Abstract: A system and method for using hyperpolarized noble gases together with an appropriately designed and optimized magnetic resonance imaging pulse sequence to rapidly acquire static or dynamic magnetic resonance images. The strong magnetic resonance signal from hyperpolarized gases, combined with the present magnetic resonance imaging technique, presents the opportunity for the imaging of gases with both high spatial and high temporal resolution. One potential application for such a method is the direct, dynamic visualization of gas flow, which would be extremely useful for characterizing a variety of fluid systems. In the medical field, one such system of substantial importance is the lung. The system and method provides for visualizing regional ventilatory patterns throughout the respiratory cycle with high temporal and high spatial resolution. The low sensitivity to susceptibility artifacts permits good image quality to be obtained in various orientations.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging “MRI” method and apparatus for lengthening the usable echo-train duration and reducing the power deposition for imaging is provided. The method explicitly considers the t1 and t2 relaxation times for the tissues of interest, and permits the desired image contrast to be incorporated into the tissue signal evolutions corresponding to the long echo train. The method provides a means to shorten image acquisition times and/or increase spatial resolution for widely-used spin-echo train magnetic resonance techniques, and enables high-field imaging within the safety guidelines established by the Food and Drug Administration for power deposition in human MRI.

Abstract: Iron based amorphous steel alloy having a high Manganese content and being non-ferromagnetic at ambient temperature. The bulk-solidifying ferrous-based amorphous alloys are multicomponent systems that contain about 50 atomic percent iron as the major component. The remaining composition combines suitable mixtures of metalloids (Group b elements) and other elements selected mainly from manganese, chromium, and refractory metals. Various classes of non-ferromagnetic ferrous-based bulk amorphous metal alloys are obtained. One class is a high-manganese class that contains manganese and boron as the principal alloying components. Another class is a high manganese-high molybdenum class that contains manganese, molybdenum, and carbon as the principal alloying components. These bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys can be obtained in various forms and shape for various applications and utlizations. The good processability of these alloys can be attributed to the high reduced glass temperature Trg (e.g., about 0.6 to 0.

Abstract: A methodology, system and computer program product for designing and optimizing a rapid magnetic resonance imaging pulse sequence for creating images of a gas or gas-filled structure with substantially reduced diffusion-induced signal attenuation during the course of data acquisition compared to that for currently available magnetic resonance imaging techniques is disclosed. The methodology and system allows desirable combinations of image signal-to-noise ration, spatial resolution and temporal resolution to be achieved that were heretofore not possible. For example, magnetic resonance imaging of hyperpolarized noble gases, which recently has shown significant promise for several medical imaging applications, particularly imaging of the human lung, can be improved. Pulse sequences designed according to the subject methods permit signal levels to be achieved that are up to ten times higher than those possible with the gradient-echo methods now commonly used for hyperpolarized-gas imaging.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product related to the diagnosis of diabetes, and is directed to predicting the long-term risk of hyperglycemia, and the long-term and short-term risks of severe hypoglycemia in diabetics, based on blood glucose readings collected by a self-monitoring blood glucose device. The method, system, and computer program product pertain directly to the enhancement of existing home blood glucose monitoring devices, by introducing an intelligent data interpretation component capable of predicting both HbA1c and periods of increased risk of hypoglycemia, and to the enhancement of emerging continuous monitoring devices by the same features. With these predictions the diabetic can take steps to prevent the adverse consequences associated with hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.

Abstract: Plasma deposition apparatus (1) and method that allows metal or nonmetal vapor (6) to be generated by electron-beam evaporation, guides that vapor using a noble gas stream (containing reactive gases in cases of reactive evaporation), ionizes the dense directed gas and vapor stream at working pressures above about 0.0001 mbar using a hollow cathode plasma arc discharge (11), and conveys the ionized vapor and/or gas stream towards the substrate (4) for impact on the surface at energies varying from thermal levels (as low as about 0.05 eV) up to about 300 eV.

