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 method of manufacturing an irregularly shaped forging includes heating a billet to a predetermined temperature, placing the heated billet within the cavity of a die, advancing a punch into the cavity to begin to disperse the material into a plurality of radially extending extremities of the cavity and continuing to advance the punch into the die to force a portion of the material to enter predetermined clearance zones between the punch and the die to form an irregularly shaped forging having a plurality of axially extending flash portions.

Abstract: Embolic protection filtering devices and methods of making and using the same. The present invention may include an embolic protection filtering device including a filter cartridge that is slidable over medical devices, for example, guidewires. The filter cartridge may have a filter coupled thereto and may have desirable flexibility and trackability characteristics.

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: Embolic protection filtering devices and methods of making and using the same. The present invention may include an embolic protection filtering device including a filter cartridge that is slidable over medical devices, for example, guidewires. The filter cartridge may have a filter coupled thereto and may have desirable flexibility and trackability characteristics.

Abstract: An out-of-route collection capability is provided for an AMR data collection system of a type that collect readings within a geographic area using a radio. If a transmission is received from an out-of-route transmitter, its location is based on a geographic location of the data collector as the data collector receives data from the out-of-route transmitter. The location can further be determined by evaluating a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) for the transmission. The out-of-route transmitter is identified by association with a transmitter identification number. The out-of-route transmitters can be added to the route through operations at the central office.

Abstract: Combinatorially generated peptides are provided that have binding affinity for Polytetrafluoroethylene (NY). The peptides may be used to deliver benefit agents to various PTFE surfaces.

Abstract: A biocatalytic method for preparing para-hydroxystyrene from para-hydroxycinnamic acid is described. The method uses an enzyme source having para-hydroxycinnamic acid decarboxylase activity to catalyze the decarboxylation of para-hydroxycinnamic acid in a biphasic reaction medium to produce para-hydroxystyrene, which is extracted into the organic phase of the biphasic reaction medium. The method results in a high yield of para-hydroxystyrene due to the decreased exposure of the enzyme source to the inhibitory product. The product is readily recovered from the extractant, or may be chemically derivatized directly in the extractant before recovery.

Abstract: A biocatalytic method for preparing para-hydroxystyrene from para-hydroxycinnamic acid is described. The method uses an enzyme source having para-hydroxycinnamic acid decarboxylase activity to catalyze the decarboxylation of para-hydroxycinnamic acid in a biphasic reaction medium to produce para-hydroxystyrene, which is extracted into the organic phase of the biphasic reaction medium. The method results in a high yield of para-hydroxystyrene due to the decreased exposure of the enzyme source to the inhibitory product. The product is readily recovered from the extractant, or may be chemically derivatized directly in the extractant before recovery.

Abstract: An intravascular expandable filter which has centering members that work to center the filter in a body vessel, the centering member creating a zone at the radial extent of the filter substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter. A device to deploy the filter consisting of an inner sheath with radially expandable distal arms having slots in them to receive the elongate members of the filter. A device to receive the filter consisting of a member to push a central portion of the filter into a receiving portion of the device.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for structurally testing fasteners are described herein. A fastener test apparatus configured in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes a first support member configured to support a head portion of a fastener, and a second support member configured to support a locking feature on a shaft portion of the fastener. The test apparatus can also include a force measurement device configured to be operably sandwiched between the first support member and the second support member. The force measurement device can be used to measure fastener preload. The test apparatus can further include first and second fixtures for performing an ultimate tensile test of the fastener. In this regard, the first fixture can be configured to exert a first force against the first support member in a first direction, and the second fixture can be configured to exert a second force against the second support member in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) memory system embedded in a programmable logic device has an embedded FIFO memory array coupled to an output register. If the embedded FIFO memory is empty, the first word written to the FIFO memory system is pre-fetched to the output register. A first-word detection circuit asserts a DATA VALID signal if the first word is available to be read from the output register when READ ENABLE is asserted. In an alternative embodiment, the first word is pre-fetched to the output of the output register and is available to be read before READ ENABLE is asserted.

Abstract: A new and useful wireline extensometer is provided that uses a tensioned cable extending between a supply spool and an anchor (e.g. of a type connected to a slope mass), measures movement of the cable to reflect movement of the anchor (e.g. due to movement of the slope mass), and includes a magnetic brake configured to provide a predetermined constant non-frictional braking force on the supply spool. The preferred wireline extensometer is designed to (i) minimize the risk of the extensometer reporting data that suggest slope movement where the slope mass has not moved to an undesirable extent, (ii) measure slope movement at relatively slow rates as well as rapid rates, and to (iii) measure slope mass movements continuously, and in a manner that can be efficiently and effectively communicated to responsible personnel.

Abstract: Programmable logic devices (PLDs) including self-repairing RAM circuits, and methods of automatically replacing defective columns in RAM arrays. A RAM circuit including redundant columns is tested during the PLD configuration sequence using a built in self test (BIST) procedure. If a defective column is detected, an error flag is stored in an associated volatile memory circuit. After the BIST procedure is complete, the PLD configuration process continues. The presence of the error flag causes the configuration data to bypass the defective column and to be passed directly into a replacement column. The configuration process continues until the remainder of the circuit is configured, including the redundant column. In other embodiments, the BIST procedure is initiated independently from the PLD configuration process. When a defective column is detected, user operation resumes with data being shunted from the defective column to a redundant column in a fashion transparent to the user.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an irregularly shaped forging includes heating a billet to a predetermined temperature, placing the heated billet within the cavity of a die, advancing a punch into the cavity to begin to disperse the material into a plurality of radially extending extremities of the cavity and continuing to advance the punch into the die to force a portion of the material to enter predetermined clearance zones between the punch and the die to form an irregularly shaped forging having a plurality of axially extending flash portions.

Abstract: Embolic protection filters and methods of making and using such devices are disclosed. An illustrative method of making a device for filtering embolic debris from a body may include the steps of molding a filter assembly that includes a distal tip and a filter portion, forming a plurality of apertures within the filter portion, and coupling a support member to the filter assembly that is adapted to shift the filter portion between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.

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: An integrated circuit having an embedded first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) memory system uses an embedded block random access memory (“BRAM”). Counters operate in both the read and write clock domains. A binary adder adds a first selected offset value and to a first pointer address, and the sum is converted to a first gray code value. The first gray code value is compared to a second gray code value that represents a second pointer address. If the first gray code value equals the second gray code value, the output of the comparator is provided to a logic block that produces a status flag (e.g. ALMOST FULL or ALMOST EMPTY) in the correct clock domain.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the production and recovery of multifunctional aromatic compounds from a fermentation medium. Preferred multifunctional aromatic compounds include para-hydroxycinnamic acid (pHCA), cinnamic acid (CA), and para-hydroxystyrene (pHS). The multifunctional aromatic compounds may be produced in a biphasic growth medium comprising a fermentation medium having a specified volume of an extractant. The multifunctional aromatic compounds are extracted into the extractant and recovered by standard means.

Abstract: A system and method for offline vending of digital video discs is provided. The method comprises the step of receiving, at a vending location and at a first time, a request for a digital video disc from a user interface. The method also comprises the step of determining whether a vending controller is capable of being placed in communication with a transaction network. Transaction data is stored, wherein the transaction data is provided by the user interface. The transaction data is stored in a memory, and comprises a title of the requested digital video disc and financial information provided by the user interface. The method also comprises encrypting the transaction data, and generating a signal for vending the digital video disc from a vending apparatus.