Abstract: Network service operational status monitoring methods and apparatus are disclosed. Responsive to a service status request associated with a network service, an operational status of the network service is determined by an intermediary between a service status requester and the network service. The operational status is a service-specific operational status of the network service in some embodiments. Operational status may be determined through a multi-level procedure in which subsequent levels after a first level of the multi-level procedure are or are not performed depending on a result of a preceding level of the procedure. A multi-level procedure may involve a service connectivity check and a service operational check, for instance.

Abstract: Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. In addition, various polymer combinations as well as other therapeutic agents may be utilized to control the elution rates of the therapeutic drugs, agents and/or compounds from the implantable medical devices.

Abstract: A method and system for the non-destructive analysis of medical devices uses a confocal Raman microscope and other non-destructive analytical tools to assess the spatial distribution of components of an object such as the distribution of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) within a polymer matrix. In a preferred embodiment, confocal Raman spectroscopy was used to differentiate each component found in the sirolimus-eluting coronary stent. The unique spectral features identified for each component were then used to develop three separate calibration curves to describe the solid phase distribution found on drug-polymer coated stents. The calibration curves were obtained by analyzing confocal Raman spectral depth profiles from a set of 16 unique formulations of drug-polymer coatings sprayed onto stents and planar substrates.

Abstract: Network service operational status monitoring methods and apparatus are disclosed. Responsive to a service status request associated with a network service, an operational status of the network service is determined by an intermediary between a service status requester and the network service. The operational status is a service-specific operational status of the network service in some embodiments. Operational status may be determined through a multi-level procedure in which subsequent levels after a first level of the multi-level procedure are or are not performed depending on a result of a preceding level of the procedure. A multi-level procedure may involve a service connectivity check and a service operational check, for instance.

Abstract: A method and system for the non-destructive analysis of medical devices uses a confocal Raman microscope and other non-destructive analytical tools to assess the spatial distribution of components of an object such as the distribution of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) within a polymer matrix. In a preferred embodiment, confocal Raman spectroscopy was used to differentiate each component found in the sirolimus-eluting coronary stent. The unique spectral features identified for each component were then used to develop three separate calibration curves to describe the solid phase distribution found on drug-polymer coated stents. The calibration curves were obtained by analyzing confocal Raman spectral depth profiles from a set of 16 unique formulations of drug-polymer coatings sprayed onto stents and planar substrates.

Abstract: Secure domain information protection apparatus and methods are disclosed. Service access information associated with access, by an external user that is outside a secure domain, to a service that is provided in the secure domain is processed to determine whether it includes sensitive information. If so, a protection action is performed on the service access information, on an entire service message or to one or more portions thereof, for example, to protect the sensitive information. A specification language and execution environment are also proposed to provide for high speed processing. Sensitive information detection criteria, protection actions, and possibly targets on which the protection actions are to be performed, may be identified in a data structure stored on a machine-readable medium.

Abstract: Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. These therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may also further reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. In addition, these therapeutic drugs, agents and/or compounds may be utilized to promote healing, including the formation of blood clots. The drugs, agents, and/or compounds may also be utilized to treat specific diseases, including vulnerable plaque. Therapeutic agents may also be delivered to the region of a disease site.

Abstract: An intralumen medical device comprising anti-proliferative and anti-thrombotic or anti-coagulant drugs, agents or compounds may be utilized in the treatment of vascular disease. The intralumen medical device is selectively coated with the drugs, agents or compounds for local delivery, thereby increasing their effectiveness and reducing potential toxicity associated with systemic use. The selective coating is utilized to ensure that the specific drugs, agents or compounds come into contact with or are delivered to the appropriate tissues and/or fluids for maximum effectiveness.

Abstract: The preparation and use of medical devices are described. A thiol group agent is loaded onto a medical device such as a stent or a catheter. Preferably, the loading is accomplished onto a polymeric surface that had been activated by water vapor RF plasma treatment. The thiol group agent is structured to exhibit sulfhydryl groups. These sulfhydryl groups are available for interaction with NO carriers such as nitrovasodilators. This interaction can take place in situ at an in vivo location within a vascular system, for example, in which event the sulfhydryl groups would be delivered by the medical device while the NO carrier will be delivered by suitable pharmaceutical administration means. Alternatively, the NO carrier can be loaded onto the treated medical device surface at a suitable time prior to insertion of the medical device into the body, such as immediately before the initiation of a medical procedure such as stent delivery and implantation.

Abstract: Broad spectrum glycosidase inhibitors are produced from monosaccharide lactams by conversion to amidines, amidrazones or amidoximes. The inhibitors have the general formula: ##STR1## wherein the N and C are joined as part of a monosaccharide azaanalog ring and wherein --NRQ, together with the nitrogen and carbon atoms, form a chemical group selected from amidines, amidrazones, and amidoximes.

Abstract: Broad spectrum glycosidase inhibitors are produced from monosaccharide lactams by conversion to amidines, amidrazones, or amidoximes. The inhibitors have the general formula: ##STR1## wherein the N and C are joined as part of a monosaccharide azaanalog ring and wherein --NRQ, together with the nitrogen and carbon atoms, form a chemical group selected from amidines, amidrazones, and amidoximes.

Abstract: Broad spectrum glycosidase inhibitors are produced from monosaccharide lactams by conversion to amidines, amidrazones, or amidoximes. The inhibitors have the general formula: ##STR1## wherein the N and C are joined as part of a monosaccharide azaanalog ring and wherein --NRQ, together with the nitrogen and carbon atoms, form a chemical group selected from amidines, amidrazones, and amidoximes.