Abstract: Provided herein is a centrifuge chamber, useful in the separation and concentration of particles from cell suspensions. In particular, the centrifuge chamber described herein can be advantageously used to separate and concentrate desired cell populations from cell suspensions, e.g., from biological samples or tissues. Also provided are methods of separating and concentrating desired particles (e.g., desired cell populations), from suspensions (e.g., cell suspensions) using the centrifuge chamber described herein. Kits including a centrifuge chamber as described herein, and optionally other components (e.g., a centrifuge), are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for increasing the efficacy of a therapeutic agent administered to a subject. A steep restorative agent is co-administered to the subject along with the therapeutic agent, whereby the efficacy of the therapeutic agent is increased.

Abstract: An RFID device includes conductive tabs, and a conductive structure, with a dielectric layer between the conductive tabs and the conductive structure. The conductive structure overlaps the conductive tabs and acts as a shield, allowing the device to be at least somewhat insensitive to the surface upon which it is mounted, or to the presence of nearby objects, such as goods in a carton or other container that includes the device. The dielectric layer may be a portion of the container, such as an overlapped portion of the container. Alternatively, the dielectric layer may be a separate layer, which may vary in thickness, allowing one of the conductive tabs to be capacitively coupled to the conductive structure. As another alternative, the dielectric layer may be an expandable substrate that may be expanded after fabrication operations, such as printing.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrically-conductive pattern includes selectively electroplating the top portions of a substrate that corresponds to the pattern, and separating the conductive pattern from the substrate. The electroplating may also include electrically connecting the conductive pattern to an electrical component. Conductive ink, such as ink including carbon particles, may be selectively placed on the conductive substrate to facilitate plating of the desired pattern and/or to facilitate separation of the pattern from the substrate. An example of a conductive pattern is an antenna for a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device such as a label or a tag. One example of an electrical component that may be electrically connected to the antenna, is an RFID strap or chip.

Abstract: Radio-frequency identification (RFID) apparatus and methodology enable a plurality of or all of the RFID tags in a stack of items such as cartons and boxes—including items that do not have a line of sight to a reader—to be read. An RFID system includes RFID tags and a transmission line. The RFID tags are mountable to items to be read and include an RFID circuit that generates tag energy when activated by activation energy from a reader. The transmission line carries activation energy from the reader and tag energy from the tags. The transmission line is positionable in operative or coupling proximately to a plurality of the tags when the plurality of the tags are mounted to items and when the items are stacked. Accordingly, when carrying activation energy from the reader, the transmission line couples with and thereby enables activation of the plurality of the tags.

Abstract: An RFID device includes conductive tabs, and a conductive structure, with a dielectric layer between the conductive tabs and the conductive structure. The conductive structure overlaps the conductive tabs and acts as a shield, allowing the device to be at least somewhat insensitive to the surface upon which it is mounted, or to the presence of nearby objects, such as goods in a carton or other container that includes the device. The dielectric layer may be a portion of the container, such as an overlapped portion of the container. Alternatively, the dielectric layer may be a separate layer, which may vary in thickness, allowing one of the conductive tabs to be capacitively coupled to the conductive structure. As another alternative, the dielectric layer may be an expandable substrate that may be expanded after fabrication operations, such as printing.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrically-conductive pattern includes selectively electroplating the top portions of a substrate that corresponds to the pattern, and separating the conductive pattern from the substrate. The electroplating may also include electrically connecting the conductive pattern to an electrical component. Conductive ink, such as ink including carbon particles, may be selectively placed on the conductive substrate to facilitate plating of the desired pattern and/or to facilitate separation of the pattern from the substrate. An example of a conductive pattern is an antenna for a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device such as a label or a tag. One example of an electrical component that may be electrically connected to the antenna, is an RFID strap or chip.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag includes an antenna configuration coupled to an RFID chip, such as in an RFID strap. The antenna configuration is mounted on one face (major surface) of a dielectric material, and includes compensation elements to compensate at least to some extent for various types of dielectric material upon which the antenna configuration may be mounted. In addition, a conductive structure, such as a ground plane or other layer of conductive material, may be placed on a second major surface of the dielectric layer, on an opposite side of the dielectric layer from the antenna structure.

Abstract: A nasal-nasopharyngeal irrigating and cleansing system including a cup with one or more assemblies that allow the flow and control of various irrigating, cleansing and medicinal liquids into the nasal passages. The construction of the cup provides sealing surfaces to allow the controlled flow of the liquids into the nose through either nostril without spillage. The flow of the liquid through the nasal passages removes via abrasion any virus or irritant substances that may be in the nasal passages or on the nasal membranes. According to one aspect of the invention as the liquid is dispensed, the angle of the cup to the face changes but a sealing rim on the cup wall continues to seal to the user's face as the angle of the cup to the user's face changes, allowing liquid to be drawn up into the user's nose via vacuum or gravity. A method of using the device of the invention for irrigating, cleansing and coating the nasal passages with antiviral agents or other beneficial medicines.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for increasing the efficacy of a therapeutic agent administered to a subject. A sleep restorative agent is co-administered to the subject along with the therapeutic agent, whereby the efficacy of the therapeutic agent is increased.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting a data signal transmitted by a signal source encoding the data signal onto first and second binary signals as a known two-bit binary state of the two signals taken together includes memory storing single bit binary patterns representative of known bit pattern and a reference table of two bit binary state couples representative of a data signal bit encoded onto the first and second binary signals. A processor monitors one of the first or second binary signals and compares the one monitored binary signal to the stored single bit binary patterns in memory. The processor stores, if a match is found, the respective binary states of the first and second binary signals in memory as a pair of two bit binary states.

Abstract: A system for connecting a plurality of cellular telephones, each responsive to device-specific command signals for its operation, to an automotive electronics and communications system through a bus connector having a known universal signal format, includes a docking station having a cradle member shaped for receiving at least one cellular telephone. An interface unit contains the hardware and firmware drivers necessary for controlling the selected cellular telephone. A user selected cable having a specific signal path configuration selects the needed drivers. A second cable connects the interface unit with the bus connector for communicating signals therebetween.

Abstract: A stair cleaning device intended for cleaning the steps and risers of stairs and other confined areas comprises three heads driven by a motor and a belt and pulley system. The belt is toothed on one side and not on the other side so that some slippage can occur. The advantages of this is improved operational comfort and less likelihood of damage to the drive system.