Abstract: Method of producing controls for use in gene expression analysis systems such as macroarrays, real-time PCR, northern blots, SAGE and microarrays. The controls are generated either from near-random sequence of DNA, or from inter- or intragenic regions of a genome. Ten specific control sequences are also disclosed. Also presented are methods of using these controls, including as negative controls, positive controls, and as calibrators of a gene expression analysis system.

Abstract: A tissue surface treatment apparatus includes a housing having a proximal end, a distal end including a tissue contacting surface, an interior defined by the housing and a handpiece coupled to the housing. The contactinc surface has a plurality of apertures. An energy delivery device including an electrode is positionable in the housing interior. The electrode includes a tissue penetrating distal end in substantial alignment with an aperture. The electrode is configured to be advanced from the housing interior through the aperture and into a target tissue site to define an ablation volume at least partly bounded by a tissue surface. An advancement device is coupled to the energy delivery device and is at least partly positionable within at least one of the housing or the handpiece. The advancement device is configured to advance the electrode from the housing interior into the target tissue site and withdrawal the electrode into the housing interior.

Abstract: A power train arrangement having a prime mover and a transmission coupled to the prime mover for driving a cooling system with the prime mover through the transmission. The transmission is positioned intermediate to the prime mover and the cooling system in a manner to optimize the mechanical and functional operation of the work machine.

Abstract: Method of producing controls for use in gene expression analysis systems such as macroarrays, real-time PCR, northern blots, SAGE and microarrays. The controls are generated either from near-random sequence of DNA, or from inter- or intragenic regions of a genome. Ten specific control sequences are also disclosed. Also presented are methods of using these controls, including as negative controls, positive controls, and as calibrators of a gene expression analysis system.

Abstract: A transmission assembly includes a housing, an input shaft driveably engaged with a drive source and being rotatably supported in the housing, and an output shaft rotatably supported in the housing. A hydrostatic transmission component is disposed within the housing and is drivingly engaged with the input shaft. A mechanical transmission component is disposed within the housing and is drivingly engaged with the input shaft. The hydrostatic transmission component and the mechanical transmission component are drivingly engaged with the output shaft. The hydrostatic transmission component is moveably mounted within the housing and is axially moveable relative to the input shaft.

Abstract: A coagulation system is provided for use in biological tissue. The coagulation system includes a handle, a radiofrequency (RF) generator, and an electrode array. The electrode array includes two or more pair of bipolar electrodes slideably coupled in channels of the handle. The bipolar electrodes electrically couple to the RF generator, and the electrode array is configured to deliver a balanced energy density in a target volume of the biological tissue. The balanced energy density delivered by the electrode array results in thermal coagulation necrosis of a rectangular volume of biological tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for treatment of body tissue includes a treatment apparatus configured to be inserted into a patient. The treatment apparatus has a distal portion, a distal end, a proximal portion and an axis. An ultrasound transducer is positioned at the distal portion of the treatment apparatus. The ultrasound transducer includes a distal ultrasound energy delivery surface and a proximal ultrasound energy delivery surface. An ultrasound energy attenuator member is positioned adjacent to the proximal ultrasound energy delivery surface and is made of a material to at least partially attenuate ultrasound energy from the proximal ultrasound energy delivery surface.

Abstract: An ablation device is described comprising an introducer and an electrode array. The electrode array couples to a distal end of the introducer. The electrode array includes a center member having a distal end configured to penetrate tissue and a plurality of electrodes. Proximal and distal ends of each electrode are relatively fixed. The electrodes are dynamically configurable from a retracted state to a deployed state in which the electrodes form a relatively spherical shape in a tissue volume.

Abstract: Methods for performing coagulation necrosis of biological tissue are provided. The methods include configuring electrode arrays to provide balanced energy density in target tissue volumes using two or more pair of electrodes. The electrode array configuration includes at least one of irregular spacing between one or more pairs of electrodes and one or more electrode diameters. The methods further include deploying each electrode of an array at a selected depth in the target tissue volume in accordance with the configuration. Energy is then delivered to the target tissue volume using power sources coupled to the electrodes. The methods control power delivery in response to at least one of elapsed time of delivery, temperatures of the target tissue volume, and impedance levels in the target tissue volume to provide balanced or uniform energy throughout the target tissue volume. The methods generate planes of coagulated tissue.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for measuring the performance of protein microarrays. The invention provides a multiplex micro-ELISA system.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for simultaneous detection of multiple secondary modifications, such as “post-translational modifications”, of target molecules, e.g., polypeptides, utilizing an “array” format.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging machine includes a vacuum chamber and a sealing mechanism within the chamber. A product-filled package can be supported within the chamber with its open end disposed between sealing bars of a sealing mechanism. At least one of the sealing bars is continuously heated including as the package is placed within the chamber, as a vacuum is drawn in the chamber, as the sealing bars are closed around the open end of the package and as the package is removed after sealing is complete.

