Abstract: This invention relates to analogs of peptidase substrates in which the amide group containing the scissile amide bond of the substrate peptide has been replaced by an activated electrophilic ketone moiety. These analogs of the peptidase substrates provide specific enzyme inhibitors for a variety of proteases, the inhibition of which will have useful physiological consequences in a variety of disease states.

Abstract: A delivery device and method for delivering a dosage of radiation from a radiation source to a treatment site of a vessel is provided herein. The delivery device includes a catheter and a delivery area. The catheter is suitable for being inserted into a vessel lumen of the vessel and includes a delivery lumen for receiving the radiation source. The delivery area also receives the radiation source. The delivery area includes an attenuator section for attenuating a portion of the radiation emitting from the radioactive area so that the delivery area emits an eccentric radiation profile. The delivery device can also include a catheter supporter which inhibits rotational deformation in the catheter between a catheter distal end and a catheter proximal end. This allows the delivery area to be precisely rotated to properly position the attenuator section within the vessel lumen.

Abstract: A delivery device and method for delivering a dosage of radiation from a radiation source to a treatment site of a vessel is provided herein. The delivery device includes a catheter and a delivery area. The catheter is suitable for being inserted into a vessel lumen of the vessel and includes a delivery lumen for receiving the radiation source. The delivery area also receives the radiation source. The delivery area includes an attenuator section for attenuating a portion of the radiation emitting from the radioactive area so that the delivery area emits an eccentric radiation profile. The delivery device can also include a catheter supporter which inhibits rotational deformation in the catheter between a catheter distal end and a catheter proximal end. This allows the delivery area to be precisely rotated to properly position the attenuator section within the vessel lumen.

Abstract: A radiation source for delivering a dose of radiation to a treatment site of a vessel is provided herein. The radiation source includes a delivery wire and a radioactive segment. The radioactive segment includes a substantially coiled or entwined radioactive wire which allows the radioactive segment to have a relatively large surface area to volume ratio. The delivery wire is made of material having a relatively short half-life, such as titanium, while the radioactive segment is made of a material, such as a rhenium or yttrium, which has a much longer half-life.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel triptolide derivatives and a method of treating a patient suffering from an autoimmune disease comprising administering to a patient an effective amount of the novel triptolide derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel triptolide derivatives and a method of treating a patient suffering from an autoimmune disease comprising administering to a patient an effective amount of the novel triptolide derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention is a stent for insertion into an artery or other vessel. The stent is formed from a series of tubular shaped bands each formed with a first end which overlaps a second end. The overlap between the first and second ends is variable and allows each band to move between a contracted configuration and a fully expanded configuration which are within the elastic limits of the band. Each band includes a plurality of receivers and a first tab on a first edge of the band to secure each band at or near the fully expanded configuration and allow the stent to conform to the contours of the vessel. The bands are distributed along a substantially common axis to form a tube interconnected by a pair of elongated strips. In use, the stent is placed over a balloon catheter and compressed to adopt the contracted configuration. The stent may be maintained in the contracted configuration by a retainer.

Abstract: This invention relates to analogs of peptidase substrates in which the amide group containing the scissile amide bond of the substrate peptide has been replaced by an activated electrophilic ketone moiety. These analogs of the peptidase substrates provide specific enzyme inhibitors for a variety of proteases, the inhibition of which will have useful physiological consequences in a variety of disease states.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor and preamplifier system has an excess differential imbalance detector, (a) for detecting magnitude differences between a pair of signals occurring at the output of a preamplifier subsystem due to modal transitions, and (b) for initiating action to overcome same. The excess imbalance detector changes a threshold therein to become more sensitive to smaller imbalances in the output signals being monitored after detection of a modal transition imbalance.

Abstract: The present invention is a stent for insertion into an artery or other vessel. The stent is formed from a series of tubular shaped bands each formed with a first end which overlaps a second end. The overlap between the first and second ends is variable and allows each band to move between a contracted configuration and a fully expanded configuration which are within the elastic limits of the band. Each band includes a plurality of receivers and a first tab on a first edge of the band to secure each band at or near the fully expanded configuration and allow the stent to conform to the contours of the vessel. The bands are distributed along a substantially common axis to form a tube interconnected by a pair of elongated strips. In use, the stent is placed over a balloon catheter and compressed to adopt the contracted configuration. The stent is maintained in the contracted configuration by a retainer.

Abstract: The present invention is a magnetoresistive element amplifier circuit for amplifying signals produced by a magnetoresistive element. The amplifier circuit includes a gain setting resistor and a first and second transistor. The first transistor has a pair of controlled terminals connected between first and second supply terminals and in series with the magnetoresistive element. The second transistor is connected to the first transistor in a cascode configuration. The second transistor has a pair of controlled terminals connected between the first and second supply terminals and in series with the gain setting resistor. The magnetoresistive element is in a separate DC current path from the gain setting resistor. The first and second transistors provide small signal current through the gain setting resistor for producing gain adjusted output signals.

