Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a masking device (20) for enhancing the fidelity of sample wells of a photopolymerized electrophoretic gel contained in a gel casting assembly (10) that comprises a comb (30) having a one or more teeth. The masking device (20) includes a light blocking agent fixedly located on the gel casting assembly (10) where the light blocking agent overlaps with the teeth of the comb to prevent photopolymerization of a portion of an electrophoretic gel contained between the comb and the inner surfaces of the gel casting assembly. Upon removal of the comb after electrophoretic gel photopolymerization the sample wells remain uniform.

Abstract: An acrylamide gel formulation for use in electrophoresis, and a system and method for electrophoretic gel casting. In some embodiments, the system comprises a UV-Vis curing light source, and an acrylamide formulation that allows a resolving gel and a stacking gel to be photopolymerized in a single step. In some embodiments, the resolving solution formulation comprises acrylamide and bis-acrylamide, Bis-Tris buffering agent, and lithium phenyl-2, 4, 6-trimethylbenzoyl-phosphinate (LAP) as a water-soluble photoinitiator, which allows the solution to be photopolymerized using UV radiation within a certain wavelength. In some embodiments, a dilution buffer formulation comprises acrylamide and bis-acrylamide, Bis-Tris buffering agent, and lithium phenyl-2, 4, 6-trimethyl-benzoyl-phosphinate (LAP). The dilution buffer may be added to the resolving solution in a selected amount in order to modify the concentration of the acrylamide to a desired concentration.

Abstract: A removal tool for sample well combs that is configured to aid in the extraction of a sample well comb from an electrophoresis gel. The removal tool may be either removably coupled to the sample well comb or may be permanently affixed to the sample well comb in order to provide a surface/region that is more easily graspable by a user to aid in the extraction of the sample well comb. The removal tool may include one or more engagement members that may be at least partially disposed within an opening of the sample well comb to couple the removal tool to the sample well comb. The removal tool may also include a mechanism that is configured to impart extraction forces to a surface in proximity to the sample well comb to further aid in the extraction of the sample well comb.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for Immunohistochemistry, including a slide holder assembly fixture, a slide holder, a slide holder frame, and a slide holder frame assembly adapted to be placed in communication with a driving force to draw fluid through the slide holder. The slide holder may include an injection port that allows consistent fluid delivery and recovery, while minimizing the introduction of air bubbles. The slide holder may include a reservoir that allows for filling, soaking, rinsing, flushing, uniform antibody coverage of the tissue and reduces handling time, space, and errors, and one or more sample chambers. The slide orientation in the slide holder allows for visualization of label information and tissue to confirm adequate antibody coverage. A multi-port frame allows multiple assays to be carried out concurrently, and is removable from a vacuum manifold and allows for easy transport from the vacuum manifold to an incubator/refrigerator and back.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for Immunohistochemistry, including a slide holder assembly fixture, a slide holder, a slide holder frame, and a slide holder frame assembly adapted to be placed in communication with a driving force to draw fluid through the slide holder. The slide holder may include an injection port that allows consistent fluid delivery and recovery, while minimizing the introduction of air bubbles. The slide holder may include a reservoir that allows for filling, soaking, rinsing, flushing, uniform antibody coverage of the tissue and reduces handling time, space, and errors, and one or more sample chambers. The slide orientation in the slide holder allows for visualization of label information and tissue to confirm adequate antibody coverage. A multi-port frame allows multiple assays to be carried out concurrently, and is removable from a vacuum manifold and allows for easy transport from the vacuum manifold to an incubator/refrigerator and back.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for quantitating one or more biomolecules in a sample using IR based techniques, sample holder devices for use in such methods as well as methods for manufacturing such sample holder devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods for assessing and/or improving contact between an electrophysiology catheter and tissue, and catheters for performing the methods. One embodiment relates to a catheter comprising a braided conductive member coupled to the distal end of a shaft, wherein the braided conductive member comprises a plurality of pressure sensitive wires. Another embodiment relates to a catheter comprising a braided conductive member having a plurality of sectors and coupled to the distal end of a shaft, and a balloon assembly constructed and arranged to selectively apply distal pressure to one or more sectors of the braided conductive member.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for quantitating one or more biomolecules in a sample using IR based techniques, sample holder devices for use in such methods as well as methods for manufacturing such sample holder devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods for assessing and/or improving contact between an electrophysiology catheter and tissue, and catheters for performing the methods. One embodiment relates to a catheter comprising a braided conductive member coupled to the distal end of a shaft, wherein the braided conductive member comprises a plurality of pressure sensitive wires. Another embodiment relates to a catheter comprising a braided conductive member having a plurality of sectors and coupled to the distal end of a shaft, and a balloon assembly constructed and arranged to selectively apply distal pressure to one or more sectors of the braided conductive member.

Abstract: Extendable and expandable ablation electrodes are disclosed. Electrophysiology catheter systems include ablation electrodes that maintain a reduced cross-sectional profile during introduction into a patient and are extendable and/or expandable once positioned at a lesion site. The expanded electrodes having a larger length or and/or diameter can help to produce large lesions. Controllability of the dimensions of the ablation electrodes may be improved.