Abstract: A limulus test-positive plant glycolipid having the following properties: molecular weight: 8000 .+-.1000 by SDS electrophoresis, number of phosphorous not less than 1/mol; number of hexosamine 6 .+-.2/mol; number of fatty acids 6 .+-.2/mol is effective in the stimulation of osteogenesis, oviposition and shell strength improvement in animals. The glycolipid may be administered as a composition comprising an effective amount of the glycolipid in admixture with a pharmaceutically or veterinarily acceptable carrier, such that when administered to an animal, the immune system of the animal is favorably stimulated.

Abstract: In an improved method for producing a surface graft of a hydrophilic polymer upon a preformed solid or semi-solid polymer substrate having hydroperoxide groups along its surface, n-vinyl pyrrolidone is utilized as the surface-grafting monomer, the substrate is selected to be insoluble in n-vinyl pyrrolidone, and the polymerization is carried out in aqueous alkaline conditions utilizing a combination of metal salts to provide a variable valence metal ion in a reduced state capable of oxidizing to suppress homopolymerization of the monomer in the solution.When the substrate is at least partially soluble in the n-vinyl pyrrolidone, an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a higher reactivity with the substrate than n-vinyl pyrrolidone is added to the alkaline polymerization solution as a "seeding" monomer. Addition of the "seeding" monomer results in a surface-grafted copolymer effectively externalized from the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention has multiple aspects. In its first aspect the present invention is directed to a trifunctional antibody-like compound that has tissue, organ, cell or molecule specificity and which is capable of being bifunctional when immobilized, via binding, at the tissue, organ, cell or molecule for which it has specificity. In particular, the present invention is directed to a trifunctional antibody-like compound of Formula I:F.sub.1 ab'--L--F.sub.2 ab'--L--F.sub.3 ab' (1)wherein L is the same or two different moieties for cross-linking F.sub.1 ab', F.sub.2 ab' and F.sub.3 ab';wherein F.sub.1 ab' is an Fab'-like fragment of a polyclonal or monoclonal antibody having specificity for an antigen expressed by the organ, tissue, cell or molecule of interest;wherein F.sub.2 ab' is an Fab'-like fragment of a polyclonal or monoclonal antibody having the same specificity as F.sub.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for extending the length of one of the three linker arms of the compound of Formula I in the production of novel trifunctional antibody-like compounds. Formula I is defined as follows: ##STR1## wherein X is ##STR2## wherein k=1 or 0; wherein Z is ##STR3## wherein s=1 or 0; wherein n=1 or 0;wherein q=1 or 0;wherein Y is ##STR4## wherein Y' is ##STR5## wherein p or m may be the same or different and are integers ranging from 0 to 20 with the provisos that when n=0, the sum of m and p is an integer ranging from 1 to 20, whereas when n=1, p and m are each an integer that is at least 1 and the sum of p and m is an integer ranging from 2 to 20;wherein R.sup.1 is straight or branched chain lower alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or lower alkoxy having from 1-6 carbon atoms; andwherein R.sup.

Abstract: A convenient reusable utility bag system is disclosed having a multiple purpose reusable and collapsible utility or shopping bag releasably attached by a lanyard to a pocket-sized carrier into which the bag folds for storage when not in use. The bag is designed to fit the grocery assist devices usually used with plastic bags found in many supermarkets. On the exterior of the carrier is a clasp for holding keys, etc.

Abstract: A novel tumor-associated antigen expressed by lung adenocarcinoma is disclosed. The antigen, characterized by monoclonal antibody LA20207, has a molecular weight in the range of about 50,000 to about 80,000 daltons and an isoelectric point in the range of about 4.9 to about 6.5. Antibodies directed against the antigen, methods for their production and diagnostic and therapeutic uses therefor are also provided.

Abstract: A system is provided for weighing and monitoring flow from multiple fluid sources into a flow system wherein incoming fluid is received in a weighing bag attached to a control system for monitoring the amount of fluid passed through the weighing bag and for preventing admission of air into the flow system. An alarm attached to the weighing bag warns when fluid in the weighing bag is approaching empty, so that the fluid in the weighing bag can be replenished from the fluid source before the weighing bag runs dry. If fluid in the weighing bag is not replenished, the system automatically shuts down.The fluid pump can be absolutely calibrated using the controlled admission of known amounts of fluid into the weighing bag so that the amount of fluid introduced into the flow system through the weighing bag can be calculated automatically.

