Abstract: The present invention provides a process and a structure of forming conductive vias using a light guide. In an exemplary embodiment, the process includes providing a via in a base material in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the base material, applying a photoresist layer to an interior surface of the via, inserting a light guide into the via, exposing, by the light guide, a portion of the photoresist layer to light, thereby resulting in an exposed portion of the photoresist layer and an unexposed portion of the photoresist layer, removing a portion of the photoresist layer, and plating an area of the via, where the photoresist has been removed, with a metal, thereby resulting in a portion of the via plated with metal and a portion of the via not plated with metal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for the treatment of degenerative retinal conditions. According to a general aspect, the present invention is directed to inflammatory mediators, preferably components or substrates of the NLRP3-inflammasome, for use in the treatment of degenerative retinal conditions involving drusen and anaphylatoxin-induced choroidal-neovascularisation. The invention is also directed to a method for the treatment of degenerative retinal conditions involving drusen and anaphylatoxin-induced choroidal-neovascularisation and to recombinant vectors and recombinant proteins for use in such methods. The present invention also provides a method for determining the risk of developing or monitoring the progression of diseases involving drusen and anaphylatoxin-induced choroidal neo-vascularisation.

Abstract: A dialysis system, comprising: a dialysis machine; an authentication component configured to determine that a source of a voice command received by the dialysis system is an authorized user of the dialysis system; and a processor configured to carry out a function determined based on the voice command.

Abstract: A method for forming passive electrical devices that includes depositing a photo reactive layer over a sidewall of a via that extends through a printed circuit board; inserting a light pipe having a mask configured to provide a passive electronic device geometry within the via to an entire depth of the via; and exposing the photo reactive layer to radiation provided by the light pipe to provide a pattern having the passive electronic device geometry on the sidewall of the via.

Abstract: A triggering condition is applied to a conductive polymer positioned in a drilled hole in a printed circuit board. The applied triggering condition causes the polymer to vertically expand within the drilled hole such that the expanded polymer creates an electrically conductive path between contact pads located in different layers of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A triggering condition is applied to a conductive polymer positioned in a drilled hole in a printed circuit board. The applied triggering condition causes the polymer to vertically expand within the drilled hole such that the expanded polymer creates an electrically conductive path between contact pads located in different layers of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A medical device, such as a peritoneal dialysis machine, includes a sensor for sensing motion and/or user proximity in the vicinity of the medical device for the purpose of automated dimming a display of the medical device. In the event of a lack of user-activity on a machine interface and a lack of movement detected by the proximity sensor, the machine display is automatically dimmed to minimize power-consumption and provide an enhanced medical device for night therapies in a home or clinic environment. The machine display may be dimmed in the event of an alarm-free machine condition, where no machine activity is detected and/or where no movement is detected by the sensor over one or more time periods. When machine activity is detected, when movement is detected by the proximity sensor, and/or in the event of a machine alarm or warning, the machine display may be automatically undimmed.

Abstract: A triggering condition is applied to a conductive polymer positioned in a drilled hole in a printed circuit board. The applied triggering condition causes the polymer to vertically expand within the drilled hole such that the expanded polymer creates an electrically conductive path between contact pads located in different layers of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A triggering condition is applied to a conductive polymer positioned in a drilled hole in a printed circuit board. The applied triggering condition causes the polymer to vertically expand within the drilled hole such that the expanded polymer creates an electrically conductive path between contact pads located in different layers of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A triggering condition is applied to a conductive polymer positioned in a drilled hole in a printed circuit board. The applied triggering condition causes the polymer to vertically expand within the drilled hole such that the expanded polymer creates an electrically conductive path between contact pads located in different layers of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A triggering condition is applied to a conductive polymer positioned in a drilled hole in a printed circuit board. The applied triggering condition causes the polymer to vertically expand within the drilled hole such that the expanded polymer creates an electrically conductive path between contact pads located in different layers of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and a structure of forming conductive vias using a light guide. In an exemplary embodiment, the process includes providing a via in a base material in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the base material, applying a photoresist layer to an interior surface of the via, inserting a light guide into the via, exposing, by the light guide, a portion of the photoresist layer to light, thereby resulting in an exposed portion of the photoresist layer and an unexposed portion of the photoresist layer, removing a portion of the photoresist layer, and plating an area of the via, where the photoresist has been removed, with a metal, thereby resulting in a portion of the via plated with metal and a portion of the via not plated with metal.

