Abstract: A medical treatment device (200), for treating reflux from a stomach (201) to an oesophagus (202) and for delivering a therapeutic agent to an inner surface of the oesophagus (202), comprises a valve member (203), a lining member (204), and a support member (205). The valve member (203) is movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, in which the valve member (203) facilitates passage of material between the oesophagus (202) and the stomach (201). The valve member (203) is biased towards the closed configuration and gradually moves over a period of 4 to 10 secs from the open configuration to the closed configuration. The support member (205) supports the device (200) relative to the oesophagus (202) and the stomach (201). The lining member (204) lines part of the inner surface of the oesophagus (202) for delivery of a therapeutic agent to the oesophagus (202).

Abstract: A medical treatment device (200), for treating reflux from a stomach (201) to an esophagus (202) and for delivering a therapeutic agent to an inner surface of the esophagus (202), comprises a valve member (203), a lining member (204), and a support member (205). The valve member (203) is movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, in which the valve member (203) facilitates passage of material between the esophagus (202) and the stomach (201). The valve member (203) is biased towards the closed configuration and gradually moves over a period of 4 to 10 secs from the open configuration to the closed configuration. The support member (205) supports the device (200) relative to the esophagus (202) and the stomach (201). The lining member (204) lines part of the inner surface of the esophagus (202) for delivery of a therapeutic agent to the esophagus (202).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of messaging between modules executing on one or more processors, including: a first module generating a plurality of events in response to an action; the first module storing two or more of the events into each frame of a plurality of frames; and transmitting the frames for receipt by a second module. A system implementing this method is also described.

Abstract: A medical treatment device (200), for treating reflux from a stomach (201) to an esophagus (202) and for delivering a therapeutic agent to an inner surface of the esophagus (202), comprises a valve member (203), a lining member (204), and a support member (205). The valve member (203) is movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, in which the valve member (203) facilitates passage of material between the esophagus (202) and the stomach (201). The valve member (203) is biased towards the closed configuration and gradually moves over a period of 4 to 10 secs from the open configuration to the closed configuration. The support member (205) supports the device (200) relative to the esophagus (202) and the stomach (201). The lining member (204) lines part of the inner surface of the esophagus (202) for delivery of a therapeutic agent to the esophagus (202).

Abstract: A medical treatment device (200), for treating reflux from a stomach (201) to an oesophague (202) and for delivering a therapeutic agent to an inner surface of the oesophague (202), comprises a valve member (203), a lining member (204), and a support member (205). The valve member (203) is movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, in which the valve member (203) facilitates passage of material between the oesophague (202) and the stomach (201). The valve member (203) is biased towards the closed configuration and gradually moves over a period of 4 to 10 secs from the open configuration to the closed configuration. The support member (205) supports the device (200) relative to the oesophague (202) and the stomach (201). The lining member (204) lines part of the inner surface of the oesophague (202) for delivery of a therapeutic agent to the oesophague (202).

Abstract: An articulated surgical instrument includes a handle, an actuating assembly associated with the handle, and a shaft including a proximal end coupled to the handle, a deflectable portion and an end effector. Distal portions of deflection wires are connected to the shaft. Proximal portions of the wires are connected to the actuating assembly. Movement of the actuating assembly moves the deflection wires to cause a deflection of the deflectable portion. The actuating assembly includes one or more actuators and one or more slider members associated with the actuators and connected to the deflection wires. The slider members are movable linearly between first and second positions, the proximal portions of the deflection wires being connected to the slider members.

Abstract: A medical treatment device (200), for treating reflux from a stomach (201) to an oesophagus (202) and for delivering a therapeutic agent to an inner surface of the oesophagus (202), comprises a valve member (203), a lining member (204), and a support member (205). The valve member (203) is movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, in which the valve member (203) facilitates passage of material between the oesophagus (202) and the stomach (201). The valve member (203) is biased towards the closed configuration and gradually moves over a period of 4 to 10 secs from the open configuration to the closed configuration. The support member (205) supports the device (200) relative to the oesophagus (202) and the stomach (201). The lining member (204) lines part of the inner surface of the oesophagus (202) for delivery of a therapeutic agent to the oesophagus (202).

