Abstract: The nucleic acid sequence of the POMC enhancer is disclosed herein. Sequences from the human, rat, rabbit, hamster, mouse, and cow POMC enhancer are disclosed. Hybrid transgenes, comprising a POMC transcriptional control element operably linked to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a marker are also enclosed. In addition, transgenic mice carrying a hybrid transgene including a POMC control element operably linked to a marker are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A dedicated distal protection guidewire having proximal and distal stops disposed about an elongated core wire is disclosed. A guidewire in accordance with the present invention includes an elongated core wire having a relatively stiff proximal section and a relatively flexible distal section, a distal stop disposed about a portion of the elongated core wire, and a proximal stop disposed about a portion of the elongated core wire proximal the distal stop. The distal stop may be formed from an enlarged outer diameter portion on the elongated core wire, or may be formed from an object disposed about and secured to a portion of the elongated core wire. The proximal stop may include an O-ring disposed within a recessed surface on the elongated core wire, or an annular ring having several circumferentially disposed notches.

Abstract: A filter disposed at the distal end of an elongate guidewire. Catheters are provided for delivering the filter to, and retrieving the filter from, a treatment site. The catheters can be over-the-wire or single operator exchange. The catheters include a housing for receiving the filter therein. The housing has an atraumatic distal end.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bioprocess engineering solution for a product removal process for use in a biofermentation. The invention discloses a process for withdrawing an aliquot of broth from a biofermentation vessel during at least a portion of the biofermentation, removing biocatalyst and water, chromatographically separating biofermentation products from the withdrawn broth using water as an eluent, and returning the remaining components of the broth back to the biofermentation vessel. Process chromatography permits highly selective separation of the target molecule, preventing feedback inhibition of the biofermentation.

Abstract: The present invention is a retainer and a method of manufacture therefor that can incorporate the ability to condition the flow of a fluid therethrough. The retainer defines an bearing surface for buttressing an element having a fluid flowing therethrough. The retainer is comprised of a plurality of members that if given the proper aspect ratio can condition the flow of a fluid.

Abstract: A filter disposed at the distal end of an elongate guidewire. Catheters are provided for delivering the filter to, and retrieving the filter from, a treatment site. The catheters can be over-the-wire or single operator exchange. The catheters include a housing for receiving the filter therein. The housing has an atraumatic distal end.

Abstract: A zeolite may be synthesized having the framework topology of tschörtnerite (TSC) and an empirical formula of mA2/nO:Al2O3:ySiO2 where A is a cation such as lithium. It is anticipated that the synthetic TSC is usable in processes for separating mixtures of molecular species. The lithium analog should be useful for air separation.

Abstract: A back-side imaging infrared microscope is integrated with a novel integrated-circuit probe station. The microscope is located below the silicon substrate of the integrated circuit, on the side opposite to the probe card. The electronic circuitry located on the top side of the substrate is imaged through the back side of the substrate and through a window sized to provide a view of a single integrated circuit and of the corresponding probe tips overlying the contact pads. Since the silicon substrate of integrated circuits is transparent to infrared wavelengths, the alignment between probe tips and contact pads is carried out with a clear view of both from the bottom of the substrate. Furthermore, emission images from the integrated circuit are taken during testing with the same microscope after electrical contact has been established.

Abstract: A manufacturing method provides ink-jet writing engine modules for use with a compatible hard copy engine module, a hard copy apparatus based thereon, and methods of manufacturing, operation, and use. Fluidic and electronic partitioning for ink-jet hard copy apparatus is redefined. Modular separation of a hard copy engine from a writing engine allows a replaceable writing module containing all of the key elements of the ink-jet writing system based on writing system technology requirements, particularly for those most likely to age or fail as a result of time, frequency of use, or end-user actions.

Abstract: Devices and methods for percutaneous translumenal minimally invasive coronary surgery, particularly bypass surgery involving the following basic steps: determining a proper location for treatment, navigating a suitable device to the treatment site, creating an extravascular opening and pathway, guiding and/or monitoring the progress of creating the opening and pathway, and maintaining the extravascular opening and pathway. One or more extravascular openings and/or pathways may be created to define a fluid path or bypass around the vascular restriction. For example, an intravascular catheter for creating an extravascular opening in a vessel wall includes an elongate shaft adapted for intravascular navigation, an anchoring mechanism disposed on the distal end of the shaft, and a tissue penetrating member having a proximal end slidably disposed in the shaft and a distal end including a tissue penetrating mechanism.

