299results about How to "Minimize potential" patented technology

This invention relates to improved methods for completing wells in unconsolidated subterranean zones. More specifically, the present invention relates to cement compositions useful in subterranean applications, and more particularly, to permeable cement compositions and methods for forming consolidated permeable cement masses in well bores to prevent sand influx into the well bores with produced fluids. In one embodiment, the permeable cement compositions of the present invention comprise a hydraulic cement, water, and a degradable material capable of undergoing an irreversible degradation downhole.

Device and method for limiting adverse events during supplemental oxygen therapy are disclosed. In the present invention, the oxygen flow between a patient and an oxygen source is controlled with a valve such as a proportional solenoid capable of constraining flow-rates within a continuous range. The flow-rate of oxygen is accurately controlled in a closed-loop with flow-rate measurements. Measures of a patient's vital physiological statistics are used to automatically determine optimum therapeutic oxygen flow-rate. Controller signal filtering is disclosed to improve the overall response and stability. The control algorithm varies flow-rates to minimize disturbances in the patient feedback measurements.

The transactional memory system described herein may implement parallel co-transactions that access a shared memory such that at most one of the co-transactions in a set will succeed and all others will fail (e.g., be aborted). Co-transactions may improve the performance of programs that use transactional memory by attempting to perform the same high-level operation using multiple algorithmic approaches, transactional memory implementations and / or speculation options in parallel, and allowing only the first to complete to commit its results. If none of the co-transactions succeeds, one or more may be retried, possibly using a different approach and / or transactional memory implementation. The at-most-one property may be managed through the use of a shared “done” flag. Conflicts between co-transactions in a set and accesses made by transactions or activities outside the set may be managed using lazy write ownership acquisition and / or a priority-based approach. Each co-transaction may execute on a different processor resource.

A stent has a plurality of cells disposed about the circumference of the stent, with at least one cell having a plurality of struts that are connected together to form the cell. At least one strut has a portion that compensates for foreshortening of the struts during expansion of the stent.

A device and method for intravascular treatment of atherosclerotic plaque prior to balloon angioplasty which microperforates the plaque with small sharp spikes acting as serrations for forming cleavage lines or planes in the plaque. The spikes may also be used to transport medication into the plaque. The plaque preparation treatment enables subsequent angioplasty to be performed at low balloon pressures of about 4 atmospheres or less, reduces dissections, and avoids injury to the arterial wall. The subsequent angioplasty may be performed with a drug-eluting balloon (DEB) or drug-coated balloon (DCB). The pre-angioplasty perforation procedure enables more drug to be absorbed during DEB or DCB angioplasty, and makes the need for a stent less likely. Alternatively, any local incidence of plaque dissection after balloon angioplasty may be treated by applying a thin, ring-shaped tack at the dissection site only, rather than applying a stent over the overall plaque site.

A method for treating subjects with abnormal cell proliferation is provided. The method involves administering to subjects in need of such treatment an effective amount of an agent of Formula I, to inhibit cell proliferation such as that associated with tumor growth and metastasis. A method for inhibiting angiogenesis in an abnormal proliferative cell mass by the administration of an agent of Formula I is also provided.

A medical valve is provided that includes a housing having a main conduit and a branch extending from the main conduit and in fluid communication with it. The bore of the branch has an elastomeric septum piston disposed therewithin and at least a portion of the elastomeric septum piston is movable by either compression or by a longitudinal advancement along the secondary bore towards the bore of the main conduit. In one embodiment, the septum piston is cylindrical and includes a centrally positioned slit. The bore of the branch includes two opposing projecting members along a distal portion of the bore which effectively narrow the diameter of the bore. When the elastomeric member is pushed from a proximal position to a distal position, it is transversely compressed by the projecting members to open the slit and allow fluid passage. After removal of the longitudinal displacement force the septum piston retracts away from the distal portion back to the proximal portion.

The present invention provides long life optics for a modular, high repetition rate, ultraviolet gas discharge laser systems producing a high repetition rate high power output beam. The invention includes solutions to a surface damage problem discovered by Applicants on CaF2 optics located in high pulse intensity sections of the output beam of prototype laser systems. Embodiments include an enclosed and purged beam path with beam pointing control for beam delivery of billions of output laser pulses. Optical components and modules described herein are capable of controlling ultraviolet laser output pulses with wavelength less than 200 nm with average output pulse intensities greater than 1.75×106 Watts / cm2 and with peak intensity or greater 3.5×106 Watts / cm2 for many billions of pulses as compared to prior art components and modules which failed after only a few minutes in these pulse intensities. Techniques and components are disclosed for minimizing the potential for optical damage and for reducing the pulse energy density to less than 100×10−6 J / cm3. Important improvements described in this specification have been grouped into the following subject matter categories: (1) Solution to CaF2 surface damage discovered by Applicants, (2) description of a high power ArF MOPA laser system, (3) description of beam delivery units, (4) polarization considerations (5) a high speed water-cooled auto shutter energy detector module and (6) other improvements.

