Abstract: Low chlorine, multi-staged method for producing cycloaliphatic diisocyanates. The invention relates to a multi-staged method for the continuous low-chlorine production of cycloaliphatic diisocyanates, comprising the synthesis of diaminodipheynl alkanes, the hydration thereof into the corresponding cycloaliphatic diamines and the subsequent conversion of cycloaliphatic diamines to the corresponding cycloalkylene biscarbamates and the thermal cleaving of the latter into the cycloaliphatic diisocyanates and alcohol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving the bioavailability of pharmaceutical substances and for allowing the pharmaceutical substances to permeate the blood-brain barrier, the pharmaceutical substances having at least one or more amidine, guanidine, N-hydroxyamidine (amidoxime) or N-hydroxyguanidine functions. The invention also relates to medicaments containing the correspondingly modified pharmaceutical substances.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient method for mass-producing 2-hydroxy-5-(substituted)phenylalkylaminobenzoic acid derivative represented by the specific Chemical formula or its salt, particularly 2-hydroxy-5-[2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)ethylamino] benzoic acid or its salt.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I) or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt is prepared by ring opening of osthol under basic condition. The compound of formula (I) or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt has activity of selectively inhibiting tumor cells and lower toxicity, and can be used for preparing anti-tumor drugs.

Abstract: A process for recovery and purification of an organic acid from a fermentation broth containing a salt form of the organic acid, comprises the steps of subjecting the fermentation broth to one of ultrafiltration and microfiltration to form a first permeate, concentrating the first permeate to form a concentrated broth, subjecting the concentrated broth to a supported liquid membrane for extraction of lactic acid into a separate stream comprising an extracted solution, subjecting the extracted solution to activated carbon for colour removal, a cation exchange resin for demineralization, and an anion exchange resin for removal of anionic impurities to form a post polished organic acid, filtering the post polished organic acid to remove impurities above a predetermined threshold and concentrating the post polished organic acid to a desired concentration.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a method for the reactive vaporization of aqueous solutions of glycerol in a fluidized bed containing a reactive solid. The method of the invention makes it possible to simultaneously vaporize an aqueous solution of glycerol, to remove the impurities that are present in this solution or that are generated during the evaporation, and to carry out the dehydration reaction of the glycerol to acrolein and/or the oxydehydration reaction of the glycerol to acrylic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of triamides from ammonia and amido-dichlorides.

Abstract: In a process for producing cyclohexylbenzene, benzene and hydrogen are fed to at least one reaction zone. The benzene and hydrogen are then contacted in the at least one reaction zone under hydroalkylation conditions with a catalyst system comprising a molecular sieve having an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing maxima at 12.4±0.25, 6.9±0.15, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07 Angstrom, and at least one hydrogenation metal to produce an effluent containing cyclohexylbenzene. The catalyst system has an acid-to-metal molar ratio of from about 75 to about 750.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing cyclohexanone from phenol in a first process, the first process being a cyclohexanone production process comprising hydrogenating phenol to form a product stream comprising cyclohexanone, phenol and side-products (RSP), including cyclohexanol and undesirable side-product; separating at least part of the product stream having a lower boiling point than cyclohexanone have been removed, into a first fraction comprising cyclohexanone and a second fraction comprising phenol, cyclohexanol and RSP, using distillation; and separating the second fraction into a third fraction, rich in cyclohexanol and comprising RSP, and a fourth fraction, rich in phenol and comprising RSP, using distillation. The invention further relates to an installation for carrying out a method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the selective preparation of acetaldehyde, characterized in that acrolein and one or more ammonium salts dissolved in water are reacted continuously under high pressures and at temperatures of 300-400° C.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is disclosed for recovering dichlorohydrins from a hydrochlorination reactor effluent stream comprising dichlorohydrins, one or more compounds selected from esters of dichlorohydrins, monochlorohydrins and/or esters thereof, and multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds and/or esters thereof, and optionally one or more substances comprising water, chlorinating agents, catalysts and/or esters of catalysts. The reactor effluent stream is distilled to produce a dichlorohydrin-rich vapor phase effluent stream. The dichlorohydrin-rich vapor phase effluent stream is cooled and condensed in two unit operations conducted at two different temperatures and a portion of the liquid phase effluent stream produced by the first unit operation is recycled to the distillation step for reflux. Product streams produced by the process and apparatus are suitable for further processing in a further unit operation, such as dehydrochlorination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for converting at least one multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon and/or an ester thereof to at least one chlorohydrin and/or an ester thereof, comprising at least one reaction step in which the multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon and/or ester thereof is contacted with hydrogen chloride under reaction conditions to produce the chlorohydrin and/or ester thereof, followed by at least one downstream processing step in which the effluents of the reaction step are processed, wherein the downstream processing step is performed in such conditions that the effluents containing the chlorohydrin and/or ester thereof are kept at a temperature of less than 120° C. The invention allows to minimize the liberation of hydrogen chloride from the products of the hydrochlorination reaction, hence reducing the corrosion of the downstream equipment and reducing the need to use costly corrosion resistant materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purifying an aqueous solution of fermentation alcohol to give anhydrous alcohol, wherein a mash column is controlled such a manner that an alcohol concentration of an alcohol/water mixed vapor distilled from a mash column is less than 50% by weight and a reflux amount of a condensate to a distillation column is controlled such a manner that an alcohol concentration of an alcohol/water mixed vapor that is distilled from the distillation column is 55 to 85% by weight. According to the present method, the purification for obtaining an anhydrous alcohol from an aqueous solution of a fermentation alcohol with the use of a mash column, a pressurized distillation column and a membrane separator can be more conveniently carried out with an extremely high energy efficiency as the whole process.

