Abstract: An apparatus includes a probe configured to provide at least a portion of capacitance of an inductance-capacitance (LC) circuit of a detection circuit, the capacitance of the LC circuit being dependent on a distance between the probe and a surface of a liquid in a biochemical analysis system. The apparatus includes a movement mechanism configured to move the probe. The apparatus includes circuitry configured to perform operations that include causing the movement mechanism to move the probe with respect to the liquid; measuring one or more characteristics of an output signal of the detection circuit, the one or more characteristics being dependent on the capacitance of the LC circuit; and detecting, based on the one or more characteristics of the output signal, a contact between the probe and the surface of the liquid.

Abstract: An example medical diagnostic system includes one or more containers that are usable in a medical diagnostic test. Each container has an identification (ID) tag associated therewith. An ID tag of a container includes memory that is readable and writeable. The memory is for storing information relating to the container. Antennas are configured to communicate wirelessly with ID tags associated with the one or more containers. A control system is configured to store a location of the container based on an identify of the antenna, to select the antenna for communication with the ID tag, and to use the antenna to read at least some of the information from, or to write at least some of the information to, the memory on the ID tag.

Abstract: Systems and methods for probe tip heating are disclosed. An exemplary system for probe tip heating can include an enclosure enclosing a probe tip, a heating device, and a fan. The probe tip can be configured to access an internal volume of a stoppered container and to aspirate or dispense a material from or to the internal volume of the stoppered container. The heating device can be configured to heat air circulating within the enclosure.

Abstract: A dispensing mechanism for delivering a dosage of medicament including a housing having a proximal-distal axis; a plunger rod having a screw thread and configured to advance along the proximal-distal axis relative to the housing; a user-operable push button moveable along the proximal-distal axis relative to the housing; a twist driver threadably engaged with the push button such that movement of the push button towards the distal end of the housing causes rotation of the twist driver about the proximal-distal axis; and a driver engaged with the twist driver such that rotation of the twist driver causes rotation of the driver, the driver also engaged with a portion of the plunger rod such that rotation of the driver causes rotation of the plunger rod, advancing the plunger rod along the proximal-distal axis relative to the housing.

Abstract: A dispensing mechanism for delivering a dosage of medicament including a housing having a proximal-distal axis; a plunger rod having a screw thread and configured to advance along the proximal-distal axis relative to the housing; a user-operable push button moveable along the proximal-distal axis relative to the housing; a twist driver threadably engaged with the push button such that movement of the push button towards the distal end of the housing causes rotation of the twist driver about the proximal-distal axis; and a driver engaged with the twist driver such that rotation of the twist driver causes rotation of the driver, the driver also engaged with a portion of the plunger rod such that rotation of the driver causes rotation of the plunger rod, advancing the plunger rod along the proximal-distal axis relative to the housing.

Abstract: A cartridge retainer comprises a sleeve having a distal end a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end. One or more tabs extend radially from the sleeve toward the longitudinal axis and are configured to radially deflect away from the longitudinal axis. One or more deformable members extend axially from the distal end of the sleeve toward the one or more tabs and are configured to deform in a longitudinal direction toward the distal end.

Abstract: A dispensing mechanism for delivering a dosage of medicament including a housing having a proximal-distal axis; a plunger rod having a screw thread and configured to advance along the proximal-distal axis relative to the housing; a user-operable push button moveable along the proximal-distal axis relative to the housing; a twist driver threadably engaged with the push button such that movement of the push button towards the distal end of the housing causes rotation of the twist driver about the proximal-distal axis; and a driver engaged with the twist driver such that rotation of the twist driver causes rotation of the driver, the driver also engaged with a portion of the plunger rod such that rotation of the driver causes rotation of the plunger rod, advancing the plunger rod along the proximal-distal axis relative to the housing.

Abstract: A cartridge retainer comprises a sleeve having a distal end a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end. One or more tabs extend radially from the sleeve toward the longitudinal axis and are configured to radially deflect away from the longitudinal axis. One or more deformable members extend axially from the distal end of the sleeve toward the one or more tabs and are configured to deform in a longitudinal direction toward the distal end.

Abstract: A dispensing mechanism for delivering a dosage of medicament including a housing having a proximal-distal axis; a plunger rod having a screw thread and configured to advance along the proximal-distal axis relative to the housing; a user-operable push button moveable along the proximal-distal axis relative to the housing; a twist driver threadably engaged with the push button such that movement of the push button towards the distal end of the housing causes rotation of the twist driver about the proximal-distal axis; and a driver engaged with the twist driver such that rotation of the twist driver causes rotation of the driver, the driver also engaged with a portion of the plunger rod such that rotation of the driver causes rotation of the plunger rod, advancing the plunger rod along the proximal-distal axis relative to the housing.

