Abstract: Apparatus is described for measuring and displaying the magnitude of traction forces applied to a patient's lower limbs during surgery, and for measuring the direction and magnitude of counter-traction forces applied to the patient's body by the perineal post located at the patient's groin to oppose traction forces applied to the patient's lower limbs.

Abstract: A system and method for particle enlargement with continuously wetted wicks includes a container into which a flow of particle-laden air is introduced in a laminar manner through an inlet and to an outlet. The container has a first section, a second section and a third section though which the particle-laden air flows between the inlet and the outlet. The temperature of the second section is warmer than that of the first section at the inlet and the third section at the outlet. In one embodiment, a continuous wick spanning an interior wall of the first second, second section and third section, said wick being capable of internally transporting liquid water along its length is provided.

Abstract: A particle charging method and apparatus are provided. An ion source is applied to a particle laden flow. The flow is introduced into a container in a laminar manner. The container has at least a first section, a second section and a third section. The first section includes wetted walls at a first temperature. A second section adjacent to the first section has wetted walls at a second temperature T2 greater than the first temperature T1. A third section adjacent to the second section has dry walls provided at a temperature T3 equal to or greater than T2. Additional water removal and temperature conditioning sections may be provided.

Abstract: A method of cross-linking collagen present in a collagenous tissue comprising contacting the collagenous tissue with an amount of a formaldehyde releasing agent effective to crosslink the collagen is provided. A method of inhibiting loss of structural integrity of a collagenous tissue during transplantation-related transport comprising contacting the collagenous tissue with an amount of a formaldehyde releasing agent effective to inhibit loss of structural integrity of the collagenous tissue is also provided. A composition for ophthalmic administration comprising a formaldehyde releasing agent, sodium bicarbonate, and ophthalmically suitable carriers or excipients is also provided. Finally, a method of altering the refractive power of a cornea comprising contacting the cornea with a formaldehyde releasing agent so as to effect cross-linking in the cornea and thereby alter the refractive power of the cornea is provided.

Abstract: A wearable infusion pump assembly includes a reusable housing assembly, and a disposable housing assembly including a reservoir for receiving an infusible fluid. A releasable engagement assembly is configured to allow the reusable housing assembly to releasably engage the disposable housing assembly. A detachable external infusion set is configured to deliver the infusible fluid to a user.

Abstract: A battery interrupter that allows a user to assert control over a device that was not designed to be operated different from its original function is provided for. It permits an external device to take control of the power train of a device, primarily battery-operated, by regulating the flow of energy through the device, and acting thusly as an external management system. This external system can be as simple as a wired remote control switch to turn it on and off, or as complex as a wireless communication system that provides access to programming languages, internet data, and other types of rule-based and real-time management and interaction.

Abstract: The invention provides a peptide derivative of formula A-B-C wherein A is a polycationic nucleic acid-binding component; B is a spacer element peptide that is susceptible to cleavage within a cell; and C is a cell surface receptor binding component. The invention also provides a lipid derivative of general formula (I): (PEG)q-Linker-Spacer-Cationic headgroup-carbon skeleton-(hydrophobic chain)o wherein: the Linker is a group susceptible to cleavage within a cell; the Spacer is a group linking the Linker to the Cationic headgroup; q denotes the number of PEG chains and q=1, 2 or 3; o denotes the number of hydrophobic chains and o=1, 2 or 3; the carbon skeleton is a group linking the hydrophobic chains to the cationic headgroup. The peptide and lipid derivatives find use in non-viral gene delivery systems.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating enlarged particles in a flow. The apparatus includes a coiled tube having a tube diameter and a coil diameter, the tube having an input receiving the flow and an output, the tube having a length between the input and the output. A heater heats a first portion of the tube along a first, longitudinal portion of the tube, and a cooler cools a second, longitudinal portion of the tube along at least a second portion of the tube. The method includes heating a first portion of the tube along a first longitudinal portion of the tube, and simultaneously cooling a second portion of the tube along at least a second longitudinal portion of the tube. While heating and cooling, the method includes introducing a flow into an interior of the tube at an input, the flow moving the output.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes an array of light modulators. Each light modulator has a first actuator configured to drive the light modulator into a first state and a second actuator configured to drive the light modulator into a second state. The display apparatus also includes a control matrix including, for each light modulator in the array, a single actuation voltage interconnect. The actuation voltage interconnect is configured to apply a first drive voltage to the first actuator of the light modulator and apply a second drive voltage to the second actuator of the light modulator. In addition, the actuation voltage interconnect is configured to control application of a data voltage to a latch circuit to control the application of the first and second drive voltages to the first and second actuators.

