Abstract: A cardiac sensor system includes implanted cardiac sensor assemblies and an external controller which receives information from the implanted sensors. The sensors permit direct measurement of a number of physiologic parameters. The external controller permits calculation of a variety of performance values based on the measured physiological parameters. Optionally, patient oxygen consumption can be measured externally and combined with the internally measured physiologic parameters in order to calculate a variety of unique performance values.

Abstract: A multiplexed medical carrier provides for sensing one or more patient parameters and/or delivering energy via separately identifiable effectors. The carrier includes a body and at least two electrical conductors coupled with at least two effectors. Effectors may be any combination of sensors, actuators or both. Sensors may measure such parameters as pressure, oxygen content, volume, conductivity, fluid flow rate, or any other chemical or physical parameters. Actuators may be used, for example, to pace a heart, stimulate muscle or neural tissue, broadcast ultrasonic energy, emit light, heat or other forms of radiation, or deliver any form of energy or substance. A method for collecting medical data from a patient includes interrogating a network of multiplexed sensors residing on parallel conductors in the patient, including addressing a first addressable sensor in the network to obtain data and addressing a second addressable sensor in the network to obtain data.

Abstract: The present invention provides an intra-ocular lens (IOL) whose focusing performance can be modified after its implantation in the eye without a need for any invasive procedure. An IOL of the invention has an optical chamber having at least a flexible region that is deformable under influence of a fluid. The IOL further include a reservoir for storing an optical fluid in fluid communication with the optical chamber, and a valve that regulates the fluid communication between the reservoir and the optical chamber. The lens can also include a pump that is actuated by an external energy source to transfer the optical fluid between the reservoir and the optical chamber to change the amount of fluid in the optical chamber, thereby modifying the focusing performance of the IOL.

Abstract: Method and kit for using in vitro expression to discover nucleic acids that encode desired functions. Either the existence, presence, identity, properties or function of one or more of the nucleic acids from the sample is unknown to at least the experimenter performing the method or using the kit.

Abstract: Synthetic polypeptides having at least one antigenic site of a prior protein, methods for their use and manufacture, antibodies raised against such polypeptides and diagnostic kits containing these polypeptides or antibodies.

Abstract: This invention has as its object a method for releasing a product by subjecting a compound of Formula (II′): R′7R′8(HX)C1-C2(YH)R′9R′10 to a chemical oxidation that cleaves the bond C1-C2 to obtain the product. In the compound of Formula (II′): R′7 to R′10, which are identical or different, correspond to a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted functional group; X and Y, which are identical or different, are an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or an amine of Formula -NR11R12, wherein R11 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, and R12 is not a hydrogen atom. The invention also has as its object a method for releasing a product that comprises, before the chemical oxidation stage, a first step for preparing the compound of Formula (II′). The released product can be a volatile molecule or an active substance or else a specific product.

Abstract: Method of gene shuffling using oriented ligation, whereby at least two fragments are adjacently hybridized on an assembly template. Invention is particularly aimed at generating novel polynucleotides that differ in some advantageous respect compared to a reference sequence. Invention further includes sequences created by the method, hosts and vectors containing same, and proteins translated therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the separation and characterization of the functions potentially present in a biological sample containing nucleic acids, characterized in that it comprises the steps of preparation of nucleic acid fragments starting from said sample, association of each one of said fragments with a vector molecule, isolation of each fragment associated with a vector molecule or with a part of each construction composed of a fragment associated with a vector molecule, in vitro treatment of each fragment associated with a vector molecule or of a part of each construction composed of a fragment associated with a vector molecule to obtain transcripts, and testing of the function of the transcripts or of the proteins encoded thereby after translation of said transcripts.

Abstract: A process for modifying the surface of a polymeric substrate is disclosed, wherein said process is comprised of contacting a surface of a polymeric substrate with a protic liquid or fluid containing a diazonium composition under such conditions that will effectively allow the reaction of the diazonium composition with the surface, resulting in the attachment of aromatic groups to the polymeric surface. The polymeric substrate contains aliphatic carbon-hydrogen bonds, while the protic composition is comprised of a diazonium complex formed by diazotizing an amino compound comprised of at least one amino group bonded to an aromatic group. Also disclosed are the products generated using the aforementioned surface modifications.

Abstract: Synthetic polypeptides having at least one antigenic site of a prion protein, methods for their use and manufacture, antibodies raised against such polypeptides and diagnostic kits containing these polypeptides or antibodies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to alter the shape of the cornea of an eye provides for heating a portion of the cornea to a temperature not exceeding the collagen shrinkage temperature, and applying a pressure differential to a portion of the cornea. The combined effect of elevated temperature and stretching forces leads to permanent residual strains in preferred directions, and thus to a permanent new shape of the cornea. The method is applicable to the correction or reduction of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.

