Abstract: Fibronectin enhances growth of adherent cells in culture. Methods herein involve producing human-derived fibronectin concentrate from the cryo-precipitation of plasma. Fibronectin concentrates from many donors are be pooled, filtered, and irradiated, followed by adjustment of the fibronectin concentration to fit individual customer needs. Aliquots of the final fibronectin Concentrate product can be used in cell therapy and regenerative medicine cell cultures.

Abstract: Feeder cell products are needed to enhance growth of cells that are being cultured. The current process produces feeder cells by selecting a source for blood material containing mononuclear cells (MNCs) and other blood components, combining blood material from a plurality of donors, isolating the MNCs from the other blood components so as to form isolated heterogenous MNCs. Afterwards, the isolated heterogeneous MNCs is irradiated to produce the feeder cells.

Abstract: Methods provided for producing human platelet lysates (HPL) typically from expired platelet units that were initially manufactured to be infused into patients. Whole blood units from which platelets will be prepared for transfusion are maintained at a temperature cooling toward room temperature. The platelet lysate produced by the method can be formed from platelets that have been removed from the refrigerated whole blood unit more than 8 hours after phlebotomy.

Abstract: A method treats human plasma obtained from any donor and renders the plasma, or serum derived therefrom, compatible with any recipient regardless of the recipient's blood group. Broadly, the method mixes type-AB red blood cells with blood plasma containing antibodies which are anti-A antibodies, anti-B antibodies or both so as to form a blood-plasma mixture, which can be separated to obtain a refined plasma which is lower in antibodies than the initial blood plasma.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving a person's skill in foreign language using playing cards and a rolling dice. The method uses two decks of cards, one deck consisting of cards each having a verb and an illustrative cartoon printed on one side of thereof with the English translation of the verb printed on the reverse side of that card, and another deck of cards, each having a noun and an illustrative cartoon on one side thereof and the English translation of the noun printed on the reverse side of that card. A rolling dice is provided having six sides (faces) with each of the six sides having a pronoun printed thereon. By drawing two cards, one from each deck and rolling the dice, a person will attempt to form a sentence based on the three words revealed by the two cards and the dice.

Abstract: A method may include measuring multiple location readings across a tactile input device at multiple times. The method may also include determining predicted location values corresponding to multiple locations across the tactile input device at the multiple measured times. The method may also include storing a table mapping the multiple location readings to the predicted location values.

Abstract: Electrochemical sensors for measurement of an analyte comprising an analyte sensing membrane comprising at least one salt of acetate ion, carbonate ion, bicarbonate ion, or mixtures thereof. Sensor testing methods comprising contacting an electrochemical sensor with an aqueous solution comprising at least one salt of acetate ion, carbonate ion, bicarbonate ion, or mixtures thereof and contacting the electrochemical sensor with one or more concentrations of analyte, the one or more concentrations of analyte being in the clinical concentration range of the analyte.

Abstract: Electrochemical sensors for measurement of an analyte comprising an analyte sensing membrane comprising at least one salt of acetate ion, carbonate ion, bicarbonate ion, or mixtures thereof. Sensor testing methods comprising contacting an electrochemical sensor with an aqueous solution comprising at least one salt of acetate ion, carbonate ion, bicarbonate ion, or mixtures thereof and contacting the electrochemical sensor with one or more concentrations of analyte, the one or more concentrations of analyte being in the clinical concentration range of the analyte.

Abstract: An asset monitoring and security system includes at least one asset and at least one user identification device assigned a unique identifier and operable to transmit an identification signal embodying the identifier over a wireless communications link. A data store maintains lists of the assets, users authorized to use the assets, and privileges associated with the assets for each of the authorized users. A control unit is adapted to receive identification signals from the assets and user identification devices and monitor positions of the assets and user identification devices within a defined area based on the identification signals. The control unit communicates with the data store and is further operable to initiate an alarm event when privileges associated with a given authorized user for a given asset are exceeded. Each of the assets includes a lock-out mechanism that impedes use of the asset when the lock-out mechanism is activated.

Abstract: An access device such as a catheter, or introducer, or any combination of the above is provided. Within the access device is at least one lumen, channel or instrument that carries or itself is a thermally active mass, such as infusion fluids, control wires, etc. A temperature sensor such as a thermistor is secured to the access device in order to measure the temperature of a temperature medium, typically blood, in a patient. Various insulating lumens, insulating members and mounting and extrusion configurations are provided by the invention to insulate the temperature sensor thermally from the thermal mass, which might otherwise degrade the accuracy of the temperature measurement. The invention also provides an arrangement whereby the temperature sensor is connected to an external monitor for display of the patient's temperature.

Abstract: An asset monitoring and security system includes at least one asset assigned a unique identifier and operable wirelessly transmit an identification signal embodying the identifier. A data store maintains a list of the assets and privileges associated with the assets for authorized users of the assets. A control unit is adapted to receive identification signals from the assets and monitor positions of the assets within a defined area. The control unit communicates with the data store and is further operable to initiate an alarm event when privileges associated with a given asset for authorized users of the asset are exceeded. Each of the assets includes a lock-out mechanism that impedes use of the asset when the lock-out mechanism is activated. The control unit activates the lock-out mechanism of a given asset when the privileges associated with the asset for authorized users of the asset are exceeded.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a wireless communication system for use with a blood pressure monitor system. The wireless communication system includes a portable unit that connects to a typical pressure transducer and a monitor interface unit that connects to a typical vital signs monitor. The portable unit obtains a pressure reading from the transducer by providing an excitation voltage to the transducer, then wirelessly transmitting the pressure data to the monitor interface unit. The monitor interface unit measures the excitation voltage supplied by the vital signs monitor to supply the pressure reading in a format recognizable by the vital signs monitor.

Abstract: An asset monitoring and security system includes at least one asset assigned a unique identifier and operable wirelessly transmit an identification signal embodying the identifier. A data store maintains a list of the assets and privileges associated with the assets for authorized users of the assets. A control unit is adapted to receive identification signals from the assets and monitor positions of the assets within a defined area. The control unit communicates with the data store and is further operable to initiate an alarm event when privileges associated with a given asset for authorized users of the asset are exceeded. Each of the assets includes a lock-out mechanism that impedes use of the asset when the lock-out mechanism is activated. The control unit activates the lock-out mechanism of a given asset when the privileges associated with the asset for authorized users of the asset are exceeded.

Abstract: An asset monitoring and security system includes at least one asset and at least one user identification device assigned a unique identifier and operable to transmit an identification signal embodying the identifier over a wireless communications link. A data store maintains lists of the assets, users authorized to use the assets, and privileges associated with the assets for each of the authorized users. A control unit is adapted to receive identification signals from the assets and user identification devices and monitor positions of the assets and user identification devices within a defined area based on the identification signals. The control unit communicates with the data store and is further operable to initiate an alarm event when privileges associated with a given authorized user for a given asset are exceeded. Each of the assets includes a lock-out mechanism that impedes use of the asset when the lock-out mechanism is activated.