All The Claims

1. A line quality monitoring apparatus, comprising:
a clock extraction unit configured to extract a clock from a received signal;
a first identifier configured to compare the received signal with a first identification level in a phase of the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit, thereby outputting an identification result;
a second identifier configured to compare the received signal with a second identification level in the phase of the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit, thereby outputting an identification result;
an EX-OR gate configured to calculate an EX-OR of the identification results of said first and second identifiers;
an error rate calculation unit configured to calculate a code error rate on the basis of an output from said EX-OR gate and the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit;
an amplitude detector configured to detect an amplitude of the received signal;
a noise power detector configured to detect noise power contained in the received signal; and
a controller configured to control a difference between the first and second identification levels to be inversely proportional to an output from said amplitude detector and to be proportional to an output from said noise power detector.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a low-frequency signal source configured to output a low-frequency signal, an average value of which is the second identification level, to said second identifier, and
wherein said controller controls an effective value of the low-frequency signal output from said low-frequency signal source to be inversely proportional to the output from said amplitude detector and to be proportional to the output from said noise power detector.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the low-frequency signal involves a rectangular wave.
4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the low-frequency signal involves a sine wave.
5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the low-frequency signal involves a pseudo random pattern.
6. A line quality monitoring apparatus, comprising:
a clock extraction unit configured to extract a clock from a received signal;
a first identifier configured to compare the received signal with a first identification level in a phase of the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit, thereby outputting an identification result;
a second identifier configured to compare the received signal with a second identification level in the phase of the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit, thereby outputting an identification result;
an EX-OR gate configured to calculate an EX-OR of the identification results of said first and second identifiers;
an error rate calculation unit configured to calculate a code error rate on the basis of an output from said EX-OR gate and the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit;
an amplitude detector configured to detect an amplitude of the received signal;
a noise power detector configured to detect noise power contained in the received signal;
a controller configured to control a difference between the first and second identification levels to be inversely proportional to an output from said amplitude detector and to be proportional to an output from said noise power detector; and
a variable noise source configured to output noise, an average value of which is the second identification level, to said second identifier, and
wherein said controller controls a variance of the noise output from said variable noise source to be inversely proportional to the output from said amplitude detector and to be proportional to the output from said noise power detector.
7. A line quality monitoring apparatus, comprising:
a clock extraction unit configured to extract a clock from a received signal;
a first identifier configured to compare the received signal with a first identification level in a phase of the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit, thereby outputting an identification result;
a second identifier configured to compare the received signal with a second identification level in the phase of the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit, thereby outputting an identification result;
an EX-OR gate configured to calculate an EX-OR of the identification results of said first and second identifiers;
an error rate calculation unit configured to calculate a code error rate on the basis of an output from said EX-OR gate and the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit;
an amplitude detector configured to detect an amplitude of the received signal;
a noise power detector configured to detect noise power contained in the received signal; and
a controller configured to control a difference between the first and second identification levels to be inversely proportional to an output from said amplitude detector and to be proportional to an output from said noise power detector,
wherein said noise power detector includes:
a delay circuit configured to adjust phases of the received signal and an output signal of said first identifier;
a variable attenuator configured to adjust amplitudes of the received signal and the output signal of said first identifier;
a subtraction circuit configured to remove a signal component from the received signal, the phase and amplitude of which have been adjusted by said delay circuit and said variable attenuator; and
a power detection circuit configured to detect power of an output from said subtraction circuit.
8. A line quality monitoring apparatus, comprising:
a clock extraction unit configured to extract a clock from a received signal;
a first identifier configured to compare the received signal with a first identification level in a phase of the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit, thereby outputting an identification result;
a second identifier configured to compare the received signal with a second identification level in the phase of the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit, thereby outputting an identification result;
an EX-OR gate configured to calculate an EX-OR of the identification results of said first and second identifiers;
an error rate calculation unit configured to calculate a code error rate on the basis of an output from said EX-OR gate and the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit;
an amplitude detector configured to detect an amplitude of the received signal;
a noise power detector configured to detect noise power contained in the received signal; and
a controller configured to control a difference between the first and second identification levels to be inversely proportional to an output from said amplitude detector and to be proportional to an output from said noise power detector,
wherein said noise power detector includes:
a third identifier configured to compare the received signal with a third identification level in a phase of the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit, thereby outputting an identification result;
a second EX-OR gate configured to calculate an EX-OR of the identification results of said first and third identifiers; and
a low-pass filter configured to output an average value of an output from said second EX-OR gate.