Abstract: A medical treatment device (200), for treating reflux from a stomach (201) to an oesophagus (202) and for delivering a therapeutic agent to an inner surface of the oesophagus (202), comprises a valve member (203), a lining member (204), and a support member (205). The valve member (203) is movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, in which the valve member (203) facilitates passage of material between the oesophagus (202) and the stomach (201). The valve member (203) is biased towards the closed configuration and gradually moves over a period of 4 to 10 secs from the open configuration to the closed configuration. The support member (205) supports the device (200) relative to the oesophagus (202) and the stomach (201). The lining member (204) lines part of the inner surface of the oesophagus (202) for delivery of a therapeutic agent to the oesophagus (202).

Abstract: An articulated surgical instrument includes a handle, an actuating assembly associated with the handle, and a shaft including a proximal end coupled to the handle, a deflectable portion and an end effector. Distal portions of deflection wires are connected to the shaft. Proximal portions of the wires are connected to the actuating assembly. Movement of the actuating assembly moves the deflection wires to cause a deflection of the deflectable portion. The actuating assembly includes one or more actuators and one or more slider members associated with the actuators and connected to the deflection wires. The slider members are movable linearly between first and second positions, the proximal portions of the deflection wires being connected to the slider members.

Abstract: A shaft for a flexible endoscopic instrument is provided in which the shaft comprises a generally tubular frame member, the tubular frame member providing the shaft with at least one flexible section along the length of the shaft, the flexible section having a greater flexibility than at least one other section of the shaft. The flexible section of the shaft has a proximal end and a distal end, and is provided with first and second series of slots, the slots of the first series alternating with the slots of the second series to form an offset pattern of staggered slots in the frame member to provide the different stiffness properties. Each of the slots in a selected one of either the first or second series of slots is of a different length as compared to other slots in that series of slots, the slots in the selected series varying in length according to a predetermined progression, such that the flexible section is designed to deflect in a controlled and predetermined manner.

Abstract: A method of evaluating biological material comprising forming a 3-dimensional scaffold of tubular biological material, delivering a fluid through the tubular biological material, and evaluating the biological material and in particular evaluating the effect of biomolecules, medical devices and medical devices containing biomolecules on biological material. The invention further relates to a bioreactor suitable for evaluating biological material.

Abstract: A medical treatment device (200), for treating reflux from a stomach (201) to an oesophagus (202) and for delivering a therapeutic agent to an inner surface of the oesophagus (202), comprises a valve member (203), a lining member (204), and a support member (205). The valve member (203) is movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, in which the valve member (203) facilitates passage of material between the oesophagus (202) and the stomach (201). The valve member (203) is biased towards the closed configuration and gradually moves over a period of 4 to 10 secs from the open configuration to the closed configuration. The support member (205) supports the device (200) relative to the oesophagus (202) and the stomach (201). The lining member (204) lines part of the inner surface of the oesophagus (202) for delivery of a therapeutic agent to the oesophagus (202).

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel human serum protein referred to as AFM, which has one or more activities in common with human serum albumin, human a-fetoprotein, or human vitamin D binding protein and which has an apparent molecular weight by SDS-PAGE of 87 kd; variants thereof; and related genes, vectors, cells and methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel human serum protein and nucleic acid referred to as AFM, which has one or more activities in common with human serum albumin, human a-fetoprotein, or human vitamin D binding protein and which has an apparent molecular weight by SDS-PAGE of 87 kd; variants thereof; and related genes, vectors, cells and methods.

Abstract: A survival belt including in combination a first belt portion, a hatchet head having a body with a cutting edge, and the body having a chamber therein, and a second belt portion for supporting the hatchet head. The survival belt further includes devices for releasably connecting the first and second belt portions, and a third belt portion defined by a rope through holes in the first belt portion and through holes in the second belt portion. The survival belt also includes a plurality of survival implements contained in the hatchet head chamber, the survival implements including a compass, a metallic match, a fish hook and line and metallic foil.