Abstract: A piston/cylinder internal combustion unit has opposed pistons connected to a common rod and driven in an oscillatory and reciprocating movement. The pistons operate out of phase with each other, such that the power stroke of one drives the compression stroke of the other, and a spring acts on the rod storing energy or exerting a restorative force as the rod is displaced with piston movement. Preferably, the moving rod carries a coil assembly near a stationary magnet (or a magnet near a stationary coil assembly) to produce electricity at the oscillatory frequency. The engine may employ a mechanical spring, an electromagnetic or a magnetic spring, or combinations thereof to stabilize or establish oscillation of the piston and rod assembly. The coil itself may fill this function and act to exert restoring force by coupling to an external control system that applies a control a signal to the coil in accordance with piston position to create an electromagnetic restoring force of appropriate level.

Abstract: A decision analysis method for evaluating patient candidacy for a therapeutic procedure is provided. The method includes predicting, in accordance with a predetermined quantitative predicative scoring system, the probability of an adverse effect on such patient absent such procedure where less than all of data elements used in the scoring system may be available. The method is used to predict a probability of death of a patient within a predetermined period of time and includes predicting, in accordance with a predetermined quantitative predicative scoring system. The probability of death for such patient within the predetermined period of time being determined from medical data elements of the patient where less than all of such medical data elements may be available for use by the scoring system. A method is also provided for generating a scoring system to predict a probability of death of a patient within a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A purified mammalian proteoglycan, and genetic information encoding such proteoglycans, having a core polypetide molecular weight of about 30 kD to about 35 kD, and comprising a hydrophilic amino terminal extracellular region, a hydrophilic carboxy terminal cytoplasmic region, a transmembrane hydrophobic region between said cytoplasmic and extracellular regions, a protease susceptible cleavage sequence extracellularly adjacent the transmembrane region of the peptide; and at least one glycosylation site for attachment of a heparan sulfate chain to said extracellular region, said glycosylation site comprising a heparan sulfate attachment sequence represented by a formula Xac-Z-Ser-Gly-Ser-Gly, where Xac represents an amino acid residue having an acidic sidechain, and Z represents from 1 to 10 amino acid residues. Additional peptides having this glycosylation site and genetic information useful for preparing a number of variations based on this glycosylation site are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for treating in-stent restenosis using radiation having a wavelength sufficient to kill or promote cellular death (e.g., through programmed cell death), or otherwise remove smooth muscle cells which have proliferated, or which might otherwise proliferate, in the proximity of (i.e., within, around or adjacent to) a stent within a body lumen, causing (or potentially causing) at least partial blockage of the lumen. Devices are disclosed for providing such therapeutic radiation at the stent with or without concurrent mechanical (e.g. balloon dilation) angioplasty. Treatment methods are also disclosed which include irradiating smooth muscle cells in the region of the stenosis with non-ablative, cytotoxic radiation, such as UV radiation. A cytotoxic, photoactivatable chromophore may also be delivered to the treatment site prior to irradiation.

Abstract: A prosthetic corporal cavernosal structure (PCCS) for use in penile reconstruction, for the correction of developmental defects, for postoperative reconstruction, and for reconstructive preprosthetic surgery. The prosthetic corporal cavernosal structure (PCCS) comprises live cells seeded onto pre-formed shaped structure which may be biodegradable. The live cells may comprise smooth muscle cells such as corporal cavernosal cells, and the prosthetic corporal cavernosal structure (PCCS) for use in reconstructive surgery may be constructed of polyglycolic acid. The implant structure is applicable to use for the regeneration and reconstruction or augmentation of semirigid erectile members of the body such as the penis, and the clitoris.

Abstract: Artificial implantable active and passive girdles include a heart assist system with an artificial myocardium employing a number of flexible, non-distensible tubes with the walls along their long axes connected in series to form a cuff and a passive girdle is wrapped around a heart muscle which has dilatation of a ventricle to conform to the size and shape of the heart and to constrain the dilatation during diastole. The passive girdle is formed of a material and structure that does not expand away from the heart but may, over an extended period of time be decreased in size as dilatation decreases.