Abstract: A novel process for producing a fluoroalkyl iodide telomer is provided, which is able to obtain a fluoroalkyl iodide telomer having a desired chain length, efficiently. A fluoroalkyl iodide represented by the general formula RfI (wherein Rf is a C1-10 fluoroalkyl group) and tetrafluoroethylene are used as a telogen and a taxogen, respectively. These compounds are supplied to a distillation apparatus. In a reaction zone located in an intermediate part of the distillation apparatus, the compounds are subjected to a telomerization reaction in the presence of a metal catalyst with heating to generate a fluoroalkyl iodide telomer represented by the general formula Rf(CF2CF2)nI (wherein Rf is the same as defined above and n is an integer of 1-4). Thereafter, a fraction comprising the fluoroalkyl iodide telomer is separated by distillation.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene. The process involves reacting 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane with copper in the presence of an amide solvent and 2,2?-bipyridine. A process is also disclosed for making 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene. The process involves reacting 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane with copper in the presence of an amide solvent and a Cu(I) salt. A process is further disclosed for making 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene. The process involves reacting 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane with copper in the presence of an amide solvent, 2,2?-bipyridine and a Cu(I) salt.

Abstract: An alpha-alumina support for a hydrogenation catalyst useful in hydrogenating fluoroolefins is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor system having: (1) a first reactor receiving an oxygenate component and a hydrocarbon component and capable of converting the oxygenate component into a light olefin and the hydrocarbon component into alkyl aromatic compounds; (2) a separator system for providing a first product stream containing a C3 olefin, a second stream containing a C7 aromatic, and a third stream containing C8 aromatic compounds; (3) a first line connecting the separator to the inlet of the first reactor for conveying the second stream to the first reactor; (4) a second line in fluid communication with the separator system for conveying the C3 olefin to a propylene recovery unit, and (4) a third line in fluid communication with the separator system for conveying the C8 aromatic compounds to a xylene recovery unit.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprises a crystalline MCM-22 family molecular sieve and a binder, wherein the catalyst composition is characterized by an extra-molecular sieve porosity greater than or equal to 0.122 ml/g for pores having a pore diameter ranging from about 2 nm to about 8 nm, wherein the porosity is measured by N2 porosimetry. The catalyst composition may be used for the process of alkylation or transalkylation of an alkylatable aromatic compound with an alkylating agent. The molecular sieve may have a Constraint Index of less than 12, e.g., less than 2.

Abstract: A process for the complete deoxygenation of an oxygenate, especially those from bio-oils comprises forming a reaction mixture comprising the oxygenate, molecular hydrogen, and a hydrodeoxygenation catalyst in a solvent. The reaction mixture is maintained at a temperature that is 0.7 to 1.3 times the solvent critical temperature in absolute temperature units (K). Complete deoxygenation occurs via a hydrodeoxygenation pathway and a decarbonylation pathway.

Abstract: A polymeric hypernucleophilic catalyst is effective for hydrolytic destruction of chemical threat agents under mild conditions, e.g., near neutral pH and at ambient temperatures. The polymeric hypernucleophilic catalysts are particularly useful to affect rapid destruction of chemical threat agents on sensitive surfaces such as paint, metal, rubber, plastic, fabric, wood, and skin. Catalyst formulations such as creams, lotions, sprays, foams, powders, or gels, and articles such as filters, wipes, membranes, yarns, fabrics, and articles of clothing, may be used for detoxification of or prophylactic protection against chemical threat agents.

