Abstract: A biologic ventricular assist device that also has the capability to capture, grow, and administer stem cells to regenerate and restore damaged myocardium in the heart. The device works in conjunction with a traditional ventricular assist device and possesses an additional external path or tube that is in-line with the path of the ventricular assist device. The external path allows for the administration of stem cells, genes, genetically modified cells or other therapeutic biologic or pharmacologic agents, as well as leading to a stem cell collecting accessory (14) that captures circulating stem cells. The stem cell collecting accessory is also associated with a chamber (39) for culturing the captured stem cells.

Abstract: An arginine-grafted bioreducible poly(disulfide amine) (“ABP”) as a reagent for efficient and nontoxic gene delivery is described. ABP forms positively charged nano-particles of less than 200 nm with siRNA. ABP is biodegraded under reducing conditions, such as in the cytoplasm. ABP exhibits much higher transfection efficiency than polyethyleneimine in mammalian cells and exhibits no cytotoxicity. ABP is an effective delivery vehicle for gene silencing with siRNA and may be used for treating cancer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes one or more portions having error detection and error correction circuits and which is operated with operating parameters giving finite non-zero error rate as well as one or more portions formed and operated to provide a zero error rate.

Abstract: A biologic ventricular assist device that also has the capability to capture, grow, and administer stem cells to regenerate and restore damaged myocardium in the heart. The device works in conjunction with a traditional ventricular assist device and possesses an additional external path or tube that is in-line with the path of the ventricular assist device. The external path allows for the administration of stem cells, genes, genetically modified cells or other therapeutic biologic or pharmacologic agents, as well as leading to a stem cell collecting accessory (14) that captures circulating stem cells. The stem cell collecting accessory is also associated with a chamber (39) for culturing the captured stem cells.

Abstract: An arginine-grafted bioreducible poly(disulfide amine) (“ABP”) as a reagent for efficient and nontoxic gene delivery is described. ABP forms positively charged nano-particles of less than 200 nm with siRNA. ABP is biodegraded under reducing conditions, such as in the cytoplasm. ABP exhibits much higher transfection efficiency than polyethyleneimine in mammalian cells and exhibits no cytotoxicity. ABP is an effective delivery vehicle for gene silencing with siRNA and may be used for treating cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nebuliser and method of nebulising a liquid. The nebuliser includes a nebulisation chamber (1) having a well (2) adapted to contain a liquid (3) to be nebulised. An energy source in the form of an ultrasonic transducer (6) has as a curved energy transmission surface (7). This curved energy transmission surface defines a focal point (8) and a focal length (9). The energy source is spaced from the well such that the distance between the focal point and the energy source intrudes into the well not greater than 50% of the focal length. Preferably the well is shaped such that during nebulisation the level of the liquid in the well remains within a predetermined focal length range to thereby provide a substantially constant flowrateut of nebulised liquid. The nebuliser may also include a deflector baffle or fountain diverter (16) which acts to deflect the nebulised liquid fountain rising from the well.

Abstract: A method of encoding scalable video data streams and an encoder configured to generate an encoded scalable video data stream is provided. The encoder includes a mode controller configured to store a plurality of encoding modes, select a sub-set of the plurality of encoding modes and select a first encoding mode. The encoder generates the encoded scalable video data stream dependent on the first encoding mode.

Abstract: An integrated circuit 2 includes logic circuitry 10 and sequential storage elements 8. Both the logic circuit 10 and sequential storage elements 8 can be subject to particle strikes giving rise to single event upset errors. These single event upset errors can be detected by detecting a transition in the stored value stored by the sequential storage elements 8 occurring outside of a valid transition period associated with that sequential storage element 8.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of formula (I).

Abstract: A signal interface for interfacing with an address decoder and a method of address decoding are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus (30) that can test external components of a cochlear implant system in a manner that does not require the person conducting the test to have advanced knowledge of the operation of the tested component. The apparatus provides a relatively quick and straightforward answer to the question of whether the component is operative or not. The testing apparatus (30) comprises at least one testing station (32,33,34) for receiving the component to be tested and makes an electrical and/or inductive connection thereto. A testing circuit is adapted to apply at least one test to the component and measure the response of the component to that test. The apparatus (30) compares the response of the component to stored data indicative of the response to the test of at least one equivalent component that is known to be operational and outputs a result of said comparison.