Abstract: The invention provide methods and compositions for targeting endocrine cells capable of converting an immature expressed protein into a mature protein, and secreting the expressed protein into the systemic circulation. In particular, the invention features methods and compositions for treating disorders, such as diabetes by orally administering a vector expressing insulin to target cells which can subsequently secrete the expressed insulin into the blood circulation.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods for producing artificial fascial slings and their subsequent use in treating subjects with urinary incontinence. The invention is based, in part, on the discovery that mesenchymal cells that secrete elastin and collagen, extracellular proteins responsible for elasticity and strength, respectively, can be used to engineer artificial fascia in vitro.

Abstract: An interstitial brachytherapy apparatus of the invention delivers radioactive emissions in an asymmetric fashion to target tissue surrounding a surgical extraction site. The apparatus includes an expandable outer surface element defining an apparatus spatial volume, a radiation source disposed within the apparatus volume, and a means for providing predetermined asymmetric isodose curves within the target tissue. In one configuration, asymmetric isodose curves are created in the target tissue by shaping or locating the radiation source so as to be asymmetrically placed with respect to a longitudinal axis of the apparatus. In other configurations, asymmetric radiopaque shielding is provided between the radiation source and the target tissue. A surgical procedure using the apparatus is also described.

Abstract: artificial organs are reconstructed using a three-dimensional scaffold produced by decellularizing biostructures from a donor organ. The three-dimensional scaffold is perfused with isolated endothelial cells that develop to produce an endothelial tissue layer with a primitive vascular system that sustains the growth and development of a second cultured cell population. When grown in the three-dimensional scaffold containing the endothelial tissue layer, with the primitive vascular system, the cells of the second cell population proliferate, mature and differentiate into neomorphic organ structures that are analogous to their in vivo counterparts.

Abstract: A radiation sensitive resin composition including a photo-acid generator and an aliphatic polymer having one or more electron withdrawing groups adjacent to or attached to a carbon atom bearing a protected hydroxyl group, wherein the protecting group is labile in the presence of in situ generated acid is described. The radiation sensitive resin composition can be used as a resist suitable for image transfer by plasma etching and enable one to obtain an etching image having high precision with high reproducibility with a high degree of resolution and selectivity.

Abstract: A wafer holder assembly includes first and second main structural members from which first and second wafer-holding arms extend. The first arm is secured to the main structural members by a graphite distal retaining member. The second arm is pivotally biased to a wafer-hold position by a graphite bias member. This arrangement provides a conductive path from the wafer to the assembly for inhibiting electrical discharges from the wafer during the ion implantation process. The assembly can further include additional graphite retaining members for maintaining the structural integrity of the assembly during the extreme conditions associated with SIMOX wafer processing without the need for potentially wafer-contaminating adhesives and conventional fasteners. The wafer-contacting pins at the distal end of the arms can be formed from silicon. The silicon pins can be coated with titanium nitride to enhance electrical contact with the wafer and to provide an abrasion resistant surface.

Abstract: A wafer holder assembly includes first and second main structural members from which first and second wafer-holding arms extend. The first arm is secured to the main structural members by a graphite distal retaining member. The second arm is pivotally biased to a wafer-hold position by a graphite bias member. This arrangement provides a conductive path from the wafer to the assembly for inhibiting electrical discharges from the wafer during the ion implantation process. The assembly can further include additional graphite retaining members for maintaining the structural integrity of the assembly during the extreme conditions associated with SIMOX wafer processing without the need for potentially wafer-contaminating adhesives and conventional fasteners. The wafer-contacting pins at the distal end of the arms can be formed from silicon. The silicon pins can be coated with titanium nitride to enhance electrical contact with the wafer and to provide an abrasion resistant surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment of volume deficiency disorders of body structures and related syndromes and, more particularly, apparatus that deliver fluid via a catheter at a controlled pressure into a balloon situated within or adjacent a body cavity to effect tissue expansion. A drainage mechanism, especially useful in treating bladder deficiencies, is disclosed which permits drainage of body fluids while the balloon is in its expanded state. The balloon can be adapted to fit within a recess of the catheter, for example, in a folded or rolled state, and the invention also provides means for delivering fluid at a controlled pressure into an inflatable balloon.

