Abstract: Methods and systems for method for acoustic treatment of tissue to disperse vacuoles within the tissue. Some of the present methods and systems comprise: directing pulsed acoustic waves from the acoustic wave generator into the tissue containing the vacuoles. Some of the present methods include indentifying the location of tissue containing vacuoles, and/or coupling (e.g., acoustically) an acoustic wave generator to the tissue containing the vacuoles.

Abstract: A rapid method for preparing stem cell and physiologically acceptable matrix compositions for use in tissue and organ repair is described. Compared with previous tissue engineering materials, the stem cell-matrix compositions of the present invention do not require long-term incubation or cultivation in vitro prior to use in in vivo applications. The stem cells can be from numerous sources and may be homogeneous, heterogeneous, autologous, and/or allogeneic in the matrix material. The stem cell-matrix compositions provide point of service utility for the practitioner, wherein the stem cells and matrix can be combined not long before use, thereby alleviating costly and lengthy manufacturing procedures. In addition, the stem cells offer unique structural properties to the matrix composition which improves outcome and healing after use. Use of stem cells obtained from muscle affords contractility to the matrix composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transportable therapeutic cartridge, a therapeutic agent robotic mixer and a method for providing therapeutic infusion services. The transportable therapeutic cartridge is configured to be used to manually mix therapeutic agents or to be coupled to a therapeutic agent robotic mixer, such that the robotic mixer can access therapeutic agents disposed in the cartridge and automatically mix therapeutic agents. The cartridge, mixer, and method provide therapeutic infusions in a just-in-time fashion, so as to minimize risk to patients and facility staff while maximizing the use and safety of the therapeutics.

Abstract: A rapid method for preparing stem cell and physiologically acceptable matrix compositions for use in tissue and organ repair is described. Compared with previous tissue engineering materials, the stem cell-matrix compositions of the present invention do not require long-term incubation or cultivation in vitro prior to use in in vivo applications. The stem cells can be from numerous sources and may be homogeneous, heterogeneous, autologous, and/or allogeneic in the matrix material. The stem cell-matrix compositions provide point of service utility for the practitioner, wherein the stem cells and matrix can be combined not long before use, thereby alleviating costly and lengthy manufacturing procedures. In addition, the stem cells offer unique structural properties to the matrix composition which improves outcome and healing after use. Use of stem cells obtained from muscle affords contractility to the matrix composition.

Abstract: The invention is directed to preparation of stem cell and physiologically acceptable matrix compositions. Compared with previous tissue engineering materials, the stem cell-matrix compositions of the present invention do not require long-term incubation or cultivation in vitro prior to use in vivo applications. The stem cells can be from numerous sources and may be homogeneous, heterogeneous, autologous, and/or allogeneic in the matrix material. The stem cell-matrix compositions provide point of service utility for the practitioner, wherein the stem cells and matrix can be combined not long before use, thereby alleviating costly and lengthy manufacturing procedures. In addition, the stem cells offer unique structural properties to the matrix composition which improves outcome and healing after use. Use of stem cells obtained from muscle affords contractility to the matrix composition.

Abstract: A nano-optic device comprises a plurality of subwavelength apertures in a metal film or between metal islands. The device is adapted to shape a radiation beam transmitted there through. For example, beam shaping includes at least one of beam focusing, beam bending and beam collimating.

Abstract: A method of diminishing permanent tissue markings on a person caused by particles in the dermis includes applying ultrasound radiation to the tissue to generate cavitation bubbles and altering the tissue marking particles by collapse of the cavitation bubbles and transferring energy to the particles. The ultrasound radiation in one embodiment may have a frequency of about 15 KHz to 2 MHz and may be pulsed. The process may be repeated at the same location or other locations while resisting undesired, excessive bleeding of the dermis. The permanent tissue markings may be tattoos. The method may be used in conjunction with other methods of removing the permanent tissue markings, which may include laser, chemical agents, and biological agents. Related apparatus is enclosed.

Abstract: A method for notifying an intended recipient of a mail piece regarding the mail piece is provided including receiving a first electronic file regarding the mail piece from a mailer of the mail piece by a service provider; authenticating the mailer identification information in the first electronic file by the service provider; and after authenticating the mailer identification information, transmitting at least a portion of the information in the first electronic file to the intended recipient of the mail piece. The information in the first electronic file includes mailer identification information.

Abstract: A method of preparing mail pieces to be mailed by a mailer is provided including preparing a plurality of potential content members for the mail pieces; sending a first electronic file from the mailer to a service provider; sending a first communication from the service provider to an intended recipient of at least one of the mail pieces based upon the first electronic file; sending a second electronic file from the service provider to the mailer based upon a response of the intended recipient to the first communication; and selecting, by the mailer, individual ones of the content members for creation of the mail pieces based upon the second electronic file from the service provider.

Abstract: A method of changing delivery parameters of a mail piece is provided including mailing the mail piece; sending an intended recipient of the mail piece information regarding the mailed mail piece; providing the intended recipient with an opportunity to change at least a first one of the delivery parameters of the mail piece after the mail piece has been mailed; and limiting the intended recipient from changing the first delivery parameter of the mail piece based upon an instruction sent to a service provider by a mailer of the mail piece.

