Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for performing in vivo flow cytometry. In one embodiments, selected circulating cells of interest of a subject are labeled with fluorescent probe molecules. The labeled cells are irradiated in vivo so as to excite the fluorescent probes, and the radiation emitted by the excited probes is detected, preferably confocally. The detected radiation is then analyzed to derive desired information, such as relative cell count, of the cells of interest.

Abstract: A stepless adjustable seat post assembly comprises: a post provided at its an end with a passage, an annular inclined surface is formed at either end of the passage, on the annular inclined surface is formed an annular shoulder; two elastic members disposed at the annular shoulder of the post; two clamping members each includes an annular abutting surface and a press surface, and the two clamping members are disposed at both ends of the passage of the post; and an adjustment assembly is inserted through the two clamping members, the two elastic members, and the passage of the post. By adjusting the adjustment assembly, the two clamping will be caused to clamp or not to clamp the post.

Abstract: A method of scanning a laser beam across a set of cells includes during a first interval, causing a galvanometric scanner to scan a laser beam across a set of cells; and during a second interval, causing the galvanometric scanner to deflect the laser beam away from the set of cells. The first interval is selected to cause microcavitation in at least a portion of the cells from the set of cells.

Abstract: A method of scanning a laser beam across a set of cells includes during a first interval, scanning a laser beam across a set of cells; and during a second interval, deflecting the laser beam away from the set of cells. The first interval is selected to cause microcavitation in at least a portion of the cells from the set of cells.

Abstract: Provided is an engine for comparing a key with rules having defined ranges. A key is received and a rule is accessed including a high and low values defining a range. The key is concurrently compared with the high and low values to determine whether the key falls within a range defined by the high and low values an indication is made in status information the rule in response to the key falling within the defined range of the rule. An additional iteration of accessing a next rule is performed to concurrently compare the key with the high and low values of the next rule, and indication is made in the status information of the next rule in response to the key falling within a range defined by the next rule.

Abstract: A confocal microscope system that is inherently fiberoptic compatible is described which has line scanning aided image formation. An incoherent fiberoptic bundle maps a line illumination pattern into a dispersible group of separate sources, and then remaps this confocally selected remitted light to the original line. Fibers, not confocal with the illumination, carry light to be rejected from the image back on itself upon double passing, while separate fibers carry light from non-confocal sample planes. The transformation allows efficient rejection of unwanted photons at a slit aperture. The fiber bundle and an objective lens provide a flexible probe for imaging internal tissue for pathological examination on a cellular level.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for performing in-vivo flow cytometry to obtain desired information regarding one or more cell types of interest flowing through a subject's circulatory system. In one embodiment of the invention, a portion of the subject's circulating blood is illuminated with radiation having multiple wavelength components, and the backscattered radiation generated in response to the excitation radiation is detected at a plurality of scattering angles and analyzed to derive the desired information.

Abstract: Selective photocoagulation of particular cells, tissue or portion of tissue can be aided by monitoring microcavitation within the material exposed to electromagnetic radiation (12). The information gained by the detection of microcavitation events can be used to modulate the intensity of the radiation (12) to prevent significant thermal energy transmission and mechanical damage to cells, tissues or portions of tissues which are not directly exposed, but prone to thermal damage by such energy transmission. Detection of microcavitation also serves as a valuable therapeutic endpoint. The methods of the invention are applicable to laser eye surgery, since the target cells of several therapeutic photocoagulation methods, the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are proximate to photoreceptor cells. The inventive methods can help prevent the formation of blind spots that can be associated with laser eye surgery. Other fields of laser surgery can also be readily adapted to the methods described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-metal joint structure for a bicycle seat post comprising a fixing seat for retaining a bicycle seat, beneath the fixing seat formed a connecting portion for insertion into the seat post, and an axial through hole formed in the fixing seat; wherein the fixing seat of the joint structure is integrally formed with the connecting portion by means of molding, the fixing seat and the connecting portion are made of non-metal composite material. The weight of the joint structure of the present invention can be reduced effectively, and the defect of inconsistency in appearance of the conventional joint structure can be eliminated.

Abstract: A quick release handlebar stem assembly for a bicycle comprises a stem having a first pivotal connecting portion, a clamping portion formed on the stem, and a clamping member is pivotally connected to the clamping portion, the clamping member is provided with a retained portion; a quick-release locking clamp pivotally coupled the first pivotal connecting portion of the stem; a retainer pivotally coupled to the quick-release locking clamp is provided with a retaining portion for locking the retained portion of the clamping member; wherein the retainer can hook the clamping member when rotating the quick-release locking clamp, so that the clamping member will cooperate with the clamping portion to clamp and release a handlebar of a bicycle.