9. A line quality monitoring apparatus, comprising:
a clock extraction unit configured to extract a clock from a received signal;
a first identifier configured to compare the received signal with a first identification level in a phase of the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit, thereby outputting an identification result;
a second identifier configured to compare the received signal with a second identification level in the phase of the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit, thereby outputting an identification result;
an EX-OR gate configured to calculate an EX-OR of the identification results of said first and second identifiers;
an error rate calculation unit configured to calculate a code error rate on the basis of an output from said EX-OR gate and the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit;
an amplitude detector configured to detect an amplitude of the received signal;
a variable gain unit configured to control the amplitude of the received signal to be constant in accordance with a detection result of said amplitude detector;
a noise power detector configured to detect noise power contained in the received signal; and
a controller configured to control a difference between the first and second identification levels to be proportional to an output from said noise power detector.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a low-frequency signal source configured to output a low-frequency signal, an average value of which is the second identification level, to said second identifier, and
wherein said controller controls an effective value of the low-frequency signal output from said low-frequency signal source to be proportional to the output from said noise power detector.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the low-frequency signal involves a rectangular wave.
12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the low-frequency signal involves a sine wave.
13. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the low-frequency signal involves a pseudo random pattern.
14. A line quality monitoring apparatus, comprising:
a clock extraction unit configured to extract a clock from a received signal;
a first identifier configured to compare the received signal with a first identification level in a phase of the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit, thereby outputting an identification result;
a second identifier configured to compare the received signal with a second identification level in the phase of the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit, thereby outputting an identification result;
an EX-OR gate configured to calculate an EX-OR of the identification results of said first and second identifiers;
an error rate calculation unit configured to calculate a code error rate on the basis of an output from said EX-OR gate and the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit;
an amplitude detector configured to detect an amplitude of the received signal;
a variable gain unit configured to control the amplitude of the received signal to be constant in accordance with a detection result of said amplitude detector;
a noise power detector configured to detect noise power contained in the received signal;
a controller configured to control a difference between the first and second identification levels to be proportional to an output from said noise power detector; and
a variable noise source configured to output noise, an average value of which is the second identification level, to said second identifier, and
wherein said controller controls a variance of the noise output from said variable noise source to be proportional to the output from said noise power detector.
15. A line quality monitoring apparatus, comprising:
a clock extraction unit configured to extract a clock from a received signal;
a first identifier configured to compare the received signal with a first identification level in a phase of the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit, thereby outputting an identification result;
a second identifier configured to compare the received signal with a second identification level in the phase of the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit, thereby outputting an identification result;
an EX-OR gate configured to calculate an EX-OR of the identification results of said first and second identifiers;
an error rate calculation unit configured to calculate a code error rate on the basis of an output from said EX-OR gate and the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit;
an amplitude detector configured to detect an amplitude of the received signal;
a variable gain unit configured to control the amplitude of the received signal to be constant in accordance with a detection result of said amplitude detector;
a noise power detector configured to detect noise power contained in the received signal; and
a controller configured to control a difference between the first and second identification levels to be proportional to an output from said noise power detector,
wherein said variable gain unit includes a variable gain amplifier.
16. A line quality monitoring apparatus, comprising:
a clock extraction unit configured to extract a clock from a received signal;
a first identifier configured to compare the received signal with a first identification level in a phase of the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit, thereby outputting an identification result;
a second identifier configured to compare the received signal with a second identification level in the phase of the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit, thereby outputting an identification result;
an EX-OR gate configured to calculate an EX-OR of the identification results of said first and second identifiers;
an error rate calculation unit configured to calculate a code error rate on the basis of an output from said EX-OR gate and the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit;
an amplitude detector configured to detect an amplitude of the received signal;
a variable gain unit configured to control the amplitude of the received signal to be constant in accordance with a detection result of said amplitude detector;
a noise power detector configured to detect noise power contained in the received signal; and
a controller configured to control a difference between the first and second identification levels to be proportional to an output from said noise power detector,
wherein said variable gain unit includes an optical pre-amplifier.
