Abstract: Disclosed in one aspect is a method for performing a complete blood count (CBC) on a sample of whole blood by metering a predetermined amount of the whole blood and mixing it with a predetermined amount of diluent and stain and transferring a portion thereof to an imaging chamber of fixed dimensions and utilizing an automated microscope with digital camera and cell counting and recognition software to count every white blood cell and red blood corpuscle and platelet in the sample diluent/stain mixture to determine the number of red cells, white cells, and platelets per unit volume, and analyzing the white cells with cell recognition software to classify them.

Abstract: This disclosure describes single-use test cartridges, cell analyzer apparatus, and methods for automatically performing microscopic cell analysis tasks, such as counting blood cells in biological samples. A small unmeasured quantity of a biological sample such as whole blood is placed in the disposable test cartridge which is then inserted into the cell analyzer. The analyzer isolates a precise volume of the biological sample, mixes it with self-contained reagents and transfers the entire volume to an imaging chamber. The geometry of the imaging chamber is chosen to maintain the uniformity of the mixture, and to prevent cells from crowding or clumping, when it is transferred into the imaging chamber. Images of essentially all of the cellular components within the imaging chamber are analyzed to obtain counts per unit volume.

Abstract: A method for producing an intermediate product for obtaining a photovoltaic module comprising a plurality of solar cells, said method comprising the following steps: (a) localized deposition on a substrate (4) of a layer of metal (8) so as to cover at least one portion (401) of the substrate, (b) deposition on this localized layer (8) of a layer (41) of conductive material, said layer coating the localized layer (8).

Abstract: A method, including subjecting a subcutaneous medical device containing a magnet to a magnetic field, thereby imparting a torque onto the magnet, and resisting the imparted torque via an external device that has a skin facing component extending in a direction away from a curvature of the body of the recipient at locations proximate a portion directly contacting skin directly above the implanted magnet.

Abstract: A prosthetic hearing implant kit is disclosed. The prosthetic hearing implant kit comprises internal components configured to be implanted in a recipient and comprises an internal coil; external components configured to be worn by the recipient and comprises an external coil adapted to be inductively coupled with said internal coil; and an alert system having a second external coil and adapted to receive an external alarm and to transmit signals to said implanted components via said external coil for providing the recipient with a corresponding alarm indication.

Abstract: This disclosure describes single-use test cartridges, cell analyzer apparatus, and methods for automatically performing microscopic cell analysis tasks, such as counting blood cells in biological samples. A small unmeasured quantity of a biological sample such as whole blood is placed in the disposable test cartridge which is then inserted into the cell analyzer. The analyzer isolates a precise volume of the biological sample, mixes it with self-contained reagents and transfers the entire volume to an imaging chamber. The geometry of the imaging chamber is chosen to maintain the uniformity of the mixture, and to prevent cells from crowding or clumping, when it is transferred into the imaging chamber. Images of essentially all of the cellular components within the imaging chamber are analyzed to obtain counts per unit volume.

Abstract: Medical devices allow for the complete removal of a portion of an implantable component that contains a magnet. Such structure allows a recipient to undergo MRI procedures without interference from the implanted magnet. The magnet can also be contained within a larger, non-magnetic chassis that acts as an enlarged lever arm having a greater torque resistance against the generated magnetic forces.

Abstract: An apparatus, including a sterilely sealed package, and an electrode assembly sterilely sealed in the package, wherein the apparatus is configured to enable testing for an open circuit between two electrodes of the electrode assembly with the electrode assembly sterilely sealed in the package.

Abstract: Presented herein are separable magnet arrangements for use with encapsulated implantable components. A separable magnet arrangement includes an implantable magnet is at least one of fully encapsulated in, and mechanically severable from, an overmolding of the encapsulated implantable component or an implantable magnet that is physically separate from the encapsulated implantable component.

Abstract: An improved edge band for a protective helmet includes a flexible woven-fiber elongate band applied to the edge of a helmet shell. The elongate band is positioned such that side edges of the elongate band extend in intimately conforming contact along a surface contour of the helmet shell. The edge band includes a matrix material in contact with fibers of the elongate band.

Abstract: A computer-assisted method and system for assisting a user in evaluating a set of parameters in an electronic document. The method comprises accessing a first electronic variable data document having a first set of parameters provided by a first user corresponding to a first set of parameters in an electronic negotiated document. Then, the first electronic variable data document is compared to a second electronic variable data document. Differences between the first set of parameters of the first electronic variable data document and a second set of parameters of the second electronic variable data document are identified. The differences are categorized and labeled. A comparison report is generated including the categorized and labeled differences and an interpretation of the identified differences between the first set of parameters of the first electronic variable data document and the second set of parameters of the second electronic variable data document.

Abstract: An apparatus, including an external component of a medical device configured to generate a magnetic flux that removably retains, via a resulting magnetic retention force, the external component to a recipient thereof, wherein the external component is configured to enable the adjustment of the generated magnetic flux so as to vary the resulting magnetic retention force.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, including a magnet and a body encompassing the magnet, wherein the implantable medical device includes structural components in the body configured to move away from one another upon initial rotation of the magnet relative to the body when the magnet is subjected to an externally generated magnetic field, thereby limiting rotation of the magnet beyond the initial rotation.

Abstract: Embodiments are generally directed to a feedthrough for an implantable medical device. The feedthrough comprises an insulator having one or more conductors extending therethrough that is hermetically connected (joined) to a housing of the implantable medical device. More specifically, the housing includes an aperture and the insulator is configured be positioned in the aperture. Braze material is configured to be positioned in one or more indentations in at least one of the housing or the insulator such that the braze material is disposed in the indentations between the insulator and the housing.

Abstract: Quantitation of analytes, including but not limited to peptides, polypeptides, and proteins, in mass spectrometry using a labeled peptide coupled to a reporter, and a universal reporter.

Abstract: A method for absolute protein or peptide quantitation by mass spectroscopy. A sample containing a protein or peptide of interest is prepared for mass spectroscopy analysis. The sample is subjected to mass spectroscopy analysis at low resolution whereby a single additive mass spectroscopy peak is obtained, then is subjected to high resolution mass spectroscopy analysis whereby a plurality of mass spectroscopy peaks are obtained. The intensity of each of the plurality of mass spectroscopy peaks is quantitated either by comparison to an internal standard set, or by using a standard curve generated for each isotopologue set. Quantitation using a standard curve enhances quantitation across a dynamic range of analyte.

Abstract: A magnetic alignment system that can form part of a cochlear implant system. The magnetic alignment system prevents substantial movement of a magnet of an implanted component during an MRI procedure or allows for easy removal of the magnet to facilitate the MRI procedure.

Abstract: Quantitation of analytes, including but not limited to peptides, polypeptides, and proteins, in mass spectrometry using a labeled peptide coupled to a reporter, and a universal reporter.

Abstract: Quantitation of analytes, including but not limited to peptides, polypeptides, and proteins, in mass spectrometry using a labeled peptide coupled to a reporter, and a universal reporter.

Abstract: A method for absolute protein or peptide quantitation by mass spectroscopy. A sample containing a protein or peptide of interest is prepared for mass spectroscopy analysis. The sample is subjected to mass spectroscopy analysis at low resolution whereby a single additive mass spectroscopy peak is obtained, then is subjected to high resolution mass spectroscopy analysis whereby a plurality of mass spectroscopy peaks are obtained. The intensity of each of the plurality of mass spectroscopy peaks is quantitated either by comparison to an internal standard set, or by using a standard curve generated for each isotopologue set. Quantitation using a standard curve enhances quantitation across a dynamic range of analyte.