Abstract: The present invention comprises a poly (vinyl alcohol) hydrogel construct having a wide range of mechanical strengths for use as a human tissue replacement. The hydrogel construct may comprise a tissue scaffolding, a low bearing surface within a joint, or any other structure which is suitable for supporting the growth of tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for determining a severity of a stenosis in a blood vessel depicted in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data set. The system comprises a neural network configured to calculate the severity of the stenosis in the blood vessel based upon a number of input parameters, and the input parameters including at least one characteristic of a signal void associated with the stenosis in the MRI data set. The input parameters may include, for example, a flow rate of blood through the blood vessel, a length of a longitudinal axis of the signal void, and an average image intensity along the longitudinal axis of the signal void as well as other input parameters.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a poly (vinyl alcohol) hydrogel construct having a wide range of mechanical strengths for use as a human tissue replacement. The hydrogel construct may comprise a tissue scaffolding, a low bearing surface within a joint, or any other structure which is suitable for supporting the growth of tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relate to a poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel construct having a wide range of mechanical strengths for use as a human tissue replacement. The hydrogel construct may include a tissue scaffolding, a low bearing surface within a joint, or any other structure which is suitable for supporting the growth of tissue.

Abstract: The present invention includes a poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel construct having a wide range of mechanical strengths for use as a human tissue replacement. A process in connection with the present invention eliminates any step involved with dehydration of the hydrogel prior to implantation thereof. The hydrogel construct may include a tissue scaffolding, a load bearing surface within a joint, or any other structure which is suitable for supporting the growth of tissue.

Abstract: An article treatment system which provides improved solution mixing and concentration uniformity. The treatment system includes a container, a closure and a channel for guiding fluid flow. The treatment system is especially advantageous for use with effervescent tablets and for use in treating contact lenses. Cleaning and disinfecting of articles is improved by use of a tubular channel which guides upwardly gas and other components released from an effervescent tablet which is located at the bottom of the treatment container. The upward central flow through the channel induces a downward flow between the container walls, the exterior walls of the channel, and the article-retaining means and towards the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A flow differentiation scheme is disclosed for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of fluid flow in regions of turbulent flow. The flow differentiation scheme comprises the steps of (1) obtaining a first magnetic resonance (MR) image of the region, (2) obtaining a second MR image of the same region with an imaging parameter or imaging sequence altered, and (3) logically differentiating the first and second images with respect to flow to create a difference image. The process may be enhanced by superimposing one of the original images, upon an image that has been flow differentiated. As a result, a substantial amount of the static signal is suppressed producing superior angiograms of diseased and undiseased blood vessels. Additionally, the scheme can be used to image any fluid flow in any body or thing.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging of a blood vessel exhibits flow artifacts, or signal loss, around a constriction (26) due to turbulent fluid flow. Signal loss in a region (27) prior to the constricted region (26) is primarily caused by convective acceleration, and this signal loss is substantially eliminated by performing an acceleration compensation process. Signal loss in a region (32) situated after the constriction (26) is primarily caused by velocity fluctuations, and this signal loss is cured by an imaging process which does not rely on the phase of the electromagnetic excitation signal(s) for spatial localization. Examples of imaging processes for minimizing signal loss due to turbulence include a projection reconstruction process (34) and a two dimensional slice selection process (56). Further, the two dimensional slice selection process (56) may be used for generating instantaneous velocities of fluid flowing through a fluid channel.

Abstract: Substituted isocoumarins, their use in inhibiting serine proteases with trypsin-like, chymotrypsin-like and elastase-like specificity and their roles as anticoagulant agents, and anti-inflammatory agents.