17. A line quality monitoring apparatus, comprising:
a clock extraction unit configured to extract a clock from a received signal;
a first identifier configured to compare the received signal with a first identification level in a phase of the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit, thereby outputting an identification result;
a second identifier configured to compare the received signal with a second identification level in the phase of the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit, thereby outputting an identification result;
an EX-OR gate configured to calculate an EX-OR of the identification results of said first and second identifiers;
an error rate calculation unit configured to calculate a code error rate on the basis of an output from said EX-OR gate and the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit;
an amplitude detector configured to detect an amplitude of the received signal;
a variable gain unit configured to control the amplitude of the received signal to be constant in accordance with a detection result of said amplitude detector;
a noise power detector configured to detect noise power contained in the received signal; and
a controller configured to control a difference between the first and second identification levels to be proportional to an output from said noise power detector,
wherein said noise power detector includes:
a delay circuit configured to adjust phases of the received signal and an output signal of said first identifier;
a variable attenuator configured to adjust amplitudes of the received signal and the output signal of said first identifier;
a subtraction circuit configured to remove a signal component from the received signal, the phase and amplitude of which have been adjusted by said delay circuit and said variable attenuator; and
a power detection circuit configured to detect power of an output from said subtraction circuit.
18. A line quality monitoring apparatus, comprising:
a clock extraction unit configured to extract a clock from a received signal;
a first identifier configured to compare the received signal with a first identification level in a phase of the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit, thereby outputting an identification result;
a second identifier configured to compare the received signal with a second identification level in the phase of the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit, thereby outputting an identification result;
an EX-OR gate configured to calculate an EX-OR of the identification results of said first and second identifiers;
an error rate calculation unit configured to calculate a code error rate on the basis of an output from said EX-OR gate and the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit;
an amplitude detector configured to detect an amplitude of the received signal;
a variable gain unit configured to control the amplitude of the received signal to be constant in accordance with a detection result of said amplitude detector;
a noise power detector configured to detect noise power contained in the received signal; and
a controller configured to control a difference between the first and second identification levels to be proportional to an output from said noise power detector,
wherein said noise power detector includes:
a third identifier configured to compare the received signal with a third identification level in a phase of the clock extracted by said clock extraction unit, thereby outputting an identification result;
a second EX-OR gate configured to calculate an EX-OR of the identification results of said first and third identifiers; and
a low-pass filter configured to output an average value of an output from said second EX-OR gate.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor, comprising:
a vessel;
an inlet coupled to the vessel, the inlet introducing wastewater into the vessel;
a first outlet coupled to the vessel, the first outlet directing wastewater to the outside of the vessel;
a gas port coupled to the vessel, the gas port collecting gasses produced in the vessel;
a septum having a periphery, the septum positioned within the vessel to maintain solid particles below the septum;
an aperture formed in the septum.
2. An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein the septum tapers from an apex to side walls of the vessel.
3. An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein:
the septum tapers from an apex to a side wall of the vessel;
the first outlet is coupled to the side wall of the vessel at an elevation between the apex and the periphery of the septum at the side wall.
4. An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1, further comprising a second outlet coupled to the vessel adjacent to the first outlet, wherein:
the septum tapers from an apex to a side wall of the vessel;
the first outlet is coupled to the side wall of the vessel at a first elevation between the apex and the periphery of the septum at the side wall;
the second outlet is coupled to the side wall of the vessel at a second elevation.
5. An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1, further comprising a second outlet coupled to the vessel adjacent to the first outlet wherein:
the septum tapers from an apex to a side wall of the vessel;
the first outlet is coupled to the side wall of the vessel at an elevation between the apex and the periphery of the septum at the side wall;
the second outlet is coupled to the side wall between the first outlet and the periphery of the septum at the side wall.
6. An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1, further comprising a second outlet coupled to the vessel adjacent to the first outlet wherein:
the septum tapers from an apex to a side wall of the vessel;
the first outlet is coupled to the side wall of the vessel at an elevation between the apex and the periphery of the septum at the side wall;
the second outlet is coupled to the side wall between the first outlet and the periphery of the septum at the side wall;
the first and second outlets are fluidly connected in series and to a recirculation pump capable of moving solids from above the septum back into the vessel below the septum.
7. An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein the septum is generally flat.
8. An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein:
the septum slopes upward from an inverted apex to a side wall of the vessel.