Abstract: A level includes a frame having a top planar surface, a bottom planar surface, and a web coupling the top planar surface to the bottom planar surface. The top planar surface and the bottom planar surface are parallel. The level further includes a vial supported by the frame. The vial has a longitudinal axis passing through a center of the vial and a body defining an interior containing a liquid and an indicator bubble. The level further includes a plurality of LEDs. Each of the LEDs has a light emitting point, and each of the plurality of LEDs is positioned adjacent an end of the vial and is oriented such that the light emitting point is positioned within the interior of the body of the vial.

Abstract: A level with a removable end cap is provided. The level includes a hollow level body. The end cap includes an outer member and locking member received within the outer member. The locking member is inserted into the outer member pushing a moveable portion of the outer member into a frictional engagement that holds the end cap assembly in place relative to the level body.

Abstract: A level includes a frame having a top planar surface, a bottom planar surface, and a web coupling the top planar surface to the bottom planar surface. The top planar surface and the bottom planar surface are parallel. The level further includes a vial supported by the frame. The vial has a longitudinal axis passing through a center of the vial and a body defining an interior containing a liquid and an indicator bubble. The level further includes a plurality of LEDs. Each of the LEDs has a light emitting point, and each of the plurality of LEDs is positioned adjacent an end of the vial and is oriented such that the light emitting point is positioned within the interior of the body of the vial.

Abstract: A deaeration device includes a vent structure with a porous material capable of swelling when moistened such that the vent structure can inhibit liquid from escaping while allowing for the removal of gases from liquids. The deaeration device is integrated into a blood chamber of an extracorporeal circuit. The blood chamber may further include sensor components for actively performing measurements on the blood while the deaeration device passively removes air from the blood. In an embodiment, the blood chamber may be an optical blood chamber including an optical measurement sensor that performs measurements used in a determination of a hematocrit level in the blood.

Abstract: A dialysis system, comprising: a dialysis machine; an authentication component configured to determine that a source of a voice command received by the dialysis system is an authorized user of the dialysis system; and a processor configured to carry out a function determined based on the voice command.

Abstract: A dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis (PD) machine) can include a microphone and a component that provide voice recognition capabilities to the machine. For example, in some implementations, the component is configured to identify and/or authenticate voice commands that are issued by a user. The voice command may cause the dialysis machine to carry out a dialysis function. Alternatively, the voice command may cause a user interface of the dialysis machine (e.g., a display, such as a touchscreen display) to be adjusted. A dialysis machine can also include a speaker for providing spoken information to a user. For example, in some implementations, the speaker can provide spoken instructions to assist the user in machine set-up, calibration, and/or operation. Such spoken instructions can be particularly useful in a home dialysis setting. In some implementations, the speaker can provide spoken alarms that are related to alarm conditions.

Abstract: Embodiments for a blood plasma and red blood cell generation device are disclosed. The device may operate as an alternative modality of the dialysis machine, as part of the dialysis machine and/or as an add-on module. The fluid handling components of the plasma generation system may be integrated with a microprocessor unit for controlling and executing generation of plasma, or a control unit of the dialysis machine may be adapted to control the plasma generation aspects of the treatment.

Abstract: A deaeration device includes a vent structure with a porous material capable of swelling when moistened such that the vent structure can inhibit liquid from escaping while allowing for the removal of gases from liquids. The deaeration device is integrated into a blood chamber of an extracorporeal circuit. The blood chamber may further include sensor components for actively performing measurements on the blood while the deaeration device passively removes air from the blood. In an embodiment, the blood chamber may be an optical blood chamber including an optical measurement sensor that performs measurements used in a determination of a hematocrit level in the blood.