Abstract: A laser-spun electric generator is provided. The laser-spun electric generator having a plurality of light sails mounted along an annular rotor frame also providing magnetic elements there along. The annular rotor frame may be magnetically and thus rotatably mounted between two opposing magnetic hubs within a solar cell housing. The annular rotor frame may be disposed within the lumen of a donut-shaped tubular coil. Each laser emitter may be mounted to the tubular coil so as to emit a laser beam directed transverse relative to a respective light sail of the plurality of light sails that rotate through the path of the laser beam, converting the linear energy of the laser to rotational motion energy, generating electricity as the plurality of magnetic elements pass through the tubular coil.

Abstract: A system for utilizing metadata created either at a central location for shared use by connected users, or at each individual user's location, to enhance user's enjoyment of available broadcast programming content. A variety of mechanisms are employed for automatically and manually identifying and designating programming segments, associating descriptive metadata which the identified segments, distributing the metadata for use at client locations, and using the supplied metadata to selectively record and playback desired programming.

Abstract: Surgical cutting tools, methods of using them, and kits containing them. One of the surgical cutting tools includes a cutting portion and a handle portion that meet at an angle greater than 20 degrees, and the cutting portion includes a sharp bent edge.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and methods for incorporating a medial/lateral counter foot stabilizer into shoes. In an embodiment, the medial/lateral counter foot stabilizer of the invention comprises a plantar aspect which extends the length of the sole of a foot, side walls, a metatarsal arch support, a lateral arch support, a medial arch support, and a heel cup counter. The stabilizer of the invention mimics a preferred foot shape, provides support for the metatarsal, medial, and lateral arches, and restricts pronation and supination of the foot. The stabilizer of the invention is designed to be integrated into commercial shoes during the manufacturing process as a method of providing foot support which is currently unavailable in commercial shoes.

Abstract: An acoustically quiet gradient coil structure for a magnetic resonance imaging system, said coil structure comprising one or more conductors embedded in a plate of acoustically transmitting material, said plate having one or more edge surfaces characterized in that at least one edge surface (100, 102, 104, 106) of said plate is chamfered. The plate may comprise a composite cellular structure of cellular materials having positive and negative Poisson's ratio &sgr; such that the overall &sgr; is substantially zero.