Abstract: This invention teaches a tumor-targeting thiocolchicine nanoemulsion wherein the nanodroplets comprising the nanoemulsion are coated with an antinuclear antibody (ANA-nanoemulsion). The nanodroplets are less than 200 nm and will enter the tumor via the Enhanced Permeation and Retention Effect (EPR). Once inside the tumor the antinuclear antibody coating the nanodroplets will bind to extracellular nuclear material released from dead cells and anchor the nanodroplets within the tumor where the drug is released for maximum effect. As all solid tumors have areas of necrosis this means that the ANA-nanoemulsion can target and treat all solid tumors regardless of the tumor type. The ANA-nanoemulsion is formulated to have a phase transition temperature above 8 C. When cooled to below 8 C the ANA-nanoemulsion converts into a suspension of solid lipid nanospheres (ANA-nanospheres) suitable for storage at 4 C or below.

Abstract: A washer includes a single piece body made of a resilient and flexible material and having a split extending between an inner circumferential edge and a radially outer peripheral edge to provide the body with first and second ends. One end has circumferentially extending and radially spaced fingers, and the other end has circumferentially extending and radially spaced fingers. A joint structure is integrally formed with the first and second ends. The joint structure includes a first locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism. The second locking mechanism is only engageable after the first locking mechanism is fully engaged.

Abstract: A battery module includes multiple battery-cell stacks of battery cells. The respective battery cells in the battery-cell stacks are spatially aligned with each other along respective longitudinal axes. The battery cells are oriented such that a positive terminal of a battery cell in one of the battery-cell stacks is spatially aligned with a negative terminal of a battery cell in a neighboring battery-cell stack. The battery-cell stacks are spaced apart to form respective air gaps between neighboring battery-cell stacks. A respective electrical connection layer is disposed on each side of a battery-cell stack to electrically connect the respective battery cells. A respective thermal protection shield is disposed on the respective electrical connection layer. The thermal protection shield includes channels that are spatially aligned with the positive terminals to allow gas and/or thermal energy to escape from a positive terminal in the event of battery-cell damage or breakdown.

Abstract: The current disclosure provides a home test for simultaneous measurement of glucose control and kidney function in patients. It is a handheld device that measures the ratio of glycated albumin (GA) to albumin as well as albumin to creatinine ratio in a biological sample. The device works in conjunction with a disposable microfluidic cassette which contains an inlet for the sample to be deposited into, which might be separated into two channels or might be single channel wherein reagents are incorporated. The channels are designed to transport the sample to working electrodes coated with specific binding agents. The binding agents are antibodies or aptamers or binding peptides. The binding agents bind specifically to respective analytes in the sample and produces change in impedance. The microfluidic cassette is inserted into an instrument that automatically reads, calculates and displays GA/albumin ratio and albumin/creatinine ratio based on changes in impedance measurement.

Abstract: A washer includes a single piece body made of a resilient and flexible material and having a split extending between an inner circumferential edge and a radially outer peripheral edge to provide the body with first and second ends. One end has circumferentially extending and radially spaced fingers, and the other end has circumferentially extending and radially spaced fingers. A joint structure is integrally formed with the first and second ends. The joint structure includes a first locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism. The second locking mechanism is only engageable after the first locking mechanism is fully engaged.

Abstract: A wireless hearing assist device including a microphone unit and a receiver unit. The microphone unit includes a microphone that receives audio signals, a frequency profile adjustment control circuit that adjusts frequency profile of the received audio signals based on input by a user, and a transmitter that wirelessly transmits the adjusted audio signals. The receiver unit is adapted to be worn by the user and includes a receiver that wirelessly receives the adjusted audio signals transmitted by the transmitter, and a speaker that generates sound based on the adjusted audio signals. In at least one embodiment, the microphone unit includes a Bluetooth enabled RF communication link for wireless communication with an external device other than the receiver unit.

Abstract: A home test for measuring glycated albumin levels in saliva. The saliva sample is collected at home using a standardized saliva collection kit and mailed to a testing laboratory that performs the test and reports the result directly back to the customer via the internet. The home test can be used to monitor glucose control in diabetics and in healthy individuals. It may also be used as a diagnostic aid in identifying individuals with diabetes, or who are at risk of developing diabetes.

Abstract: A structure including a grating and a semiconductor nanocrystal layer on the grating, can be a laser. The semiconductor nanocrystal layer can include a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals including a Group II-VI compound, the nanocrystals being distributed in a metal oxide matrix. The grating can have a periodicity from 200 nm to 500 nm.

