Various embodiments of stents with radiopaque markers arranged in patterns are described herein.

An endoluminal support structure includes strut members interconnected by pivot joints to form a series of linked scissor mechanisms. The structure can be remotely actuated to compress or expand its shape by adjusting the scissor joints within a range of motion. In particular, the support structure can be repositioned within the body lumen or retrieved from the lumen. The support structure can be employed to introduce and support a prosthetic valve within a body lumen.

A collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a stent and a valve assembly. The stent has an annulus section with a relatively small cross-section, and an aortic section with a relatively large cross-section. The valve assembly, including a cuff and a plurality of leaflets, is secured to the stent in the annulus section such that the valve assembly can be entirely deployed in the native valve annulus and function as intended while at least a portion of the aortic section is held by the delivery device in a manner that allows for resheathing. The configuration of the prosthetic valve is such that the valve leaflets can fully coapt and the valve can function properly even when the stent and/or valve assembly become distorted upon deployment or use.

The invention discloses a novel method of controlling the open circuit potential (OCP) of a medical implant by coupling it with small amounts of metals having a lower OCP than the implant. Coupling of Mg to less than 1% of the surface area of a titanium implant is shown to induce cathodic polarization of the titanium that inhibits cell proliferation at the surface of the implant. Mg—Ti coupling in medical devices promises to attenuate or eliminate potential complications of surgery such as peri-implantitis and bacterial infections at the site of implantation.

A sacro-iliac implant includes a body extending from a first portion having an outer surface configured for fixation with a sacrum to a second portion having an outer surface being spaced apart and non-continuous with the outer surface of the first portion. A sleeve is disposed about the body and configured for implantation within at least an ilium. The sleeve extends from a first portion to a second portion having an inner surface and a flange disposed to engage an outer non-articular surface of the ilium. The inner surface of the second portion of the sleeve is engageable with the outer surface of the second portion of the body to cause axial translation of the body relative to the sleeve such that naturally separated articular surfaces of the sacrum and ilium are drawn into fixation to immobilize the SI joint. Methods of use are disclosed.

A spinal fixation device includes a housing and a plurality of blades. Each blade includes a body having a central opening configured to rotate on a shaft within the housing. Control openings on opposing sides of the central opening are sized to engage prongs of a rotating tool. At least one cutting extension with a sharp leading edge extends from the body in an orientation about an axis of the shaft. Upon rotation of the blade by the rotating tool about the shaft in a direction in which the at least one cutting extension is oriented, the at least one cutting extension will break an endplate of a vertebra and hook into the vertebra.

The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.

Spinal fixation plates for maintaining adjacent vertebrae in and fixed position are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the plate includes opposed superior and inferior portions that are angled in a direction anterior to an anterior face of a mid-portion of the plate. The plate also includes a curvature formed therein about a longitudinal axis in a sagittal plane thereof. In use, when the plate is attached to adjacent vertebrae, the angle of the superior and inferior portions and the curvature in the plate are effective to position one or more thru-bores formed in the superior and inferior portions at the anterior rims of the adjacent vertebrae. In another embodiment, a spinal fixation plate is provided that is adapted to engage and mate to a fusion cage or other vertebral implant disposed between adjacent vertebra. The present invention also provides spinal fixation kits or assemblies, and methods for implanting the same.

A method of forming an orthopedic implant, the method comprising the steps of providing a first implant component and a second implant component, the first implant component having a stem and a second implant component including a head defining a female taper sized to receive the stem; coupling the stem to the female taper of the head; forming a modular injunction between the stem and head; applying a seal to the modular injunction to limit bodily fluid from contacting the modular injunction; and forming the orthopedic implant.

The invention pertains to methods of producing artificial composite tissue constructs that permit coordinated motion. Biocompatable structural matrices having sufficient rigidity to provide structural support for cartilage-forming cells and bone-forming cells are used. Biocompatable flexible matrices seeded with muscle cells are joined to the structural matrices to produce artificial composite tissue constructs that are capable of coordinated motion.

