Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110189356 | Methods of Storing Cheese - One aspect of the present invention relates to a package for respiring foodstuffs, such as bloomy rind cheese products, with improved shelf life. In certain embodiments the package comprises a bloomy rind cheese enclosed in thermoplastic film having a carbon dioxide transmission rate of about 10,000 cc/100 sq.in/day, oxygen transmission rate of about 1,100 cc/100 sq.in/day, and water vapor transmission rate of about 26.6 g/100 sq.in/day at 100 F/90% RH. In certain embodiments the package comprises a bloomy rind cheese enclosed in thermoplastic film having a carbon dioxide transmission rate of about 8,240 cc/100 sq.in/day, oxygen transmission rate of about 1,030 cc/100 sq.in/day, and water vapor transmission rate of about 19.1 g/100 sq.in/day at 100 F/90% RH. The present invention also relates to a method for wrapping a respiring food product with a thermoplastic film having a carbon dioxide transmission rate of about 10,000 cc/100 sq.in/day, oxygen transmission rate of about 1,100 cc/100 sq.in/day, and water vapor transmission rate of about 26.6 g/100 sq.in/day at 100 F/90% RH. The present invention also relates to a method for wrapping a respiring food product with a thermoplastic film having a carbon dioxide transmission rate of about 8,240 cc/100 sq.in/day, oxygen transmission rate of about 1,030 cc/100 sq.in/day, and water vapor transmission rate of about 19.1 g/100 sq.in/day at 100 F/90% RH. | 08-04-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110100794 | Method of Determining Flood Points of Packed Columns - A flood point for a packed column is determined by providing a data set of gas pressure drop values as a function of gas flow rate values at several liquid flow rates through a packed column, known flood point value for one liquid flow rate, setting flood point values for higher liquid flow rates at values lower than the known flood point value, and setting flood point values for lower liquid flow rates at values higher than the known flood point value, followed by expressing gas flow rates for liquid flow rates as fractions of the flood point value for each respective liquid flow rate. At a constant gas pressure drop, the method then includes calculating an average fractional flood point value for the liquid flow rates and minimizing the standard deviation between the fractional flood point value at different liquid flow rates and the calculated average fractional flood point value by iteratively resetting fractional flood point values and recalculating the average fractional flood point value for the liquid flow rates, thus resulting in determining a flood point for the packed column at any liquid flow rate, and thereby producing a plot of pressure drop as a function of fraction of flood point at any liquid flow rate, or a mathematical expression thereof that can be used in a computer-implemented column design and process modeling. | 05-05-2011 |
20120029890 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF DESIGNING OR OPTIMIZING A COLUMN FOR A SEPARATION PROCESS - A method of designing or optimizing a column for a separation process includes the computer implemented steps of, in a digital processor, providing vapor-side and liquid-side mass transfer coefficient expressions and a mass transfer area expression relevant for a subject column, the vapor-side and liquid-side mass transfer coefficient expressions and the mass transfer area expression having been derived from defining a column average height equivalent to a theoretical plate | 02-02-2012 |
20130248348 | METHOD OF OPTIMIZING PRODUCT OUTPUT RATE OF PACKED COLUMNS - A product output rate for a packed column is optimized by setting a desired product output rate from the distillation column, calculating a fraction of flood point of the distillation column at a reflux ratio, and determining a pressure drop value within the distillation column at the fraction of flood point. The step of determining the pressure drop employs the method of producing a plot of pressure drop as a function of fraction of flood point at any liquid flow rate, or producing a mathematical expression thereof. The method of optimizing a product output rate from a distillation column then includes calculating a pressure at a point in the distillation column for a pressure at a different point in the distillation column, calculating the pressure drop within the distillation column of a given length, calculating a temperature corresponding to the calculated pressure at a point in the distillation column, and adjusting the desired product output rate or the reflux ratio or the pressure at a different point in the distillation column. | 09-26-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090287199 | SIDE-FIRING LASER FIBER WITH PROTECTIVE TIP AND RELATED METHODS - A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a reflector disposed within a capillary for use in side-firing optical fibers. An outer member or cap can be used to protect the capillary when being inserted through a catheter or endoscope. The endoscope is then at least partially inserted into a patient's body to provide laser-based medical treatment. In some embodiments, a multilayer dielectric coating can be disposed on an angled surface of the reflector. In other embodiments, a multilayer dielectric coating can be positioned between a distal end surface of the reflector and an inner side of a distal end portion of the capillary. The coated reflector can be configured to increase laser energy redirected from a first portion of an optical path to a second portion of the optical path that is non-parallel to the first portion. | 11-19-2009 |
