Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver unit, a handle unit, and a handle extension. The handle unit is selectively and removably attachable to the driver unit. The handle extension has a first end and a second end, the handle extension being selectively and removably attachable to the driver unit at the first end, and being selectively and removably attachable to the handle unit at the second end. The powered fastener driver is adjustable between a first configuration in which the handle unit is directly attached to the driver unit, and a second configuration in which the driver unit is attached to the handle extension at the first end, and the handle unit is attached to the handle extension at the second end.

Abstract: A zero-gravity hoist system including a chain fall, a motor coupled to the chain fall and configured to drive the chain fall in one or more directions, a power supply configured to provide power to the motor, and a controller having one or more electronic processors. The one or more electronic processors are configured to measure a first force of a load in response to receiving an input, store the measured first force in a memory of the controller, measure a second force of the load, determine a difference between the second measured force and the first measured force, and adjust a height of the load based on determining that the second force differs from the first force by a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A wireless hoist system including a first hoist device having a first motor and a first wireless transceiver and a second hoist device having a second motor and a second wireless transceiver. The wireless hoist system includes a controller in wireless communication with the first wireless transceiver and the second wireless. The controller is configured to receive a user input and determine a first operation parameter and a second operation parameter based on the user input. The controller is also configured to provide, wirelessly, a first control signal indicative of the first operation parameter to the first hoist device and provide, wirelessly, a second control signal indicative of the second operation parameter to the second hoist device. The first hoist device operates based on the first control signal and the second hoist device operates based on the second control signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to antibody-drug conjugates capable of delivering cytotoxic compounds to cancers expressing the guanylyl cyclase C (GCC) transmembrane cell surface receptor.

Abstract: Methods of killing or inhibiting tumors comprising of heterogeneous or mixed cell populations is described. The killing or inhibition of tumors is achieved by selectively targeting a unique ligand suspected of being expressed on a particular cell population to also kill a cell population lacking the unique ligand. These conjugates have therapeutic use as they are delivered to a specific cell population to kill these cells and the cytotoxic drug is released to kill non-targeted cells, thereby eliminating the tumor.

Abstract: Methods of killing or inhibiting tumors comprising of heterogeneous or mixed cell populations is described. The killing or inhibition of tumors is achieved by selectively targeting a unique ligand suspected of being expressed on a particular cell population to also kill a cell population lacking the unique ligand. These conjugates have therapeutic use as they are delivered to a specific cell population to kill these cells and the cytotoxic drug is released to kill non-targeted cells, thereby eliminating the tumor.

Abstract: Methods of killing or inhibiting tumors comprising of heterogeneous or mixed cell populations is described. The killing or inhibition of tumors is achieved by selectively targeting a unique ligand suspected of being expressed on a particular cell population to also kill a cell population lacking the unique ligand. These conjugates have therapeutic use as they are delivered to a specific cell population to kill these cells and the cytotoxic drug is released to kill non-targeted cells, thereby eliminating the tumor.

Abstract: Methods of killing or inhibiting tumors comprising of heterogeneous or mixed cell populations is described. The killing or inhibition of tumors is achieved by selectively targeting a unique ligand suspected of being expressed on a particular cell population to also kill a cell population lacking the unique ligand. These conjugates have therapeutic use as they are delivered to a specific cell population to kill these cells and the cytotoxic drug is released to kill non-targeted cells, thereby eliminating the tumor.

Abstract: A cytotoxic agent comprising one or more maytansinoids linked to a cell binding agent. A therapeutic agent for killing selected cell populations comprising: (a) a cytotoxic amount of one or more maytansinoids linked to a cell binding agent, and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient. A method for killing selected cell populations comprising contacting a cell population or tissue suspected of containing cells from said selected cell population with a cytotoxic amount of a cytotoxic agent comprising one or more maytansinoids linked to a cell binding agent. An N-methyl-alanine-containing ester of maytansinol or an analogue of maytansinol, said N-methyl-alanine-containing ester comprising a linking group capable of linking an N-methyl-alanine-containing maytansinoid ester to a chemical moiety. N-methyl-cysteine-containing ester of maytansinol or an analogue of maytansinol.

Abstract: An activated affinity ligand is described comprising: a ligand having (a) a region with affinity for binding sites of a lectin; and (b) a reactive group capable of covalently linking the ligand to the lectin to thereby block one or more of the binding sites of the lectin. A blocked lectin is described comprising one or more affinity ligands covalently linked by means of a reactive group present on each of the ligands to a lectin such that one or more binding sites of the lectin is blocked. A cell-binding agent-blocked lectin conjugate is described comprising the above-described blocked lectin and a cell-binding agent covalently linked to: (a) one of the covalently linked affinity ligands; or (b) the lectin. A method of preparing the cell-binding agent-blocked lectin conjugate is described. An affinity support capable of binding to a lectin to form a blocked lectin is described comprising an activated affinity ligand covalently linked to a solid support.

