Abstract: Casing condition is an important concern to oilfield operators. Systems and methods are disclosed herein for using neutron logging tools to measure casing condition, using windows in the gamma energy spectrum that are sensitive and insensitive to casing condition to obtain a ratio having a value that ranges between one extreme representative of completely absent casing and an opposite extreme representative of casing in good condition. The sensitive (“divergence”) window may be positioned at or near 7.65 MeV, the characteristic energy of gamma rays from a neutron capture event by an iron nucleus. The insensitive (“consistency”) window is preferably adjacent to the divergence window with a comparable size to the divergence window. A suitable division point between the windows may be about 6.25 MeV.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring inhibition of platelet reactivity in an individual treated with a drug-eluting stent (DES). First, a blood sample is obtained from an individual treated with a DES and a P2Y12 antagonist. The blood sample is then mixed with particles comprising an attached GPIIb/IIIa receptor ligand, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). The mixture is incubated under conditions suitable for agglutinating particles, and platelet-mediated agglutination is assessed in the mixture. The absence or reduction of agglutination indicates that the individual treated with a DES has reduced platelet reactivity. Also provided is a kit for measuring inhibition of platelet aggregation by a P2Y12 receptor antagonist that includes a GPIIb/IIIa receptor ligand immobilized on a particle, adenosine diphosphate (ADP), prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), an anticoagulant, and a buffer to maintain the anticoagulated blood in a condition suitable for platelet aggregation.

Abstract: A method is provided of determining whether an individual has reduced ability to form platelet thrombi due to inhibition of platelet activation initiation, signal transduction and/or GPIIb/IIIa blockade. A blood sample is obtained from the individual being assessed. The blood sample is mixed in combination with 1) an anticoagulant; 2) sufficient buffer to maintain the pH and salt concentration of the anticoagulated blood within a range suitable for platelet aggregation; 3) a platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptor ligand immobilized on a solid surface; 4) one or more agents to enhance a signal transduction pathway and 5) a receptor activator. The combination is incubated under conditions for agglutinating particles. Platelet-mediated agglutination is assessed in the agitated mixture. The absence of agglutination indicates that the individual has a reduced ability to form platelet thrombi.

Abstract: Casing condition is an important concern to oilfield operators. Systems and methods are disclosed herein for using neutron logging tools to measure casing condition, using windows in the gamma energy spectrum that are sensitive and insensitive to casing condition to obtain a ratio having a value that ranges between one extreme representative of completely absent casing and an opposite extreme representative of casing in good condition. The sensitive (“divergence”) window may be positioned at or near 7.65 MeV, the characteristic energy of gamma rays from a neutron capture event by an iron nucleus. The insensitive (“consistency”) window is preferably adjacent to the divergence window with a comparable size to the divergence window. A suitable division point between the windows may be about 6.25 MeV.

Abstract: A method is provided of determining whether an individual has reduced ability to form platelet thrombi due to inhibition of platelet activation initiation, signal transduction and/or GPIIb/IIIa blockade. A blood sample is obtained from the individual being assessed. The blood sample is mixed in combination with 1) an anticoagulant; 2) sufficient buffer to maintain the pH and salt concentration of the anticoagulated blood within a range suitable for platelet aggregation; 3) a platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptor ligand immobilized on a solid surface; 4) one or more agents to enhance a signal transduction pathway and 5) a receptor activator. The combination is incubated under conditions for agglutinating particles. Platelet-mediated agglutination is assessed in the agitated mixture. The absence of agglutination indicates that the individual has a reduced ability to form platelet thrombi.

Abstract: A method is provided of determining whether an individual has reduced ability to form platelet thrombi due to inhibition of platelet activation initiation, signal transduction and/or GPIIb/IIIa blockade. A blood sample is obtained from the individual being assessed. The blood sample is mixed in combination with 1) an anticoagulant; 2) sufficient buffer to maintain the pH and salt concentration of the anticoagulated blood within a range suitable for platelet aggregation; 3) a platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptor ligand immobilized on a solid surface; 4) one or more agents to enhance a signal transduction pathway and 5) a receptor activator. The combination is incubated under conditions for agglutinating particles. Platelet-mediated agglutination is assessed in the agitated mixture. The absence of agglutination indicates that the individual has a reduced ability to form platelet thrombi.

Abstract: A method is provided of determining whether an individual has reduced ability to form platelet thrombi due to inhibition of platelet activation initiation, signal transduction and/or GPIIb/IIIa blockade. A blood sample is obtained from the individual being assessed. The blood sample is mixed in combination with 1) an anticoagulant; 2) sufficient buffer to maintain the pH and salt concentration of the anticoagulated blood within a range suitable for platelet aggregation; 3) a platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptor ligand immobilized on a solid surface; 4) one or more agents to enhance a signal transduction pathway and 5) a receptor activator. The combination is incubated under conditions for agglutinating particles. Platelet-mediated agglutination is assessed in the agitated mixture. The absence of agglutination indicates that the individual has a reduced ability to form platelet thrombi.

Abstract: A method is provided of determining whether an individual has reduced ability to form platelet thrombi due to inhibition of platelet activation initiation, signal transduction and/or GPIIb/IIIa blockade. A blood sample is obtained from the individual being assessed. The blood sample is mixed in combination with 1) an anticoagulant; 2) sufficient buffer to maintain the pH and salt concentration of the anticoagulated blood within a range suitable for platelet aggregation; 3) a platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptor ligand immobilized on a solid surface; 4) one or more agents to enhance a signal transduction pathway and 5) a receptor activator. The combination is incubated under conditions for agglutinating particles. Platelet-mediated agglutination is assessed in the agitated mixture. The absence of agglutination indicates that the individual has a reduced ability to form platelet thrombi.

