Abstract: A method for use of a double-structured tissue implant or a secondary scaffold stand alone implant for treatment of tissue defects. The double-structured tissue implant comprising a primary scaffold and a secondary scaffold consisting of a soluble collagen solution in combination with a non-ionic surfactant generated and positioned within the primary scaffold. A stand alone secondary scaffold implant or unit.

Abstract: Described here is an automated robotic device that isolates circulating tumor cells (CTCs) or other biological structures with extremely high purity. The device uses powerful magnetic rods covered in removable plastic sleeves. These rods sweep through blood samples, capturing, e.g., cancer cells labeled with antibodies linked to magnetically responsive particles such as superparamagnetic beads. Upon completion of the capturing protocol, the magnetic rods undergo several rounds of washing, thereby removing all contaminating blood cells. The captured target cells are released into a final capture solution by removing the magnetic rods from the sleeves. Additionally, cells captured by this device show no reduced viability when cultured after capture. Cells are captured in a state suitable for genetic analysis. Also disclosed are methods for single cell analysis. Being robotic allows the device to be operated with high throughput.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provide thermally processing of the central portion of a substrate surface using a scanned photonic beam. Such thermal processing is carried out using a shield to block the beam from illuminating the side wall or peripheral portion of the substrate. The shield has characteristics, e.g., diffractive characteristics, effective to maintain the intensity of any unblocked portion of beam suitable for processing the central portion of the substrate surface.

Abstract: A method and a means for repair and reconstruction of ruptured ligaments and tendons by in vivo or ex vivo repair and reconstruction surgical procedures. The method comprises providing a biodegradable sleeve placed around the frayed edges of an injured ligament or tendon for protecting the ligament or tendon injury with a protective shield. A composition comprising a biodegradable tissue adhesive applied on top of, around and/or between the frayed edges of the injured ligament.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process to convert a hydroxyl group (bold in R3C—OH) in a tigliane-type compound to a hydrogen (bold in R3C—H) to obtain deoxytigliane-type compounds or structural or functional analogs thereof. The process has wide application particularly to produce specific biologically active compounds in quantity for use as pharmaceuticals. In particular the process can be used to convert phorbol to a 12-deoxytigliane (prostrating which is a therapeutic lead for the treatment of AIDS. New compositions of matter are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus which uses harmonic cantilevers, such as used in atomic force microscopy, to detect variations in the attractive and repulsive forces on a solid surface as a result of macromolecular binding, for example, hybridization of a single stranded DNA molecule attached to the surface with another DNA molecule. The complexed macromolecule is less flexible than an uncomplexed molecule. It will typically have more negative charge due to amino acids or DNA monomers. Both stiffness of the surface and the attractive capillary forces will change after binding and may be detected. The present methods and materials enable ultraflat surfaces for the macromolecule deposition, and may include the use of a gold-coated mica substrate and a self-assembling monolayer.

Abstract: Provided are methods for forming an electrically conductive structure of a desired three-dimensional shape on a substantially planar surface of a substrate, e.g., a semiconductor wafer. Typically, the particulate matter is deposited in a layer-by-layer manner and adhered to selected regions on the substrate surface. The particulate matter may be deposited to produce a mold for forming the structure and/or to produce the structure itself. A three-dimensional printer with associated electronic data may be used without the need of a lithographic mask or reticle.

Abstract: A power system is provided for robotic systems such as dynamically balancing robots, including inverted pendulum robots, robots that balance on two legs, and dynamically balancing robotic personal vehicles. Under normal operation, the power system provides operating power from a power source such as an internal battery system or an external AC power supply. The power system includes an energy storage device, such as an ultracapacitor assembly, that can provide emergency power sufficient to power components of the robotic system to a stable shutdown configuration in the event of a deleterious power event.

Abstract: Disclosed are peptides, which inhibit the enzymatic activity of tyrosinase, as well as formulations and methods for their use in the reduction of skin pigmentation, and methods of administering the inhibitory peptides in a topical formulation. The peptides are characterized by sequences RADSRADC (SEQ ID NO: 2) and PLG-OH. Methods of skin treatment are also provided, the methods further including use of a peptide characterized by the amino acid sequence SFLLRN (SEQ ID NO: 1).

