Abstract: A method of measuring an analyte in a biological fluid comprises applying an excitation signal having a DC component and an AC component. The AC and DC responses are measured; a corrected DC response is determined using the AC response; and a concentration of the analyte is determined based upon the corrected DC response. Other methods and devices are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides tissue graft compositions comprising collagen-based extracellular matrices derived from renal capsules of warm-blooded vertebrates. The invention further provides a process of harvesting and purifying a renal capsule to provide an extracellular matrix material having beneficial use as a tissue graft and/or cell growth material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a test strip for measuring a concentration of an analyte of interest in a biological fluid, wherein the test strip may be encoded with information that can be read by a test meter into which the test strip is inserted.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a pin and sight point shape configuration for enhancing sight point visibility. Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a pin configuration including a pin portion, an integral pin mounting portion, and an integral spool adapted to be positioned offset to one side of a bow sight.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making decorative candles include a peg mounted to a mold. A tube with an expanded midsection between an open end and a closed end is mounted onto the peg to form a sealed connection. Candle matter, such as liquid wax, is poured into the mold. After the candle hardens sufficiently, the candle with the tube mounted therein is removed from the mold. A handle is inserted into the tube and forms an expansion seal with the midsection. The handle is attached to a rack wherein the user rotates the candle about its longitudinal axis and/or rotates the rack about its horizontal axis. Candle shaping tools may be attached to the rack and/or held by a carver, and are used to shape the candle. The handle is removed from the tube and a wick and fuel are inserted into the tube. The fuel burns while the candle remains intact.

Abstract: Cutting apparatus is provided which includes clamping apparatus with two clamping members movable between a clamped position, wherein a portion of the saw blade is secured in position in use, and an unclamped position, wherein the saw blade is movable with respect to the clamping members. The apparatus is attached to or is integrally formed with shaft means which are substantially circular in cross section. The apparatus also includes the ability for user selection to operate the apparatus as a jigsaw or a scroller by operation of a locking mechanism.

Abstract: A ceiling lamp junction box assembly is composed of a base and an outer shell combined of two half portions that interlockingly combine to enclose electronic components contained therein. In addition, a protective plate is placed in a recess defined in the bottom of the outer shell to protect the electronic components and the outer shell during installation of the junction box. A dovetail portion present on the outer surface of the outer shell combines with a slot defined in the base to help improve rotational stability.

Abstract: A silver-based alloy thin film is provided for the highly reflective or the semi-reflective layer of optical discs. Alloy additions to silver include magnesium, gold, rhodium, ruthenium, osmium, platinum, palladium, copper, silicon, cadmium, tin, lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, indium, chromium, antimony, gallium, boron, molybdenum, zirconium, beryllium, titanium, aluminum, germanium and zinc. These alloys have moderate to high reflectivity and reasonable corrosion resistance in ambient environments.

Abstract: A silver-based alloy thin film is provided for the highly reflective or semi-reflective coating layer of optical discs. Elements that can be added to silver to produce useful silver alloys include zinc, aluminum, copper, manganese, germanium, yttrium, bismuth, scandium, and cobalt. These alloys have moderate to high reflectivity and reasonable corrosion resistance in the ambient environment.

Abstract: Test element analysis system for the analytical investigation of a sample, in particular of a body liquid of human beings or animals, comprising test elements (2) with a carrier film (5) and a test field (7) fixed to the flat side (6) of the carrier film (5), the test field (7) containing a reagent system the reaction of which with the sample (21) leads to an optically measurable change in the detection zone (24) which is characteristic for the analysis, and an evaluation instrument with a measuring device for measuring the optically measurable change.

Abstract: A microwave cooking device comprises a container for holding a food product, a seal for sealing the container to enclose a substantially fixed volume therein, and a venting configuration. The venting configuration includes a steam guide defining a central vent and a pair of steam horns associated with and positioned on either side of the steam guide. The steam guide and associated steam horns weaken a portion of the seal at a predetermined location and are each in fluid communication with the volume enclosed within the container to allow movement of steam from the container into the steam guide and steam horns, such that, steam and pressure are preferentially directed towards the steam guide, causing pressure to be concentrated at the weakened portion of the seal and resulting in the seal being broken at a predetermined location.

Abstract: A device for stabilizing at least a portion of the spinal column, including a longitudinal member sized to span a distance between at least two vertebral bodies and being at least partially formed of a shape-memory material exhibiting pseudoelastic characteristics at about human body temperature. A number of bone anchors are used to secure the longitudinal member to each of the vertebral bodies. The longitudinal member is reformed from an initial configuration to a different configuration in response to the imposition of stress caused by relative displacement between the vertebral bodies, and recovers toward the initial configuration when the stress is removed to thereby provide flexible stabilization to the spinal column. During reformation of the longitudinal member, at least a portion of the shape-memory material transforms into stress-induced martensite.

Abstract: In order to manufacture coiled baking articles with at least one outer dough material (58) and with at least one inner dough material (56) or dough filling, a nozzle arrangement (10) comprises an inner stationary nozzle (14) and an outer nozzle (18) rotatably enclosing the inner nozzle (14). A mouth (20) of the outer nozzle (18) is arranged behind the mouth (16) of the inner nozzle (14) in the direction of flow in such a manner that the materials flow together at the mouth (16) of the inner nozzle (14) and on the path to the mouth (20) of the outer nozzle (18) the inner material (56) is set in rotation by the outer material (58) and is thereby compressed.

Abstract: Methods and instrumentation for vertebral interbody fusion are provided. Sleeve assemblies can be provided with a reduced width portion adjacent the distal end to limit the amount of retraction of the surrounding vascular and neural structures required for the procedure. A sleeve assembly can be provided with a guide sleeve removably engaged to a guide sleeve housing. The guide sleeve can be removed during surgery to improve the surgeon's viewing of the operative site while the guide sleeve housing maintains disc space distraction. Methods and instruments for inserting and using the guide sleeve housing are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to orthopedic implants and to methods of treating bone defects. More specifically, but not exclusively, the present invention is directed to non-metallic implants and to methods for intra-operative assembly and fixation of orthopedic implants to facilitate medical treatment. The non-metallic implant assembly can be secured to underlying tissue by a fastener, such as a bone screw, that is capable of swelling on contact with fluid in the underlying tissue. Alternatively, the non-metallic implant assembly can be assembled intra-operatively using a fastener that is adhesively bonded to a bone plate or the bone plate can be deformed using heat, force or solvents to inhibit withdrawal of the fastener. In preferred embodiments, both the fastener and the bone plate are formed of biodegradable material.

Abstract: The current invention provides a method useful for inhibiting the loss of bone using 6-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-benzo(B)-thien-3-yl-4[2-piperidin-1-ethoxyphenol]methanone hydrochloride.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting bone loss or resorption, or lowering serum cholesterol, comprising administering to a human in need thereof a compound having the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, in a low dosage amount. Also encompassed by the invention is a a pharmaceutical formulation in unit dosage form comprising, per unit dosage, a low dosage amount.