Abstract: The present invention includes the provision and use of a novel method and apparatus for anchoring a catheter line to the tissue of a patient (e.g., the internal fascia of a patient) for pain pump drug delivery. In one preferred form of the invention, the invention includes the provision and use of a catheter line fixation device including a housing and a collet assembly. The catheter line fixation device is intended to be adjustably secured to a catheter line, and the catheter line fixation device is intended to be secured to the tissue of a patient (e.g., the internal fascia of a patient), so as to secure the catheter line to the tissue of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new whey protein hydrolysates having a high degree of hydrolysis, are palatable and have a low turbidity without being subjected to ultrafiltration.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching a first object to a second object, said apparatus comprising: a distal anchor comprising a generally cylindrical body, a distal end and a proximal end, wherein said distal end comprises an inclined distal end surface, and a vertical bore extending through said generally cylindrical body, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said generally cylindrical body; a distal suture having a proximal end and a distal end, with an enlargement formed at said distal end and an eyelet formed at said proximal end, wherein said suture extends through said vertical bore of said distal anchor; a proximal anchor comprising a generally cylindrical body, a distal end and a proximal end, a vertical bore extending through said generally cylindrical body, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said generally cylindrical body, a recess formed on one side of said generally cylindrical body and a U-shaped slot formed on the opposing side of said generally cylindrical body, whereby to form a flexible finge

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for securing an object to a patient. In one form of the invention, the object comprises a sensory nerve stimulator (SNS) lead. And in one form of the invention, the object is secured to a patient using a capstan effect.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching a first object to a second object, the apparatus comprising a distal anchor comprising a generally cylindrical body and a vertical bore extending through the generally cylindrical body; a proximal anchor comprising a generally cylindrical body, a first vertical bore extending through the generally cylindrical body, a second vertical bore spaced distally from the first vertical bore parallel to the first vertical bore, a third vertical bore spaced distally from the second vertical bore parallel to the first vertical bore, and a fourth vertical bore spaced distally from the third vertical bore parallel to the first vertical bore; and a suture having a proximal end and a distal end, with an enlargement formed at the distal end, wherein the suture extends through the vertical bore, through the fourth vertical bore, through the third vertical bore, through the second vertical bore and through the first vertical bore.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching a suture to an object, the apparatus comprising: an anchor comprising a body having a distal end and a proximal end, and a vertical bore extending through the body substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body; wherein the anchor further comprises a recess formed on one side of the body and a U-shaped slot formed on the opposing side of the body, whereby to form a flexible finger extending distally within the body, and further wherein the distal end of the finger is spaced from an opposing portion of the body; and wherein at least one of the flexible finger and the body comprises a cutout extending therethrough, with the cutout cooperating with the U-shaped slot and the recess so as to together form a suture loading hole extending through the body, with the suture loading hole being sized to receive a suture therein.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for securing an object to a patient. In one form of the invention, the object comprises a sensory nerve stimulator (SNS) lead. And in one form of the invention, the object is secured to a patient using a capstan effect.

Abstract: A method for anchoring a sensory nerve stimulator (SNS) lead to the anatomy of a patient, the method comprising: providing an anchor assembly comprising: a body having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, a bore extending through the body substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body, a flexible finger extending distally within the body, the flexible finger being formed by a recess formed on one side of the body and a U-shaped slot formed on the opposing side of the body, wherein the distal end of the finger is spaced from an opposing portion of the body; and a suture having a first end and a second end, the suture extending through the bore of the body, forming a loop adjacent to the body, back through the bore of the body, passing through the recess and extending out of the U-shaped slot; forming an opening through the dermis and the superficial fascia; positioning the body of the anchor anterior to the thorocolumbar fasc

Abstract: A mooring member comprises a rope configured for extending between a vessel floating in a body of water and an anchoring device. The mooring member comprises a plurality of functional elements, wherein a first functional element is wound onto at least a portion of the rope, a second functional element is wound onto the first functional element, and so on, until an outermost functional element is wound onto a second-to-outermost functional element. The functional elements are wound in a helical configuration, and are configured to provide at least one of the following functions: damage protection, buoyancy, optical detection, sonar detection, stiffness control, and anti-fouling.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for securing an object to a patient. In one form of the invention, the object comprises a catheter line for pain pump drug delivery.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching a first object to a second object, said apparatus comprising: a distal anchor comprising a generally cylindrical body, a distal end and a proximal end, wherein said distal end comprises an inclined distal end surface, and a vertical bore extending through said generally cylindrical body, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said generally cylindrical body; a proximal anchor comprising a generally cylindrical body, a distal end and a proximal end, a top surface and a bottom surface, a first vertical bore extending through said generally cylindrical body from said top surface to said bottom surface, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the generally cylindrical body, a second vertical bore spaced distally from said first vertical bore and extending from said top surface to said bottom surface parallel to said first vertical bore, a third vertical bore spaced distally from said second vertical bore and extending from said top surface to said bottom surface parallel to said first

