Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the endoluminal revision of previously performed obesity procedures which have failed are described. One or more endoluminal instruments may be advanced per-orally into the previously formed failed pouch where a number of different procedures can be performed. One or more tissue folds can be formed and secured to reduce the size of the pouch, or the stoma connecting the pouch to the intestinal tract can be reduced in size using endoluminally deployed tissue anchors. These procedures can be performed entirely from within the pouch lumen or upon the exterior surface of the pouch via transgastric entry of the instruments into the peritoneal cavity of a patient. Alternatively, the interior tissue within the pouch can be injured or sclerosed to shrink the pouch lumen. In another alternative, a length of the Roux limb can be shortened endoluminally to create a malabsorptive region.

Abstract: A retrofit kit is provided for existing slot machines that include a lighting strip, electronic driver assembly, connectors and an installation procedure. The retrofit kit may include a variety of mounting hardware. The retrofit kit replaces existing florescent or incandescent lighting with LED lighting.

Abstract: A retrofit kit is provided for existing slot machines that include a lighting strip, electronic driver assembly, connectors and an installation procedure. The retrofit kit may include a variety of mounting hardware. The retrofit kit replaces existing florescent or incandescent lighting with LED lighting.

Abstract: A retrofit kit is provided for existing slot machines that include a lighting strip, electronic driver assembly, connectors and an installation procedure. The retrofit kit may include a variety of mounting hardware. The retrofit kit replaces existing florescent or incandescent lighting with LED lighting.

Abstract: A retrofit kit is provided for existing slot machines that include a lighting strip, electronic driver assembly, connectors and an installation procedure. The retrofit kit may include a variety of mounting hardware. The retrofit kit replaces existing florescent or incandescent lighting with LED lighting.

Abstract: A railway rail fastening apparatus has a baseplate for receiving a railway rail to be fastened thereto and baseplate securing elements for securing the baseplate to a baseplate seat area of a concrete railway foundation. The baseplate securing elements carry first and second fastening assemblies configured for location on the concrete rail foundation on opposite sides of the baseplate seat area. Each of the first and second fastening assemblies including fixing member having a first part that extends from the baseplate member for retention within the concrete rail foundation. Only the fixing member of one fastening assembly includes a screw-threaded fastener.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flow apparatus (10) having a flow control valve (12) having a housing (14), an aperture (16), an aperture obturator (18) and an actuator (20) for moving said obturator (16) between a first closed position and multiple open positions (B-L), characterised by a valve position monitor (21) for monitoring the position of the valve (12) and comprising a plurality of discrete sensors (28a to 28e) associated with a plurality of open positions (B-L) of said valve for monitoring the presence or absence of one or more members (26) movable with said valve (12). The arrangement may be used to monitor the valve position and such monitoring may be of use in the prediction of the amount of fluid remaining within a cylinder (32) to which it has been attached.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the endoluminal revision of previously performed obesity procedures which have failed are described. One or more endoluminal instruments may be advanced per-orally into the previously formed failed pouch where a number of different procedures can be performed. One or more tissue folds can be formed and secured to reduce the size of the pouch, or the stoma connecting the pouch to the intestinal tract can be reduced in size using endoluminally deployed tissue anchors. These procedures can be performed entirely from within the pouch lumen or upon the exterior surface of the pouch via transgastric entry of the instruments into the peritoneal cavity of a patient. Alternatively, the interior tissue within the pouch can be injured or sclerosed to shrink the pouch lumen. In another alternative, a length of the Roux limb can be shortened endoluminally to create a malabsorptive region.

Abstract: Devices and methods for forming and securing tissue folds, elongated invaginations, and tissue appositions in stomach tissue are used as a treatment for obesity. In a first embodiment, a plurality of tissue folds is formed in the fundus region of the stomach. In a second embodiment, one or more elongated invaginations are formed in the body region and/or antrum of the stomach. In a third embodiment, a plurality of tissue folds is formed in the fundus region of the stomach and one or more elongated invaginations is formed in the body region and/or antrum of the stomach. In other embodiments, a plurality of tissue folds is formed in the fundus region of the stomach and one or more tissue appositions are formed in the body region and/or antrum of the stomach. Additional embodiments include various combinations of tissue folds, elongated invaginations, tissue appositions, and other reconfigurations of stomach tissue.

Abstract: A concrete railway rail foundation wherein an uppermost face of the foundation comprises a rail seat area for supporting a railway rail extending in a first direction across the rail seat area, two anchoring device seating regions located on either side of the rail seat area for accommodating respective anchoring devices, and, on each side of an anchoring device seating region, an upstanding portion having a height substantially the same as or higher than that of an anchoring device and a depth, in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, which is substantially the same as or deeper than that of the anchoring device is disclosed.