Abstract: Described herein are infusion systems and methods for delivering a radiopharmaceutical agent to a subject without exposing an administering health care professional to a potentially deleterious amount of radiation.

Abstract: A topical preparation externally applied to the skin, the preparation containing particles that can be magnetized. The preparation being stored in a container with a magnetic source.

Abstract: Methods and devices treat treating non-stuttering pathologies having impaired or decreased communication skills by administering a frequency altered auditory feedback signal to a subject having a non-stuttering pathology while the subject is speaking or talking to thereby improve the subject's communication skills.

Abstract: A urinary incontinence device for insertion in a urethra of a user. The device includes a non-absorbent body having an outer surface, the body having a leading end and a trailing end; a removal mechanism having a first end attached to the body and a portion of the removal mechanism located outside the user; a portion of the body having a generally bulbous shape for positioning within the urethra and providing a seal within the urethra preventing urinary leakage from the urethra; and a coating applied to the outer surface of the body for engaging a wall of the urethra and securing the device within the urethra of the user. Another embodiment relates to a method of controlling urinary incontinence comprising: engaging an applicator with the body of the device and introducing into the urethra the device wherein the device is positioned in the user's bulbar urethra.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to surgically implantable supportive slings. More specifically, in various embodiments, the invention is directed to systems, devices and methods relating to a surgically implantable supportive sling having an adjustable shape.

Abstract: Methods for generating embryos using pluripotent stem cells are provided. The subject methods include methods for generating chimeric embryos, wherein only a subset of the cells of each embryo are genetically identical to the pluripotent stem cells used in the generation process. The subject methods also include methods for generating embryos that are identical or are essentially genetic clones of the pluripotent stem cells (e.g., the resulting embryos are substantially identical, genetically, to the pluripotent stem cells used in the generation process).

Abstract: A penile prosthetic system includes a pump connected between a reservoir and an inflatable penile implant. The inflatable penile implant includes a cylinder and a distal end portion connected to a distal end of the cylinder along a major longitudinal axis of the cylinder. The distal end portion forms a fluid chamber that is in fluid communication with the cylinder, and a fluid conduit is integrally formed to communicate with the fluid chamber in the distal end portion. The fluid conduit has a minor longitudinal axis that forms an angle with the major longitudinal axis of 5 degrees or less.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for accessing the peritoneal cavity and for ligation of fallopian tubes. A representative method includes using an endoscope to orally access a gastric wall. The gastric wall is punctured to provide access to a peritoneal cavity. The endoscope is advanced into the peritoneal cavity through the puncture. A fallopian tube is located and ligated. The endoscope is removed.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention relate to an endoscopic system and accessories. In particular, the various embodiments relate to endoscopic systems in which an accessory comprises a multi-lumen device that is capable of quantitatively delivering at least a catheter, a balloon, and a needle to a site. The accessory is configured to allow for individual, independent control of its components. For example, in some embodiments, the needle and guidewire can be independently controlled. In addition, the needle may be retracted back into an inner lumen of the catheter body.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention relate to an endoscopic system and accessories. In particular, the various embodiments relate to endoscopic systems in which an accessory comprises a multi-lumen device that is capable of quantitatively delivering at least a catheter, a balloon, and a needle to a site. The accessory is configured to allow for individual, independent control of its components. For example, in some embodiments, the needle and guidewire can be independently controlled. In addition, the needle may be retracted back into an inner lumen of the catheter body.

Abstract: An endoscope with adjustable viewing angle has a viewing angle adjusting mechanism mounted on a handheld body and a control module mounted inside the handheld body. The viewing angle adjusting mechanism has a cable seat pivotally mounted on the handheld body, an adjustable knob mounted on the cable seat, a flexible tube, a hollow flexible cable joined with one end of a flexible tube, and two pull strings between the other end of the flexible tube and the adjusting knob. Given that, while the cable seat is rotated, the image acquisition module on one end of the flexible cable can be controlled to rotate synchronously. The relative pulling and releasing movement of the two pull strings driven by turning the adjusting knob makes the flexible tube bend correspondingly so as to further adjust the viewing angle of the image acquisition module.

