Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting syringes containing radioactive material. The apparatus includes a radiopharmaceutical pig having an inner chamber in which a sharps container can be secured. The sharps container has a housing and an attachable cap. The method includes assembling the radiopharmaceutical pig so that the chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig contains the syringe in the sharps container housing. The radiopharmaceutical pig is disassembled, where upon the syringe is removed, discharged, and then replaced in the sharps container housing. The cap of the sharps container is affixed to the housing of the sharps container, thus enclosing the contaminated syringe therein. The radiopharmaceutical pig is assembled so that its chamber contains the sharps container and the syringe. The radiopharmaceutical pig is transported to a disposal area, where it is disassembled and the sharps container containing the syringe is placed in a particular disposal container.

Abstract: A sanding head for a rotary sanding machine. The sanding head includes a rotatable disk and a plurality of abraders. The disk has a bottom surface and an outer circumferential edge. The bottom surface of the disk has uniformly distributed topographical variations that extend radially inwardly from the outer edge of the disk. A plurality of conformly distributed abraders project from the bottom surface of the disk to contact the surface to be sanded.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer array having a plurality of transducer elements aligned along an array axis in an imaging plane. Each transducer element includes a piezoelectric substrate and further includes a rear electrode applied to the substrate's rear surface and a patterned front electrode applied to the substrate's front surface. A conductive or metalized acoustic matching layer overlays the patterned front electrode. The front electrode is specially patterned along an elevation axis perpendicular to the imaging plane, so as to apodize the emitted ultrasonic beam in the elevation plane. The pattern follows a predetermined tapered weighting function, preferably one that approximates a Hamming weighting function. Slots, oriented parallel with the array axis, are cut into the piezoelectric substrate's front surface, to form a plurality of subelements. This further isolates these portions of the piezoelectric substrate not overlaid by the patterned front electrode, thereby enhancing beam apodization.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, compositions comprising imaging agent(s) contained within polymeric shells are provided. Invention compositions are useful, for example, as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonography, and X-ray computer tomography. The polymeric shell diameter is typically approximately 2 microns in diameter. Consequently, these materials have organ specificity due to rapid scavenging by the reticuloendothial system (RES) or the mononuclear phagocyte (MNP) system upon intravenous injection. Furthermore, polymeric shells of the invention can be used to measure and monitor local oxygen and temperature. Exemplary contrast agents contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention include fluorinated compounds. Fluorinated compounds in general are hydrophobic and as such have limited water solubility. The invention method permits preparation of such compounds in a biocompatible form suitable for ready delivery.

Abstract: A microwave heating package for containing a food item to be cooked in a microwave oven including a top wall, a bottom wall and a side wall. A microwave interactive layer is affixed to the bottom wall for converting microwave energy into heat. The side wall is scored to define a first end flap and a second end flap. Each end flap is partially separable from the remainder of the package along the scoring and is hingedly connected to the bottom wall such that the separable portion of each end flap is pivotable from a first unseparated position to a second position located underneath the bottom wall.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention compositions comprising imaging agent(s) contained within polymeric shells are provided. Invention compositions are useful, for example, as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonography, and X-ray computer tomography. The polymeric shell diameter is typically approximately 2 microns in diameter. Consequently, these materials have organ specificity due to rapid scavenging by the reticuloendothial system (RES) or the mononuclear phagocyte (MNP) system upon intravenous injection. Furthermore, polymeric shells of the invention can be used to measure and monitor local oxygen and temperature. Exemplary contrast agents contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention include fluorinated compounds. Fluorinated compounds in general are hydrophobic and as such have limited water solubility. The invention method permits preparation of such compounds in a biocompatible form suitable for ready delivery.

