Abstract: A spinal motion device for implanting in the spine as a replacement for the natural disc, to permit motion between adjacent vertebral bodies or as a vertebral body replacement that permits motion at its ends. The spinal motion device comprises a composite structure formed by a body having at least one bearing member, made from a biocompatible material such as pyrolytic carbon, attached to a support surface thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for treating the annulus of an intervertebral disc. The methods and devices can employ an expandable treatment device which is deployed at least partially in the subannular space. Fixation devices and methods are also disclosed, which help to secure the treatment device in place.

Abstract: An intervertebral cage for treating degeneration of the spine includes a block, an anchor member with a pivot and two blades secured to the pivot, a device for mounting the pivot to turn relative to the block and a hole in the block, a slot in the block, where the slot shares a common portion with the hole for containing the pivot, and a device for associating the pivot in rotation with the block in the common portion in such a manner that when the pivot is turned, the anchor member takes up a first position in which the blade is fully contained in the slot and a second position in which a portion of the end of the blade emerges from the slot.

Abstract: Devices for implantation into an intervertebral disc can include a membrane support member to augment a disc having a defect. A defect in the anulus of a disc can be repaired using a prosthesis such as a barrier. The barrier can include a sealant and an enlarger. The barrier can be implanted into the disc using a delivery cannula, an advancer and at least one control filament to control the positioning of the barrier. A stiffening element can be included within the barrier to impart stiffness to the barrier. The support member can also be connected to an anchor.

Abstract: A surgical kit includes an orthopaedic implant, an orthropaedic trial and a bone protector. All three components have bone-contacting surfaces sized and shaped to be placed against a resected bone surface. The orthopaedic implant and trial are thicker than the bone protector. The bone protector has a flat bearing surface while the implant and trial have curved articulating surfaces. In use, the bone protector is temporarily mounted on the resected bone surface to cover and protect the resected bone surface while other bones of the joint are resected. A retractor can be placed against the bone protector and used as a lever to move other bones of the joint for greater access during surgery. The bone protector serves as the fulcrum of the lever and protects the resected bone from damage. The kit, bone protector and method should be useful in minimally invasive total joint arthroplasty.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for preventing prosthetic articulating surfaces from separating from each other. A containment system according to one embodiment seeks to prevent an implant stem head from dislocating from a prosthetic component while providing an increased range of motion over conventional contrained components. In one embodiment, an implant structural member includes a cavity and an opening having a lip, including a web along a portion of the lip. An implant stem head has a cooperating surface that corresponds with the web, so that when the cooperating surface of the implant stem head is aligned with the web, the head may be inserted into the implant structural member. The implant stem head is then rotated and the femoral stem component attached, thereby preventing dislocation of the head.

Abstract: Orthopaedic implants, orthopaedic implant sets, and/or methods for making the same. Aspects and embodiments of the present invention may include orthopaedic implants having an elongated insertion region including proximal, distal, and transition portions, wherein at least portions of at least one face each of the proximal and transition portions are defined by spaced apart constant radii of curvature. The same or other aspects and embodiments may include sets of orthopaedic implants in which proximal portions of the implants grow at different rates than distal portions of the implants. The same or other aspects and embodiments may include methods for making implants and/or sets of implants by studying the geometries of differently sized bony anatomies.

Abstract: A bone cement plug for fitting into the intramedullary canal within a bone to restrict flow of bone cement during surgery comprises a sleeve (2) whose wall is circumferentially continuous and has an outer surface (10) for contacting the wall (32) of the canal. The sleeve (2) is formed from a deformable material so that it can be expanded transversely to contact the surface (32) of the canal. The plug includes an expander which can be drawn through the cavity (12) in a direction generally along the axis of the sleeve (2), to cause the sleeve (2) to expand transversely to contact the surface (32) of the canal. The inner surfaces of the wall converge towards the end (16) of the sleeve (2) towards which the expander is drawn to cause the sleeve (2) to expand to contact the surface (32) of the canal.

Abstract: A urethral prosthesis with prostatic and bulbar segments connected by two types of ties allows the prosthesis to assume at least two configurations different with inter-segmental distances adapted to situations where the patient either has or does not have normal control of the external sphincter. This is particularly useful for a patient undergoing an anesthetic procedure that affects the external sphincter muscles. When the muscles are anesthetized, the prosthesis may provide constant urine voiding, and when the anesthetic effects wear off, the prosthesis may assume a different configuration to allow the sphincter to reassert control over urinary voiding.

