Abstract: A system, apparatus, and related methods for the collection, standardization, evaluation, and processing of entity life and care information from diverse information systems and sources. After collection, the life and/or care data and information contained in a particular message is transformed, which includes being standardized, processed, evaluated, and converted, into a Curated Manifest (CM), a persisted and immutable document compatible with the particular configuration and design of the ILR platform/system in a specific context. The CM is stored in one or more databases, along with a multiplicity of other CMs. Contextual Best Record (CBR) views, which may be standard, pre-established views or views constructed “on-the-fly” or “on demand”, are used to find, locate, identify and report responsive data from the stored CMs.

Abstract: Guidewires, actuators and methods of using the guidewires and actuators are described. These tools and methods allow a user to select and maintain different guidewire stiffness characteristics such that a single guidewire can address a range of access capabilities.

Abstract: Large media libraries containing songs, movies, or images, can be organized as a graphical media map. Depending on the contents of a particular large media library, the media map can have empty cells that do not correspond to a media item in the media library. To fill these cells with meaningful recommendations based on media items that are already in the library, a recommendation system provides a recommendation of a media item for a particular cell based on the media items corresponding to cells proximate to the cell. The recommendation is generated using metadata tags describing the nearby media items and media items that are not currently part of the media library. The recommendations can be updated based on changes made to the media map.

Abstract: Libraries containing numerous media items such as movies, music, and still images can be difficult to organize in a meaningful and accessible way. To more efficiently and aesthetically organize media items in a library, media maps are generated from hierarchical trees. The media maps are displayed to a user via a user display device. The user can quickly navigate through the media maps to discover connections and similarities between media items previously unknown to the user. The user can further make changes to the media map by interacting with the media map via a user interface. The media map is then re-generated to reflect the changes made by the user. The user can thus personalize the automatically generated media map to reflect his own media preferences and opinions.

Abstract: Increasingly, large libraries of digital media items such as music, movies, and images are maintained. One way to consume the media items is via playlists. Playlists are an ordered list of some of the media items according to a theme or a progression from one theme to another theme. Systems and methods described herein allow a user to request generation of a playlist via a media map of the media library. The request can be in a variety of forms including: an identification of a region, identifications of starting and ending points, identification of a defined area of the media map, a gesture identifying a path through the media map, and an identification of a metadata tag associated with some of the media items within the media library. Further, branching playlists can be generated from a currently presented media item, which may itself be from a generated playlist.

Abstract: A variable-stiffness guidewire system which comprises an elongated flexible guidewire. The guidewire has a body and a tensioning head coupled to the body. The tensioning head is slidably moveable with respect to a guidewire collar coupled to the body via a tensioning wire to adjust a stiffness of the guidewire. The guidewire includes one or more protrusions within a conduit of the guidewire collar which applies a frictional force to the tensioning wire to maintain the tensioning head a desired distance from the collar, thereby maintaining the desired stiffness in the guidewire. A tool can be utilized with the guidewire to engage the guidewire head and move the guidewire head a desired distance from the guidewire collar to achieve a desired stiffness.

Abstract: A variable-stiffness guidewire system which comprises an elongated flexible guidewire. The guidewire has a body and a tensioning head coupled to the body. The tensioning head is slidably moveable with respect to a guidewire collar coupled to the body via a tensioning wire to adjust a stiffness of the guidewire. The guidewire includes one or more protrusions within a conduit of the guidewire collar which applies a frictional force to the tensioning wire to maintain the tensioning head a desired distance from the collar, thereby maintaining the desired stiffness in the guidewire. A tool can be utilized with the guidewire to engage the guidewire head and move the guidewire head a desired distance from the guidewire collar to achieve a desired stiffness.

Abstract: Guidewires, actuators and methods of using the guidewires and actuators are described. These tools and methods allow a user to select and maintain different guidewire stiffness characteristics such that a single guidewire can address a range of access capabilities.

Abstract: A variable-stiffness guidewire system which comprises an elongated flexible guidewire. The guidewire has a body and a guidewire head coupled to the body. The guidewire head is slidably moveable with respect to a guidewire collar of the body to adjust a stiffness of the guidewire. A tool is utilized with the guidewire to engage the guidewire head and move the guidewire head a desired distance from the guidewire collar to achieve a desired stiffness. The tool has a first mechanism that is configured to selectively deploy an insert to be positioned between the guidewire head and the guidewire collar. The insert maintains the desired stiffness of the guidewire.

