51results about How to "Minimal manipulation" patented technology

The present invention relates to collagenous membranes produced from amnion, herein referred to as a collagen biofabric. The collagen biofabric of the invention has the structural integrity of the native non-treated amniotic membrane, i.e., the native tertiary and quaternary structure. The present invention provides a method for preparing a collagen biofabric from a placental membrane, preferably a human placental membrane having a chorionic and amniotic membrane, by decellularizing the amniotic membrane. In a preferred embodiment, the amniotic membrane is completely decellularized. The collagen biofabric of the invention has numerous utilities in the medical and surgical field including for example, blood vessel repair, construction and replacement of a blood vessel, tendon and ligament replacement, wound-dressing, surgical grafts, ophthalmic uses, sutures, and others. The benefits of the biofabric are, in part, due to its physical properties such as biomechanical strength, flexibility, suturability, and low immunogenicity, particularly when derived from human placenta.

An implantable medical assembly comprising at least one electrode carried on an inside surface of a web comprising a biocompatible film wound into a generally tubular configuration, the film containing a plurality of distinct apertures distributed throughout the web to increase its flexibility and to create a means by which biological fluids can penetrate the assembly. The assembly may further comprise at least one wire connected to the electrode to provide a stimulation signal.

In a lift and transfer device and method, a patient support assembly supported on a lift on a wheeled platform includes a main support arm pivoted to the lift. First and second transversely extending support arms respectively carrying a back support section and a leg support are cantilevered from the main support arm. The main support arm is positioned for lifting the patient from a bed. The main support arm is rotated from a first to a second angular position for lowering a patient to a wheelchair. First and second pivot arms each have an upper end pivotally supported to the back support section and a lower end having a torso grip pad positioned adjacent one side of the patient. Horizontal force applied by each torso grip pad and friction provide patient support. Further device forms are provided for bariatric patients and for use with other types of lifts.

Devices and methods provide for ablation of cardiac tissue for treating cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Although the devices and methods are often be used to ablate epicardial tissue in the vicinity of at least one pulmonary vein, various embodiments may be used to ablate other cardiac tissues in other locations on a heart. Devices generally include at least one tissue contacting member for contacting epicardial tissue and securing the ablation device to the epicardial tissue, and at least one ablation member for ablating the tissue. Various embodiments include features, such as suction apertures, which enable the device to attach to the epicardial surface with sufficient strength to allow the tissue to be stabilized via the device. For example, some embodiments may be used to stabilize a beating heart to enable a beating heart ablation procedure. Many of the devices may be introduced into a patient via minimally invasive introducer devices and the like. Although devices and methods of the invention may be used to ablate epicardial tissue to treat atrial fibrillation, they may also be used in veterinary or research contexts, to treat various heart conditions other than atrial fibrillation and/or to ablate cardiac tissue other than the epicardium.

The invention relates to a resealable or a single use cell culture assembly for use in growing, storing and transporting, cell and tissue cultures. The assembly includes a support frame for receiving a base member insert having an upper surface, such as a microscope slide, and a well frame, preferably partitioned into a plurality of well compartments having sidewalls with upper and lower surfaces, upper and lower edges, and upper and lower well openings. The well frame is adapted to be operatively positioned on the upper surface of the base member, and includes a sealing means positioned on or within the lower edge of the well frame. The sealing means is adapted to operatively create a liquid-impermeable releasable seal or barrier when the lower surface of the well frame is positioned on the upper surface of the base member, such that the sealing means is releasably positioned on the upper surface of the base member for maintaining a liquid-impermeable barrier between well compartments. The assembly may include a cover or lid positioned over the upper opening of the well frame. When the assembly is in a closed position, the well frame can be secured to the support frame by a variety of closure means.

A machine for detecting sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) leaks using the mid-infrared differential absorption lidar (DIAL) technique with a commercically available, air-cooled, compact, pulsed transversely-excited-atmospheric (TEA) carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) laser, a Cassegranian optical telescope for focusing both the laser emission and returning reflected signal, a user-operated focusing mechanism, a two-dimensional, thermoelectrically-cooled focal plane array (FPA) sensitive in the mid-infrared wavelength range (10.2-10.6 micrometers), a charge-coupled device (CCD) for 2-D imaging, a computer-based control system to rapidly switch the laser wavelength between 10.2470 micrometers, 10.7415 micrometers, and 10.5518 micrometers to utilize the Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) chemical detection technique, a rechargeable battery pack and power supply, and an image and data storage device using a solid-state memory stick.

A drive over mower deck has a top surface with downwardly depending surfaces defining a front edge, a back edge, and left and right side edges, at least one belt shield over the top surface, a first pair of gauge wheels mounted adjacent the front edge the deck, and a second pair of gauge wheels mounted adjacent the back edge of the deck. Each pair of gauge wheels is movable vertically to at least one position above the ground surface such that the mower deck is supported by the front edge, back edge, and left and right side edge. Each gauge wheel being releasably lockable at a plurality of different positions.

A garment for children is provided having a body portion formed from a single piece of material in a simple geometric design. A generally curved body portion uses as few as four slits to form a front portion, back portion and opposing arm portions. A front slit can be provided to split the front portion. A neck opening is centrally located and permits the garment to fold around and be secured to the child while the child lays on the same. Optional mitten and hood members can be integrally or removably formed with the garment.

