Abstract: A method of reducing the in vivo viability of cancer cells selected from the group consisting of breast cancer cells, lung cancer cells, prostate cancer cells and melanoma cancer cells has steps of: a) identifying a prospective patient having cancer cells selected from the group consisting of breast cancer cells, lung cancer cells, prostate cancer cells and melanoma cancer cells; and b) administering a cisplatin derivative to the prospective patient so that the cisplatin derivative will contact the cancer cells; wherein the cisplatin derivative is a 4,4?-bis[RO]-2,2?-bipyridine)PtCl2 where, R is selected from the group consisting of —(CH2)nCH3 where n=2, 3, 4 or 5, and —(CH2)n[O(CH2)m]yO(CH2)zCH3 where n=2, m=2, y=2, z=1. A novel synthetic process for the manufacture of these compounds (and their analogs) is also provided.

Abstract: A track head unit includes a lighting device, a first sensor, a second sensor, one or more motors, and a controller. The first sensor is configured to receive transmissions from a portable remote control device. The second sensor is configured to receive transmissions associated with a target object. The one or more motors are mechanically coupled to the lighting device and is configured to position the lighting device along a first direction and a second direction. The controller is coupled to the lighting device, the first sensor, the second sensor, and the one or more motors. The controller is configured to receive a control signal from the remote control device via the first sensor, responsively transmit a locator signal to a locator that is disposed at a target object, receive a response signal via the second sensor from the remote object in response to the transmitting, and based upon the response signal, actuate the motors to aim the lighting device at the target object.

Abstract: Prosthetic devices are disclosed. Methods of making and using prosthetic devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A prosthetic device (10) comprising: a universal socket (11) operatively adapted and sized to receive a variety of stump sizes, said universal socket comprising: a first socket open end (25) sized to receive a user stump, a second socket end (27) opposite the first socket end, at least two differently sized socket regions (L, M, S) positioned between the first socket open end and the second socket end, said at least two differently sized socket regions comprising an upper socket region proximate the first socket open end and a lower socket region positioned between the upper socket region and the second socket end, wherein the upper socket region has an upper region cross-sectional area, the lower socket region has an lower region cross-sectional area, and the upper region cross-sectional area is greater than the lower region cross-sectional area.

Abstract: An extruded polymeric foam comprising a styrenic polymer and an olefinic polymer, the olefinic polymer in an amount less than the amount of the styrenic polymer. The styrenic polymer and the olefinic polymer are present as a blend, preferably free of an interpolymer or compatiblizer. The foam has a density below about 36 kg/m3 (as measured by ASTM D1622-03), a vertical compressive strength greater than about 100 kPa (as measured by ASTM D1621-04) and a compressive strength ratio greater than about 0.35.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for delivering communication services such as video, data and telephony services to individual residential units. According to one embodiment, an optical network terminal (ONT) for providing communication services to a single residential unit comprises a passive optical network interface (PI) circuit, a residential service interface (RSI) circuit, and a power unit. The PI circuit receives optical signals from an optical fiber and transmits optical signals onto the optical fiber. The PI circuit is adapted to convert received optical signals containing voice information to electrical voice ATM cells, received optical signals containing data information to electrical data ATM cells, and received optical signals containing video signals to electrical video signals. The PI circuit is also adapted to convert electrical voice ATM cells and electrical data ATM cells to optical signals for transmission over the optical fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for delivering communication services such as video, data and telephony services to individual residential units. According to one embodiment, an optical network terminal (ONT) for providing communication services to a single residential unit comprises a passive optical network interface (PI) circuit, a residential service interface (RSI) circuit, and a power unit. The PI circuit receives optical signals from an optical fiber and transmits optical signals onto the optical fiber. The PI circuit is adapted to convert received optical signals containing voice information to electrical voice ATM cells, received optical signals containing data information to electrical data ATM cells, and received optical signals containing video signals to electrical video signals.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) includes a connector header for making electrical and mechanical connections with a proximal connector assembly of an electrical medical lead and includes a retainer for retaining a penetrable grommet within a header grommet aperture. A connector block disposed within a header body of the connector header has a threaded bore aligned with a header grommet aperture and a connector block bore aligned with a header connector bore. The penetrable grommet is disposed within the header grommet aperture, and a setscrew is threaded into the threaded bore having a setscrew socket disposed to be engaged by a tool inserted through the penetrable grommet within the header grommet aperture to enable rotation of the setscrew within the threaded bore to tighten the setscrew against or to loosen the setscrew from a lead connector element received in the header connector bore.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for removing emboli during an angioplasty, stenting or surgical procedure comprising a catheter having a funnel-shaped occlusion balloon of uniform thickness disposed on a distal end of the catheter. The occlusion balloon is fused to the distal end so that it provides a substantially seamless flow transition into a working lumen of the catheter. Additionally, a distal edge of the occlusion balloon is configured to be in close proximity with an inner wall of a vessel to facilitate blood flow into the catheter and efficiently remove emboli.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method is disclosed for providing a consistent liquid mixture according to a predetermined recipe for use at a point of use. The apparatus includes a plurality of liquid component reservoirs in which a constant gas pressure is maintained. A plurality of valves are provided, with individual valves connected to an outlet port of each reservoir. An electronic controller controls the valve actuation in a repetitive sequence to discharge predetermined doses of selected liquid components for mixing to form the consistent liquid mixture. A mixing section receives the sequence of doses to mix them together to form the liquid mixture.

