Abstract: The present invention is to &mgr;-conopeptides, derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The present invention is further directed to the use of this peptide, derivatives thereof and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof for the treatment of disorders associated with voltage-gated sodium channels. Thus, the &mgr;-conopeptides or derivatives are useful as neuromuscular blocking agents, local anesthetic agents, analgesic agents and neuroprotective agents. The &mgr;-conopeptides are also useful for treating neuromuscular disorders. The invention is further directed to nucleic acid sequences encoding the &mgr;-conopeptides and encoding propeptides, as well as the propeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the new &mgr;O-conopeptides, their coding sequences and their propeptides and to the use of &mgr;O-conopeptides as a local anesthetic for treating pain. The &mgr;O-conopeptides have long lasting anesthetic activity and are particularly useful for spinal anesthesia, either administered acutely for post-operative pain or via an intrathecal pump for severe chronic pain situations or for treatment of pain in epithelial tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the different roles inorganic ion receptors have in cellular and body processes. The present invention features: (1) molecules which can modulate one or more inorganic ion receptor activities, preferably the molecule can mimic or block an effect of an extracellular ion on a cell having an inorganic ion receptor, more preferably the extracellular ion is Ca.sup.2+ and the effect is on a cell having a calcium receptor; (2) inorganic ion receptor proteins and fragments thereof, preferably calcium receptor proteins and fragments thereof; (3) nucleic acids encoding inorganic ion receptor proteins and fragments thereof, preferably calcium receptor proteins and fragments thereof; (4) antibodies and fragments thereof, targeted to inorganic ion receptor proteins, preferably calcium receptor protein; and (5) uses of such molecules, proteins, nucleic acids and antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the different roles inorganic ion receptors have in cellular and body processes. The present invention features: (1) molecules which can modulate one or more inorganic ion receptor activities, preferably the molecule can mimic or block an effect of an extracellular ion on a cell having an inorganic ion receptor, more preferably the extracellular ion is Ca.sup.2+ and the effect is on a cell having a calcium receptor; (2) inorganic ion receptor proteins and fragments thereof, preferably calcium receptor proteins and fragments thereof; (3) nucleic acids encoding inorganic ion receptor proteins and fragments thereof, preferably calcium receptor proteins and fragments thereof; (4) antibodies and fragments thereof, targeted to inorganic ion receptor proteins, preferably calcium receptor protein; and (5) uses of such molecules, proteins, nucleic acids and antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention features calcium receptor polypeptides and fragments thereof. Uses of a calcium receptor polypeptide include providing a polypeptide having the activity of a calcium receptor polypeptide. Calcium receptor polypeptide fragments can be used, for example, to generate antibodies to a calcium receptor polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the different roles inorganic ion receptors have in cellular and body processes. The present invention features: (1) molecules which can modulate one or more inorganic ion receptor activities, preferably the molecule can mimic or block an effect of an extracellular ion on a cell having an inorganic ion receptor, more preferably the extracellular ion is Ca.sup.2+ and the effect is on a cell having a calcium receptor; (2) inorganic ion receptor proteins and fragments thereof, preferably calcium receptor proteins and fragments thereof; (3) nucleic acids encoding inorganic ion receptor proteins and fragments thereof, preferably calcium receptor proteins and fragments thereof; (4) antibodies and fragments thereof, targeted to inorganic ion receptor proteins, preferably calcium receptor protein; and (5) uses of such molecules, proteins, nucleic acids and antibodies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying option modules or expansion devices coupled to an expansion bus using time domain methods. According to the present invention, each expansion device includes logic circuitry that asserts an identification signal a preset time duration after a host reset signal is pulsed. A unique preset time duration or time constant is designated for each expansion device, and the host computer identifies each expansion device by the length or duration of the identification signal. In the preferred embodiment, during the power-on sequence the computer system asserts a reset signal pulse to the identification logic in each respective expansion device which directs the expansion device to assert its identifying signal. The host computer determines the length of time between assertion of the reset signal pulse and assertion of the identification signal and uses this information to determine the type of expansion device.

Abstract: A touch input device which continuously samples and digitally stores ambient light readings and compares these with previously stored readings is taught. Briefly stated, a phototransistor is turned on before, during and after an LED emitter energization. An ambient value is calculated which is subtracted from the value obtained during LED firing so as to develop a signal indicative of the presence or absence of the LED pulse, irrespective of ambient light fluctuations. The ambient level is stored for comparison purposes during the next sampling of the associated phototransistor.

Abstract: An infrared touch input system is taught. Briefly stated, the system comprises a four-sided frame having an infrared transparent bezel along the inside thereof and having infrared emitters along the top and one side of the frame with infrared detectors along the sides opposite the emitters. Darlington transitor arrays are used as source and sink drivers for driving the LED's in an array. The I/O lines of a microprocessor in conjunction with the source and sink drivers are used to selectively energize each LED. Additional I/O lines of the microprocessor in conjunction with BCD decoders are used to selectively energize corresponding infrared detecting phototransistors before, during and after LED turn-on. A host computer supplies a clocking signal for the microprocessor with programming in the microprocessor thereby automatically performing the selection and deselection of emitters and detectors.

Abstract: A touch entry system employing arrays of emitter and detector opto devices located around the periphery of an irradiated field detects intrusion of an opaque element such as a stylus within the field. The detector analog output is converted to a digital signal for input into a microprocessor. Digital signals input into the microprocessor can vary due to inconsistencies in conventional opto devices. A programmable amplifier responsive to the microprocessors preconditions the analog signals prior to analog to digital conversion to bring all digital signals corresponding to the unblocked emitter beam condition within a normalized range before input into the microprocessor.