Abstract: The invention involves using a plasma to functionalize a surface of medical devices such as catheters, particularly intracardial catheters, with covalently bound thermochemically reactive groups. The surface is further contacted with a bioactive agent, particularly antithrombogenic coatings, which is thermochemically covalently coupled to the reactive group to form a therapeutically effective coating. The selected bioactive agent is then covalently bound to the surface by thermochemical reaction with the surface reactive groups. In another embodiment, the functionalizing step comprises contacting the surface with a Langmuir-Blodgett film comprising an amphipathic compound and a bioactive agent and using a plasma to covalently crosslink the Langmuir-Blodgett film to the medical device surface and to the bioactive agent. Medical devices prepared by the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: A composite structure comprising a body having a surface. Cladding covers at least a part of the surface. The body and the cladding are formed of different materials, at least one of which is a shape memory alloy having a recoverable strain in excess of 1.0%.

Abstract: A portable water distiller comprising a vaporization chamber containing an inclined electric coil heating element, a finned tube condenser coil and an electric fan. The heating element is provided with forward and rear portions, the forward portion being elevated relative to the rear portion with the thermostatic control means positioned above the forward elevated position and maintained in contact with the substantially uniform water level. Accordingly, when the uniform water level dips below the thermostatic control means, the heating element is immediately de-energized thereby preventing the residual heat in the heating elements from quickly evaporating the raw water in the raw water receptacle.

Abstract: A circuit for filtering an input digital image comprising: first storage apparatus for storing the input digital image; apparatus for retrieving the input digital image from the first storage apparatus and generating a first resized digital image of reduced spatial frequency relative to the input digital image and being of smaller size than the input digital image; second storage apparatus for storing the first resized digital image; apparatus for retrieving the first resized digital image from the second storage apparatus and generating a second resized digital image of equal size to the input digital image, wherein the second resized digital image is a low-pass filtered version of the input digital image due to the reduced spatial frequency of the first resized digital image; and third storage apparatus for storing the second resized digital image.

Abstract: A system is provided for performing real-time warping in one or two dimensions (eg. dynamic zoom and shrink in both horizontal and vertical directions), and temporal warping of image frames (eg. fast motion and slow motion). The system accomplishes warping with proper Nyquist bandlimiting. Three different processes are performed in sequence to create the warped image according to the present invention. The first process maps a desired target pixel or frame spacing to an appropriate FIR filter wherein the size of the FIR filter is chosen based on the desired target pixel or frame spacing. Once the filter is chosen, a second process creates an appropriate number of upsampled pixels, lines or frames based on the input source pixels, lines or frames. The last process multiplies the correct filter coefficients from the first process with the interpolated pixels, lines or frames from the second process, resulting in correctly Nyquist bandlimited target pixels, lines or frames.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to oligonucleotides comprising nucleotide sequences sufficiently complementary to conserved regions of human immunodeficiency virus genetic material such that when bound to said region, the oligonucleotides effectively prevent expression of the genetic material.

Abstract: A powered bone cutting saw is used from within the intramedullary canal of a bone. A cutting blade is inserted through a bored intramedullary canal to a predetermined cutting depth. A motor is coupled to the cutting blade to rotate the cutting blade. The blade is extended to a cutting position and operated by a surgeon to cut the bone radially from the inside outwardly, transversely, to the intramedullary canal. Gearing selectable by the surgeon permits the blade to oscillate. The motor can also be coupled to a reamer tip for boring the intramedullary canal. The apparatus, including the reamer tip, can be cannulated to accept a guide wire.

Abstract: Homozygotic cells are obtained by employing homologous recombination with a construct comprising a marker gene. The marker gene allows for selection without amplification and by employing elevated levels of the antibiotic to which the marker gene imparts resistance, gene conversion can occur, where in a diploid host, both copies of the target locus will be the same. In this manner, knock-outs of genes can be readily achieved without requiring two steps of homologous recombination.

Abstract: An interface for establishing an imaging functionality with a user application program includes an alternative data input channel/buffer/storage combination which intercepts data stream information of a user application program without interference therewith. The diversion of the data stream into a separate storage area enables a hierarchy of control actions to be performed on the data stream without interference with the application program. The control actions in the form of programmable process control logic includes means for establishing a data pattern of selectable indicia associated with each screen of the user application program. The data pattern is combined with a positional key provided by the imaging system which is indicative of the location of the image document data in a database. This combination is stored in a key database and is available for comparison with subsequently formed data patterns.

Abstract: Expression of mammalian target genes is achieved by employing chromosomal target DNA, either native primary cells or YACs in a yeast host, where the YACs include a fragment of a mammalian chromosome, the fragment comprising the target gene. Employing homologous recombination, an amplifiable gene is integrated into the mammalian fragment at a site to allow for amplification. In the same step, or one or more steps, as desired, the mammalian gene and/or the transcriptional system may be modified by in vivo mutagenesis. The resulting construct from homologous recombination may then be transformed into a mammalian expression host and integrated into the host genome, either randomly or by homologous recombination. The amplifiable gene may then be amplified by an appropriate agent providing for multiple copies of the target gene and the expression host grown to provide for high yields of the desired wild-type or modified protein.

Abstract: Homologous recombination is employed to inactivate genes, particularly genes associated with MHC antigens. Particularly, each of the .beta..sub.2- microglobulin gene and the IFN-.gamma.R gene is inactivated for reducing or eliminating the expression of functional MHC antigens. The resulting cells may be used as universal donor cells. In addition, embryonic stem cells may be modified by homologous recombination for use in producing chimeric or transgenic mammalian hosts, which may be used as source of universal donor organs, or as models for drug and transplantation therapies. Methods for homologous recombination in non-transformed mammalian somatic cells are also described.

