Abstract:
A method for conducting an ultrasound procedure on an object having a target surface. The method includes the step of providing an ultrasound probe having an acoustical wave emitting end portion. A pad for transmitting acoustical waves between the ultrasound probe and a target surface of an object also is provided. The pad includes a first layer having a first porous portion which defines first layer pores therethrough. The first layer pores have a first layer pore dimension. The pad further includes a second layer having a first porous portion which defines second layer pores therethrough. The second layer pores have a second layer pore dimension. The second layer is attached to the first layer so as to define a space therebetween. The first porous portion of the first layer overlies the first porous portion of the layer. An ultrasound couplant is disposed in the space defined between the first layer and the second layer. The ultrasound couplant has a molecule size which is less than or substantially equal to the first layer pore dimension, and which is less than or substantially equal to the second layer pore dimension. The method further includes the steps of placing the first porous portion of the second layer in contact with a target surface and placing the acoustical wave emitting end portion of the ultrasound probe in contact with the first porous portion of the first layer. The ultrasound probe is then activated.
Abstract:
A compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is disclosed, as well as processes for and intermediates in the preparation thereof, and a method of antagonizing endothelin.
Abstract:
Compounds having structure (I), where m is an integer of from one to nine; n is an integer of from one to four; W is selected from unsubstituted quinolyl, benzothiazolyl, or quinoxalyl, or quinolyl, benzothiazolyl, or quinoxalyl substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, C1-6 alkyl, and C1-6 alkoxy; X is absent or is selected from the group consisting of (a) C1-6 alkylene; (b) C1-6 alkenylene; and (c) C1-6 alkynylene; Y is one to four substituents independently selected from halogen, C1-6 alkyl, and C1-6 alkoxy; Z is selected from the group consisting of (a) COB; (b) C(R )2-O-N=A-COB; and (c) C(R )=N-O-A-COB where A is C1-6 alkylene, and B is selected from the group consisting of (a) -OH; (b) -O M where M is a pharmaceutically acceptable cation; (c) -OR where R is hydrogen or alkyl of one to six carbon atoms; (d) -NR R where R is as previously defined and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl of one to six carbon atoms, hydroxy, and alkoxy of from one to six carbon atoms, or R and R , together with the atom to which they are attached, form a ring of five to eight members containing one optional heteratom selected from N, O and S; and (e) -O-D where D is a metabolically cleavable group, are inhibitors of leukotriene biosynthesis.
Abstract:
An actuator and a method of controlling the actuator are disclosed. In one embodiment, the actuator is a valve (18) comprising a first port (26) and a second port (28) fluidly connected with the first port such that fluid communicates between the first port and the second port. A flexible member (22) is operatively connected with the first port and the second port. The flexible member is movable between a first position permitting fluid communication between the first port and the second port and a second position reducing fluid communication between the first port and the second port. A first controller (36) is operatively connected with the flexible member for moving the flexible member between the first position and the second position. A second controller (44A) is operatively connected with the flexible member for retaining the flexible member in the second position.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the use of a reagent that binds specifically to a predetermined ligand, contains one or more antibody constant region epitopes, and is uniform in specificity and affinity. The reagent can be produced continually, in the manufacture of calibrators (standards) and/or controls for diagnostic kits designed to qualitatively or quantitatively measure antibodies specific for a desired ligand. For example, the present invention encompasses recombinant mouse-human chimeric antibodies which may be used as calibrators (standards) and/or positive controls in assays and kits which measure human antibodies. Any species may be used in creating the chimeric antibodies, and the presence of any corresponding species of antibody may be detected.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a process for the isolation of fatty acids and fatty acid esters from complex naturally occurring mixtures which contain sterols, triglycerides and phospholipids. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises (a) extracting lipids from egg yolk solids with methanol; (b) separating lipids including sterols from insoluble egg yolk components; (c) submitting the methanolic solution of lipids to alkaline hydrolysis and subsequent neutralization to convert lipids to free fatty acids together with sterols; (d) separating the said sterols and acids from an aqueous phase formed in the hydrolysis reaction; (e) heating said free fatty acids and sterols to convert the sterols to fatty acid sterol esters; (f) subjecting the mixture to distillation to separate the sterol esters from the free fatty acids; and (g) subjecting the said acids to esterification in the presence of glycerol to produce triglycerides of said fatty acids wherein the resulting triglycerides contain reduced quantities of sterols and phosphorus. An enteral nutritional formula containing the triglycerides produced in the above process is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for correcting thermal drift in cardiac output measurements based upon a temperature signal indicative of the change in temperature of blood leaving the heart is disclosed. In a first preferred embodiment of a cardiac output monitoring system (10), the catheter (14) is provided with an electrical resistance heater (22). An electrical current having a sinusoidal waveform with a period of from 30 to 60 seconds is applied to the heater, causing power to be dissipated into the blood within a patient's heart (12). A temperature sensor (24) disposed near a distal end of the catheter produces a signal indicative of the temperature of blood leaving the heart. The temperature signal and the signal corresponding to the electrical power dissipated in the heater (an input signal) are filtered at a frequency omega n corresponding to the frequency of the applied electrical current, i.e., the frequency of the input signal. An output signal indicative of the temperature of the blood leaving the heart corrected for the effects of thermal drift is then calculated. The blood temperature output signal is first split into two equal overlapping time periods. The two signals are then filtered separately to produce two partially independent output signals in the frequency domain. These two frequency domain output signals are then combined into a single corrected frequency domain output signal with the effects of thermal drift removed. The amplitude of the input power, the amplitude of the temperature signal corrected for thermal drift, and their phase difference are then used in calculating cardiac output.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a device (10) for the sampling of blood or other body fluids which includes means (16) for the direct measurement of the analyte of interest within the fluid. Also disclosed is a "closed-loop" device and method wherein the analyte is measured and the required amount of drug is determined and injected, without removal of the device from the patient's body.
Abstract:
Provided are compositions and methods of improving a plant growth factor. The compositions and methods contain combinations of aminoethoxyvinylglycine and mepiquat chloride. The compositions provide an improvement in a plant growth factor, such as an increase in yield in cotton plant.
Abstract:
Simultaneous and quantitative, flow cytometric analysis method of determining nucleated red blood cells (NRBC), white blood cells (WBC), damaged WBC and a WBC differential (WBC/Diff) utilizing a triple trigger AND/OR logic.