Abstract: A sample cartridge (40) for microscopic imaging of a biological sample comprises a body having an end portion (43) and a pair of generally parallel opposing side edge portions (44), a locking edge portion (45) formed on the body; a carrier removably connected to or permanently connected to the body; and at least one anti-analyte antibody coupled to either the carrier or to the chamber (41) side wall portion (e.g., at the surface to be imaged, or supporting the sample to be imaged). An XYZ stage (101) for receiving such a cartridge (40) is also described.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body that has an archwire slot adapted to receive the archwire. A movable member is engaged with the bracket body and is movable between an opened position and a closed position. The bracket body and movable member are made from a transparent or translucent ceramic for improved aesthetics. The bracket body may include one or more stop surfaces that limit movement of the moveable member in the gingival direction. The bracket body may include a support surface that is positioned lingually of a labial edge of the archwire slot. The moveable member may include a bracket-engaging portion having a first surface confronting the bracket body and a slot-covering portion having a second surface confronting the archwire slot, the first and second surfaces being offset from one another.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body that has an archwire slot adapted to receive the archwire. A movable member is engaged with the bracket body and is movable between an opened position and a closed position. The bracket body and movable member are made from a transparent or translucent ceramic for improved aesthetics. The bracket body may include one or more stop surfaces that limit movement of the moveable member in the gingival direction. The bracket body may include a support surface that is positioned lingually of a labial edge of the archwire slot. The moveable member may include a bracket-engaging portion having a first surface confronting the bracket body and a slot-covering portion having a second surface confronting the archwire slot, the first and second surfaces being offset from one another.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body that has an archwire slot adapted to receive the archwire. A movable member is engaged with the bracket body and is movable between an opened position and a closed position. The bracket body and the movable member may be made from a transparent or translucent polycrystalline ceramic for improved aesthetics. The polycrystalline ceramic has a grain size distribution characterized by an average grain size in the range of larger than 3.4 ?m to about 6 ?m. The polycrystalline ceramic may have a fracture toughness of at least 4.0 MPa·m1/2. The grain size distribution may not be characterized as a lognormal distribution and may be a multimodal distribution. The polycrystalline ceramic may comprise aluminum oxide or alumina. The grain size distribution may be characterized by having up to about 50% of the grains being less than about 3 ?m in size.

Abstract: An implantable lead includes a lead body, having a distal end and a proximal end, configured to be implanted in a patient, and a connector provided at the proximal end. A load detection assembly is provided on the lead body, wherein the load detection assembly includes a housing that holds a sensor and a load transfer element. The load transfer element engages the sensor and conveys a force induced on the load transfer element to the sensor. Optionally, the housing may isolate the sensor from lateral forces and the load transfer element may only convey, to the sensor, longitudinal forces that are directed in a predetermined single direction. For example, the load transfer element may only convey, to the sensor, longitudinal forces that are directed perpendicular to a surface of the sensor.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth. The orthodontic bracket comprising a ceramic injection molded (CIM) bracket body including an archwire slot that is configured to receive the archwire therein. The CIM bracket body comprising a polycrystalline ceramic. A coating of alumina or silicon dioxide is in continuous and direct contact with at least the surfaces of the archwire slot. The orthodontic bracket is characterized by unexpectedly high torque strength. The ceramic injection molded (CIM) bracket body may comprise a polycrystalline ceramic having a grain size distribution characterized by an average grain size in the range of larger than 3.4 ?m to about 6 ?m such that the orthodontic bracket is also characterized by unexpectedly high fracture toughness. A method of making the orthodontic bracket comprises injection molding a bracket using a ceramic powder, sintering the molded bracket, and coating the ceramic injection molded bracket.

Abstract: A bioelectric battery used to power an implantable device comprises an anode electrode and a cathode electrode separated by an insulating member. The anode is formed from a nanocrystalline or ultra fine grain sized magnesium alloy. The magnesium alloy can be formed by subjecting a starting magnesium alloy to one or more plastic deformation treatments to reduce grain size and improve uniform material distribution, thereby reducing corrosion loss and improving service life.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body that has an archwire slot adapted to receive the archwire. A movable member is engaged with the bracket body and is movable between an opened position and a closed position. The bracket body is made from a transparent or translucent polycrystalline ceramic for improved aesthetics. The movable member may comprise the polycrystalline ceramic. The polycrystalline ceramic has a grain size distribution characterized by an average grain size in the range of larger than 3.4 ?m to about 6 ?m. The polycrystalline ceramic may have a fracture toughness of at least 4.0 MPa·m1/2. The grain size distribution may not be characterized as a lognormal distribution and may be a multimodal distribution. The polycrystalline ceramic may comprise aluminum oxide or alumina. The grain size distribution may be characterized by having up to about 50% of the grains being less than about 3 ?m in size.

Abstract: A glycemic condition is indicated based on variance of a feature derived from cardiac electrogram data. Neurostimulation is then used to counteract a cardiac-related autonomic response to the glycemic condition. For example, stimulation of parasympathetic innervation may be used to counteract an autonomic sympathetic response that is associated with hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. In addition, stimulation of sympathetic innervation may be used to counteract an autonomic parasympathetic response that is associated with hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body that has an archwire slot adapted to receive the archwire. A movable member is engaged with the bracket body and is movable between an opened position and a closed position. The bracket body and movable member are made from a transparent or translucent ceramic for improved aesthetics. The bracket body may include one or more stop surfaces that limit movement of the moveable member in the gingival direction. The bracket body may include a support surface that is positioned lingually of a labial edge of the archwire slot. The moveable member may include a bracket-engaging portion having a first surface confronting the bracket body and a slot-covering portion having a second surface confronting the archwire slot, the first and second surfaces being offset from one another.

Abstract: Embodiments include strain sensor devices for detecting movement, morphological changes or other physical parameters within a patient's body tissue. Some embodiments are directed specifically to measuring parameters within a patient's heart and may also be configured to communicate with an implantable stimulation device and associated external programming device.

Abstract: An improved assay of target components in a sample utilizes specific gravity-altering particles which are attached to the target components by specific antibodies. The attached specific gravity-altering particles are preferably liposomes which will buoy or sink the targets to a common level in the specimen sample when the latter has been centrifuged in a transparent tube. The liposomes can provide an accentuated and more pronounced indication of the presence of the targets in the sample due to their ability to contain many multiples of fluorescent or non-fluorescent dye molecules with minimal steric interference with the attached antibodies' binding ability.

Abstract: A food cooking oven having exterior walls and inwardly spaced interior walls wherein the interior walls are electrically conductive and are connected to an electrical power source. In operation, the interior of the oven is heated to a food cooking temperature by passing an electric current through the interior walls of the oven.

Abstract: A high pressure xenon arc illuminator bulb having a sapphire window generates a broad band of ultraviolet, visible and infrared radiation extending from about 180 nanometers to about 2000 nanometers.The emitted radiation in the range from about 180 to about 200 nanometers, in passing through the oxygen in the air, causes the molecules of oxygen in the form O.sub.2 to recombine to produce ozone, O.sub.3. Ozone is toxic.In the invention, a lens barrel, which holds a sapphire condensing lens, is joined to the xenon arc illuminator bulb with a lighttight and also hermetic connection. Thus, the condensing lens is optically rigid with the illuminator bulb and the ozone formed within the lens barrel is not released to the ambient environment, even though its local concentration within the lens barrel becomes high. Furthermore, the ozone confined within the lens barrel acts as an absorption filter for all of the wavelengths in the 180 to 200 nanometer band which are capable of producing ozone.