Abstract:
Plants are engineered to express proinsulin or insulin. The plants can be used as a source of the protein for a variety of purposes. Plant tissue can be orally administered to animals to replace the necessity of injection of insulin. Alternatively, the protein can be extracted from plant tissue and delivered to animals. Plant produced proteins can also provide a less expensive and more readily available source of the protein as reagents or in other experimentation involving insulin proteins.
Abstract:
This invention is in the field of medical devices. Specifically, the present invention provides portable medical devices that allow real-time detection of analytes from a biological fluid. The methods and devices are particularly useful for providing point-of-care testing for a variety of medical applications.
Abstract:
The present invention discloses a method of preparing a potato based food product, the method comprising the steps of: processing potatoes into potato articles having a desired size and shape, blanching said potato articles; coating said blanched potato articles with an emulsion, said emulsion containing starch; drying said emulsion coated potato articles; introducing said dried and coated potato articles into an elevated temperature environment for a predetermined period of time; removing said potato articles from said environment and allowing said articles to cool; and packing said articles.
Abstract:
A method of and apparatus for communicating between a host and an agent. The method includes the step of performing a first transaction between a host controller and a hub. The hub is operable to perform a single transaction with an agent based on the first transaction. The method then includes the step of performing a second transaction between the host controller and the hub. The second transaction is based on the single transaction.
Abstract:
A pneumatic product vending and delivery system is provided which preferably uses an existing product vending machine as a storage and loading device for use in a pneumatic vending and delivery system along with an interface unit in place of the vending machine door. A product dispensing terminal is provided that is connected by the delivery tube of a pneumatic conveyor from the storage and loading device, which has a loading mechanism configured to load a product dispensed by the dispensing mechanism into the delivery tube. The pneumatic conveyor includes a back pressure source operable to apply reverse pressure to a product in the delivery tube to gently slow a product approaching the product dispensing terminal through the tube. A gate is selectively moveable into and out of the path of a product proximate the outlet end of the delivery tube to stop a product slowed by the back pressure source and to release the stopped product for delivery to a customer at the product dispensing terminal. A pressure control valve is connected to the output end of the delivery tube to control the release of air from the delivery tube ahead of the product to gradually decelerate the product approaching the dispensing terminal. The loading mechanism includes a moveable member connected at one end to a blower and having an open end configured to receive a product dispensed by the dispensing mechanism and to seal the inlet end of the delivery tube with the received product positioned between the blower and the tube. The moveable member is preferably a bucket shaped element pivotally mounted to move between an open position for receiving a product dispensed by the dispensing mechanism and a closed position sealing the inlet to the deliver tube.
Abstract:
An endovascular method for treating a stenosis of a carotid artery of a patient provides cerebral protection during placement of a stent at the expanded stenosis. The method preferably comprises the steps of providing a first catheter comprising a first balloon at a distal end thereof, the catheter having a first lumen therein; and positioning the first catheter in the carotid artery of the patient so that the first balloon is downstream from the stenosis. The first balloon is inflated in the carotid artery downstream from the stenosis to block the carotid artery to provide cerebral protection for the patient and to anchor the distal end of the first catheter in the carotid artery. An elongate stiffening member may be inserted in the first lumen of the first catheter to stiffen the first catheter. Accordingly, the first catheter can then be used as a guide to position further catheters for treating the stenosis. The method may also include the steps of providing a second catheter comprising a second balloon at a distal end, and positioning the second balloon at the stenosis by sliding the second catheter over the catheter guide while cerebral protection is provided by the inflated first balloon. The second balloon may be inflated to expand the stenosis also while cerebral protection is provided by the inflated first balloon. A stent is positioned at the expanded stenosis while protection is maintained. Suction and/or lavage may then be performed also with cerebral protection.
Abstract:
A compact "OPEN-CLOSED" sign is disclosed, consisting of multiple panels overlying one another and slidable to display "OPEN" or "CLOSED" depending on the relative locations of the panels. The letters "O" and "E" are displayed in either covered or displayed according to the apertures in the top two panels.
Abstract:
A beam forming network system includes a first beam forming network having first and second ports, in which each of the first ports is operatively coupled to an antenna element; and a second beam forming network including third and fourth ports, in which each of the third ports is operatively coupled to one of the second ports using at least one of a phase shifter, attenuator, power divider, and/or hybrid coupler. A method of beam forming includes coupling each of the first ports associated with a first beam forming network operatively to one antenna element, and coupling each of the third ports associated with a second beam forming network operatively to one of the second ports associated with the first beam forming network using at least one of a phase shifter, attenuator, power divider, and/or hybrid coupler.
Abstract:
A negative differential phase shifter includes a first uncoupled transmission line, wherein the first uncoupled transmission line has a length of λ/2 at a center frequency; a first coupled transmission line, wherein the first coupled transmission line is operatively connected to the first uncoupled transmission line; and a second uncoupled transmission line, wherein the second uncoupled transmission line is operatively connected to the first coupled transmission line, and the second uncoupled transmission line is operatively connected to the first uncoupled transmission line. A method of implementing a negative differential phase shifter includes operatively connecting a first coupled transmission line to a first uncoupled transmission line, wherein the first uncoupled transmission line has a length of λ/2 at a center frequency; operatively connecting a second uncoupled transmission line to the first coupled transmission line; and operatively connecting the second uncoupled transmission line to the first uncoupled transmission line.