Abstract: The invention provides methodologies and apparatus for producing devitalized soft-tissue implants where the implant retains metabolically non-viable and/or reproductively non-viable cells, and preferably retains large molecular weight cytoplasmic proteins, such implants produced both in small quantities and in commercializable quantities. Such soft-tissue implants include vascular graft substitutes. A devitalized graft is produced by subjecting the tissue sample to an induced pressure mediated flow of an extracting solution, optionally followed by inducing a pressure mediated flow of a salt solution, then washing the tissue to produce the devitalized graft. The devitalized grafts produced are uniform and non-immunogenic. The inventive method allows for the production of multiple devitalized soft tissue implants, where processing time is significantly less than prior art processes and the number of implants produced per day is increased over prior art processes.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are provided for estimating a location on an object in a three-dimensional scene. Multiple radiation patterns are produced by spatially modulating each of multiple first radiations with a distinct combination of one or more modulating structures, each first radiation having at least one of a distinct radiation path, a distinct source, a distinct source spectrum, or a distinct source polarization with respect to the other first radiations. The location on the object is illuminated with a portion of each of two or more of the radiation patterns, the location producing multiple object radiations, each object radiation produced in response to one of the multiple radiation patterns. Multiple measured values are produced by detecting the object radiations from the location on the object due to each pattern separately using one or more detector elements. The location on the object is estimated based on the multiple measured values.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices involving patterned radiation are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a device for projecting pattern radiation. Some embodiments include a method for estimating coordinates of a location on an object in a 3D scene. Some embodiments include a system for estimating the coordinates of a location on an object in a 3D scene. A variety of radiation patterns are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments may relate to the use of patterned illumination to identify the angular information that may be utilized to measure depth by triangulation.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are provided for estimating a location on an object in a three-dimensional scene. Multiple radiation patterns are produced by spatially modulating each of multiple first radiations with a distinct combination of one or more modulating structures, each first radiation having at least one of a distinct radiation path, a distinct source, a distinct source spectrum, or a distinct source polarization with respect to the other first radiations. The location on the object is illuminated with a portion of each of two or more of the radiation patterns, the location producing multiple object radiations, each object radiation produced in response to one of the multiple radiation patterns. Multiple measured values are produced by detecting the object radiations from the location on the object due to each pattern separately using one or more detector elements. The location on the object is estimated based on the multiple measured values.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices involving patterned radiation are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a device for projecting pattern radiation. Some embodiments include a method for estimating coordinates of a location on an object in a 3D scene. Some embodiments include a system for estimating the coordinates of a location on an object in a 3D scene. A variety of radiation patterns are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments may relate to the use of patterned illumination to identify the angular information that may be utilized to measure depth by triangulation.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for authenticating and using a personal voice profile. The voice profile may be issued by a trusted third party, such as a certification authority. The personal voice profile may include information for generating a digest or digital signature for text messages. A speech synthesis system may speak the text message using the voice characteristics, such as prosodic characteristics, only if the voice profile is authenticated and the text message is valid and free of tampering.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for separating/sorting and orienting/aligning tubes and/or vials or other sample containers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for liquid deposition photolithography are described. In particular, some embodiments relate to systems and methods for using photolithography to control the 2D structure of a thin layer of material (e.g., photopolymer) using various masks, projection optics and materials. In one or more embodiments, this thin layer can be manipulated by micro-fluidic techniques such that it can be formed, patterned and post-processed in a liquid environment, vastly simplifying the creation of multi-layer structures. Multiple layers are rapidly built up to create thick structures of possibly multiple materials that are currently challenging to fabricate by existing methods.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices involving patterned radiation are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a device for projecting pattern radiation. Some embodiments include a method for estimating coordinates of a location on an object in a 3D scene. Some embodiments include a system for estimating the coordinates of a location on an object in a 3D scene. A variety of radiation patterns are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments may relate to the use of patterned illumination to identify the angular information that may be utilized to measure depth by triangulation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for liquid deposition photolithography are described. In particular, some embodiments relate to systems and methods for using photolithography to control the 2D structure of a thin layer of material (e.g., photopolymer) using various masks, projection optics and materials. In one or more embodiments, this thin layer can be manipulated by micro-fluidic techniques such that it can be formed, patterned and post-processed in a liquid environment, vastly simplifying the creation of multi-layer structures. Multiple layers are rapidly built up to create thick structures of possibly multiple materials that are currently challenging to fabricate by existing methods.