Abstract: The in-situ robotic testing system uses a robotic probe positioning apparatus, attached to the system under test, to position the probe head and its associated probe tip at a selected location on the printed circuit board under test. Access to the printed circuit board under test is facilitated by the removal of the printed circuit board in the adjacent slot in the card cage. The robotic probe positioning apparatus comprise motors and associated control software. The control software can process user input and direct the motors to place the probe tip. The control software also directs the probe to perform the testing and provides the test results to the user. X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis motors are used to control the linear movement of the probe head and two rotational motors control the position and orientation of the probe tip relative to the circuitry and engage the probe tip with the particular circuit trace on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A military range scoring system with a plurality of imagers capable of viewing reference points and impact points for ordinance aimed at the reference points, imager position controllers, and data processors and video monitors for processing and viewing data received from said imagers; and communication links between the components. The imagers are preferably infrared or near-infrared, and the system manually and/or automatically scores impacts by digital signal processing of imager data.

Abstract: A distributed digital control system includes a plurality of control modules which are interconnected by a communication link. Each module includes a processor unit for running a control program, and a plurality of system databases which correspond to nodes in the system. Each module further includes a selector such as a Dual Inline Package (DIP) switch for inputting a node number. The program automatically selects the database corresponding to the input node number when the module is powered up. The system preferably utilizes the industry standard LonTalk® protocol, with each database including Standard Network Variable Types (SNVTs) and Standard Configuration Parameter Types (SCPTs) for the respective node. A default database is also stored in each module, which is automatically used by the program if the system databases are not found.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for calibrating a robotics system. The invention measures the actual performance of the robotics system when positioning objects at several calibration positions within an operational area. The invention then determines corrective factors based on the performance measurements. The robotics system uses the corrective factors to overcome positioning errors and operate in the field with extreme precision. The calibration system comprises a control system, a laser projection device, a plate, and a laser detection device. The robotics system positions the laser projection device to project a laser beam through a hole in the plate and onto a laser detection area on the laser detection device. The control system then directs the robotics system to move the laser projection device to a plurality of calibration positions.

Abstract: A circular multi-wave composite compression spring (10) is formed from a carbon fiber (58) reinforced laminate. The circular compression spring (10) is comprised of unidirectional graphite fibers (58) encased in a polymeric resin of generally rectangular cross-section such that adjacent crests (14) and troughs (16) of the waves in adjacent turns (12) of the spring (10) contact each other along a radial line generally extending from the longitudinal axis (30) of the spring (10). The line contact provides for increased fatigue life and more stable loading of the spring (10) under compression. The carbon fiber reinforced laminate provides comparable strength characteristics similarly configured springs fabricated from conventional materials while providing significantly reduced weight. Furthermore, the composite spring (10) offers increased performance parameters such as increased linearity response over a wider spring deflection range and with insignificant hysteresis.

Abstract: An apparatus detects an opening in a fluid flow passageway such as occurs when a resistance welding cap which is cooled by the fluid flow becomes accidently detached from a welding machine. Upon detection of an opening, an air-actuated pinch lever is activated to quickly pinch shut flexible fluid inlet and outlet hoses and thereby shut off the fluid flow. Inlet and outlet flow rate sensors provide periodic outputs to a digital computer which determines directions of inlet and outlet flow acceleration. If either the inlet or outlet acceleration changes direction, a baseline inlet or outlet flow rate is set equal to the corresponding current flow rate value to prevent erroneous opening detection due to normal flow fluctuations. If the inlet and outlet accelerations are in the same direction, the baseline values are similarly updated. If the inlet acceleration is positive and the outlet acceleration is negative, it indicates a probable opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to alter the shape of the cornea of an eye provides for heating a portion of the cornea to a temperature not exceeding the collagen shrinkage temperature, and applying a pressure differential to a portion of the cornea. The combined effect of elevated temperature and stretching forces leads to permanent residual strains in preferred directions, and thus to a permanent new shape of the cornea. The method is applicable to the correction or reduction of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.

Abstract: A military range scoring system with a plurality of imagers capable of viewing reference points and impact points for ordinance aimed at the reference points, imager position controllers, and data processors and video monitors for processing and viewing data received from said imagers, and communication links between the components. The imagers are preferably infrared or near-infrared, and the system manually and/or automatically scores impacts by digital signal processing of imager data.