Abstract: A suspension liner sleeve providing an interface between a residual limb and a hard prosthetic socket includes a resilient seal element extending around its outer periphery to enhance a sealing effect between the sleeve and the interior of a prosthetic socket to isolate the distal end of the socket from atmosphere after the sleeve with a residual limb has been inserted within the socket and to thereby improve the retention of the liner sleeve and the residual limb in the prosthetic socket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of using heterogeneous cleaning compositions, particularly for cleaning an article.

Abstract: The object of the present application is a dye carrier composition containing oxidative and/or non-oxidative dyes as well as (a) 6.1 to 25 weight percent of at least one fatty alcohol with 14 to 20 carbon atoms, (b) 1 to 20 weight percent of at least one fatty acid alkanolamide and (c) 1 to 15 weight percent of at least one fatty alcohol alkoxylate and/or fatty acid alkoxylate, the weight ratio of fatty alcohol (a) to fatty acid alkanolamide (b) being equal to 4:1 to 1:3 and at the same time the weight ratio of fatty alcohol (a) to alkoxylate (c) being equal to 5:1 to 1:2. Another object is the use of the afore-said combination of components (a) to (c) to produce a nacreous luster effect in dye carrier compositions and colorants for keratin fibers.

Abstract: Oxidative hair dye compositions containing at least one antioxidant botanical extract operable to inhibit the oxidative degradation of one or more oxidative dyes present in the oxidative dye composition, methods for coloring hair, and methods and products that enable multiple use oxidative dye containers.

Abstract: A process for coloring and permanently shaping keratin fibers especially human hair comprising applying to the human hair: (a) an aqueous coloring composition based on at least one oxidative dye precursor and optionally at least one coupling substance but not comprising any direct dye is mixed with a composition comprising at least one oxidizing agent and applied onto hair and rinsed off from hair with water after processing 5 to 45 min at a temperature of 20 to 45° C.

Abstract: A composition for dyeing keratin fibers that contains 0.1 to 30 percent of at least one substantially pure plant dye material obtained using solvent or supercritical CO2 extraction, combined with 0.01 to 5 percent of active metal in a metal or mineral salt capable of acting as a mordant as a two-part hair color system.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process and to an equipment and machine, which allow the application of digital images to straps, webbings and belts of different kinds and sizes destined to different applications and is achieved in a way to provide the continuous transferring of digital images or a trace to straps, where the straps are manufactured with an ordinary weave or with an special weave to receive a bleaching treatment with an optical white, as well as pass by a thermo-fixation process that creates an alteration at the material properties, enabling, this way, various printings in high quality.

Abstract: A method of making a lithium electrochemical cell includes treating the cathode active material with an agent that includes lithium but not sodium. A cathode including the cathode active material, an anode, a separator, and an electrolyte are assembled in a housing to provide a cell containing less than 1500 ppm by weight of sodium.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a reformer for generating hydrogen from hydrogen-containing fuel; at least one electricity generator for generating electric energy through an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen; a fuel supply unit for supplying the fuel to the reformer; and an oxygen supply unit for supplying the oxygen to the reformer and the at least one electricity generator. The reformer includes: a plurality of reaction sections, wherein at least one of the reaction sections has a channel; at least one cover plate; and a bonding joint between two of the reaction sections and between the at least one of the reaction sections and the at least one cover plate to couple the at least one of the reaction sections and the at least one cover plate to each other.

Abstract: A method of cooling syngas in a gasifier is provided. The method includes channeling cooling fluid through at least one platen that extends at least partially through a reaction zone of the gasifier, and circulating reactant fluid around the at least one platen to facilitate heat transfer from the reactant fluid to the cooling fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the generation of electrical energy and byproducts from the gasification of biomass and/or environmental waste materials. Environmental waste and/or renewable biomass is processed by three separate stages of gasification. The first stage is a pyrolysis chamber with firebox which gasifies solid material into gaseous and liquid hydrocarbon compounds at temperatures below 800 F. The second stage is a fixed bed chamber gasifier which produces the acetylene and hydrogen gases at approximately 1400 F. The third stage is a high temperature reactor which produces molten calcium carbide at 3500 F. Various solid, liquid, and gaseous byproducts are produced along the way. The second stage gases include carbon monoxide, methane, hydrogen, acetylene and other biogases which are used to generate electricity in an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A dust collecting apparatus for separating particles from an airflow comprises at least a first cyclonic separator for removing larger particles from the airflow and a plurality of second cyclonic separators, arranged in parallel and in tandem with one another, for removing smaller particles.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a dirt inlet, a handle, at least a first cleaning stage comprising a plurality of cyclones in parallel and a plurality of dirt collection chambers that are emptied concurrently wherein the plurality of cyclones and the plurality of dirt collection chambers are removable as a unit from the surface cleaning apparatus, and an air flow motor.