9. An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein the first outlet comprises a gas trap and overpressure device.
10. An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein the first outlet comprises a gas trap and overpressure device, the gas trap and overpressure device comprising an inverted P-trap.
11. An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein:
the septum tapers from an apex to a side wall of the vessel;
the first outlet comprises a gas trap and overpressure device, the gas trap and overpressure device comprising an inverted P-trap, wherein a center of a top of the inverted P-trap is located at an elevation approximately equal to the apex.
12. An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein the first outlet comprises a gas trap and overpressure device, the gas trap and overflow device comprising an inverted P-trap with a cleanout.
13. An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein the first outlet comprises a gas trap and overpressure device, wherein the gas trap and overpressure device release gas through the first outlet at a predetermined pressure.
14. An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein the first outlet comprises a passive gas trap and overpressure device, wherein the passive gas trap and overpressure device releases gas through the first outlet when gas pressure in the vessel above the septum reaches approximately ten to twenty inches of water.
15. An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein the first outlet comprises a passive gas trap and overpressure device, wherein the passive gas trap and overpressure device releases gas through the first outlet when gas pressure in the vessel above the septum reaches approximately twelve inches of water.
16. An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1, further comprising a distribution plate disposed in the vessel at the inlet.
17. An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein the inlet comprises a pipe extended into the vessel to a tee, the tee emptying into the vessel in two directions, and further comprising a distribution plate disposed in the vessel at one exit of the tee.
18. An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1, further comprising a distribution plate attached to a pedestal disposed in the vessel, the pedestal being attached to a floor of the vessel, wherein the pedestal is adjacent to but spaced from the inlet.
19. An induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor according to claim 1 wherein:
the septum tapers from an apex to a side wall of the vessel, wherein the apex is elevated from the side wall by approximately one to three inches.
20. An apparatus, comprising:
an induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor, the reactor comprising:
a vessel;
an inlet coupled to the vessel, the inlet introducing wastewater into the vessel;
a first outlet coupled to the vessel, the first outlet directing wastewater to the outside of the vessel, the first outlet comprising a gas trap;
a gas port coupled to the vessel, the gas port collecting gasses produced in the vessel;
a septum having a periphery, the septum positioned within the vessel to maintain solid particles below the septum;
an aperture formed in the septum inside the periphery.
21. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the a gas trap comprises a P-trap.
22. An apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising a second outlet in fluid communication with the first outlet, and wherein the gas trap comprises an inverted P-trap.
23. An apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising a second outlet in fluid communication with the first outlet, the second outlet disposed at a lower elevation on the vessel than the first outlet and located above the septum, wherein the gas trap comprises an inverted P-trap.
24. An apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising a second outlet in fluid communication with the first outlet, the second outlet disposed at a lower elevation on the vessel than the first outlet and located just above the septum, wherein the gas trap comprises an inverted P-trap with a cleanout, wherein the second outlet leads to a recirculation pump in fluid communication with the vessel below the septum.
25. An apparatus, comprising:
an induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor, the reactor comprising:
a vessel;
an inlet coupled to the vessel, the inlet introducing wastewater into the vessel;
a septum having a periphery, the septum positioned within the vessel to maintain solid particles below the septum;
an aperture formed in the septum inside the periphery;
a first outlet coupled to the vessel, the first outlet arranged above the septum and directing wastewater to the outside of the vessel, the first outlet comprising a gas trap and overpressure device;
a second outlet coupled to the vessel at an elevation lower than the first outlet and above the septum;
a gas port coupled to the vessel, the gas port collecting gasses produced in the vessel;
a distribution plate inside the vessel at the inlet.
26. A method of processing wastewater through anaerobic digestion, comprising:
sending a flow of wastewater into a vessel to hold wastewater;
anaerobically digesting the wastewater with bacteria;
retaining solids from the wastewater in a lower zone of the vessel with a septum;
releasing gases generated in the lower zone of the vessel through an aperture in the septum;
controlling plugging of the aperture;
trapping gas at an effluent outlet to the vessel;
collecting the gases generated in the lower zone of the vessel;
protecting against overpressure of the collected gases.
27. A method of processing wastewater through anaerobic digestion according to claim 26, further comprising recirculating solids that pass through the aperture back to the lower zone.
