Abstract: An injection apparatus, including: a needle configured to be inserted into a tissue; a light source to deliver light to the tissue to generate reflected light; a detector to detect the reflected light from the tissue; a processor coupled to the detector and configured to: analyze the reflected light from the tissue to identify a tissue type associated with the reflected light, and provide an output to a user based on the identified tissue type.

Abstract: Methods of tissue ablation avoid undesirable electrical current patterns in the heart, for example. A method of ablating scar tissue to improve the circulation of electrical current comprises receiving information relating to the flow of electrical current across a surface of biological tissue, the flow defining an upstream direction and a downstream direction. In accordance with the invention, the biological tissue is ablated to form or modify a bluff body to create a tail portion, the tail portion being aligned so as to lie on the downstream side of the bluff body and pointing away from the direction of the incoming current. The method may include the step of forming or modifying the bluff body to create a symmetrical teardrop shape. The surface of biological tissue may be a three-dimensional surface, in which case the method may include the step of mapping the surface in two dimensions to orient the bluff body.

Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder cushion including a cylinder having a longitudinal axis and an inner chamber, a piston rod having a base, a cushion spear having a spear base, a shaft extending from the spear base, and a spearhead arranged opposite the spear base, the spearhead comprising a hemispherical portion connected to the shaft, wherein the hemispherical portion is diametrically larger than the shaft, and an end cap having a bore, wherein the end cap is secured to a first end of the cylinder such that the bore faces the inner chamber and is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis, the piston rod is slidingly arranged within the inner chamber along the longitudinal axis such that the base faces the end cap, the cushion spear is pivotably secured to the base of the piston rod and extends toward the bore, and the bore is adapted to receive the cushion spear therein.

Abstract: The culture chamber of the present invention has a fluid-filled culture compartment in which cells, tissues and other biologicals are cultured. The culture compartment is transversed by one or more molecular weight cut-off membranes attached to a membrane carrier assembly. Incoming nutrients are transported through the membrane into the culture compartment and metabolic waste products are transported away from the fluid-filled culture compartment through the membrane and out the chamber outlet. Both reusable and disposable culture chambers are described for culturing cells, cell aggregates, particles, tissues and organoids.

Abstract: The bioreactor system of the present invention has two fluid-filled culture compartments in which cells, tissues and other biologicals are cultured. The two culture compartments are in fluid communication with each other and each culture compartment is transversed by a filter that prevents the exit of the cells from the culture compartment. Both reusable and disposable culture chambers are described for use as the first and/or second culture compartment.

Abstract: A process has been developed for the production of human recombinant polypeptides using transformed mammalian cells cultured in a horizontally rotating culture vessel modulated to create low shear, high mass transfer conditions. The resulting recombinant polypeptide has bioactivity and is produced in increase amounts.

Abstract: The bioreactor system of the present invention has two fluid-filled culture compartments in which cells, tissues and other biologicals are cultured. The two culture compartments are in fluid communication with each other and each culture compartment is transversed by a filter that prevents the exit of the cells from the culture compartment. Both reusable and disposable culture chambers are described for use as the first and/or second culture compartment.

Abstract: The culture chamber of the present invention has a fluid-filled culture compartment in which cells, tissues and other biologicals are cultured. The culture compartment is transversed by one or more molecular weight cut-off membranes attached to a membrane carrier assembly. Incoming nutrients are transported through the membrane into the culture compartment and metabolic waste products are transported away from the fluid-filled culture compartment through the membrane and out the chamber outlet. Both reusable and disposable culture chambers are described for culturing cells, cell aggregates, particles, tissues and organoids.

Abstract: A process has been developed for the production of human recombinant polypeptides using transformed mammalian cells cultured in a horizontally rotating culture vessel modulated to create low shear, high mass transfer conditions. The resulting recombinant polypeptide has bioactivity and is produced in increase amounts.

Abstract: A cell culture bag for culturing cells, cellular aggregates, particles, tissues and organoids is disclosed. The cell culture bag is a flexible and disposable culture bag that fits within a bag support chamber of a bioreactor. The cell culture bag has an inlet means and an outlet means for the introduction and removal of media. Certain embodiments of the culture bag have an inlet and outlet fluid coupling swivel joint and/or perforated perfusion tubes extending from the inlet means into the interior of the bag to assist in mass transfer and mixing the media to maintain an even temperature throughout the culture bag.

Abstract: A two-chamber perfusion bioreactor counteracts a significant amount of shear stress while allowing high nutrient transfer and removal of waste and/or valuable bio-products, e.g., protein, hormones, growth factors, and monoclonal antibodies without disturbing the cell culture. Cells and tissues, contained in the growth chamber, are suspended in the growth media by rotation of the vessel and are separated by a porous membrane from the feeding chamber. Nutrients and gases are transferred across the membrane from the feeding chamber to the growth chamber. Even dispersion of nutrients along the membrane barrier is accomplished through a novel nutrient dispersion flow path. The flow path is created by flowing media out a center shaft in the vessel and along the front of the nutrient dispersion disk. The fluid then flows around the back of the nutrient dispersion disk and exits the outer center return shaft.