The present invention provides a method of fixating a mesh implant to a tissue of a subject comprising attaching said mesh implant to said tissue, covering said mesh implant by an antiadhesive barrier, wherein said antiadhesive barrier is attached to said mesh implant by a biocompatible adhesive.

A device for improving the function of a heart valve comprises a first loop-shaped support, which is configured to abut a first side of the heart valve, and a second loop-shaped support, which is configured to abut a second side of the heart valve opposite to said first side, whereby a portion of the valve tissue is trapped between the first and second supports. An outer boundary of the second support is greater than an outer boundary of the first support.

Fluoroaryl Grignard reagents are produced from a hydrocarbyl Grignard reagent and fluoroaromatic compounds via separate additions of different fluoroaromatic compounds, such that the conversion of hydrocarbyl Grignard reagent to the desired fluoroaryl Grignard reagent is essentially complete, and thus the reaction product is free or essentially free of agents that may negatively affect subsequent reactions. The fluoroaryl Grignard reagents may be further reacted with boron trihalides in order to obtain tris(fluoroaryl)boranes or tetrakis(fluoroaryl)borates.

Thermoplastic composition and articles containing UV absorbers that protect the articles contents from harmful UV radiation are disclosed as well as methods for making the thermoplastic articles and methods for using the articles to contain and protect materials sensitive to UV radiation. The UV absorbers contain oxazolone and/or azine functional groups that absorb UV radiation and prevent its transmission into the article. Many of the compounds are novel compositions of matter. The generally clear thermoplastic articles of this disclosure are particularly useful for containing a variety of UV sensitive consumer products that would otherwise have to be packaged in opaque containers.

A universal linker structure is provided, in which a functional group and activating leaving group are placed on a tether, allowing the placement of an electrophile at the end of any nucleic acid sequence. The electrophile on the tether can react with a second nucleic acid carrying a nucleophile when the two nucleic acids are hybridized near one another, resulting in release of the leaving group, and creation of a functional change. The linker can be designed to destabilize the ligation product without slowing the rate of reaction. This lowers product inhibition, and the target DNA or RNA can become a catalyst for isothermally generating multiple signals for detection. This enhanced signal is demonstrated in solution experiments and in solid supported assays. The universal linkers of the present invention are simple and inexpensive to prepare, and can be appended to any polynucleotide in automated steps on a standard DNA synthesizer.

There is provided a novel, useful dehydroxyfluorination agent containing sulfuryl fluoride (SO2F2) and an organic base that is free from a free hydroxyl group in the molecule. According to the present dehydroxyfluorination agent, it is not necessary to use perfluoroalkanesulfonyl fluoride, which is not preferable in large-scale use, and it is possible to advantageously produce optically-active fluoro derivatives, which are important intermediates of medicines, agricultural chemicals and optical materials, for example, 4-fluoroproline derivatives, 2'-deoxy-2'-fluorouridine derivatives, optically-active α-fluorocarboxylate derivatives, and monofluoromethyl derivatives, even in large scale.

An azaindenofluorenedione derivative shown by the following formula (I), (IIa) or (IIb):

A method for the elimination of carbon dioxide from waste gases includes the following steps. First, waste gases, which include carbon dioxide, are provided from a source for waste gases. Next, the waste gases are contacted with an absorbent composition that includes perfluorodecalin solution. The waste gases, especially the carbon dioxide, are then absorbed by the absorbent composition. The absorbent composition thereby absorbs the waste gases to eliminate the carbon dioxide.

Esters of 4,5-disubstituted-oxy-2-methyl-3,6-dioxo-cyclohexa-1,4-dienyl alkyl acids were prepared chemically and/or enzymatically. Depending upon the ester, improved melanocyte cytotoxicity was achieved. Improved cytotoxicity characteristics are consistent with ester analogs being more physiologically compatible and less irritating to skin than their corresponding acids.