Abstract: A mooring member comprises a rope configured for extending between a vessel floating in a body of water and an anchoring device. The mooring member comprises a plurality of functional elements, wherein a first functional element is wound onto at least a portion of the rope, a second functional element is wound onto the first functional element, and so on, until an outermost functional element is wound onto a second-to-outermost functional element. The functional elements are wound in a helical configuration, and are configured to provide at least one of the following functions: damage protection, buoyancy, optical detection, sonar detection, stiffness control, and anti-fouling.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for securing an object to a patient. In one form of the invention, the object comprises a sensory nerve stimulator (SNS) lead. And in one form of the invention, the object is secured to a patient using a capstan effect.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching a first object to a second object, said apparatus comprising: a distal anchor comprising a generally cylindrical body, a distal end and a proximal end, wherein said distal end comprises an inclined distal end surface, and a vertical bore extending through said generally cylindrical body, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said generally cylindrical body; a proximal anchor comprising a generally cylindrical body, a distal end and a proximal end, a top surface and a bottom surface, a first vertical bore extending through said generally cylindrical body from said top surface to said bottom surface, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the generally cylindrical body, a second vertical bore spaced distally from said first vertical bore and extending from said top surface to said bottom surface parallel to said first vertical bore, a third vertical bore spaced distally from said second vertical bore and extending from said top surface to said bottom surface parallel to said fi

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching a suture to an object, the apparatus comprising: an anchor comprising a body having a distal end and a proximal end, and a vertical bore extending through the body substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body; wherein the anchor further comprises a recess formed on one side of the body and a U-shaped slot formed on the opposing side of the body, whereby to form a flexible finger extending distally within the body, and further wherein the distal end of the finger is spaced from an opposing portion of the body; and wherein at least one of the flexible finger and the body comprises a cutout extending therethrough, with the cutout cooperating with the U-shaped slot and the recess so as to together form a suture loading hole extending through the body, with the suture loading hole being sized to receive a suture therein.

Abstract: A large area, deployable flexible blanket photovoltaic solar array architecture for high power applications is disclosed. The structure is a modularized and scalable solar array system that provides high power level scalability. The structure is comprised of repeating, similar modular deployable roll-out solar array wings mounted in an opposing manner and along the length of a rigid, strong and efficiently packaged deployable backbone structure. The deployable roll-out solar array building block modular “winglet” elements can be comprised of either a rolled or z-folded flexible photovoltaic blanket configuration, and their structural deployment is motivated by the elastic strain energy of longitudinal roll-out booms. The backbone structure is comprised of a stiff deployable beam structure articulated that is deployed perpendicular with respect to the spacecraft sidewall and latched out.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching a first object to a second object, said apparatus comprising: a distal anchor comprising a generally cylindrical body, a distal end and a proximal end, wherein said distal end comprises an inclined distal end surface, and a vertical bore extending through said generally cylindrical body, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said generally cylindrical body; a proximal anchor comprising a generally cylindrical body, a distal end and a proximal end, a top surface and a bottom surface, a first vertical bore extending through said generally cylindrical body from said top surface to said bottom surface, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the generally cylindrical body, a second vertical bore spaced distally from said first vertical bore and extending from said top surface to said bottom surface parallel to said first vertical bore, a third vertical bore spaced distally from said second vertical bore and extending from said top surface to said bottom surface parallel to said fi

Abstract: A new type of cryoprotective agents that are useful for retaining the viability and metabolic activity of frozen or freeze-dried microbial cultures, is disclosed. The cryoprotective agent comprises compounds involved in biosynthesis of nucleic acids. Methods for the preparation as well as the uses of such cultures are given. Such cultures are useful as starter cultures in the manufacturing of food and feed products. Starter cultures of the invention include culture of lactic acid bacteria, e.g. Lactococcus species as well as other species.

Abstract: A solar array including a solar array assembly, hub assembly, and wing assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching a first object to a second object, said apparatus comprising: a distal anchor comprising a generally cylindrical body, a distal end and a proximal end, wherein said distal end comprises an inclined distal end surface, and a vertical bore extending through said generally cylindrical body, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said generally cylindrical body; a proximal anchor comprising a generally cylindrical body, a distal end and a proximal end, a top surface and a bottom surface, a first vertical bore extending through said generally cylindrical body from said top surface to said bottom surface, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the generally cylindrical body, a second vertical bore spaced distally from said first vertical bore and extending from said top surface to said bottom surface parallel to said first vertical bore, a third vertical bore spaced distally from said second vertical bore and extending from said top surface to said bottom surface parallel to said fi