Abstract: A robot cleaner that has a dust collection unit with a cyclone part generating an ascending rotary air current from the dust-laden air being drawn in through a lower part thereof, separating the dust from the air using a centrifugal force, and discharging the dust-separated air to the lower part through a center part, and a collection part surrounding the cyclone part to receive the dust being centrifugally separated.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a dust collector that compresses dust stored inside a dust container to minimize the volume of the dust. The dust collector would include one or more pressing plates that are used to compress the dust stored in dust collector. Various methods are used to control movements of the movable pressing plates to facilitate the compression operations. Also, various methods are used to determine when the dust collector is full and needs to be emptied.

Abstract: A cyclone dust-separating apparatus is disclosed. The dust-separating apparatus includes a cyclone unit having an air inlet and an air outlet so as to remove dust or dirt from air, and a dust bin joined to a bottom end of the cyclone unit so as to store the dust or dirt separated by the cyclone unit. The cyclone unit is installed in such a manner that a longitudinal axis thereof is substantially horizontally arranged. The dust bin is installed in such a manner that a longitudinal axis thereof is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cyclone unit. The dust bin has an air outflow passage connected with the air outlet, so that air discharged from the cyclone unit passes through the dust bin and then discharges in a bottom end direction of the dust bin.

Abstract: A niobium powder is described which when formed into an electrolytic capacitor anode, the anode has the capacitance of at least 62,000 CV/g. Methods of making flaked niobium powder which have high capacitance capability when formed into electrolytic capacitor anodes is also described. Besides niobium, the present invention is also applicable to other metals, including valve metals.

Abstract: To provide an iron-based sintered alloy excellent in shape accuracy and wear resistance, and reduced hostility to mating materials, and having sufficient hardness after tempering, as well as a manufacturing method thereof. Iron-based alloy powder of a composition comprising Cr: from 1 to 3.5 mass %, Mo: from 0.2 to 0.9 mass %, V: from 0.1 to 0.5 mass % and the balance of Fe and impurities, and carbon powder are mixed at a ratio of the carbon powder based on the entire portion within a range from 0.8 to 1.1 mass %, the mixture is compacted, the compacted body is sintered and quenching is applied to the sintered body heated again after once lowering temperature of the sintered body. This can provide an iron-based sintered alloy where fine M7C3 carbides are dispersed in martensitic texture.

Abstract: A process for the production of metal nanoparticles. The process comprises a rapid mixing of a solution of at least about 0.1 mole of a metal compound that is capable of being reduced to a metal by a polyol with a heated solution of a polyol and a substance that is capable of being adsorbed on the nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method of forming bimetallic core-shell metal nanoparticles including a core of a first metal material and a shell of a second metal material, the method including photochemically producing metallic nanoparticle cores of the first metal material, and forming a shell of the second metal material around the cores. The shell can be formed by adding shell-forming precursor materials to a solution or suspension of the cores and photochemically forming the shells around the cores, or by separately photochemically producing metallic nanoparticles of the second metal material and mixing the metallic nanoparticles of the second metal material and the metallic nanoparticle cores to cause the metallic nanoparticles of the second metal material to form a shell around the metallic nanoparticle cores.

Abstract: The process for converting a copper sulphide matte to blister copper, is achieved by adding the copper sulphide matte and flux to a suitable agitated slag phase; and injecting, from a discharge tip at the lower end of a top-submerged lance, an oxidizing gas suitable for reacting with the matte to produce blister copper which forms or adds to a continuous blister copper phase below the slag phase. The lance tip is located within the slag phase at a depth enabling the injected gas to agitate the slag phase, and to react with copper sulphide matte dispersed therein, while precluding a substantial proportion of the gas from contacting the continuous blister copper phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, by means of which the valuable metals contained in a sulphidic, multicomponent concentrate are recovered using hydrometallurgical treatment. One constituent of the concentrate is copper sulphide, which is leached using an alkali chloride-copper (II) chloride solution. The sulphides of other valuable metals, such as zinc, nickel, cobalt and lead are leached before copper leaching and each is recovered as a separate product before copper recovery.

Abstract: A method is provided for indicating the useful service life of a gas filtration and purification system comprising steps of embedding two or more mass-responsive electronic sensors (e.g., surface acoustic wave devices) in a sorbent bed of a filtration cartridge, wherein the mass-responsive electronic sensors are coated with a non-conductive absorptive organic polymer; passing a gas containing a volatile chemical of interest through the filtration cartridge and in contact with the two mass-responsive electronic sensors; and measuring a difference in an electronic property between the two mass-responsive electronic sensors. In such a manner, the two mass-responsive electronic sensors act as internal references with respect to each other, thereby eliminating variations in temperature, interferents, pressure, and the like.