Abstract: Methods for detecting the presence or concentration of an analyte in a matrix by exploiting the specificities of the analyte's antibody and enzyme-substrate are disclosed. The analyte is first extracted from the matrix by binding it to its specific antibody which has been attached to a solid surface. The antibody-bound analyte is then separated from the matrix to remove it from any interfering substances. Next, the antibody-bound analyte is reacted with its specific enzyme-substrate to generate a signal proportionate to the amount of analyte bound to the antibody, which in turn is dependent on the quantity of analyte present in the matrix. Applications of the methods of the present invention to detect the presence and concentration of hemoglobin, a transferase, and a serine protease, are specifically disclosed. Further, kits useful for utilizing the methods of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel calibration solutions are provided which are useful, for example, with sensor assemblies used for analysis of CO.sub.2, and optionally, for concurrent analysis of O.sub.2, especially in combination infusion fluid delivery/blood chemistry analysis systems which include a sensor assembly with each of the assembly electrodes mounted in an electrode cavity in the assembly. The analysis system used in the practice of the present invention typically includes provision for delivering infusion fluid and measuring blood chemistry during reinfusion of the physiological fluid at approximately the same flow rates. The invention calibration solutions are useful for calibrating an array of sensors capable of simultaneously measuring a number of blood chemistry parameters, including the partial pressures (tensions) of carbon dioxide and oxygen, pH (hydrogen ion), sodium, potassium, ionized calcium, ionized magnesium, chloride, glucose, lactate and hematocrit, in body fluids.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, compositions comprising imaging agent(s) contained within polymeric shells are provided. Invention compositions are useful, for example, as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonography, and X-ray computer tomography. The polymeric shell diameter is typically approximately 2 microns in diameter. Consequently, these materials have organ specificity due to rapid scavenging by the reticuloendothial system (RES) or the mononuclear phagocyte (MNP) system upon intravenous injection. Furthermore, polymeric shells of the invention can be used to measure and monitor local oxygen and temperature. Exemplary contrast agents contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention include fluorinated compounds. Fluorinated compounds in general are hydrophobic and as such have limited water solubility. The invention method permits preparation of such compounds in a biocompatible form suitable for ready delivery.

Abstract: Neurotrophic growth factor proteins isolated from novel clonal cell lines grown in culture are mitogenic for fibroblasts and glial cells; some promote nerve cell survival and are prospectively useful in treating diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's which result in cell death in the nervous system, as well as in treating patients prone to epileptic seizures and patients suffering from trauma to the CNS. Certain of these proteins may be useful in nerve regeneration as well as in treating such diseases and injuries. Some are particularly useful in promoting lung development. These proteins are also useful in methods of treating a patient to promote nerve cell regeneration in degenerative eye diseases. The proteins can be topically applied in suitable compositions for wound-healing applications, and they can be administered parenterally to promote lung development and to treat patients afflicted with nerve damage and/or nerve disease.

Abstract: An endodontic apparatus and related method for the instant detection of the anatomical structure of a tooth and for the restoration of a dead or severely decayed tooth using induced fluorescence spectroscopy. A root canal probe having an optical fiber through its center transmits excitation light into the tooth's root canal. The excitation light induces the tissue within the root canal to fluoresce. The fluorescent light is collected by the optical fiber and transmitted back to a sensor that generates electrical signals indicative of the intensity of light within predetermined wavelength bands. The electrical signals are processed to identify the tissues within the root canal. The probe may include a slightly conical metal surface having flutes for shaving and removing dentin from within the root canal. Using the fluorescent emission properties of the tissues of components of a tooth, the entrance of the root canal is located.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided compositions useful for the in vivo delivery of a biologic, wherein the biologic is associated with a polymeric shell formulated from a biocompatible material. The biologic can be associated with the polymeric shell itself, and/or the biologic, optionally suspended/dispersed in a biocompatible dispersing agent, can be encased by the polymeric shell. In another aspect, the biologic associated with polymeric shell is administered to a subject, optionally dispersed in a suitable biocompatible liquid.

Abstract: A blind fastener having a body, a core bolt, a nut and a sleeve. The core bolt passes through an axial bore of the body and includes an externally threaded portion at an inner end thereof. The nut has an enlarged head, a reduced diameter stem and a threaded bore for engaging the threaded portion of the core bolt. The sleeve is located between the enlarged head of the core bolt and a conically shaped inner portion of the body. An inner end portion of the sleeve is fixed to the stem of the nut. In a preferred embodiment, the inner end portion of the sleeve is crimped to the nut and has a thickness sufficient to engage the nut across the full width of an annular shoulder of the nut during setting of the fastener.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for synchronizing performance of audio, lighting, animation, and special effects programs at a plurality of remote locations, such as on parade floats, in which the programs are stored at each location as digitally-encoded information in the memory of one or more controllers, and DTMF tone bursts are transmitted over a selected radio frequency as a synchronization signal to each remote location for controlling synchronous performance of the programs by audio, lighting, animation, and special effects systems on the floats. The DTMF tones control retrieval from an audio controller of an audio program and a SMPTE time code signal for synchronous control of the lighting, animation, and special effects systems.

Abstract: An acoustical panel system, including panels formed out of relatively thin sheet material, that can be utilized to construct walls, fences, and other structures. A frame structure has one or more openings to receive the acoustical panels. Each acoustical panel has at least one raised body portion, all or part of which is corrugated to disburse sound and provide structural integrity, and an edge portion surrounding the body portion. A pair of acoustical panels can be adjoined back-to-back to form a hollow block to provide both enhanced sound and heat insulating properties. A hollow bezel extends around the periphery of the body portion of the panel and is spaced from the body portion of the panel and has one or more openings into which sounds are received and trapped within the bezel.