Abstract: In an apparatus for resizing an image, comprising interpolation filter means for receiving a stream of input pixels having a predetermined sampling period P and a first sampling rate of S pixels/lines, and interpolating the stream of input pixels at a predetermined interpolation rate for generating a first derived sample stream of pixels having a further sampling period (M/(CL))P and a second sampling rate of T pixels/lines, where L is a first positive integer greater than one, C is a positive integer and M is smaller than CL, and where either 2.sup.n M/CL or 2.sup.

Abstract: A composite mixture of spherical objects and lubricant useful for its cushioning properties is disclosed and claimed. The composite mixture may be composed of microspheres typically less than 2000 microns in diameter with inert atmospheres sealed within their interiors and any of a variety of lubricants facilitating sliding and rolling movement between microspheres. Typically the composite mixture includes lubricant in a quantity sufficient to substantially coat the exterior surface of essentially all of the spherical objects, but in a quantity less than would cause dispersion of the spherical objects in the lubricant sufficient to physically separate the spherical objects from each other and substantially reduce the sliding and rolling contact of the spherical objects with each other. The preferred lubricant is a visco-elastic fluid that has a principle molecule and a gelling agent.

Abstract: A decimator for effecting a X:1 decimation, where X=is any positive integer greater than 1, comprising a FIR filter for receiving and filtering an input stream of data bits and in response generating a like number of filtered output data bits; and a hold circuit for sampling and outputting every Xth one of the filtered output data bits.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting fluorescently-labeled molecules moving in an electrophoretic separation medium. The apparatus utilizes a scanning detection system in which multiple fluorophores are efficiently and simultaneously detected using dichroic mirrors to allow simultaneous detection of fluorescently-labeled molecules in ultrathin gels labeled with several fluorophores and to permit operation at speeds ten times faster than prior art gel separations. The apparatus also utilizes a detection system where lightweight collection optics are in motion while detection optics are fixed in a remote location, thereby allowing exceptionally high-speed scanning.

Abstract: A device for lengthening bone in a human or animal by incrementally extending the distance between discrete separated portions of the bone to permit continued bone growth between the separated portions comprising an intramedullary nail having distal and proximal portions both of which are secured within the medullar canal of the bone. A hydraulic cylinder is connected to the proximal portion and a piston is connected to the distal portion of the nail. An implantable supply of operating fluid communicates with the cylinder and ratcheting mechanism, between the piston and cylinder, limit their relative movement. A shock absorber mechanism permits limited lost motion between the piston and cylinder and ratcheting release means are employed to permit the piston and cylinder to reverse directions. Various interchangeable distal tips are disclosed to accommodate not only different bones but differently shaped medullar canals.

Abstract: A sustaining device for prolonging the vibration of a string of a stringed musical instrument having a magnetic pickup means responsive to vibration of a string, and an electromagnetic string driver means to provide a magnetic drive force to the string. A cancellation circuit is provided for reducing electromagnetic feedback between the pickup and driver by adjusting the relative phase and amplitude between a first and second pickup signal and combining the signals so that the responses to electromagnetic interference cancel. One embodiment of the cancellation circuit includes a second electromagnetic driver that generates an amplitude-adjusted and phase-adjusted electromagnetic field to cancel electromagnetic interference. The driver may be a section of toroidal solenoid that is shaped so that its endpoles are in close proximity to the string for concentrating magnetic flux along the string.

Abstract: A welding system includes a feeder with a reel rotatably mounted therein for supplying welding wire; and a torch having a cable extending therefrom connected to the feeder for receiving wire therefrom and a pair of opposing conductive drive rolls connected to a source of charging power and mounted for powered rotation on the torch. The rolls engage, charge and deliver the wire to the work piece. Opposing rollers driven by a motor through a clutch also pull the wire from the reel in the feeder and push it through the cable. The torch is equipped with a nozzle on the torch is fitted with a nonconductive delivery tube to guidingly receive the welding wire without sparking. A unique method of delivering a charged wire electrode in a MIG welding torch assembly is disclosed. Also disclosed is a special configuration for the groove for engaging the wire electrode between the rolls or rollers.

Abstract: An envelope feeder using a combination of frictional force differentiation and three discrimination edges, two of which are provided by flexible materials spaced apart from and on either side of a metal envelope separating plate to prevent multiple envelope feeds into printers. The flexible plate on the media side of the metal envelope separating plate is at a more acute angle to the vertical than the metal envelope separating plate, and the metal envelope separating plate of the invention is at a more acute angle than the angles used by metal envelope separating plates in the prior art. A third discrimination edge is provided by a flexible plate which is behind the metal envelope separating plate and which has an angled portion which is longer than the angled portion of the metal envelope separating plate so as to extend past the end of the angled portion of the metal envelope separating plate by about 0.15 inches.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fiber-reinforce plastic bicycle handlebar by an injection molding process. The resulting handlebar approximates the exterior appearance, configuration and attachment means of traditional prior art handle bars for all terrain bicycles or mountain bikes, while providing a handlebar that is light weight, strong, durable, shock absorbing and cost efficient to manufacture. A manufacturing method for manufacturing the handlebar includes injection of thermoplastic material into a gap located between a core and cavity.