Abstract: A method and means of cranial bone flap fixation that provides, among other things, the re-opening, resetting and/or repositioning of the bone flap during neurosurgical procedures. The instrumentation central to this method and means is MR and CT-visible to aid in imaging-based localization of it. The method and means can also be used in other types of medical procedures where certain kinds of hard or firm tissue fixation is desirable according to the method of the invention.

Abstract: An actuator capable of generates force by leveraging the changes in capillary pressure and surface tension that result from the application of an electrical potential. The device, which will be referred to as a Capillary Force Actuator (CFA), and related methods, employs a conducting liquid bridge between two (or more) surfaces, at least one of which contains dielectric-covered electrodes, and operates according to the principles of electro wetting on dielectric.

Abstract: Device and method significantly that improves the safety and procedural success of the existing art by being able to be less traumatic to vascular tissue, improving atrial contact with the ablation surface, improving positioning and geometrical precision of the ablation pattern, improving steerability and deliverability of the ablation device and by improving localization and geometric precision of the ablation device. The risk of pulmonary vein fibrosis/stenosis will also be substantially lowered. Finally, expansion of the eligible atrial fibrillation population will inherently increase due to the improved components and methods of the present invention.

Abstract: A method and device to conform with the glans penis to recover ejaculated semen completely, to prevent the loss of initial sperm rich epididymal fractions, to avoid the use of a condom for masturbation, to eliminate the multi-step transfers of semen following ejaculation that are common with current methods, and to provide a single device that contains a semen collecting chamber that fits onto a glans penis. The device provides a storage and measuring reservoir, an optional cap, and a vertical stand in one integrally formed module in a sterile pack. The device and method will have multiple uses in a variety of contexts including, but not limited thereto: in the diagnosis of infertility, in semen donation, in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) clinics, hospitals, forensic laboratories and research laboratories and will be included in kits intended for over-the-counter sperm testing devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel non-ferromagnetic amorphous steel alloys represented by the general formula: Fe—Mn-(Q)-B-M, wherein Q represents one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu, and M represents one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Cr, Co, Mo, C and Si. Typically the atomic percentage of the Q constituent is 10 or less. An aspect is to utilize these amorphous steels as coatings, rather than strictly bulk structural applications. In this fashion any structural metal alloy can be coated by various technologies by these alloys for protection from the environment. The resultant structures can utilize surface and bulk properties of the amorphous alloy.

Abstract: A method, technique and system is disclosed for the delivery of therapeutic agents and/or into the bulk brain tissues and other parts, tissues and organs of the body, including vasculature. A novel form of coaxial catheter provides a means for implanting an outer tube into the brain, then inserting an inner tube into the outer tube and aligning them such that port holes on both of the tubes will overlap and permit a flux of the therapeutic agent to flow into the brain in such a way as to minimize the effects of trapped air, virtually eliminate backflow of the agent, and avoid the potential for additional damage to the brain since only one surgical placement of the outer tube is needed. Similarly, the method, technique system may be utilized to remove fluids or other medium from the brain, tissues, and organs to minimize the effects of escaped air or negative pressure.

Abstract: A catheter device and related method for diagnostic vascular treatment and/or therapeutic vascular treatment of a subject's vasculature having a lesion. The device including: a guide catheter comprising a shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a guide wire disposed in the guide catheter shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the guide wire transfers beyond the lesion during at least a portion of the vascular treatment and/or therapeutic vascular treatment; and one or more expandable component disposed at the distal portion of the guide wire. The expandable component(s) may be positioned distally beyond the lesion during at least a portion of the vascular treatment and/or therapeutic vascular treatment.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are provide for, among other things, quantitative analysis of heart rate characteristics from fetal heart rate and cardiotocogram monitors that gives information about the well-being of the fetus and the risk of poor fetal outcome. The method comprises (a) continuously measuring fetal heart rate and cardiotocographic characteristics and (b) identifying at least one characteristic abnormality in the heart rate characteristics that is associated with fetal distress. Benefits are appreciated by the fetus and the mother and during the antepartum and intrapartum periods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel non-ferromagnetic amorphous steel alloys represented by the general formula: Fe—Mn-(Q)-B-M, wherein Q represents one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu, and M represents one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Cr, Co, Mo, C and Si. Typically the atomic percentage of the Q constituent is 10 or less. FIG. 2B represents a differential thermal analysis plot for several exemplary alloys according to the invention.

Abstract: Iron based amorphous steel alloy having a high Manganese content and being non-ferromagnetic at ambient temperature. The bulk-solidifying ferrous-based amorphous alloys are multicomponent systems that contain about 50 atomic percent iron as the major component. The remaining composition combines suitable mixtures of metalloids (Group b elements) and other elements selected mainly from manganese, chromium, and refractory metals. Various classes of non-ferromagnetic ferrous-based bulk amorphous metal alloys are obtained. One class is a high-manganese class that contains manganese and boron as the principal alloying components. Another class is a high manganese-high molybdenum class that contains manganese, molybdenum, and carbon as the principal alloying components. These bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys can be obtained in various forms and shape for various applications and utlizations. The good processability of these alloys can be attributed to the high reduced glass temperature Trg (e.g., about 0.6 to 0.

Abstract: An inspection system for removably mounting to a platform movable in relation to a generally upright mast for inspection of the mast has a mounting support assembly removably fixable to the platform. The mounting support assembly for scanning the mast carries a detector device and collecting mast scanned information. A power supply is carried by one or more of the mounting support assembly or the detector device and is connected to the detector device. A communications device is carried by one or more of the mounting support assembly or the detector device and is connected to the detector device for receiving and relaying the collected mast scanned information.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing position and/or displacement of a moving, substrate, ram, target, piston, encoder wheel or the like. The system includes a plurality of transducers for generating two sinusoidal signals in quadrature related to the position and displacement of the substrate, ram or the like. Alternatively, the sinusoidal signals may be generated by other well-known devices, such as by an optical encoder or the like. The two sinusoidal signals in quadrature are processed to provide enhanced resolution compared to conventional quadrature systems. The system is also capable of self-calibration in order to accommodate fluctuations in the two sinusoidal signals in quadrature.