Abstract: Embolic protection sheath and method of using the same. In some embodiments, the present invention includes an elongate shaft, an embolic protection filter coupled to the shaft, and a sheath disposed over at least a portion of the shaft.

Abstract: Methods and devices for retrieving a filter fixed to a guidewire disposed within a blood vessel are disclosed. A catheter for retrieving a filter fixed to a guidewire disposed within a blood vessel in accordance with the present invention includes an elongate shaft and a housing fixed to the elongate shaft proximate a distal end thereof. A tip member is slidingly disposed within a cavity defined by the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the tip member is configured such that the housing is substantially centered about the guidewire. In another preferred embodiment, the tip member is slidingly disposed within the housing, and the tip member may be moved between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A printing media cartridge for a drum-type hard copy apparatus has printing media supply within the drum. Printable sheet lengths of printing medium are extracted from the interior of the drum through a slot such that individual prints can be produced using the drum outer surface as a platen. Removing a print from the platen extracts the next sheet length from within the drum which is then automatically wrapped back onto the drum's outer surface and aligned for the next print cycle. Printer control encoding is provided with the cartridge.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and reagents for developing naturally-occurring and synthetic agonists and antagonists specific for a mammalian melanocortin receptor, and the use of such agonists and antagonists for treatment and alleviation of dysfunction and disease. The invention specifically provides reagents and methods for developing naturally-occurring and synthetic agonists and antagonists specific for a mammalian melanocortin receptor termed MC5-R. The naturally-occurring and synthetic agonists and antagonists specific for the MC5-R receptor are provided by the invention for the treatment, control, amelioration and alleviation of diseases, and dysfunctional and abnormal states related to thermoregulatory disorders, as well as other diseases relating to exocrine gland disorders, including lacrimal gland dysfunction and sebaceous gland disorders including acne and other skin problems.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a replaceable printing component for an ink-jet printing system having at least one replaceable printing component. The replaceable printing component includes an electrical storage device responsive to printing system control signals for transferring information between the printing component and the ink-jet printing system. The electrical storage device includes a storage portion containing a plurality of data fields associated with the replaceable printing component. Included in the electrical storage device is a plurality data values stored in each of the plurality of data fields. Also included is a control portion responsive to control signals for selectively transferring a block of data values having a preselected size between the ink-jet printer and the storage portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides ink-jet writing engine modules for use with a compatible hard copy engine module, a hard copy apparatus based thereon, and methods of manufacturing, operation, and use. Fluidic and electronic partitioning for ink-jet hard copy apparatus is redefined. Modular separation of a hard copy engine from a writing engine allows a replaceable writing module containing all of the key elements of the ink-jet writing system based on writing system technology requirements, particularly for those most likely to age or fail as a result of time, frequency of use, or end-user actions.

Abstract: The present invention provides ink-jet writing engine modules for use with a compatible hard copy engine module, a hard copy apparatus based thereon, and methods of manufacturing, operation, and use. Fluidic and electronic partitioning for ink-jet hard copy apparatus is redefined. Modular separation of a hard copy engine from a writing engine allows a replaceable writing module containing all of the key elements of the ink-jet writing system based on writing system technology requirements, particularly for those most likely to age or fail as a result of time, frequency of use, or end-user actions.

Abstract: The present invention provides ink-jet writing engine modules for use with a compatible hard copy engine module, a hard copy apparatus based thereon, and methods of manufacturing, operation, and use. Fluidic and electronic partitioning for ink-jet hard copy apparatus is redefined. Modular separation of a hard copy engine from a writing engine allows a replaceable writing module containing all of the key elements of the ink-jet writing system based on writing system technology requirements, particularly for those most likely to age or fail as a result of time, frequency of use, or end-user actions.

Abstract: A filter disposed at the distal end of an elongate guidewire. Catheters are provided for delivering the filter to, and retrieving the filter from, a treatment site. The catheters can be over-the-wire or single operator exchange. The catheters include a housing for receiving the filter therein. The housing has an atraumatic distal end.

Abstract: The present invention provides ink-jet writing engine modules for use with a compatible hard copy engine module, a hard copy apparatus based thereon, and methods of manufacturing, operation, and use. Fluidic and electronic partitioning for ink-jet hard copy apparatus is redefined. Modular separation of a hard copy engine from a writing engine allows a replaceable writing module containing all of the key elements of the ink-jet writing system based on writing system technology requirements, particularly for those most likely to age or fail as a result of time, frequency of use, or end-user actions.