Abstract: An automated cold storage apparatus, and related method thereof, provides a sample process management system that is a revolutionary approach to the storage and retrieval regarding critical samples. The system—a significant technological breakthrough in laboratory automation—is the first ultra low temperature robotic system capable of being validated. Samples in containers are stored and retrieved robotically through an airlock climate-control chamber that is automatically dehumidified by a dry gas purge, such as a carbon dioxide or nitrogen purge or the like. This purge rapidly reduces ambient humidity to a desirable relative humidity (RH), e.g., less than about 15% RH, virtually eliminating the accumulation of frost. Microplates are systematically identified using barcode technology, for example. Once through the climate-controlled chamber, the containers (i.e., samples) are robotically transferred to the rotary mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method which utilizes blood glucose (“BG”) sampling, insulin infusion/injection records, heart rate (“HR”) information and heart rate varability (“HRV”) information to estimate BG in the near future and to estimate of the risk of the onset of hypoglycemia. The invention also relates to an apparatus for predicting BG levels and for assessing the risk of the onset of hypoglycemia in the near future. The invention is based on two predetermined bio-mathematical routines: a network model of BG fluctuations and a BG profile for assessment of the risk of hypoglycemia.

Abstract: The infrared (IR) sensing apparatus (101) and related method achieves improvement over traditional infrared sensors by levitating or suspending the IR platform (103) to reduce the loss of IR energy, which normally dissipates in the form of heat. The levitating IR sensitive platform (123) of the present invention has no contact with the substrate (110) during energy absorption, thus eliminating a substantial disadvantage existing in the conventional systems proposed heretofore.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for early detection of subacute, potentially catastrophic illness in an infant. The method comprises: (a) monitoring heart rate variability in the infant; and (b) identifying at least one characteristic abnormality in the heart rate variability that is associated with the illness. This method can be used to diagnose illnesses such as, but not limited to, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, pneumonia and meningitis.

Abstract: A remote sensor for use as a handheld, mobile or stand-alone sensor has first (12) and second (16) optical paths, light collecting optics, a sample filter (10) assembly positioned in a first optical Path (12), a reference filter (14) assembly positioned in a second optical path (16), a detector assembly to detect the filtered light r other radiation, and a detector output comparison device such as BRD to minimize the effects of common background noise components, differences in light or other radiation source power, and absorption or emission by interfering species.

Abstract: A method and system for fusing a region in the spine involve the use of at least one guide tube (10a) to pass instruments and substances into the spinal region in a minimally invasive manner. In the preferred practice of the method, a guide tube is anchored to a vertebra and the guide tube is moved to thereby position the vertebra. A steerable drilling tool (20a) is passed through the guide tube and steered into position to abrade at least a portion of an intervertebral disc, thereby creating a cavity in the disc. A flowing substance is passed into the cavity and permitted to solidify to establish fusion in the cavity. Optionally, an uninflated balloon (40) is inserted into the cavity and the balloon is filled with the flowing substance to contain the flowing substance.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method and apparatus for early detection of subacute, potentially catastrophic illness in a patient. The method comprises: (a) monitoring heart rate variability in the patient; and (b) identifying at least one characteristic abnormality in the heart rate variability that is associated with the illness. This method can be use to diagnose illnesses such as, but not limited to, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, pneumonia and meningitis, as well as noninfectious illnesses. In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method and apparatus for early detection of subacute, potentially catastrophic illness in a patient.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for using hyperpolarized xenon-129 and magnetic resonance imaging or spectroscopy as a probe to non-invasively and non-destructively characterize important properties of certain structures or materials with high spatial and temporal resolution, resulting in high-resolution magnetic resonance images wherein the associated signal intensities reflect a property of interest of at least one of the compartments. Hyperpolarized xenon-129 is introduced into two compartments between which xenon-129 can be exchanged, for example, into the blood vessels of mammal organs and the tissue of said organ or into compartments within inorganic objects. Due to chemical shift and applied magnetic field strength, the hyperpolarized xenon-129 introduced into the first compartment has a different resonant frequency from the hyperpolarized xenon-129 introduced into the second compartment.

