Abstract: A ventilator wind scoop system is disclosed for attachment to a boat deck hatch having a hinged hatch cover which opens to uncover the hatch opening whereby the scoop system communicates through such opening with the boat's below deck space. The scoop system has a deflector unit formed of wind-resistant fabric. The deflector, which is anchored to the inner face of the hatch cover and to supports inside the lower deck, is positioned as desired. The opposing portion of the deflector is anchored within the lower deck, preferably to the ceiling or sides to allow air flow to be forced to the front of the boat or in any direction needed. The wind scoop system is easily customized to fit a wide variety of hatch sizes and when not is use folds into a compact size for easy storage.

Abstract: The finger-mounted striking devices described herein are for use on stringed musical instruments, in particular for but not limited to electric or acoustic bass instruments. The paired devices consist of elongated cylindrical wooden shafts of differing length. The offset in length allows the striking tips to be effectively even when worn as intended on the index and middle fingers. The striking tip of each shaft contains a permanently embedded weight to accelerate the transfer of finger movement to the shaft tip. The mechanism for attaching the elongated shaft to each finger is an adjustable metal ring permanently attached to the shaft end opposite the striking tip. An upward-sloped fingertip rest is provided forward of the ring. The entire body of each elongated shaft and the integral metal ring are encased in an elastomeric coating that prevents scratching of the instrument surface during use by the devices and seals the metal ring against corrosion from moisture.

Abstract: The finger-mounted striking devices described herein are for use on stringed musical instruments, in particular for but not limited to electric or acoustic bass instruments. The paired devices consist of elongated cylindrical wooden shafts of differing length. The offset in length allows the striking tips to be effectively even when worn as intended on the index and middle fingers. The striking tip of each shaft contains a permanently embedded weight to accelerate the transfer of finger movement to the shaft tip. The mechanism for attaching the elongated shaft to each finger is an adjustable metal ring permanently attached to the shaft end opposite the striking tip. An upward-sloped fingertip rest is provided forward of the ring. The entire body of each elongated shaft and the integral metal ring are encased in an elastomeric coating that prevents scratching of the instrument surface during use by the devices and seals the metal ring against corrosion from moisture.

Abstract: A method and composition for detecting and measuring analytes, such as antibodies, which are capable of binding with certain binding partners such as antigens. A homogenous assay is performed in the presence of free unbound antibodies. Such a homogeneous assay testing for specific antibodies is herein possible by defining of test subsets of microparticles having specific antigens thereon which are capable of binding with specific target antibodies. The microparticle suspension also includes at least two calibration subsets of microparticles having a binding partner thereon with at least two known levels of concentration which is capable of binding with human antibodies for the purpose of assay calibration. A verification subset of microparticles is included with another binding partner thereon at a known concentration, capable of binding with anti-human antibodies. This suspension is incubated with a human sample and then is incubated with a tagging component.

Abstract: Peptide and peptides that may be covalently linked to a lipid and methods of using such peptides and lipopeptides to prevent or treat disease are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A novel filter-less separation technique for separating suspended particles from a solution is disclosed. More specifically, an on-chip bioparticle separator is disclosed, which relies on the differential force exerted by application of a series of high magnitude, short duration pressure pulses on bioparticles in suspension within microchannels, resulting in separation of suspended bioparticles. The filter-less separation technique is inherently suited to ?TAS (Micro Total Analysis System) since it exploits uniquely microscale phenomena to achieve separation. The on-chip bioparticle separator can be easily integrated with a disposable biochip, can be fabricated using low-cost, rapid manufacturing techniques, and can provide high performance for separation of bioparticles without the use of specialized or expensive equipment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fully-integrated, disposable biochip for point-of-care testing of clinically relevant parameters. Specifically, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the biochip is designed for POCT (point-of-care-testing) of an array of metabolic parameters including partial pressure of oxygen, Glucose, and Lactate concentration from venous blood samples. The biochip is fabricated on a low-cost plastic substrate using mass manufacturing compatible fabrication processes. Furthermore, the biochip contains a fully-integrated metallic micro-needle for blood sampling. The biochip also uses smart passive microfluidics in conjunction with low-power functional on-chip pressure generators for microfluidic sequencing. The design, configuration, assembly and operation of the biochip are ideally suited for a disposable biochip specifically targeted towards POCT applications.

