Abstract: A peripheral nerve block needle for facilitating a peripheral nerve block procedure. A needle has several fenestrations along its length to allow an efflux of local anesthetic into a particular fascial compartment to treat a corresponding peripheral nerve despite only roughly approximating the location of such fascial compartment. A needle hub may be attached to the needle so that a backflow of fluid may be observed. A stylet is slidably disposed within the needle and needle hub such that selectively withdrawing the stylet from the apparatus enables a backflow of fluid into the needle hub, from which proper localization of the apparatus may be verified prior to administering local anesthetic. In this manner, local anesthetic may be effectively and efficiently administered to a peripheral nerve with reduced risk of injury to a patient.

Abstract: Current transformer relays having dual functions as current transformers and electromechanical switches are described. The current transformer relay includes a relay coil and a conducting loop concentric with the relay coil. Additional functions are thus provided in addition to the main relay switching function or functions. The concentric nature of the relay coil and the conducting loop create a current transformer between these elements. The additional functions include the ability to measure an alternating current (AC) current conducted by the conducting loop, the ability to detect and interpret an information signal imposed on power lines connected to the conducting loop, the ability to induce or impose an information signal on the conducting loop for transmission to power lies connected to the conducting loop, and the ability to measure a differential current between currents carried by the conducting loop and a second concentric conducting loop.

Abstract: A distributed computer environment (DCE) is disclosed that provides event globalizing of at least one event at one server in the DCE to other servers within said DCE as well as maintains a record of specific event activity over the DCE. The maintenance of the records is performed by storing a global event file comprising a list of events and a corresponding list of servers in order to identify which of the servers should receive which events, storing a local event registry comprising a list of events and a corresponding list of local event consumers in order to identify which of the local event consumers should receive which events, identifying specific events within the list of events to be monitored for a specific purpose, monitoring said specific events as they occur over the DCE, notifying a specific local event consumer of the occurrence of the specific events, and recording a log of event activity involving only the specific events.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a gate pad protection structure applied in a power semiconductor device is provided. The method includes steps of (a) forming a gate oxide layer on a substrate, (b) forming a polysilicon layer on the gate oxide layer, (c) forming a polysilicon window and a polysilicon window array on the polysilicon layer, and (d) performing an ion implantation via the polysilicon window and the polysilicon window array.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer accessible system for electronically storing a model which communicates the physical attributes of a structure along with warranty, insurance and other information relative to that structure. The system of the present invention integrates physical information in a model which is displayed as a physical representation of the structure with other non-physical information. Selecting specific areas of the model provides access to data regarding non-physical characteristics of that area of the structure and the contents thereof. Data relevant to warranties, insurance, maintenance or other information can be accessed by selecting portions of the model or indices attached or related to that portion. Systems of the present invention allow multiple users to remotely access the information and model via a computer network, such as the Internet, in order to make informed decisions regarding the structure and its characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer accessible system for electronically storing a model which communicates the physical attributes of a structure along with warranty, insurance and other information relative to that structure. The system of the present invention integrates physical information in a model which is displayed as a physical representation of the structure with other non-physical information. Selecting specific areas of the model provides access to data regarding physical or non-physical characteristics of that area of the structure and the contents thereof. Data relevant to warranties, insurance, maintenance or other information can be accessed by selecting portions of the model or indices attached or related to that portion. Equipment, appliances and other items within the structure may also be controlled by access through the computer model.

Abstract: A method and system for modeling rooms or chambers in a structure for intuitive and accurate estimation of process parameters (e.g., material and labor costs for performing the process) associated with the rooms. A graphical user interface to an estimation program enables an estimator to insert a model of a room and thereafter morph and mold the model to approximate the room undergoing estimation. The model is represented as a polyhedron having a plurality of planes that may be assigned attributes such as floors, walls and ceilings. During the morphing process, the modified and other affected planes of the polyhedron are continually revised to maintain the integrity of the closed volume represented,by the polyhedron.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for electronically managing the assignment of tasks to be completed. Preferred embodiments incorporate a computer network to gather and disseminate information for the processes of embodiments of the present invention. Task information is gathered until a task is sufficiently defined to be assigned. At this point the task is assigned to a service provider who is requested to respond to the assignment. The response is monitored and if unacceptable or not received the task will be transferred to another service provider until a satisfactory response is received. An estimate of the cost of task completion may then be requested and authorization to complete the task may be contingent upon an acceptable estimate. Once a service provider is authorized to complete a task, the provider's progress is monitored and reported to interested parties. Provider quality ratings may be incorporated into some embodiments.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing data in compliance with regulated privacy, security, and electronic transaction standards. Implementation of the present invention takes place in association with one or more computer devices that are used in a system to manage data in compliance with regulated privacy, security, and electronic transaction standards. In one implementation, the system includes a single point of entry for external and/or internal requests, and/or a single point of exit for transmissions of information, wherein the transmissions include individually identifiable patient information to legitimate patient-approved requests. Implementation of the present invention further embraces the de-identification of information that may be selectively used and/or sold. The de-identification prevents the identification of patients corresponding to the medical information, thus allowing the information to be useful while still preserving professional confidences.

