Abstract: The methods described herein are methods to ascertain motion contrast within optical coherence tomography data based upon phase variance. The phase variance contrast observes the nanometer scale motion of scatterers associated with Brownian motion and other non-flow motion. The inventive method of calculating motion contrast from the phase variance can differentiate regions of different mobility based on the motion contrast differences, and can use the phase information to characterize mobility properties of the scatterers. In flow regions, the inventive method for acquiring and analyzing motion contrast can identify the regions as well as characterize the motion. Furthermore, the inventive method can determine quantitative flow estimation, the index of refraction variations, and absorption variations within flow regions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lenses that are capable of post-fabrication power modifications. In general, the inventive lenses comprise (i) a first polymer matrix and (ii) a refraction modulating composition that is capable of stimulus-induced polymerization dispersed therein. When at least a portion of the lens is exposed to an appropriate stimulus, the refraction modulating composition forms a second polymer matrix. The amount and location of the second polymer matrix may modify a lens characteristic such as lens power by changing its refractive index and/or by altering its shape. The inventive lenses have a number of applications in the electronics and medical fields as data storage means and as medical lenses, particularly intraocular lenses, respectively.

Abstract: Unsupported, electron transparent film useful in supporting a sample for imaging and analysis by transmission electron microscopy; methods for making and using the unsupported, electron transparent film; and an integrally formed combination of an unsupported, electron transparent film and substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for creating shaped implants, such as intraocular lenses in vivo, as well as the novel implants themselves. Utilizing the method of the invention, it is possible to create an implant in vivo and to adjust either the physical properties such as refractive index, viscosity, etc., mechanical properties such as modulus, tensile strength, tear, etc., or the shape of the implant by noninvasive means. For example, using the method of the patent it is possible to create an intraocular lens in vivo and then adjust the shape and power of the lens through no invasion means. The novel implants are also addressed in this application.

Abstract: An electrochemical printing system (100, 200) and method are disclosed having a printer head (130, 230) that expels a small jet of electrolyte (112) towards a conductive substrate (92) to facilitate electrodeposition or removal of material from the substrate. In an embodiment of the invention the printer head includes a plurality of individually addressable electrodes (220), each electrode having a channel therethrough and wherein the electrodes are much larger than the electrolyte jet outlet. The printer head includes means for inhibiting cross talk between electrodes. For example, the printer head may include a plenum (241) and a nonconductive cross-talk inhibition layer (245) upstream of the electrodes. A resolution defining layer (270) having small apertures (271) is provided at the distal end of the printer head.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lenses that are capable of post-fabrication power modifications. In general, the inventive lenses comprise (i) a first polymer matrix and (ii) a refraction modulating composition that is capable of stimulus-induced polymerization dispersed therein. When at least a portion of the lens is exposed to an appropriate stimulus, the refraction modulating composition forms a second polymer matrix. The amount and location of the second polymer matrix may modify a lens characteristic such as lens power by changing its refractive index and/or by altering its shape. The inventive lenses have a number of applications in the electronics and medical fields as data storage means and as medical lenses, particularly intraocular lenses, respectively.

Abstract: A system comprising one or more sample vessels is provided, the sample vessels comprising a liquid growth medium and a stirrer element, the stirrer element capable of being influenced by a magnetic force, and an incubation and measurement module comprising one or more openings for holding the one or more sample vessels. The incubation and measurement module further comprises at least two drive magnets associated with each of the sample vessels, and a magnet driver adapted to repeatedly move each of the at least two drive magnets toward and away from the surface of the associated sample vessel.

Abstract: A method for extraction of statistically significant motifs from large naturally occurring datasets relies upon the intrinsic alignment of the data, extracting motifs through iterative comparison to a dynamic statistical background. In the preferred embodiment, a series of statistical correlations is performed to determine the most significant correlated residues, which in turn are used to identify a motif. The motif is then removed from the dataset and the routine is repeated until no more motifs are found. The motifs are identified in the context of a core residue with respect to a user-selected background, building significant motifs from smaller motifs. In the initial step, the sequence data is justified around a selected core residue. A second matrix that contains a background dataset is then created. The binomial probability of each residue in every column of the data matrix is calculated and the residue-column pair which had the lowest binomial probability below a defined threshold is selected.