The present invention provides a method for producing a sulfonate ester efficiently and in high yield. The present invention is an invention of a method for producing a sulfonate ester compound, which comprising reacting: (a) a compound having a sulfo group (—SO3H); and(b) a compound having a group represented by the general formula [1]: —OR1 [1] [wherein, R1 represents a sulfonyl group represented by the general formula [2]: —SO2—R2 [2] (wherein, R2 represents a halogen atom, a haloalkyl group, an alkoxy group, or an optionally substituted alkyl group or an optionally substituted aryl group) or an acyl group represented by the general formula [3]: (wherein, R3 represents an optionally substituted alkyl group or an optionally substituted aryl group)]; in the presence of an organic base which is capable of forming a salt with said sulfo group.

A ligand design allows compact nanoparticle materials, such as quantum dots (QDs), with excellent colloidal stability over a wide range of pH and under high salt concentrations. Self-assembled biomolecular conjugates with QDs can be obtained which are stable in biological environments. Energy transfer with these ligands is maximized by minimizing distances between QDs/nanoparticles and donors/acceptors directly attached to the ligands or assembled on their surfaces.

The present invention discloses metal (III) complex of a biuret-amide based macrocyclic ligand as green catalysts that exhibit both excellent reactivity for the activation of H2O2 and high stability at low pH and high ionic strength. The invention also provides macrocyclic biuret amide based ligand for designing of functional peroxidase mimics. Further, the present invention discloses synthesis of said metal (III) complex of a biuret-amide based macrocyclic ligand.

Compositions and methods for improved delivery of macromolecules into eukaryotic cells are provided. Fusogenic peptides from fusion proteins of non-enveloped viruses enhance the efficiency of transfection of eukaryotic cells mediated by transfection agents such as cationic lipids, polycationic polymers such as PEI and dendrimers. These fusogenic peptides are used as part of a transfection complex that efficiently delivers a macromolecule, for example, a nucleic acid, into a eukaryotic cell. Novel cationic lipids and compositions of cationic lipids also are provided that may be used for the introduction of macromolecules such as nucleic acids, proteins and peptides into a variety of cells and tissues. The lipids can be used alone, in combination with other lipids and/or in combination with fusogenic peptides to prepare transfection complexes.

A method, apparatus, and computer program product for generating a social network data structure, the method comprising: receiving a corpus comprising one or more communication indications for one or more customers, each communication indication indicating start time and end time of a communication of the customer; and generating a social network data structure indicating connections between customers based upon the start time and end time indications of communication indication comprised in the communication indications.

An apparatus for dehydrating a liquid sample of biological material has a microwave waveguide that is open to the atmosphere. It has a microwave generator, means for introducing a container of the material into the waveguide, means for evacuating the container, means for rotating the container and means for removing the container from the waveguide. It can include means for moving the container through the waveguide and for sealing it. In a dehydration method, a container of the liquid sample is put into the open waveguide, evacuated, rotated at high speed and microwaved. The container of dehydrated material is then removed from the waveguide. The apparatus and method are particularly suitable for dehydrating vaccines.

An induction melting furnace having an asymmetrical sloping bottom. The melting furnace includes: an induction coil member provided on the melting furnace so as to melt waste contained in the furnace by vitrification; a bottom unit provided in a lower part of the melting furnace, the bottom unit asymmetrically sloping downward in a direction toward a glass discharge port that is formed through the bottom unit; and a cooling member integrated with the bottom unit. Due to the asymmetrical sloping bottom of the furnace, waste in the furnace can be completely melted and can be easily discharged to the outside and, accordingly, the time and cost required to treat the waste are reduced and this improves work efficiency when treating the waste. Further, due to the insulation material, the melting furnace can be protected from electric damage that may be caused by electric arc.

Apparatus and method are provided for electric induction heating and/or stirring of a molten electrically conductive composition in a containment vessel with the apparatus being removably insertable in the molten composition. An induction coil embedded in refractory or a coating is submerged in the composition and used to heat and/or stir the molten composition either externally or internally to the refractory or coating.

An integrated process control installation is provided for electric induction metal melting furnaces with variable furnace states. The integrated process control installation can include supporting charge delivery and slag removal installations, and furnace process operations for process control of melting metal in the furnaces. The variable furnace states, supporting installations, and furnace process operations are controlled by a supporting processing installation, while a robotic apparatus performs the furnace process operations.