Abstract: An Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) providing automatic transfer of loads from utility power to generator power upon detection of utility power failure. The ATS comprises a pair of molded case circuit breakers, a servo motor operating the breakers through an actuator that also functions as a mechanical interlock to prevent both breakers from being on simultaneously, AC voltage sensors monitoring utility, generator and load voltages and a microcontroller providing overall system control. Included with the ATS is an engine control unit that communicates over a serial communication link with the ATS. The engine control unit comprises engine function relays, starter contactor, battery charger and a microcontroller providing overall control and communication with the ATS. The engine control also includes a mechanical choke operator.

Abstract: An Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) providing automatic transfer of loads from utility power to generator power upon detection of utility power failure. The ATS comprises a pair of molded case circuit breakers, a servo motor operating the breakers through an actuator that also functions as a mechanical interlock to prevent both breakers from being on simultaneously, AC voltage sensors monitoring utility, generator and load voltages and a microcontroller providing overall system control. Included with the ATS is an engine control unit that communicates over a serial communication link with the ATS. The engine control unit comprises engine function relays, starter contactor, battery charger and a microcontroller providing overall control and communication with the ATS. The engine control also includes a mechanical choke operator.

Abstract: A new oral polymeric controlled release formulation suitable for the once-a-day administration of valproate compounds, such as divalproex sodium, has been discovered. This formulation exhibits significant advantages over the sustained release valproate formulations of the prior art. This formulation minimizes the variation between peak and trough plasma levels of valproate over a 24 hour dosing period. This formulation follows a zero-order release pattern thus producing essentially flat plasma levels of valproate, once steady-state levels have been achieved. This results in a significantly lower incidence of side effects for patients consuming such a formulation.

Abstract: The throttle of an engine in an engine driven generator system operating under an intermittently heavy load, as in supplying current to a welder, is controlled such that successive control signals sent to a throttle actuator for adjusting the engine throttle position are inhibited until at least a predetermined time has elapsed since the last preceding adjustment to the throttle. This procedure ensures that, as to each incremental adjustment to the throttle, the engine has sufficient time to respond, thereby preventing over-speeding or stalling the engine. The throttle actuator may be a stepper motor which is stepped by throttle position change signals from a processor which monitors engine speed and generator load to determine whether the throttle should be adjusted and, if so, in which direct. Alternatively, the throttle actuator may be a solenoid pulling against a spring in accordance with the average current through the solenoid coil.

Abstract: A tester for checking the impedance of an electrical circuit by measuring the percentage voltage drop of the circuit resulting from the application of a user-supplied load. The tester includes connection means suitable for connection into the electrical circuit to be tested. The tester stores a sample of the voltage present at the connection. As the user applies a load to the circuit, the tester compares the sampled circuit voltage to the loaded circuit voltage. If the voltage difference after a set delay time is greater than a set percentage, an indicator on the tester alerts the user to this fact. A large voltage drop in a circuit can be an indication of hazardous wiring conditions, possibly due to corroded or loose connections, improper wire size, or other faulty components in the circuit.

Abstract: A lightweight engine-driven generator set including a stator having at least first and second windings (preferably three-phase) and a rotor having a soft magnetic core and a plurality of high energy product permanent magnets, separated by consequence poles, disposed proximate the stator such that relative motion of the rotor and stator causes magnetic flux from the rotor to interact with and induce current in the stator windings. The first winding includes a predetermined number of turns corresponding to a first predetermined voltage output; and the second winding includes a predetermined number of turns corresponding to a second predetermined voltage output, the respective windings being grouped together as a unit and wound about the core such that the respective winding coils are wound in continuous close thermal contact with each other.

Abstract: The throttle of an engine in an engine driven generator system operating subject to a wide and rapidly variable load, as in supplying current to a welder, is operated such that control signals are sent to a throttle actuator for adjusting the engine throttle position in response to load changes. The throttle actuator may be a solenoid pulling against a spring in accordance with the average current through the solenoid coil. In this embodiment, the processor causes pulse width modulated signals to be applied across the solenoid coil with throttle position changes being reflected in changes to the width of the pulses, such changes in the pulse width being delayed for at least the predetermined time since the last preceding adjustment to the throttle.

Abstract: A controller for automating the loading, unloading, and tracking of items on a power-driven conveyor. One embodiment of the system includes a control unit connected to a conveyor, a database in the control unit for storing article information including the location on the conveyor at which the article is stored, date/time of storage or date/time of retrieval, and article ID number. The conveyor is moved by manual control to a storage location where an article is stored. The article ID number is entered into the database through a keypad, barcode reader, or other electronic device, and the associated storage location, date/time of loading is entered automatically into the controller database. For retrieval, only the article ID need be entered. The controller will lookup the article ID in the database, move the conveyor to the article's location, and update the database with the date/time the article was retrieved.

Abstract: A bioreactor system features a vessel capable of being temperature controlled comprised of two or more cylindrical chambers separated by a common porous membrane. The chambers are capable of being mounted for rotation about a common horizontal axis, essentially creating a micro gravity environment, for the purpose of creating an interface between the chambers while maintaining fluid culture medium in at least one of the chambers and enabling cells to grow in the wells or pores disposed between the chambers. The device is formed by a tubular vessel having an inner surface and an outer surface, a first open end, a second open end and a longitudinal axis.