Abstract: A capsule-type endoscope includes a capsule, an objective optical system, an image pickup element, and at least one illumination light source having a light-emitting surface, and a transparent cover. In several embodiments of the capsule-type endoscope according to the present invention, an inner surface of the transparent cover is spherical within a field of view of the objective optical system so as to have a center of curvature, the center of curvature is offset from the optical axis of the objective optical system, and a specified condition is satisfied so as to avoid flare in the objective optical system caused when light from the one (or more) illumination light source(s) enters the entrance pupil of the objective optical system. In another embodiment, the inner surface of the transparent cover has the shape of an ellipsoid. Observation methods using the capsule-type endoscope are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a treatment tool including: an elongated member which is formed of a flexible material and includes first and second terminals; a first body portion which is fixed to the first terminal so as to function in a target; a handle portion which is provided in the second terminal and is provided with a rotating holding portion holding the elongated member so as to be rotatable about the axis of the elongated member; and a second body portion which is attached to the handle portion so as to function in a target and is rotated relative to the elongated member when rotating the handle member relative to the elongated member. The treatment tool is capable of performing a cleaning treatment or the like while curtailing extraneous matter from being scattered in the vicinity thereof and reducing contamination thereof.

Abstract: An infrared fiber-optic device is able to monitor esophageal temperature during an ablation/cryoablation procedure over a volume of interest to sense whether the temperature is too high or too low. The device may include a plurality of optical fibers each with a wide angle lens collectively disposed circumferentially and longitudinally to cover the volume of interest, as the particular region over which undesirable temperature may not be known beforehand. In other examples, the device may include an embedded array of infrared sensors extending sufficiently to encompass a volume of interest. The device may be used as part of a feedback control to regulate and stop operation of the ablation/cryoablation procedure to prevent vessel damage.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of gaining access to a lateral side of a spinal column for a spinal fusion procedure at a surgical site. In an embodiment, the method includes inserting a distal end of a shaft through skin at an entry point into a patient; steering the shaft toward a surgical site using a visualization device to avoid damage to structures between the entry point and the surgical site; and retracting tissue between the entry point and the surgical site to define a pathway for access to the lateral side of the spinal column for a spinal fusion procedure. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments for providing removable, pluggable and disposable opto-electronic modules for illumination and imaging for endoscopy or borescopy are provided for use with portable display devices. Generally, various rigid, flexible or expandable single use medical or industrial devices with an access channel, can include one or more solid state or other compact electro-optic illuminating elements located thereon. Additionally, such opto-electronic modules may include illuminating optics, imaging optics, and/or image capture devices, and airtight means for suction and delivery within the device. The illuminating elements may have different wavelengths and can be time-synchronized with an image sensor to illuminate an object for 2D and 3D imaging, or for certain diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to minimally-invasive devices, methods and systems used through small access portals to minimize trauma to structures adjacent the treatment site. The access device includes a guide frame and a cannula support washer movebly coupled to the guide frame. The washer has a cannula port aperture extending therethrough and a surface geometry complementary to the surface geometry of the guide frame. The complementary surface geometries limit movement of the cannula port aperture to arcuate movement along a surface segment of a sphere.

Abstract: Retractor apparatus including a blade and a fluid port and/or a light emitter associated with blade, and surgical systems including an arm and a retractor apparatus.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for providing surgical access into a body cavity. In one embodiment, a surgical access device is provided that includes a housing having multiple access ports for receiving surgical instruments, and a retractor removably coupled to the housing and having a working channel configured to extend into a body cavity. With the housing and retractor mated together, a portion of the housing through which instruments can be inserted can rotate relative to the retractor. The retractor can be positioned in tissue using an inserter tool configured to seat the retractor and to automatically release the retractor into position within the tissue. The retractor can be removed from the tissue using a cord coupled to the retractor.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for providing surgical access into a body cavity. In one embodiment, a surgical access device is provided that includes a housing having multiple access ports for receiving surgical instruments, and a retractor removably coupled to the housing and having a working channel configured to extend into a body cavity. With the housing and retractor mated together, a portion of the housing through which instruments can be inserted can rotate relative to the retractor. The retractor can be positioned in tissue using an inserter tool configured to seat the retractor and to automatically release the retractor into position within the tissue. The retractor can be removed from the tissue using a cord coupled to the retractor.

Abstract: A surgical portal device having enhanced retention characteristics includes a body portion dimensioned for insertion within a tissue tract. The body portion includes an outer wall defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen configured to allow a surgical instrument to pass therethrough. A thread segment extends at least partially along the outer wall of the body portion. At least one of the outer wall and the thread segment has a textured surface. The textured surface may define irregularities. The irregularities are dimensioned to engage or receive tissue segments adjacent the tissue tract to thereby facilitate retention of the body portion relative thereto.

