Abstract: Antibodies having binding affinity for free IGFBP-1, biological compositions including antibodies having binding affinity for free IGFBP-1, kits for detecting free IGFBP-1 using the antibodies, and cell lines for producing the antibodies are provided. Also provided are devices and methods for detecting free IGFBP-1 and a rupture in a fetal membrane based on the presence of amniotic fluid in a vaginal secretion, as indicated by the presence of free IGFBP-1 in the vaginal secretion. The antibodies that are provided may be characterized by their ability to selectively recognize those IGFBP-1 molecules which are free of IGF-1 and IGF-2, i.e., antibodies which have a binding affinity for free IGFBP-1 that is greater than a binding affinity of the antibody to bound IGFBP-1. These antibodies may also be characterized by their competition with IGF-1 and IGF-2 for binding to IGFBP-1.

Abstract: Antibodies having binding affinity for free IGFBP-1, biological compositions including antibodies having binding affinity for free IGFBP-1, kits for detecting free IGFBP-1 using the antibodies, and cell lines for producing the antibodies are provided. Also provided are devices and methods for detecting free IGFBP-1 and a rupture in a fetal membrane based on the presence of amniotic fluid in a vaginal secretion, as indicated by the presence of free IGFBP-1 in the vaginal secretion. The antibodies that are provided may be characterized by their ability to selectively recognize those IGFBP-1 molecules which are free of IGF-1 and IGF-2, i.e., antibodies which have a binding affinity for free IGFBP-1 that is greater than a binding affinity of the antibody to bound IGFBP-1. These antibodies may also be characterized by their competition with IGF-1 and IGF-2 for binding to IGFBP-1.

Abstract: Bioartificial implants and methods for their manufacture and use are described, particularly bioartificial pancreases. In particular, the implants may be thin sheets which enclose cells, may be completely biocompatible over extended periods of time and may not induce fibrosis. The high-density-cell-containing thin sheets are preferably completely retrievable, and have dimensions allowing maintenance of optimal tissue viability through rapid diffusion of nutrients and oxygen and also allowing rapid changes in the secretion rate of insulin and/or other bioactive agents in response to changing physiology. Implantations of living cells, tissue, drugs, medicines and/or enzymes, contained in the bioartificial implants may be made to treat and/or prevent disease.

Abstract: The method and device of this invention immobilizes a person in a secure, upright asphyxia-preventing restraining system which includes a leg wrap and shoulder harness, both of which are transparent to x-rays and have the flexibility to safely limit flexing of the legs while immobilizing the upper torso in an erect position without causing damage to the body. It can be easily and safely applied by public safety officers including police or other law enforcement personnel and medical personnel to secure a person against undesired movement while maintaining them in an upright, sitting position which leaves the diaphragm free for natural, unrestrained breathing movement. The asphyxia-preventing restraining device comprises an elongate leg wrap member sized and shaped in the form of a trapezoid to wrap and restrain movement and bending at the knees of the legs of the person to be restrained without injuring the legs. The leg wrap member has at least one tether fastener secured thereto.

Abstract: A device and method for applying a fibrinogen-based tissue sealant to seamlessly connect human or animal tissues or organ parts, to seal wounds, stop bleeding and the like by mixing fibrin or fibrinogen with blood clot-promoting coagulation factors are disclosed. The device includes two cylindrical compartments for separately containing the separate fluid components of the sealant preparation, which are simultaneously displaced from the respective compartments by means of plungers commonly depressable with the same effective strokes. The plungers may be depressed directly or by means of a common mechanism (e.g., rack and pinion) for accurately controlling the rate of dispensing fluid. The cylindrical compartments are of the same or different cross-sectional area and are arranged either concentrically or side-by-side. The device further includes a means for merging the two fluid components within an outer sleeve housing an inner needle.