Abstract: Interferometric path length measurements using frequency-domain interferometry form the basis of several measurement techniques, including optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar and lidar. A phase-sensitive and self-referenced approach to frequency-domain interferometry yields absolute and relative path length measurements with axial precision orders of magnitude better than the transform-limited axial resolution of the system.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for responding, from a customer service management (CRM) portal, to a customer service inquiry received from an inbound social media channel. The method includes receiving the customer inquiry from the inbound social media channel; creating a case based on the inquiry; presenting the case to an agent at the CRM portal; automatically pre-configuring, by the CRM portal, a response to the inquiry based on attributes of the inbound social media channel; and transmitting the response from the CRM portal via the inbound social media channel.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are provided for estimating a location on an object in a three-dimensional scene. Multiple radiation patterns are produced by spatially modulating each of multiple first radiations with a distinct combination of one or more modulating structures, each first radiation having at least one of a distinct radiation path, a distinct source, a distinct source spectrum, or a distinct source polarization with respect to the other first radiations. The location on the object is illuminated with a portion of each of two or more of the radiation patterns, the location producing multiple object radiations, each object radiation produced in response to one of the multiple radiation patterns. Multiple measured values are produced by detecting the object radiations from the location on the object due to each pattern separately using one or more detector elements. The location on the object is estimated based on the multiple measured values.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for integrating social media channels into a customer service management (CRM) portal. The method includes receiving data for a consumer post, parsing the data into a social post object and a social persona object, creating a case from the objects, and displaying the case in the CRM portal.

Abstract: The invention provides methodologies and apparatus for producing devitalized soft-tissue implants where the implant retains metabolically non-viable and/or reproductively non-viable cells, and preferably retains large molecular weight cytoplasmic proteins, such implants produced both in small quantities and in commercializable quantities. Such soft-tissue implants include vascular graft substitutes. A devitalized graft is produced by subjecting the tissue sample to an induced pressure mediated flow of an extracting solution, optionally followed by inducing a pressure mediated flow of a salt solution, then washing the tissue to produce the devitalized graft. The devitalized grafts produced are uniform and non-immunogenic. The inventive method allows for the production of multiple devitalized soft tissue implants, where processing time is significantly less than prior art processes and the number of implants produced per day is increased over prior art processes.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for separating/sorting and orienting/aligning tubes and/or vials or other sample containers.

Abstract: The invention provides methodologies and apparatus for producing acellular soft-tissue implants, both in small quantities and in commercializable quantities. Such soft-tissue implants include vascular graft substitutes. An acellular graft is produced by subjecting the tissue sample to an induced pressure mediated flow of an extracting solution, followed by inducing a pressure mediated flow of a treating solution, then washing the treated tissue to produce the acellular graft. The acellular grafts produced are uniform and nonimmunogenic. The inventive method allows for the production of multiple decellularized soft tissue implants, where processing time is significantly less than prior art processes and the number of implants produced per day is increased over prior art processes. In clinical use, the decellularized grafts produced exhibit significantly improved in long-tem durability and function.

Abstract: The invention provides methodologies and apparatus for producing a cellular soft-tissue implants, both in small quantities and in commercializable quantities. Such soft-tissue implants include vascular graft substitutes. An acellular graft is produced by subjecting the tissue sample to an induced pressure mediated flow of an extracting solution, followed by inducing a pressure mediated flow of a treating solution, then washing the treated tissue to produce the acellular graft. The acellular grafts produced are uniform and nonimmunogenic. The inventive method allows for the production of multiple decellularized soft tissue implants, where processing time is significantly less than prior art processes and the number of implants produced per day is increased over prior art processes. In clinical use, the decellularized grafts produced exhibit significantly improved in long-term durability and function.

Abstract: The invention provides methodologies and apparatus for producing devitalized soft-tissue implants where the implant retains metabolically non-viable and/or reproductively non-viable cells, and preferably retains large molecular weight cytoplasmic proteins, such implants produced both in small quantities and in commercializable quantities. Such soft-tissue implants include vascular graft substitutes. A devitalized graft is produced by subjecting the tissue sample to an induced pressure mediated flow of an extracting solution, optionally followed by inducing a pressure mediated flow of a salt solution, then washing the tissue to produce the devitalized graft. The devitalized grafts produced are uniform and non-immunogenic. The inventive method allows for the production of multiple devitalized soft tissue implants, where processing time is significantly less than prior art processes and the number of implants produced per day is increased over prior art processes.

Abstract: A retraction cord dispenser can comprise a container with an open end and can be configured to hold retraction cord. The dispenser also includes a dispenser cap for attachment to the open end, and comprises a cap body with a narrow passage for dispensing retraction cord from the container, and the narrow passage can be associated with a retention flap to prevent retraction cord from re-entering the container once it has been dispensed.