A urination assistance device for use with a bowl toilet is provided: A downwardly-extending receptacle collects urine. A stabilizing frame is provided designed to allow the urination assistance device to rest upon a toilet seat or upon the rim of the toilet bowl. The stabilizing frame defines a pair of ends, with each end terminating with a downward oriented elbow. The base member including a downward directed spout in operative communication with the receptacle to discharge any urine collected within the receptacle into the toilet bowl. The spout is in or in near contact with the upper portion of the interior wall of the front of the toilet bowl.

The invention relates to target-associative tags incorporating cysteamine as the target-associative moiety. The invention further relates to a method for producing a target-associative tag by addition of cysteamine as the target-associative moiety to another molecule or entity having a property or properties useful in discriminating or selecting between members of a set, where such properties could include, for example, fluorescence, mass, affinity, reactivity, size, absorbance, magnetism, subatomic spin characteristics, or an ability to associate specifically or preferentially with certain structures. The invention further relates to a method for analyzing, identifying, or purifying phosphorylated proteins or phosphorylated protein fragments using a tag having the properties of both fluorescence and affinity.

An amphibious shoe has a sole with a fin compartment therein. The fin compartment provides retractable housing for a lightweight fin for conversion from a walking to swimming shoe. In one embodiment the amphibious shoe includes a fin comprising a plurality of ridges. The ridges are intermittently disposed between material arranged in an accordion construction. When ejected from the compartment, the ridged material expands to a fan configuration. The fan is further appointed with a pivotal stabilizing strap for enhanced stability during swimming. In another embodiment the amphibious shoe includes at least two fin plates pivotally attached about an axis. The fin plates are stowed in an overlapping condition. They are capable of being ejected from the compartment and opposingly rotated toward the front of the shoe abutting to form a swim fin. In operation, the wearer can comfortably run or walk swiftly along the land as the integrated fin has a thin lightweight construction. Upon reaching the water's edge, the shoe is readily converted for swimming by ejecting and positioning the fin.

A metal-ceramic composite (“cermet”) has been produced by a chemical reaction between a lithium compound and another metal. The cermet has advantageous physical properties, high surface area relative to lithium metal or its alloys, and is easily formed into a desired shape. An example is the formation of a lithium-magnesium nitride ceiniet by reaction of lithium nitride with magnesium. The reaction results in magnesium nitride grains coated with a layer of lithium. The nitride is inert when used in a battery. It supports the metal in a high surface area form, while stabilizing the electrode with respect to dendrite formation. By using an excess of magnesium metal in the reaction process, a cermet of magnesium nitride is produced, coated with a lithium-magnesium alloy of any desired composition. This alloy inhibits dendrite formation by causing lithium deposited on its surface to diffuse under a chemical potential into the bulk of the alloy.

A spacer for positioning and locking spaced reinforcing cages into a combined integral unit for reinforcing large concrete structures is disclosed that is readily snapped into place even with narrow lattice cages.

A best practice fluid identification system for managing fluids from bulk storage to point of use on products and equipment in residential, commercial and industrial applications where the fluid and product or equipment information travels with the fluid and its dispensing in a protective holder mounted on or near the point of use and also on the dispensing device.

An elongate beading is provided for attaching a pool liner to a pool wall. The elongate beading comprises a substantially planar liner attachment portion having an outer surface for attachment to a pool liner and an inner surface, the outer surface for attachment to a pool liner. The elongate beading also comprises a hook portion having a pair of opposed first and second legs interconnected by a connector portion. The first leg, second leg and connector portion have inner surfaces defining a channel and the first leg is substantially coplanar with the liner attachment portion and the second leg has an outer surface including a downwardly facing shoulder formed therein.

An amphibious shoe has a sole with a fin compartment integrated therein retractably houses of a lightweight fin that converts the shoe from a walking shoe to a swimming shoe. The amphibious shoe includes a fin comprising ridges intermittent between material arranged in an accordion construction. The fin is capable of being ejected from the compartment and expanded to a fan configuration. The shoe is further provided with a pivotal stabilizing strap for enhanced stability during swimming. In one embodiment the fin is removed by a release button in communication with a spring. Other embodiments provide for manual deployment by pulling on the fin from the fin compartment. In operation, the wearer can comfortably run or walk swiftly along the land as the integrated fin has a thin lightweight construction. Upon reaching the water's edge, the shoe is readily converted for swimming by ejecting and positioning the fin.

An apparatus for collecting and handling yard debris supports a flexible, reusable receptacle in an open configuration. The apparatus has a frame for supporting the receptacle, the frame having a shape that defines an opening through which the receptacle is draped, at least one straight member defining an opening for receiving the flexible receptacle, and a flexible, closed-loop member for securing the mouth of the receptacle to the frame. The frame also has at least two retaining surfaces extending from the frame for retaining the flexible, closed-loop member. The apparatus can be used as a tool to collect leaves or other yard debris directly. The receptacle has a hatch that can be opened to deposit the collected debris into another receptacle or other location.