Abstract: A stentless aortic heart valve having a disposable holder with a removable handle can be manually reversed by the physician during suturing to provide a relatively unobstructed view into the patient's aorta. A covering applied to strategic regions on the exterior and interior of the device provides a firm ground for suturing the prosthetic heart valve into position, and for attaching the detachable holder.

Abstract: A method and system for adaptively controlled withdrawal/infusion of a fluid, such as blood, to or from a fluid source, such as a blood vessel. An adaptive flow rate limit is established and periodically adjusted during the course of withdrawal/infusion so as to maximize and optimize the withdrawal/infusion rate while, at the same time, providing for rapid corrective adjustments in flow rate responsive to early indications of flow disruption, such as occlusion or collapse of the blood vessel during blood withdrawal. The method and system of the invention is particularly applicable to automated apheresis systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the separation of anti-metal chelate antibodies from non-specific proteins, including antibodies, by applying a preparation containing the anti-metal chelate antibodies to an oxo acid derivatized solid support and eluting first with an elution buffer containing sufficient salt concentration to elute non-specific proteins but not sufficient to elute the anti-metal chelate antibodies and then increasing the salt concentration of the elution solution so as to elute the anti-metal chelate antibodies. In one embodiment, the oxo acid derivatized solid support is a sulfopropyl resin. Appropriate salts include sodium phosphate, sodium chloride and sodium acetate. The method can be used to separate monoclonal or polyclonal anti-metal chelate antibodies from non-specific proteins as well as to separate bifunctional anti-metal chelate antibodies from monoclonal anti-metal chelate antibodies and other non-specific proteins.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatically-driven volume controlled bellows pump apparatus for oscillating liquid into a localized area of the human body, preferably methyl-tertiary butyl ether or another solvent, into the gallbladder. The pump includes a fluid reservoir in the form of an inverted syringe attached via a stopcock to the bellows. The bellows is attached via a second stopcock to a catheter also attached to a priming syringe. An inlet pinch valve is disposed between the bellows and the fluid reservoir and an outlet pinch valve between the bellows and the fluid receiver.To use the pump, a pigtail catheter with outlets in the pigtail is inserted into the desired area of the body, preferably a receptacle such as the gallbladder, to introduce a selected volume of liquid for gallstone dissolution. Liquid is infused into the receptacle by decompression of the bellows with the inlet but not the outlet valve open and then by compression of the bellows with the outlet but not the inlet valve open.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a compound for use as an intermediate in the production of novel trifunctional antibody-like compounds. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is ##STR2## wherein k=1 or 0;wherein Z is ##STR3## wherein s=1 or 0;wherein n=1 or 0;wherein q=1 or 0;wherein Y is ##STR4## wherein Y', is ##STR5## wherein p or m may be the same or different and are integers ranging from 0 to 20 with the proviso that when n=0, the sum of m and p is an integer ranging from 1 to 20, whereas when n=1, p and m are each an integer that is at least 1 and the sum of p and m is an integer ranging from 2 to 20;wherein R.sup.1 is straight or branched chain lower alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or lower alkoxy having from 1-6 carbon atoms; andwherein R.sup.2 is hydrogen, phenyl, --COOH, or straight or branched chain lower alkyl having from 1-6 carbon atoms, with the proviso that the lower alkyl moiety may be mono substituted by --NH.sub.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument comprising:an outer tube sized for insertion through an opening in a patient, the outer tube having a peripheral wall, an end wall and a longitudinal axis;a plurality of spaced apart openings in the end wall, one of the openings being larger than the other of the openings and extending proximally into the peripheral wall, each of the openings having at least one cutting edge; anda cutting member moveable within the outer tube and having a cutting edge cooperable with the cutting edges of the openings for cutting material from within the patient.

