Abstract: The invention provides methods that increase retrievable cells from ductal fluid of a patient. Ductal fluid typically contains ductal epithelial cells and other markers that can aid in identifying a breast condition, including breast cancer and precancer.

Abstract: Various robotic devices and related medical procedures are disclosed herein. Each of the various robotic devices have an agent delivery component. The devices include mobile robotic devices and fixed base robotic devices as disclosed herein. The agent delivery component can have at least one agent reservoir and a discharge component in fluidic communication with the at least one reservoir.

Abstract: Computing systems with conventional CPUs coupled to co-processors or accelerators implemented in FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays). One embodiment of the systems and methods according to the invention includes a FPGA accelerator implemented in a computer system by providing an adapter board configured to be used in a standard CPU socket.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a console having a visual display and a manipulator arm, a robotic device having a camera and a connection component. The robotic device is configured to be positioned completely within a body cavity. The camera is configured to transmit visual images to the visual display. The connection component operably couples the console and the robotic device. The manipulator arm is positioned relative to the visual display so as to appear to be penetrating the visual display.

Abstract: A door assembly is disclosed for installation in a portable shelter with an arched vestibule. The door assembly comprises: an upper door support member, a lower door support member, a door in a frame secured to the upper and lower door support members, and a partition covering areas of an opening between the shelter and vestibule on each side of the door and above the upper door support member. The upper door support member is secured to a shelter frame below an arched horizontal member thereof across the opening between the shelter and the vestibule, and the lower door support member is secured to the shelter frame across the bottom of the opening. The door assembly may be supplied as a kit for retrofitting the portable shelter with the arched vestibule to include the door.

Abstract: The present invention relates to magnetically coupleable robotic surgical devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to robotic surgical devices that can be inserted into a patient's body and can be positioned within the patient's body using an external magnet.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for accessing a biological specimen container having a cap without opening the cap. A door covers an opening in the cap of the biological specimen container. The door may be biased to close the opening and to form a substantially fluid tight connection with a seal on the cap. An actuator is activated to open the door and an interior of the biological specimen container is accessible through the opening without contaminating an exterior of the biological specimen container or the cap.

Abstract: Computing systems with conventional CPUs coupled to co-processors or accelerators implemented in FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays). One embodiment of the systems and methods according to the invention includes a FPGA accelerator implemented in a computer system by providing an adapter board configured to be used in a standard CPU socket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of increasing the yield of cells collected in a urine sample comprising the steps of applying energy wave forms to a bladder wherein the energy loosens cells attached to the inner lining of the bladder, and collecting urine sample containing the loosened cells.

Abstract: A method for forming within a reactor having a work zone of at least one cubic meter, composite articles particularly ceramic composites articles, for high temperature applications. The invention provides composite articles formed from the deposition on hot surfaces of a chemical vapor having entrained solid particles. A composite material is produced comprising a chemical vapor deposition matrix with the solid particles dispersed within the matrix. Applicants have designed reactors with work zones much larger than prior art CVC reactors greatly improving production efficiency. In a preferred embodiment the work zone volume is about 3.37 cubic meters. By carefully controlling the reactor gas flows and pressure within a large work zone, as well as the number of solid particles per flow rate of reactor gas, Applicants are able to efficiently produce composites with substantially improved quality as compared with CVD produced articles and as compared with articles produced with prior art CVC processes.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing loads before the injection thereof on a sorting machine, consisting of trays which pass in front of an injection system comprising conveyors for moving the loads towards an injection site, a synchronization conveyor for positioning a load in order to place it on a tray, a device for injecting a load from the synchronization conveyor onto the machine and a cell for detecting the position of the loads at the exit of the synchronization conveyor. When a load passes the cell, the synchronization conveyor and the injection device are reversed and accelerated slightly to a top speed of VAR, so that the load returns to obscure the cell; the reverse movement is maintained until the cell is no longer obscured; and the synchronization conveyor is moved forward and accelerated slightly to a top speed of VAV until the cell is obscured.

