Abstract: This invention relates to a microfabricated capillary electrophoresis chip for detecting multiple redox-active labels simultaneously using a matrix coding scheme and to a method of selectively labeling analytes for simultaneous electrochemical detection of multiple label-analyte conjugates after electrophoretic or chromatographic separation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic device with microchannels that have separated regions which have a member of a specific binding pair member such as DNA or RNA bound to porous polymer, beads or structures fabricated into the microchannel. The microchannels of the invention are fabricated from plastic and are operatively associated with a fluid propelling component and detector.

Abstract: A plastic wheel (22, 122) and wheel mounting sleeve (27, 27a, 127) used to releasably secure the wheel (22, 122) onto an axle (23, 123). The wheel mounting sleeve (27, 27a, 127) preferably includes a resilient, radially displaceable, axially extending, cantilevered finger (46, 146) which includes an axle-engaging lug (55, 155), while a wheel-engaging shoulder is provided on an annular rib 101, 201. The respective sleeve shoulders cooperate with oppositely facing shoulders on the wheel so as to latch the sleeve (27, 127) to the axle (23, 123) and the wheel (22, 122) to the sleeve (27, 127). The sleeve (27, 127) and sleeve-receiving bore (39a, 39b, 139a, 139b) are radially inwardly stepped on the inner side (66, 166) as compared to the outer side (67, 167) of the wheel. Assembly can be accomplished without any tools, and a pointed tool can be used to puncture a skin (195) in a passageway (191) so as to enable release of the sleeve (27, 127) and wheel (22, 122) from the axle (23, 123).

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for efficiently processing signal and image data are described. The invention provides a representation of signal and image data that can be used as a figure of merit to compare and characterize different signal processing techniques. The representation can be used as an intermediate result that is may be subjected to further processing, and/or may be used as a control element for processing operations. As a provider of an intermediate result, the invention can be used as a step in processes for the transduction, storage, enhancement, refinement, feature extraction, compression, coding, transmission, or display of image, audio and other data. The invention improves manipulation of data from intrinsically unpredictable, or partially random sources. The result is a concise coding of the data in a form permitting robust and efficient data processing, a reduction in storage demands, and restoration of original data with minimal error and degradation.

Abstract: The invention is generally related to methods of treating autoimmune diseases, including both antibody-mediated and cell-mediated disorders.

Abstract: An optical microswitch for use with a laser beam comprising a support body and first and second output fibers carried by the body. An electrostatic microactuator is carried by the body and extends in a plane. A micromirror is disposed out of the plane. The microactuator has a mirror holder coupled to the micromirror and at least one comb drive assembly coupled to the mirror holder for driving the micromirror about an axis of rotation extending perpendicular to the plane between a first position for reflecting the laser beam to the first output fiber and a second position for reflecting the laser beam to the second output fiber.

Abstract: A medical probe for the heating of soft tissue, such as collagen tissue, wherein the medical probe has an elongated body with a proximal and distal end, a heating source, an RF electrode. Optional components include a thermocouple, and an insulative sleeve. The probe's elongated body is preferably hollow and flexible. The RF electrode and the heating source are powered by independently controlled power sources and cooperate to maintain a constant and smooth temperature to the distal end of the RF electrode. The heating source may be a contained liquid, such as saline, or an electrothermal mass, such as a ferrite, a toroid, a resistive element, or the like. Current induced from the conductor to the heating source creates heat in the heating source. The thermocouple measures the temperature of the heating source and adjusts the power to the conductor to maintain the heating source's temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to monoclonal antibodies to the &agr;v&bgr;3 integrin receptor known to be expressed in large amounts on the surface of osteoclasts and accordingly, associated with bone resorption. The disclosed monoclonal antibodies recognize unique epitopes on &agr;v&bgr;3 and are useful in the treatment of conditions associated with excessive bone resorption and/or in the inhibition of tumor cell growth.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an elongate probe member having proximal and distal extremities for use with a suction source to treat a portion of a wall forming a cavity in a body having a natural body opening for accessing the cavity. The elongate probe member has a length so that when the distal extremity is in the vicinity of the portion of the wall the proximal extremity is outside of the body. The distal extremity of the elongate probe member has an outer surface and is provided with at least one recess opening onto the outer surface and an internal passageway communicating with the recess. When the suction source is coupled to the apparatus a suction is created in the recess by means of the passageway to draw the portion of the wall into the recess. A hollow needle is slidably disposed in the elongate probe member and has a distal end portion.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides comprising repetitive units of amino acids, as well as synthetic genes encoding the subject polypeptides are provided. The subject polypeptides are characterized by comprising repetitive units of amino acids, where the repetitive units are present in naturally occurring proteins, particularly naturally occurring structural proteins. The subject polypeptides find use in a variety of applications, such as structural components of prosthetic devices, synthetic fibers, and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for detecting and quantifying a target nucleic acid using a variety of both signal amplification and target amplification techniques.