Abstract: An ultrasound system and related method for forming 2D C-scan images and/or collecting 3D image data from 2D transducer arrays. The system including in part a 2D transducer array of elements, transmit voltage generation means for each element, a memory buffer with or part of channels for each element, and a receive beamformer. On a time serial or sequential basis, several times for each line of firing, the contents of the per element memory buffer are read into the beamformer with different focusing values for each buffer reading cycle. In this way, the beamformer can calculate beamformed image values for multiple points per line firing cycle—or per each line of signals between the transducer array and receive beamformer.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the efficient transfer of heat utilizing micro heat pipes that include a cellular foam or interconnected cellular/truss network having hollow ligaments. A predetermined fraction of the internal volume of the hollow ligaments is filled with a carefully chosen working fluid, and the ends of the hollow ligaments are sealed. In operation, the working fluid evaporates in the region of high heat flux and condenses in regions of lower temperature, resulting in the transfer or redistribution of the fluid's latent heat of vaporization. For open cell foams and interconnected networks, a second fluid flowing through the open cells, separate from the working fluid but also in thermal contact with the hollow ligaments, assists in the transfer of heat from the foam and networks.

Abstract: Device and method for non-invasively monitoring asthma and other respiratory diseases, as well as non-respiratory diseases. The method includes collecting condensate from a subject's breath, testing the condensate to determine its acetic acid/acetate level or concentration, and evaluating these properties to determine the presence, absence or status of a respiratory or non-respiratory disease in the subject. The method may also include, prior to the testing step, standardizing the volatile substances that may be present within the condensate in a degassing or gas standardizing step. The device includes a mouthpiece apparatus configured to receive breath from a subject, a condensation apparatus to condense the subject's breath and produce a condensate, and a collection apparatus having a collection chamber containing means for testing the condensate to determine the acetic acid and/or acetate concentration.

Abstract: A method and a low-cost, robust and simple system for remote sensing and analyzing spectral properties of targets as a means to detect and identify them is introduced. The system can be highly portable but is usable in fixed locations or combination thereof. An aspect of the method and system includes the capability to distribute, modulate, aperture and spectrally analyze radiation emitted or absorbed by a volumetric target chemical species (solid, liquid or gas) or a target surface. Radiation is first collected by a single light gathering device, such as a lens, telescope, or mirror, and then distributed to multiple detectors through spectrally discriminating components and if desired through apertures to achieve this desired detection and identification.

Abstract: Multifunctional cellular metals (or other materials) for structural applications that are capable of recovering their original (undeformed) shape and thickness after impact or crushing (i.e., self-healing). Alternatively, they may normally be stored or used in their compressed (i.e., crushed) state and deployed when needed to act as energy absorbing structure or packaging (i.e., deployable energy absorber). Additionally, the multifunctional structures may act as an actuator, capable of providing localized or distributed force and displacement, and related methods of using and manufacturing the same. These active cellular metals (or other materials) are composites consisting of conventional metal/alloy truss structures (or other material structures) in combination with shape memory metal/alloy components (or other material components) and offer high specific strength and stiffness, but which are also deployable energy absorbers or self-healing smart structures.

Abstract: A pick up and delivery system for use with mobile robots which have a body with a horizontal upper surface and at least one vertical side. The robot has at least one shelf, each of which contains a stop bar containing a retaining device. The system further uses multiple stations, each of which contain at least one pallet retaining surface to contain at least two pallets. The pallet retaining surfaces are provided with a holding device at the pick up area and a holding device at the delivery area. Pallets are used to retain the items being transferred with each of the pallets having a securing device that interacts with the holding device and retaining device. The strength of the holding device at the pick up area is less than the holding device at the delivery area, with the robot's retaining device having a strength between the strength of the holding devices. The mobile robot picks up a pallet from a first station, and delivers the pallet to a second station.

Abstract: In the present capillary electrokinetic chromatograpy method, analytes are injected by electroosmotic flow directly from a sample matrix into a separation buffer containing an electrokinetic vector with an opposite mobility. Analytes can now be injected at the velocity of electroosmotic flow, but are retained at the interface of the sample matrix-co-ion and separation buffer micelle zones as analyte/micelle complexes. Manipulation of the injecting force and opposing stacking force allow greatly increased length or volume of injection. Concentrations of the micelle, methanol, and borate in the separation buffer were provided to increase maximum injection length of neutral analytes. Reducing the analyte velocity in the separation buffer without substantially decreasing the velocity of the analyte during injection from the sample vial allowed greatly extended sample plug injection lengths. It is further enabled to inject sample solvent volumes equivalent to about twenty times the effective capillary volume.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multifunctional battery for supplying power to an electrical circuit, and the related method of making the same. Use of the multifunctional battery permits structural integrity and versatility, while maximizing power output of the cells and minimizing the overall weight of the structure. The multifunctional battery includes an open cell interconnected structure comprised of a plurality of open cells so as to provide a structural electrode. The structural electrode is configured to be a load bearing member. The battery also includes interstitial electrodes that are counter electrodes to the structural electrode. The interstitial electrodes are at least partially received within a predetermined number of the cells of the interconnected structure. Additionally, a separator portion is disposed between the structural electrode and interstitial electrodes to serve as an electrical insulator.