Abstract: An example tube with an elongated cross-section includes an inlet, an outlet downstream from the inlet, and an intermediate portion between the inlet and the outlet. The tube exhibits an elongated cross-section because at least the intermediate portion exhibits a width that is significantly greater than the thickness thereof. The elongated cross-section of the intermediate portion relative to its width allows the tube to be at least one of more flexible than or allows the intermediate portion to be positioned underneath a patient while minimizing the risk of bed sores relative to at least some conventional tubes.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed a urine collection device suitable for collecting and transporting urine away from the body of a person may include a receptacle that defines an interior volume and receives a penis of the user. The receptacle can include an interior layer and an exterior layer. The interior layer can form one or more apertures. The urine collection device can include an air inlet in fluid communication with the interior volume. The urine collection device can include an outlet in fluid communication with the interior volume and configured to enable extraction of fluid from the receptacle. The outlet can retain a tube coupled to a vacuum source which extracts urine, air, or a combination thereof from the receptacle by applying a negative pressure to the interior volume of the receptacle.

Abstract: A device suitable for collecting and transporting urine away from the body of a person may include a receptacle and an elongate member. The receptacle can define a volume and include one or more channels and a passage. The one or more channels can direct the flow of urine to a collection region proximal to the passage. The passage can be used to extract urine from the device by coupling a vacuum pump to the passage and applying a negative pressure. The elongate member can include a distal end and a proximal end. A curved portion of the elongate member can be formed between the distal and proximal ends. The curved portion can be positioned between the thighs of the user and proximal to a perineum of the user to retain the device in a fixed position relative to the user.

Abstract: A disposable air/water valve for an endoscope, including a shaft having a passage from an opening to a vent. The shaft has grooves and ridges and a protrusion formed at the vent. Seals are set within some of the grooves. An inner ring, having a diaphragm, extends from an outer circumference of the inner ring to an internal circumference of an outer cap. Hinges extend vertically downward from the diaphragm and ribs are formed along the internal circumference of the outer cap. A button cap has an internal ring that securely attaches to the shaft. A resilient member is securely disposed between the button cap and the diaphragm. The outer cap, inner ring, and internal ring of the button cap define a central bore to accommodate the shaft therein.

Abstract: A disposable air/water valve for an endoscope, including a shaft having a passage from an opening to a vent. The shaft has grooves and ridges and a protrusion formed at the vent. Seals are set within some of the grooves. An inner ring, having a diaphragm, extends from an outer circumference of the inner ring to an internal circumference of an outer cap. Hinges extend vertically downward from the diaphragm and ribs are formed along the internal circumference of the outer cap. A button cap has an internal ring that securely attaches to the shaft. A resilient member is securely disposed between the button cap and the diaphragm. The outer cap, inner ring, and internal ring of the button cap define a central bore to accommodate the shaft therein.

Abstract: Provided herein are oligonucleotides, trimeric peptides, and peptide-oligonucleotide-conjugates. Also provided herein are methods of treating a muscle disease in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject oligonucleotides, trimeric peptides, and peptide-oligonucleotide-conjugates described herein.

Abstract: A disposable air/water valve for an endoscope, including a shaft having a passage from an opening to a vent. The shaft has grooves and ridges and a protrusion formed at the vent. Seals are set within some of the grooves. An inner ring, having a diaphragm, extends from an outer circumference of the inner ring to an internal circumference of an outer cap. Hinges extend vertically downward from the diaphragm and ribs are formed along the internal circumference of the outer cap. A button cap has an internal ring that securely attaches to the shaft. A resilient member is securely disposed between the button cap and the diaphragm. The outer cap, inner ring, and internal ring of the button cap define a central bore to accommodate the shaft therein.

Abstract: The disclosure provides platinum(IV) prodrug perfluoroaryl peptide conjugates that can be used to treat cell proliferative disorders, such as those associated with malignant tumor cells. The conjugates can improve the delivery of platinum(IV) prodrugs to glioma cells.

Abstract: A disposable air/water valve for an endoscope, including a shaft having a passage from an opening to a vent. The shaft has grooves and ridges and a protrusion formed at the vent. Seals are set within some of the grooves. An inner ring, having a diaphragm, extends from an outer circumference of the inner ring to an internal circumference of an outer cap. Hinges extend vertically downward from the diaphragm and ribs are formed along the internal circumference of the outer cap. A button cap has an internal ring that securely attaches to the shaft. A resilient member is securely disposed between the button cap and the diaphragm. The outer cap, inner ring, and internal ring of the button cap define a central bore to accommodate the shaft therein.

Abstract: A method of making a laser mirror in which a mirror substrate has at least a one micron size nodular defect includes depositing a planarization layer over the mirror substrate and the nodular defect, depositing a layer of silicon dioxide over the planarization layer, and etching away a portion of the layer of silicon dioxide. The method also includes thereafter, depositing a layer of hafnium dioxide over the layer of silicon dioxide and repeating the steps of depositing a layer of silicon dioxide, etching away a portion of the layer of silicon dioxide, and depositing a layer of hafnium dioxide until the nodular defect is reduced in size a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A disposable air/water valve for an endoscope, including a shaft having a passage from an opening to a vent. The shaft has grooves and ridges and a protrusion formed at the vent. Seals are set within some of the grooves. An inner ring, having a diaphragm, extends from an outer circumference of the inner ring to an internal circumference of an outer cap. Hinges extend vertically downward from the diaphragm and ribs are formed along the internal circumference of the outer cap. A button cap has an internal ring that securely attaches to the shaft. A resilient member is securely disposed between the button cap and the diaphragm. The outer cap, inner ring, and internal ring of the button cap define a central bore to accommodate the shaft therein.