Abstract: A squib includes an SCB chip connected to electrode pins so as to ignite by externally applied electric current, and a capacitor electrically connected to the electrode pins in parallel with a thin film resistor on the SCB chip. The capacitor is arranged above the header, and the SCB chip is directly mounted on the capacitor so that the thin film resistor on the SCB chip and the capacitor are electrically connected through electrodes provided on a substrate of the SCB chip, while the size of the SCB chip is smaller than that of the capacitor. In this way, the invention provides the squib which effectively eliminates surface unevenness when the capacitor is located, and enables the connection of the SCB chip and the capacitor to the electrode pins only by one reflow process, and further makes it possible to use an even smaller chip than those used in the prior art.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the relative positions of frontside and backside alignment marks located on opposite sides of a substrate is disclosed. The apparatus includes upper and lower optical systems that allow for simultaneous imaging of frontside and backside alignment marks. The frontside and backside alignment mark images are processed to determine the relative position of the marks, as a measurement of the alignment and/or overlay performance of the tool that formed the marks on the substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for direct detection of chemical reactions are provided. In a preferred embodiment, electric charge perturbations of the local environment during enzyme-catalyzed reactions are sensed by an electrode system with an immobilized target molecule. The target molecule is preferably DNA. The charge perturbation caused by the polymerase reaction can uniquely identify a DNA sequence. The polymerization process generates local perturbations of charge in the solution near the electrode surface and induces a charge in a polarazible gold electrode. This event is detected as a transient current by a voltage clamp amplifier. Detection of single nucleotides in a sequence can be determined by dispensing individual dNTPs to the electrode solution and detecting the charge perturbations. Alternatively, multiple bases can be determined at the same time using a mix of all dNTPs with subsequent analysis of the resulting signal.

Abstract: An IGFET device includes: —a semiconductor body (2) having a major surface, —a source region (3) of first conductivity type abutting the surface, —a drain region (6,7) of the first conductivity-type abutting the surface and spaced from the source region with a channel (5) therefrom, —an active gate (8) overlying the channel and insulated from the channel by a first dielectric material (9) forming the gate oxide of the IGFET device, —a dummy gate (10) positioned between the active gate and the drain and insulated from the active gate by a second dielectric material so that a capacitance is formed between the active gate and the dummy gate, and insulated from the drain region by the gate oxide, wherein the active gate and the dummy gate are forming the electrodes of the capacitance substantially perpendicular to the surface.

Abstract: The present methods are exemplified by a process in which maternal blood containing fetal DNA is diluted to a nominal value of approximately 0.5 genome equivalent of DNA per reaction sample. Digital PCR is then be used to detect aneuploidy, such as the trisomy that causes Down Syndrome. Since aneuploidies do not present a mutational change in sequence, and are merely a change in the number of chromosomes, it has not been possible to detect them in a fetus without resorting to invasive techniques such as amniocentesis or chorionic villi sampling. Digital amplification allows the detection of aneuploidy using massively parallel amplification and detection methods, examining, e.g., 10,000 genome equivalents.

Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating electronic transactions are provided. The authentication methods employ a combination of security features and communication channels. These security features can be based, for example, on unique knowledge of the person being authenticated, a unique thing that the person has, unique personal features and attributes of the person, the ability of the person to respond, and to do so in a fashion that a machine cannot, and so forth. Methods for enrolling the person prior to authentication are also provided, as well as systems for enrollment and authentication.

Abstract: A method for improvement of tolerance for therapeutically effective agents delivered by inhalation comprising a pretreatment of a patient with a nebulized lidocaine or a lidocaine-like compound administered immediately or up to about thirty minutes before administration of the primary therapeutically effective agent. The pretreatment of the patient with the nebulized lidocaine or a lidocaine-like compound improves airway tolerance and deposition of the agent in the lungs and makes such deposition more safe, efficacious, controllable and predictable. The method of the invention is especially useful for enhancement of deposition of immunosuppressive agents in the lung(s) of transplant patients, improved tolerance of the drugs by reducing cough, and improving pulmonary drug deposition.

Abstract: An anti-tussive nebulized solution for targeted delivery of lidocaine into conducting and central airways. A method for treatment of cough and tussive attacks or episodes using said lidocaine solution. A nebulized lidocaine solution administered in daily dose from about 10 mg to 80 mg of lidocaine dissolved in a saline and nebulized into an aerosol having a mass median aerodynamic diameter 3 ?m to 10 ?m and a geometric standard deviation less than 1.7 using an electronic nebulizer.

Abstract: A method and system for authenticating goods and thereby detecting and deterring counterfeits are disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, a client utilizes data received from a host to generate a plurality of security codes and to direct a printing device to print the plurality of security codes on a plurality of products, without retaining the plurality of security codes after the printing device has printed the plurality of security codes on the plurality of products. After the security codes have been printed, a person can communicate the security code to the host, which can verify its authenticity.

Abstract: A vehicle identification device includes one or more clips configured to attach the device to a vehicle door or window. The identification device optionally includes reflective material so that the vehicle is more easily seen. The identification device optionally includes identification indicia such as letters or numbers. The identification device is optionally deployed from within the vehicle, thus improving safety.

Abstract: A highly specific and versatile surface chemistry for immobilization of amine-terminated probes is disclosed. A bi-layered polymer thin film serves as the platform for coupling the probes, which are preferably oligonucleotides. The process involves sequentially coating a substrate with polyamine and polyacid anhydride. Hydrolyzed polyacid anhydride groups may be converted to non-hydrolyzed groups at about 100° C. prior to probe attachment. The process of coating the substrate requires no harsh chemical pretreatment of substrates such as RCA or Piranha cleaning. In addition, simple thermal activation of the anhydride groups has a low requirement for storage, leading to a long shelf life of modified surfaces. The disclosed surface chemistry is especially compatible with microfabrication processes, and its effective application to magnetic biosensors is demonstrated.