Abstract: A method and apparatus of processing a user initiated request for information is disclosed. The method may provide receiving a user initiated request including a uniform resource locator (URL) submitted to a web browser application and receiving a response that the URL is an invalid URL that cannot be resolved to a corresponding webpage. The method may also include blocking a subsequent attempt to transmit the user initiated request as a browser modified search request that includes modifications to the user initiated request.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of processing a user initiated request for information is disclosed. The method may provide receiving a user initiated request including a uniform resource locator (URL) submitted to a web browser application and receiving a response that the URL is an invalid URL that cannot be resolved to a corresponding webpage. The method may also include blocking a subsequent attempt to transmit the user initiated request as a browser modified search request that includes modifications to the user initiated request.

Abstract: The present invention relates to footwear and in particular, but not necessarily restricted thereto, relates to footwear for those with diabetes and, in particular, with ulcers of the sole. The present invention seeks to address some of the problems encountered by prior art limb compression devices and methods. In particular the present invention seeks to provide a boot which can stimulate blood flow. A further object to the invention is to provide a boot with a sole which is adaptable to conform with various shapes and conditions of human feet. The present invention also seeks to provide a new type of footwear that has a therapeutic benefit for diabetic patients with circulatory problems in their foot, and also enables the technique of “off loading” the foot to assist in the healing of any wounds present.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of processing a user initiated request for information is disclosed. The method may provide receiving a user initiated request including a uniform resource locator (URL) submitted to a web browser application and receiving a response that the URL is an invalid URL that cannot be resolved to a corresponding webpage. The method may also include blocking a subsequent attempt to transmit the user initiated request as a browser modified search request that includes modifications to the user initiated request.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for an intravascular ultrasound system includes a catheter and an imaging core. The catheter includes a lumen extending along the longitudinal length of the catheter from the proximal end to the distal end and the imaging core is configured and arranged for inserting into the lumen. The imaging core includes a rotatable driveshaft, at least one transducer mounted to the distal end of the rotatable driveshaft, and a twisted wire cable coupled to the at least one transducer. In addition, a number of different transducer arrangements and methods of making transducers are presented.

Abstract: Modulators of phosphatidic acid phosphatase type 2C and other polypeptides, highly expressed in cancers as compared to normal tissues, are provided for treatment of proliferative disorders such as cancer. A method is provided for detecting polypeptides that are overexpressed in cancer, whereby antibodies or binding proteins that specifically recognize these molecules are contacted with a patient's bodily fluid. The method provides an early diagnosis of cancer, and can detect recurrence and metastasis following an initial diagnosis. The invention further provides methods of treating cancer with therapeutic agents directed toward these protein and peptide biomarkers.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for an intravascular ultrasound system includes a catheter and an imaging core. The catheter includes a lumen extending along the longitudinal length of the catheter from the proximal end to the distal end and the imaging core is configured and arranged for inserting into the lumen. The imaging core includes a rotatable driveshaft, at least one transducer mounted to the distal end of the rotatable driveshaft, and a twisted wire cable coupled to the at least one transducer.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for multi-modality networks that provide access to different medical devices though a common operator interface. In an example embodiment, a multi-modality network comprises a host computer and a plurality of medical devices. The medical devices may support different diagnostic and/or therapeutic modalities. The host computer communicates with the medical devices through a communications network. In one embodiment, the host computer includes a display and a control console that allow the physician or operator to control the different medical devices and view images and measurements from the different medical devices through a common interface. Further, the host computer may provide computing resources, e.g., a general purpose image processor, that can be shared among the different modalities.

Abstract: The present invention provides LRP4, LRP8 and LRP2 (megalin) polypeptides; polynucleotides encoding such; modulators of LRP4, LRP8 and LRP2 activity; and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of diseases. Compositions of the invention contain a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient and at least one modulator that is capable of binding to or interfering with the activity of LRP4, LRP8, LRP2 and active fragments thereof. The invention provides modulators, such as antibodies, RNAi molecules, anti-sense molecules and ribozymes. Additionally, the invention includes methods for the treatment of diseases, such as proliferative diseases and degenerative diseases, and methods of administration of the compositions of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are newly identified Interleukin 24 and APO2L splice variant molecules, their polypeptide sequences, and the polynucleotides encoding the polypeptide sequences. Also provided is a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques employing, for example, vectors and host cells, and, for example, heterologous secretory leader sequences. Also disclosed are methods for using such polypeptides and modulators thereof for the treatment of diseases, including cancer, immune diseases, infectious diseases, and ischemic diseases.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus useful for non-intrusive advertising on a mobile wireless communications terminal are disclosed. A method may include storing, according to a timed schedule, a plurality of files containing data representative of a plurality of advertising images in a memory of the mobile wireless communications terminal; and selecting, upon occurrence of a predefined event, one of the plurality of files for display as wallpaper on a display screen of the mobile wireless communications terminal. A method may include waiting for an occurrence of a event; determining, upon the occurrence of the event, if a contraindicated condition is present in the mobile wireless communications terminal, and if the contraindicated condition is not present: performing a first set of actions, but if the contraindicated condition is present: waiting for another occurrence of the predefined event.

