Abstract: An array of molecular chains is added to a dielectric material between two electrodes of a capacitive affinity sensor. Such an array of molecular chains greatly changes dielectric properties between the two electrodes to greatly enhance sensitivity of the sensor. In a sensor using direct binding, a viral fragment is bound to the sensor's surface. A molecular chain, comprising an anti-viral antibody, an anti-human antibody, and a protein molecule, binds to the viral fragment. In a sensor using competitive binding a hapten is bound to the sensor's surface. A molecular chain, comprising an antibody with attached aliphatic hydrocarbons, binds to the hapten. A free analyte competes with the hapten to bind with the antibody.

Abstract: A biochemical sensor includes a material that nucleates as bubbles on the surface of an electrical conductor, optical fiber, or acoustic medium. The nucleating bubbles respectively change the conductivity, refraction, or propagation of such surfaces according to the concentration of the analyte in a solution over the sensor.

Abstract: A dielectric material of a capacitive affinity sensor has a three-dimensional molecular binding site array. A glass base is layered with a binding agent like silane from which a polymeric backbone like polylysine extends. The polymeric backbone is prepared to accept receptor molecules like cortisol hemisuccinate to bind a specific antibody. Such an array changes dielectric properties between the two electrodes of the capacitive affinity sensor to greatly enhance sensitivity of the sensor.

Abstract: A biochemical analyte sensor comprises a pair of electrical conductors in a fluid environment. Between the conductors is a surface of silicone rubber, for instance. An enzyme/substrate combination causes molecules of a volatile material to be produced in the fluid. The volatile material nucleates as bubbles near the surface of the sensor. The bubbles displace molecules of the fluid from the surface and drastically alter the dielectric properties on or near the sensor surface.

Abstract: A system (10) is disclosed for facilitating the healing of traumatized tissue and broken or fractured bone. The system (10) establishes an electric field between a pair of electrodes (14) positioned on opposite sides of the patient site (12), resulting in the production of an alternating current having the desired frequency and amplitude characteristic in the tissue or bone. Specifically, the system (10) includes a resonator (32) formed by an inductor (36) coupled in series with the resistor (R1) and capacitor (C1) of an equivalent circuit (34) representing the patient site (12), the electrodes (14), and any gaps (30) therebetween. This resonator (32) also includes a capacitor (C2) designed to prevent spurious, high-frequency oscillations. The resonator (32) is operated by a free-running oscillator (16), which maintains the operation of the resonator (32) at its resonant frequency.

Abstract: An expansive and expandable monitoring system which in one of its broadest embodiments includes a multi-sector, multi-condition monitoring system including radio linked alert monitors, smoke monitors and an expandable range of activity monitors such as door-opening monitors and toilet-flushing monitors and including method and apparatus for identifying a particular monitor within a sector; wherein each sector stands itself as a unique sub-system built about a two-wire bus on which both power identifying signals are simultaneously conveyed along the same two wires; and within each sector, the plurality of monitoring devices receive operating power from a common power source and convey identifying signals to a common discriminator (identifier) arrangement all along the common two-wire bus, each monitoring device being constructed with a unique arrangement of current modulating and signal/voltage isolation elements to facilitate the common bus--common power source--common discriminator scheme of the present inve

Abstract: Small dielectric particles such as biological cells or DNA molecules are suspended in a quantity of liquid within a container. A pair of spaced apart electrodes are immersed in the liquid and a coil surrounds the region between the electrodes. First and second electric signals are applied to the electrodes and the coil, respectively, to thereby generate substantially orthogonal oscillating electric and magnetic fields which are at the same frequency but approximately ninety degrees out of phase. By selecting the frequency, particles having different polarization relaxation frequencies and sizes will migrate at different velocities and thereby sort into various fractions.

Abstract: A non-invasive apparatus and related method for measuring the concentration of glucose or other blood analytes utilizes both diffuse reflected and transmissive infrared absorption measurements and may be applied to either in vitro or in vivo sampling. The apparatus and method utilize non-dispersive correlation spectrometry and apply it to liquid blood serum analysis. Spectrally-modified near infrared light from the sample containing the analyte is split into two beams, one of which is directed through a negative correlation filter which blocks light in the absorption bands for the analyte to be measured, and the other of which is directed through a neutral density filter capable of blocking light equally at all wavelengths in the range of interest. Differencing the light intensity between the two light paths provides a measure proportional to analyte concentration.

Abstract: Conventional omnidirectional lamp light is converted into a narrowly focused, highly intense beam with a power comparable to certain types of lasers. The lamp light is collected and focused with conventional means into an optical coupling cone which condenses the conventionally-focused beam to a very small diameter for launching into a fiber optic cable. An optical terminator at the end of the optical fiber retains collimation of the beam and a power density comparable to certain types of lasers, such as those used in medical applications.

Abstract: A sintered powder electrode has a biochemically active layer embedded in pores of the electrode. Molecules bind to or are displaced from the biochemically active layer, which drastically changes electrical properties of the electrode. The electrode can be used in an affinity chromotography column or in a capacitive affinity sensor.

Abstract: A non-invasive clinical instrument provides for in vivo detection of a restriction in an artery. A microphone is applied to the body over the artery and generates a complex electrical signal which is processed to remove noise and amplified. A digital bandpass filter circuit includes a plurality of individual bandpass filters, each of which covers 1/3 of an octave and covers adjacent octaves to cover the complete spectrum between about 2 to 2,000 hertz. Switched-capacitor bandpass filters are used. Each three bandpass filters separated by one-third of an octave are connected such that setting the center bandpass filter automatically resets the two adjacent bandpass filters to cover a single octave in steps of one-third. The sensed signal which is an AC analog signal is transmitted by an analog low pass filter to block undesirably higher frequency components from the digital filters. Digital low-pass filters connect the analog low-pass filter to the bandpass filters.

Abstract: A single wire electrode is supported at one end by a cylinder cap which has pins for guiding the electrode into an upwardly opening fusion chamber defined by a heavy metal cylinder. In a second embodiment, multiple secondary wire electrodes are spaced circumferentially about a central primary wire electrode. In a third embodiment, a laminate wire mesh electrode assembly is mounted within a rectangular cartridge fusion chamber.

Abstract: A glass slide has parallel tubular electrodes for performing electro cell fusion. Fluid may be pumped through the electrodes to dissipate heat to enhance the yield of viable hybrids. An alternate embodiment sandwiches a gasket and parallel tubular electrodes between glass slides to permit cell fusion in a closed sterile environment.