Abstract: An ankle implant having a tibial component with a bottom groove, a talar component with a convex dome on top, and a bearing component slidably insertable into the bottom groove in the tibial component and having a concave bottom recess receiving the top dome of the talar component. The tibial component is channel-shaped, with a flat bottom wall for reception in a corresponding surgically prepared recess in the bottom of the patient's tibia, an anteriorly inclined posterior end wall projecting up from its bottom wall, a taller anterior end wall perpendicular to its bottom wall, and a rounded groove on the inside at the juncture between the anterior and bottom walls. The talar component has a cross-shaped segment on the bottom for reception in a corresponding surgically prepared recess in the top of the patient's talus.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for delivering communication services such as video, data and telephony services to individual residential units.

Abstract: Improvements in connector headers of implantable medical devices (IMDs) for making electrical and mechanical connections with a connector element of a proximal connector assembly of an electrical medical lead and components thereof are disclosed. A connector block disposed within a header body of the connector header has a threaded bore aligned with a header grommet aperture and a connector block bore aligned with a header connector bore. A penetrable grommet is disposed within the header grommet aperture, and a setscrew is threaded into the threaded bore having a setscrew socket disposed to be engaged by the tool inserted through the penetrable grommet within the header grommet aperture to enable rotation of the setscrew within the threaded bore to tighten the setscrew against or to loosen the setscrew from a lead connector element received in the header connector bore.

Abstract: Prepare a multimodal polymeric foam from a foamable composition containing a polymer, an absorbent clay, and a blowing agent composition containing water and carbon dioxide and that contains less than 0.2 parts by weight of bentonite based on 100 parts by weight of polymer.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method is disclosed for providing a consistent liquid mixture according to a predetermined recipe for use at a point of use. The apparatus includes a plurality of liquid component reservoirs in which a constant gas pressure is maintained. A plurality of valves are provided, with individual valves connected to an outlet port of each reservoir. An electronic controller controls the valve actuation in a repetitive sequence to discharge predetermined doses of selected liquid components for mixing to form the consistent liquid mixture. A mixing section receives the sequence of doses to mix them together to form the liquid mixture.

Abstract: An ankle implant having a tibial component with a bottom groove, a talar component with a convex dome on top, and a bearing component slidably insertable into the bottom groove in the tibial component and having a concave bottom recess receiving the top dome of the talar component. The tibial component is channel-shaped, with a flat bottom wall for reception in a corresponding surgically prepared recess in the bottom of the patient's tibia, an anteriorly inclined posterior end wall projecting up from its bottom wall, a taller anterior end wall perpendicular to its bottom wall, and a rounded groove on the inside at the juncture between the anterior and bottom walls. The talar component has a cross-shaped segment on the bottom for reception in a corresponding surgically prepared recess in the top of the patient's talus.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method is disclosed for providing a consistent liquid mixture according to a predetermined recipe for use at a point of use. The apparatus includes a plurality of liquid component reservoirs in which a constant gas pressure is maintained. A plurality of valves are provided, with individual valves connected to an outlet port of each reservoir. An electronic controller controls the valve actuation in a repetitive sequence to discharge predetermined doses of selected liquid components for mixing to form the consistent liquid mixture. A mixing section receives the sequence of doses to mix them together to form the liquid mixture.

Abstract: A timing architecture for a delivery unit that interfaces telecommunications media to a switching matrix. The delivery unit is functionally partitioned into a number of application modules. Transport between the modules is handled by a bus control module, with ingress buses from the application modules to the bus control module and egress buses from the bus control module to the application module. The bus control module also distributes system timing signals to each application module on these buses. The application modules each have a common bus interface that derives common local timing signals. They also each have a common local timebase that derives additional local timing signals. The bus interface is also used to deliver synchronization signals back to the bus control module.

Abstract: An improved plasma applicator for remotely generating a plasma for use in semiconductor manufacturing is provided. In one embodiment, a plasma applicator is comprised of a chamber assembly, a removable waveguide adapter and a circular clamp which secures the adapter to the chamber assembly. The chamber assembly includes an aperture plate, a microwave transparent window, a chamber body and a microwave sensor which is mounted on the chamber body. The chamber body has a proximate end opening adapted to admit microwave energy into the cavity and a distal end disposed generally on the opposite side of the cavity from the proximate end opening. The chamber body further has a gas outlet port adapted to permit the flow of an excited gas out of the cavity and a gas inlet port adapted to admit a precursor gas into the cavity. The gas inlet port has a center axis which is disposed between the proximate end opening of the chamber body and the midpoint between the proximate end opening and the distal end of the body.

Abstract: Prepare a multimodal polymeric foam from a foamable composition containing a polymer, an absorbent clay, and a blowing agent composition containing water and carbon dioxide and that contains less than 0.2 parts by weight of bentonite based on 100 parts by weight of polymer.