Abstract: An impeller includes a hub, and a plurality of blades supported by the hub, the blades being arranged in at least two blade rows. The impeller has a deployed configuration in which the blades extend away from the hub, and a stored configuration in which at least one of the blades is radially compressed, for example by folding the blade towards the hub. The impeller may also have an operational configuration in which at least some of the blades are deformed from the deployed configuration upon rotation of the impeller when in the deployed configuration. The outer edge of one or more blades may have a winglet, and the base of the blades may have an associated indentation to facilitate folding of the blades.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing coverings such as leather hides and fabrics are provided. A system can include a worktable having a surface on which a covering is placeable. An imaging device can be positionable relative to the worktable. The imaging device can be configured to obtain an image of the covering on the surface of the worktable. A projector can be positionable relative to worktable. The projector can be configured to project an image onto the surface of the worktable and the covering on the surface of the worktable. A controller can be in communication with the imaging device and projector. The controller can be configured to correct images taken by the imaging device. The controller can also be configured to correct the images projected onto the surface of the worktable and the covering thereon. The controller can be configured to permit the showing of virtual markings on the covering placed on the surface of the worktable through an image projected thereon by the projector.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are heart pumps that can include a catheter body and an impeller coupled with a distal end of the catheter body. The impeller can include a tip that is resealable or that includes a resealable member. The heart pump can also include a diffuser disposed between the distal end of the catheter body and the impeller, wherein the diffuser includes a flow directing surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are heart pumps that include a catheter assembly and that can be applied percutaneously. Some embodiments include a locking device that prevents components of the catheter assembly from being separated when in use. The catheter assembly can include an expandable tip. In some embodiments, the catheter assembly includes a housing having a wall structure, a portion of which can have a bulbuous shape or can be deformable. In other embodiments, the housing can be configured to reduce fluttering or deflection of the housing and/or to maintain a gap between the housing and an impeller blade disposed therein.

Abstract: A heart pump and a catheter assembly therefor are provided that include a flexible catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter body having a plurality of lumens therethrough. The catheter body can be sufficiently flexible to extend from a peripheral access to a patient's heart. The catheter assembly can also include an impeller assembly having an impeller and a housing. The impeller assembly can be coupled with the flexible catheter body such that a tensile force applied to opposite ends of the catheter assembly enhances the security of the connection between the catheter body and the impeller assembly.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing coverings such as leather hides and fabrics are provided. A system can include a worktable having a surface on which a covering is placeable. An imaging device can be positionable relative to the worktable. The imaging device can be configured to obtain an image of the covering on the surface of the worktable. A projector can be positionable relative to worktable. The projector can be configured to project an image onto the surface of the worktable and the covering on the surface of the worktable. A controller can be in communication with the imaging device and projector. The controller can be configured to correct images taken by the imaging device. The controller can also be configured to correct the images projected onto the surface of the worktable and the covering thereon. The controller can be configured to permit the showing of virtual markings on the covering placed on the surface of the worktable through an image projected thereon by the projector.

Abstract: An impeller includes a hub, and a plurality of blades supported by the hub, the blades being arranged in at least two blade rows. The impeller has a deployed configuration in which the blades extend away from the hub, and a stored configuration in which at least one of the blades is radially compressed, for example by folding the blade towards the hub. The impeller may also have an operational configuration in which at least some of the blades are deformed from the deployed configuration upon rotation of the impeller when in the deployed configuration. The outer edge of one or more blades may have a winglet, and the base of the blades may have an associated indentation to facilitate folding of the blades.

Abstract: An impeller includes a hub, and a plurality of blades supported by the hub, the blades being arranged in at least two blade rows. The impeller has a deployed configuration in which the blades extend away from the hub, and a stored configuration in which at least one of the blades is radially compressed, for example by folding the blade towards the hub. The impeller may also have an operational configuration in which at least some of the blades are deformed from the deployed configuration upon rotation of the impeller when in the deployed configuration. The outer edge of one or more blades may have a winglet, and the base of the blades may have an associated indentation to facilitate folding of the blades.

Abstract: An impeller includes a hub and at least one blade supported by the hub. The impeller has a stored configuration in which the blade is compressed so that its distal end moves towards the hub, and a deployed configuration in which the blade extends away from the hub. The impeller may be part of a pump for pumping fluids, such as pumping blood within a patient. A blood pump may include a cannula having a proximal portion with a fixed diameter, and a distal portion with an expandable diameter. The impeller may reside in the expandable portion of the cannula. The cannula may have a compressed diameter which allows it to be inserted percutaneously into a patient. Once at a desired location, the expandable portion of the cannula may be expanded and the impeller expanded to the deployed configuration. A flexible drive shaft may extend through the cannula for rotationally driving the impeller within the patient's body.

Abstract: A blood pump includes an impeller having a plurality of foldable blades and a cannula having a proximal portion with a fixed diameter, and a distal portion with an expandable diameter. The impeller can reside in the expandable portion of the cannula. The cannula has a collapsed condition for percutaneous delivery to a desired location within the body, and an expanded condition in which the impeller can rotate to pump blood. A flexible drive shaft can extend through the cannula for rotationally driving the impeller within the patient's body.

Abstract: An impeller includes a hub and at least one blade supported by the hub. The impeller has a stored configuration in which the blade is compressed so that its distal end moves towards the hub, and a deployed configuration in which the blade extends away from the hub. The impeller may be part of a pump for pumping fluids, such as pumping blood within a patient. A blood pump may include a cannula having a proximal portion with a fixed diameter, and a distal portion with an expandable diameter. The impeller may reside in the expandable portion of the cannula. The cannula may have a compressed diameter which allows it to be inserted percutaneously into a patient. Once at a desired location, the expandable portion of the cannula may be expanded and the impeller expanded to the deployed configuration. A flexible drive shaft may extend through the cannula for rotationally driving the impeller within the patient's body.

