68results about How to "Minimize entry" patented technology

A method for delivering a therapeutic agent to a predetermined location in a host is disclosed, wherein a liposome-encapsulated therapeutic agent is administered to the host, and an electrical field which encompasses a predetermined region within the host is established, such that as the liposome-encapsulated agent is exposed to the electrical field the release of the agent from the liposome to the predetermined region is enhanced.

A method of making metallic iron in which a compact, containing iron oxide such as iron ore or the like and a carbonaceous reductant such as coal or the like, is used as material, and the iron oxide is reduced through the application of heat, thereby making metallic iron. In the course of this reduction, a shell composed of metallic iron is generated and grown on the surface of the compact, and slag aggregates inside the shell. This reduction continues until substantially no iron oxide is present within the metallic iron shell. Subsequently, heating is further performed to melt the metallic iron and slag. Molten metallic iron and molten slag are separated one from the other, thereby obtaining metallic iron with a relatively high metallization ratio. Through the employment of an apparatus for making metallic iron of the present invention, the above-described method is efficiently carried out, and metallic iron having a high iron purity can be made continuously as well as productively not only from iron oxide having a high iron content but also from iron oxide having a relatively low iron content.

A urinary catheter (30, 100) for indwelling introduction into a patient's urethra. The catheter includes an elongated flexible body portion (12) formed of a polymer. The elongated flexible body portion (12) includes a flexible introducing member. The flexible introducing member (32) has a longitudinal bore. The bore can slideably position the introducing member (32) along the flexible body portion. A flexible polymeric sleeve (40) is affixed to the flexible introducing member. The flexible polymeric sleeve (40) can cover a substantial portion of the flexible body portion (12). The method and apparatus can minimize the likelihood of infection by proving a sterile sleeve barrier on the catheter.

A disposable cushioned aspirator which forms part of a dental or medical aspirating system. The disposable cushioned aspirator appliance described herein is intended principally to be used in dental and medical procedures where body fluids and rinse water is evacuated from the site of a procedure. An elongate tubular element has a connection end and a patient end. The patient end is exteriorly lined with a layer of soft cushioning material such as a soft thermoplastic elastomers, styrene based polymers, rubber or a porous polymer foam material to define an aspirator tip that protects the soft tissues in and around the mouth of a patient. The soft aspirator tip has external longitudinal pressure relief channels and recessed aspiration openings within the channels for control of aspiration characteristics. The aspirator tube is capable of being manually bent to a desired configuration and has an embedded structural member such as wire extending along its length and being pliable to permit bending and yet of sufficient structural integrity to maintain the aspirator in the desired configuration during use.

A microcatheter for delivery of embolic fluids includes an outer member dimensioned for insertion within a blood vessel adjacent an embolization site. The outer member defines a first longitudinal lumen, and an inner member is selectively positionable within the first longitudinal lumen of the outer member. The inner member defines a second longitudinal lumen and has a delivery port in fluid communication with the second longitudinal lumen for passage and delivery of embolic fluids toward the embolization site. A valve is disposed within the outer member. The valve is dimensioned to establish a substantial seal about the inner member, to minimize entry of the embolic fluids within the first longitudinal lumen of the outer member subsequent to delivery thereof toward the embolization site.

Extracorporeal cell-based therapeutic devices and delivery systems are disclosed which provide a method for therapeutic delivery of biologically active molecules produced by living cells in response to a dynamic physiologic environment. Exemplary designs are disclosed. In a first exemplary embodiment the device includes long hollow fibers in which a layer of cells are grown within the intraluminal volume or within a double hollow-filled chamber. In another exemplary embodiment the device includes a wafer or a series of wafers forms a substrate onto which cells are grown. The wafer(s) are then inserted into a device. The devices are intended to be extracorporeal. Disclosed is a device for delivering a pre-selected molecule, for example, a hormone, into a mammal's systemic circulation. The device may also deliver a member of different cell products. The device comprises an anchoring element that can be anchored to an inner wall of an extracorporeal tube for blood. The device also comprises a capsule that is held in place within the extracorporeal tube for blood or fluid by an anchor. The device is adapted to secure viable cells which produce and secrete the pre-selected molecule into blood or fluid passing the capsule. The invention also provides a minimally invasive method for percutaneously introducing into a preselected blood vessel or body cavity the device of the invention.