Abstract: A novel filter-less separation technique for separating suspended particles from a solution is disclosed. More specifically, an on-chip bioparticle separator is disclosed, which relies on the differential force exerted by application of a series of high magnitude, short duration pressure pulses on bioparticles in suspension within microchannels, resulting in separation of suspended bioparticles. The filter-less separation technique is inherently suited to ?TAS (Micro Total Analysis System) since it exploits uniquely microscale phenomena to achieve separation. The on-chip bioparticle separator can be easily integrated with a disposable biochip, can be fabricated using low-cost, rapid manufacturing techniques, and can provide high performance for separation of bioparticles without the use of specialized or expensive equipment.

Abstract: A highly sensitive assay is disclosed which combines immunomagnetic enrichment with multiparameter flow cytometric and immunocytochemical analysis to detect, enumerate and characterize carcinoma cells in the blood. The assay can detect one epithelial cell or less in 1 ml of blood and has a greater sensitivity than conventional PCR or immunohistochemistry by 1-2 orders of magnitude. In addition, the assay facilitates the biological characterization and staging of carcinoma cells.

Abstract: Devices and methods for automated collection and image analysis are disclosed that enable identification or classification of microscopic objects aligned or deposited on surfaces. Such objects, e.g. detectably labeled rare target cells, are magnetically or non-magnetically immobilized and subjected to automated laser scanning to generate sequential digitized x-y sub-images or partial images of target and non-target objects that are combined to form reconstructed full images, thereby allowing detection, enumeration, differentiation and characterization of imaged objects on the basis of size, morphology and immunophenotype.

Abstract: Methods and kits for used as an internal or external control in rare cell analysis are disclosed. A plurality of fluorescently distinct sets of cells is used to define a range to assess the isolation of rare target cells from a sample. Thus, a known number of cells, expressing the surface and intracellular antigens present in the targeted rare cells, are stabilized and modified in such a way that they can be discriminated from the targeted rare cells. In addition, these cells are separated into at least two sets based upon the number. These sets are detectably distinct from each other and provide an upper and lower indication of the detection ability of the rare cell assay.

Abstract: Separation apparatus and method for separating magnetic and/or magnetically-labeled particles from a test medium. Test medium within a reaction chamber is caused to flow past a collecting surface, and a high-gradient magnetic field is applied to the surface to capture magnetically responsive particles in the test medium. The particles are deflected toward the collection surface by baffles, a spinner, or a sprayer, or are funneled past the surface by a plunger operable to be displaced into close proximity to the surface to provide a narrow flow path for the particle-laden test medium. The particles normally suspended in the medium are separated out of suspension by adhesion to the collection surface. The particles may be resuspended by removal of the surface from the high-gradient field, or removal of the high-gradient field from the surface. The collection surface is a thin-walled non-magnetic material having a plurality of magnetic pole faces positioned therearound.

Abstract: An improved cartridge for holding a fluid sample with a small volume is disclosed herein. The cartridge has a test chamber and a vestibule through which the test fluids are inserted into the test chamber. Improved grips are flared-out to aid manipulation. The handle portion is reinforced to prevent flexing, and a prefabricated trough along the edge of the land surface prevents introduction of the adhesive into the region for analysis. The cartridge has a stopper having a dual sealing mechanism, which seals the test chamber inlet between the vestibule and the test chamber, and the mouth of the vestibule so that when the stopper is in place, the test chamber is closed to the admission of air or other contaminants. The vestibule is similarly closed against escape of the overflow from the test chamber. The stopper is composed of a single elastomer. An improved locking mechanism has two flexible walls on either side of the handhold that locks into their respective keepers on the cartridge to provide a secure lock.

Abstract: A cartridge for holding a test specimen with an extremely small volume. The cartridge has a test chamber and a vestibule through which the test fluids are inserted into the test chamber. The cartridge has a stopper having a pair of seals, the first of which seals the test chamber inlet between the vestibule and the test chamber, and the second of which seals the mouth of the vestibule so that when the stopper is in place, the test chamber is closed to the admission of air or other contaminants and the vestibule is similarly closed against escape of the overflow from the test chamber.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for separating, immobilizing, and quantifying biological substances from within a fluid medium. Biological substances are observed by employing a vessel (6) having a chamber therein, the vessel comprising a transparent collection wall (5). A high internal gradient magnetic capture structure may be on the transparent collection wall (5), magnets (3) create an externally-applied force for transporting magnetically responsive material toward the transparent collection wall (5). The magnetic capture structure comprises a plurality of ferromagnetic members and has a uniform or non-uniform spacing between adjacent members. There may be electrical conductor means supported on the transparent collection wall (5) for enabling electrical manipulation of the biological substances. The chamber has one compartment or a plurality of compartments with differing heights. The chamber may include a porous wall.