Abstract: A mounting device may include a top plate including a cone-shaped center portion, a flange coupled to the cone-shaped center portion, a number of apertures defined in the flange, and a number of fasteners engaged with the apertures to couple the top plate to a surface of a structure. The flange seals a bottom side of the top plate to the surface of the structure. The flange includes a seal coupled to the bottom of the flange. The cone-shaped center portion has a convex paraboloid shape. The flange includes at least one surface that is parallel to a surface of the structure, and a transition between the cone-shaped center portion and the flange forms an angle. The top plate has a diameter sufficient to displace a load greater than 50 pounds over the surface of the structure.

Abstract: The invention provides freeze-dried nucleated cells, a method for preparing them, and methods of using them for in vitro assays and in vivo therapeutic treatments. The method for preparing the cells includes incubating cells in the presence of a cryoprotective sugar to load them with the sugar, then lyophilizing them without separating the cells from the cryoprotective sugar. In embodiments, the cells are also loaded with one or more bioactive agents.

Abstract: Composite structure fabrication systems and methods. The systems include a plurality of ply carriers, each of which is configured to support at least one ply segment, and an elongate forming mandrel, which defines an elongate ply forming surface that is shaped to define a surface contour of the composite structure. The systems further include a carrier transfer device, which is configured to selectively convey a selected ply carrier from a ply kitting area to an intermediate location, and a forming machine, which is configured to deform the selected ply carrier and a respective ply segment over a selected portion of the elongate ply forming surface. The forming machine further is configured to separate the selected ply carrier from the respective ply segment and return the selected ply carrier to the carrier transfer device. The methods include methods of operating the systems.

Abstract: Composite structure fabrication systems and methods. The systems include a plurality of ply carriers, each of which is configured to support at least one ply segment, and an elongate forming mandrel, which defines an elongate ply forming surface that is shaped to define a surface contour of the composite structure. The systems further include a carrier transfer device, which is configured to selectively convey a selected ply carrier from a ply kitting area to an intermediate location, and a forming machine, which is configured to deform the selected ply carrier and a respective ply segment over a selected portion of the elongate ply forming surface. The forming machine further is configured to separate the selected ply carrier from the respective ply segment and return the selected ply carrier to the carrier transfer device. The methods include methods of operating the systems.

Abstract: Composite structure fabrication systems and methods. The systems include a plurality of ply carriers, each of which is configured to support at least one ply segment, and an elongate forming mandrel, which defines an elongate ply forming surface that is shaped to define a surface contour of the composite structure. The systems further include a carrier transfer device, which is configured to selectively convey a selected ply carrier from a ply kitting area to an intermediate location, and a forming machine, which is configured to deform the selected ply carrier and a respective ply segment over a selected portion of the elongate ply forming surface. The forming machine further is configured to separate the selected ply carrier from the respective ply segment and return the selected ply carrier to the carrier transfer device. The methods include methods of operating the systems.

Abstract: The invention provides freeze-dried nucleated cells, a method for preparing them, and methods of using them for in vitro assays and in vivo therapeutic treatments. The method for preparing the cells includes incubating cells in the presence of a cryoprotective sugar to load them with the sugar, then lyophilizing them without separating the cells from the cryoprotective sugar. In embodiments, the cells are also loaded with one or more bioactive agents.

Abstract: Composite structure fabrication systems and methods. The systems include a plurality of ply carriers, each of which is configured to support at least one ply segment, and an elongate forming mandrel, which defines an elongate ply forming surface that is shaped to define a surface contour of the composite structure. The systems further include a carrier transfer device, which is configured to selectively convey a selected ply carrier from a ply kitting area to an intermediate location, and a forming machine, which is configured to deform the selected ply carrier and a respective ply segment over a selected portion of the elongate ply forming surface. The forming machine further is configured to separate the selected ply carrier from the respective ply segment and return the selected ply carrier to the carrier transfer device. The methods include methods of operating the systems.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for medical tracking and analysis. A data module receives subjective and objective data associated with a medical condition for a patient. A trend module determines a trend for the medical condition associated with the patient over a period of time based on the subjective and objective data. A factor module identifies one or more factors that affect the medical condition and calculates one or more weighted values for the one or more factors based on the trend.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for preparing freeze-dried platelets, freeze-dried platelets made by those processes, platelets reconstituted from those freeze-dried platelets, methods of using the platelets for therapeutic, diagnostic, and research purposes, and kits comprising the freeze-dried platelets.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising freeze-dried platelets, microparticles, or both for use as a diagnostic for blood coagulation function. The invention also provides methods of diagnosing or monitoring blood coagulation function, including diagnosing or monitoring blood coagulation diseases and disorders. Kits for performing the methods of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for preparing freeze-dried platelets, freeze-dried platelets made by those processes, platelets reconstituted from those freeze-dried platelets, and kits comprising those freeze-dried platelets. The freeze-dried platelets of the invention have similar characteristics to fresh platelets, have an exceptionally long shelf-life, and can be used for all standard procedures in which fresh platelets are used, including both in vitro diagnostic and research procedures and in vivo therapies.