Abstract: A linear actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder has linear position sensing apparatus. At least one magnet is provided in a recess in outer surface of the piston for generating a magnetic field that passes through the wall of the cylinder housing. A magnetic sensor arrangement determines the axial position of the piston relative to the housing and comprises at least a pair of magnetic sensor elements arranged at spaced apart locations along the external surface of the wall for sensing the strength of the magnetic field passing through the wall of the housing. The recess in the piston is axially positioned between the first and second end surfaces of the piston and the at least one magnet is disposed between axially spaced north and south pole pieces.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel fluorophilic compounds having structure VII wherein R1 is a C1-C20 aliphatic, a C2-C20 cycloaliphatic, or a C2-C20 aromatic radical comprising at least one functional group susceptible to reaction with nucleophilic fluoride ion or an electrophilic fluorinating agent; R2 is a C1-C10 aliphatic radical; R3 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical; R4 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical; and R5 is hydrogen, a C1-C10 aliphatic radical, a C2-C10 cycloaliphatic radical, or a C2-C20 aromatic radical. The fluorophilic compounds are provided in both racemic and enantiomerically enriched forms and are useful as intermediates in the preparation of novel PET imaging agents and probes useful in the discovery and performance assessment of PET imaging agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel fluorophilic compounds having structure VII wherein Q is a carbonyl group, a protected carbonyl group, a hydroxy methine group, or a protected hydroxy methine group; R1 is a C1-C20 aliphatic, C2-C20 cycloaliphatic, or C2-C20 aromatic radical comprising at least one functional group susceptible to reaction with nucleophilic fluoride ion or an electrophilic fluorinating agent; R2 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical; and R3 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical. The fluorophilic compounds are provided in both racemic and enantiomerically enriched forms and are useful as intermediates in the preparation of novel PET imaging agents and probes useful in the discovery and performance assessment of PET imaging agents. The fluorophilic compounds are particularly useful in the preparation of PET imaging agents and probes having a high affinity for VMAT-2, a biomarker implicated in human diabetes and other illnesses such as Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel alpha-fluoroalkyl compounds having structure I and the corresponding dihydrotetrabenazine compounds IV wherein R1 is a C1-C10 fluorinated aliphatic radical; R2 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical; and R3 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical. The alpha-fluoroalkyl compounds are provided in both racemic and enantiomerically enriched forms and may comprise either or both of fluorine-18 and fluorine 19. The alpha-fluoroalkyl compounds are shown to possess high affinity for VMAT-2, a biomarker implicated in human diabetes. The alpha-fluoroalkyl compounds comprising a fluorine-18 group are useful as PET imaging agents targeting the VMAT-2 biomarker. The non-radiolabled alpha-fluoroalkyl compounds are useful as probes for the discovery of PET imaging agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel fluorophilic compounds having structure VI wherein R1 is a C2-C20 aliphatic, a C3-C20 cycloaliphatic, or a C3-C20 aromatic radical comprising at least one functional group susceptible to reaction with nucleophilic fluoride ion or an electrophilic fluorinating agent; R2 is a C1-C10 aliphatic radical, or a C3-C10 cycloaliphatic radical; R3 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical; and R4 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical. The fluorophilic compounds are provided in both racemic and enantiomerically enriched forms and are useful as intermediates in the preparation of novel PET imaging agents and probes useful in the discovery and performance assessment of PET imaging agents. The fluorophilic compounds are particularly useful in the preparation of PET imaging agents and probes having a high affinity for VMAT-2, a biomarker implicated in human diabetes and other illnesses such as Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: A method of preparing a tetrabenazine compound (TBZ compound) having structure I comprising the steps of reacting a nucleophilic alkenyl species with aldehyde compound II and oxidizing the resultant allylic alcohol to provide enone III. The protecting group P1 on the tetrahydroisoquinoline nitrogen is removed and the resultant deprotected intermediate is induced to undergo an amino cyclization reaction to provide a product TBZ compound having structure I. The method may be used to prepare either enantiomeric form of tetrabenazine; (+)-tetrabenazine or (?)-tetrabenazine. Alternatively the method may be adapted to provide a mixture enriched in one tetrabenazine enantiomer, a racemic mixture, or a diastereomeric mixture of tetrabenazine compounds. In addition, the present invention provides novel synthetic intermediate compositions which may be used to prepare either or both enantiomers of tetrabenazine, derivatives of tetrabenazine, and analogs of tetrabenazine.