A combustion tube mounting system releasably mounts a combustion tube to an aperture in the floor of a furnace housing. The combustion tube has a base assembly with a cam and can be manually or automatically unlocked by cam pins in the floor for selectively engaging the cam for lowering the combustion tube from the floor of the furnace. When a new combustion tube is placed on the lower seal assembly and raised, it automatically aligns and engages the upper furnace seal and engages cams on the floor of the furnace housing which lock the combustion tube in place as it is introduced into the furnace.

Apparatus and process for heating and melting a material in a susceptor vessel are provided wherein phase synchronized ac voltage is supplied from a separate power source to each one of at least two induction coils in separate zones around the vessel. Power magnitude from each source to an induction coil is controlled by pulse width control of the source's output voltage. Output frequency from each source is either fixed or variable based upon the electrically conductive state of the material. Optional electromagnetic stirring is achieved by establishing a phase shift between the voltage outputs of the power supplies after the material in the susceptor vessel has melted.

The present invention describes an inoculation process for inoculating a nucleating additive to a cast iron alloy in a pouring distributor by means of using a transferred arc plasma torch, with an anode partially immersed in the cast iron alloy and a cathode located on the surface of said alloy, the anode or the cathode or both comprising graphite, preferably synthetic crystalline graphite, which supplies said nucleating additive to the iron alloy. The invention thus describes an inoculation device useful for carrying out the inoculation process.

Disclosed herein are a graphite crucible for electromagnetic induction-based silicon melting and an apparatus for silicon melting/refining using the same, which performs a melting operation by a combination of indirect melting and direct melting. The crucible is formed of a graphite material and includes a cylindrical body having an open upper part through which a silicon raw material is charged into the crucible, and an outer wall surrounded by an induction coil, wherein a plurality of slits are vertically formed through the outer wall and an inner wall of the crucible such that an electromagnetic force created by an electric current flowing in the induction coil acts toward an inner center of the crucible to prevent a silicon melt from contacting the inner wall of the crucible.

A graphite crucible for electromagnetic induction-based silicon melting and an apparatus for silicon melting/refining using the same, which performs a melting operation by a combination of indirect melting and direct melting. The crucible is formed of a graphite material and includes a cylindrical body having an open upper part through which a silicon raw material is charged into the crucible, and an outer wall surround by an induction coil, wherein a plurality of first slits are vertically formed through the outer wall and an inner wall of the crucible, and a plurality of second slits are vertically formed from an edge of the disc-shaped bottom of the crucible toward a center of the bottom.

An electromagnetic induction melting furnace to control an average nominal diameter of the TiB2 cluster of the Al—Ti—B alloy includes a main body containing the melted alloy; and a multi-layer coil disposed on the main body, wherein a frequency of the alternative current of each coil of the multi-layer coil is different, and the alloy is heated by inducing a magnetic field generated by the alternative currents. The selection of the frequency and the changeable magnetic field may reduce the cohesion force between the TiB2 grains of the Al—Ti—B alloy to control the average nominal diameter of the TiB2 cluster.

An electromagnetic induction melting furnace to control an average nominal diameter of the TiC cluster of the Al—Ti—C alloy includes a main body containing the melted alloy; and a multi-layer coil disposed on the main body, wherein a frequency of the alternative current of each coil of the multi-layer coil is different, and the alloy is heated by inducing a magnetic field generated by the alternative currents. The selection of the frequency and the changeable magnetic field may reduce the cohesion force between the TiC grains of the Al—Ti—C alloy to control the average nominal diameter of the TiC cluster.

A coupling means (10) provided with a first member (20) suitable for being fastened to a first rotary part (2) and with a second member (30) suitable for being fastened to a second rotary part (3), the first member (20) being provided with a first diaphragm (22) and the second member (30) being provided with a second diaphragm (32) that is secured to the first diaphragm (22). An emergency torque transmission device comprises at least one bayonet system including a protuberance (50) secured to one member (30) and co-operating with an angled groove (60) secured to the other member (20) by being inserted in the angled groove (60) by a thrust-and-rotation movement, in the absence of said breakage said coupling means (10) including both axial clearances in compression (70') and in translation (70″) and also circumferential clearance between each protuberance (50) and walls defining the corresponding angled groove (60).

