Abstract: A PCD cutting element for use in earth boring drill bits where the interstices remote from the working surface are filled with a catalyzing material and the interstices adjacent to the working surface are substantially free of the catalyzing material is described. An intermediate region between the substantially free portion and filled portion has a plurality of generally conically sectioned catalyst-free projections which taper down, extending to a second depth from the planar working surface, preferably about 0.5 times or more of the first depth.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for communicating pharmaceutical verification information between a server and a node using a network. A node includes a pharmaceutical identification and verification system. The verification information includes a known spectral signature of a known pharmaceutical and a corresponding known pharmaceutical name and dosage strength of the known pharmaceutical. The server stores the verification information in a server database. The node receives the verification information from the server, stores the verification information in the client database, reads a pharmaceutical name and dosage strength from a container enclosing a pharmaceutical, obtains a detected spectral signature for the pharmaceutical, and compares the detected spectral signature to the at least one known spectral signature. The pharmaceutical identification and verification system includes a static multimodal multiplex spectrometer.

Abstract: In a method of treating a sandstone-containing formation penetrated by a wellbore, a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid containing a Bronsted acid, a hydrogen fluoride source and an organic acid or salt thereof that is substantially soluble in the aqueous fluid is formed. The treatment fluid contains less than about 2% of fluoride (F?) by weight of the fluid and from 2% or less of sodium (Na+) by weight of the fluid. The treatment fluid is introduced into the formation through the wellbore as a single-stage without introducing an acid-containing fluid preflush into the formation prior to introducing the treatment fluid.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for communicating pharmaceutical verification information between a server and a node using a network. A node includes a pharmaceutical identification and verification system. The verification information includes a known spectral signature of a known pharmaceutical and a corresponding known pharmaceutical name and dosage strength of the known pharmaceutical. The server stores the verification information in a server database. The node receives the verification information from the server, stores the verification information in the client database, reads a pharmaceutical name and dosage strength from a container enclosing a pharmaceutical, obtains a detected spectral signature for the pharmaceutical, and compares the detected spectral signature to the at least one known spectral signature. The pharmaceutical identification and verification system includes a static multimodal multiplex spectrometer.

Abstract: A prescription verification system includes a database that contains a plurality of spectral signatures corresponding to identified pharmaceuticals. A multimodal multiplex sampling (MMS) spectrometer obtains a spectra of a pharmaceutical to be identified and verified. The pharmaceutical can be inside or out of a vial. The prescription verification system includes algorithms for matching spectra of pharmaceuticals to be verified obtaining using the MMS spectrometer to spectral signatures contained in the database corresponding to identified pharmaceuticals. The prescription verification system further includes algorithms for identifying such pharmaceuticals to be verified.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for multiplexing a target communication port to provide an additional independent communication channel sharing at least some portion of hardware associated with the target port. Typically, a device, such as a disk drive, is also connected to the target port. An out-of-band signal indicates when the shared hardware is being used to provide the additional independent communication channel to avoid interfering with the target port device. A communication board with one or more communication ports may be coupled to the additional independent communication channel for communicating data from the target system to other devices or systems, such as a host system, through the communication board. In communicating with the target system, the communication board may emulate a particular interface that is supported by the target port. One type of host system may be a development system for designing, testing and debugging the target system.

Abstract: A prescription verification system includes a database that contains a plurality of spectral signatures corresponding to identified pharmaceuticals. A multimodal multiplex sampling (MMS) spectrometer obtains a spectra of a pharmaceutical to be identified and verified. The pharmaceutical can be inside or out of a vial. The prescription verification system includes algorithms for matching spectra of pharmaceuticals to be verified obtaining using the MMS spectrometer to spectral signatures contained in the database corresponding to identified pharmaceuticals. The prescription verification system further includes algorithms for identifying such pharmaceuticals to be verified.

Abstract: A method is described for treating a subterranean formation with a low viscosity fluid system that contains a viscoelastic surfactant at a concentration too low to viscosify the fluid, but that is concentrated in the formation so that the fluid system gels. The fluid also contains a formation-dissolving agent. The fluid is used in acidizing, acid fracturing, and diversion.