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel fluorinated ether compounds having structure I wherein R1 is a C2-C10 fluorinated aliphatic radical; R2 is a C1-C10 aliphatic radical, or a C3-C10 cycloaliphatic radical; R3 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical; and R4 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical. The fluorinated ether compounds are provided in both racemic and enantiomerically enriched forms and may comprise either or both of fluorine-18 and fluorine 19. The fluorinated ether compounds are shown to possess high affinity for VMAT-2, a biomarker implicated in human diabetes. The fluorinated ether compounds comprising a fluorine-18 group are useful as PET imaging agents targeting the VMAT-2 biomarker. The non-radiolabeled fluorinated ether compounds are useful as probes for the discovery of PET imaging agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for myelin basic protein detection comprises identifying a subject at risk of or diagnosed with a myelin-associated neuropathy, parenterally administering to the subject the agent, and determining myelination in the subject by detecting binding to myelin basic protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for myelin basic protein detection comprises identifying a subject at risk of or diagnosed with a myelin-associated neuropathy, parenterally administering to the subject the agent, and determining myelination in the subject by detecting binding to myelin basic protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel fluorophilic compounds having structure VII wherein R1 is a C1-C20 aliphatic, a C2-C20 cycloaliphatic, or a C2-C20 aromatic radical comprising at least one functional group susceptible to reaction with nucleophilic fluoride ion or an electrophilic fluorinating agent; R2 is a C1-C10 aliphatic radical; R3 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical; R4 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical; and R5 is hydrogen, a C1-C10 aliphatic radical, a C2-C10 cycloaliphatic radical, or a C2-C20 aromatic radical. The fluorophilic compounds are provided in both racemic and enantiomerically enriched forms and are useful as intermediates in the preparation of novel PET imaging agents and probes useful in the discovery and performance assessment of PET imaging agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel fluorophilic compounds having structure VII wherein Q is a carbonyl group, a protected carbonyl group, a hydroxy methine group, or a protected hydroxy methine group; R1 is a C1-C20 aliphatic, C2-C20 cycloaliphatic, or C2-C20 aromatic radical comprising at least one functional group susceptible to reaction with nucleophilic fluoride ion or an electrophilic fluorinating agent; R2 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical; and R3 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical. The fluorophilic compounds are provided in both racemic and enantiomerically enriched forms and are useful as intermediates in the preparation of novel PET imaging agents and probes useful in the discovery and performance assessment of PET imaging agents. The fluorophilic compounds are particularly useful in the preparation of PET imaging agents and probes having a high affinity for VMAT-2, a biomarker implicated in human diabetes and other illnesses such as Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel alpha-fluoroalkyl compounds having structure I and the corresponding dihydrotetrabenazine compounds IV wherein R1 is a C1-C10 fluorinated aliphatic radical; R2 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical; and R3 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical. The alpha-fluoroalkyl compounds are provided in both racemic and enantiomerically enriched forms and may comprise either or both of fluorine-18 and fluorine 19. The alpha-fluoroalkyl compounds are shown to possess high affinity for VMAT-2, a biomarker implicated in human diabetes. The alpha-fluoroalkyl compounds comprising a fluorine-18 group are useful as PET imaging agents targeting the VMAT-2 biomarker. The non-radiolabled alpha-fluoroalkyl compounds are useful as probes for the discovery of PET imaging agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel alpha-fluoroalkyl dihydrotetrabenazine compounds I wherein R1 is a C1-C10 fluorinated aliphatic radical; R2 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical; R3 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical; and R4 is a C1-C10 aliphatic radical, a C3-C10 cycloaliphatic radical, or a C3-C10 aromatic radical. The alpha-fluoroalkyl dihydrotetrabenazine compounds are provided in both racemic and enantiomerically enriched forms and may comprise either or both of fluorine-18 and fluorine 19. The alpha-fluoroalkyl dihydrotetrabenazine compounds are believed to possess high affinity for VMAT-2, a biomarker implicated in human diabetes. The alpha-fluoroalkyl dihydrotetrabenazine compounds comprising a fluorine-18 group are useful as PET imaging agents targeting the VMAT-2 biomarker. The non-radiolabled alpha-fluoroalkyl dihydrotetrabenazine compounds are useful as probes for the discovery of PET imaging agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel fluorophilic compounds having structure VI wherein R1 is a C2-C20 aliphatic, a C3-C20 cycloaliphatic, or a C3-C20 aromatic radical comprising at least one functional group susceptible to reaction with nucleophilic fluoride ion or an electrophilic fluorinating agent; R2 is a C1-C10 aliphatic radical, or a C3-C10 cycloaliphatic radical; R3 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical; and R4 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical. The fluorophilic compounds are provided in both racemic and enantiomerically enriched forms and are useful as intermediates in the preparation of novel PET imaging agents and probes useful in the discovery and performance assessment of PET imaging agents. The fluorophilic compounds are particularly useful in the preparation of PET imaging agents and probes having a high affinity for VMAT-2, a biomarker implicated in human diabetes and other illnesses such as Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel fluorinated ether compounds having structure I wherein R1 is a C2-C10 fluorinated aliphatic radical; R2 is a C1-C10 aliphatic radical, or a C3-C10 cycloaliphatic radical; R3 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical; and R4 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 aliphatic radical. The fluorinated ether compounds are provided in both racemic and enantiomerically enriched forms and may comprise either or both of fluorine-18 and fluorine 19. The fluorinated ether compounds are shown to possess high affinity for VMAT-2, a biomarker implicated in human diabetes. The fluorinated ether compounds comprising a fluorine-18 group are useful as PET imaging agents targeting the VMAT-2 biomarker. The non-radiolabeled fluorinated ether compounds are useful as probes for the discovery of PET imaging agents.

