Abstract: A method of stimulating a subject having a denervated muscle and a corresponding functional muscle that are responsible for producing actions, such as blinking, on first and second portions, respectively, of the subject's body. The method includes determining whether the functional muscle has contracted, generating a contraction signal if it is determined that it has contracted, and causing the denervated muscle to contract following the generation of the contraction signal. Also, an apparatus for stimulating such a subject including one or more sensing devices operatively associated with the functional muscle and one or more stimulating devices operatively associated with the denervated muscle. One or more of the sensing devices generates one or more first signals in response to activity indicating functional muscle contraction. The one or more stimulating devices are made to cause the denervated muscle to contract in response to the generation of the first signals.

Abstract: Allelic variations in the genes PLEKHA1 and LOC387715 are identified herein as risk factor for Age Related Maculopathy (ARM). A method is therefore provided for identifying a risk of development of ARM in an individual that comprises identification of allelic variations in PLEKHA1 and/or LOC387715. Related apparatus, such as an array, are identified as being useful in implementing those methods.

Abstract: A user interface for an electronic instrument includes a display that displays a signal and a band marker. The band marker demarks a bandwidth of the signal by marking both a start frequency of the bandwidth and a stop frequency of the bandwidth. The electronic instrument performs a function on the bandwidth of the signal between the start frequency and the stop frequency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus compensates for phase noise added by a spectrum analyzer from phase noise measurements of a signal under test (SUT) taken by the spectrum analyzer. The method comprises the steps of measuring the phase noise of the SUT, determining the added phase noise of the spectrum analyzer, and applying a mathematical correction to the measured phase noise. A spectrum analyzer apparatus that compensates for added phase noise comprises a controller portion, a memory portion, a signal conversion and detection portion, and a compensation algorithm stored in the memory portion. A system that compensates for added phase noise comprises a controller having a control algorithm and a spectrum analyzer. The compensation and control algorithms are computer programs that implement the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A method of screening for retinal disease including directing a first light at a first portion of the retina, directing a second light at a second portion of the retina, measuring a first pupillary response of the eye as a result of the first light and a second pupillary response as a result of the second light, and generating an indication of a severity level of the retinal disease using the first pupillary response and the second pupillary response. Also, an apparatus that implements this method including a light source for directing a first light at a first retinal portion and a second light at a second retinal portion, a pupil measuring device for measuring the pupillary response of the eye as a result of the first light and second light, a processor in electronic communication with the pupil measuring device, and a memory in electronic communication with the processor.

Abstract: A telephone plug receptacle assembly 8 includes conductors 35-38 bearing the colors that match the colors of the color code of the wires 25-28 of a cable, such as category 3 or category 5 telephone cable. The junctions 31-34 that connect the cable wires to the assembly are color coded to match the colors of a second type of cable, such as station wire. The junctions can be screws of different colors or the color identifications can be directly applied to the mounting block 13 adjacent each junction. The color identifications on the mounting block can be the colors themselves or indicia such as initials of the colors: “B” for black, “R” for red, etc. This permits rapid and accurate connection of either type cable to the assembly.

Abstract: An entry box (8) includes a mounting plate (10) that mounts against the wall (12) over an opening (28) in the wall, and a cover (20) which is releasably attached to the mounting plate. A phase splitter (26) is supported on the cover in a position to register in alignment with the mounting plate cable opening (14) when the cover is closed against the mounting plate. The ends of coaxial cables (32) are connected to the electrical fixture when the cover is opened from the mounting plate, and the adjacent end portions of the cables then are moved back through the mounting plate cable opening (14) and into the hollow wall when the cover is closed against the mounting plate.

Abstract: An entry box (8) includes a mounting plate (10) that mounts against the wall (12) over an opening (28) in the wall, and a cover (20) which is releasably attached to the mounting plate. A phase splitter (26) is supported on the cover in a position to register in alignment with the mounting plate cable opening (14) when the cover is closed against the mounting plate. The ends of coaxial cables (32) are connected to the electrical fixture when the cover is opened from the mounting plate, and the adjacent end portions of the cables then are moved back through the mounting plate cable opening (14) and into the hollow wall when the cover is closed against the mounting plate.