A system and method for measurement of flow parameters in a sewer pipe that may be partially or completely filled. Flow parameters may include flow velocity, flow volume, depth of flow and surcharge pressure. Measurements are taken from a sensor head installed on the inside of the pipe at the top of the pipe approximately the larger of at least 1 foot or 1 pipe diameter upstream of a pipe opening. Flow velocity may be measured by two different technologies. The technology employed depends on whether or not the pipe is full. If the pipe is not full then flow velocity may be measured, for example, using a wide beam, ultrasonic, diagonally downward looking Doppler signal that interacts with the surface of the flow. If the pipe is full, then flow velocity may be measured using, for example, an average velocity Doppler sensor, a peak velocity Doppler sensor or an ultrasonic velocity profiler.

Extracorporeal cell-based therapeutic devices and delivery systems are disclosed which provide a method for therapeutic delivery of biologically active molecules produced by living cells in response to a dynamic physiologic environment. One embodiment includes long hollow fibers in which a layer of cells are grown within the intraluminal volume or within a double hollow-filled chamber. Another embodiment includes a wafer or a series of wafers providing a substrate onto which cells are grown. The wafer(s) are inserted into a device. A device may deliver a pre-selected molecule, for example, a hormone, into a mammal's systemic circulation and/or may deliver a member of different cell products. The device is adapted to secure viable cells which produce and secrete the pre-selected molecule into blood or fluid. The invention also provides a minimally invasive method for percutaneously introducing into a preselected blood vessel or body cavity the device of the invention.

An air cleaner device for a vehicle is provided with an air cleaner body containing an air cleaner element and a snorkel connected to the air cleaner body to introduce the outside air into the air cleaner body. The snorkel extends forward of the vehicle past a side of a cylinder portion which projects upward from an engine, and a front end of the snorkel opens between right and left seats of the vehicle. With this configuration, even if the air cleaner body of the air cleaner device should be flooded, it is difficult for water to enter into the interior. Further, it is difficult for the air cleaner body to be influenced by heat, and difficult for dust to get into the air cleaner body.

A disposable cushioned aspirator which forms part of a dental or medical aspirating system. The disposable cushioned aspirator appliance described herein is intended principally to be used in dental procedures where bodily fluids and rinse water is evacuated from a patient's mouth, but the invention has application in medical procedures and various other applications as well. An elongate tubular element having a patient end and a connection end is exteriorly lined with a layer of soft cushioning material such as a soft polymer material, rubber or a porous foam material to protect the soft tissues in and around the mouth of a patient. The elongate tubular aspirator is capable of being manually bent from an initially straight configuration to a curved or other desired configuration and is provided with a structural member extending along its length and being pliable to permit bending and yet of sufficient structural integrity to maintain the aspirator in the desired configuration during use. The structural member is preferably a wire element which is embedded within or attached to the elongate tubular element.

Extracorporeal cell-based therapeutic devices and delivery systems are disclosed which provide a method for therapeutic delivery of biologically active molecules produced by living cells in response to a dynamic physiologic environment. One embodiment includes long hollow fibers in which a layer of cells are grown within the intraluminal volume or within a double hollow-filled chamber. Another embodiment includes a wafer or a series of wafers providing a substrate onto which cells are grown. The wafer(s) are inserted into a device. A device may deliver a pre-selected molecule, for example, a hormone, into a mammal's systemic circulation and/or may deliver a member of different cell products. The device is adapted to secure viable cells which produce and secrete the pre-selected molecule into blood or fluid. The invention also provides a minimally invasive method for percutaneously introducing into a preselected blood vessel or body cavity the device of the invention.

A system for detecting and monitoring termite infestation includes cover assembly having top and bottom plates having axially aligned apertures and linked by a threaded bolt, and bore gasket disposed between the plates. Bottom plates have additional apertures. Top plates have protruding dimples with nonslip surface and coating, tapered apertures therethrough, and plugs or, alternatively, an essentially flat top surface and areas of reduced thickness. An alternative cover assembly includes a top having a top disc portion with an axially aligned aperture therethrough and protruding dimples with tapered apertures and a cylinder portion, axially disposed downward therefrom and having retaining ridges encircling its exterior surface and rows of teeth axially disposed upon its inner surface; and a bottom cup in the shape of a tapered cylinder having a bottom covering, the bottom cup having an axially aligned aperture therethrough, additional apertures, and teeth axially disposed on the exterior surface thereof.