Abstract: A cartridge retainer comprises a sleeve having a distal end a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end. One or more tabs extend radially from the sleeve toward the longitudinal axis and are configured to radially deflect away from the longitudinal axis. One or more deformable members extend axially from the distal end of the sleeve toward the one or more tabs and are configured to deform in a longitudinal direction toward the distal end.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for topology management and geographic routing in mobile ad-hoc networks are disclosed. One method for geographic routing in mobile ad-hoc networks includes receiving a first packet requiring routing at a first mobile node configured to operate in a mobile ad-hoc network where the first mobile node and other mobile nodes move relative to each other and are connected using directional wireless communications links. The method also includes performing greedy routing for the first packet, and in response to determining that no next hop neighbor node is closer to the destination than the first mobile node, performing face routing of the first packet, wherein performing greedy routing or face routing includes storing local topology information at the mobile nodes and using the local topology information when making routing decisions.

Abstract: A cartridge retainer comprises a sleeve having a distal end a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end. One or more tabs extend radially from the sleeve toward the longitudinal axis and are configured to radially deflect away from the longitudinal axis. One or more deformable members extend axially from the distal end of the sleeve toward the one or more tabs and are configured to deform in a longitudinal direction toward the distal end.

Abstract: A dispensing mechanism for delivering a dosage of medicament including a housing having a proximal-distal axis; a plunger rod having a screw thread and configured to advance along the proximal-distal axis relative to the housing; a user-operable push button moveable along the proximal-distal axis relative to the housing; a twist driver threadably engaged with the push button such that movement of the push button towards the distal end of the housing causes rotation of the twist driver about the proximal-distal axis; and a driver engaged with the twist driver such that rotation of the twist driver causes rotation of the driver, the driver also engaged with a portion of the plunger rod such that rotation of the driver causes rotation of the plunger rod, advancing the plunger rod along the proximal-distal axis relative to the housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for site controlled crystallization are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for forming a composite film is disclosed. In one example embodiment, the method includes forming a layer of amorphous material. The method also includes forming a layer of metal material on each of a plurality of selected regions of the layer of amorphous material to form a structure including the layer of metal material on the layer of amorphous material, and annealing the structure to generate metal-induced crystallization at the interface of the layer of metal material and each of the selected regions of the layer of amorphous material such that crystalline structures are formed.

Abstract: The instant invention provides for a composition and method for using Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitors, e.g., aprotinin or bikunin, for stimulating the rate of mucociliary clearance of mucus and sputum in lung airways of subjects afflicted with mucociliary dysfunctions such as cystic fibrosis.

Abstract: The instant invention provides for a composition and method for using Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitors, e.g., aprotinin or bikunin, for stimulating the rate of mucociliary clearance of mucus and sputum in lung airways of subjects afflicted with mucociliary dysfunctions such as cystic fibrosis.

Abstract: The present invention describes an improved process for the preparation, isolation, and purification of the anti-ulcer agent omeprazole whereby the sulfide precursor pyrmetazole is reacted subsurfacely with exactly one molar equivalent of meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid in a chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbon or aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, such as methylene chloride or toluene; residual organic solvent is removed from the aqueous layer by vacuum distillation; crude product is obtained by reactive crystallization with an alkyl formate or formic acid solution and seeding; and pure product is isolated by recrystallization in methanol-water containing aqueous NaOH by subsurface addition of aqueous acetic acid to pH 9.0, seeding, filtration, washing, and drying. Omeprazole and compositions of omeprazole containing no chromatographically detectable levels of residual non-alcoholic organic reaction solvent and diminished levels of alcoholic solvent are also described.

Abstract: The present invention describes an improved process for the preparation, isolation, and purification of the anti-ulcer agent omeprazole whereby the sulfide precursor pyrmetazole is reacted subsurfacely with exactly one molar equivalent of meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid in methylene chloride or toluene solution; residual organic solvent is removed from the aqueous layer by vacuum distillation; crude product is obtained by reactive crystallization with an alkyl formate and seeding; and pure product is isolated by recrystallization in methanol-water containing aqueous NaOH by subsurface addition of aqueous acetic acid to pH 9.0, seeding, filtration, washing, and drying. Compositions of omeprazole containing no chromatographically detectable levels of residual non-alcoholic organic reaction solvent are also described.

Abstract: The present invention describes an improved process for the preparation, isolation, and purification of the anti-ulcer agent omeprazole whereby the sulfide precursor pyrmetazole is reacted subsurfacely with exactly one molar equivalent of meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid in methylene chloride or toluene solution; residual organic solvent is removed from the aqueous layer by vacuum distillation; crude product is obtained by reactive crystallization with an alkyl formate and seeding; and pure product is isolated by recrystallization in methanol-water containing aqueous NaOH by subsurface addition of aqueous acetic acid to pH 9.0, seeding, filtration, washing, and drying. Compositions of omeprazole containing no chromatographically detectable levels of residual non-alcoholic organic reaction solvent are also described.