Abstract: Disclosed is a disposable patient interface for an intraductal fluid aspiration system. The interface has a flexible tubular distal member for contacting the patient, and a proximal support portion forming a vacuum chamber therein. The support portion has a vacuum aperture for communication with a source of vacuum, and a retention structure for releasably mounting within a hand piece of an intraductal fluid aspiration system. The flexible member preferably has a low modulus of elasticity and a high tear strength, such that it can be stretched to fit over a rigid support without rupture.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake system for a motor vehicle includes a compressed air system including a plurality of compressed air reservoirs containing compressed air. A service brake system in fluid communication with the compressed air system is operably engaged by application of the compressed air from the compressed air system. A parking brake system in fluid communication with the compressed air system is operably engaged upon the engagement of a spring brake component. A compressed air release system is coupled to the compressed air system and the parking brake system. The compressed air release system is configured to receive a command and in response to the command drain compressed air from the compressed air system if the parking brake system is engaged.

Abstract: A method is provided for facilitating a real estate exchange that includes a sale portion and a purchase portion. The method includes identifying properties of an exchangor for the sale portion of the exchange, and properties of one or more sellers for the purchase portion of the exchange. The properties of the exchangor and the sellers have associated property information stored in a property database. The method also includes engaging the properties for the sale and purchase portions of the exchange to thereby facilitate the exchange. More particularly, engaging the properties includes providing a buyer with at least a portion of the property information associated with one or more properties identified for the sale portion of the exchange, and providing the exchangor with at least a portion of the property information associated with one or more properties identified for the purchase portion of the exchange.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to sample ionization, and provides ionization probe assemblies, systems, computer program products, and methods useful for this purpose.

Abstract: A portable gas fractionalization apparatus that provides oxygen rich air to patients is provided. The apparatus is compact, lightweight, and low-noise. The components are assembled in a housing that is divided into two compartments. One compartment is maintained at a lower temperature than the other compartment. The lower temperature compartment is configured for mounting components that can be damaged by heat. The higher temperature compartment is configured for mounting heat generating components. An air stream is directed to flow from an ambient air inlet to an air outlet constantly so that there is always a fresh source of cooling air. The apparatus utilizes a PSA unit to produce an oxygen enriched product. The PSA unit incorporates a novel single ended column design in which all flow paths and valves can be co-located on a single integrated manifold. The apparatus also can be used in conjunction with a satellite conserver and a mobility cart.

Abstract: Cartridges useful for mixing materials, such as fluidic materials are provided. A cartridge typically includes a body structure having surfaces that define a cavity with upper and lower portions. A rotatable member generally extends along a horizontal axis in the upper portion of the cavity. One or more protrusions typically extend outward from the rotatable member and into the lower portion of the cavity, and are configured to mix the material when the material is disposed in the cavity. Related mixing stations, systems, kits, and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Sample processing units useful for mixing and purifying materials, such as fluidic materials are provided. A sample processing unit typically includes a container configured to contain a sample comprising magnetically responsive particles, and one or more magnets that are in substantially fixed positions relative to the container. A sample processing unit also generally includes a conveyance mechanism configured to convey the container to and from a position that is within magnetic communication with the magnet, e.g., such that magnetically responsive particles with captured analytes can be retained within the container when other materials are added to and/or removed from the container. Further, a sample processing unit also typically includes a rotational mechanism that is configured to rotate the container, e.g., to effect mixing of sample materials disposed within the container. Related carrier mechanisms, sample processing stations, systems, and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Systems, computer program products, and methods useful for handling or managing microplates are provided.