Abstract: A device for deriving a predistorted signal for provision to a non-linear element comprising memory for storing a plurality of data samples that define a segmented approximation of distortion curve characteristics for the non-linear element where the plurality of data samples define the segment boundaries and a predistortion module for determining within which segment of a plurality of segments a predistortion input signal would provide an output signal substantially equal to an idealized output signal and deriving a predistortion signal based upon the segment boundaries.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the treatment of age-related macular degeneration using regulation of pathogenic mechanisms similar to atherosclerosis. In further specific embodiments, compositions that increase reverse cholesterol transport are utilized as therapeutic targets for age-related macular degeneration. In a specific embodiment, the lipid content of the retinal pigment epithelium, and/or Bruch's membrane is reduced by delivering Apolipoprotein A1, particularly a mimetic peptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to altering the physical and/or chemical properties of at least part of at least one tissue in the eye. In a specific embodiment, it relates to the treatment and/or prevention of myopia. An activating energy source is utilized to photopolymerize or crosslink molecules in the sclera, thereby increasing the strength of the tissue. The individual is administered a crosslinking reagent or photopolymerizable molecule that becomes associated with the membrane, which is then precisely exposed to an energy source, such as light or ultrasound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel composition for improving the accommodation capability of an intraocular lens (IOL). In one embodiment, the composition can be injected into the capsular bag where it surrounds an implanted IOL anchoring the IOL to the capsular bag. Alternatively, for anterior chamber IOLs, the composition can be injected into the bag behind the lens. The material has a refractive index similar to that of aqueous thereby reducing any potential interference with the implanted IOL. Accommodation is provided by the mixture of the crosslinked composition caused by the flexing of the muscles. The novel composition is particularly useful in enhancing accommodation for adjustable intraocular lenses.

Abstract: An automotive radio with live rewind on a plurality of channels is realized by providing a memory in which the preprogrammed channels identified by the radio buttons have their contents continuously stored in endless memories over an immediately preceding duration that can measure a time period on the order from two to fifteen minutes. Simply by actuating the rewind button on a radio or an accompanying tape player, the radio responds by playing the immediately preceding segment over the radio speaker, so that the driver can recapture the last few minutes of a segment of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides engineered proteins and biomedical products made from the engineered proteins. The biomedical products include lenses useful for ophthalmic purposes.

Abstract: A microfluidic fluid flow system (100) is disclosed having a fluid chamber or channel (150) with inlet and outlet ports (104, 106), allowing the fluid channel to be filled with a fluid. One or more flow obstructions or perturbances, such as cylinders (152), are provided in the channel. An oscillatory boundary condition is applied, for example, with a piezoelectric driver (130), that is selected to induce a conservative, low-intensity steady streaming flow in the channel. The low-intensity streaming flow produces distinct eddies that can be utilized, for example, for fluid-dynamically trapping or retaining particles (90) such as cells (92) at well defined locations in the channel. The system may be used to trap and study individual cells or for concentrating or filtering particles in a fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of magnetic resonance imaging and, more particularly, to devices and methods used in the observation of the diffusion of molecules across a permeable membrane using magnetic resonance techniques. A typical embodiment of the invention is a method of observing the diffusion of a molecule in a container having a permeable membrane that is disposed between a first solution and a second solution in the container, by using magnetic resonance imaging to obtain an image of the diffusion of the molecule in the first solution across the membrane in to the second solution.

Abstract: A calibration device for a phase locked loop arranged to generate an output frequency based upon a first frequency range of an input signal applied to a first input and a second frequency range of the input signal applied to a second input, the calibration phase locked loop synthesizer device comprising an estimator arranged to use a two dimensional estimation algorithm with a signal value indicative of a mismatch between the first input path and the second input path to determine an estimate of the mismatch to allow matching of the first input path and the second input path.

Abstract: A method for producing and electronically distributing a digital magazine for onscreen viewing using a standard browser converts or renders an original document, which can be in a print format or in a digital format, to a format suitable for full-screen viewing on a display screen. The conversion or rendering includes reformatting the original document from the portrait format to the landscape format, if necessary. The digital magazine is displayed in a full-screen manner, which hides the toolbar(s) of the standard browser. To navigate the digital magazine, a navigation bar is embedded into each page of the digital magazine. The digital magazine is delivered to subscribers as an attachment to an e-mail message or as a URL link within an e-mail, which, when clicked on, downloads the digital magazine to the subscribers' computers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to altering the physical and/or chemical properties of at least part of at least one tissue in the eye. In a specific embodiment, it relates to the treatment of any eye disorder, although in particular embodiments the individual has a thickened Bruch's membrane. An activating energy source is utilized to effect a controlled diffusion enhancement and/or degradation of Bruch's membrane that enables improved diffusional transport between the choroid and retina. The individual is administered an inactivated diffusion-enhancing molecule that becomes associated with the membrane, which is then precisely exposed to an activating energy source, such as light or ultrasound.

Abstract: A Multi-Rate Analog-to-Digital Converter (19) is coupled to a single crystal oscillator (17) as a reference clock and has at least two separate channels arranged to sample and convert input data at two differing clock rates. Each channel derives a clock signal from the reference clock. Associated with each of the channels is a Sigma-Delta converter (10a, 10b) comprising a modulator (12), a filter (14) and a resampler (18). The modulator (12) receives input data and provides a data signal to the filter (14), which itself provides a filtered data signal to the associated data resampler. The data resampler resamples the data and provides a digital output signal. As there is sampling in the digital domain the advantages associated with signal processing, speed and low noise injection are obtained. Similarly as the output of the modulator (12) is in digital form, it can be manipulated and processed readily and with existing software.