Abstract: A method for storing hydrogen is described. The hydrogen is infused into hollow spheres. The spheres are made from a polymer which has a tensile strength sufficient to contain hydrogen under selected internal pressure conditions; and has a permeation coefficient which can be adjusted under variable humidity conditions. Adjustment of the humidity level after the hydrogen is infused results in the walls of the spheres becoming impermeable to hydrogen. The hydrogen stored in the spheres can then be released at a desired time by readjusting the humidity level. The released hydrogen can be directed to any type of equipment which is fueled by hydrogen or otherwise uses the gas. Related articles and systems are also described.

Abstract: A hydrogen purification system and method that utilizes a hydrogen separator with a novel composite structure. The hydrogen separator has a first porous layer of a hydrogen permeable material. The first porous layer is comprised of premanufactured nano-particles of hydrogen permeable material that have been bonded together. A solid layer of the same hydrogen permeable material is then disposed onto the first porous layer. A pressure differential is created across the structure of the composite hydrogen separator. The porous layer of hydrogen permeable material supports the solid layer and enables the solid layer to withstand large pressure differentials. Furthermore, the porous layer of the hydrogen permeable material bonds to the solid layer, thereby greatly increasing the effective surface area of the solid layer that is exposed to hydrogen gas. Accordingly, a large flow rate of hydrogen gas can be obtained in a small amount of space.

Abstract: A method of restarting a TSA apparatus includes, in the case where the TSA apparatus was stopped when or after when a temperature of a purge gas which flows out from a first adsorption column (5a) during a regeneration process became a peak temperature, in the first adsorption column (5a), closing an entrance valve, an exit valve, and an atmosphere-releasing valve; in a second adsorption column (5b) during an adsorption process, closing an entrance valve and an exit valve and opening an atmosphere-releasing valve so as to release a gas in the opposite direction to feed air flow, followed by closing the atmosphere-releasing valve; pressurizing, just before a restart, the second adsorption column (5b) with feed air to a pressure necessary for the adsorption process; and performing, after the restart, the regeneration process and the adsorption process continuously from the time point of stopping the TSA apparatus.

Abstract: Process for providing a purified gas stream, comprising: providing a crude gas stream comprising an organic impurity; condensing at least a portion of the impurity from the gas stream to form a prepurified gas stream; and subjecting the prepurified stream to adsorption on a first adsorption medium; wherein the first medium is subjected to a regeneration comprising: providing a circulating inert gas stream having a temperature of at least 100° C.; passing the circulating inert gas stream over the first medium to form an organic impurity-loaded inert gas stream; cooling the loaded stream; condensing at least a portion of the organic impurity from the cooled stream to provide a prepurified circulating inert gas stream; subjecting the prepurified gas stream to adsorption on a second adsorption medium to provide a purified circulating inert gas stream; and recycling the purified gas stream to the circulating inert gas stream.

Abstract: A system for recovering and recycling otherwise vented or flared volatile and non-volatile reactive organic materials from pipeline and plant operations associated with oil and gas recovery, refining and petrochemical manufacture, processing and transportation includes a means to remove and store volatile hydrocarbons for a portion of a system or pipeline.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for deacidifying a fluid stream containing acidic gases as contaminants, according to which the fluid stream is brought into intimate contact with a washing liquid in at least one absorption step. Said washing liquid represents an aqueous solution containing a) tertiary aliphatic alkanolamines (alkanolamine A), at least 30 percent by weight of said tertiary aliphatic alkanolamines being 3-dimethylamino-1-propanol, and b) secondary aliphatic amines (activator B), at least 20 percent by weight of said secondary aliphatic amines being piperazin. The fluid stream which has been essentially purified of the acidic gases is then separated from the washing liquid that is loaded with acidic gases.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and methods for cleaning centrifugal separators for concurrent and countercurrent separation of solid and/or liquid particles suspended in gaseous media. The device comprises a rotor (12) which is provided with a multiplicity of sedimentation members (14) and which is mounted rotatably in a surrounding housing (20). In concurrent separation, a flushing nozzle (36) is arranged upstream of the sedimentation members (14) in order to supply a cleaning liquid for flushing the sedimentation members clean. In countercurrent separation, the flushing nozzle is arranged upstream and/or downstream of the sedimentation members in order to supply cleaning liquid from outside and/or from inside the rotor for flushing the sedimentation members clean.