20090287200 | SIDE-FIRING LASER FIBER WITH GLASS FUSED REFLECTOR AND CAPILLARY AND RELATED METHODS - A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a reflector and an optical fiber end portion disposed within a capillary for use in side-firing optical fibers. The reflector surface can be coated with a multilayer dielectric coating to increase the amount of side-fired laser energy. An outer member or cap can be used to protect the capillary when being inserted through a catheter or endoscope. The endoscope is then at least partially inserted into a patient's body to provide laser-based medical treatment. Multiple grooves can be defined on an outer surface of the optical fiber buffer layer to increase the surface area and improve the mechanical strength of the coupling between the optical fiber and the capillary. In some embodiments, the outer member or cap can also be coupled to the grooved surface portion of the optical fiber buffer layer. | 11-19-2009 |
20100016845 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING CAPILLARY OF LASER FIBER DURING INSERTION AND REDUCING METAL CAP DEGRADATION - A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes disposing a cover about a capillary used in a side-firing optical fiber. The cover can be used to protect the capillary when being inserted through an endoscope for medical treatment. In some embodiments, the cover can be a low-profile cover such as a coating made of a light-sensitive polymer or like material. At least a portion of the coating can be removed after insertion by exposing the light-sensitive material to laser energy transmitted from an optical-fiber-core end housed within the capillary. In other embodiments, the cover can be a slideable or moveable low-profile sleeve or metal cover. During insertion, the sleeve or metal cover is positioned over the capillary. After insertion, the sleeve or metal cover is retracted to expose the area to be treated to side-fired laser energy transmitted from the capillary. | 01-21-2010 |
20100198214 | CERVICAL OPENING SEALING DEVICES - A device for sealing a cervical opening includes a support structure, and a seal coupled to the support structure, the seal having a surface for abutting against tissue next to the cervical opening, wherein the seal is tiltable relative to the support structure. A device for sealing a cervical opening includes a support structure, and a member coupled to the support structure, wherein the member is inflatable to create a seal for abutting against cervical tissue. A device for sealing a cervical opening includes a seal having a surface for contacting tissue next to the cervical opening, an opening formed on the surface of the seal, and a vacuum port, wherein the opening is in fluid communication with the vacuum port. | 08-05-2010 |
20130231648 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING CAPILLARY OF LASER FIBER DURING INSERTION AND REDUCING METAL CAP DEGRADATION - A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes disposing a cover about a capillary used in a side-firing optical fiber. The cover can be used to protect the capillary when being inserted through an endoscope for medical treatment. In some embodiments, the cover can be a low-profile cover such as a coating made of a light-sensitive polymer or like material. At least a portion of the coating can be removed after insertion by exposing the light-sensitive material to laser energy transmitted from an optical-fiber-core end housed within the capillary. In other embodiments, the cover can be a slideable or moveable low-profile sleeve or metal cover. During insertion, the sleeve or metal cover is positioned over the capillary. After insertion, the sleeve or metal cover is retracted to expose the area to be treated to side-fired laser energy transmitted from the capillary. | 09-05-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090093733 | THERMAL MONITORING - A rectal thermal monitor for transrectal prostate temperature measurement includes a handle arranged in a proximal end portion of the monitor for gripping by a user, an elongate shaft extending from the handle, and a probe portion arranged on a distal end portion of the shaft. The probe portion is arranged at a position opposite the handle portion, and is shaped to facilitate insertion through an anal sphincter and into a rectum of a patient. A temperature sensing element is arranged within the distal probe portion and is adapted and configured to sense a temperature of the prostate of the patient through the rectum wall of the patient. The probe portion can include one or more compliant materials and/or be shaped so as to compress during insertion through the anal sphincter of the patient. | 04-09-2009 |
