Abstract: A method for identifying neuronal spikes (extracellular action potentials) is described wherein measured microelectrode readings from tissue are reviewed to identify spikes (successive readings having prolonged rises and/or falls). The frequency of such spikes as a function of their amplitude assumes a bimodal distribution wherein higher amplitude spikes represent neuronal spikes (signal) and lower amplitude spikes represent noise, and thus the higher amplitude spikes can be assumed to be neuronal spikes. Neuronal spikes from the same neuron can then be assumed to have substantially the same waveform shape and period, with the only significant difference between them being the scaling of their amplitudes (i.e., the amplitudes of spikes from the same neuron tend to be proportionate at any given time along their period). Thus, by testing identified neuronal spikes for matching timing and for proportional amplitudes, the neuronal spikes may further be identified as coming from the same or different neurons.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making ?-polypeptides. The method includes polymerizing ?-lactam-containing monomers in the presence of a base initiator and a co-initiator which is not a metal-containing molecule to yield the product ?-polypeptides. Specifically disclosed are methods wherein the base initiator is potassium t-butoxide, lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (LiN(TMS)2), potassium bis(trimethyl-silyl)amide, and sodium ethoxide, and the reaction is carried out in a solvent such as chloroform, dichloromethane, dimethylsulfoxide, or tetrahydrofuran.

Abstract: Shunts (valves) (100) for controlled flow of bodily fluids, such as cerebrospinal fluid, include a valve actuating member (114) (such as a piston (120)) between inlet (108) and outlet (110) ports. The valve actuating member is biased toward a state wherein the valve is closed, and it includes a face adjacent the upstream side of the valve (and preferably isolated from the downstream side of the valve) whereby fluid pressure in the upstream side exerts an opening force on the face to urge the valve toward an open state. When the opening force on the valve exceeds the closing force by some amount, the valve actuating member moves the valve to the open state, allowing fluid flow through the fluid passage between the inlet and outlet ports.

Abstract: A bed assembly includes a wheeled base, a sub-frame and mattress support frame. The sub-frame supports a plurality of electrically operated actuators which provide for raising and lowering of the bed. The bed can be lowered to a first low position in which the bed frame is around 38 to 45 centimeters above floor height and to a lower position in which the frame is around 30 centimeters above floor height. The bed is lowered to the first height upon receipt of a first command input and can only be lowered below that first height upon receipt of a second control input distinct from the first control input. Preferably, the bed is lowered at a slower speed from the first low height to its lowermost position.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for division and rearrangement of light from a source object. The apparatus splits the light from the source object, or image of the source object, and recombines it in a parallel, fashion to increase the efficiency of multiphoton microscopy in general and harmonic or fluorescence emission microscopy in particular. The apparatus includes a beam splitter configured to split a light beam into at least two independent light paths to yield a first light path and a second light path; a first beam focuser configured to direct and focus the first light path onto a focal plane; and a second beam focuser configured to direct and focus the second light path onto the same or different focal plane to which the first light path is focused; and wherein the first and second light paths may be superimposed upon one another at a common focal plane or directed independently to different positions.

Abstract: A strap for a bow string release is provided to form a semi-closed (or open) hand receiving condition wrist strap for facilitating quick attachment and detachment of the strap to the wrist. The strap facilitates one-handed coupling about an archer's wrist by selectively maintaining the semi-closed (or semi-open) hand receiving condition so that the archer does not have to manually insert a first end of the strap through a second end of the strap.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a corresponding pharmaceutical composition for treating damaged cartilage and subchondral bone. Neurogenic compounds in general and neuropeptides in particular have been found to be highly effective in stimulated repair of cartilage and bone damaged due to traumatic injury, ligament disease, and disuse. Preferred active ingredients for use in the method and corresponding pharmaceutical composition include calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), cholecystokinin (CCK), dynorphin, enkephalin, galanin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), neurotensin, somatostatin, substance P (SP), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP).

Abstract: A pad (10) of interleaving linear cells (2) has loop straps (1) to hold the central section of the cells (2) linearly in parallel with the cell axis (11), whilst the opposite ends (3) of each cell (2) are secured a pre-determined distance (4) off-set from the cell axis (11). The distance (4) can vary along the length of the pad. By fixing of the ends (3) of the cells (2) at a distance (4) away from the cell axis, each end (3) of the cell (2) is pulled away from the centre axis of the cell, the loop straps (1) and the cell (2) become tensioned, preventing the central cell section from moving or rotating. The resulting cell has been seen to dramatically reduce the movement of a user along the pad with improved user comfort and enhanced pressure relief.

Abstract: Described is an intra-mammary teat sealant and a corresponding method of forming a physical barrier in the teat canal of a non-human animal for prophylactic treatment of mammary disorders during the animal's dry period. The method includes the step of infusing a bismuth-free teat seal formulation into the teat canal of the animal. The method also prevents the formation of black spot defect in dairy products, especially cheddar cheese, made from the milk of animals so treated.

