Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for measuring blood volume of a living being using fluorescent dye. The present invention greatly simplifies the performance of a blood volume measurement by utilizing a novel fluorescent tracer. An injection and sampling kit for the performance of an indicator dilution measurement, comprising a) a labelled fluorescent injectate, and b) a plurality of collection cassettes, and a calibration kit comprising a plurality of calibrated standard cassettes of identical conformation to the cassettes in b), corresponding to known dilutions of the injectate (a).

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions and methods are presented for creating a ternary structure involving a fluorescent molecule, an intermediate carrier molecule, and a larger protein or polymer with a binding site receptive to the intermediate molecule or fluorescent/intermediate complex. The resulting ternary system improves the binding stability of the fluorescent dye to the protein, both in-vivo and in-vitro. This improved stability results in a longer half-life in medical use, enabling improved qualitative and quantitative use of the dye.

Abstract: Thermoformable and biodegradable cellulose acetate compositions comprising at least one cellulose acetate at least one plasticizer, and at least one additional component chosen from a filler, additive, biodegradable polymer, stabilizer, or odor modifier are disclosed. The compositions are formed into films, sheets, and articles.

Abstract: A copolyester resin composition is described. The copolyester resin composition includes a linear copolyester polymer and a linear copolyester oligomer. A particularly suitable linear copolyester oligomer is an intermediate of the copolyester polymer. The composition exhibits improved melt flowability and is therefore particularly useful in the manufacture of products made via injection molding methods. A process for forming the composition is also described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying molten solder are disclosed. A system for applying solder to a workpiece includes a conveyor for moving a first workpiece along a machine direction, and a first selective soldering nozzle to apply solder to the first workpiece while the first workpiece is moving along the machine direction. The system can also include a flux application area to apply flux to bottoms of workpieces, a heating area to heat the bottoms of the workpieces, and a conveyor to convey the workpieces. The workpiece can constantly move through multiple areas, such as a flux application area, a heating area, and a selective soldering area. As such, two or more areas can operate on the workpiece simultaneously and while the workpiece is moving. The method includes applying solder from the first selective soldering nozzle to the first workpiece while the first workpiece is moving along the machine direction.

Abstract: Disclosed are void-containing films and shrinkable films which show excellent density reduction that is retained upon exposures to high temperatures. The voiding agents are hollow glass microspheres. The shrinkable films have high shrinkage and retain their low density after processing under conditions of temperature and moisture used in typical recycling processes. The films are useful as for sleeves, labels, laminates and other shrinkable film applications, and their lower density allows them to be readily separated from soft drink bottles, food containers and the like during recycling operations.

Abstract: A copolyester resin composition is described. The copolyester resin composition includes a linear copolyester polymer and a linear copolyester oligomer. A particularly suitable linear copolyester oligomer is an intermediate of the copolyester polymer. The composition exhibits improved melt flowability and is therefore particularly useful in the manufacture of products made via injection molding methods. A process for forming the composition is also described.

Abstract: A fluid handling system for applying a plurality of pulses of fluid shear stress to a fluid sample may comprise a first sample chamber; a second sample chamber; a plurality of conduits mounted between and in fluid communication with the first sample chamber and the second sample chamber; and a force delivery system mounted to the first sample chamber and configured to apply a force sufficient to push the fluid sample from the first sample chamber through each of the conduits at a substantially constant flow rate to the second sample chamber. The plurality of conduits may be arranged in series and separated by additional sample chambers or arranged such that the conduits are substantially parallel to one another. The force delivery system may be a gas delivery system or a linear drive assembly.

Abstract: A fluid handling system for applying a plurality of pulses of fluid shear stress to a fluid sample may comprise a first sample chamber; a second sample chamber; a plurality of conduits mounted between and in fluid communication with the first sample chamber and the second sample chamber; and a force delivery system mounted to the first sample chamber and configured to apply a force sufficient to push the fluid sample from the first sample chamber through each of the conduits at a substantially constant flow rate to the second sample chamber. The plurality of conduits may be arranged in series and separated by additional sample chambers or arranged such that the conduits are substantially parallel to one another. The force delivery system may be a gas delivery system or a linear drive assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an extrusion-coated article comprising: a substrate with a coating material extrusion coated onto at least a portion of the substrate, and at least one profile extruded end-cap coupled with an end of the substrate, with a cross-section of the end-cap comprising an end-cap profile. The end of the substrate includes a recess extending inwardly from an outer surface of the end of the substrate, such that a cross-section of the end of the substrate comprises a substrate end profile. The end-cap profile substantially corresponds with the substrate end profile, such that at least a portion of the end-cap is configured to be received within the recess for coupling the end-cap with the end of the substrate.