Abstract: An adaptive filter concentrate flow control system and method includes a filter system, a pumping system driving feed fluid, concentrate and filtrate flowing through the filter system and a flow control system controlling the pumping system to maintain optimum filtrate flow rates or minimum feed flow rates along a control surface in a three dimensional transmembrane pressure--feed fluid rate--filtrate flow rate space. Actual sensed operating point data is used to locate the control surface so as to assure an optimized filtrate flow rate or minimized feed flow rate at which reversible blocking of the membrane has begun to occur without irreversible blocking or plugging. The system is advantageously employed to control and maximize the flow of plasma in a plasmapheresis system or to minimize the rate at which blood is withdrawn from a donor and introduced into the system while achieving a fixed rate of plasma flow.

Abstract: A xenograft replacement ligament to replace a damaged anterior cruciate or other human ligament includes a ligament of suitable size and strength that has been harvested from a donor animal with a bone piece at least one end to preserve intact a substantial portion of a first natural ligament-to-bone attachment structure of the donor animal. Once harvested, it may be tanned and otherwise processed with glutaraldehyde solution. Installation includes pinning and otherwise attaching the bone piece at the natural attachment site of the patient to more closely replicate the natural ligament-to-bone attachment structure being replaced. The replacement ligament may be harvested with a bone piece at each end for this purpose, with each of the bone pieces then being attached at a natural attachment site of each of two bones of the patient.

Abstract: A complex of alpha-interferon with a monoclonal antibody complexes with the alpha-interferon without impairing its antiviral activity. The serum half-life of the interferon administered as the complex is substantially increased when compared to that of alpha-interferon administered alone.

Abstract: An infusion system includes an implantable housing having a storage reservoir that is dimensioned and arranged to contain a supply of a medication and a holding reservoir that is dimensioned and arranged to receive a dosage of the medication from the storage reservoir. A pump assembly is included for enabling a patient to cause a dosage of the medication to be transferred from the storage reservoir to the holding reservoir, and pressurizing components maintain the dosage under pressure within the holding reservoir in order to cause the dosage to discharge through an output port to the infusion location. One embodiment accomplishes this with an elongated bladder of elastomeric material in fluid communication with the storage reservoir and the output port. The bladder inflates as it fills with the dosage to maintain the dosage under pressure, and a capillary element disposed intermediate the bladder and the output port restricts the rate of discharge.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning contaminants from shed blood to enable reinfusion of a cell concentrate in the patient employs successive rotary membrane filtering stages in which Taylor vortices are generated. Shed blood led into the first rotary membrane stage is filtered to produce a hematocrit in the range of 50-60 with some of the waste matter being removed. The intermediate cell concentrate is passed to the second filter stage where further waste matter is initially extracted. At any intermediate region, however, a major amount of wash solution is fed into the concentrate and effectively mixed therein. In the remaining length of the second filter stage, waste matter is entrained in the wash solution and both waste and wash solution are filtered out to provide a cell concentrate from which the great majority of contaminants have been removed.

Abstract: A multilayered or tubular, woven artificial ligament contains distinct regions, each of which has physical properties suited to the function to be served. An intra-articular region is characterized by a woven structure, a high elongation under load and a degree of elasticity, similar to that of natural ligaments. A region which resides in a tunnel bored into a bone is characterized by a low elongation under load and a degree of porosity which promotes boney attachment of the ligament to the host bone. The artificial ligaments are woven from low elongation yarns, and the properties of the different regions of the ligaments are achieved through careful control of the weaving conditions and post-weaving, heat-setting treatments.

Abstract: An artificial ligament device is provided for joining the ends of two bones wherein at least one of the bones has a tunnel extending therethrough. The device comprises a multilayered or tubular woven ligament having an intra-articular region, at least one bend region, and at least one end region, each region being woven so as to possess qualities of flexibility and strength suitable to the particular types of stresses it receives during use. The end region and a portion of the bend region are encased within a polymer bone block, usually by thermomolding, and the bone block is inserted into the bone tunnel to attach the ligament. The bone block is molded to provide a fixed bend radius for the ligament at the point of exit therefrom so as to control the amount of bending stress on the ligament during flexure and extension of the joint.