Abstract: This invention describes a rapid assay for measuring the ratio of glycated albumin to total albumin in blood. Patients with diabetes have elevated levels of glucose in their blood that can react with plasma albumin to form glycated albumin. The amount of glycated albumin formed is directly correlated with the level of plasma glucose that the albumin has been exposed to over a period of time. The ratio of glycated albumin to total albumin in blood will provide an indication of the average amount of protein glycation that occurred over the preceding 2-3 week period. The test is performed using a disposable strip or cassette that contains the testing reagents and the results are measured in a measuring instrument that automatically reads; calculates and displays the final result: The results of tests performed over a period of time are stored in the instrument's memory presented in a numerical or graphical format so that the individual's glycated albumin level can be monitored over time.

Abstract: This invention describes a rapid immunochromatographic assay for measuring the ratio of glycated albumin to total albumin in saliva. Patients with diabetes have elevated levels of glucose in their blood that can react with plasma albumin to form glycated albumin. The amount of glycated albumin formed is directly correlated with the level of plasma glucose that the albumin has been exposed to over a period of time. Saliva albumin is derived from plasma albumin and therefore contains glycated and non-glycated albumin fractions that can be measured. The ratio of glycated albumin to total albumin in saliva will provide an indication of the average amount of protein glycation that occurred over the preceding 2-3 week period. The test is performed using a disposable strip that contains the testing reagents and the results are measured in a measuring instrument that automatically reads, calculates and displays the final result.

Abstract: A maskless lithography system is disclosed that includes a spatial light modulator, first and second imaging areas, and first folding optics. The spatial light modulator receives illumination from an illumination source and provides a modulated illumination beam having a first cross-sectional line length in a length-wise direction and a first cross-sectional width in a width-wise direction that is substantially smaller than said first cross-sectional length. The first imaging area receives a first portion of the modulated illumination beam. The first folding optics provides a second portion of the modulated illumination beam that is adjacent the first portion of the modulated illumination beam in the length-wise direction at a second imaging area that is not adjacent the first imaging area in the length-wise direction.

Abstract: A rapid immunochromatographic assay system is provided for measuring the amount of glycated albumin in a blood sample relative to the total level of albumin in the sample. The assay system is comprised of a disposable cassette that contains the test strips and testing reagents, and a measurement device that automatically reads, calculates and displays the test results over a period of time. The test cassette contains two test strips that are used to measure glycated albumin and total albumin respectively. The strips are contiguous beneath the single sample application well so that the same sample is tested simultaneously by both test strips. Part of the sample will migrate thru the glycated albumin test strip where it will react with the glycated albumin test reagents to yield a glycated albumin result, while part of the sample will migrate thru the total albumin test strip where it will react with the total albumin test reagents to yield a total albumin result.

Abstract: A fluid flow actuated valve for controlling the fluid flow in a conduit comprises a support structure adapted to be mounted within the conduit and at least one flap member pivotally mounted to the support structure. The at least one flap member is pivotable between an first position for a minimum fluid flow and a second position for a maximum fluid flow. A torsion spring is attached to the at least one flap member to urge the same to pivot against a fluid pressure differential, from the first position to the second position when the fluid pressure differential is smaller than a predetermined level.

Abstract: A lithography system includes a source of radiation energy and a zone plate array to focus the radiation energy to create an array of images in order to produce a permanent pattern on a substrate. A phase-shift mask is optically located between the source of radiation energy and the zone plate array. The modulated wavefront produced by the phase-shift mask alters the field diffracted by the zone plate array, and the center lobe of the point-spread function narrows as a result.

Abstract: A lithography system is disclosed that includes an array of focusing elements for directing focused illumination toward a recording medium, and a reversible contrast-enhancement material disposed between the recording medium and the array of focusing elements.

Abstract: A lithography system is disclosed that provides an array of areas of imaging electromagnetic energy that are directed toward a recording medium. The reversible contrast-enhancement material is disposed between the recording medium and the array of areas of imaging electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: This invention uses “targeted apheresis” to treat rheumatoid arthritis patients. “Targeted Apheresis” is a process whereby the RF and immune complexes responsible for causing the disease symptoms are selectively removed from the blood by passing the blood through a cartridge containing immobilized IgG. The RF and immune complexes are bound out and the cleaned blood is returned to the patient Removal of circulating RF and immune complexes will ameliorate the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.