Abstract: A tie bar assembly includes front and rear units each including inner inserts interconnected with outer inserts with webs of elastomeric material. A pole sub-assembly is disposed between the units. The pole sub-assembly and the units define front and rear fluid chambers containing a magneto-rheological fluid. Fluid orifices are disposed through the pole sub-assembly for flow of the magneto-rheological fluid between fluid chambers. An electromagnet coil generates an electromagnetic field to affect viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid. A connecting rod connects inner inserts and is slidably disposed through the pole sub-assembly for causing movement of the magneto-rheological fluid between fluid chambers. A displacement sensor detects movement to generate a signal to the electromagnet coil. Front and rear travel cushions are each disposed on the inner inserts for limiting the movement of the inner inserts toward the pole sub-assembly.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems and methods are described herein for obtaining wide field OCT images and other types of image data from at least one portion of a sample. Various embodiments of systems, and methods are described herein for assessing a degree of differentiation for a second region of an OCT image of a tissue sample with respect to another first. Various embodiments of a sample container are also described herein for containing a tissue sample and maintaining the tissue sample in a defined orientation during imaging or handling.

Abstract: A wearable infusion pump assembly includes a reservoir for receiving an infusible fluid, and an external infusion set configured to deliver the infusible fluid to a user. A fluid delivery system is configured to deliver the infusible fluid from the reservoir to the external infusion set. The fluid delivery system includes a volume sensor assembly, and a pump assembly for extracting a quantity of infusible fluid from the reservoir and providing the quantity of infusible fluid to the volume sensor assembly. The volume sensor assembly is configured to determine the volume of at least a portion of the quantity of fluid. The fluid delivery system further includes a first valve assembly configured to selectively isolate the pump assembly from the reservoir, and a second valve assembly configured to selectively isolate the volume sensor assembly from the external infusion set.

Abstract: A wearable infusion pump assembly includes a reservoir for receiving an infusible fluid, and an external infusion set configured to deliver the infusible fluid to a user. A fluid delivery system is configured to deliver the infusible fluid from the reservoir to the external infusion set. The fluid delivery system includes a volume sensor assembly, and a pump assembly for extracting a quantity of infusible fluid from the reservoir and providing the quantity of infusible fluid to the volume sensor assembly. The volume sensor assembly is configured to determine the volume of at least a portion of the quantity of fluid. The fluid delivery system further includes a first valve assembly configured to selectively isolate the pump assembly from the reservoir, and a second valve assembly configured to selectively isolate the volume sensor assembly from the external infusion set.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a fuel injector capable of withstanding high-pressures includes a nozzle chamber defined by a high-pressure containment sleeve, a tip component defining a nozzle outlet, and an injector stack component. A leakage path is defined between an injector body casing and an outer wall surface of the high-pressure containment sleeve and a needle valve member that opens and closes the nozzle outlet is out of contact with the high-pressure containment sleeve. The high-pressure containment sleeve has a hollow, cylindrical shape and has an inner wall exposed to fluid pressure inside the nozzle chamber that is free of stress concentrating surface features associated with heart shaped cavities in the prior art.

Abstract: A system and method for disinfecting an exposed portion of a female luer connector is disclosed. A male luer connector coupled to a male luer connector cap is provided where the male luer connector cap has a chamber containing a disinfectant and a sealing member for sealing the disinfectant in the chamber. The chamber is at least partly opened and the disinfectant exposed by movement of the sealing member. An exposed surface of a female luer connector is caused to come in contact with the disinfecting fluid in the chamber prior to the female luer connector mating with the male luer connector.

Abstract: Systems and methods of reducing false alarms associated with a vital-sign monitor are disclosed. One or more data samples of a vital sign of a patient are generated at a first sampling rate in a normal mode of operation. Whether the one or more data samples satisfy an alert condition is determined. An alert mode of operation is entered into if the alert condition is satisfied. One or more additional data samples of the vital sign are generated at a second sampling rate higher than the first sampling rate in the alert mode.

Abstract: A cartridge for holding and dispensing streaking applicators for an automated streaking apparatus having a cartridge holder, the cartridge including: a case with a dispensing end, a longitudinal axis and an elongate slot generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, the dispensing end including an applicator dispensing position where one applicator can be at least partially accessible from outside the case; and an applicator support member constrained within the case for longitudinal movement therein and being able to carry a stack of applicators; the elongate slot being capable of operatively receiving a biasing member when the cartridge is in the cartridge holder to urge the support member towards the dispensing end and an applicator into the dispensing position.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for measuring and displaying the magnitude of traction forces applied to a patient's lower limbs during surgery, and for measuring the direction and magnitude of counter-traction forces applied to the patient's body by the perineal post located at the patient's groin to oppose traction forces applied to the patient's lower limbs.

Abstract: Systems and methods of reducing false alarms associated with a vital-sign monitor are disclosed. One or more data samples of a vital sign of a patient are generated at a first sampling rate in a normal mode of operation. Whether the one or more data samples satisfy an alert condition is determined. An alert mode of operation is entered into if the alert condition is satisfied. One or more additional data samples of the vital sign are generated at a second sampling rate higher than the first sampling rate in the alert mode.