Abstract: Disclosed is a drug infusion system comprising a drug infusion device having a reservoir, a window for viewing the contents of the reservoir, a cannula arranged to be deployed beneath the skin of a patient, and an actuator configured to be manually actuated to drive a medicament from the reservoir to the cannula. The system also has a cannula cover and a needle handle that holds a needle for insertion into the patient. The cannula cover and needle handle are detachably attached to the drug infusion device, and each is attachable to the other. The device further comprises a septum and a septum pincher to seal the device. The device also comprises a pumping mechanism, part of which are a last-dose lock-out mechanism and an occlusion detection mechanism, both of which operate on the same actuator.

Abstract: An amalgam capsule (16) for a low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp (1) has a closed end and an opposing end with an opening (21) to allow passage of mercury vapor between the amalgam plug (18) and the discharge space (3) of the lamp (1). A glass rod (19) placed in the capsule (16) restrains movement of the amalgam plug (18), and projections (20) in the inner wall of the capsule (16) restrain movement of the glass rod (19). The presence of the amalgam capsule (16) in the discharge space (3) enables highly-loaded, substantially temperature-independent operation of linear fluorescent lamps such as T8 lamps.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drug infusion system comprising a drug infusion device having a reservoir, a window for viewing the contents of the reservoir, a cannula arranged to be deployed beneath the skin of a patient, and an actuator configured to be manually actuated to drive a medicament from the reservoir to the cannula. The system also has a cannula cover and a needle handle that holds a needle for insertion into the patient. The cannula cover and needle handle are detachably attached to the drug infusion device, and each is attachable to the other. The device further comprises a septum and a septum pincher to seal the device. The device also comprises a pumping mechanism, part of which are a last-dose lock-out mechanism and an occlusion detection mechanism, both of which operate on the same actuator.

Abstract: An amalgam capsule (16) for a low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp (1) has a closed end and an opposing end with an opening (21) to allow passage of mercury vapor between the amalgam plug (18) and the discharge space (3) of the lamp (1). A glass rod (19) placed in the capsule (16) restrains movement of the amalgam plug (18), and projections (20) in the inner wall of the capsule (16) restrain movement of the glass rod (19). The presence of the amalgam capsule (16) in the discharge space (3) enables highly-loaded, substantially temperature-independent operation of linear fluorescent lamps such as T8 lamps.

Abstract: A biopsy device is provided which has a plurality of sample chamber bodies with each body having a plurality of sample chambers. The sample chamber bodies are pivotally coupled to one another to permit the device to be steered and so that the device may conform somewhat to the shape of the esophagus.

Abstract: The application discloses a drug infusion system comprising a base and a drug dispenser. The base is configured to receive a cannula that delivers a drug to beneath a wearer's skin. The base is attachable to the skin of the wearer. The reusable drug dispenser is removably attachable to the base and has a pump unit configured to establish fluid communication between a removably attachable drug reservoir and the cannula. The pump unit pumps the drug to the wearer upon activation by the wearer. The pump unit may have an inlet to contact the drug within the reservoir, which may be a needle. The pump unit may also have a receiving unit to receive the reservoir. Such a receiving unit may be a tubular for a cylindrical reservoir, or may have a cavity or an encasing unit to hold the reservoir.

Abstract: A low mercury consumption electric lamp is provided having a layer of a luminescent material comprising a phosphor derived from a mixture of a mixture of a cool-white calcium halophosphate, a red-emitting yttrium oxide (YOX), a green-emitting cerium, terbium lanthanum phosphate (LAP), and a blue-emitting europium-activated barium magnesium hexa-aluminate (BAM).

Abstract: Tissue fasteners carried on a tissue piercing deployment wire fasten tissue layers of a mammalian body together. The fasteners include a first member, a second member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second members. The first and second members are substantially parallel to each other. The fasteners may be deployed in limited spaces and in various applications including the restoration of a gastroesophageal flap valve.

Abstract: An apparatus enables concurrent restoration of a gastroesophageal valve and tightening of the lower esophageal sphincter. The apparatus comprises a longitudinal member having a distal end arranged to be received within a stomach, a tissue shaper at the distal end of the longitudinal member that forms a gastroesophageal valve from stomach tissue, and a tissue gatherer that gathers fundus tissue at or aboral to the gastroesophageal junction to reduce an esophageal opening into the stomach and tighten the lower esophageal sphincter. A fastener deployer then deploys at least one fastener pair to maintain both the restored gastroesophageal valve and the tightened lower esophageal sphincter.

