Abstract: A system for controlling the initiation of a cleaning process for an interior of an appliance may include a detection sensor and a processor in communication with the detection sensor. The detection sensor may be configured to generate detection sensor data based on a sensed condition in a field of detection of the detection sensor which may comprise one or more pre-determined locations. The processor may control the initiation of an appliance cleaning process. The appliance cleaning process may comprise receiving detection sensor data representative of a first time and a second time, generating an initial condition based on the received detection sensor data representative of the first time, and generating a new condition based on the received detection sensor data representative of the second time. The processor may be additionally configured to compare the initial condition and the new condition and determine if cleaning product is present.

Abstract: Recombinant Klotho proteins, nucleic acids encoding the same, cell lines and cultures expressing the same, and method of manufacturing and administering the same are disclosed. Proteins have at least 80% amino acid sequence identity to a portion of human alpha Klotho and preferably a solubility or half-life-extending feature such as glycosylation and/or fusion protein tag. Treatment protocols include determining Klotho levels in a subject, calculating a dosage of the protein sufficient to raise the Klotho level in the subject to a predetermined level, administering the dosage to the subject, determining a rate of protein decline in the subject following administration of the protein, calculating a time and/or amount of a subsequent dosage of the protein, and/or administering the subsequent dosage to the subject. Proteins and related treatments for addressing aging-associated and other conditions are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for augmenting blood circulation in the limb of a patient is provided by customizing the compression cycle based upon patient venous characteristics. The method measures the venous refill time of the patient for use with an intermittent pneumatic compression device. A limb such as a leg is wrapped with a compression sleeve having at least one pressurizable chamber. The chamber is pressurized for a predetermined period of time to compress the limb and cause blood to flow out of the limb. The chamber is depressurized until the pressure in the chamber reaches a lower value, and the chamber is closed. The pressure in the chamber is sensed and the venous refill time, the time for the limb to refill with blood, is determined by sensing when the pressure reaches or will reach a plateau. The venous refill time is used as the basis for the time between subsequent compression pulses of the compression device.

Abstract: An apheresis apparatus for increasing the purity and yield of platelets separated from donated whole blood by centrifugation incorporates a centrifuge for separating whole blood into lower, intermediate, and higher density components. The centrifuge has inlet and outlet ports in selective fluid communication with a container for receiving lower density blood component from the outlet port. A pump is coupled to the container and the inlet port for recirculating lower density blood component from the first container through the inlet port into the centrifuge at a first, substantially constant, rate so as to widen the region of the centrifuge occupied by the intermediate density component without causing the intermediate density component to exit the centrifuge, and subsequently at a second rate, so as to displace intermediate density component from the centrifuge.

Abstract: An apheresis apparatus and method is disclosed for increasing the purity and yield of platelets separated from donated whole blood in a centrifuge. The whole blood in the centrifuge is diluted by recirculating fluid, such as plasma or saline, at a first flow rate, to mix with further withdrawn whole blood prior to entering the centrifuge. As plasma is collected, it is recirculated through the centrifuge at a second flow rate to further improve the separation between the intermediate density components, i.e., platelets and white blood cells in the "buffy coat." The plasma is then recirculated through the centrifuge at a third flow rate and platelets are displaced out of the centrifuge while the plasma is recirculating through the centrifuge at the third flow rate.

Abstract: A volume sensor is described for automating an extracorporeal system used for the recovery and concentration of salvaged blood. The system includes a disposable plastic reservoir in which blood is collected from the surgical site and stored for processing. Volume is sensed in one embodiment by a strain gage device which is sensitive to vertical forces. In another embodiment volume is sensed by measuring the transit time of an ultrasonic pulse-echo signal generated by piezoelectric transducer.

Abstract: A fluid flow apparatus includes a peristaltic pump rotor mounted to a deck module assembly. A disposable software set is provided which includes a cassette which has a primary flexible tube and a pump platen adjacent to which the primary flexible tube resides. Tubing with blood processing bags are coupled to the manifold along with the input port of the rotor of a disposable blood processing centrifuge bowl. The software set also includes a three-to-one manifold which connects the primary tube to a plurality of secondary flexible tubes. Fluid flow through the secondary flexible tubes is controlled by a plurality of pinch valves which pinch the secondary tubes closed against closing surfaces on the cassette. A deck module assembly allows a user to properly secure the cassette relative to the pump rotor and the pinch valves. A flat surface is provided on the manifold to couple sonic radiation into the manifold and sense the presence of fluids therein.