Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include methods and systems for collecting, managing, and processing data for lending services. In one embodiment, a computerized system is disclosed that may receive a loan request from a customer, and collect data from the customer and third parties having information about the customer. The system may utilize the collected data in an ability-to-pay (ATP) calculator to determine the customer's ability to pay the requested loan, in addition to the customer's current financial obligations, and considering additional contextual factors. Different selectable versions of the ATP calculator may incorporate different contextual data and non-traditional financial data to provide a customized, accurate determination of the customer's ability-to-pay.

Abstract: A hose guide for guiding a hose over the edge of a roof or similar structure. The hose guide includes a base. A pivot mount is attached to the base. A pulley assembly is pivotally attached to the pivot mount. The pulley assembly includes a freely rotating pulley, which is bounded on at least three sides by a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall, and a gate. The gate may be selectively opened to allow a mid point of a hose to be placed on the pulley. The gate is then closed to capture the hose in the pulley housing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for attaching cardiac devices onto a natural heart by employing arrays of gripping elements, such as hooks or barbs. The gripping elements are designed to penetrate and lodge themselves in the epicardial tissue in order to secure the device to at least a portion of the surface of the heart muscle. The gripping elements, although designed to penetrate the surface of the heart, have limited depth penetration so as to avoid puncture of blood vessels. The attachment mechanisms disclosed herein can also permit both attachment and detachment of device.

Abstract: A tissue pick for use during minimally invasive surgeries includes a tissue grasping member disposed at the end of the tissue pick. The tissue grasping member may be rotated, articulated at an angle, axially displaced or otherwise manipulated by controlling the opposite end of the tissue pick.

Abstract: A portable device is provided for assisting persons with the acts of sitting down and rising from a seated position. The device comprises a base a seat, an inflatable air chamber and a battery powered air compressor. The air chamber, the compressor and the battery are self-contained within the base and seat, which fit together to form a case. The device further comprises three stabilizing scissor-braces which support and stabilize the side edges and the rear edge of the seat throughout its range of travel. The air chamber is preferably fashioned of non-stretch material. The device may also include a cable and spring mechanism to urge the seat into a closed position from a raised open position.

Abstract: A laser welding apparatus and system for surgically bonding tissue together provides a beam of coherent light at a wavelength corresponding to a specific tissue thickness at which full absorption of the laser energy occurs, and adjusts the energy of the laser beam in response to tissue temperature throughout the tissue thickness to prevent the tissue temperature from either exceeding a predetermined limit or varying outside a predetermined range. Preferably, the coherent light beam has a center wavelength of 1.9 .mu.m, and is variable between 1.85 and 1.91 .mu.m.

Abstract: A method of producing a fluid from an earth formation is disclosed having a first fluid zone, a second fluid zone extending at a horizontal distance from the first fluid zone and a barrier zone located between said fluid zones. The fluid is produced through a production wellbore having a fluid inlet located in the first fluid zone. The method includes creating an inclined wellbore section being part of an auxiliary wellbore formed in the earth formation, the inclined wellbore section extending through the first fluid zone, the barrier zone and the second fluid zone so as to provide fluid communication between the fluid zones, closing the auxiliary wellbore at a selected location so as to prevent flow of fluid from the fluid zones through the auxiliary wellbore to the earth surface, and producing fluid flowing from the second fluid zone via the inclined wellbore section into the first fluid zone and through the production wellbore.

Abstract: A multi-wavelength surgical laser apparatus of improved construction employs a fluid-filled stimulated Raman scattering cell in an optical feedback path of a pump laser having a power in a range suitable for surgery, and drives the Raman cell at a high repetition rate in a manner to produce a laser output at a substantially shifted wavelength at a power commensurate with that of the pump laser. In a preferred system, the relative proportions of pump light and Raman scattered light are varied to achieve a desired cutting or coagulating action. Preferably, the pump laser is operated at a pulse repetition rate above five hundred Hz. The fluid Raman medium is pumped across the optical axis of the cell. The flow system effectively doubles the Raman conversion efficiency and permits high power output while lowering the Raman lasing threshold.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating warm-blooded animals so as to reduce their voluntary alcohol consumption comprising the administration to the animals of an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.

Abstract: Fluids such as steam, water, foam, or chemical inhibitors which prevent scale or asphalt deposition are injected into or drawn from the reservoir formation near the intake zone of a production well via at least one fluid transfer leg which protrudes at a downhole location away from the production well into the reservoir formation.

Abstract: A method of use of an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor is provided which comprises administration of the inhibitor to warm-blooded animals so as to reduce their voluntary alcohol consumption. The method further includes combining the use of opiate receptor antagonist to further reduce alcohol consumption.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for installing a hollow pile into an earth formation. The pile is provided with a closed bottom and perforations in a section of its wall near the bottom end and/or bottom closing plate. In this method, the pile is driven into the earth formation and liquid thermo-setting resin-forming composition is displaced through the pile and the perforations to permeate the formation where it solidifies and forms a consolidated mass. The liquid thermosetting resin-forming composition comprises:10-25%v--Epikote - 8282.5-10%v--MDA12.5-30%v--Butyloxitol0.25-2.5%v--DMP-100.5-5%v--Kerosene, and37.5-65%v--Xylene.

Abstract: A slit is cut along the nesting fold line of a doubly folded folio format newspaper in order to minimize the buckling of the paper when the pages are turned. The slit has a length of between about 2 and 5 inches and is located so as to be bisected by the secondary fold line of the newspaper which is perpendicularly disposed to the nesting fold line. A specialized tool is provided for manually cutting the slit.

Abstract: An impermeable and continuous coating is formed on the wall of a borehole in which a drill string is present by injecting coating forming components and a carrier fluid through the drill string. Subsequently the coating forming components are separated, e.g. in a decanting centrifuge, from the carrier fluid and plastered to the wellbore as a continuous layer.

Abstract: A method of drilling a borehole is provided using a drill bit coupled to the lower end of a pair of concentric drill pipes. During drilling a first low viscosity fluid, such as oil or water, is circulated through the pipes while a second fluid, such as a weighted viscosified mud, is kept stationary in the pipe/formation annulus.

Abstract: In order to prevent gas migration along the outer surface of a casing which is cemented in a well, the casing is provided with casing-surrounding sheaths of an elastomeric foam, which sheaths are able to seal-off the spacing that may be formed between the casing and the cement.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for forming composite parts comprising producing a composite mold surface having a high fiber volume and that is resistant to crazing, backing the mold surface with Viton rubber extending beyond the outermost peripheries of a part to be formed in the mold surface with heat and pressure and securing the Viton rubber in place, preferably using a composite mold base structure and with the Viton rubber clamped between the mold surface or by other mechanical means such as a composite retainer on the composite mold surface to receive and protect the edge of the Vitonrubber.

Abstract: To cement the annulus around a casing string in a well penetrating an underground formation, a column of cement slurry which is or includes a foam cement slurry is placed in the annulus and allowed to set. The amount of gas contained in the slurry and the set cement is such that the density in the cement slurry column and the cement in the annulus increases with increasing depth.