Abstract: A new method and apparatus is described for igniting a plasma from high vacuum. The ignition method uses a small, short term and quick rise in gas flow into plasma chamber while being excited by RF power to ignite the plasma and then drops the gas flow to fixed input flow rate to maintain the plasma. This plasma starting technique does not use electronic means for ignition. The associated apparatus has a gas buffer chamber in fluid communication with the gas source and the plasma chamber, the gas buffer chamber having a small volume gas that is refilled when the device is off. A flow restriction between the gas source and the gas buffer chamber has a maximum flow rate therethrough of 30 sccm (standard cubic centimeters per minute) or less.

Abstract: An object can be produced by depositing a material, layer-by-layer by an additive manufacturing process, onto a surface of a substrate. Removal of the object from the substrate may be accomplished without mechanically contacting the object with a device or chemically contacting the object. In an example, removal of the object from the substrate can be accomplished by flexing or bending the substrate. The substrate can be configured to elastically deform in response to a load applied to the sheet causing a deflection at a center of the sheet in an amount of at least about 12 mm and/or the sheet to have a radius of curvature that is less than or equal to about 305 mm.

Abstract: An object can be formed in an additive manufacturing process, such as FDM, by providing a substrate having at least a surface that is made of a first material, and forming one or more layers of a second material on the surface of the substrate, wherein a Hildebrand solubility parameter of the second material is within about 5% of a Hildebrand solubility parameter of the first material. In this manner, the object part formed by the one or more layers of the second material may be incorporated into the object. In an example, the object includes a first portion comprised of the one or more layers of the second material and a second portion comprised of the substrate, the first portion having a first haze value and the second portion having a second haze value, wherein a percent difference between the first haze value and the second haze value is equal to or greater than about 165%.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to extrusion-coated hardware integrated structural systems, as well as methods of making and using the same. Hardware integrated structural systems of the present invention may exhibit enhanced strength, functionality, and/or durability, while being simpler to assemble and more aesthetic than similar conventional systems. Structural systems according to embodiments of the present invention can be suitable for use in a variety of applications, including as ready-to-assemble furniture or cabinetry or as building and construction materials such as wall board, flooring, trim, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention integrates a structured light source into an imaging system for reconstructing surface topography of an object being imaged. The structured light source includes a mechanism for transmitting a set of lines onto the object from an angle. The lines are displaced, or phase shifted relative to a stage, when they encounter an object with finite height, such as a mouse. This phase shift provides structured light information for the object. A camera captures the structured light information. Using software that employs a structured light analysis, surface topography data for the object is determined from the phase shift of the lines.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) representation of one or more light sources inside a sample, such as a mammal. Mammalian tissue is a turbid medium, meaning that photons are both absorbed and scattered as they propagate through tissue. In the case where scattering is large compared with absorption, such as red to near-infrared light passing through tissue, the transport of light within the sample is described by diffusion theory. Using imaging data and computer-implemented photon diffusion models, embodiments of the present invention produce a 3D representation of the light sources inside a sample, such as a 3D location, size, and brightness of such light sources.

Abstract: A concept for improving signal to background for images obtained in a scattering medium such as smoke and fog has been described. This concept can be used to develop instrumentation potentially useful for firefighters or other rescue workers as well as law enforcement and military personnel. Additional applications are use of this technique for operation of vehicles in smoke or fog. This concept can be utilized in conjunction with a variety of other measurement techniques but is most simply envisioned for use with time resolved ballistic and quasi-ballistic imaging.

Abstract: The invention describes systems and methods to obtain and present imaging data in absolute units. The systems and methods convert relative image data produced by a camera to absolute light intensity data using a compensation factor. The compensation factor accommodates for hardware and specific imaging conditions in the imaging system that variably affect camera output. The present invention determines the compensation factor based on assessing the output of the camera against a known light source for a specific set of imaging conditions in the imaging system. The compensation factor is then stored in memory corresponding to the specific set of imaging conditions. Upon subsequent imaging with the set of imaging conditions, the corresponding compensation factor is called from memory and applied to the camera output. A compensation factor may be determined and stored for each hardware state and imaging condition available to the imaging system.

Abstract: The invention described herein provides systems and methods for multi-modal imaging with light and a second form of imaging. Light imaging involves the capture of low intensity light from a light-emitting object. A camera obtains a two-dimensional spatial distribution of the light emitted from the surface of the subject. Software operated by a computer in communication with the camera may then convert two-dimensional spatial distribution data from one or more images into a three-dimensional spatial representation. The second imaging mode may include any imaging technique that compliments light imaging. Examples include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer topography (CT). An object handling system moves the object to be imaged between the light imaging system and the second imaging system, and is configured to interface with each system.

Abstract: The invention described herein provides systems and methods for multi-modal imaging with light and a second form of imaging. Light imaging involves the capture of low intensity light from a light-emitting object. A camera obtains a two-dimensional spatial distribution of the light emitted from the surface of the subject. Software operated by a computer in communication with the camera may then convert two-dimensional spatial distribution data from one or more images into a three-dimensional spatial representation. The second imaging mode may include any imaging technique that compliments light imaging. Examples include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer topography (CT). An object handling system moves the object to be imaged between the light imaging system and the second imaging system, and is configured to interface with each system.