Abstract: Optical detection techniques for the assessment of the physiological state, health and/or viability of biological materials are provided. Biological materials which may be examined using such techniques include cells, tissues, organs and subcellular components. The inventive techniques may be employed in high throughput screening of potential diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The intralumenal material removal system includes a cutter assembly positionable in the lumen of a mammalian subject and operably connected to system controls. The cutter assembly is axially advanceable by translating the drive shaft and rotatable by rotating the drive shaft. One cutter assembly comprises an adjustable cutter that is adjustable between a smaller diameter condition and a larger diameter condition by rotation of the drive shaft in opposite directions. The cutter may thus be introduced to and withdrawn from the material removal site in a retracted, smaller diameter condition that facilitates translation and navigation of the device through various lumens. The adjustable cutting assembly may be selectively expanded at the material removal site to facilitate cutting, removal and aspiration of the occlusive material. One composite cutter assembly comprises both a distal, fixed diameter cutter and a proximal adjustable diameter cutter.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for facilitating the movement of fluids, transferring mechanical power to fluid mediums, as well as deriving power from moving fluids. The present invention employs an impeller system in a variety of applications involving the displacement of fluids, including for example, any conventional pumps, fans, compressors, generators, circulators, blowers, generators, turbines, transmissions, various hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for determining the presence and location of abnormal or pathological tissue, for identifying and mapping the margins of abnormal tissue, such as tumor tissue during surgical or diagnostic procedures, and for grading and characterizing tumor tissue by detecting changes in the optical properties of spatially defined areas of an area of interest following administration of a contrast enhancing agent.

Abstract: The storage and retrieval of medical information is provided by use of a database that facilitates accurate clinical audit, research and/or presentation activities. Comprehensive patient information may be retrieved based on patient descriptive categories including the anatomy, pathology or clinical presentation, treatment and outcome factors of each case. The categories include data options that may be organized in the form of a hierarchical tree that has branching levels of data options with decreasing specificity. Data from the various levels may be compared, as well as data between individual categories. In some embodiments, selected multimedia data may be accessed based on criteria from data options of the patient descriptive categories.

Abstract: A method for cooling is provided which makes use of materials which undergo a pressure induced structural phase transition such that the material's crystal field interaction changes, and which colds down during this phase transition. This effect is used for cooling objects which are thermally coupled to the material.

Abstract: A new foam spraying apparatus 1 is described for a liquid container. It comprises a piston and cylinder unit (20; 37) for the air and a piston and cylinder unit (21; 38) for the liquid in which arrangement the piston and cylinder units (20, 37; 21, 38) each are provided with an inlet valve (30; 44) and with an outlet valve (24) and are co-operating being coupled to each other. Furthermore a mixing chamber (14) for the mixture of air and liquid and a spraying head (2) with a foam delivery opening (9) are provided. The cylinder (20) of the first unit and the piston (21) of the second unit are interconnected to an intermediate part (5). Furthermore the piston (37) of the first unit and the cylinder (38) of the second unit are also interconnected to a base part (4) in such a manner that the intermediate part (5) and the base part (4) mesh and are movable relative to each other.

Abstract: A system is provided for collecting information regarding a device or a user of a device. Information is collected from a discovery agent residing on the computer system. At certain times, the agent may be activated to collect the information. A sender transmits a discovery rule across a communication link to a computer system. The discovery agent and the discovery rule are separate code sequences or separate programs. The discovery rule is then applied to the information received from the discovery agent and the resulting information is returned back to the sender. Where the sender receives a user request, such as regarding the computer system, the discovery rule may be transmitted and the sender may use the resulting information to respond to the user request.

Abstract: The present invention comprises homeopathic dilutions of growth factors and methods for their use. Disorders which may be effectively treated with the compositions of the present invention include chronic viral disorders, such as HIV, AIDS, chronic fatigue syndrome and Epstein-Barr viral infections, cancer, diabetes and depression. Homeopathic dilutions of growth factors are preferably administered orally. In an alternative embodiment, patients are treated with radio frequency signals corresponding to homeopathic dilutions of growth factors.

Abstract: A method for making a natural botanical sculpture that captures the plant's form and beauty is provided. A plant or plant part is used as an armature in the creation of a durable representation of the plant. The outer surface of the organic material is plastered with a viscous paste composition that includes composed of an adhesive, a synthetic latex resin prepared by emulsion polymerization, and a thickener. The paste dries to produce an inflexible and air-tight encasement. The plant is permanently preserved within the encasement.