Abstract: A variable-stiffness guidewire system which comprises an elongated flexible guidewire. The guidewire has a body and a guidewire head coupled to the body. The guidewire head is slidably moveable with respect to a guidewire collar of the body to adjust a stiffness of the guidewire. A tool is utilized with the guidewire to engage the guidewire head and move the guidewire head a desired distance from the guidewire collar to achieve a desired stiffness. The tool has a first mechanism that is configured to selectively deploy an insert to be positioned between the guidewire head and the guidewire collar. The insert maintains the desired stiffness of the guidewire.

Abstract: A variable-stiffness guidewire system which comprises an elongated flexible guidewire. The guidewire has a body and a tensioning head coupled to the body. The tensioning head is slidably moveable with respect to a guidewire collar coupled to the body via a tensioning wire to adjust a stiffness of the guidewire. The guidewire includes one or more protrusions within a conduit of the guidewire collar which applies a frictional force to the tensioning wire to maintain the tensioning head a desired distance from the collar, thereby maintaining the desired stiffness in the guidewire. A tool can be utilized with the guidewire to engage the guidewire head and move the guidewire head a desired distance from the guidewire collar to achieve a desired stiffness.

Abstract: A variable-stiffness guidewire system which comprises an elongated flexible guidewire. The guidewire has a body and a guidewire head coupled to the body. The guidewire head is slidably moveable with respect to a guidewire collar of the body to adjust a stiffness of the guidewire. A tool is utilized with the guidewire to engage the guidewire head and move the guidewire head a desired distance from the guidewire collar to achieve a desired stiffness. The tool has a first mechanism that is configured to selectively deploy an insert to be positioned between the guidewire head and the guidewire collar. The insert maintains the desired stiffness of the guidewire.

Abstract: A variable-stiffness guidewire system which comprises an elongated flexible guidewire. The guidewire has a body and a guidewire head coupled to the body. The guidewire head is slidably moveable with respect to a guidewire collar of the body to adjust a stiffness of the guidewire. A tool is utilized with the guidewire to engage the guidewire head and move the guidewire head a desired distance from the guidewire collar to achieve a desired stiffness. The tool has a first mechanism that is configured to selectively deploy an insert to be positioned between the guidewire head and the guidewire collar. The insert maintains the desired stiffness of the guidewire.

Abstract: A variable-stiffness guidewire system comprises an elongated flexible guidewire having a body and a guidewire head that is coupled to the body. The guidewire head is slidably moveable with respect to a guidewire collar of the body to adjust a stiffness of at least a portion of the guidewire. An insert is coupled to the guidewire and positioned between the guidewire head and the guidewire collar. The insert has a cross-sectional dimension no larger than a diameter of the body. The insert is configured to maintain a distance of the guidewire head from the guidewire collar to maintain a desired stiffness in the at least a portion of the guidewire.

Abstract: A variable stiffness guidewire comprises a outer body including a plurality of coil windings that are oriented in a first direction. The outer body has a proximal end and a distal end and a hollow interior therebetween. A tension element is positioned within the hollow interior and has first and second opposed ends, wherein the second end is coupled to the distal end of the outer body. The tension element includes a plurality coil windings that are oriented in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The tension element is configured to be pulled in a direction away from the distal end of the outer body to increase a stiffness in at least a portion of the guidewire.

Abstract: Disclosed are both a decorative laminate and a method for making the decorative laminate. The decorative laminate includes a laminated layer having particulates trapped within a film. The trapped particulates impart the appearance of three-dimensional depth to the decorative laminate. Additionally, a second laminated film having a printed pattern can be laminated to the decorative laminate. The decorative laminate may be formed by laminating a freestanding decorative film composite comprising a particulate embedded film and a print component to a substrate.

Abstract: A method and composition for providing a colored high performance wear surface for floor coverings is disclosed. Specifically, the floor covering includes a substrate and a high performance layer comprising a radiation cured pigmented composition. The exposed surface of the floor covering has a stain resistance of less than about 150 Delta E units. A pigmented high performance wear layer can be added in register with a printed design on the substrate or in register with an embossed texture of the substrate. Additionally, a high performance topcoat wear layer may be added. The pigmented high performance layer may include a nacreous pigment.

Abstract: Disclosed is both a method and apparatus for mechanically embossing a surface covering. The apparatus includes an embossing tool comprising a slurry. The slurry includes both a filler and binder. The method includes printing a slurry onto a surface covering and compressing the slurry onto the surface covering to create a mechanically embossed texture onto the surface covering.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of and kits for detecting polymorphisms in a nucleic acid encoding a human histamine H2 receptor.

Abstract: The invention relates to allelic variants of human histamine H.sub.2 receptor genes and primer sequences useful in detecting such genes.