Abstract: The angular imaging system, and related method utilizes translating apertures to acquire data at a number of angles of interrogation. For omnidirectional scatterers, that is scatterers which emit a uniform sound field in all directions when insonified, the translating apertures should theoretically yield identical speckle patterns at all angles of interrogation. The result is in strong contrast to previously applied convention angular scatter measurement methods which produced rapidly varying speckle patterns with interrogation angle. Thus by using the translating apertures, using the transmit aperture translator (62), and the receive aperture translator (72), it is possible to acquire data for which the only variation in received signal with angle is due to the intrinsic scattering of the target.

Abstract: An automated cold storage apparatus, and related method thereof, provides a sample process management system that is a revolutionary approach to the storage and retrieval regarding critical samples. The system—a significant technological breakthrough in laboratory automation—is the first ultra low temperature robotic system capable of being validated. Samples in containers are stored and retrieved robotically through an airlock climate-control chamber that is automatically dehumidified by a dry gas purge, such as a carbon dioxide or nitrogen purge or the like. This purge rapidly reduces ambient humidity to a desirable relative humidity (RH), e.g., less than about 15% RH, virtually eliminating the accumulation of frost. Microplates are systematically identified using barcode technology, for example. Once through the climate-controlled chamber, the containers (i.e., samples) are robotically transferred to the rotary mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention near field scanning optical microscope NSOM, and related method thereof, provides a high resolution image of a sample in aqueous solution without damaging the sample. This attribute will greatly expand the applications and utility of a NSOM in biomedicine, among other fields. Moreover, the NSOM can be further extended to include signals other than light. In operation, a pipette is filled with an electrolyte solution (aqueous solution) and lowered through the reservoir toward the surface of the sample while the current between the electrode inside the pipette and the electrode in the reservoir is monitored. As the tip of the pipette approaches the surface, the ion current decreases because the space through which ions can flow is reduced. The pipette is then scanned laterally over the surface and the path of the tip pipette follows the topography of the surface.

Abstract: The fluid transport apparatus and related method for withdrawing fluid from, or infusing fluid to, a target. The apparatus has a fluid collection chamber that has attached thereto cutting devices. The cutting devices are used to make incisions through the wall or skin of the body or target by inserting the cutting device or devices through the wall of the body for automatically removing blood or other tissue fluids from the skin or other tissues. In the operating mode, the motion of the actuator from the rest position to a displaced position generates a negative pressure in the fluid collection chamber that draws blood or fluid from the target into the collection chamber.

Abstract: A device (10) and method for non-invasively monitoring asthma and other respiratory diseases. The method includes collecting condensate from a subject's breath, testing the condensate to determine its acidity level or ammonium concentration, and evaluating these properties to determine the presence, absence or status of a respiratory disease in the subject. The method may also include, prior to the testing step, standardizing the volatile substances that may be present within the condensate in a degassing or gas standardizing step. The device (10) includes a mouthpiece apparatus (20) configured to receive breath from a subject, a condensation apparatus (60) to condense the subject's breath and produce a condensate, and a collection apparatus (100) having a collection chamber (102) containing means for testing the condensate to determine its chemical properties. The device (10) also include a system for removing or standardizing the volatile substances that may be present with the condensate.

Abstract: An automated cold storage apparatus, and related method thereof, provides a sample process management system that is a revolutionary approach to the storage and retrieval regarding critical samples. The system—a significant technological breakthrough in laboratory automation—is the first ultra low temperature robotic system capable of being validated. Samples in containers are stored and retrieved robotically through an airlock climate-control chamber that is automatically dehumidified by a dry gas purge, such as a carbon dioxide or nitrogen purge or the like. This purge rapidly reduces ambient humidity to a desirable relative humidity (RH), e.g., less than about 15% RH, virtually eliminating the accumulation of frost. Microplates are systematically identified using barcode technology, for example. Once through the climate-controlled chamber, the containers (i.e., samples) are robotically transferred to the rotary mechanism.