Abstract: An infrared detection camera for the inspection of coated substrates. A corrosion sensing instrument is handheld, portable, battery powered, compact and lightweight. The camera performs nondestructive, real time imaging of corrosion and defects beneath painted metal or plastics or composite surfaces. The device includes a user-friendly computer interface for real time imaging and image storage capability and is typically used for detecting early stage corrosion beneath painted aircraft aluminum surfaces. The handheld device has a front “open air” imaging port which is designed to be placed in soft contact against the painted surface to be inspected by the instrument. The device includes an infrared camera and infrared lighting to capture an image of the surface. The captured image is transferred to a computer and analyzed to locate imperfections below a coating on a surface.

Abstract: Methods are provided for isolation of immunoglobulin G (IgG) from plasma, where IgG is initially fractioned by salt precipitation, followed by successive ion exchange steps in which IgG appears in unbound, flow-through fractions of the ion exchange steps. Some embodiments employ successive anion exchange steps. Other embodiments employ an anion exchange step followed by application of flow-through of the anion exchange step to a cation exchange step, with IgG collected in flow-through fractions from the cation exchange step. IgG is collected at high yield (typically about 75% or greater) and high purity. Avoidance of binding and elution from chromatography media simplifies processing and scale up without sacrificing IgG quality or yield.

Abstract: Methods for isolating proteins from solution by precipitation and compositions generated thereby are provided. A nonvolatile precipitation agent is added to an aqueous protein solution at a low concentration. Water is then removed from the resulting solution until the precipitant and the protein content of the solution increase to a concentration that provides the desired segregation of proteins between supernatant and precipitate. Additional water can be removed from the supernatant to provide additional fractionation. Water can be removed by evaporation (e.g. under reduced pressure) and/or diafiltration.

Abstract: Compositions of the inventive concept provide a therapeutic protein with less than 2% contamination by the therapeutic protein in denatured form. Such compositions provide enhanced specific activity and improved stability on storage and/or in serum than corresponding therapeutic protein preparations resulting from conventional isolation methods.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that simplify isolation of proteins of interest from serum or plasma. Finely divided silica or a similar lipid/lipoprotein binding solid is used in combination with a protein precipitating agent to generate a solution that includes the protein of interest and that can be applied to chromatography media without resulting in significant fouling of the media. The method is particularly suitable for isolation of immunoglobulin G.

Abstract: A method of producing protein products including alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor, gamma globulin, albumin, and other proteins from plasma includes steps of: (1) adding a salt to the blood product to produce a first intermediate, wherein the salt comprises between 11-13 wt % of the first intermediate; (2) separating the first intermediate to produce a first supernatant and a first paste; (3) adding a salt to the first intermediate to produce a second intermediate, wherein the salt comprises between 21-23 wt % of the second intermediate; (4) separating the second intermediate to produce a second supernatant and a second paste; (5) separating a third intermediate from the second supernatant by affinity chromatography; and (6) separating the third intermediate by ion exchange chromatography to produce an eluate containing the protein product. Advantageously, the inventive methods are simple and produce alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor, gamma globulin, albumin, and other proteins in high yields.

Abstract: An infrared detection camera for the inspection of coated substrates. A corrosion sensing instrument is handheld, portable, battery powered, compact and lightweight. The camera performs nondestructive, real time imaging of corrosion and defects beneath painted metal or plastics or composite surfaces. The device includes a user-friendly computer interface for real time imaging and image storage capability and is typically used for detecting early stage corrosion beneath painted aircraft aluminum surfaces. The handheld device has a front “open air” imaging port which is designed to be placed in soft contact against the painted surface to be inspected by the instrument. The device includes an infrared camera and infrared lighting to capture an image of the surface. The captured image is transferred to a computer and analyzed to locate imperfections below a coating on a surface.

Abstract: An infrared detection camera for the inspection of coated substrates. A corrosion sensing instrument is handheld, portable, battery powered, compact and lightweight. The camera performs nondestructive, real time imaging of corrosion and defects beneath painted metal or plastics or composite surfaces. The device includes a user-friendly computer interface for real time imaging and image storage capability and is typically used for detecting early stage corrosion beneath painted aircraft aluminum surfaces. The handheld device has a front “open air” imaging port which is designed to be placed in soft contact against the painted surface to be inspected by the instrument. The device includes an infrared camera and infrared lighting to capture an image of the surface. The captured image is transferred to a computer and analyzed to locate imperfections below a coating on a surface.

Abstract: Methods of producing multiple protein products from blood-based materials including alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor, gamma globulin, albumin, and other proteins are described herein. The inventive methods include steps of: salt fractionation, chromatography, ultrafiltration, diafiltration, solvent-detergent treatment, and sterile filtration. Advantageously, the inventive methods are simple and produce alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor, gamma globulin, albumin, and other proteins in high yields. The sequence of process steps can be selected to obtain multiple products from various in-process materials, such as supernatants, pastes, chromatography flow-though, and chromatography washes.