28. An apparatus, comprising:
an induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor, the reactor comprising:
a vessel;
an inlet coupled to the vessel, the inlet introducing wastewater into the vessel;
a first outlet coupled to the vessel, the first outlet directing wastewater to the outside of the vessel;
a gas port coupled to the vessel, the gas port collecting gasses produced in the vessel;
a septum arranged substantially flat within the vessel, the septum maintaining solid particles therebelow, the septum positioned within the vessel to maintain solid particles below the septum;
an aperture formed in the septum.
29. An apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the first outlet comprises a gas trap and overpressure device.
30. An apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the first outlet comprises a gas trap and overpressure device, the gas trap and overpressure device comprising an inverted P-trap.
31. An apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the first outlet comprises:
a downward sloping segment;
an inverted P-trap, extending from the downward sloping segment;
wherein a center of a top of the inverted P-trap is located at an elevation higher than the septum.
32. An apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the first outlet comprises:
a downward sloping segment;
an inverted P-trap extending from the downward sloping segment;
a cleanout port disposed in the inverted P-trap;
a valved bypass downstream of the downward sloping segment and in fluid communication with the inverted P-trap.
33. An apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the first outlet comprises a passive gas trap and overpressure device, wherein the passive gas trap and overpressure device releases gas through the first outlet when gas pressure in the vessel above the septum reaches approximately ten to twenty inches of water.
34. An apparatus, comprising:
an induced sludge blanket anaerobic reactor, the reactor comprising:
a vessel;
an inlet coupled to the vessel, the inlet introducing wastewater into the vessel;
a first outlet coupled to the vessel, the first outlet directing wastewater to the outside of the vessel;
a gas port coupled to the vessel, the gas port collecting gasses produced in the vessel;
a septum arranged within the vessel, the septum maintaining solid particles therebelow, the septum comprising an upward slope from a lowest portion to a side wall of the vessel;
an aperture formed in the septum.
35. An apparatus according to claim 34, further comprising a plate disposed below and contacting the septum.
36. An apparatus according to claim 34, further comprising a generally flat plate under the septum, the generally flat plate comprising an aperture aligned with the aperture of the septum, the generally flat plate cooperating with the septum to enclose an area between the generally flat plate and a sloping surface of the septum.
37. An apparatus according to claim 34 wherein the first outlet comprises:
a downward sloping segment;
an inverted P-trap extending from the downward sloping segment;
wherein a center of a top of the inverted P-trap is located at an elevation higher than the septum.
38. An apparatus according to claim 34 wherein the first outlet comprises:
a downward sloping segment;
an inverted P-trap, extending from the downward sloping segment;
a cleanout port disposed in the inverted P-trap;
a valved bypass downstream of the downward sloping segment and in fluid communication with the inverted P-trap.

1. An optical fiber cable comprising:
an optical fiber cable which has a plurality of optical fiber cores which transmit an optical signal,
an optical signal device which is connected to the two ends of at least one optical fiber core in said plurality of optical fiber cores, and
two branchers which are provided at said at least one optical fiber core and which branch the optical signal,
where, among said two branchers, one brancher branches the optical signal from said optical signal device at one end side while the other brancher branches the optical signal from said optical signal device at the other end side.
2. The optical fiber cable network according to claim 1 wherein
said network is further provided with
branch optical fiber cables which are dropped from said plurality of optical fiber cores of said optical fiber cable and
a plurality of optical receivers which connect with said branch optical fiber cables and receive optical signals,
each said optical signal device is provided with
an optical transmitter which transmits an optical signal,
a first distributor which connects said optical transmitter with one end of said optical fiber cable and distributes an optical signal which is transmitted from said optical transmitter to said plurality of optical fiber cores, and
a second distributor at the other end of said optical fiber cable which is connected to said plurality of optical fiber cores so as to distribute an optical signal which is transmitted from at least one optical fiber core among said plurality of optical fiber cores to the other optical fiber cores, and
each of said other optical fiber cores has said one brancher and said other brancher, and said one brancher and said other brancher are connected to said branch optical fiber cables.
