Abstract: A formulation or composition contractility comprising jasmonate for modulating bladder and/or treating bladder dysfunction, particularly an overactive bladder in a mammal, particularly a human and use of jasmonate for treating bladder dysfunction is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in the measurement of the optical density of macular pigment in the human eye, and an apparatus for the use in measuring the lens optical density of a human eye. The apparatus is particularly applicable to flicker photometers, which are used to measure the macular pigment in the human eye.

Abstract: A connector with a biocompatible fluid passageway to be used as a column filter retainer and the method for manufacturing it is described. The connector has a reinforcement insert and a biocompatible molding covering portions of the reinforcement insert. The reinforcement insert has a first portion, a second portion, and a middle portion between the first portion and the second portion. The first and second portions have threaded sections and each have a plurality of non-threaded sections. For a given portion, the junction of the non-threaded sections forms a lip by which to prevent the molded material from flowing into the threaded sections. In certain embodiments, an interior web is used in the reinforcement insert to provide additional structural support.

Abstract: Novel process and products thereby emplace nutraceutical factors within nanodelivery vehicles for various indications in mammals, including humans.

Abstract: A springless rotary shear that produces compression forces by utilizing the stiffness properties of polymer seals. The valve is designed to produce an effective spring load, with inherent sealing force, by deflecting polymer elements whose response depends on stiffness that is governed by each component's elastic modulus and geometry. A stator seal protrudes thousandths of an inch beyond a stator seal housing. When a stator is fastened down to the stator seal housing the clamping forces are transmitted to the stator seal, rotor seal, shaft adapter, bearings and housings, and the assembly is deflected to a flush position, resulting in a sealing force between the rotor and stator seal. The transmitted sealing force is as a function of the stiffness of each component and the protrusion distance of the stator seal above the mating surface prior to fastening the stator.

Abstract: A composite membrane for separations includes a fabric with a non-woven array of intermingled carbon nanotubes, and a dopant incorporated with the fabric to form a non-porous, permeable composite. The composite membrane may be used to separate a target gas from a liquid by mounting the composite membrane in a housing chamber, and conditioning a permeate side of the chamber to establish a driving force for the target gas across the non-porous, permeable composite membrane.

Abstract: A multi-position rotary shear valve assembly having a substantially metallic or ceramic stator device and a substantially metallic or ceramic rotor device. The stator device defines a substantially planar stator face and at least two or more stator channels in fluid communication with the stator face at corresponding stator ports, while the rotor device includes a substantially planar rotor face defining one or more rotor channels. A tribological coating is disposed atop at least one of the rotor face and the stator face, which enables a substantially fluid-tight, selective relative rotation between the rotor face and the stator face, at a rotor-stator interface, between two or more rotor positions.

Abstract: A tubing interface having an elongated tube, an elastomeric ferrule and a support ring device disposed around the ferrule. The ferrule includes a bore which is sized for receipt of the tube. The tubing interface further includes a cap member having an exterior surface, an opposed interior surface, and a tube receiving passage extending therethrough. The receiving passage is formed and dimensioned for axial sliding receipt of the tube member therethrough. The cap member further includes a cup-shaped receiving recess extending proximally from the interior surface, and is formed and dimensioned for axial receipt of the proximal end of the ferrule body member and the support ring. When the cap member is mounted to a valve apparatus, the support ring and the elastomeric ferrule device compressively cooperate with the cup-shaped recess to form a fluid-tight seal between the tube port and a communication port of the valve apparatus.

Abstract: A composite membrane for separations includes a fabric with a non-woven array of intermingled carbon nanotubes, and a dopant incorporated with the fabric to form a non-porous, permeable composite. The composite membrane may be used to separate a target gas from a liquid by mounting the composite membrane in a housing chamber, and conditioning a permeate side of the chamber to establish a driving force for the target gas across the non-porous, permeable composite membrane.

Abstract: A degassing module is adapted for degassing a liquidous fluid at relatively high throughput flow rates. The degassing module includes a tubular separation membrane that is helically wound within an interior chamber of a degassing module housing. The helically wound tubular separation membrane is disposed in an axial flow gap of predetermined proportions that maximizes fluid flow dynamics in reducing the gas transport resistance from the liquid phase across the membrane. Typically, the helically wound tubular separation membrane is positioned in the gap with radial spacings to surfaces bounding the gap, thereby forming axial flow channels circumaxially inwardly and/or outwardly of the wound tubular membrane.

