Abstract: An intra-luminal device for the extraction of occlusive or partially occlusive material is disclosed. Said device comprises a novel catheter extension which minimizes cavitation of extracted fluids and also allows the better navigation of tortuous lumens or vasculature.

Abstract: A method for producing a Property Valuation Report using the combination of an Internet Graphical User Interface (GUI) to query a computer database of property values, a computer database of tax appeal and other applicable forms, and a report generator producing a variety of Property Valuation Reports that are time-shifted to a specific calendar dates in the past, present or future.

Abstract: A pumping system for use in medical applications where liquids must be infused and aspirated from a mammalian patient, and whose economics are such that it is cost effective to simply dispose of it after a single use. The system features positive displacement pump(s) such as reciprocating pump(s) containing a damping mechanism to dampen out the peaks and valleys in the fluid pressure that is pumped, which is important for preventing cavitation. The system furthermore features a shut-off valve on the extraction side so that certain injected fluids such as contrast medium, are not immediately pumped out of the patient. In a preferred embodiment, the system also features means for independently controlling the fluid pressure/volume on the infusion and extraction sides, self-priming capability, a continuous fluid path, and visual air bubble detection, with viewports located at important points in the fluid path, such as at pumps and valves.

Abstract: An intra-luminal device for the extraction of occlusive or partially occlusive material is disclosed. The device includes a novel catheter extension which minimizes cavitation of extracted fluids and also allows the better navigation of tortuous lumens or vasculature.

Abstract: A laser for generating laser light pulses comprises a cavity containing an active optical gain medium (102) and a spectral filtering device (104), a delay device (110) for delaying light by a predetermined delay time (?t), means (106) for extracting a portion of laser light from the cavity, launching said portion into said delay means (110) and returning the delayed portion to the optical gain medium (102), control means (116) operable to activate the gain medium for a first time period (C1) to produce a first laser light pulse (LP1) having a duration that is less than the delay time (?t), and activate the gain medium for a second time period (C2) while a said delayed portion of the first light pulse that has been delayed by the delay means (UO) is traversing the gain medium (102), thereby to produce a second laser pulse (LP2) having a shorter duration and faster risetime than the first laser light pulse (LP1), and output means (108) for outputting the second laser light pulse (LP2).

Abstract: An attachment tool to facilitate the attachment of one or more catheters or similar elongated instruments to a guide-wire or other elongated guide member, without requiring access to either end of said wire or member. The tool provides repeatable and reliable alignment of components to be attached, while being operated with a single hand. The catheter systems can be used for revascularization or treatment of arteries and lumens within the body, and the associated delivery of therapies therein and can include side attachable and over-the-wire components and/or low profile combination catheters to allow for flush and extraction of debris in small or tortuous anatomic pathways.

Abstract: First and second optical fibers are spliced by a mechanical splice-based connecting device having a portion whereby light leaked from the splice can leave the connecting device. A reference power level (PREF) of light leaked while only the first fiber is inserted into the connecting device, and a measured power level (PM) light leaked while both fibers are inserted are measured. Insertion loss of the splice is derived from the measured power level (PM), the measured reference power level (PREF) and a calibration factor (C) previously obtained by using the same or substantially identical measuring apparatus and connecting device to measure a corresponding calibration input power level (P?IN) and calibration reference power level (P?REF) with only the first fiber inserted, and a calibration measured power level (P?M) and output power level (P?F) of light coupled into a second fiber after the second fiber has been inserted.

Abstract: An attachment tool to facilitate the attachment of one or more catheters or similar elongated instruments to a guide-wire or other elongated guide member, without requiring access to either end of said wire or member. The tool provides repeatable and reliable alignment of components to be attached, while being operated with a single hand. The catheter systems can be used for revascularization or treatment of arteries and lumens within the body, and the associated delivery of therapies therein and can include side attachable and over-the-wire components and/or low profile combination catheters to allow for flush and extraction of debris in small or tortuous anatomic pathways.

Abstract: A laser for generating laser light pulses comprises a cavity containing an active optical gain medium (102) and a spectral filtering device (104), a delay device (110) for delaying light by a predetermined delay time (?t), means (106) for extracting a portion of laser light from the cavity, launching said portion into said delay means (110) and returning the delayed portion to the optical gain medium (102), control means (116) operable to activate the gain medium for a first time period (C1) to produce a first laser light pulse (LP1) having a duration that is less than the delay time (?t), and activate the gain medium for a second time period (C2) while a said delayed portion of the first light pulse that has been delayed by the delay means (UO) is traversing the gain medium (102), thereby to produce a second laser pulse (LP2) having a shorter duration and faster risetime than the first laser light pulse (LP1), and output means (108) for outputting the second laser light pulse (LP2).