Abstract: A telephone plug receptacle assembly 8 includes conductors 35-38 bearing the colors that match the colors of the color code of the wires 25-28 of a cable, such as category 3 or category 5 telephone cable. The junctions 31-34 that connect the cable wires to the assembly are color coded to match the colors of a second type of cable, such as station wire. The junctions can be screws of different colors or the color identifications can be directly applied to the mounting block 13 adjacent each junction. The color identifications on the mounting block can be the colors themselves or indicia such as initials of the colors: “B” for black, “R” for red, etc. This permits rapid and accurate connection of either type cable to the assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus compensates for phase noise added by a spectrum analyzer from phase noise measurements of a signal under test (SUT) taken by the spectrum analyzer. The method comprises the steps of measuring the phase noise of the SUT, determining the added phase noise of the spectrum analyzer, and applying a mathematical correction to the measured phase noise. A spectrum analyzer apparatus that compensates for added phase noise comprises a controller portion, a memory portion, a signal conversion and detection portion, and a compensation algorithm stored in the memory portion. A system that compensates for added phase noise comprises a controller having a control algorithm and a spectrum analyzer. The compensation and control algorithms are computer programs that implement the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for molecularly crosslinking amino acid containing polymers by photoactivating chemical crosslinkers which have been combined with the polymers. Collagen crosslinked by this method can be used as a bioadhesive for sutureless closures of the skin and eye or as a superhydrated material for contact lenses, moist bandage contact lens, lens or corneal implant material, or as a drug delivery mechanism.

Abstract: A method for molecularly crosslinking amino acid containing polymers by photoactivating chemical crosslinkers which have been combined with the polymers. Collagen crosslinked by this method can be used as a bioadhesive for sutureless closures of the skin and eye or as a superhydrated material for contact lenses, moist bandage contact lens, lens or corneal implant material, or as a drug delivery mechanism.

Abstract: A capillary stop-flow junction located in a housing at an end of a capillary passageway used to transport a liquid and at the beginning of a non-capillary internal chamber in the housing, in which the stop-flow junction contains an improvement which comprises 1) means for selectively trapping a gas in the capillary passageway and non-capillary chamber, wherein when the means for trapping is activated and the liquid enters the capillary passageway, the gas is compressed by the liquid as the liquid flows through the capillary channel and stops flowing at the stop-flow junction; or 2) a stop-flow nozzle surrounding the capillary passageway and projecting into the chamber; or 3) the stop-flow junction being formed from a single housing body member; or 4) a rupture junction in the capillary pathway, wherein the rupture junction is a stop-flow junction providing less maximum available back pressure than the capillary stop-flow junction.

Abstract: A dilution and mixing cartridge is provided that allows single (or multiple) dilutions of a sample with a diluent in a disposable cartridge in which a measurement, such as optical density, is made. Addition of sample to the device automatically measures the sample, and addition of diluent automatically causes a fixed ratio of sample and diluent to enter a receiving chamber, in which mixing and measurement can take place. A number of preferred embodiments are provided in which the diluent application site is located at a vertical height below the sample application site, flow directing chambers are provided to control flow of desired volumes of sample or diluted sample at the appropriate locations in the device and to direct excess sample and diluent to waste locations, or control mechanism are provided at flow directing chambers and other internal locations to verify correct operation of the device.

Abstract: A method for molecularly crosslinking amino acid containing polymers by photoactivating chemical crosslinkers which have been combined with the polymers. Collagen crosslinked by this method can be used as a bioadhesive for sutureless closures of the skin and eye or as a superhydrated material for contact lenses, moist bandage contact lens, lens or corneal implant material, or as a drug delivery mechanism.