Abstract: A dilation system for accessing a surgical target site to perform surgical procedures. In one version, the dilation system includes a plurality of open sided dilators having non-circular cross sections and configured to slidably and non-rotationally engage with one another in a sequential manner. In another version, the dilation system includes an expandable dilator movable from a closed condition to an expanded condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing high-speed optical inspection of parts using intelligent image analysis to determine optimal focus using high numerical aperture (NA) optics, achieve a superior signal-to-noise ratio, resolution, and inspection speed performance with very limited depth of field lenses.

Abstract: An AUX channel amplifier for amplifying data in the AUX channel of a Display Port device. In some embodiments, the amplifier includes a first amplifier coupled to amplify a signal from a source to a sink and a second amplifier coupled to amplify a signal from the sink to the source. A slicer can be utilized to digitize the signal from the source. In some embodiments, a clock and data recovery can be utilized to receive signals from the source and a second clock and data recovery can be utilized to receive signals from the sink. A controller determine the direction of data flow and enables the first amplifier or the second amplifier accordingly.

Abstract: A kitchen organizing system for tracking and rotating inventory, generating grocery lists, and suggesting and planning meals has a rotating base. The system has a generally hollow spherical housing located on a base top surface. With a bottom hemisphere front cover and a bottom hemisphere rear cover in place, the housing has a shape of a sphere. The housing has a microprocessor located inside. The housing has a power cord connected to the microprocessor. The housing has a display screen located at least partly in a housing top hemisphere on a housing front side connected to the microprocessor. The housing has a keyboard located on the housing bottom hemisphere front cover connected to the microprocessor. The housing has a printer located in the housing bottom hemisphere connected to the microprocessor. The housing has a scanner located in the housing top hemisphere in the rear side connected to the microprocessor.

Abstract: An improved shower soap dispenser for use with liquid soap, gels and body washes. It consists of a soap storage reservoir, main body containing control valves that intersects and connects directly to a conventional shower pipe and shower head. It mixes an adjustable amount of liquid soap with air into the flowing water. Its improved main valve, through incorporation of a truncated cone, provides greater vacuum and water flow to make it compatible with a wider range of water pressure and soap density and viscosity. The improved main valve also provides the capability for the user to clean out water passages of the dispenser without disassembly or removing any parts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing inspection high-speed optical inspection of parts using intelligent image analysis to determine optimal focus using high numerical aperture (NA) optics, achieve a superior signal-to-noise ratio, resolution, and inspection speed performance with very limited depth of field lenses.

Abstract: A tool assembly for engaging a head of a fastener. The tool assembly includes an elongated hollow shaft member having a first end and a second end and an actuation rod member moveably disposed within the shaft member. The actuation rod member includes a first end corresponding with the first end of the shaft member and a second end corresponding with the second end of the shaft member and an expandable tip assembly. One end of the expandable tip assembly is movably coupled to the actuation rod. The other end of the expandable tip assembly includes a patterned face. A first contracted state of the expanded tip assembly allows the patterned face to mate with the head of the fastener, and a second expanded state of the expanded tip assembly allows the patterned face to securely engage the head of the fastener.

Abstract: To obtain greater transcoding efficiency, a node administrator (160) distributes digital files among transcoding nodes (120, 140 and 190) based on a comparison of a transcoding profile for each digital file and the transcoding histories of the transcoding nodes. In this way, the node administrator (160) will select the transcoding node best able to undertake transcoding, taking into account the characteristics of the file to be transcoded.

Abstract: A fuel cell anode comprises a porous ceramic molten metal composite of a metal or metal alloy, for example, tin or a tin alloy, infused in a ceramic where the metal is liquid at the temperatures of an operational solid oxide fuel cell, exhibiting high oxygen ion mobility. The anode can be employed in a SOFC with a thin electrolyte that can be a ceramic of the same or similar composition to that infused with the liquid metal of the porous ceramic molten metal composite anode. The thicknesses of the electrolyte can be reduced to a minimum that allows greater efficiencies of the SOFC thereby constructed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fully human antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof that specifically bind human VEGF and inhibit VEGF binding to VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2, and therefore inhibit VEGF signaling. The antibodies and antigen-binding fragments disclosed herein may be used, for example, to treat angiogenesis and conditions associated with angiogenesis both in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract: The present invention provides combinations including a binding composition, such as an anti-IGFR1 antibody, in association with a chemotherapeutic agent. Methods for using the combinations to treat medical conditions, such as cancer, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides, for example, methods for treating or preventing colorectal cancer with an anti-IGF1R antibody in association with sunitinib or a combination of leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fully human antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof that specifically bind human VEGF and inhibit VEGF binding to VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2, and therefore inhibit VEGF signaling. The antibodies and antigen-binding fragments disclosed herein may be used, for example, to treat angiogenesis and conditions associated with angiogenesis both in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing high speed automatic optical inspection of electronic parts such as wafers, flat panel displays, ITO on PET or glass, multi chip modules, and high-density electronic packages. The method and apparatus identify and distinguish different materials on a part by increasing image contrast for each material without increasing electronic noise by processing the image signal with high optical gain and low electrical gain. As a result, the method and apparatus identify different materials, variations in the materials, and defect locations when the materials have similar reflectivities.

Abstract: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) overexpression is associated with a variety of conditions involving aberrant angiogenesis. Disclosed herein are fully human antibodies that specifically bind human VEGF and inhibit VEGF binding to VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2, and therefore inhibit VEGF signaling Based on their ability to inhibit VEGF signaling, the antibodies disclosed herein may be used to treat angiogenesis and conditions associated with angiogenesis both in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract: An AUX channel amplifier for amplifying data in the AUX channel of a Display Port device. In some embodiments, the amplifier includes a first amplifier coupled to amplify a signal from a source to a sink and a second amplifier coupled to amplify a signal from the sink to the source. A slicer can be utilized to digitize the signal from the source. In some embodiments, a clock and data recovery can be utilized to receive signals from the source and a second clock and data recovery can be utilized to receive signals from the sink. A controller determine the direction of data flow and enables the first amplifier or the second amplifier accordingly.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods and kits for treating cancer in a patient in need of such treating comprising administering temozolomide according to improved dosing schedules.

Abstract: The present invention provides formulations, kits and methods useful for treating cell proliferative disorder. In particular, the formulations, kits and methods include temozolomide (TMZ) in combination with a multi-targeted kinase inhibitor.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods and kits for treating cancer in a patient in need of such treating comprising administering temozolomide according to improved dosing schedules.

Abstract: A floating breakwater system comprises a plurality of modules that are flexibly affixed together. The modules are affixed together to make up a plurality of vertical panels made up of the modules and the vertical panels themselves are flexibly affixed together in generally parallel relationship. Each individual module has a front face that faces the oncoming wave. There are at least two inlets in the front surface and corresponding outlets in the rear surface and passageways between the inlets and the outlets such that the water propelled by the wave passes through the at least two passageways. Each passageway is tapered inwardly in the direction of the flow of the water and each passageway has a main longitudinal axis. The respective axes are angled inwardly toward each other and converge at a point displaced rearwardly from the outlets so that the water that passes through the passageways intersect at the point and the energy of the wave is dissipated.