Abstract: The present invention features various methods and systems for performing radiation treatment of skin in connection with dynamic cooling of tissue, while minimizing or preventing occurrence of light flash during the treatment.

Abstract: A method for preserving data through a softboot process is presented. Areas in a device DRAM are reserved for data structures generated during execution of a boot code stored in the device ROM. A communications channel between the device and an external device is established and data structures related to the communications channel status and startup diagnostics are written to reserved areas of DRAM. Firmware stored on an external device is downloaded to a different area of DRAM. After a softboot, the data structures in DRAM are accessed by firmware enabling the communications channel to be maintained and startup diagnostics data to be utilized.

Abstract: A device to evaluate the arterial wall stiffness using pulse wave velocity measurements is described. The device uses probes to record the pulse wave at different locations on the body. Automatic calculation of the time delay between the proximal and distal waves is performed. Based on the pulse wave velocity values and the brachial pulse pressure, an estimation of the central (aortic) pulse pressure is calculated.

Abstract: A system for the capture of audio, video and other media from news and other events combines digitized delivery of those media with accompanying high-accuracy textual streams, synchronized with the content. Governmental, corporate and other group events may be captured using microphones, video camera and other equipment, whose output is digitized and sent to a transcription facility containing speech recognition workstations. Human transcription agents may assist in the initial conversion to text data, and human editorial agents may further review the audio and textual streams contemporaneously, to make corrections, add highlights, identify foreign phrases and otherwise increase the quality of the transcription service. Subscribers to the service may access a Website or other portal to view the media and text in a real time or near-real time to the original event, and access archival versions of other events for research, editing and other purposes.

Abstract: A method for sensing the state of an electrophoretic display includes the steps of applying an electrical signal to a display element, measuring an electrical response for the display element, and deducing the state of the display element from the measured electrical response.

Abstract: This invention synchronizes the control signals generated by the out-of-range detection circuits with a predefined event. In one aspect, the invention relates to a method of controlling a switching regulator to regulate an output voltage. The method includes receiving a first enable signal and a second enable signal, comparing a feedback voltage representative of the output voltage to a first reference voltage and generating a first limit signal in response thereto and generating, in response to the first enable signal, a close switch command if the first limit signal indicates that the feedback voltage is less than the first reference voltage. The method further includes comparing the feedback voltage to a second reference voltage and generating a second limit signal in response thereto and generating, in response to the second enable signal, an open switch command if the second limit signal indicates that the feedback voltage is greater than the second reference voltage.

Abstract: A method for generating a long effective pulse duration output beam of laser radiation using a flashlamp-excited dye laser is described. A spaced series of excitation pulses is electronically generated using a pulse forming module. The series of excitation pulses are provided to a flashlamp-excited dye laser, which generates an output beam of laser radiation. The output beam is comprised of a series of spaced micropulses of laser radiation which, in combination, provide a long effective pulse duration.

Abstract: Electronic devices such as transistors and diodes are manufactured by ink-jet printing using a transfer member. These electronic devices are used in addressing an electronic display.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and method of processing same including a substrate, a lattice-mismatched first layer deposited on the substrate and annealed at a temperature greater than 100° C. above the deposition temperature, and a second layer deposited on the first layer with a greater lattice mismatch to the substrate than the first semiconductor layer. In another embodiment there is provided a semiconductor graded composition layer structure on a semiconductor substrate and a method of processing same including a semiconductor substrate, a first semiconductor layer having a series of lattice-mismatched semiconductor layers deposited on the substrate and annealed at a temperature greater than 100° C. above the deposition temperature, a second semiconductor layer deposited on the first semiconductor layer with a greater lattice mismatch to the substrate than the first semiconductor layer, and annealed at a temperature greater than 100° C.

Abstract: Disclosed are terminally sterilized osteogenic devices for implantation into a mammal. The devices contain a combination of a biologically active osteogenic protein and an insoluble carrier which after being combined are sterilized by exposure to ionizing radiation, for example, by exposure to gamma rays or an electron beam. The terminally sterilized devices of the invention are characterized in that they induce bone formation following implantation into a mammal. Also disclosed is a method for inducing bone formation in a mammal by implanting a terminally sterilized device of the invention into a preselected locus in a mammal. Also disclosed is a method for preparing the terminally sterilized device of the invention.

