Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating tissue in response to a stimulus generated by the tissue. In one embodiment, the method transdermally treats an organism in response to a stimulus. In this embodiment, the medication is applied to epidermis of the organism, and the epidermis is electroporated in response to a stimulus, whereby the medication passes through the epidermis at a rate sufficient to alter the stimulus, thereby transdermally treating the organism. In another embodiment, the method measures a blood component content of blood. A portion of epidermis is electroporated to cause an aqueous fluid to be directed through an electroporated epidermis to a surface of the epidermis. Thereafter, the blood component content of the aqueous fluid is measured for correlation with a known aqueous fluid blood component content associated with a known concentration of blood component in the blood. The blood component concentration of the blood can thereby be measured.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for causing electroporation of remote cells and tissue, in vivo. The method includes directing an electrically conductive penetrator into an organism to a point which is approximate to the cells and/or tissue. An electrode is disposed at a surface of the organism, whereby a voltage applied between the electrically conductive penetrator and the electrode will cause electroporation of the cells and/or tissue. A voltage is applied between the electrically conductive penetrator and the electrode in an amount sufficient to cause electroporation of the cell or tissue. The method can also include treating remote tissue, in vivo, with a chemical agent, wherein the chemical agent is disposed in the organism in an amount sufficient to treat the cell or tissue during electroporation.

Abstract: A process for manipulation of liquid microdroplets is disclosed. The process involves formation of microdroplets such that physical forces based on particular interactions of the microdroplets with a surrounding non-aqueous fluid results can be used to alter the position of the microdroplets.

Abstract: Polycrystalline silicon resistors are formed by reducing the initial thickness of a poly layer to a magnitude such that the etch end point of the lightly doped resistors is equal to the etch end point of the heavily doped interconnection.

Abstract: A probe adapted for insertion in living tissue for measuring oxygen partial pressure and temperature at a plurality of sites in living tissue is provided. A temperature sensitive resistor is positioned adjacent each of a plurality of oxygen sensors so that the oxygen partial pressure measured can be adjusted for tissue temperature. The probe substrate has thermal properties similar to living tissue and the resistors are formed of a material having a temperature sensitive resistance. Temperature at each temperature sensitive resistor is obtained by measuring resistance with a four point measurement and correlating the resistance to temperature.

Abstract: A process for the chemical manipulation of liquid and gel microdroplets is disclosed. The process involves providing first microdroplets having aqueous interiors, such that the first microdroplets are surrounded by a non-aqueous fluid. The aqueous interior chemical composition of the first microdroplets is then manipulated by exposure to compounds soluble in both the non-aqueous and aqueous phases, or by exposure to emulsions or suspensions of second microdroplets such that contact between the first and second microdroplets is made. This allows chemical manipulation to be accomplished without removing the first microdroplets from a non-aqueous fluid environment.

Abstract: An electrical process for enhancing and/or controlling transport of molecules across tissue such as human and animal skin is disclosed. The process involves the use of a high voltage, short duration electrical pulses on the tissue surface to produce electroporation. Once this effect has occurred, concentration, pressure or temperature gradients, or iontopheresis can be used to move molecules across the tissue. The process can be repeatedly applied without producing undesirable tissue damage or can be used to purposely cause highly limited tissue damage for the purpose of providing a desired, relatively long term molecular transport pathway. The occurrence of the electroporation effect can be detected by monitoring the tissue for a reversible electrical breakdown, which, along with an enhanced tissue permeability, is the characteristic effect of electroporation.

Abstract: A process for rapidly enumerating viable biological entities is disclosed, wherein viability is determined by the critierion of growth of biological entities contained in microdroplets. Alternatively, in some cases, viability is determined by use of vital staining of biological entities contained in microdroplets. The process involves formation of microdroplets, which are very small volume liquid or gel particles, such that some of the microdroplets contain biololgical entities, followed by measurements of biological entities and of microdroplet volumes, such that use of statistical analysis can be used self-consistently to determine the number of viable entities per volume of a sample.

Abstract: Detection or measurement of chemical indicator paramaters such as pH or of the concentration reactants of chemical reactions is accomplished by employing at least two fluorescent species with predominant emission at different optical wavelength regions, such that a synthesized fluorescence color change is created. In this manner, measurement is improved and simple visual inspection can reveal whether or not a chemical reaction or parameter has changed significantly, while retaining the sensitivity of fluorescence measurement or detection.

Abstract: Thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and/or fluid perfusion within a medium such as cutaneous tissue is non-invasively measured by at least two heating and temperature sensor. One sensor is positioned in thermal communication with the medium and a second sensor is positioned thermal communication with the first sensor. Both sensor are heated (or cooled) so as to substantially prevent net heat flow between them. In this manner, net heat flow between the first sensor and the medium can be measured, which measurements allow determination of the thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and/or fluid perfusion within the medium.

Abstract: Oxygen partial pressure and temperature are measured in living tissue by inserting a thin probe into living tissue. The probe includes a plurality of spatially separated thermal sensors secured to the probe substrate. A plurality of oxygen sensors is positioned along the length of the probe substrate and each oxygen sensor is associated with and positioned adjacent to or is an integral part of one of the thermal sensors. Electrical parameters of the sensors located on the probe are measured and used to determine oxygen partial pressure and to determine temperature at each of a plurality of sites along the probe.