Abstract: An inexpensive device with a disposable cartridge for preparing tissue sealant is disclosed. The device is particularly applicable to stat preparation of autologous tissue sealant. A method of sealing tissue in which the tissue sealant is applied immediately after mixing platelet-rich plasma concentrate (from the device) with a solution of calcium and thrombin is also disclosed. Preparation in the operating room of 5 cc sealant from 50 cc patient blood requires less than 15 minutes and only one simple operator step. There is no risk of tracking error because processing can be done in the operating room. Chemicals added may be limited to anticoagulant (e.g., citrate) and calcium chloride. The disposable cartridge may fit in the palm of the hand and is hermetically sealed to eliminate possible exposure to patient blood and ensure sterility. Adhesive and tensile strengths are comparable or superior to pooled blood fibrin sealants made with precipitation methods.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a continuous dental floss brush comprising alternating portions of thread sections which do not stretch significantly under tension and brush sections which stretch under slight tension, includes the step of coating at least the thread sections of a reverse twisted high tenacity nylon yarn with a solution of polymer in a volatile solvent, the polymer being selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyurethane and mixtures thereof. The thread sections of the yarn are thereafter heated to vaporize solvent therefrom while the yarn is maintained under a tension of from 0.15 to 1N. In the humidifier assembly, having a housing which defines a humidifier zone, the brush sections of the yarn are exposed to a mixture of steam and gas, the steam and gas mixture having a temperature of from 130.degree. C.

Abstract: Improved liquid chromatography systems having components made of titanium, coated stainless steel, or organic polymeric material are useful in the separation of nucleic acid fragments, particularly large fragments of double-stranded nucleic acids, by ion pairing reverse phase chromatography. The titanium, coated stainless steel, or polymeric components do not release multivalent cations into aqueous solutions flowing through the chromatography system. Alternatively, or in addition to utilizing materials made of the components listed above, a multivalent cation capture resin placed upstream of the separation column may be employed to remove multivalent ions from the system. The multivalent cation capture resin may be contained in a guard disk, a guard column, or a guard cartridge.

Abstract: A switching regulator and a method of regulating voltage by means of a switching regulator, includes a regulator switch, a smoothing filter, and a first voltage feedback loop from an output of he regulator to a control line of the switch. The first feedback loop may include a hysteresis comparator or a comparator and a frequency reference connected to the control line of the switch. The first feedback loop uses the A.C. ripples at the output of the smoothing filter as a ramp signal feedback to substantially instantaneously correct output voltage. A second voltage feedback is further employed to stabilize the output voltage. The smoothing filter employs an LC circuit and the regulator is provided with means for providing an inductor current path when the switch is opened. The regulator may, further, include a current feedback loop.

Abstract: A multi-chip module and a chip set that comprises a plurality of the multi-chip modules. The multi-chip module includes a plurality of functional circuits provided on a substrate, the circuits defining a plurality of signal inputs and outputs. A plurality of pins are secured in a single row along the periphery of the substrate and are connected to the inputs and outputs. The pins include a set of 91 signal pins, two ground pins, and a power pin, the signal pins having a configuration complying in number and signal type with the IEEE-Prequirements to define an ISA bus. The multi-chip module includes a rectangular housing wherein the pins, in the form of gull wing pins, extend laterally from a peripherally extending wall. The ISA bus pins extend along one side and partially along adjacent sides of the rectangular module.

Abstract: A multi-stage telescoping tube structure and a robot including a multi-stage telescoping tube structure. The multi-stage telescoping tube structure includes an outer tube, an intermediate tube, and an inner tube. The intermediate tube is slidably received in the outer tube, and the inner tube is slidably received in the intermediate tube. It further includes a multi-stage screw for arrangement translating rotary motion into linear movement of the tubes, and a drive means coupled to the screw arrangement. The robot further includes a support bracket, rotatably supporting the multi-stage telescoping tube structure, and an electric motor for rotating the arrangement. The structure further includes rail guides engagable with complimentary horizontally extending rails for horizontal movement of the robot.

Abstract: A modular system and a method of creating a modular system comprising a substantially rigid frame and a plurality of modules mounted at predetermined locations on the frame by means of kinematic couplings. The frame includes a main beam in the form of a spine, and a plurality of transversely extending bulkheads. The method includes creating a model of the system using rigid bodies and thereafter providing the frame and modules and securing them kinematically. The kinematic couplings comprise three pairs of aligning elements, each in the form of a male element and a contact element. The contact elements may take the form of grooves, tetrahedral depressions, or flat surfaces.

Abstract: An endometrial ablation apparatus and method wherein an RF current having a frequency of between 250 kHz and 100 MHz is passed through the entire surface of an endometrium in order to provide heating of the endometrium. An electroconductive expandable member such as a balloon is used as the medium for passing the current and causing the heating of the endometrium. The temperature of the endometrium is raised to a temperature between 45.degree. C. and 90.degree. C. and preferably not above 70.degree. for a time sufficient to destroy the cells of the lining while maintaining the average temperature of the myometrium at a temperature below approximately 42.degree. C. The expandable balloon is connected to a power source which provides the radio frequency power having the desired characteristics to selectively heat the endometrial lining to the desired temperature.

