transfer problems. The subsystems include an illumination subsystem, a tissue sampling subsystem, a spectrometer subsystem, a data acquisition subsystem, and a processing subsystem. The invention is applicable, as examples, to determining the concentration or change of concentration of alcohol in human tissue.

Abstract: This specification discloses a method and apparatus for noninvasive measurement of human body component, such as glucose, in vivo. The apparatus includes near infrared spectroscopy based laser sources driven at carrier frequency lying within the absorption line of the component. The apparatus also drive the laser diodes with a modulation frequency to generate frequency difference between the measuring light and reference beam, and the interference of the two beam results in a beat signal, which frequency is proportional to optical path difference between the measuring light and reference beam. We can detect the spectrum of the scattering light, which propagate at specifically single optical path, by select the frequency using a phase sensitive detector (PSD) circuit.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an optical based pulse oximetry device comprising: first, second and third light emitting means, for placement on the skin surface of a body part to inject light in a tissue of said part, the wavelengths of the light emitted by said second and third means being different from each other light detecting means located at a relatively short distance from said first light emitting means and at relatively long distance from said second light emitting means and said third light emitting means, for collecting at the skin surface light of said emitting means having travelled through said tissue, first computing means for denoising the output signals of said long distance light detecting means from the output signals of said short distance light detecting means, and second computing means for deriving oximetry measurements from the denoised output signals of said long distance light detecting means.

Abstract: A physiological detector with a waterproof structure installed on a glove body corresponding to a finger has a sealed casing for wrapping a detection element. The casing includes a conducting cylinder with an end electrically connected to the detection element and another end exposed from the casing and fixed onto the glove body. The glove body has a conducting circuit electrically connected to an exposed end of the conducting circuit and conducting cylinder, and a physiological measuring device installed at a position corresponding to the back of a hand for processing human physiological parameters detected by the detection element. The physiological measuring device is electrically connected to the physiological detector through the conducting circuit, so that users can wear the physiological detector easily. The detection element of the physiological detector is wrapped into a sealed casing, and thus it is not necessary to remove the detector for a convenient washing.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and systems for classifying and assigning a measurement to a bleeding event exhibited by an individual. The system includes two or more categories, wherein each category has a different level of severity; two or more bleeding events assigned to each category; and a set of points for each category. Points are assigned to a category depending on the severity of the category, wherein the more severe categories have a greater number of points assigned to it. The classification includes a categorical designation that indicates the category from which the points were assigned. Accordingly, the methods for assigning a measurement to at least one bleeding event exhibited by an individual include assigning one or more points to the bleeding event according to a classification system, and optionally assigning a categorical designation to the measurement.

Abstract: Standardization between paired electrodes is maintained in a medical device without needing a Mylar spreader, such as by forming the paired electrodes integrally with a tape part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning an instrument in a predetermined region within a patient's body is disclosed herein generally having a custom fitted surgical guide template which corresponds to a digital model of the portion of the patient's body. The custom fitted surgical guide template is positionable about a portion of the patient's body surface that is identifiable and unique for each patient which is fixed relative to adjacent anatomical structures. The custom fitted surgical guide may also have at least one instrument guiding mechanism which is positioned to guide an instrument along a predetermined trajectory into the predetermined region within the patient's body. The instrument may be advanced through the instrument guiding mechanism using a steering mechanism regulated by a physiological parameter.

Abstract: A system and method of treating tachycardias and similar syndromes by the use of catheter ablation of scar tissue is described. The patient is imaged by an X-ray device and an MRI device and the images are fused so as to facilitate identification of scar tissue. The fused image or the X-ray image with treatment areas identified is used to guide the positioning of a catheter with respect to the location to be treated. Guidance of the catheter may be use of X-ray images of the catheter tip, or acoustic or magnetic sensors. After positioning, the catheter is used to ablate body tissue. A further MRI image may be obtained to evaluate the results of the treatment.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting lymph nodes in multiple complementary magnetic resonance (MR) sequences is disclosed. Anatomical landmarks, such as blood vessels, are extracted in a first MR sequence, such as an MR angiography (MRA) image. A search area is defined in at least one second MR sequence, such as a T1 weighted VIBE image, based on the anatomical landmarks extracted the first MR sequence. Lymph nodes are then detected in the search area of the second MR sequence. The lymph nodes can be detected by segmenting the search area into homogenous regions and determining whether each region is a lymph node using feature analysis.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for detecting septal defects. In an embodiment, the method may include acquiring gated MRI data and heart atlas data. A registration of the gated MRI data and the heart atlas data may be performed as well as a flow-balance measurement. An atrial septal detection and ventricular septal detection may be performed, as well as a septal measurement. A diagnostic report may be generated detailing the location and properties of the septal defects. A physician may utilize the diagnostic report for surgery planning. After surgery, the diagnostic report may be compared with a post-surgery diagnostic report to determine the success of the surgery.

Abstract: One or more markers or sensors are positioned in the vasculature of a patient to facilitate determining the location, configuration, and/or orientation of a vessel or certain aspects thereof (e.g., a branch vessel), determining the location, configuration and/or orientation of a endovascular devices prior to and during prosthesis deployment as well as the relative position of portions of the vasculature and devices, generating an image of a virtual model of a portion of one or more vessels (e.g., branch vessels) or devices, and/or formation of one or more openings in a tubular prosthesis in situ to allow branch vessel perfusion when the prosthesis is placed over one or more branch vessels in a patient (e.g., when an aortic abdominal artery stent-graft is fixed to the aorta superior to the renal artery ostia).

Abstract: An isolation system with imaging or radiation therapy capability is disclosed. At least one containment barrier (14, 15, 16, 17) defines an isolation region (10). An imaging or therapy system (20) is disposed outside of the isolation region. The containment barrier includes a substantially hollow tubular extension (24, 42, 44, 124, 224, 324) protruding away from the isolation region (10). The substantially hollow tubular extension surrounds an interior volume (26) that is in fluid communication with the isolation region and is in fluid isolation from the imaging or therapy system. The substantially hollow tubular extension is made at least partially of a material providing operative communication between the imaging or therapy system and the interior volume of the substantially hollow tubular extension.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an examination apparatus (10) for the observation of a catheter (43) in a vessel system. First, a 3D model of the vessel system is reconstructed with the help of differently oriented X-ray projections (P1A, . . .) generated by a C-arm system (20) during the injection of a contrast agent. Next, a movement corridor (M) of the catheter (43) is determined from the 3D model. During an examination procedure, current projections (P) are generated showing an image (43?) of the catheter that can be registered with the reconstructed 3D model and/or the movement corridor (M). Based on the known current location (43?) of the catheter in the 3D model of the vessel geometry or the movement corridor (M), an optimal projection direction (dopt) can be determined and assumed by the C-arm system (20) for the next projections to be generated.

Abstract: A surgical navigation system for navigating a region of a patient includes a non-invasive dynamic reference frame and/or fiducial marker, sensor tipped instruments, and isolator circuits. The dynamic reference frame may be repeatably placed on the patient in a precise location for guiding the instruments. The instruments may be precisely guided by positioning sensors near moveable portions of the instruments. Electrical sources may be electrically isolated from the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a high-frequency electric path. High-frequency electric path having an electric connection portion which performs the operation of connecting a sheath portion side electric path and a handle portion side electric path along with the operation of connecting the sheath portion and the handle portion. Electric connection portion having an outer peripheral flange portion and an engaging portion which removably engages with the outer peripheral flange portion.