Abstract: Compositions suitable for molding are produced by examining a (1) polyethylene terephthalate polyester, (2) a low molecular weight polyethylene mold release agent (3) talc as nucleating agent, (4) carbon black, (5) a hindered phenolic antioxidant and (6) other optional ingredients such as reinforcing glass fibers.

Abstract: The metabolism and growth of cells is measured by suspending the cells in a liquid medium capable of forming a gel. The resultant suspension is formed into small droplets which droplets are caused to gel. Samples of the gel microdroplets (GMDs) are treated to alter the metabolism or growth of the cells, and the amount of metabolites, or other cellular products or external reaction products within each GMD is measured. The process can be utilized to determine essentially simultaneously the enumeration or count and the antibiotic susceptibility, or susceptibility to other compounds, factors, biological agents or other cells, of the cells which are representative of a larger sample of said cells.

Abstract: The activity of a microbiologically active material is measured by suspending the material in a liquid medium capable of forming a gel. The resultant suspension is formed into small liquid droplets which droplets are caused to gel. The gel microdroplets (GMDs) are treated to effect desirable alteration of the microbiologically active material and the amount of metabolites or reaction products of the desired alteration within each get droplet is measured. Alternatively, incubation is carried out such that each GMD initially containing one cell contains many, a microcolony, which can be tested for desirable properties while retaining sufficient viable cells for with growth and harvesting for further testing and/or production.

Abstract: Molecules or cells of materials exhibiting a microbiological activity, suppression or interaction of interest are isolated from a large population of similar molecules, cells or the like. The activity of the microbiologically active molecules or living matter of interest is measured by suspending the population in a liquid medium capable of forming a gel. The resultant suspension is formed into droplets which are caused to gel. The gel droplets (GMDs) are treated to effect desirable alteration of the microbiologically active material and the amount of metabolites or reaction products of the desired alteration within each of the gel droplets. Alternatively, incubation is carried out such that each GMD initially containing one cell contains many, a microcolony, which can be tested for desirable properties while retaining sufficient viable cells for further growth and harvesting for further tesing and/or production.

Abstract: Stampable sheet of reinforced thermoplastic material having a plurality of layers of polymeric material and a plurality of layers of fibrous reinforcing material alternating with the layers of polymeric material, the polymeric material layers having minimum crystallization half-time upon heating of one minute or less and the polymeric material layer inwardly of the outer polymeric material layers and contiguous to a surfacing mat layer having a shrinkage of less than 2% as determined in accordance with ASTM Method D-955; with all of the layers being integrally formed together and possessing a smooth surface, essentially free of fiber "read-through", and of the type required of exterior automotive-type appearance parts; and a stamped sheet formed from the stampable sheet and having a heat deflection temperature under 264 psi load greater than T.sub.m -50.degree. C. wherein T.sub.m is the melting point of the outer layers of the sheet.

Abstract: Stampable sheet of reinforced thermoplastic material having a plurality of layers of polymeric material and a plurality of layers of fibrous reinforcing material alternating with the layers of polymeric material, the polymeric material layers having minimum crystallization half-times upon heating of one minute or less with the fifth layer of the sheet being polymeric material having a shrinkage of less than 2% as determined in accordance with ASTM Method D-955, and the first or outer layer and the third layer of the sheet being polymeric material layers having about 5 to about 50 weight percent fillers; with all of the layers being integrally formed together and possessing a smooth surface, essentially free of fiber "read-through", and having more uniform reinforcement in the sheet, and of the type required of exterior automotive-type appearance parts; and a stamped sheet formed from the stampable sheet and having a heat deflection temperature under 264 psi. load greater than T.sub.m -50.degree. C., where T.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a stampable sheet of reinforced thermoplastic material, the sheet being composed of a plurality of layers of polyester material and a plurality of layers of reinforcing material integrally formed together, the central layer or layers of polyester material being of more slowly crystallizing material than the outer layers. The polyester layers are all substantially amorphous and are made of polyester polymers selected from poly(ethylene terephthalate), selected copolymers of poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(1,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate), selected copolymers of poly(1,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate), blends of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and any of the aforementioned selected copolymers, and blends of poly(1,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate) and any of the aforementioned selected copolymers, The central polyester layer or layers are polyester polymers selected from the aforementioned selected copolymers and blends.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining the concentration or quantity of enzyme molecules, microorganisms or substrate molecules by monitoring directly the concentration and/or the quantity of vaporous by-product produced from the selective reaction of the molecule catalyzed with a known amount of substrate or of an enzyme or a microorganism. The apparatus comprises a membrane permeable to the vaporous product or substrate, a known amount of microorganism or an enzyme adjacent to the membrane, means for introducing a liquid sample into contact with the microorganism or enzyme within a small volume adjacent the membrane and means for measuring the amount of vaporous by-product passing through the membrane. A mass spectrometer located adjacent the membrane surface is suitable for measuring the amount of vaporous product or substrate passing through the membrane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining the concentration or quantity of enzyme molecules, microorganisms or substrate molecules by monitoring directly the concentration and/or the quantity of vaporous by-product produced from the selective reaction of the molecule catalyzed with a known amount of substrate or of an enzyme or a microorganism. The apparatus comprises a membrane permeable to the vaporous product or substrate, a known amount of microorganism or an enzyme adjacent to the membrane, means for introducing a liquid sample into contact with the microorganism or enzyme within a small volume adjacent the membrane and means for measuring the amount of vaporous by-product passing through the membrane. A mass spectrometer located adjacent the membrane surface is suitable for measuring the amount of vaporous product or substrate passing through the membrane.