Abstract: A steerable catheter comprising a resilient deflectable body member having an expandable electrode array at the distal end thereof, and a manipulation handle attached to the proximal end of the body member, the handle including an array deployment device. A mandrel is movable through the shaft of the catheter by control movements at the handle to deploy the array or collapse the array as selected. A displacement compensation system is operatively connected to the mandrel such that when the array is expanded, the compensation system biases the mandrel so keep the array expanded, even during instances of deflection of the distal end. Similarly, the displacement compensation system biases the mandrel to keep the array collapsed when that configuration is selected, even during instances of straightening of the catheter. The displacement compensation system also compensates for overturning the control device in the handle to protect the array and deployment systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-expanding stent for insertion into an artery or other internal vessel. The stent is formed from a series of radial bands each formed with overlapping first and second ends. The overlap between the first and second ends is variable, allowing each band to move between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration. The first and second ends of each band are both formed to include a tab which is folded to hold the first and second end against the band. The bands are distributed along a common axis to form a cylinder and interconnected by a pair of elongated strips. In use, the stent is placed over a balloon catheter and compressed to adopt the contracted configuration. The balloon catheter and stent are then advanced through a placement catheter and to a target site where the balloon is partially inflated to free the stent for self-expansion. The balloon may then be more fully inflated to further expand any of the radial bands in the stent.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a write driver circuit for driving a magnetic head in an information storage system. The write driver circuit is connected to first and second voltage supply terminals and includes first and second data input terminals for receiving data input signals. The H-switch has a pair of pull-up transistors and a pair of pull-down transistors to switch current flow between a first direction and a second direction which is opposite to the first direction. A pair of anti-saturation circuits are connected to the H-switch to bias the pull-up transistors. The anti-saturation circuits contain a transistor having a collector, a base and an emitter and a pair of substantially similar diodes connected between the base and the collector of the transistor.

Abstract: A method for preventing erroneous recording in compact disc player is disclosed, to prevent erroneous recording and selecting erroneous data during reproduction, wherein the conventional compact disc player is improved in such a manner that a memory is provided so as to store the data temporarily and to delay the recording of the data as required, and errors are detected during the delayed period of time, thereby preventing such a defective music from being recorded.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions of high frequency dielectric ceramics represented by the following formula:(1-y) SrTiO.sub.3 -y La(Zn.sub.1-x)/2 Mg.sub.x/2 Ti.sub.1/2)O.sub.3wherein 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.99; and 0.4.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.9. The compositions have a dielectric constant of about 28 to about 60, Qxf.sub.0 (GHz) of about 25,000 to about 71,000 and a temperature coefficient of the resonant frequency of about -56 to about 84 ppm/.degree. C. The compositions may be applied to various communications systems which require high frequency dielectric ceramics.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a layered food product has a station for introducing a first food component into a container and a station for introducing a second food component into the container on top of the first food component. The apparatus also has a unit for metering CO.sub.2 snow onto the first food component and a suction unit for removal of residual CO.sub.2 snow before introduction of the second food component into the container, the metering and removal being effected during passage of the first food component in the container through a tunnel in which air conditions about the container may be controlled.

Abstract: This invention relates to analogs of peptidase substrates in which the amide group containing the scissile amide bond of the substrate peptide has been replaced by an activated electrophilic ketone moiety. These analogs of the peptidase substrates provide specific enzyme inhibitors for a variety of proteases, the inhibition of which will have useful physiological consequences in a variety of disease states.

Abstract: A multilayered food product, which has an upper component which has a density which is at least 0.2 kg/dm.sup.3 greater than a density of a lower component, is prepared by introducing a first food component into a container and within 30 seconds after introduction of the first food component applying a CO.sub.2 snow to a top surface of the first food component in the container for frosting the surface and removing residual CO.sub.2 snow from the surface and introducing a second food component into the container onto the frosted surface of the first food component.

Abstract: A solid state image sensor including (a) a plurality of photodiodes arranged such that the photodiodes in odd number columns and the photodiodes in even number columns straddle each other, for generating image signal charges by converting light signals into electrical signals, (b) vertical charge coupled devices each formed between the photodiode columns for vertically transmitting the image signal charges generated in each of the photodiodes, and (c) a plurality of microlenses each arranged matched with each of the plurality of photodiodes over each of the photodiodes. Each of the photodiodes is shaped like a peanut shell having a narrower middle part. The photodiodes shape is thereby matched to the focusing shape of each matching microlens, optimizing the cell layout efficiency.