Abstract: A biological specimen film reel, a biological specimen film assembler, and a biological specimen scanner are provided. The biological specimen film reel comprises a reel carrying a film having a plurality of biological specimens disposed thereon. The biological specimen film assembler comprises a film manipulator and a specimen transfer device. The biological specimen scanner comprises a film manipulator for mechanically manipulating a strip of flexible film with a plurality of biological specimens affixed thereto and a scanning device. Methods for preparing and analyzing the biological specimen film are also provided.

Abstract: A processor executes image processing under control of a clock facility, such that a sequence of C effective clock cycles will effect a processing operation of a predetermined amount of image information. In particular, the processor has programming means for implementing programmable stall clock cycles interspersed between the effective clock cycles for implementing a programmable slowdown factor S, such that a modified number of C*S overall clock cycles will effect processing of the predetermined amount of digital signal information.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, devices, and systems for collecting breast ductal fluids. The devices include a ductal access device comprising a low profile, ergonomic manifold hub usable to introduce fluids into a breast duct and collect ductal fluid samples including ductal epithelial cells and clumps of ductal epithelial cells from within a breast duct. The ductal access device also comprises an elongated access catheter having a distal end, one lumen and dimensions which permit introduction of the distal end through a ductal orifice so that a distal end of the catheter may be positioned distal to the ductal sphincter of a human breast. The methods comprise the opening a ductal sphincter or the manipulation of a breast duct using controlled fluid pressure through a ductal access device.

Abstract: The invention provides methods that increase retrievable cells from ductal fluid of a patient. Ductal fluid typically contains ductal epithelial cells and other markers that can aid in identifying a breast condition, including breast cancer and precancer.

Abstract: A sortation system comprises a plurality of transport units (32, 33) connected end to end to form a continuous train and mounted for movement along a track defining at intervals alongs its length destination ports at which items carried by the transport units may be discharged under the control of a central control system (41). The central control system (41) comprises a radio frequency transmitter device (39) through which control signals to the continuous train (32, 33) are transmitted and the continuous train (32, 33) comprises a radio frequency receiver device (39) for receiving the transmitted control signals. The radio frequency transmitter device (39) is connected to a leaky feed aerial (38) which extends the length of the track.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing loads before the injection thereof on a sorting machine, consisting of trays which pass in front of an injection system comprising conveyors for moving the loads towards an injection site, a synchronization conveyor for positioning a load in order to place it on a tray, a device for injecting a load from the synchronization conveyor onto the machine and a cell for detecting the position of the loads at the exit of the synchronization conveyor. When a load passes the cell, the synchronization conveyor and the injection device are reversed and accelerated slightly to a top speed of VAR, SO that the load returns to obscure the cell; the reverse movement is maintained until the cell is no longer obscured; and the synchronization conveyor is moved forward and accelerated slightly to a top speed of VAV until the cell is obscured.

Abstract: A sortation system comprises a plurality of transport units (32, 33) connected end to end to form a continuous train and mounted for movement along a track defining at intervals alongs its length destination ports at which items carried by the transport units may be discharged under the control of a central control system (41). The central control system (41) comprises a radio frequency transmitter device (39) through which control signals to the continuous train (32, 33) are transmitted and the continuous train (32, 33) comprises a radio frequency receiver device (39) for receiving the transmitted control signals. The radio frequency transmitter device (39) is connected to a leaky feed aerial (38) which extends the length of the track.

Abstract: A processor executes image processing under control of a clock facility, such that a sequence of C effective clock cycles will effect a processing operation of a predetermined amount of image information. In particular, the processor has programming means for implementing programmable stall clock cycles interspersed between the effective clock cycles for implementing a programmable slowdown factor S, such that a modified number of C*S overall clock cycles will effect processing of the predetermined amount of digital signal information.

Abstract: A processor executes image processing under control of a clock facility, such that a sequence of C effective clock cycles will effect a processing operation of a predetermined amount of image information. In particular, the processor has programming means for implementing programmable stall clock cycles interspersed between the effective clock cycles for implementing a programmable slowdown factor S, such that a modified number of C*S overall clock cycles will effect processing of the predetermined amount of image information.