Abstract: A label dispenser for storing adhesive labels provided in a roll on a backing strip, and for applying such labels to a substrate, includes a spool wherein the roll may be fit, with the label-bearing strip being fed out of a feed opening in the spool and onto a feeding surface on the outside of the spool. The label-bearing strip is then directed onto and about a peeling lip, causing the strip to shed its label(s) as it traverses the lip. The label is then applied to any adjacent substrate, while the label-less backing strip is directed between a roller (which rolls on the substrate) and a receiving surface on the outside of the spool. As the roller rolls on the substrate, it serves to grasp the label-less backing strip and pull the label-bearing strip out of the spool interior, where it then deposits labels on the substrate as it traverses the lip.

Abstract: A bed assembly (10) includes a frame (22) which supports four curved mattress support panels (50-56) which are able to move with pivoting of the various parts of the frame (22). The curved panels (50-56) better conform to a patient's body shape and provide an effective lengthening of the mattress support (50-56), particularly when the back rest (30, 50) is raised to a sitting position. The support panels (50-56) are located below the pivot points of the frame (22), which further enhances the lengthening effect. The assembly also includes first and second patient retention panels (80, 82) with complementary edges (92, 94) which can slide over one another. A key pad unit (100) protrudes from the retention panel (80) at a convenient patient position and can be gripped by a patient's hand.

Abstract: A device for securing a motorcycle to a surface such as a trailer bed includes a base assembly attached to the surface and including a base plate and a pair of eccentric pivot support brackets, a pin assembly, an eccentric pivot rotatably mounted to each of the eccentric pivot support brackets and having an aperture formed therein such that the height of the aperture is adjustable by rotating the eccentric pivot, and a pin bracket attached to a motorcycle. The motorcycle is secured to the surface by positioning the motorcycle with the attached pin bracket over the base assembly attached to the surface and using the pin assembly to connect the pin bracket to the apertures in the eccentric pivots. The rotatable eccentric pivots allow the device to be adjusted for use with motorcycles having various ride heights. Locking structures are provided for locking the rotational position of the eccentric pivots with respect to the eccentric pivot support brackets after such an adjustment is made.

Abstract: A junction box for electrical wiring includes one or more wiring connectors non-removably pre-mounted to side panels thereof. A variety of different connector types for supporting a variety of different types of electrical cables and wiring conduits may be provided in a single junction box. Removable plugs are provided to block the connector passageways, but are easily removed from those connectors that are to be used for wiring in a particular installation. Since built-in connectors of various types are provided, end-user installation time is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode catheter for defibrillation, mapping or ablation of cardiac tissue. Said catheter comprises a terminal (40) on the proximal end of the electrode catheter and one or more sensing and/or treatment electrodes (14, 16) that are situated on or in the vicinity of the distal end of the electrode catheter, in addition to at least one electric conductor (44, 62), which is used to electrically connect a respective sensing or treatment electrode to the terminal. The electric conductor (44, 62) is composed of carbon and the electrode catheter is configured to be suitable for us as part of magnetic resonance tomography and for connection to electrophysiotherapy equipment. Said catheter comprises at least one defibrillation electrode, or at least one sensing electrode (14, 16) for the recording and evaluation of cardiac tissue potentials, or at least one treatment electrode (14) for delivering high-frequency currents for ablation purposes.

Abstract: A medical device having a sensor for sampling a biological signal, the biological signal representing a signal waveform and forming a waveform vector composed of the biological signal samples, and a memory for storing a least two threshold vectors composed of boundary samples representing at least two boundaries related to the biological signal defining subspaces for the biological signal samples. One threshold vector is an upper threshold vector composed of upper boundary samples and the other threshold vector is a lower threshold vector composed of lower boundary samples. An evaluation unit connected to the sensor determines a similarity index (ASCI) by comparing each of the biological signal samples of the waveform vector to corresponding boundary samples of the threshold vectors, thus determining to which subspace each biological signal sample belongs to and creating a trichotomized signal vector, and calculating the signed correlation product of two trichotomized signal vectors.

Abstract: A system (10) for managing data transmission for a medical device (20) has several data transmission protocols (15, 15?, 15?), each having a differentiating designation (30). Each of several medical devices (20) have an identification (45) which identifies the medical device (20), and a data transmission interface (35) for data transmission from and to the medical device (20). A management unit (25) has a query unit (45) for the designation (30) of the data transmission protocol (15, 15?, 15?) of a medical device (20) on the basis of its identification (30), and a storage unit (50) for storing data transmission protocols (15, 15?, 15?). The management unit (25) provides, on the basis of the designation query of an external device (55), a data transmission protocol (15, 15?, 15?) from the storage unit (50) which is compatible with the data transmission protocol (15, 15?, 15?) of the medical device (20).