Abstract: Compositions of the inventive concept provide a therapeutic protein with less than 2% contamination by the therapeutic protein in denatured form. Such compositions provide enhanced specific activity and improved stability on storage and/or in serum than corresponding therapeutic protein preparations resulting from conventional isolation methods.

Abstract: Methods for isolating proteins from solution by precipitation are provided. A nonvolatile precipitation agent is added to an aqueous protein solution at a low concentration. Water is then removed from the resulting solution until the precipitant and the protein content of the solution increase to a concentration that provides the desired segregation of proteins between supernatant and precipitate. Additional water can be removed from the supernatant to provide additional fractionation. Water can be removed by evaporation (e.g. under reduced pressure) and/or diafiltration.

Abstract: A method of producing protein products including alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor, gamma globulin, albumin, and other proteins from plasma includes steps of: (1) adding a salt to the blood product to produce a first intermediate, wherein the salt comprises between 11-13 wt % of the first intermediate; (2) separating the first intermediate to produce a first supernatant and a first paste; (3) adding a salt to the first intermediate to produce a second intermediate, wherein the salt comprises between 21-23 wt % of the second intermediate; (4) separating the second intermediate to produce a second supernatant and a second paste; (5) separating a third intermediate from the second supernatant by affinity chromatography; and (6) separating the third intermediate by ion exchange chromatography to produce an eluate containing the protein product. Advantageously, the inventive methods are simple and produce alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor, gamma globulin, albumin, and other proteins in high yields.

Abstract: An infrared detection camera for the inspection of coated substrates. A corrosion sensing instrument is handheld, portable, battery powered, compact and lightweight. The camera performs nondestructive, real time imaging of corrosion and defects beneath painted metal or plastics or composite surfaces. The device includes a user-friendly computer interface for real time imaging and image storage capability and is typically used for detecting early stage corrosion beneath painted aircraft aluminum surfaces. The handheld device has a front “open air” imaging port which is designed to be placed in soft contact against the painted surface to be inspected by the instrument. The device includes an infrared camera and infrared lighting to capture an image of the surface. The captured image is transferred to a computer and analyzed to locate imperfections below a coating on a surface.

Abstract: The instant invention provides novel and effective methods of isolating alpha-1-antitrypsin from cryo-poor plasma and formulating it into therapeutic products. This invention achieves higher yields and a superior quality of alpha-1-antitrypsin. Alpha-1-antitrypsin is isolated from cryo-poor plasma, using one or more salts selected from a group comprising sodium citrate, sodium acetate, sodium gluconate, ammonium sulfate, sodium chloride, sodium sulfate and ammonium chloride in two fractionation steps, followed by diafiltration to remove those salts employed.

Abstract: An efficacious large-scale alcohol-free plasma fractionation production process which produces a high-yielding, non-denatured, double viral-inactivated intravenous human immune gamma globulin (IgG) product. The process employs sodium citrate in two initial fractionation steps, followed by diafiltration to remove sodium citrate.

Abstract: An efficacious large-scale alcohol-free plasma fractionation production process which produces a high-yielding, non-denatured, double viral-inactivated intravenous human immune gamma globulin (IgG) product. The process employs one or more salts from a group of salts comprising sodium citrate, sodium acetate, sodium gluconate, ammonium sulfate, sodium chloride, sodium sulfate and ammonium chloride in two initial fractionation steps, followed by diafiltration to remove those salts employed. A process which employs alcohol via the process of the disclosed inventive method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for thrusting plasma, utilizing a Hall thruster with segmented electrodes along the channel, which make the acceleration region as localized as possible. Also disclosed are methods of arranging the electrodes so as to minimize erosion and arcing. Also disclosed are methods of arranging the electrodes so as to produce a substantial reduction in plume divergence. The use of electrodes made of emissive material will reduce the radial potential drop within the channel, further decreasing the plume divergence. Also disclosed is a method of arranging and powering these electrodes so as to provide variable mode operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for thrusting plasma, utilizing a Hall thruster with a cylindrical geometry, wherein ions are accelerated in substantially the axial direction. The apparatus is suitable for operation at low power. It employs small size thruster components, including a ceramic channel, with the center pole piece of the conventional annular design thruster eliminated or greatly reduced. Efficient operation is accomplished through magnetic fields with a substantial radial component. The propellant gas is ionized at an optimal location in the thruster. A further improvement is accomplished by segmented electrodes, which produce localized voltage drops within the thruster at optimally prescribed locations. The apparatus differs from a conventional Hall thruster, which has an annular geometry, not well suited to scaling to small size, because the small size for an annular design has a great deal of surface area relative to the volume.