In a centrifugal separator for cleaning gases generated by an internal combustion engine a housing defines an interior separation chamber. A centrifugal rotor is coupled for rotation to the housing and extends into the separation chamber. A drainage chamber is positioned adjacent the separation chamber and is delimited therefrom by a partition wall. A flow path is provided through which oil, separated from gases generated by the internal combustion engine and collecting on the partition wall, can travel from the separation chamber to the drainage chamber. A pump wheel is coupled to a shaft portion defined by the rotor and extends radially outwardly therefrom. During operation the oil, upon exiting the separation chamber, contacts the pump wheel. Centrifugal forces generated due to the rotation of the pump wheel cause the oil to be thrown into the drainage chamber. The pump wheel also minimizes the potential for oil resident in the drainage chamber to re-enter the separation chamber.

This invention relates to methods and devices that improve cell culture efficiency. They include the use of gas permeable culture compartments that reduce the use of space while maintaining uniform culture conditions, and are more suitable for automated liquid handling. They include the integration of gas permeable materials into the traditional multiple shelf format to resolve the problem of non-uniform culture conditions. They include culture devices that use surfaces comprised of gas permeable, plasma charged silicone and can integrate traditional attachment surfaces, such as those comprised of traditional tissue culture treated polystyrene. They include culture devices that integrate gas permeable, liquid permeable membranes. A variety of benefits accrue, including more optimal culture conditions during scale up and more efficient use of inventory space, incubator space, and disposal space. Furthermore, labor and contamination risk are reduced.

Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling pointer movement on a user interface display screen in a computer system. Selected areas of a display screen are defined to provide predetermined pointer movement control actions. Visual cues to the selected areas are provided for the user. In accordance with a feature of the invention, the pointer movement control actions assist computer users in selecting desired operations or objects while minimizing potential for inadvertent user selections or mistakes.

Radioactive sources, preferably radioactive seeds, for use in brachytherapy comprising a radioisotope within a sealed biocompatible container, wherein at least one part of the outer surface of the container is grooved, preferably with a curved groove. The grooved outer surface is preferably substantially free from angularities. Such grooves enhance the echogenicity of the source using medical ultrasound at a greater range of angles to the ultrasound probe, thus enhancing the ultrasound visibility of the source. Preferred radioisotopes are palladium-103 and iodine-125.

A dose counter for a metered dose inhaler includes a force sensor, an electronic controller, a memory for storing data indicative of a remaining number of doses and an electronic display device coupled to the controller for displaying the remaining number of doses. The dose counter is attached or integrated into a base of a canister containing medicament such that force applied to the base of the canister is registered by the force sensor, the controller being configured to measure force applied to the dose counter when depressing the canister and being responsive to measured force to decrement the remaining number of doses stored in the memory and shown on the display device.

An embolic protection device for use in a blood vessel when an interventional procedure is being performed in a stenosed or occluded region to capture any embolic material which may be created and released into the bloodstream during the procedure. The device includes a filtering assembly having a self-expanding strut assembly and a filter element attached thereto. In one embodiment, the filtering assembly is attached to the distal end of a guide wire and is deployed within the patient's vasculature as the guide wire is manipulated into the area of treatment. A restraining sheath placed over the filtering assembly in a coaxial arrangement maintains the filtering assembly in its collapsed position until it is ready to be deployed by the physician. Thereafter, the sheath can be retracted to expose the filtering assembly which will then self-expand within the patient's vasculature. Interventional devices can be delivered over the guide wire and any embolic debris created during the interventional procedure and released into the blood stream will enter the filtering assembly and be captured therein. Other embodiments include filtering assemblies attached to an outer tubular member and inner shaft member which apply axial force to the distal ends of the assembly to either expand or contract the struts as needed.

A by-pass valve mechanism for a well treatment tool having at least one flow sensitive element, permitting by-pass of well fluid past the flow sensitive element of the well treatment tool during conveyance of the well treatment tool to treatment depth within a well. A valve housing adapted for connection with a well tool defines an internal flow passage and has at least one by-pass port communicating well fluid between the flow passage of the service tool and the annulus between the well casing and the service tool. A sliding sleeve valve element is normally secured at its open position by shear elements permitting flow of well fluid through the and is moveable between an open position diverting fluid flow from within the service tool to the annulus and a closed position blocking the flow of well fluid through the by-pass port. The sleeve valve element is released and automatically closed by predetermined hydrostatic tubing or casing pressure or pump pressure. The by-pass valve mechanism may have a test pressure control system permitting pressure testing of a well without causing release and closure of the sleeve valve.