Abstract: A motor system utilizes a master three-phase induction motor driven by a single-phase power supply which the motor has six-windings connected in a symmetrical double DELTA or double WYE configuration with appropriate running capacitors to provide when the motor is running a balanced three-phases of voltage potentials. The potentials have been tapped off to run satellite three-phase induction motors.

Abstract: A protective shield and a semiconductor processing system including a protective shield is provided. The shield includes a frame assembly including a pair of spaced end walls and a pair of side walls extending between and mounted to the end walls, and a plurality of shield bodies carried by the frame assembly. Each of the shield bodies includes a base having a continuous unit frame, a perforated sheet carried by said continuous frame, a plenum between the base and the perforated sheet, and a gas delivery device for delivering an inert gas to the plenum at a flow rate such that the gas diffuses through the perforated sheet.

Abstract: An image compression apparatus for compressing image data provided to an input terminal and providing compressed data to an output terminal includes a 4×4 weighted digital cosine transformer (DCT) coupled to the input terminal and configured to convert the image data into weighted frequency data. A zigzag circuit is coupled to the DCT and configured to zigzag process the frequency data and generate create zigzag data. A Q-factor estimator is coupled to the DCT and configured to estimate the frequency data and generate a Q-factor. A DC coding circuit is coupled to the zigzag circuit and configured to code the zigzag data and generate a DC code. A quantization circuit is coupled to the zigzag circuit and the Q-factor estimator and configured to quantize the zigzag data based on the Q-factor and generate quantized data.

Abstract: A wiring device for use with a wire having a conductor disposed within insulation. The wiring device includes a housing of an electrical insulating material provided with a recess adapted to receive the wire. A cutting blade is carried by the insulated housing for severing the wire in the recess into first and second wire portions. A first electrical contact is carried by the housing for making electrical contact with the conductor of the first wire portion. A second electrical contact is carried by the housing and electrically connected to the first electrical contact for making electrical contact with the conductor of the second wire portion so that the conductors of the first and second wire portions can be electrically reconnected after being severed by the cutting blade.

Abstract: Helical thruster having a housing, a piston movable axially within the housing between retracted and extended positions, and an output member rotatively mounted on the housing. Pressurized fluid is applied to the piston to drive the piston from the retracted position toward the extended position, and the output member rotates as the piston travels toward the extended position. In one disclosed embodiment, the piston is non-rotating, and a helical driving connection between the piston and the output member imparts rotation to the output member as the piston travels toward the extended position. In another disclosed embodiment, the piston rotates as it travels toward the extended position, and the output member rotates with the piston.

Abstract: Novel peptide analogues of platelet-derived growth factor, for use in inhibiting or stimulating growth and/or chemotaxis of cells, for example, smooth muscle cells, are provided. Also provided are compositions of matter comprising those peptide analogues.

Abstract: An improved flash EEPROM memory-based storage subsystem includes one or more flash memory arrays, each with three data registers and a controller circuit. During a flash program operation, one data register is used to control the program operation, a second register is used to hold the target data value, and a third register is used to load the next sector's data. Subsequent to a flash program operation, a sector's data are read from a flash array into the first data register and compared to the target data stored in the second register. When the data is verified good, the data from the third register is copied into the first and second registers for the next program operation. This creates an improved performance system that doesn't suffer data transfer latency during program operations that require data verification after the program operation is complete.

Abstract: A light shield device (13) which is attached to light wands (30) of various diameters to filter and redirect reflected light. The shield has a planar part (13) with an attached retainer column (20) mounted in an off-center location, a see-through mirror (16) in a central location, and a reflective Fresnel lens configuration (14) at its outer perimeter. The device is formed of plastics which filter some radiation. The shield permits an operator to monitor light applications without harmful eye irritations.

Abstract: The invention provides structure and method for controlling access to a shared storage device, such as a disk drive storage array, in computer systems and networks having a plurality of host computers. A method for controlling access to a hardware device in a computer system having a plurality of computers and at least one hardware device connected to the plurality of computers. The method includes the steps of associating a locally unique identifier with each the plurality of computers, defining a data structure in a memory identifying which particular ones of the computers based on the locally unique identifier may be granted access to the device; and querying the data structure to determine if a requesting one of the computers should be granted access to the hardware device.