Abstract: A wafer gripper assembly comprises first and second gripping members movably supported relative to each other. A motor propels the gripping members linearly towards and away from each other. Preferably both gripping members are movably supported, and a rotary-to-linear translator produces equal and opposite linear movement of the gripping members. Typically, at least six contactor elements are defined on the pair of gripping members. The contactor elements include a vertically extending portion having an inwardly facing convex surface for contacting an edge of a wafer, and an inwardly extending flange for supporting a lower surface of the wafer.

Abstract: A thermal treatment boat having a plurality of annular, coaxial, spaced apart bands having substantially the same inner diameters. The bands are separated by a band spacing distance of from about 3.8 to 12.7 mm, each of the bands having a height, Height.sub.Band, in mm according to the equation: ##EQU1## wherein Height.sub.Band is always.gtoreq.wafer thickness; ColumnHeight is the total height of the treatment boat, mm; BandSpacing is the band spacing distance between adjacent bands, mm; and NumberBands is the total number of bands in the treatment boat. Preferably the NumberBands is from about 12 to about 100. Each band includes wafer support means for supporting a wafer therein at a position which is substantially centered between the upper edge surface and said lower edge surface thereof, the wafer support means in one embodiment including at least three inwardly extending projections.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for coating a substrate with a polymer solution to produce a film of uniform thickness, includes mounting the substrate inside an enclosed housing and passing a control gas, which may be a solvent vapor-bearing gas into the housing through an inlet. The polymer solution is deposited onto the surface of the substrate in the housing and the substrate is then spun. The control gas and any solvent vapour and particulate contaminants suspended in the control gas are exhausted from the housing through an outlet and the solvent vapor concentration is controlled by controlling the temperature of the housing and the solvent from which the solvent vapor-bearing gas is produced. Instead the concentration can be controlled by mixing gases having different solvent concentrations. The humidity of the gas may also be controlled.

Abstract: A distributed computer system comprising a plurality of engines where each engine is useable to form a separate, integrated computer system. The distributed computer system is the functional equivalent of the separate, integrated computer system. An engine on a computer chip has mappable I/O pins that provide selective and mappable access to internal chip locations. A mapper is provided on the chip for mapping the I/O pins. One or more chips with mappable pins are employed to form a computer engine.

Abstract: A tester for testing integrated circuits-containing semiconductor wafers or substrates, includes a vertically oriented performance board with. D/A converters mounted and pin connected immediately therebehind. A prober including a vertical array of connector pins mounts a vertical probe card and a vertically-mounted chuck on which a vertically-oriented wafer or substrate is held. One of the tester and prober are moved with respect to the other to dock and latch the tester and prober together. Simultaneously the array of connector pins is electrically connected to electrical connectors on the performance board and probe needles extending from a probe board on the probes are placed into test contact with contact pads on the integrated circuits on the wafer or substrate.

Abstract: A method for applying a high moisture permeability floor covering material to a concrete surface and product thereof. The method comprises the steps of first applying a layer of inert fibers to the concrete surface. To the fiber layer is applied an aqueous acrylate polymer emulsion to form localized bonding penetrations of the emulsion through the layer of fibers to the concrete surface and to form a continuous coating of emulsion on the upper surface of the layer of fibers. The coating is applied so that the coated fiber layer has interconnected moisture transmission passageways communicating with the concrete surface and extending throughout the fiber layer for redistributive diffusion under the continuous coating of moisture vapor from high emission surfaces of the concrete to lower emission surfaces of the concrete. A further layer of high viscosity aqueous acrylate polymer emulsion is applied to said continuous coating and set.

Abstract: A data processing system including a central processing unit and control circuitry on a single chip connected by a common bus to two or more bus devices having different sets of bus parameters. A first set of bus parameters functions as a memory bus for transfers to and from main memory, a second set of bus parameters functions as an I/O bus for I/O device transfers and a third set of bus parameters functions as a video bus for transfers to a video display. Each set of bus parameters has different timing selected to maximize transfers for the particular bus function (main memory, I/O, video or other) implemented by the bus parameters.