Abstract: A method of making a laser mirror in which a mirror substrate has at least a one micron size nodular defect includes depositing a planarization layer over the mirror substrate and the nodular defect, depositing a layer of silicon dioxide over the planarization layer, and etching away a portion of the layer of silicon dioxide. The method also includes thereafter, depositing a layer of hafnium dioxide over the layer of silicon dioxide and repeating the steps of depositing a layer of silicon dioxide, etching away a portion of the layer of silicon dioxide, and depositing a layer of hafnium dioxide until the nodular defect is reduced in size a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A data processing system determines for all tasks in a project, material requirements and constraints, resource requirements and constraints, and a task uncertainty model. A task sequence and a critical chain are determined and an estimated project schedule including a project buffer is constructed. At the beginning of a project execution time interval the data processing system determines a criticality value for every task using the task uncertainty model, current criticality factor information, and task status information for tasks that are in-work. Project tasks are then prioritized based at least in part on task criticality. Tasks are assigned and executed and, at the end of the time interval, task status information is passed back to the data processing system for use in redetermining task criticality and reprioritizing the tasks for the next time interval.

Abstract: Planarization of defects in laser mirror and other optical component manufacture is disclosed. The planarization is performed by first depositing a relatively thick planarization layer, then carrying out a sequential deposition and etch process. The technique takes advantage of the non-uniform material removal rate as a function of etchant incident angle, and effectively buries the inclusion in a thick film with a near planar top surface. The process enables faster, more reliable manufacture of a non-defective high fluence multilayer mirror particularly suitable for high energy laser applications.

Abstract: A suction control unit placed on an endoscope to control application of suction through at least one of two working channels of the endoscope. The suction unit has first and second valves with first and second valve openings, at a proximal end, that lead through to a distal end, which is adapted to be placed on the first and second ports of the two working channels. The suction unit has a channel extending between the first and second valves, an opening extending from a front wall to a rear wall of the housing and through the channel, and a switcher having a handle and a shaft with a through hole. When the shaft is placed within the opening and in a first position, suction is applied to both the working channels. When the shaft is placed within the opening and in a second position, suction is applied to only one of the two working channels.

Abstract: Biopsy forceps devices used to obtain tissue samples from a patient using an endoscopic system include larger cup size, longer jaw length, a squared front face, a tapered jaw design, and an offset pivot to enable taking a larger sample size. The forceps include a drive wire attached to the jaws by linkages having pins slidable within slots on the jaws of the forceps, providing the offset pivot point.

Abstract: A suction control unit placed on an endoscope to control application of suction through at least one of two working channels of the endoscope. The suction unit has first and second valves with first and second valve openings, at a proximal end, that lead through to a distal end, which is adapted to be placed on the first and second ports of the two working channels. The suction unit has a channel extending between the first and second valves, an opening extending from a front wall to a rear wall of the housing and through the channel, and a switcher having a handle and a shaft with a through hole. When the shaft is placed within the opening and in a first position, suction is applied to both the working channels. When the shaft is placed within the opening and in a second position, suction is applied to only one of the two working channels.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a ligator adapted for use with an endoscope includes a ligator body adapted to mount to a body of the endoscope, a barrel adapted to mount to a distal tip of a shaft of the endoscope, the barrel supporting multiple elastic bands that can be sequentially deployed onto internal tissue, and an activation mechanism supported by the ligator body, the activation mechanism including a rotatable activation knob, a rotatable cord winding ring, an activation cord, and a stop element that limits rotation of the activation knob to rotation between a start position and an end position beyond which no further rotation is possible.

Abstract: A disposable air/water valve for an endoscope, including a shaft having a passage from an opening to a vent. The shaft has grooves and ridges and a protrusion formed at the vent. Seals are set within some of the grooves. An inner ring, having a diaphragm, extends from an outer circumference of the inner ring to an internal circumference of an outer cap. Hinges extend vertically downward from the diaphragm and ribs are formed along the internal circumference of the outer cap. A button cap has an internal ring that securely attaches to the shaft. A resilient member is securely disposed between the button cap and the diaphragm. The outer cap, inner ring, and internal ring of the button cap define a central bore to accommodate the shaft therein.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a ligator adapted for use with an endoscope includes a ligator body adapted to mount to a body of the endoscope, a barrel adapted to mount to a distal tip of a shaft of the endoscope, the barrel supporting multiple elastic bands that can be sequentially deployed onto internal tissue, and an activation mechanism supported by the ligator body, the activation mechanism including a rotatable activation knob, a rotatable cord winding ring, an activation cord, and a stop element that limits rotation of the activation knob to rotation between a start position and an end position beyond which no further rotation is possible.