Abstract: A memory for storing data comprising: a fast data reading mechanism operable to sense one or more signal values dependent upon a data value stored in said memory so as to generate a first signal transition indicative of said data value and used to generate a fast read result that is output from said memory for further processing; a slow data reading mechanism operable to sense said one or more signal values dependent upon said data value so as to generate a second signal transition indicative of said data value and used to generate a slow read result available after said fast read result, said slow read result being less prone to error than said fast read result; a comparator operable to compare said fast read result and said slow read result and to generate an error signal if said fast read result does not match said slow read result; and a timing checker coupled to said fast data reading mechanism and operable to detect that said first signal transition was generated within a predetermined time and generate

Abstract: A method and integrated circuit for accessing data in a pipelined data processing apparatus in which the operating conditions of the pipelined data processing apparatus are such that metastable signals may occur on at least the boundaries of the pipelined stages is disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated circuit 2 has a specified range of runtime-variable operating parameters. Data processing circuits 4 within the integrated circuit 2 have associated error detection and error repair mechanisms 6. When operating within a narrow typical-case range of runtime-variable operating parameters the data processing circuits 4 operate correctly and substantially without error. When operating outside of this typical-case range but inside the specified range of permitted values for the run-time variable operating parameters, then the error detection and error repair circuit 6 operate to repair the errors which occur.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a plurality of processing stages each including processing logic 1014, a non-delayed signal-capture element 1016, a delayed signal-capture element 1018 and a comparator 1024. The non-delayed signal-capture element 1016 captures an output from the processing logic 1014 at a non-delayed capture time. At a later delayed capture time, the delayed signal-capture element 1018 also captures a value from the processing logic 1014. An error detection circuit 1026 and error correction circuit 1028 detect and correct random errors in the delayed value and supplies an error-checked delayed value to the comparator 1024. The comparator 1024 compares the error-checked delayed value and the non-delayed value and if they are not equal this indicates that the non-delayed value was captured too soon and should be replaced by the error-checked delayed value.

Abstract: A method and/or apparatus for measuring current in a high voltage (HV) current carrier generates a low voltage signal proportional to the current in the HV carrier and applies this signal to an integrated-optic voltage sensor located in the HV environment adjacent to the HV current carrier to produce a modulated optical signal representative of the current being measured. The optical signal from the integrated-optic voltage sensor is conducted to a low voltage (LV) environment insulated from said HV environment and processed to provide a second electrical signal. One of the electrical signals is integrated so that an output signal of the required accuracy is available form the system.

Abstract: The present invention is organ and tissue preservation solutions that provide improved viability of an organ such as a heart or lung, or portion of the organ, for storage and transplantation. In particular, a solution contains trehalose, magnesium sulfate, calcium chloride, heparin, dextran, nitroglycerin, adenosine, L-arginine, allopurinol, reduced glutathione, db-cylic AMP and potassium phosphate.

Abstract: A probe type instrument to characterize tissue type that combines optical and electrical tests in a single device capable of providing data of both types almost simultaneously from very small, e.g. 3-10 mm diameter, areas of tissue surface. Key to this approach is an instrument capable of making almost simultaneous electrical and optical measurements on the same small areas of tissue, before being moved to scan adjacent tissue areas. In the preferred operation of the system fourteen measurement cycles are performed per second and each measurement involves a complex sequence of events, including (1) three optical and fifteen electrical tissue stimulations with subsequent detection, filtering and digitization of the tissue response; (2) extraction of specific parameters from the optical and electrical signals; (3) checking for errors, and subsequent classification of the extracted parameters into various tissue type categories; and (4) feedback to the system operator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning a turn signal switch housing with respect to a cancellation pin support bracket includes installation of the bracket on a steering wheel hub. The bracket includes a gauge pin formed in one piece with the steering wheel hub ring bracket. The ring bracket supports cancellation pins to extend at radially displaced positions for registering with the actuator of the turn signal switch assembly. The turn signal switch assembly is supported upon the steering column housing by a mount for adjusting the axial position of the housing. In the preferred embodiment, the gauge pin is carried by the hub-mounted ring bracket and is positioned for engagement with an engagement surface on the turn signal housing adjacent the actuator to be operated by the cancellation pin. The switch housing is slid axially along the steering column housing while supported in a mounting bracket.

Abstract: A non-contacting type sensor and method for sensing angular position are provided for sensing the angular position of a body such as a throttle valve. The sensor includes a stator assembly and a rotor assembly adapted to be coupled to the body for rotation relative to the stator assembly. The rotor assembly includes a closed-loop magnetic flux concentrator which defines a controlled electromagnetic cavity and generating means for generating a first magnetic field within the cavity. The stator assembly includes a semiconductor device disposed within the cavity and having an electrical property which is a function of the orientation and strength of a resultant magnetic field. The stator assembly further includes a coil wound about the device for producing a second magnetic field which substantially cancels the effects of the first magnetic field on the device so as to obtain the resultant magnetic field.