Abstract: Described herein is a technique for covalently modifying tissue and cellular surfaces to inhibit cell adhesion. The process described herein is conducted under conditions tolerable in vivo and employs a biocompatible polymer having a reactive group attached to at least one end that reacts with groups present or on tissue and cellular surfaces under aqueous and mild conditions and thereby covalently attaches the polymer to the tissue or cellular surface. Preferably, the reactive group attached to the polymer reacts with amines and hydroxyls present on tissue and cellular surfaces. In one preferred embodiment, the methods described herein provide for the covalent modification of tissue and cellular surfaces using a PEG-diisocyanate solution. The methods described herein are particularly useful in impairing platelet and leukocyte deposition in blood vessels and thereby thwarting thrombosis and restenosis, a common complication of vascular procedures including PTCA and vascular surgery.

Abstract: A removable floor drain odor control device which fits into standard floor drains of various sizes and acts to reduce or eliminate odors emitted from floor drains through use of a washable and regenerable carbon-based adsorbent. The preferred carbon-based adsorbents is a catalytically-active carbonaceous char, with the Centaur.TM. carbon being most preferred.

Abstract: A conduit coating which is made by covering a surface thereof with a polymeric material which may include an additive made of bacteriostatic, bacteriocidal, fungicidal, fungistatic or mildew-suppressing material.

Abstract: A homogenous affinity assay method, and sensor using such method, for the detection and measurement of analytes that uses an unmodified polyvalent receptor-bearing molecule and having a receptor with at least two binding sites that has an affinity for an analyte of interest, and two groups of molecules wherein one group of molecules is labeled with a molecule capable of generating a measurable response when in close proximity to a label molecule on the other group of molecules. In one embodiment, the groups of molecules also have grafted on them an analog to the analyte of interest. In the absence of the analyte of interest, members of the molecule groups are brought in close proximity to each other through affinity binding to receptor-bearing molecule. This affinity binding results in the formation of a binding complex consisting of members of the first and second groups of molecules and receptors and which results in a response between the labels on the molecules which is capable of measurement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing and administering one or more drug solutions for continuous infusion. Flow rates are standardized by varying the drug concentrations according to a pre-established set of tables. The method of the present invention greatly simplifies clinical application of continuous infusion anesthesia and allows easy preparation of different volumes which can minimize drug wastage. The standardization of rate taught by the present method eases interpretation and mixing, resulting in easier application of drugs and increased patient safety. An apparatus is desirably used to assist in achieving the objectives of the present invention. The device facilitates accurate and efficient conversion to the nonstandard flow rates required for special applications such as neonatal anesthesia and others.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention provides a high voltage waveform generator for use in an ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) that detects trace concentration level ionic species present in a sample gas stream. The present invention consists of a first electromagnetic transformer having a pair of oscillating circuits that are simultaneously excited by a transformer input winding controlled by a controller such as a power semiconductor device. Each oscillating circuit in the pair includes inductive and capacitive components that generate discrete frequency waveforms corresponding to the fundamental and second Fourier harmonic frequencies of an electric signal that approximates an ideal square wave used in creating a transverse electrical field for transport of ion species through an ion mobility spectrometer. The oscillating circuits are electromagnetically coupled to each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computerized method for ranking items based upon the interrelationship of the volumes and revenues and payment methodologies of items sold. First a base rank value is determined based upon the measured distribution of item volume, item revenue and the payor methodology mix. A weighted value is then determined by the computer system for each item by high and low assigned values which are then normalized and sorted to provide a normalized ranking. The pricing of each item is based upon the normalized ranking. The method of the present invention is used to determine what items should increase in price, what items should decrease in price, and what items should remain constant according to each item's relative value to net income.

Abstract: A tissue dissociation method and system for washing and dissociating tissue and producing a cellular suspension for use in autologous, cell-based therapies or research wherein a sterile environment is maintained. More particularly, a system for dissociating tissue comprising a housing unit, a first compartment having a plurality of pores providing for fluid communication between the interior of the first compartment and the interior of the housing unit, a first inlet port that provides communication between the exterior environment and the interior of the first compartment and thereby provides a means for introducing solutions into the interior of the first compartment, a second compartment, a second inlet port for introducing a tissue sample into the system, a means for agitating or rotating the second compartment in the housing unit, a means for controlling the exit of effluent from the housing unit, a first receptacle, and a centrifuge-ready second receptacle for collecting a resulting cell suspension.

Abstract: The rotating flow distributor assembly comprises a connected pair of cylindrical housings, with an inlet port and an outlet port, that receive and discharge the flow of fluid undergoing decontamination. The fluid passes into flow distribution chambers located at the inlet end and outlet end of the assembly, each of which houses a rotating flow diverter, which direct the fluid through the contaminant removal medium. Each flow distribution chamber is ringed by a set of openings distributed evenly around the circumference of the respective housing, through which the flow diverters distribute the fluid into the individual containers of the decontamination medium bed. Simultaneous with the distribution of contaminated fluid through the decontamination medium bed, the flow diverters direct regeneration fluid flow through a container of the decontamination medium bed to remove the impurities from the contaminant removal medium.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention provides a device for heating the sample stream inlet of an ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) sensor. The heating device increases the temperature of the sample stream inlet surface to reduce the amount of time between adsorption and desorption taking place on the surface. This greatly improves the ability of the IMS sensor to follow rapidly changing analyte concentration levels. An alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a flow smoothing device for decreasing the turbulence present in the fluid flow entering the IMS sensor's carrier stream inlet. This flow smoothing insert permits increasing the fluid flow rate entering the IMS sensor's carrier stream inlet to levels which maximize the IMS sensor's measurement sensitivity without causing mixing of the sample and carrier fluid stream flows.