Abstract: Ablation devices and associated methods are provided for use in palliative treatment of a bone tumor on or in a compact bone region. The bone treatment devices include an elongate probe having a distal end. A proximal end of the probe supports placement in a location at or adjacent to the bone tumor. Electrodes are carried within the probe for deployment from the distal end into the bone tumor. The electrodes may be shapable to create, upon deployment, an array of electrodes that defines a geometric area within the bone tumor. Application of energy, for example energy from a radio frequency (RF) source, to the area of the bone tumor via the electrodes destroys at least a portion of the nerve receptors located in or adjacent to the tumor and produces a reduction in pain associated with the bone tumor.

Abstract: A tissue ablation system is described that generates a uniform avascular plane of coagulated tissue to aid in the bloodless or near-bloodless resection of various biological tissues from a variety of organs. The tissue ablation system includes an energy director guide and two or more sets of bipolar energy directors. The energy director guide includes a series of channels that configure the energy directors to provide approximately uniform power distribution or current density through a target tissue volume or plane. The spacing among the channels of the energy director guide varies according to the total number of energy directors received in the energy director guide so that relative spacing among the center-most channels is largest and relative spacing among the end-most channels is smallest. The energy director guide secures a selected position of each of the energy directors in the target tissue volume.

Abstract: Ablation devices and associated methods are provided for use in palliative treatment of a bone tumor on or in a compact bone region. The bone treatment devices include an elongate probe having a distal end. A proximal end of the probe supports placement in a location at or adjacent to the bone tumor. Electrodes are carried within the probe for deployment from the distal end into the bone tumor. The electrodes may be shapable to create, upon deployment, an array of electrodes that defines a geometric area within the bone tumor. Application of energy, for example energy from a radio frequency (RF) source, to the area of the bone tumor via the electrodes destroys at least a portion of the nerve receptors located in or adjacent to the tumor and produces a reduction in pain associated with the bone tumor.

Abstract: Method of producing controls for use in gene expression analysis systems such as macroarrays, real-time PCR, northern blots, SAGE and microarrays. The controls are generated either from near-random sequence of DNA, or from inter- or intragenic regions of a genome. Ten specific control sequences are also disclosed. Also presented are methods of using these controls, including as negative controls, positive controls, and as calibrators of a gene expression analysis system.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system includes a primary hydraulic pump, a secondary variable delivery pump, left and right service brakes and left and right secondary brakes. A service brake valve is connected between the primary pump and the service brakes, and operates the service brakes in response to brake pedal operation. Left and right service brake switches generate signals representing operational status of the service brakes. An electrohydraulic secondary brake valve operates the secondary brakes in response to an electronic control signal. Brake pressure sensors generate brake pressure signals representing the service brake pressure and the secondary brake pressure. An electronic control unit is coupled to the service brake switches, to the pressure sensors and to the secondary brake valve. The control unit generates the control signal as a function of the status of the service brakes and of the brake pressure signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying our thermal ablation of target tissue is disclosed. The apparatus includes an RF ablation device having a multi-electrode electrode assembly designed to be deployed in target tissue, defining a selected-volume tissue region to be ablated, and having infusion channels for infusing a liquid into the target tissue during the ablation process. A control unit in the apparatus is operably connected to an RF energy source, for controlling the RF power level supplied to the electrodes, and to an infusion device, for controlling the rate of infusion of a liquid through the device into the tissue. During both electrode deployment and tissue ablation, impedance and or temperature measurements made within the tissue are used to control the RF source and infusion device, for optimizing the time and extent of tissue ablation.

Abstract: An electrically operated equipment with a sealed enclosure containing circuitry with an exterior visual indicator to show a state of operation of the equipment. The visual indicator is illuminated by a magnetic flux sensor also exterior to the equipment, the sensor inducing an electrical current from a sensed magnetic flux passing through a permeable wall of the enclosure. The magnetic flux is provided by a magnetic field generator within the enclosure. The generator is connected to the equipment to generate the field when the circuitry is operating correctly whereby the indicator shows a correct state of operation. The invention avoids the use of sealed orifices in the enclosure for conductors to pass to exterior LEDs or LEDs sealed within the enclosure and possible resultant leakage. The invention is useful for optical network units. The invention also includes a visual indicating device of multi-layer configuration and a method of visually indicating the operational state of circuitry.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a fluid pump, a pair of suspension cylinders and a hydraulic control circuit for controlling pressurization of the suspension cylinders. Each suspension cylinder has a head end and a rod end. The control circuit includes a proportional rod pressure control valve with a first pilot which is exposed to a pressure which is communicated to the head end of the suspension cylinder, and a second pilot which is exposed to pressure which is communicated to the rod end of the suspension cylinder. The rod pressure control valve controls pressure in the rod end of the suspension cylinder as a function of and proportional to the pressure in the head end of the suspension cylinder. A suspension damping valve controls communication between a chamber of the cylinder and an accumulator.