Abstract: A treatment system to efficiently remove lead from dust contained in extracted cement kiln combustion gas while reducing facility and running costs. A treatment system 1 comprising a probe 3 for extracting a part of combustion gas, while cooling it, from a kiln exhaust gas passage, which runs from an inlet end of a cement kiln to a bottom cyclone; a first classifier 5 for separating coarse powder from dust contained in the combustion gas extracted; a dust collector 7 for collecting dust from the extracted gas containing fine powder discharged from the first classifier 5; and a second classifier 8 for dividing dust discharged from the dust collector 7 into fine powder and coarse powder, and others. Since more lead is distributed on the fine powder side classified by the second classifier 8, lead can efficiently be removed without using chemicals and the like.

Abstract: An air conditioning system comprising a gas-impermeable wall defining a space for air conditioning, and a selective separating member disposed in the wall as a part of the wall, having a function of allowing preferential permeation of oxygen and carbon dioxide and at the same time, blocking the permeation of hydrocarbon, nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxide and a fine solid component, in which the selective separating member comprises an organic polymer and satisfies the relationship of P1/P2>10 wherein P1 is the permeation coefficient of oxygen and carbon dioxide and P2 is the permeation coefficient of hydrocarbon, nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxide and a fine solid component.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for automotive vehicles includes an air conditioning case having an internal passageway and an ionizer for emitting positive ions and negative ions into the internal passageway of the air conditioning case. The ionizer includes a main body and first and second discharge electrodes extending from the main body into the internal passageway in a spaced-apart relationship with each other. The air conditioning system further includes an electric short preventing arrangement for preventing moisture positioned in and around the first and second discharge electrodes from causing electric short between the first and second discharge electrodes. The electric short preventing arrangement comprises a water drainage rib for draining the moisture condensed in and around the first and second discharge electrodes to prevent the electric short between the first and second discharge electrodes.

Abstract: A particulate matter accumulation amount detection apparatus includes a filter pressure loss detecting section, an incombustible component amount estimating section, an incombustible component accumulation state estimating section, and a particulate accumulation amount detecting section. The filter pressure loss detecting section is configured to detect an upstream-downstream differential pressure of an exhaust gas purification filter having a plurality of substrate walls. The incombustible component amount estimating section is configured to estimate an amount of an incombustible component. The incombustible component accumulation state estimating section is configured to estimate an accumulation state of the incombustible component on the substrate walls based on the engine operating state and the amount of the incombustible component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a phase change ink composition comprising a phase change ink carrier and a compound of the formula and dimers thereof, wherein R, R2, X and Z are as described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water dispersion for ink-jet printing, including a colorant, particles (A) (except for pigments) having a refractive index of 1.0 to 2.2, and a nonionic organic compound containing a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 8 to 30 carbon atoms, and exhibiting a solubility of 1 g or less in 100 g of water as measured at 25° C., as well as a water based ink containing the water dispersion. There are provided a water-based ink for ink-jet printing which can exhibit a high optical density upon one-pass printing on plain papers and, therefore, is suitable for high-speed printing, as well as a water dispersion used in the water-based ink.

Abstract: A mixed polymer fiber, comprising a crosslinked polymer fiber comprising carboxyalkyl cellulose and a galactomannan polymer or a glucomannan polymer, and cellulose fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solution comprising cellulose and an ionic liquid comprising anions and cations as solvent, wherein the cations comprise at least one atom selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and phosphorus which is present in protonated form, its preparation and use for physical and chemical treatment.

Abstract: A composition for surface conditioning includes bivalent or trivalent metal phosphate particles having a pH of 3 to 12, with D50 of the particles being 3 ?m or less and including an amine compound having a MW of 1000 or less, plus at least one metal alkoxide in a content of from 0.01 to 1000 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the solid content of the metal phosphate particles.

Abstract: A process for the production of finely particulate, inorganic solids by precipitation of the finely particulate inorganic solids from solution is described, in which the surface of the inorganic solids particles is covered (coated) with at least one additive, in which the additive(s) contains a dispersing agent or deflocculating agent, in which the proportion of the additives is overall at most 80 wt. %, preferably at most 40 wt. % or 30 wt. % and particularly preferably at most 15 wt. % of the coated solids, and wherein the additive(s) is added to the starting solution or solutions. Uses of the inorganic solids produced according to the invention are also described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to pigment compositions, thick film black pigment compositions, conductive single layer thick film compositions, black electrodes made from such black conductive compositions and methods of forming such electrodes, and to the uses of such compositions, electrodes, and methods in flat panel display applications, including alternating-current plasma display panel devices (AC PDP).