Abstract: A method is provided of determining whether an individual has reduced ability to form platelet thrombi. An ADP platelet activator and one or platelet inhibitors are provided. At least one of the platelet inhibitors is Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). An alternate signal transduction pathway is produced. A final concentration of ADP is 2 to 35 ?M and a final concentration of PGE1 is 2 to 30 nM, preferably 20 to 25 nM.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring inhibition of platelet reactivity in an individual treated with a drug-eluting stent (DES). First, a blood sample is obtained from an individual treated with a DES and a P2Y12 antagonist. The blood sample is then mixed with particles comprising an attached GPIIb/IIIa receptor ligand, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). The mixture is incubated under conditions suitable for agglutinating particles, and platelet-mediated agglutination is assessed in the mixture. The absence or reduction of agglutination indicates that the individual treated with a DES has reduced platelet reactivity. Also provided is a kit for measuring inhibition of platelet aggregation by a P2Y12 receptor antagonist that includes a GPIIb/IIIa receptor ligand immobilized on a particle, adenosine diphosphate (ADP), prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), an anticoagulant, and a buffer to maintain the anticoagulated blood in a condition suitable for platelet aggregation.

Abstract: A data capturing module combined with a portable data terminal of the hand-held type to record handwritten data. Using a digitized pad, the module can provide for direct input of handwritten data into the system, or a peripheral digital scanner can be employed to provide for data entry. Depending upon the particular application, the module therefore provides for data entry of handwritten text or graphics using the data terminal and other components of a portable data system to enter, display, print or otherwise communicate the handwritten data.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a portable computerized data communication device in a data communication system may include, for example, a user interface; a computerized system controlling operation of the device; a device housing having a normal closed condition defining an interior space within the device housing, and having an interior electrical connector within the interior space; and the device having an open condition providing access to the interior space while the device housing is in the open condition to enable connection with the interior electrical connector of a peripheral device equipping the device to perform a new function.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a percent aggregation or inhibition of platelets resulting from anti-platelet using a single blood sample is achieved. An assay device is provided. The assay device has multiple channels, each coupled to a common introduction port. A first platelet activator is sensitive to activation pathway targeted by the anti-platelet drug. A second platelet activator is insensitive to the activation pathway targeted by the anti-platelet drug. An anti-coagulated sample is introduced simultaneously to the first and second channels. A level of platelet aggregation is simultaneously made in both channels.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reading optical information including a photosensitive system oriented to capture optical information. Also included is an optical system focusing optical information onto the photosensitive system, and a display oriented to display optical information captured by the photosensitive system. The apparatus also includes a portable, hand-held housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optically imaging a dental structure within an oral cavity by moving one or more image apertures on an arm coupled to a fixed coordinate reference frame external to the oral cavity; determining the position of the one or more image apertures using the fixed external coordinate reference frame; capturing one or more images of the dental structure through one or more of the image apertures; and generating a 3D model of the dental structure based on the captured images.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a portable computerized data communication device in a data communication system may include, for example, a user interface; a computerized system controlling operation of the device; a device housing having a normal closed condition defining an interior space within the device housing, and having an interior electrical connector within the interior space; and the device having an open condition providing access to the interior space while the device housing is in the open condition to enable connection with the interior electrical connector of a peripheral device equipping the device to perform a new function.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring inhibition of platelet aggregation by a thrombin receptor antagonist. First, a blood sample is obtained from a patient treated with a thrombin receptor antagonist. The blood sample is mixed in combination with particles including an immobilized GPIIb/IIIa receptor ligand and a thrombin receptor activator. The combination is then incubated under conditions suitable for agglutinating the particles, and platelet-mediated agglutination is assessed in the mixture. The absence of agglutination indicates that the patient has reduced ability to form platelet thrombi in response to the thrombin receptor antagonist treatment. Also provided is a kit for measuring inhibition of platelet aggregation by a thrombin receptor antagonist that includes a GPIIb/IIIa receptor ligand immobilized on a particle, a thrombin receptor activator, an anticoagulant, and a buffer to maintain the anticoagulated blood in a condition suitable for platelet aggregation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a portable computerized data communication device in a data communication system may include, for example, a user interface; a computerized system controlling operation of the device; a device housing having a normal closed condition defining an interior space within the device housing, and having an interior electrical connector within the interior space; and the device having an open condition providing access to the interior space while the device housing is in the open condition to enable connection with the interior electrical connector of a peripheral device equipping the device to perform a new function.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reading optical information including a photosensitive system oriented to capture optical information. Also included is an optical system focusing optical information onto the photosensitive system, and a display oriented to display optical information captured by the photosensitive system. The apparatus also includes a portable, hand-held housing.

Abstract: A data capturing module combined with a portable data terminal of the hand-held type to record handwritten data. Using a digitized pad, the module can provide for direct input of handwritten data into the system, or a peripheral digital scanner can be employed to provide for data entry. Depending upon the particular application, the module therefore provides for data entry of handwritten text or graphics using the data terminal and other components of a portable data system to enter, display, print or otherwise communicate the handwritten data.