Abstract: An occlusion device includes a balloon and a catheter. The occlusion device is configured to allow blood to pass through the balloon, instead of around the balloon. By allowing the blood to pass through the balloon, constant traction against the vessel wall is achieved, regardless of flow rate, thereby mitigating distal migration. The balloon includes an orifice to allow blood flow through the balloon. The orifice is independent of the diameter of the vessel, therefore the effect of the diameter of the vessel changing during the procedure will not affect the flow rate of blood. The occlusion device enables finer titration of blood flow by varying the size of the orifice when compared to conventional solutions.

Abstract: An acoustic volume sensing device is disclosed. The device includes a housing comprising a reference volume chamber and a variable volume chamber, the reference volume chamber and the variable volume chamber connected by a resonant port, a first MEMS microphone located in acoustic relation to the variable volume chamber, a second MEMS microphone located in acoustic relation to the reference volume chamber, a MEMS speaker located in acoustic relation to the reference volume chamber, and a circuit board in electric connection with the first and second MEMS microphones and the MEMS speaker.

Abstract: A pump for pumping fluid includes a tube platen, a plunger, a bias member, inlet and outlet valves, an actuator mechanism, a position sensor, and a processor. The plunger is configured for actuation toward and away from the infusion-tube when the tube platen is disposed opposite to the plunger. The tube platen can hold an intravenous infusion tube. The bias member is configured to urge the plunger toward the tube platen.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system includes a fill adapter device including a heat exchanger which includes a heating element and a fluid pathway, the fluid pathway fluidly connected to a filling needle input, whereby fluid enters the heat exchanger through the filling needle input and flows through the fluid pathway and whereby the fluid is heated by the heating element. The system also includes a reservoir including a plunger and a plunger rod and a filling needle configured to be removably attached to the reservoir, wherein the fill adapter is configured to be attached to a vial of fluid and wherein fluid from the vial flows through the fluid pathway and is heated and loaded into the reservoir through the filling needle.

Abstract: A dedicated text prediction key for inserting a text prediction candidate is described. The text prediction key may be configured and/or output for display in conjunction with an on-screen/adaptable keyboard when a prediction for entered characters is detected. The text prediction key provides a mechanism for explicit insertion of a text prediction candidate that can be employed to avoid passive/non-explicit insertions. In at least some embodiments, the text prediction key may be selectively displayed by replacing/modifying one or more keys of the on-screen keyboard. In another approach, the text prediction key may appear at a designated location within or proximate to the on-screen keyboard. The text prediction key may also be configured in various ways to notify a user that a prediction candidate is available.

Abstract: The present invention includes the characterization of the major salivary protein or enzyme of the corn earworm Helicoverpa zea for triggering resistance to bacterial blight and frogeye leafspot in soybeans and for triggering resistance to insects in tomatoes. The invention includes an enzyme or a novel protein secreted from the salivary glands of certain insects including the saliva of species belonging to the order Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera. The regurgitant of Helocoverpa zea obtained from the functional salivary glands contains a protein that possesses glucose oxidase activity. The amino acid sequence of the protein is unique and when the protein is applied to plants, it triggers disease and insect resistance systematically. The physical and kinetic attributes of the enzyme are a pH of 7.0, a pI of 4.4 and a molecular weight of 88 kd. The km and Vmax of the enzyme for glucose is 26.9 mmol and 26.7 &mgr;mol min−1 mg−1, respectively.

Abstract: Flexible digital optical media, such as optical tapes, are provided with an aqueous-applied backing layer which provides excellent performance with regard to runnability, scratch resistance, abrasion resistance, frictional properties and curl characteristics. The backing layer comprises a film-forming water-dispersible polymeric binder and water-dispersible static-dissipative filler particles and a water-dispersible lubricant is either incorporated within the backing layer or forms a thin film over the surface of the backing layer.

Abstract: A hockey training device includes a base having a first end and a second end, a side having a bottom end and a top end, a telescoping connector, and at least one locating surface mounted on the hockey training device to support the hockey training device above a playing surface. The bottom end of the side is pivotally connected to the first end of the base and the telescoping connector is pivotally connected to the second end of the base and the top end of the side, such that the base, side and telescoping connector form a triangle.

Abstract: A valve is described having a ridge extending along a flat surface having holes therein and a base of elastic material compressed against the ridge and flat surface so as to define a channel of small cross-section communicating between the openings. A tab is connected to the side of the base of elastic material that is remote from the ridge and the flat surface so that a pull on the tab pulls the base away from the flat surface and enlarges the cross-section of the channel.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for sensing heart activity from body tissue includes a flexible guide tube, a spiral retaining coil disposed in one end of the guide tube, a handle disposed at the other end of the guide tube, and twisted wires inside the tube interconnecting the retaining coil and the handle. Rotation of the handle rotates the twisted wires, which in turn rotate the retaining coil to screw it into body tissue. A safety stop releasably disposed on the guide tube limits the rotation of the retaining coil and thus limits its depth of penetration into the body tissue. After the handle is rotated a preselected amount, the handle is automatically disengaged from the twisted wires.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for sensing heart activity from body tissue includes a flexible guide tube, a spiral retaining coil disposed in one end of the guide tube, a handle disposed at the other end of the guide tube, and twisted wires inside the tube interconnecting the retaining coil and the handle. Rotation of the handle rotates the twisted wires, which in turn rotate the retaining coil to screw it into body tissue. Thereafter, the guide tube and handle are disengaged from the retaining coil and wires. A safety stop releasably disposed on the guide tube limits the rotation of the retaining coil and thus limits its depth of penetration into the body tissue.