3. A method of construction of an optical fiber cable network comprising:
laying an optical fiber cable which has a plurality of optical fiber cores which transmit an optical signal,
connecting, to one end of said optical fiber cable, a first distributor which distributes an optical signal to said plurality of optical fiber cores and connecting, to the other end of said optical fiber cable, a second distributor which distributes an optical signal which is transmitted from at least one optical fiber core among said plurality of optical fiber cores to other optical fiber cores,
providing each of said other optical fiber cores with two branchers which branch optical signals, and
connecting an optical transmitter which transmits an optical signal to said first distributor,
among said two branchers, one brancher branching an optical signal from said first distributor and the other brancher branching an optical signal from said second distributor.
4. The method of construction of an optical fiber cable network as set forth in claim 3, further comprising:
setting an optical receiver which receives the optical signal,
laying a branch optical fiber cable which branches from said plurality of optical fiber cores of said optical fiber cable,
connecting said branch optical fiber cable to said optical receiver and one of said branchers which are connected to the other optical fiber cores.
5. An optical fiber cable network group which is provided with a plurality of optical fiber cable networks as set forth in claim 1, in the optical fiber cable network group, at least one optical fiber cable network among the plurality of optical fiber cable networks provided with an optical fiber cable which transmits an optical signal to the optical signal devices of the other optical fiber cable networks.
6. An optical fiber cable network group which is provided with a plurality of optical fiber cable networks as set forth in claim 1, the optical fiber cable network group provided with optical fiber cables which individually connect to optical signal devices of said plurality of optical fiber cable networks and which have relay use optical fiber cores which transmit optical signals.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. In a method of performing an intrabody surgical procedure on a patient in which an incision is made in a body so that a) access to a site including a damaged portion of an internal organ or tissue is provided for a first period of time, b) removal, repair, or replacement of some or all of the damaged portion is performed during the first period of time, and c) the incision is closed at the first period of time’s end, the improvement comprising:
within the first period of time, performing at least one application within the site of a composition comprising a of 0.1-10% peptide solution, wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence of RADA repeats; and wherein the solution is characterized by an ability to transition between two states: an un-gelled state adopted when one or more particular ions is substantially absent, and a gelled state adopted when the one or more ions is present at or above a threshold level, wherein the one or more ions is or becomes present in the location; and
permitting the composition to remain in the site for a second period of time, sufficient for the peptides in the composition to transition to their gelled state.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the improvement further comprises performing, within the second period of time, at least one other medical procedure in the site.
3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second period of time is less than five minutes.
4. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second period of time is greater than five minutes.
5. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more ions are selected from potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+).
6. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more ions are potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+).
7. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the intrabody surgical procedure is a resection of or at least a portion of the liver.
8. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the improvement further comprises completing the liver resection within a first period of time that is less than four hours and therefore reduced as compared with the standard first period of time absent the improvement, which standard first period of time is within the range of five to six hours.
9. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the improvement further comprises not applying fibrin glue or SURGICEL\xae or a combination thereof within the site during the first period of time.
10. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the improvement comprises applying the composition comprising a solution of peptides in addition to fibrin glue or SURGICEL\xae or a combination thereof within the site during the first period of time.
11. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one first application is completed prior to any other surgical activity within the site.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the intrabody surgical procedure is a coronary artery bypass.
13. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the patient is dosed with an anti-coagulant prior to surgery.
14. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the intrabody surgical procedure is a coronary artery bypass in which the improvement further comprises completing the surgical procedure within a first period of time that is at least 20 minutes per graft shorter as compared with the standard first period of time absent the improvement.
15. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the peptide solution has a concentration of 1-3%.
16. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence that comprises two, three or four repeats of RADA.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence comprising four repeats of RADA.
18. A method of performing an intrabody surgical procedure on a patient comprising
exposing a location within the patient’s body to access a damaged portion of an internal organ or tissue for a first period of time in order to remove, repair, or replace at least some portion of the organ or tissue during the first period of time,
applying, to a site within the location, a composition comprising a 0.1-10% peptide solution, wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence of RADA repeats; and wherein the solution is characterized by an ability to transition between two states: an un-gelled state adopted when one or more particular ions is substantially absent, and a gelled state adopted when the one or more ions is present at or above a threshold level, wherein the one or more ions is or becomes present in the location,
retaining the composition in the location for a second period of time, wherein the peptides in the composition transitions to a gelled state.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising, performing, during the second period of time, at least one other medical procedure in the location.