Abstract: A transoral gastroesophageal flap valve (GEFV) restoration device presents stomach tissue for fastening. The device comprises a longitudinal member having a portion arranged for transoral placement into a stomach. A tissue shaper is carried on the distal end of the longitudinal member that shapes stomach tissue within the stomach into a GEFV. The tissue shaper comprises a pair of hingedly coupled first and second arms for receiving the stomach tissue there between. The device further comprises a fastener director that directs a fastener into the stomach tissue along a path that is devoid of any deviations or bends greater than 45 degrees.

Abstract: A transoral gastroesophageal flap valve (GEFV) restoration device presents stomach tissue for fastening. The device comprises a longitudinal member having a portion arranged for transoral placement into a stomach. A tissue shaper is carried on the distal end of the longitudinal member that shapes stomach tissue within the stomach into a GEFV. The tissue shaper comprises a pair of hingedly coupled first and second arms for receiving the stomach tissue there between. The device further comprises a fastener director that directs a fastener into the stomach tissue along a path that is devoid of any deviations or bends greater than 45 degrees.

Abstract: Stomach tissue is manipulated to form, for example, a restored flap of a gastroesophageal flap valve. The manipulation includes gripping stomach tissue from within the stomach while the stomach is inflated to promote visualization and stabilization of the gripped stomach tissue. Once the stomach tissue is gripped, the stomach is deflated and pulled into a mold. The molded tissue is then fastened with at least one fastener. The stomach is inflated to a first pressure during visualization and then to a second higher pressure during the stomach tissue gripping.

Abstract: A transoral gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device includes a tissue gripper which is guidable by one of a first and second member. The first and second members form a tissue shaper carried on a longitudinal member that shapes stomach tissue into the flap of a restored gastroesophageal flap valve.

Abstract: The invention provides nanosensors and nanosensor components for the detection of ion channel activity, receptor activity, or protein protein interactions. Certain of the nanosensor components comprise a nanoparticle and recognition domain. Following contact with cells and, optionally, internalization of the nanosensor component by a cell, the recognition domain binds to a target domain, e.g., a heterologous target domain, of a polypeptide of interest such as an ion channel subunit, G protein coupled receptor (GPCR), or G protein subunit. Ion channel activity, GPCR activity, or altered protein interaction results in a detectable signal. The nanoparticles may be functionalized so that they respond to the presence of an ion by altering their proximity. Certain of the nanosensors utilize the phenomenon of plasmon resonance to produce a signal while others utilize magnetic properties, RET, and/or ion-sensitive moieties. Also provided are polypeptides, e.g.

Abstract: A transoral gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device has sufficient flexibility and dimension to be passed through the mouth, throat, and esophagus of a patient into the patient's stomach. The device includes a first member and a second member hingedly coupled to the first member. The first and second members are configured to flex in a direction to follow the esophageal path into the stomach and to be substantially rigid when forming the restored gastroesophageal flap valve.

Abstract: A transoral gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device includes a single hinge coupling an arm to a body between which stomach tissue is folded to form a restored gastroesophageal flap valve. The device includes a drive mechanism that imparts reciprocal movement to the arm relative to the body. The drive mechanism includes a pulley of sufficient diameter to provide a mechanical advantage in imparting reciprocating movement of the arm relative to the body.

Abstract: A tissue fastener assembly delivers a fastener for deployment. The assembly includes a fastener including a first member, a second member, the first and second members having first and second ends, and a flexible connecting member fixed to each of the first and second members intermediate the first and second ends and extending between the first and second members. The first member has a longitudinal axis and a through channel along the axis. The assembly further includes a deployment wire slidingly received within the through channel of the first member that pierces into the tissue and guides the first member through the tissue, a guide structure defining a lumen that receives the fastener and deployment wire and guides the deployment wire and fastener to the tissue, and a fastener configuration structure that orientates the second member in a predetermined position relative to the first member within the lumen for dependable deployment.

Abstract: Tissue fasteners carried on a tissue piercing deployment wire fasten tissue layers of a mammalian body together include a first member, a second member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second members. One of the first and second members has an elongated slot permitting fastener deployment while avoiding excessive tissue compression.

Abstract: Tissue fasteners carried on a tissue piercing deployment wire fasten tissue layers of a mammalian body together. The fasteners include a first member, a second member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second members. The first and second members are substantially parallel to each other. The fasteners may be deployed in limited spaces and in various applications including the restoration of a gastroesophageal flap valve.

Abstract: A low mercury consumption electric lamp is provided having a a layer of a luminescent material comprising a phosphor derived from a mixture of a blue-halo calcium halophosphate phosphor having an average particle size within the range of about 6.6 to about 10 microns; a calcium-yellow calcium halophosphate phosphor having an average particle size within the range of about 9.0 to about 13 microns; and fines of a warm-white calcium halophosphate phosphor, preferably having an average particle size of about 4.62.