Abstract: A method of preparing a tetrabenazine compound (TBZ compound) having structure I comprising the steps of reacting a nucleophilic alkenyl species with aldehyde compound II and oxidizing the resultant allylic alcohol to provide enone III. The protecting group P1 on the tetrahydroisoquinoline nitrogen is removed and the resultant deprotected intermediate is induced to undergo an amino cyclization reaction to provide a product TBZ compound having structure I. The method may be used to prepare either enantiomeric form of tetrabenazine; (+)-tetrabenazine or (?)-tetrabenazine. Alternatively the method may be adapted to provide a mixture enriched in one tetrabenazine enantiomer, a racemic mixture, or a diastereomeric mixture of tetrabenazine compounds. In addition, the present invention provides novel synthetic intermediate compositions which may be used to prepare either or both enantiomers of tetrabenazine, derivatives of tetrabenazine, and analogs of tetrabenazine.

Abstract: A method of preparing a tetrabenazine compound (TBZ compound) having structure I comprising the steps of reacting a nucleophilic alkenyl species with aldehyde compound II and oxidizing the resultant allylic alcohol to provide enone III. The protecting group P1 on the tetrahydroisoquinoline nitrogen is removed and the resultant deprotected intermediate is induced to undergo an amino cyclization reaction to provide a product TBZ compound having structure I. The method may be used to prepare either enantiomeric form of tetrabenazine; (+)-tetrabenazine or (?)-tetrabenazine. Alternatively the method may be adapted to provide a mixture enriched in one tetrabenazine enantiomer, a racemic mixture, or a diastereomeric mixture of tetrabenazine compounds. In addition, the present invention provides novel synthetic intermediate compositions which may be used to prepare either or both enantiomers of tetrabenazine, derivatives of tetrabenazine, and analogs of tetrabenazine.

Abstract: This invention relates to multifunctional detection agents useful for providing high-resolution, in vivo imaging of biochemical activity in a living organism. Methods of using these multifunctional detection agents may comprise administering them into a living organism, and then estimating the localization of the detection agent using one modality (i.e., MRI), while concurrently estimating the level of biological activity using a second modality (i.e., optical imaging). One of the multifunctional detection agents comprises a magnetic resonance component and an optical imaging component. The magnetic resonance component comprises a contrast agent that is always activated or “on”. The optical imaging component comprises a plurality of activatable contrast agents or dyes, at least two of which are different from one another, wherein at least one of the activatable contrast agents can be activated or turned “on” only in the presence of a particular event.

Abstract: This invention relates to bifunctional detection agents useful for providing high-resolution, in vivo imaging of biochemical activity in a living organism. Methods of using these bifunctional detection agents may comprise administering them into a living organism, and then estimating the localization of the detection agent using one modality (i.e., MRI), while concurrently estimating the level of biological activity using a second modality (i.e., optical imaging). One of the bifunctional detection agents comprises a magnetic resonance component and an optical imaging component. The magnetic resonance component comprises a contrast agent that is always activated or “on”. The optical imaging component comprises an activatable contrast agent or dye that is activated or turned “on” only in the presence of a particular event.

Abstract: A grafted network including one or more graft segments for use in coronary bypass procedures and which are configured to operably transport bypass blood flow from a singular supply location to one or more delivery locations in the grafted network is provided in combination with one or more multiple channel blood flow connectors for directing such bypass blood flow in the grafted network to one or more vascular members requiring restorative blood flow thereto. The grafted network also preferably includes one or more devices for operably maintaining the grafted network under relatively high internal fluid pressure so as to continuously supply selective vascular members with adequate bypass blood flow.