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for providing parallel access to a data set configured for automatic recovery. The apparatus includes an access module, a conversion module, a recovery module, and a restore module. The access module establishes parallel access to a data set configured for “pair and a spare” automatic recovery. The conversion module converts access to the data set from parallel access to single point access in response to an application instance detecting an error in the data set. The recovery module recovers the data set using an automatic recovery process initiated by the application instance that detects the error. The restore module restores access to the data set from single point access to parallel access in response to successful recovery of the data set. Providing parallel access to a data set configured for automatic recovery ensures that data transactions are performed swiftly, reliably, and efficiently.

Abstract: A method of estimating loss of a splice between first and second optical fibers spliced together by a mechanical splice or a mechanical splice-based connector having a portion through which light leaked from the splice can emerge comprises the steps of launching light into the first fiber, collecting light leaked from the portion using a multiplicity of ports, measuring the power level of the collected light and deriving the insertion loss from the measured power level, a predetermined power level and a collection factor C representing a relationship between measured power level, predetermined power level, power level of light in the first fiber, and power level of light coupled into the second fiber previously obtained for the same or similar connecting device. The ports may be angularly spaced about the axis of the connector or splice. The predetermined power level may be obtained by measuring light emerging from the connector but without the second fiber in position.

Abstract: Methods of producing a protein in cell culture comprising an anti-senescence compound, such as the antioxidant carnosine, are provided. According to teachings of the present invention, cells grown in a cell culture medium comprising an anti-senescence compound exhibit increased viability and productivity. Furthermore, cell cultures grown in the presence of an anti-senescence compound exhibit decreased levels of high molecular weight aggregates in the cell culture medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method of reducing protein misfolding and aggregation in the cell culture by growing the cell culture at a reduced temperature and/or reduced pH. As a result, the quality of the protein produced in the cell culture is greatly improved. Thus, the present invention facilitates improvements in the efficacy of therapeutic proteins produced in cell culture.

Abstract: An intra-luminal device for the extraction of occlusive or partially occlusive material is disclosed. Said device comprises a novel catheter extension which minimizes cavitation of extracted fluids and also allows the better navigation of tortuous lumens or vasculature.

Abstract: An attachment tool to facilitate the attachment of one or more catheters or similar elongated instruments to a guide-wire or other elongated guide member, without requiring access to either end of said wire or member. The tool provides repeatable and reliable alignment of components to be attached, while being operated with a single hand. The catheter systems can be used for revascularization or treatment of arteries and lumens within the body, and the associated delivery of therapies therein and can include side attachable and over-the-wire components and/or low profile combination catheters to allow for flush and extraction of debris in small or tortuous anatomic pathways.

Abstract: An intra-luminal device for the extraction of occlusive or partially occlusive material is disclosed. Said device comprises a novel catheter extension which minimizes cavitation of extracted fluids and also allows the better navigation of tortuous lumens or vasculature.

Abstract: A polarization independent optical spectrum analyzer comprises a diffraction grating, input and output slit means and polarization-maintaining multi-pass optics for directing a light beam to and fro across the diffraction grating while maintaining its linear state of polarization. The optical spectrum analyzer further comprises a polarization control unit for decomposing a light beam for analysis into first and second beams having mutually orthogonal states of polarization (SOPs) and then adjusting one or both SOPs so that they are parallel to each other and to one of the dispersion plane of the diffraction grating which is rotated to select different wavelengths of the first and second light beams. The first and second light beams are passed across the diffraction grating repeatedly by multi-pass polarization-maintaining optics and are outputted and detected separately.

Abstract: A method modifying a particular electrophysiological feature generated in response to a stimulus is disclosed. The method involves a repeated process of: sampling the brain wave state in order to apply a modifying pulse; modifying the brain wave state to a state more conducive to a required response; sampling the brain wave state in order to apply a response stimulus; applying a stimulus only when the brain wave state substantially meets the preselected response criteria; recording the brain wave activity of the subject subsequent to the application of the stimulus.