Abstract: The invention comprises a device capable of emitting either acoustic or electromagnetic radiant energy. The device has at least one movable transducing element for producing this energy, and at least one reflector with a smooth concave surface which reflects the energy emitted from the transducing element. The shape of the reflector surface is preferably defined by either a rotated ellipse or a rotated parabola. A reflector surface of either shape is characterized by a continuum of distinct focal points that define a focal curve, such that each distinct focal point of the continuum is a unique focal point of each ellipse or parabola in the continuum forming the reflector surface. The radius of curvature of the parabolic surface of revolution can be extended up to an infinite length, causing the focal curve to appear as a straight line.

Abstract: A pneumatic valve and regulator, and more particularly to a pneumatic valve and regulator used in a compressed gas powered gun system which is designed to project a fragile liquid-containing spherical unit which bursts upon impact with the intended target. The regulator possesses a pressure balancing device, a temperature compensating device, and relief valve features. The temperature compensator of the temperature compensating device is made of a synthetic compound material which expands and contracts at a rate that equals but is inverse to the rate of change caused by changes in the modulus of elasticity of a helical compression spring caused by a temperature differential. The valve possesses a seal made of pressure-activated material, the outer diameter of the seal is mechanically captured, the inner diameter of the seal is not constrained from moving into the cavity.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention provides a recirculating filtration system for use with a transportable ion mobility spectrometer in gas chromatography applications. The transportable recirculating filtration system comprises a pump and a set of filters and flow sensors connected to an ion mobility spectrometry sensor having a gas chromatograph column at its inlet. The IMS sensor's outlet flow is cleaned by the filters and recirculated by the pump back into the IMS sensor as the carrier fluid stream flow. A portion of the IMS sensor's outlet flow equal to the amount of flow introduced into the sensor as the sample is exhausted from the filtration system to maintain a constant total flow volume through the system as the sample is being analyzed. Preferably, the multicapillary column is sealed to a heated transfer line leading to the sample stream inlet of the IMS sensor. The transfer line is preferably maintained at a temperature 10.degree. C.-40.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved method for filtration of air within enclosed spaces. Improvement is achieved by the use of a high-temperature carbonaceous char that is catalytically active for the removal of certain undesirable constituents from contaminated air under ambient temperature conditions. This carbonaceous char is used as an air filtration medium and incorporated into an air filtration device by any of a number of technologies. Such devices may be used for removal of contaminants such as NO.sub.x, NO.sub.2, SO.sub.x, SO.sub.2, H.sub.2 S, mercaptans, light aliphatic gases such as butane and propane and other compounds such as benzene, hexane, toluene, xylene, amines and the like from enclosed or confined structures such as buildings or vehicles including automobiles, aircraft, trucks, farm equipment, and the like.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention provides a recirculating filtration system for use with a transportable ion mobility spectrometer. One preferred embodiment of the transportable recirculating filtration system comprises a pump connected with a set of filters and flow sensors to an ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) sensor. The IMS sensor's outlet flow is cleaned by the filters and recirculated by the pump back into the IMS sensor as the carrier fluid stream flow. A portion of the IMS sensor's outlet flow equal to the amount of flow introduced into the sensor is exhausted from the filtration system to maintain a constant total flow volume through the system as the sample is being taken. An alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a transportable recirculating filtration system for measuring an unknown concentration of a selected ionizable contaminant substance such as benzene present in a sample fluid stream in which other substances may coexist.

Abstract: The portable wheel immobilizing device is comprised of two parallel covers which are attached together to angularly rotate in opposite directions about an axis perpendicular to both covers. A pair of parallel arms is attached to each cover. The arm pairs intersect at the aforesaid axis and each arm pair rotates with its cover around the aforesaid axis between a position in which all the arms are parallel to each other to a position in which the arm pairs are angularly disposed to be substantially perpendicular to each other but in which the arms in a pair remain parallel. The arms in a pair are movable in opposite directions between a length in which their combined span is at a minimum to allow compact storage of the device to a length in which their combined span is at a maximum to allow the arms to engage the outside periphery of the wheel to allow the arms to surround the wheel.

Abstract: Treatment of a wet activated carbon with carbon dioxide or with carbon dioxide followed by air results in a carbon having a reduced contact pH. The activated carbon is characterized by a modified contact pH less than about 9.0 and typically between about 7.3 and 9.0. Use of this carbon in a water treatment system eliminates the excessive effluent water pH rise which commonly occurs with activated carbon.

Abstract: A harness carrier having a back support member with a configuration adaptable to the back of a user which includes terminating ends. Attached to the support member is a first pair of straps which are adapted to attach to each other and secure the harness to the user. An elastomeric member is attached to the support members to define a cord spanning from about 50 to 90 percent of said support member.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved method for filtration of air within enclosed spaces. Improvement is achieved by the use of a high-temperature carbonaceous char that is catalytically active for the removal of certain undesirable constituents from contaminated air under ambient temperature conditions. This carbonaceous char is used as an air filtration medium and incorporated into an air filtration device by any of a number of technologies. Such devices may be used for removal of contaminants such as NO.sub.x, NO.sub.2, SO.sub.x, SO.sub.2, H.sub.2 S, mercaptans, light aliphatic gases such as butane and propane and other compounds such as benzene, hexane, toluene, xylene, amines and the like from enclosed or confined structures such as buildings or vehicles including automobiles, aircraft, trucks, farm equipment, and the like.