Abstract: A medical device for fragmenting objects and aspirating remaining debris enables a physician or other medical personnel quickly and easily remove objects, such as kidney stones, from a patient. The medical device can include a dual-lumen elongated member and a handle coupled to the elongated member. A first one of the lumens provides a suction passageway, and a second one of the lumens receives a laser fiber for delivering laser energy to an object, such as a kidney stone, within the patient. The handle can include a positioning mechanism to enable the physician by manual manipulation to move and hold in place the laser fiber longitudinally within the second lumen.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disposable closed fluid loop for providing heat and compression to an intraductal fluid aspiration device. A plurality of bladders are configured to receive a pressurized inflation fluid, and to inflate in response thereto. The fluid is further configured to flow adjacent a heat exchanger, thereby receiving thermal energy, which it imparts to the bladders through conduction. Accordingly, the disclosed fluid loop provides heated inflation media to inflate a plurality of bladders to provide heat and compression to an intraductal fluid aspiration patient.

Abstract: Polylactide polymers are reacted with an epoxy-functional acrylate polymer to introduce long-chain branching into the polymer. The acrylate polymer provides a flexible means for introducing a controllable amount of branching into the polylactide polymer, with little risk of forming gelled or highly crosslinked structures. The branched polylactide polymers have excellent melt rheological properties that make them more easily processable in various melt-processing applications.

Abstract: A retrieval device is disclosed. The retrieval device may include a sheath including a lumen extending longitudinally through the sheath, an elongate member slidably disposed within the lumen, and a basket at a distal end of the elongate member. The basket may include a plurality of legs formed integrally with the elongate member. The elongate member and the basket may be formed of a single wire, and the legs may be made by splitting a length of the single wire.

Abstract: A medical device for fragmenting objects and aspirating remaining debris enables a physician or other medical personnel quickly and easily remove objects, such as kidney stones, from a patient. The medical device can include a dual-lumen elongated member and a handle coupled to the elongated member. A first one of the lumens provides a suction passageway, and a second one of the lumens receives a laser fiber for delivering laser energy to an object, such as a kidney stone, within the patient. The handle can include a positioning mechanism to enable the physician by manual manipulation to move and hold in place the laser fiber longitudinally within the second lumen.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for accomplishing a noninvasive screen for breast disease markers, including breast cancer markers and cytologically abnormal cells. Intraductal fluid is noninvasively aspirated using compression, heating and suction cycles. The removed sample is thereafter assayed for the presence of cytologically abnormal cells and/or one or more breast disease markers. In addition to the diagnostic applications of the disclosed method and apparatus, a therapeutic application is also contemplated wherein intraductal fluids are noninvasively aspirated using compression, heating and suction cycles to remove toxic buildups within the fluid.

Abstract: An e-mail firewall applies policies to e-mail messages transmitted between a first site and a plurality of second sites. The e-mail firewall includes a plurality of mail transfer relay modules for transferring e-mail messages between the first site and one of the second sites. Policy managers are used to enforce and administer selectable policies. The policies are used to determine security procedures for the transmission and reception of e-mail messages. The e-mail firewall employs signature verification processes to verify signatures in received encrypted e-mail messages. The e-mail firewall is further adapted to employ external servers for verifying signatures. External servers are also used to retrieve data that is employed to encrypt and decrypt e-mail messages received and transmitted by the e-mail firewall, respectively.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for extruding a PLA resin using high levels of CO2. Excellent quality, low density foam is produced easily and reproducibly. The foams arc capable of being heat-annealed to induce significant crystallinity, even when an ordinarily amorphous PLA resin is used.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes maintaining a database including information associated with a real-estate portfolio of an entity, where the real-estate portfolio includes one or more real-estate properties. The method also includes receiving selection of a property in the portfolio for offering one or more percentage ownerships thereof. An offering of one or more percentage ownerships of the respective property is initiated in response to the selection, initiating an offering including automatically notifying one or more other entities of the offering. And commitments are received from one or more other entities regarding respective percentage ownerships of the property to thereby facilitate the entity and one or more other entities concluding a percentage-ownership transaction regarding the property. As provided, the offering is retractable by the entity until the other entities commit to purchase, in the aggregate, a minimum percentage ownership of the respective property.