Abstract: Bicycle brake shoes are provided for a bicycle braking device. The brake shoes are pressed into contact with a bicycle wheel rim to apply a braking force thereto. The brake shoes are coupled to the bicycle braking device by brake shoe holders. Each brake shoe includes an attachment portion coupled to the brake shoe holder and a rim contacting portion for contacting the side braking surface of the rim. The brake shoes are formed from a polymer that is obtained by cross-linking SBR with peroxide of adhesive or sulfur. The brake shoe is elongated in the rotation direction of the wheel rim and has a braking surface opposite to the braked surface of the rim.

Abstract: Bicycle brake shoes are provided for a bicycle braking device. The brake shoes are pressed into contact with a bicycle wheel rim to apply a braking force thereto. The brake shoes are coupled to the bicycle braking device by brake shoe holders. Each brake shoe includes an attachment portion coupled to the brake shoe holder and a rim contacting portion for contacting the side braking surface of the rim. The brake shoes are formed from a polymer that is obtained by cross-linking rubber with sulfur. The brake shoe is elongated in the rotation direction of the wheel rim and has a braking surface opposite to the braked surface of the rim.

Abstract: Bicycle brake shoes are provided for a bicycle braking device. The brake shoes are pressed into contact with a bicycle wheel rim to apply a braking force thereto. The brake shoes are coupled to the bicycle braking device by brake shoe holders. Each brake shoe includes an attachment portion coupled to the brake shoe holder and a rim contacting portion for contacting the side braking surface of the rim. The brake shoes are formed from a polymer that is obtained by cross-linking Nitrile Buna Rubber, Styrene-butadiene rubber with sulfur. The brake shoe is elongated in the rotation direction of the wheel rim and has a braking surface opposite to the braked surface of the rim.

Abstract: A disc brake pad comprises: a support board coated at a side surface thereof with epoxy resin, and a friction member is press formed out of a compound of alumina, Kevlar, graphite and resin and then affixed to side surface of the support board by hot pressing, so that the epoxy resin will be melted and polymerized to combine the support board with the friction member as a whole, whereby the disc brake pad does not excessively wear the disc rotor during deceleration and stopping of the disc rotor while maintaining good performance in wet conditions.

Abstract: A confocal microscope system that is inherently fiberoptic compatible is described which has line scanning aided image formation. An incoherent fiberoptic bundle maps a line illumination pattern into a dispersible group of separate sources, and then remaps this confocally selected remitted light to the original line. Fibers, not confocal with the illumination, carry light to be rejected from the image back on itself upon double passing, while separate fibers carry light from non-confocal sample planes. The transformation allows efficient rejection of unwanted photons at a slit aperture. The fiber bundle and an objective lens provide a flexible probe for imaging internal tissue for pathological examination on a cellular level.

Abstract: A storage element stores entries corresponding to threads. Each of the threads has a request identifier and generates an access request to a memory for a memory usage of a memory block. Each of the threads corresponds to a fixed entry occupied at a predetermined location. A controller controls access to the memory. The access includes a lock phase before the memory usage and an unlock phase after the memory usage.

Abstract: A confocal microscope system that is inherently fiberoptic compatible is described which has line scanning aided image formation. An incoherent fiberoptic bundle maps a line illumination pattern into a dispersible group of separate sources, and then remaps this confocally selected remitted light to the original line. Fibers, not confocal with the illumination, carry light to be rejected from the image back on itself upon double passing, while separate fibers carry light from non-confocal sample planes. The transformation allows efficient rejection of unwanted photons at a slit aperture. The fiber bundle and an objective lens provide a flexible probe for imaging internal tissue for pathological examination on a cellular level.

Abstract: Selective photocoagulation of particular cells, tissue or portion of tissue can be aided by monitoring microcavitation within the material exposed to electromagnetic radiation (12). The information gained by the detection of microcavitation events can be used to modulate the intensity of the radiation (12) to prevent significant thermal energy transmission and mechanical damage to cells, tissues or portions of tissues which are not directly exposed, but prone to thermal damage by such energy transmission. Detection of microcavitation also serves as a valuable therapeutic endpoint. The methods of the invention are applicable to laser eye surgery, since the target cells of several therapeutic photocoagulation methods, the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are proximate to photoreceptor cells. The inventive methods can help prevent the formation of blind spots that can be associated with laser eye surgery. Other fields of laser surgery can also be readily adapted to the methods described herein.

Abstract: A method of distributing route information is described. The method includes maintaining a number of entries, indicating that at least one of the entries, requiring processing by a first process, has been processed by the first process, and causing the first process to process another of the entries requiring processing by the first process based on the indication. In doing so, the first process uses the indication to decide which of the entries requiring processing the process has already processed and which of those entries remain to be processed. Each one of the entries preferably corresponds to at least one characteristic of a network connection between a number of network elements, such as a route between network elements.

Abstract: A storage element stores entries corresponding to threads. Each of the threads has a request identifier and generates an access request to a memory for a memory usage of a memory block. Each of the threads corresponds to a fixed entry occupied at a predetermined location. A controller controls access to the memory. The access includes a lock phase before the memory usage and an unlock phase after the memory usage.