Abstract: A system, receiving an input signal to be amplified and provided to a load. The system includes a switch, a shaper, a power source array, a power reservoir array and a controller. The switch is connected to the load and produces a switch output signal. The input signal and the switch output signal are received by the shaper, which produces a shaper output signal and applies it to the controller. The power source monitor monitors the source power levels of all power sources within power source array and applies the readings to the controller. The power reservoir monitor monitors the reservoir power levels of all power reservoirs within power reservoir array and applies the readings to the controller. The controller determines a switching scheme according to the shaper output signal and the power levels readings of all power sources with in power source array and all power reservoirs within power reservoir array.

Abstract: Novel addressing schemes for controlling electronically addressable displays include the use of addressing signals with additional signals having opposite polarity and equal integrated signal strength and addressing schemes that minimize the number of state changes that a display element undergoes. In one embodiment, pre-pulses are employed to apply a pre-stress to an display element that is equal and opposite to the electrical stress applied in addressing the element. In another embodiment, the addressing signal is followed by a post-stressing pulse. Methods for minimizing the number of display elements that must change state to change the image displayed include the determination of a set of elements that must be deactivated and a set of elements that must be activated to change the image depicted by a display.

Abstract: The transformable vehicle comprises a central chassis assembly having first and second distal ends with an axis passing therebetween, a first wheel assembly mounted to the first distal end, and a second wheel assembly mounted to second distal end. A multifunction transformable vehicle comprising at least two configurational states: a stowed state and a transformed state. In the stowed state, the transformable vehicle comprises a compact structure suitable for storage, transport or deployment. During transition from the stowed state to the transformed state, the first and second wheel assemblies move longitudinally outward along the axis to reveal the central chassis assembly.

Abstract: Methods of the invention comprise assays for markers indicative of cancer, precancer, and other diseases or disorders. Assays of the invention are preformed on heterogeneous samples obtained from patients by non-invasive or minimally-invasive methods.

Abstract: A circuit and method for providing a regulated output voltage is described. The circuit includes a capacitor array, a comparator and an output control module. The capacitor array receives an input voltage, first and second control signals, and generates a regulated output voltage in response. The comparator compares the regulated output voltage and a reference voltage, and generates a comparator signal in response. The output control module receives the comparator signal and the first control signal. In response, the output control module provides the second control signal to the capacitor array.

Abstract: A ball for a ball game includes an elastic bladder having the form of a spherical hollow body into which compressed air is charged, a reinforced layer formed on a whole surface of the bladder, and a plurality of leather panels bonded onto the reinforced layer directly or through a cover rubber layer, wherein a peripheral edge portion of the leather panel is folded toward an inside and a thickness adjusting member for eliminating a difference in step caused by the folding of the leather panel is caused to be bonded onto the back of the leather panel surrounded by the folded portion of the leather panel.

Abstract: An imaging system for performing optical coherence tomography includes an optical radiation source; a reference optical reflector; a first optical path leading to the reference optical reflector; and a second optical path coupled to an endoscopic unit. The endoscopic unit preferably includes an elongated housing defining a bore; a rotatable single mode optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end positioned within and extending the length of the bore of the elongated housing; and an optical system coupled to the distal end of the rotatable single mode optical fiber, positioned to transmit the optical radiation from the single mode optical fiber to the structure and to transmit reflected optical radiation from the structure to the single mode optical fiber.

Abstract: The compositions and methods disclosed herein provide heterobifunctional programmable genotoxic compounds that can be designed to kill selected cells present in a heterogenous cell population. The present compounds comprise a first agent that inflicts damage on cellular DNA, and a second agent that attracts a macromolecular cell component such as a protein, which in turn shields genomic lesions from repair. Unrepaired lesions therefore persist in the cellular genome and contribute to the death of selected cells. In contrast, lesions formed in nonselected cells, which lack the cell component, are unshielded and thus are repaired. As a result, compounds described herein are less toxic to nonselected cells. Compounds of this invention can be designed to cause the selective killing of transformed cells, viral-infected cells and the like.

Abstract: The surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence includes: 1) a technique of probe passage to avoid injuring the bladder and to provide a more accurate and reproducible capture of the pubocervical fascia lateral to the bladder neck and urethra, 2) anchor fixation of the suspending sutures to the pubic bone to decrease the risk of suture pull through from above and to decrease post-operative pain and 3) a simple and reproducible technique to set a limited tension of the suspending sutures. A description of these methods and results of procedures with some of these methods are disclosed. Novel drill guides, suture passers, suture tensioners, and various related tools and devices for use in the surgical method are also disclosed.