Abstract: A system for producing significant quantities of noble metals from low-grade ore. A mixture of particulate feed containing small amounts of noble metals, a base metal, and activated carbon are placed in a non-conducting container. The container is surrounded by a coiled transmission line and heated via a combustion chamber. Pairs of electrical pulses having equal amplitudes and opposing directions are applied to each end of the transmission line so that the opposing pulses collide within the transmission line, the collision points traveling in a sweeping motion along the transmission line. Other pairs of pulses are sent in repeated cycles of multi-chord pulse trains, each chord having a specific frequency ranging preferably between 5000 to 7000 cycles per second.

Abstract: A checking machine for being used in a fabricating process of a display module and checking a position of a tape automated bonding (TAB) region is provided. The checking machine includes a main holder having an inclined panel positioned at an inclination &bgr; relative to the horizontal, wherein the range of the inclination &bgr; is 0°<&bgr;≦90°, a test plate having a first hollow portion for suiting a size of the display module and a circuit plate disposed around the first hollow portion for suiting the position of the tape automated bonding region, and a fixing device for fixing the test plate to the inclined panel, thereby the tape automated bonding region is electrically connected with the circuit plate.

Abstract: The present invention features methods and apparatus'for improving administration of drugs through the use of specifically controlled heat and other physical means. The present invention relates to the use of heat and other physical means in conjunction with specially designed dermal drug delivery systems, conventional commercial dermal drug delivery systems, or drugs delivered into a sub-skin depot site via injection and other methods to alter, mainly increase, the drug release rate from the dermal drug delivery systems or the depot sites to accommodate certain clinical needs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for delivering a drug into the systemic circulation. The method comprises establishing a drug depot in a patient's skin and/or sub-skin tissues by applying a transdermal drug delivery system on the patients skin, for a predetermined time so that a drug depot is formed in said user's skin and/or sub-skin tissues. A heating source is placed proximate to the skin area to rapidly release a bolus of the drug from the depot into the systemic circulation when there is a need to rapidly increase the drug's concentrations in the systemic circulation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for encouraging and ensuring that a seat belt is properly secured about a passenger is disclosed. The invention comprises a sensor means for sensing when a seat belt is snug against a person secured by the seat belt, not simply when the seat belt has been engaged. Sensor means may comprise a means for sensing pressure that senses when the seat belt is being pressed against a passenger or it may comprise a means for sensing tension in the seat belt when the seat belt is snug against the passenger. Other means may also be suitable, including a thermal sensor or a proximity sensor. Although means for sensing whether the seat belt is engaged can also be used, it does not sense whether a seat belt is snug and is therefore not as advantageous. The invention further comprises an incentive or amusement device and control means for preventing the incentive device from operating properly unless the sensor means senses that the seat belt is snug against the passenger.

Abstract: The present invention advances prior art animal food products by providing an animal food product formulated with Morinda Citrifolia, or Noni, from the Indian Mulberry plant. The addition of Noni to the animal food product of the present invention serves to provide significant health advantages not found in prior art animal food products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a regulating valve for regulating and automatically controlling a fluid for a constant flow, comprising a valve body, a valve stem in the body, a pressure difference transducer, a first clack, and a second clack whose main body is a sleeve. At the outside of the sleeve are provided two concentric projects and guiding ribs perpendicular to the projects. The invention, compared to the prior art, has advantages of good performance and reliability, simple and compact structure. The regulating valve according to the invention can automatically regulated with an electric actuator or a pneumatic actuator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for increasing the delivery rate of an androgen transdermal therapeutic system through the skin. An androgen transdermal therapeutic system can be applied to a patient's skin for delivery of the androgen. A temperature modification apparatus which is capable of generating controlled heat is applied approximate to the androgen transdermal therapeutic system. The heating from the temperature modification apparatus raises the temperature of the androgen transdermal therapeutic system and raises the temperature of the patient's skin to achieve an increased rate of delivery of androgen through the skin. The controlled heat can also be used to adjust dosage rates of the androgen transdermal therapeutic system and to mimic natural circadian patterns. The controlled heating may also be used to improve or regulate the release of androgen from injected/implanted extended/controlled release systems.