20090171238 | THERMAL MONITORING - A rectal thermal monitor for transrectal prostate temperature measurement includes a handle arranged in a proximal end portion of the monitor for gripping by a user, an elongate shaft extending from the handle, and an expandable distal probe portion arranged on a distal end of the shaft. The distal probe portion is arranged at a position opposite the handle portion, and is shaped to facilitate insertion through an anal sphincter and into a rectum of a patient. A cover element, is provided for covering at least a portion of the distal probe portion, and is made from a resilient material. A temperature sensing element is arranged within the distal probe portion, beneath the cover element, and is adapted and configured to sense a temperature of the prostate of the patient through the rectum wall of the patient. Further, and actuator can be provided to actuate the expandable distal probe portion, to increase a diameter thereof. | 07-02-2009 |
20090192540 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS RELATING TO ASSOCIATING A MEDICAL IMPLANT WITH A DELIVERY DEVICE - The present invention provides devices and methods for associating an implantable sling with a delivery device for delivering the sling to an anatomical location in a patient. | 07-30-2009 |
20090287197 | SIDE-FIRING LASER FIBER WITH INTERNAL BENT FIBER AND RELATED METHODS - A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment includes a distal end portion of an optical fiber disposed inside a lumen defined along a curved path within a capillary. The distal end surface of the optical fiber can be substantially flush with a portion of an outside surface of the capillary that defines a transmissive portion. The distal end portion of the optical fiber and the curved path can be collectively configured to direct laser energy through the transmissive portion in a lateral or side-fired direction that is offset from a longitudinal axis or centerline of the capillary. In some embodiments, more than one optical fiber can be disposed along the curved path. In other embodiments, more than one curved path can be defined within the capillary such that a distal end portion of an optical fiber can be disposed along each of the curved paths. | 11-19-2009 |
20090287198 | DIELECTRIC COATINGS FOR TOTAL-INTERNAL-REFLECTION SURFACE OF LASER FIBER AND RELATED METHODS - A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment includes a distal end portion of an optical fiber core having a multilayer dielectric coating. For side-firing optical fibers, the coating can be disposed on an angled surface at the core distal end to produce total internal reflection of laser energy at the angled surface. The coating can also be disposed on an outer surface of the distal end portion of the core. The coating and the angled surface can be collectively configured to redirect laser energy in a lateral or side-fired direction. For end-firing optical fibers, the coating can be disposed on an outer surface of the distal end portion of the core. The coating and a perpendicular surface at the core distal end can be collectively configured to direct laser energy in a direction substantially parallel to the distal end portion of the optical fiber. | 11-19-2009 |
20130096372 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS RELATING TO ASSOCIATING A MEDICAL IMPLANT WITH A DELIVERY DEVICE - The present invention provides devices and methods for associating an implantable sling with a delivery device for delivering the sling to an anatomical location in a patient. | 04-18-2013 |
20140309627 | SIDE-FIRING LASER FIBER WITH GLASS FUSED REFLECTOR AND CAPILLARY AND RELATED METHODS - A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a reflector and an optical fiber end portion disposed within a capillary for use in side-firing optical fibers. The reflector surface can be coated with a multilayer dielectric coating to increase the amount of side-fired laser energy. An outer member or cap can be used to protect the capillary when being inserted through a catheter or endoscope. The endoscope is then at least partially inserted into a patient's body to provide laser-based medical treatment. Multiple grooves can be defined on an outer surface of the optical fiber buffer layer to increase the surface area and improve the mechanical strength of the coupling between the optical fiber and the capillary. In some embodiments, the outer member or cap can also be coupled to the grooved surface portion of the optical fiber buffer layer. | 10-16-2014 |