Abstract: Modulators of phosphatidic acid phosphatase type 2C and other polypeptides, highly expressed in cancers as compared to normal tissues, are provided for treatment of proliferative disorders such as cancer. A method is provided for detecting polypeptides that are overexpressed in cancer, whereby antibodies or binding proteins that specifically recognize these molecules are contacted with a patient's bodily fluid. The method provides an early diagnosis of cancer, and can detect recurrence and metastasis following an initial diagnosis. The invention further provides methods of treating cancer with therapeutic agents directed toward these protein and peptide biomarkers.

Abstract: Ultrasound diagnosis and therapy for disruption of a thrombus are provided with a same ultrasound system. A same transducer and system images contrast agents and ruptures the contrast agents to mechanically weaken or destroy a thrombus.

Abstract: Contrast agent destruction transmissions have reduced biological effect in medical diagnostic ultrasound. Ramping-up amplitude and/or ramping-down frequency reduce biological effect. The amplitude ramps up linearly or non-linearly. The change in amplitude or frequency occurs over a single waveform or over a sequence of separate transmissions. An envelope of the single waveform or the sequence of separate transmissions has a non-uniform, asymmetrical, symmetrical, rectangular or other shape. For example, the frequency ramp-down is provided with a non-Gaussian envelope. The amplitude ramp-up or frequency ramp-down is a progressively increasing destructive characteristic or ability, destroying contrast agent at different regions relative to focal regions with a minimum of acoustic energy.

Abstract: Adaptive line synthesis is provided. Line synthesis of collinear receive beams responsive to spatially distinct transmit beams is a function of many parameters, such as spatial or temporal frequency response of one or more of the receive beams, synthesis function, number of receive beams synthesized, or acquisition sequence. One or more of these parameters is set or adapts as a function of processor estimated or user provided information. By adapting the line synthesis, the performance and image quality is optimized as appropriate for the received data or desired imaging, such as detail resolution, contrast resolution, temporal resolution, shift-invariance and penetration.

Abstract: Aberration estimation uses cross correlation of receive-focused transmit element data. A set of sequentially fired broad transmit beams insonify an object from different steering angles. Each transmit beam emanates from an actual or a virtual transmit element. For every firing, a receive beamformer forms a transmit element image of the insonified region by focusing the received signals. An estimator estimates aberration by cross correlating or comparing the transmit element images. Where a virtual transmit element is used, the virtual transmit element images are back propagated to an actual transmit element position before aberration estimation. The estimations are used to form corrected transmit element images which are then summed pre-detection to form a high-resolution synthetic transmit aperture. Alternatively, the estimations are used to improve conventional focused-transmit imaging.

Abstract: In k31 mode, a vibration is along an axis or orthogonal to the poling or electric field orientation. The direction of vibration is toward a face of an ultrasound transducer array. For each element of the array, electrodes are formed perpendicular to the face of the array, such as along the sides of the elements. Piezoelectric material is poled along a dimension parallel with the face of the transducer and perpendicular to the direction of acoustic energy propagation. Using elements designed for k31 resonant mode operation may provide for a better electrical impedance match, such as where small elements sizes are provided for a multi-dimensional transducer arrays. For additional impedance matching, the elements may be made from multiple layers of piezoelectric ceramic. Since the elements operate from a k31 mode, the layers are stacked along the poling direction or perpendicular to a face of the transducer array for transmitting or receiving acoustical energy.

Abstract: A set of N×M signals are acquired from an object, where N is the number of array elements and M corresponds to variations in data acquisition and/or processing parameters. The parameters include transmit aperture functions, transmit waveforms, receive aperture functions, and receive filtering functions in space and/or time. A coherence factor is computed as a ratio of the energy of the coherent sum to the energy of the at-least-partially incoherent sum of channel or image signals acquired with at least one different parameter. Partial beamformed data may be used for channel coherence calculation. For image domain coherence, a component image is formed for each different transmit beam or receive aperture function, and a coherence factor image is computed using the set of component images. The coherence factor image is displayed or used to modify or blend other images formed of the same region.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method of selecting one or more operational parameters of an ultrasonic imaging system. In particular, methods and means are disclosed for automatically or semi-automatically determining a best operating frequency, or for determining whether a system should operate in a fundamental imaging mode or a harmonic imaging mode.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional, such as a two-dimensional, array is provided within a transesophageal probe housing. Since the size of the transesophageal probe housing is limited for comfort of a patient, active electronics are positioned spaced away from the multi-dimensional transducer array, such as within a handle of the transesophageal probe housing. Signal conductors connect the multi-dimensional transducer array to the active electronics. The elements of the multi-dimensional transducer array have a capacitance much lower than parasitic capacitance of the connecting cables. To provide a higher signal-to-noise ratio, the elements are formed from multiple layers of transducer material, increasing the capacitance of each element.