A starting device of a spark-ignition multi-cylinder engine is provided. The device includes a multi-cylinder engine body having cylinders, fuel injection valves, ignition plugs, an intake valve drive mechanism for opening and closing intake valves, a hydraulic variable valve phase mechanism for changing a close timing of each intake valve, an engine-driven hydraulic pressure supply source for supplying a hydraulic pressure, and a start controller for controlling the fuel injection valves, the ignition plugs, and the variable valve phase mechanism. When the supplied hydraulic pressure is below a predetermined pressure, the variable valve phase mechanism locks the close timing. When an engine temperature in an engine-start is high, the start controller retards a fuel injection timing of the cylinder on intake stroke at an engine stopped timing and retards an ignition timing thereof. The start controller does not retard the close timing of the intake valve until the engine-start completes.

A torque limiting device, particularly for power transmission elements, is provided. The torque limiting device includes a first connecting member and a second connecting member, which is connected rotatably to a driven element. The first connecting member includes a motor driving disk and the second connecting member includes a sliding disk, and further includes a pin supporting body which comprises a drum that is assembled on the second connecting member and includes a plurality of radial holes, each one of which accommodates a pin that is pressed, toward the center of the drum, by elastic means, and abuts, with at least one of its faces which is inclined with respect to the central rotation axis of the second connecting member, against at least one corresponding abutment face.

A constant velocity joint including an outer race having inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface including a plurality of outer bail tracks. The constant velocity joint also includes an inner race having a plurality of inner ball tracks which correspond to the outer ball tracks, a ball cage disposed between the outer race and the inner race, a plurality of balls arranged within the ball cage and contacting the outer ball tracks and the inner ball tracks. A damping assembly is connected to the outer race.

A torque fluctuation absorber includes a first rotating member, a second rotating member arranged coaxially with the first rotating member, a control plate arranged between the first rotating member and the second rotating member in an axial direction and engaging non-rotatably with the second rotating member, a thrust member arranged between the first rotating member and the control plate in the axial direction, engaging with the first rotating member in an axially movable and non-rotatable manner, and slidably making contact with the control plate, and an elastic member arranged between the first rotating member and the thrust member in the axial direction, supported by the first rotating member and pressing the thrust member against the control plate.

A device for damping vibrations in a drive train, in particular for plug screws in the pulp and paper industries. The device is principally characterized in that a cylindrical shaft, preferably designed as a hollow shaft, is provided, wherein the cylindrical shaft is arranged between the halves of a coupling and at least one ring having friction surfaces is arranged around the cylindrical shaft. Stick-slip vibrations that occur can thereby be favorably eliminated, and thus the gearbox and the motor of the drive train can be protected.

A variable valve actuating apparatus includes: a first rotary member which includes a rotor fixed to one of the inner cam shaft and the outer cam shaft, and a receiving chamber formed within the first rotary member, and which is arranged to be rotated in an advance angle direction or in a retard angle direction relative to the drive rotary member by a hydraulic pressure selectively supplied to or drained from the advance angle operation chamber and the retard angle operation chamber; and a second rotary member fixed to the other of the inner cam shaft and the outer cam shaft, rotatably received within the receiving chamber of the first rotary member, and arranged to be rotated relative to the first rotary member and the drive rotary member within a predetermined angle range.

A variable valve actuating apparatus includes: a first lock recessed portion; a first lock member; a second lock recessed portion formed in the second rotary member's side; a second lock member; a first lock passage arranged to supply the hydraulic fluid, and thereby to move the first lock member out of the first lock recessed portion; and a second lock passage arranged to supply the hydraulic fluid, and thereby to move the second lock member out of the second lock recessed portion, at least a part of the first lock recessed portion and at least a part of the second lock recessed portion being disposed at a position to be projected in an axial direction when the first lock member and the second lock member are in the lock state.