A disposable cushioned aspirator which forms part of a dental or medical aspirating system. The disposable cushioned aspirator appliance described herein is intended principally to be used in dental and medical procedures where body fluids and rinse water is evacuated from the site of a procedure. An elongate tubular element has a connection end and a patient end. The patient end is exteriorly lined with a layer of soft cushioning material such as a soft thermoplastic elastomers, styrene based polymers, rubber or a porous polymer foam material to define an aspirator tip that protects the soft tissues in and around the mouth of a patient. The soft aspirator tip has external longitudinal pressure relief channels and recessed aspiration openings within the channels for control of aspiration characteristics. The aspirator tube is capable of being manually bent to a desired configuration and has an embedded structural member such as wire extending along its length and being pliable to permit bending and yet of sufficient structural integrity to maintain the aspirator in the desired configuration during use.

In a spark plug, a main gap is formed between the center electrode and the ground electrode, and an auxiliary gap is formed between the center electrode and a projecting inner edge formed at an open end portion of the metallic shell. The inner wall surface of the metallic shell extending from a terraced portion toward the tip end of the metallic shell is tapered such that the diameter of the inner wall surface decreases toward the tip end of the metallic shell by an amount of 0.6 mm or more. Through reduction of a gas volume defined by the insulator and the inner wall surface of the metallic shell, entry of high temperature combustion gas can be reduced to thereby decrease a thermal load imposed on the insulator, while entry of carbon can be minimized to thereby prevent contamination. Accordingly, heat resistance and contamination resistance can be significantly improved, and thus the range of operation of the spark plug can be widened.

An electronic medical records system with computerized provider order entry includes error checking for duplicate or medically similar orders. In the system, similar medical orders are displayed on adjacent screens and are highlighted, thereby allowing medical personnel to easily identify and evaluate the orders. The user can therefore choose to modify or delete medically similar entries easily and quickly, thereby minimizing the occurrence of duplicate or repetitive orders, and increasing efficiency of the system.

An organic light-emitting device comprising a layer of light-emissive organic material interposed between a first electrode and a second electrode, at least one of the first and second electrodes comprising one or more electrode layers on the layer of light-emissive organic material for injecting charge carriers into the light-emissive organic material, wherein the organic light-emitting device further comprises a layer of dielectric material on the surface of the outermost electrode layer remote from the layer of light-emissive organic material.

A conveyor belt hold down for a draper platform comprises a planar portion having a front edge, a rear edge, a left edge, and a right edge, wherein one of the left and the right edges defines a first slot or groove structure, and the other of the left and the right edges defines a first tongue structure, wherein the first tongue structure is configured to be engaged in a second slot or groove structure of a similar hold down disposed immediately adjacent to the first tongue structure, and wherein the first slot or groove structure is configured to receive a second tongue structure of a similar hold down disposed immediately adjacent to the first slot or groove structure.

A sealing structure using a liquid gasket, having a liquid gasket interposed in the form of a thin film between mating surfaces of a first member and a second member, thereby preventing the movement of oil via the mating surfaces, the sealing structure, includes at oil-side end portions of the mating surfaces, a gasket lump portion that is formed of an excess of the thin-film liquid gasket squeezed out from the mating surfaces, and an oil-shielding portion that covers a boundary portion where the gasket lump portion and the first member come into contact, thereby preventing a flow of the oil from directly striking the boundary portion, and is provided on an oil-flow upstream side from the boundary portion.

A method for releasing flowable material via an automated means from a receptacle which has at least one closed end, characterised by the steps of locating the receptacle in a defined position relative to a receptacle opening mechanism, and opening the receptacle with the receptacle opening mechanism, the method characterised in that the receptacle is positioned such that it is opened substantially below the bulk of the material in the receptacle. Also disclosed is a method of releasing flowable material via an automated means from a receptacle which has at least one closed end, characterised by the steps of locating the receptacle in a defined position relative to a receptacle opening mechanism, and opening the receptacle with the receptacle opening mechanism, the method characterised in that the flowable material within the receptacle is fluidised.

A storage system comprises: a heat-insulating outer shell (1) capable of insulating inner space (V); an ice storage water tank (4) capable of storing water therein disposed in an ice storage water tank disposing space (5) provided in the inner space (V) of the heat-insulating outer shell (1); a storage space (3) for storing objects (2) to be stored provided in the inner space (V) of the heat-insulating outer shell (1); an outside-air inlet opening (1a) provided at a lower portion of the heat-insulating outer shell (1), the inlet opening being capable of introducing outside air into the inner space (V); an inside-air outlet opening (1b) provided at an upper portion of the heat-insulating outer shell (1), the outlet opening being capable of discharging inside air from the inner space (V) of the heat-insulating outer shell (1) to the outside; and an object entrance-exit opening (7) provided at an upper portion of the heat-insulating outer shell (1) for allowing entrance-exit of the objects (2) to and from the storage space (3).