20. The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein the second period of time is less than five minutes.
21. The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein the second period of time is greater than five minutes.
22. The method of any one of claims 18-21, wherein the one or more ions are selected from potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+).
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the one or more ions are potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+).
24. The method of any one of claims 18-23, wherein the surgical procedure is a liver resection and the method is completed within a first period of time that is less than four hours and therefore reduced as compared with the standard first period of time absent the application, which standard first period of time is within the range of five to six hours.
25. The method of any one of claims 18-24, wherein the method excludes application of fibrin glue or SURGICEL\xae or a combination thereof within the site during the first period of time.
26. The method of any one of claims 18-24, wherein the method includes applying the composition comprising a solution of peptides in addition to fibrin glue or SURGICEL\xae or a combination thereof within the site during the first period of time.
27. The method of any one of claims 18-26, wherein at least one first application is completed prior to any other surgical activity within the site.
28. The method of any one of claims 18-27, wherein the patient is dosed with an anti-coagulant prior to surgery.
29. The method of any one of claims 18-28, wherein the peptide solution has a concentration of 1-3%.
30. The method of any one of claims 18-29, wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence that comprises two, three or four repeats of RADA.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence that comprises four repeats of RADA.
32. A method of treating exudative bleeding during liver surgery in a patient, the method comprising the steps of
(a) applying to a location of exudative bleeding in a subject a composition comprising a 0.1-10% peptide solution, wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence of RADA repeats; and wherein the solution is characterized by an ability to transition between two states: an un-gelled state adopted when one or more particular ions is substantially absent, and a gelled state adopted when the one or more ions is present at or above a threshold level, wherein the one or more ions is or becomes present in the location;
(b) retaining the applied composition in the location, with the one or more ions, for a period of time sufficient for the composition to gel; and
(c) performing one or more liver surgery tasks in the location without first removing the composition.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the exudative bleeding is caused by electrocauterization.
34. The method of claim 32, wherein the subject is dosed with an anticoagulant prior to the start of the liver surgery.
35. The method of claim 32, wherein the composition comprising the solution of peptides is applied endoscopically.
36. The method of claim 32 or 35, wherein the one or more liver surgery tasks is performed endoscopically.
37. The method of claim 32, wherein the one or more liver surgery tasks is performed laproscopically.
38. The method of claim 32, wherein the one or more liver surgery tasks include liver separation.
39. The method of claim 32, wherein the one or more liver surgery tasks include vascular exfoliation.
40. The method of any one of claims 32-39, wherein the peptide solution has a concentration of 1-3%.
41. The method of any one of claims 32-40, wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence that comprises two, three or four repeats of RADA.
42. The method of claim 41, wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence that comprises four repeats of RADA.
43. The method of any one of claims 32-42, wherein the one or more ions are selected from potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+).
44. The method of claim 43, wherein the one or more ions are potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+).
45. A method of treating bleeding during graft collection during coronary artery bypass surgery in a patient comprising:
(a) applying to a graft collection site a composition comprising a 0.1-10% peptide solution, wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence of RADA repeats; and wherein the solution is characterized by an ability to transition between two states: an un-gelled state adopted when one or more particular ions is substantially absent, and a gelled state adopted when the one or more ions is present at or above a threshold level, wherein the one or more ions is or becomes present in the location; and
(b) retaining the composition in the location, with the one or more ions, for a period of time sufficient for the composition to gel.
46. The method of claim 45, wherein the bleeding is caused by electrocauterization.
47. The method of claim 45, wherein applying the composition is performed prior to initiation of graft collection.
48. The method of claim 45, wherein applying the composition is performed after initiation but prior to completion of graft collection.
49. The method of claim 48, wherein retaining the composition comprises retaining through performance of at least one step graft collection step.
50. The method of claim 49, wherein retaining the composition comprises retaining through completion of graft collection steps.
51. The method of any one of claims 45-50, wherein the peptide solution has a concentration of 1-3%.
52. The method of any one of claims 44-51, wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence that comprises two, three or four repeats of RADA.
53. The method of claim 52, wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence that comprises four repeats of RADA.
54. The method of any one of claims 45-53, wherein the one or more ions are selected from potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+).