Abstract: Cannula anchor assemblies are disclosed which consist of a threaded cannula and a cannula anchor. The cannula anchor system allows for secure anchoring into the body wall, and proper cannula height adjustment prior to and during surgery. Sutures through the body wall may be secured to the cannula anchor either directly through the cannula anchor, or around suture posts attached therein. The cannula anchor also prevents excessive plunge of a trocar into the patient. The cannula anchor is generally configured with internal threads that mate with a threaded cannula.

Abstract: A surgical stabilizer for use with a surgical site retractor has a base, a bendable arm, and a distal cuff adapted to resiliently hold a tube of an elongated port-access device. The cuff may have a body defining a partial enclosure within which is held a highly flexible gasket having a slit for resiliently receiving the tube. The surgical site retractor may have a collapsible ring and a flexible outer portion attached thereto, the ring being sized to pass through an intercostal incision and expand therein under adjacent ribs to prevent removal, and the flexible outer portion extending out of the incision and drawing over the stabilizer base to mutually secure the retractor and base. The port-access tube may be for a heart valve delivery system using an elongated port-access device for transapically delivering a prosthetic heart valve to the aortic valve annulus.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system, and a method. A described method includes acquiring electronic data indicative of a property of a mammal without making physical contact with the mammal. The method also includes extracting digital information indicative of a physiological characteristic of the mammal from the electronic data indicative of the property of the mammal. The method further includes choosing from an electronically accessible treatment database a neuromodulation treatment regimen for administration to the mammal in response to the information indicative of a physiological characteristic of the mammal. The method also includes electronically initiating an administration of the chosen neuromodulation treatment regimen to a nervous system component of the mammal.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system, and a method. A described system includes a sensor device operable to detect a property of a mammal without a direct physical contact with the mammal. The system also includes a patient assessment device operable to evaluate the detected property of the mammal for an indicator of a disease. The system further includes a patient information device including a computer-readable medium, and configured to maintain and to provide access to information corresponding to the indication of the disease. The system further includes a transmitter device operable to broadcast a signal indicative of the disease.

Abstract: A reaction-testing system is provided to simulate motion to an individual. Generally, the reaction-testing system includes a motion-simulating device, a reflective device, a control unit, and an input device that is activated by an individual In exemplary embodiments, the motion-simulating device includes a beam that accommodates a first and second plurality of light sources capable of, at least, alternating between an active and idle condition. These light sources are arranged amongst occlusion features in a mounting pattern such that light emitted from the first plurality is directly viewable by an individual and light emitted from the second plurality is indirectly viewed by the individual through the reflecting surface. The control unit is configured to sequentially activate the light sources sequentially to generate pulses of light on that, when perceived by the individual, appear as a light moving along a vector.

Abstract: Elasticity of a cardiovascular vessel of a patient is monitored to provide an indication of whether the patient's health is changing. In some aspects the elasticity of a cardiovascular vessel is determined irrespective of the current blood pressure level of the patient at the time the elasticity is determined. For example, vessel elasticity may be determined based on a defined set of data that maps vessel elasticity with reflectance times for different blood pressure levels. In some implementations, this set of data corresponds to a set of iso-pressure lines.

Abstract: One or more physiological conditions of a patient can be observed by obtaining a photoplethysmograph (“PPG”) signal from the patient and by only lightly filtering that signal. The light filtering of the PPG may be such as to only remove (for example) high frequency noise from that signal, while leaving in the signal most or all frequency components that are due to physiological events in the patient. In this way, such physiological events can be observed via a visual display of the lightly filtered PPG signal and/or via other signal processing of the lightly filtered PPG signal to automatically extract certain physiological parameters or characteristics from that signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of measuring glucose levels in a body fluid of a subject, in particular to non-invasive measuring of blood glucose in blood of a subject. A device is disclosed comprising an electrically conducting probe comprising a plurality of electrodes adapted for measuring electrical impedance of the tissue of a subject, typically skin, a sensing device adapted for sensing at least one concentration of an ion in the tissue, typically acidity (pH), wherein said electrically conducting probe and said sensing device are adapted to obtain said electrical impedance of the tissue and said concentration of an ion in the tissue simultaneously. The device further comprises a blood glucose determining unit adapted for determining an estimate, typically a concentration, of blood glucose based on said electrical impedance of the tissue and said concentration of an ion in the tissue.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing the onset of necrosis, decubiti, and/or decubitus ulcers in the skin of a patient. Included is a topical product accessed in liquid form and applied to the skin. The product displays thermochromic temperature change when the product comes into contact with human skin tissue to identify body parts at risk for tissue necrosis by the color differences.