Abstract: A torque limited fitting is provided having a head and a body, which in certain embodiments may be assembled by an operator. The body of the torque limited fitting has a passageway therethrough for receiving and removably holding tubing. The torque limited fitting may be adapted for use with a flat bottom port, such as in an analytical instrument, like liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, ion chromatography, or in in vitro diagnostic systems.

Abstract: A multi-position valve assembly including a valve housing, a stator element and a rotor element rotatably mounted about a rotational axis. The valve assembly further includes a pressure adjustment assembly movable between a release position and a stop position, hard stopped relative to the valve housing. The pressure adjustment assembly includes a pressure adjuster device configured to movably cooperate between the rotor element and the valve housing to adjustably generate an axial compression pressure at the rotor-stator interface at a calibrated operating pressure, PC. When the pressure adjustment assembly is oriented in the release position, the axial compression pressure is substantially removed from the rotor-stator interface. In contrast, when the pressure adjustment assembly is oriented in the stop position, the axial compression pressure is substantially reproduced at the calibrated operating pressure, PC.

Abstract: A connector with a biocompatible fluid passageway and method for manufacturing thereof is described. The biocompatible connector may be used in an analytical instrument (AI) system as a union, an adapter, a tee, a cross, a manifold, a valve, or for other fittings or components. The connector has a reinforcement insert and a biocompatible molding covering portions of the reinforcement insert. The reinforcement insert has a first portion, a second portion, and a middle portion between the first portion and the second portion. The first and second portions have threaded sections and each have a plurality of non-threaded sections. For a given portion, the junction of the non-threaded sections forms a lip by which to prevent the molded material from flowing into the threaded sections. In certain embodiments, an interior web is used in the reinforcement insert to provide additional structural support.

Abstract: A fitting assembly is provided having a nut and a self-releasing ferrule, which in certain embodiments may be assembled by an operator. The nut and ferrule of the fitting assembly have passageways therethrough for receiving and removably holding tubing.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in the measurement of the optical density of macular pigment in the human eye, and an apparatus for the use in measuring the lens optical density of a human eye. The apparatus is particularly applicable to flicker photometers, which are used to measure the macular pigment in the human eye.

Abstract: A fitting assembly having a single- or double-headed ferrule, a nut, and a fitting that may be assembled or dissembled by an operator. The fitting assembly includes a nut with first and second ends, with the second end adapted to receive or abut the first end of a ferrule, and further includes a fitting with a first end having an internally tapered portion adapted to receive the second end of the ferrule and a second end adapted to be removably connected to a component or fitting of a liquid chromatography system. The nut, ferrule and fitting of the fitting assembly have passageways therethrough for receiving and removably holding tubing.

Abstract: A biocompatible tube that can be used in a liquid chromatography system is described. The tube can have flanged or straight ends, and can be used in conjunction with one or more fitting, assembly.

Abstract: An elongated flow-through degassing apparatus includes an elongated gas permeable outer shell and one or more gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable elongated inner conveyance members extending within the outer shell and at least partially through a chamber defined within the outer shell. The apparatus also includes inlet and outlet junctions for securing the outer shell to the inner conveyance member. The outer shell exhibits a first permeance that is substantially greater than a second permeance of the inner conveyance member. The degassing apparatus may be sufficiently flexible so as to be readily manipulatable into desired configurations.

Abstract: A liquid sampling system includes a liquid sampling valve for transferring a liquid sample from a primary stream to a secondary stream. The liquid sampling valve includes a rotor having a movable shuttle that is in selective fluid communication with the primary stream or the secondary stream. The rotor shuttle passes through a discharge station prior to completion of the valve cycle to discharge contaminants prior to re-exposure to the primary stream.

Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for treating degenerative joint diseases with electromagnetic fields using one or more waveforms that are configured to modulate Ca2+ binding to calmodulin and thereby modulate calmodulin-dependent nitric oxide signaling within joint and other affected tissue for the purpose of reducing pain and inflammation, as well as enhancing the healing and regeneration of such tissue.