Abstract: An activated affinity ligand is described comprising: a ligand having (a) a region with affinity for binding sites of a lectin; and (b) a reactive group capable of covalently linking the ligand to the lectin to thereby block one or more of the binding sites of the lectin. A blocked lectin is described comprising one or more affinity ligands covalently linked by means of a reactive group present on each of the ligands to a lectin such that one or more binding sites of the lectin is blocked. A cell-binding agent-blocked lectin conjugate is described comprising the above-described blocked lectin and a cell-binding agent covalently linked to: (a) one of the covalently linked affinity ligands; or (b) the lectin. A method of preparing a blocked lectin is described. A method of preparing the cell-binding agent-blocked lectin conjugate is described. An affinity support capable of binding to a lectin to form a blocked lectin is described comprising an activated affinity ligand covalently linked to a solid support.

Abstract: A cytotoxic agent comprising one or more maytansinoids linked to a cell binding agent. A therapeutic agent for killing selected cell populations comprising: (a) a cytotoxic amount of one or more maytansinoids linked to a cell binding agent, and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier diluent or excipient. A method for killing selected cell populations comprising contacting a cell population or tissue suspected of containing cells from said selected cell population with a cytotoxic amount of a cytotoxic agent comprising one or more maytansinoids linked to a cell binding agent. An N-methyl-alanine-containing ester of maytansinol or an analogue of maytansinol, said N-methyl-alanine-containing ester comprising a linking group capable of linking an N-methyl-alanine-containing maytansinoid ester to a chemical moiety. N-methyl-cysteine-containing ester of maytansinol or an analogue of maytansinol.

Abstract: Immunotoxins having improved toxic activity have the composition ##STR1## wherein Toxin-NH is a ribosome-inactivating protein containing no accessible sulfhydryl groups, n is an integer from 1 to 5, m is an integer from 1 to 5, and NH-Antibody is a monoclonal antibody specific to eucaryotic cells or antigens associated therewith. The immunotoxins are made by reacting the Toxin-NH with an iminothiolester salt to form a first conjugate, reacting the NH-Antibody with N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate to form a second conjugate, and reacting the two conjugates to form the immunotoxin.

Abstract: Heterobifunctional reagents that are cleavable under mildly acidic conditions are disclosed. The reagents include an acid cleavable cyclohexene-1,2,-dicarboxylic acid monoamide group. Also disclosed are methods of making the cross-linkers, as well as methods of using the cross-linkers, e.g., to deliver a biologically active substance across the membranes of selected cells in a heterogeneous cell population; once inside the cell the active substance is released, intact, by the transient, mild acidity of certain cell structures. Finally, a method of characterizing complex multi-chain protein structures is disclosed.

Abstract: A photo-cleavable compound for delivery and release of a biologically active substance to selected target cells; the compound includes a binding partner for a specific cell-surface receptor of those target cells, the biologically active substance to be delivered, and a photo-cleavable bridge between the binding partner and the biologically active substance. When the compound is exposed to a heterogeneous population of target and non-target cells, it binds selectively to the receptors on the surface of the target cells. Exposing the compound to light of selected wave length cleaves it, yielding the active substance.

Abstract: Amino-sulfhydryl cross-linking reagents that are cleavable under mildly acidic conditions are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making the cross-linkers, as well as methods of using the cross-linkers, e.g., to deliver a biologically active substance across the membranes of selected cells in a heterogeneous cell population; once inside the cell the active substance is released, intact, by the transient, mild acidity of certain cell structure. Finally, a method of characterizing complex multi-chain protein structures is disclosed.

Abstract: Amino-sulfhydryl cross-linking reagents that are cleavable under mildly acidic conditions are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making the cross-linkers, as well as methods of using the cross-linkers, e.g., to deliver a biologically active substance across the membranes of selected cells in a heterogeneous cell population; once inside the cell the active substance is released, intact, by the transient, mild acidity of certain cell structures. Finally, a method of characterizing complex multi-chain protein structures is disclosed.

Abstract: Amino-sulfhydryl cross-linking reagents that are cleavable under mildly acidic conditions are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making the cross-linkers, as well as methods of using the cross-linkers, e.g., to deliver a biologically active substance across the membranes of selected cells in a heterogeneous cell population; once inside the cell the active substance is released, intact, by the transient, mild acidity of certain cell structures. Finally, a method of characterizing complex multi-chain protein structures is disclosed.