Abstract: Unsuitable water from coal bed methane production, CBMPW, is ozonated in a reactor to oxidize iron and the manganese content,—iron from ferrous to ferric, and the manganese from +2 to +4—and kill microbes and destroy other organic material. The water after such treatment is run through a separation means and then a rotating filter, followed by capacitive deionization, to yield clean water, which is treated further to adjust the sodium content to render the water suitable for domestic and agricultural purposes. Some product water is returned through the capacitive deionization cells when no voltage is applied to clean the cells for the next voltage application cycle, and some product water may also be run back through the separation means to help clean out the crud. This product water is suitable for irrigation and can depending on local law be used for drinking either without or with further treatment.

Abstract: Water from coal bed methane production which is suitable for almost nothing, is ozonated in a reactor to oxidize the iron content from +2 to +3, that is from ferrous to ferric, and to oxidize the manganese content from +2 to +4. The water after such first treatment is run through a separation means and then through a rotating filter, and then subjected to capacitive deionization, to yield clean water, which is then treated further to adjust he sodium content to render the water suitable for domestic and agricultural purposes. Some of the produced water is run back through the capacitive deionization cells when no voltage is applied to clean the cells for the next voltage application cycle. Some of the water produced may also be run back through the separation means to help clean out the crud.

Abstract: Water from coal bed methane production which is suitable for almost nothing, is ozonated in a reactor to oxidize the iron content from +2 to +3, that is from ferrous to ferric, and to oxidize the manganese content from +2 to +4. The water after such first treatment is run through a separation means and then through a rotating filter, and then subjected to capacitive deionization, to yield clean water, which is then treated further to adjust he sodium content to render the water suitable for domestic and agricultural purposes. Some of the produced water is run back through the capacitive deionization cells when no voltage is applied to clean the cells for the next voltage application cycle. Some of the water produced may also be run back through the separation means to help clean out the crud.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products are provided for identifying a component of culture medium based on the parameters (e.g., physical, chemical, biological and/or topological characteristics) of compounds from within a compound library. In preferred embodiments, the compound library is a peptide library. Also provided are methods of selecting a compound library from a larger compound space based on whole molecule (i.e., global) parameters of the compounds. Preferably, this method is practiced in conjunction with a method of identifying a component of a culture medium. Further provided are methods of predicting a biological activity of a peptide based on at least one whole molecule parameter of the peptide. This method finds use in methods of drug discovery, identifying components of culture medium, and identifying and/or designing peptides with particular pharmacological or therapeutic activities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunogenic compositions for intradermal delivery of an antigenic or immunogenic agent in combination with one or more excipients. The immunogenic compositions of the invention comprise an antigenic or immunogenic agent and at least one excipient which acts as an adjuvant, i.e., enhances the immune response to the antigenic or immunogenic agent, once delivered to the intradermal compartment of a subject's skin. The immunogenic compositions of the invention comprise an excipient which when administered to the intradermal compartment of skin in accordance with the invention demonstrate adjuvant activity. The immunogenic compositions of the invention have enhanced efficacy as the excipients of the composition cause an asymptomatic skin irritation and recruit antigen presenting cells to the intradermal compartment and thus enhance presentation and/or availability of the antigenic or immunogenic agent to the antigen presenting cells.

Abstract: A system, having three independent subsystems, each yielding useful products for society. The CBM produced water, starting ingredient for subsystem one, yields LNG, and useable water. Subsystem two produces syngas from agricultural products irrigated by subsystem one water. This syngas is used in subsystem three to produce more potable water at a second plant. CBM produced water is separated into two streams of methane, for distribution as LNG and for use in a fuel cell to power a first desalination plant that uses the CBM produced water to create potable water and irrigation water. Fast growing crops, are irrigated by water from subsystem one, to serve as a cost effective source of raw material for a gasification plant to produce syngas; which syngas can be publically distributed, or used as the fuel for the third subsystem; namely a seawater desalination plant to produce potable water at a second site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dermal vaccine formulations, designed for targeted delivery of an immunogenic composition to a dermal compartment of skin including the intradermal and epidermal compartments. The dermal vaccine formulations of the invention comprise an antigenic or immunogenic agent, and at least one molecule, e.g., a chemical agent, which enhances the presentation and/or availability of the antigenic or immunogenic agent to the immune cells of the intradermal compartment or epidermal compartment resulting in an enhanced immune response. The dermal vaccine formulations of the invention have enhanced efficacy as the antigenic or immunogenic agent is delivered to the intradermal compartment or epidermal compartment with enhanced presentation and/or availability to the immune cells that reside therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides libraries which are useful for rapid identification of biologically active compounds. The invention further provides peptides which include cell-growth affecting peptides and peptides which enhance or inhibit production of cellular proteins. Many of the peptides of the invention may be produced in large quantity by recombinant techniques and formulated in culture medium to produce the desired effect on cultured cells and tissues. Certain of the libraries of the invention and the peptides identified in them are particularly useful in concatemer-based recombinant expression methods.

Abstract: An impeller includes a hub, and a plurality of blades supported by the hub, the blades being arranged in at least two blade rows. The impeller has a deployed configuration in which the blades extend away from the hub, and a stored configuration in which at least one of the blades is radially compressed, for example by folding the blade towards the hub. The impeller may also have an operational configuration in which at least some of the blades are deformed from the deployed configuration upon rotation of the impeller when in the deployed configuration. The outer edge of one or more blades may have a winglet, and the base of the blades may have an associated indentation to facilitate folding of the blades.