A device and method for intravascular treatment of atherosclerotic plaque prior to balloon angioplasty. An intravascular device can comprise a carrier configured for expansion within a vessel. The carrier can have a s plurality of ribbon strips extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end. An open slot can be positioned between adjacent ribbon strips. A plurality of spikes can be positioned on each of the ribbon strips. The spikes can act as serrations for forming cleavage lines or planes in plaque in the vessel. The spikes may also be used to transport medication into the plaque. The plaque preparation treatment can enables subsequent angioplasty to be performed at low balloon pressures, can reduces dissections, and avoids injury to the arterial wall.

The present invention relates to an antistatic article comprising a substrate or support having thereon at least one antistatic layer, wherein the antistatic layer comprises a conductive material having areas of patterned coverage. The present invention also relates to a display comprising a substrate having an electrically modulated imaging layer thereon, at least one electrically conductive layer, and at least one transparent antistatic layer, wherein said antistatic layer comprises a conductive material having areas of patterned coverage.

A non-linear shaped charge perforator for use in perforating an oil and gas formation into which a wellbore has been drilled comprises a monolithic, axisymmetric metal case in which is disposed a main explosive charge between the front of the case, which is closed with a concave metal liner, and the closed back end of the case. The main explosive charge contains multiple initiation points, preferably two initiation points located about 180° apart on the outside surface of the charge, so that when the perforator is detonated the main charge is initiated such that the metal liner is collapsed into a non-circular jet, preferably a fan-shaped jet, that pierces the casing of the wellbore and forms non-circular perforations, preferably slot-shaped perforations, in the surrounding formation.

A non-clogging non-pressure compensated drip emitter that utilizes one or more filters or one or more inwardly offset filters that have an inlet that projects inwardly toward a centerline of the hollow cylindrical emitter body and a labyrinth having only turbulent transfer zones after water enters the labyrinth, wherein the labyrinth couples the filter(s) or inwardly offset filter(s) to the pool. Prevents clogging by eliminating dead transfer zones where sediment can accumulate where no turbulence exists. Also prevents clogging when the filter is positioned downward as the inwardly offset filter rises above any sediment when the emitter is positioned in the field in this downward orientation. Also prevents clogging flat filter configurations that have filters offset radially, i.e., redundant filters per emitter.

A method for treating subjects with abnormal cell proliferation is provided. The method involves administering to subjects in need of such treatment an effective amount of an agent of Formula I, to inhibit cell proliferation such as that associated with tumor growth and metastasis. A method for inhibiting angiogenesis in an abnormal proliferative cell mass by the administration of an agent of Formula I is also provided.

Disclosed herein is a bottle holding apparatus comprising two, short, cylindrical sections, two or more struts fixedly connected between the two cylindrical sections, and a handle and support rib fixedly attached to two of the struts. The bottle holding apparatus of the present invention provides a means for any user to reliably grasp any large, “handle-less” bottle, without causing any inappropriate deformation of the plastic, while dispensing its contents. The present invention's design is simple and scalable, and can be economically manufactured and sold.

An electronic device test fixture deploys a plurality of contact elements in a dielectric housing. The plumb arrangement of contact elements each include an armature or transversal configured to first depress and then slide laterally when urged downward by the external contacts of a device under test. The rotary movement of the transversal is optimized via the configuration of a surrounding forked regulator such that surface oxide deposition on the external device under test terminal is disrupted to reliably minimize contact resistance without damaging or unduly stressing the electrical junction of the device under test.

Drip emitter having a pressure compensating element that does not contact the enclosing pipe. First known drip emitter formed from a two-shot injection mold process that includes a deformable element, membrane, compressible element or pressure compensating element that compensates pressure or flow of water against a stiff injection molded surface that is part of the drip emitter body. In addition, this is the first drip emitter (two-shot or otherwise) that includes a compensating surface that is not parallel to the membrane, i.e., at an angle to the plane of the pressure compensating element. May include fluid retainment valve, ventable / anti-siphon / non-drain or other, as part of second injection with second or third material. Allows for simple injection mold construction and eliminates need for ISO conditioning to properly seat the membrane before testing.

A computer operating system having a kernel with a kernel module signature verification unit is described herein. The kernel module signature verification unit automatically monitors kernel module signature path and extracts the signature information provided by each module attempting to load to the kernel. The signature information captured from the kernel module path is retrieved by a kernel cryptographic framework to verify the signature information provided by a kernel cryptographic framework daemon when the same kernel module attempts to register its routines and mechanisms with the kernel cryptographic framework.

A hybrid medical device that can aid in reconstructive or augmentative surgery of the breast is disclosed. The device can utilize a suitable biological collagen tissue matrix combined with a synthetic material, for example, that can impart a high initial strength to the repair site while permitting proper healing and revitalization of the implanted device.