Abstract: A photodynamic therapy lamp includes two lamp modules comprising an array of LEDs. Each of the lamp modules is movable between a first position in which an angle between the lamp modules is from 157 degrees to 180 degrees, and a second position in which the angle between the lamp modules is from 50 degrees to 70 degrees.

Abstract: An anchoring device for use in a railway rail fastening assembly which employs a resilient railway rail fastening clip to fasten a railway rail, comprises a body having a front portion, which is configured to provide a first load bearing surface extending alongside the rail foot when the device is in use, and first and second side faces, respectively located on opposite sides of the body and configured to extend transversely away from the first portion. The device comprises first and second projecting portions, the first projecting portion extending outwardly from the first side face of the body and providing a first additional load bearing surface which is set back from the first load bearing surface, and the second projecting portion extending outwardly from the second side face of the body and providing a second additional load bearing surface which is set back from the first load bearing surface.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes independent wastewater treatment facilities. Each of the facilities has wastewater treatment subsystems and is monitored by a central monitoring location. Wastewater collection subsystems hold wastewater to be treated. Monitoring subsystems measure wastewater process parameters. Control devices receive control commands and, dependent upon the command received, alter parameters of the wastewater treatment subsystems. A communication device connects the wastewater treatment subsystems and the control devices and sends information corresponding to the wastewater process parameters measured by the monitors, receives control messages corresponding to the control commands, and transmits control commands the control devices to alter wastewater process parameters.

Abstract: In a railway rail fastening clip 1 for fastening a railway rail to an underlying rail foundation, which clip 1 is formed of an elongate plate shaped such that a central region 11 of the plate has in profile the form of a letter C, a first end region of the plate extending from one side of the central region 11 of the plate to form a substantially planar base portion 12 of the clip for engaging a rail fastening anchoring device secured to the rail foundation and a second end region of the plate extending from the opposite side of the central region 11 of the plate to form a toe portion 13 of the clip for bearing on a foot of the railway rail, such that in profile the second end region extends further than the first end region, the toe portion of the clip is provided with a throughhole 14 which is arranged such that, when the clip is in its operative configuration, part or all of the throughhole 14 lies above the foot of the rail, the throughhole being configured to receive a corresponding spigot 25 of a toe in

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for obtaining endoluminal access. An elongate body is configured for insertion within a body lumen, conduit, organ, orifice, passageway or cavity, the elongate body having a working axis and a distal region, and an articulating element disposed near the distal region, the articulating element configured to articulate off-axis from the working axis of the elongate body. The elongate may achieve access in an endoluminal or a laparoscopic fashion. Methods of using the apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A membrane module includes at least one hollow fiber membrane; a first resin layer formed around an end of the at least one hollow fiber membrane; and a second resin layer chemically bound to the first resin layer, wherein the second resin layer is of greater flexibility than the first resin layer.

Abstract: A surgical method for treating obesity by reducing the size and/or function of the stomach includes forming at least two plications or tissue folds in tissue of a patient using anchor assemblies having a loop. The plications are then optionally allowed to heal. A loop suture or wire is threaded through the loops. The loop suture is then tensioned to draw the plications towards each other. The loop suture is then secured via a knot or a cinch. When the method is performed in the stomach for treatment of obesity, forming the plications reduces the volume of the stomach. Drawing the plications together creates a contracted tissue area which further reduces the volume of the stomach. Additional plications may also be formed and drawn together with the same loop suture, or with a different loop suture.

Abstract: A method of preparing anti-b amyloid immunoglobulin involves treating human plasma anti-b amyloid immunoglobulin under alkaline conditions, such as at pH 10.25 to 11.75 using diethylamine HCl, to dissociate b amyloid protein therefrom. Typically, the anti-b amyloid immunoglobulin is present in human immunoglobulin preparations obtained from plasma or serum. Anti-b amyloid immunoglobulin prepared by the method is substantially free of b amyloid protein and has therapeutic activity in compositions and/or methods for treating a disease or condition associated with b amyloid plaques, such as Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a resilient rail clip comprises bending a rod, made of metal having a hardness value falling within a known hardness value range, into a predetermined shape and then subjecting the bent rod to a cold setting process in order to induce in the bent rod a predetermined amount of permanent set (S).

Abstract: The use of HLA-DQA1 as a biomarker for predicting or determining the therapeutic efficacy of anti-TNF therapy.