Abstract: A cutting structure for a rotary drag-type drill bit includes a cutting element mounted on a member on the bit body, which may be a carrier secured to the bit body or part of the bit body itself. The surface of the member on which the cutting element is mounted is formed with a groove, adjacent the cutting element. The downstream end of the groove is located near a nozzle in the bit body through which a jet of drilling fluid emerges, so that the groove directs to the front of the cutting element the flow of drilling fluid which impinges on the groove. An array of separate grooves may lead from the nozzle to different cutting elements. The flow of drilling fluid directed towards each cutting element serves to break up cuttings removed from the formation by the cutting element and to carry the cuttings away from the element.

Abstract: Formation engaging elements are moveably mounted onto a drill bit. Such elements may be used to protect other rigidly mounted formation engaging elements from impacts that occur during use of the drill bit, or they may be used to alter the aggressiveness of the drill bit when used in directional drilling operations.

Abstract: A cutting structure for a rotary drag-type drill bit includes a preform cutting element mounted on a carrier which, in use, is mounted on the drill bit and comprises a front facing table of superhard material bonded to a less hard substrate. A portion of the carrier on which the preform cutting element is mounted is shaped, adjacent the cutting element, for engagement by a chip of formation material being removed by the cutting element from the formation being drilled so as to tend to break the chip away from the surface of the formation. A portion of the carrier, or a portion of the bit body itself, may also be shaped, adjacent the cutting element, to direct to a location in front of the cutting element a flow of drilling fluid which impinges on said surface so as to assist in chip removal.

Abstract: A drilling assembly for drilling holes in subsurface formations comprises a drill bit 10, a drive unit 12 including a housing and a rotor 11 operatively coupled to the drill bit to rotate the drill bit relative to the housing, and a modulated bias unit 14 coupled to rotate with the drive unit housing and apply a lateral bias thereto in synchronism with rotation of the housing. The modulated bias unit 14 comprises one or more hydraulic actuators including members 16 which, in use, bear against the sides of the borehole, and means for modulating the pressure of fluid supplied to the actuators in synchronism with rotation of a component of the drilling assembly, and in selected angular phase relation thereto, whereby each hydraulic actuator is actuated in a selected rotational position of the component.

Abstract: A preform cutting element for a drag-type rotary drill bit includes a facing table of polycrystalline diamond bonded to a less hard substrate, such as cemented tungsten carbide. The element is formed by first forming a solid substrate, and then applying an electron beam, laser, or other intense heating source to adjacent areas of the front surface of the substrate to melt the surface and form an array of holes or holes therein. A layer of polycrystalline diamond particles is applied to the substrate so that such particles fill the holes or holes, and the diamond layer and substrate are then subjected to pressure and temperature in a high pressure, high temperature press to bond the superhard layer to the substrate. The engagement of parts of the diamond table in the holes or holes in the substrate provides a mechanical interlock to improve the strength of the bond between the table and substrate.

Abstract: A tanning-enabled wristwatch having a watch head assembly and a watch band for suspending the watch head assembly around the wrist of a user. The watch head assembly includes a watch compartment having a time keeping mechanism and a display or other indicator device for conveying a time value to a user. The watch head assembly also feature a unique housing for supporting said watch compartment such that the housing extends below said watch compartment in a predetermined relationship. The housing is made from a material which is capable of transmitting ultraviolet light through the housing. The housing is also formed with a surface configuration for redirecting ultraviolet light impinging upon a top surface of the housing to an area beneath the watch compartment.

Abstract: The invention provides a stabilizer having integral steel blades with preformed apertures into which are cold pressed plugs of hard material, which is characterized in that some of the plugs of hard material inserted into the preformed holes in each blade, each have embedded therein and located exposed at the outer surface thereof, at least one diamond. Advantageously the diamond containing plugs are particularly located so that they are concentrated in those regions of the blade which, when the stabilizer is used in a borehole, are subjected to the greatest wear, viz. towards the leading end of each blade and at sharp changes of contour.