55. The method of claim 54, wherein the one or more ions are potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+).
56. A method of performing a coronary artery bypass graft procedure in a patient comprising:
(a) applying to a cardiac location in the patient a composition comprising a 0.1-10% peptide solution, wherein the peptide an amino acid sequence of RADA repeats; and wherein the solution is characterized by an ability to transition between two states: an un-gelled state adopted when one or more particular ions is substantially absent, and a gelled state adopted when the one or more ions is present at or above a threshold level, wherein the one or more ions is or becomes present in the location.
57. The method of claim 56, wherein the location is an anastomy site on a coronary artery.
58. The method of claim 56, wherein the location is an anastomy site on a graft vessel.
59. The method of claim 56, wherein the location is an annula connection site for an oxygenator.
60. The method of any one of claims 56-59, wherein the composition is applied without additional pressure.
61. The method of claim 56, wherein applying the composition is performed prior to initiation of graft collection.
62. The method of claim 56, wherein the applying the composition is performed after initiation but prior to completion of graft collection.
63. The method of claim 62, wherein retaining the composition comprises retaining through performance of at least one step graft collection step.
64. The method of claim 63, wherein retaining the composition comprises retaining through completion of graft collection steps.
65. The method of claim 56, wherein the method excludes application of fibrin glue or SURGICEL\xae within the site.
66. The method of claim 56, wherein the method includes application the peptide solution in addition to application of fibrin glue or SURGICEL\xae within the site.
67. The method of any one of claims 56-66, wherein the peptide solution has a concentration of 1-3%.
68. The method of any one of claims 56-67, wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence that comprises two, three or four repeats of RADA.
69. The method of claim 68, wherein the peptide comprises an amino acids sequence that comprises four repeats of RADA.
70. The method of any one of claims 56-69, wherein the ions are selected from potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+).
71. The method of claim 70, wherein the one or more ions are potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+).
72. A pre-filled syringe for use in a surgical procedure comprising:
a barrel comprising a 0.1-10% peptide solution, wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence of RADA repeats; and wherein the peptide solution is characterized by an ability to transition between two states: an ungelled state adopted when one or more particular ions is substantially absent, and a gelled state adopted when the one or more ions is present at or above a threshold level, wherein the one or more ions is or becomes present in the location; and, a non-metal nozzle; wherein said barrel and non-metal nozzle are capable of forming a secure connection in a liquid-tight manner.
73. The pre-filled syringe of claim 72, wherein the surgical procedure is selected from the group consisting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), hepatectomy, pure laparoscopic hepatectomy (PLH), endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), endoscopic sub mucosal dissection (ESD), thoracoscopic partial lung resection, lymph node dissection, open partial nephrectomy, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, aorta replacement and orthopedic bone surgery.
74. The pre-filled syringe of claim 72, wherein the non-metal nozzle is rigid.
75. The pre-filled syringe of claim 72, wherein the non-metal nozzle is flexible.
76. The pre-filled syringe of claim 75, wherein the non-metal nozzle is flexible such that it is capable for use in an endoscopic surgical procedure.
77. The pre-filled syringe of claim 75, wherein the non-metal nozzle is flexible such that it is capable for use in a laparoscopic surgical procedure.
78. The pre-filled syringe of any one of claims 72-77, wherein the solution has a volume within the range of about 1-50 mL.
79. The pre-filled syringe of claim 78, wherein the solution has a volume of about 1 mL.
80. The pre-filled syringe of claim 78, wherein the solution has a volume of about 3 mL.
81. The pre-filled syringe of claim 78, wherein the solution has a volume of about 5 mL.
82. The pre-filled syringe of claim 78, wherein the solution has a volume of about 30 mL.
83. The pre-filled syringe of any one of claims 72-82, wherein the solution has a peptide concentration within the range of about 0.1% to about 10.0%.
84. The pre-filled syringe of claim 83, wherein the solution has a peptide concentration of about 1%.
85. The pre-filled syringe of claim 83, wherein the solution has a peptide concentration of about 2%
86. The pre-filled syringe of claim 83, wherein the solution has a peptide concentration of about 3%.
87. A kit comprising one or more pre-filled syringes according to any one of claims 72-86.
88. A pharmaceutical package comprising a pre-filled according to any one of claims 72-86 and a blister pack specifically formed to accept the pre-filled syringe.