Abstract: A wafer holder assembly includes first and second main structural members from which first and second wafer-holding arms extend. The first arm is secured to the main structural members by a graphite distal retaining member. The second arm is pivotally biased to a wafer-hold position by a graphite bias member. This arrangement provides a conductive path from the wafer to the assembly for inhibiting electrical discharges from the wafer during the ion implantation process. The assembly can further include additional graphite retaining members for maintaining the structural integrity of the assembly during the extreme conditions associated with SIMOX wafer processing without the need for potentially wafer-contaminating adhesives and conventional fasteners. The wafer-contacting pins at the distal end of the arms can be formed from silicon. The silicon pins can be coated with titanium nitride to enhance electrical contact with the wafer and to provide an abrasion resistant surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for forming annular lesions in tissue. The methods include introduction of an optical apparatus proximate to a tissue site, via, for example, a catheter. The optical apparatus includes a pattern-forming optical wave guide in communication with a light transmitting optical fiber. Energy is transmitted through the optical fiber, such that radiation is propagated through the optical fiber and the wave guide projects an annular light pattern, e.g., a circle or a halo.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for creation of high quality semiconductor-on-insulator structures, e.g., silicon-on-insulator structures, using implantation of sub-stoichiometric doses of oxygen at multiple energies. The method employs sequential steps of ion implantation and high temperature annealing to produce structures with a top silicon layer having a thickness ranging from 10-250 nm and a buried oxide layer having a thickness 30-300 nm. The buried oxide layer has a breakdown field greater than 5 MV/cm. Further, the density of silicon inclusions in the BOX region is less than 2×107 cm−2. The process of the invention can be used to create an entire SOI wafer, or be used to create patterned SOI, regions where SOI regions are integrated with non-SOI regions.

Abstract: An interstitial brachytherapy apparatus for delivering radioactive emissions to an internal body location includes a catheter body member having a proximal end and distal end, an inner spatial volume disposed proximate to the distal end of the catheter body member, an outer spatial volume defined by an expandable surface element disposed proximate to the distal end of the body member in a surrounding relation to the inner spatial volume, and a radiation source disposed in the inner spatial volume.

Abstract: A self optimizing device for controlling a heating unit in a manner so as to improve the energy efficiency of the heating unit using an autocalibration processor. The heating unit employs a heating medium that is heated by the heating unit and which transfers the heat into an ambient atmosphere outside of the heating unit. The heating unit has an on-state initiated when a characteristic of the heating medium representative of the heating capacity of the medium decreases below a minimum level, and an off-state initiated when the characteristic of the heating medium reaches a maximum level. The controller includes an input element, an output element, a time-measuring element, and a processor. The input element receives a signal from a sensor, the signal indicating the heating medium characteristic representative of the heating capacity of the heating medium. The output element signals the heating unit to begin its on-state.

Abstract: The invention relates to sensors for detecting a time-varying current by employing a plurality of coils with separate windings, disposed on separate toroidal cores, that are placed in close proximity of each other so that each coil responds independently to the same current. The current produces a time-varying magnetic field which in turn induces a plurality of voltages across the coils that can be combined to provide a resultant signal. Some embodiments of the invention employ coils with opposite windings to obtain signals with opposite phases and combine these signals through differential detection means to obtain a combined signal. One aspect of the invention relates to production of a wide-band or a selectable band-width sensor by preparing at least one coil to be dissimilar with respect to the others. In addition, the invention provides provisions for easy calibration of the sensor.