A rotational vibration damper includes a primary side (32) and a secondary side (46) which is rotatable with respect to the primary side (32) around an axis of rotation (A) against the action of a damper element arrangement (28). At least one damper element unit (42) of the first group (70) and at least one damper element unit (42') of the second group (70') are pre-loaded, and the primary side (32) and the secondary side (46) are pre-loaded in a basic relative rotation position with respect to one another. Proceeding from the basic relative rotation position of the primary side (32) with respect to the secondary side (46), a pre-loading path (V, V') of at least one pre-loaded damper element unit (42) is shorter than a maximum relative rotation path of the primary side (32) with respect to the secondary side (46).

A rotation transmitting apparatus includes a first shaft on which multiple external teeth are formed so as to be arranged in a circumferential direction, and a second shaft in which multiple internal teeth are formed so as to be arranged in the circumferential direction, the second shaft being fitted to the first shaft so as to be slidable relative to the first shaft in the axial direction and so as to be engageable with the first shaft in a rotational direction through the use of the external teeth and the internal teeth. A protrusion is formed on the tooth flank of one of the external tooth and the internal tooth, the protrusion being projected toward the corresponding tooth flank of the other of the external tooth and the internal tooth. The protrusion is made of a resin that is more elastically deformable than the tooth flank.

An aluminum alloy propeller shaft including a tube made of an aluminum alloy, and a pair of yoke members made of an aluminum alloy, the yoke members including cylindrical base portions friction-welded to opposite end portions of the tube, each of the yoke members including a tip end portion having a pair of bearing retaining holes aligned with each other in a radial direction of the base portion. Variation in length between a central axis of the bearing retaining holes in one of the yoke members and a central axis of the bearing retaining holes in the other yoke member with respect to a reference length is set within a range of from +2.0 mm to −2.0 mm. A friction welding process of producing an aluminum alloy propeller shaft, including a friction step, a position displacement detection step, a rotation stop step and an upset step.

A coupling for connecting a rotating tube cleaning shaft to a tube cleaning machine where high pressure fluid is pumped through the coupling, where the coupling is sealed to contain the high pressure fluid, and where a machine driven rotary flexible shaft passes through the coupling.

A device for generating limit torque with a function of yielding a torque change in real time includes a spring, a rotating portion having a cam surface formed therein, a transmitting portion transmitting an elastic force of the spring to the cam surface, a fixed portion with respect to which the relative rotation of the rotating portion is generated, and a limit-torque control portion provided to the fixed portion so as to control limit torque of the rotating portion by adjusting the elastic force of the spring. In the device, the limit-torque control portion controls the limit torque of the spring by changing the elastic force of the spring in real time.

A valve timing control device includes: a vane rotor having a plurality of vanes; a housing having the vane rotor inside so that an advance chamber is formed on one side of each vane and a retard chamber is formed on the other side; a lock pin inserted in a cylinder provided in the vane and moves to a lock position and to an unlock position; and a feeding passage for feeding oil into the cylinder from the retard chamber adjacent to the vane provided with the cylinder to make the lock pin move to the unlock position, and controls an oil supplying unit to supply oil to each retard chamber, wherein a flow passage cross sectional area of the branch passage connected with the retard chamber linking with the cylinder is larger than a flow passage cross sectional area of the branch passage connected with the other retard chamber.

In an electrically-driven valve timing control apparatus employing a housing and a cover member axially opposed to each other, a cylindrical-hollow motor output shaft is installed in the housing, and configured to rotate relative to the housing by electricity-feeding to the electric motor, and also configured such that lubricating oil is supplied into the motor output shaft. A plug is fitted to the inner periphery of an axial opening end of the motor output shaft for suppressing a leakage of lubricating oil from the motor output shaft to the outside. One of two opposing faces of the cover member and the plug is formed with a protruding portion configured to prevent the plug's slipping out of the axial opening end. A part of the inside face of the cover member, opposed to the plug, is formed integral with the protruding portion partially disposed within the axial opening end.