Abstract: The invention relates to methods of identifying albumin variants having improved pharmacokinetics, albumin variants having improved pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic uses of albumin variants having improved pharmacokinetics.

Abstract: IL-6 antagonists are provided that are specific for binding to site II of IL-6. Methods of using such inhibitors to treat IL-6 related diseases, e.g., disease of the eye such as diabetic macular edema are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials for making and using variant serum albumin amino acid sequences which exhibit improved properties compared to wild type serum albumin sequences. The invention further provides methods and materials for making and using fusion proteins in which the variant serum albumin amino acid sequences are fused to a therapeutic or diagnostic agent, such as a therapeutic protein, or a functional fragment or variant thereof that maintains activity, and exhibits improved properties.

Abstract: A sleeve interference fastener adapted to be installed in a hole of a structure includes a sleeve; a pin member, wherein the pin member has a transition zone between a shank portion and a locking portion and wherein a portion of the pin member comprises a low friction dielectric coating; a locking member; wherein, in the installed position, a first interface between the shank portion of the pin member and the sleeve is substantially free from the low friction dielectric coating, and wherein, in the installed position, the transition zone of the pin member and a second interface between the locking portion of the pin member and the locking member are substantially covered with the low friction dielectric coating.

Abstract: A sleeve interference fastener adapted to be installed in a hole of a structure includes a sleeve; a pin member, wherein the pin member has a transition zone between a shank portion and a locking portion and wherein a portion of the pin member comprises a low friction dielectric coating; a locking member; wherein, in the installed position, a first interface between the shank portion of the pin member and the sleeve is substantially free from the low friction dielectric coating, and wherein, in the installed position, the transition zone of the pin member and a second interface between the locking portion of the pin member and the locking member are substantially covered with the low friction dielectric coating.

Abstract: A sleeve for preventing backflow and cross-contamination between patients of fluid and particulate matter as well as other contaminants present within a dental/medical suctioning device. The sleeve includes a sleeve inlet end that sealingly attaches to and surrounds at least a portion of the suctioning device the vacuum hose to the evacuator tip. The sleeve also has a sleeve exhaust end that is inserted into the control valve and can reside within the interior lumen of the vacuum hose during normal suction operation. During operation, the sleeve provides a seal between the patient contact part and the control valve of the suctioning device. The proximate end collapses, seals, and/or provides a barrier when the suctioning device does not draw a vacuum away from the patient and towards the vacuum source.

Abstract: A bottle cap opener for opening twistable type caps. The opener may include a housing to apply a twisting force to the caps. Twisting force may also be applied via a handle. The opener also may include cap grabbers movable within the housing. The progressively narrowing interior shape of the housing allows the cap grabbers to adjust to the size of the cap. The opener also may include engaging members that engage the cap grabbers at a particular position within the housing. The engagement can be accomplished with a set of teeth on the cap grabbers and a corresponding hook member on the engaging members. The engaging members are pivotally mounted and include engaging spring to provide the engaging forces. A spring exerts a downward on the cap grabbers. The bottle opener retains the bottle cap in the housing after the bottle is opened until the user disengages the engaging members.

Abstract: A bottle cap opener for opening twistable type caps. The opener may include a housing to apply a twisting force to the caps. Twisting force may also be applied via a handle. The opener also may include cap grabbers movable within the housing. The progressively narrowing interior shape of the housing allows the cap grabbers to adjust to the size of the cap. The opener also may include engaging members that engage the cap grabbers at a particular position within the housing. The engagement can be accomplished with a set of teeth on the cap grabbers and a corresponding hook member on the engaging members. The engaging members are pivotally mounted and include engaging spring to provide the engaging forces. A spring exerts a downward on the cap grabbers. The bottle opener retains the bottle cap in the housing after the bottle is opened until the user disengages the engaging members.

Abstract: A sleeve for preventing backflow and cross-contamination between patients of fluid and particulate matter as well as other contaminants present within a dental/medical suctioning device. The sleeve includes a sleeve inlet end that sealingly attaches to and surrounds at least a portion of the suctioning device the vacuum hose to the evacuator tip. The sleeve also has a sleeve exhaust end that is inserted into the control valve and can reside within the interior lumen of the vacuum hose during normal suction operation. During operation, the sleeve provides a seal between the patient contact part and the control valve of the suctioning device. The proximate end collapses, seals, and/or provides a barrier when the suctioning device does not draw a vacuum away from the patient and towards the vacuum source.

Abstract: A fastening system is provided that includes a fastener having a pin member with a lock groove and crest geometry that is optimized to receive swaged material from collars of materials of different strengths for securing workpieces for different load applications. The lock grooves have the longest width required for collars of lower strength for one application or greater strength for a second application and the crests have the longest width required for collars of greater strength for the second application whereby satisfactory clamp and tensile loads and resistance to failure will result when the lock grooves are filled with collar materials of different strengths. The lock groove and crest geometry is of a uniform construction for the plurality of applications with pin members of a common diameter.