Abstract: A method for changing a delivery parameter of a mail piece intended to be delivered to an intended recipient, the method including receiving a first electronic file from a mailer regarding the mail piece; sending a first electronic communication to the intended recipient based upon the first electronic file; and receiving a second electronic communication based upon the first electronic communication. At least one of the delivery parameters of the mail piece are changed based upon the second electronic communication.

Abstract: A method of communicating information regarding a mail piece including sending a first electronic file regarding the mail piece from a mailer of the mail piece to a service provider; and receiving, by the mailer, a second electronic file containing information from the first electronic file and information regarding a communication from an intended recipient of the mail piece.

Abstract: Compositions for protecting an object from electromagnetic radiation exposure is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the composition can include a plurality of different crystalline colloidal arrays, the arrays comprising particles dispersed within a matrix. At least one of the different crystalline colloidal arrays can randomly orientate within the composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides muscle-derived progenitor cells that show long-term survival following transplantation into body tissues and which can augment soft tissue following introduction (e.g. via injection, transplantation, or implantation) into a site of soft tissue. Also provided are methods of isolating muscle-derived progenitor cells, and methods of genetically modifying the cells for gene transfer therapy. The invention further provides methods of using compositions comprising muscle-derived progenitor cells for the augmentation and bulking of mammalian, including human, soft tissues in the treatment of various cosmetic or functional conditions, including malformation, injury, weakness, disease, or dysfunction. In particular, the present invention provides treatments and amelioration for dermatological conditions, gastroesophageal reflux, vesico-ureteral reflux, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, heart failure, and myocardial infarction.

Abstract: The present invention provides muscle-derived progenitor cells that show long-term survival following transplantation into body tissues and which can augment soft tissue following introduction (e.g. via injection, transplantation, or implantation) into a site of soft tissue. Also provided are methods of isolating muscle-derived progenitor cells, and methods of genetically modifying the cells for gene transfer therapy. The invention further provides methods of using compositions comprising muscle-derived progenitor cells for the augmentation and bulking of mammalian, including human, soft tissues in the treatment of various cosmetic or functional conditions, including malformation, injury, weakness, disease, or dysfunction. In particular, the present invention provides treatments and amelioration for dermatological conditions, gastroesophageal reflux, vesico-ureteral reflux, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, heart failure, and myocardial infarction.

Abstract: The present invention provides muscle-derived progenitor cells that show long-term survival following transplantation into body tissues and which can augment soft tissue following introduction (e.g. via injection, transplantation, or implantation) into a site of soft tissue. Also provided are methods of isolating muscle-derived progenitor cells, and methods of genetically modifying the cells for gene transfer therapy. The invention further provides methods of using compositions comprising muscle-derived progenitor cells for the augmentation and bulking of mammalian, including human, soft tissues in the treatment of various cosmetic or functional conditions, including malformation, injury, weakness, disease, or dysfunction. In particular, the present invention provides treatments and amelioration for dermatological conditions, gastroesophageal reflux, vesico-ureteral reflux, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, heart failure, and myocardial infarction.

Abstract: An energy harvesting circuit has an active automatic tuning circuit to search for broadcast frequencies in a band of interest and selecting only those broadcast signals received with sufficient RF strength to be used in energy harvesting. This circuit would provide power storage devices with a circuit that has a means to select the ambient RF that can maximize or enhance the performance of an RFID circuit by increasing the amount of energy for harvesting. This automatic tuning would enable a power storage devices charger circuit to move from location to location without manual tuning of the circuit and increase the effective range of an RFID circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and an associated method for remotely energizing power storage devices. Energization may preferably be effected through the use of RF energy from a base station, ambient energy or ultra-wide band energy. The remote station preferably has at least one antenna having an effective area greater than its physical area. The system may have an antenna and associated circuitry provided on an electronic chip such as a monolithic chip or on a printed circuit with a suitable substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and an associated method for remotely energizing power storage devices. Energization may preferably be effected through the use of RF energy within frequencies of the wireless fidelity standards. The remote station preferably has at least one antenna having an effective area greater than its physical area. The invention may advantageously be used on wireless fidelity products which are energized by the power storage device.

Abstract: A process to produce N-vinylformamide includes the steps of: reacting hydroxyethyl formamide with a reactant including at least one cyclic anhydride group to form an ester, and dissociating (or cracking) the ester to synthesize N-vinylformamide and a compound including at least one diacid group. The ester can be dissociated using heat. The reactant including at least one cyclic anhydride group can, for example, be succinic anhydride, maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, a polymer including at least one cyclic anhydride group, or a solid support to which at least one cyclic anhydride group is covalently tethered. Preferably, the cyclic anhydride is regenerated from the diacid formed in the synthesis of the ester by heating the diacid to dehydrate the diacid. The temperature required to dehydrate diacid groups is preferably higher than the temperature use to dissociate the ester.