Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices that support variable modulation schemes for memory are described. A device may switch between different modulation schemes for communication based on one or more operating parameters associated with the device or a component of the device. The modulation schemes may involve amplitude modulation in which different levels of a signal represent different data values. For instance, the device may use a first modulation scheme that represents data using two levels and a second modulation scheme that represents data using four levels. In one example, the device may switch from the first modulation scheme to the second modulation scheme when bandwidth demand is high, and the device may switch from the second modulation scheme to the first modulation scheme when power conservation is in demand. The device may also, based on the operating parameter, change the frequency of the signal pulses communicated using the modulation schemes.

Abstract: A cooling device for placement against a body part or object includes a shell member having an outer face and an inner face disposed against a surface to be cooled. A first cooling substrate is disposed within the shell member and is an absorbent web having a generally uniform application of a first cooling composition applied thereto, the cooling composition activated by contact with an aqueous liquid. An aqueous liquid source is disposed within the shell member and is separated from the first cooling substrate by a barrier member. The device is activated by manual manipulation to breach the barrier member causing liquid from the liquid source to move within the interior space of the shell member to contact and activate the cooling composition whereby a cooling reaction is generated.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for overlaying ultrasound imagery on a laparoscopic camera display. The system may include a laparoscope configured to capture a laparoscopic image of a surgical field and a laparoscopic ultrasound probe configured to capture an ultrasonic image of a structure in the surgical field. The system may further include a tracking system configured to detect a position and orientation of the laparoscope and a position and orientation of the laparoscopic ultrasound probe. The system may further include data associated with the laparoscope wherein the data indicates a distortion in the laparoscopic image. The system may further include a computer configured to receive the laparoscopic image, the ultrasonic image and the distortion data associated with the laparoscope.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for overlaying ultrasound imagery on a laparoscopic camera display. The system may include a laparoscope configured to capture a laparoscopic image of a surgical field and a laparoscopic ultrasound probe configured to capture an ultrasonic image of a structure in the surgical field. The system may further include a tracking system configured to detect a position and orientation of the laparoscope and a position and orientation of the laparoscopic ultrasound probe. The system may further include data associated with the laparoscope wherein the data indicates a distortion in the laparoscopic image. The system may further include a computer configured to receive the laparoscopic image, the ultrasonic image and the distortion data associated with the laparoscope.

Abstract: Absorbent articles incorporating a wetness sensor for indicating the presence of a body fluid are disclosed. In particular, the absorbent articles include at least two conductive elements that form an open circuit within the article. Each conductive element is connected to a conductive pad member that has sufficient surface area in order to facilitate connection to a signaling device. In accordance with the present disclosure, various attachment mechanisms are disclosed for attaching the pad members to a signaling device. In particular, although the absorbent articles are disposable, the signaling device is intended to be used with multiple absorbent articles. Therefore, a simple and efficient method of connecting the signaling device to the pad members provides various advantages. In one particular embodiment, for instance, the pad members comprise a conductive loop-type material that is attached to a corresponding conductive hook-type material on the signaling device.

Abstract: A warming device for placement against a body part or object includes a shell member having an outer face and an inner face disposed against a surface to be warmed. A first warming substrate is disposed within the shell member and is an absorbent web having a generally uniform application of a first warming composition applied thereto, the warming composition activated by contact with an aqueous liquid. An aqueous liquid source is disposed within the shell member and is separated from the first warming substrate by a barrier member. The device is activated by manual manipulation to breach the barrier member causing liquid from the liquid source to move within the interior space of the shell member to contact and activate the warming composition whereby a warming reaction is generated.

Abstract: A cooling device for placement against a body part or object includes a shell member having an outer face and an inner face disposed against a surface to be cooled. A first cooling substrate is disposed within the shell member and is an absorbent web having a generally uniform application of a first cooling composition applied thereto, the cooling composition activated by contact with an aqueous liquid. An aqueous liquid source is disposed within the shell member and is separated from the first cooling substrate by a barrier member. The device is activated by manual manipulation to breach the barrier member causing liquid from the liquid source to move within the interior space of the shell member to contact and activate the cooling composition whereby a cooling reaction is generated.

Abstract: A cooling device for beverage containers includes a shell member having dimensions so as to encircle a beverage container. In use, the shell member has an outer face and an inner face disposed against the beverage container. The shell member defines an interior space, and a first cooling substrate is disposed within this interior space. The cooling substrate includes a web having a generally uniform application of a first cooling composition applied thereto, the cooling composition being activated by contact with an aqueous liquid. An aqueous liquid source is disposed within the interior space and is separated from the first cooling substrate by a barrier member. The cooling device is activated by manual manipulation to breach the barrier member, whereby liquid from the liquid source moves within the interior space to contact and activate the cooling composition, and generate a cooling reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising chipped whole wood logs as a substrate for growth of plants. It further provides a method of making a substrate comprising wood chips for growth of plants, and a method of growing potted plants in a composition comprising chipped wood logs as the primary substrate for growth.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric is provided which is made from fibers comprising at least two thermoplastic polymers and a compatibilizer. One of the thermoplastic polymers is present as a dominant continuous phase and the other one or more polymers are present as a non-continuous phase or phases. The polymer of the non-continuous phase or phases has a polymer melt temperature less than 30.degree. C. below the polymer melt temperature of the continuous phase. The polymer of the dominant phase may be, for example, polypropylene and the non-continuous phase may be, for example, polyamide. The compatibilizer may be one of several such as zinc ionomers of ethylenemethacrylic acid or modified polypropylene with maleic anhydride. The fibers from which the fabric is made are generally between about 5 and 50 microns in diameter and the non-continuous phase may exist within the continuous phase as fibrils with a cross-sectional area at least 0.1% of the cross-sectional area of the fiber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite elastic material adapted to provide improved tenacity in one direction and which includes (1) an anisotropic elastic fibrous web having at least one layer of elastomeric meltblown fibers and at least one layer of substantially parallel rows of elastomeric filaments autogenously bonded to at least a portion of the elastomeric meltblown fibers, and (2) at least one gatherable layer joined at spaced apart locations to the anisotropic elastic fibrous web so that the gatherable layer is gathered between the spaced-apart locations. The anisotropic elastic fibrous web has a strength index of at least about 2 or less than 0.5. The substantially parallel rows of elastomeric filaments in the elastic fibrous web may have an average diameter ranging from about 40 to about 750 microns and constitute at least about 20 percent, by weight, of the anisotropic elastic fibrous web.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anisotropic elastomeric nonwoven fibrous web composed of a substantially homogeneous distribution of elastomeric meltblown fibers that are physically aligned along one of the planar dimensions of the web. The anisotropic elastomeric nonwoven web of meltblown fibers has a strength index of at least about 2. Also disclosed is process of making such an anisotropic elastomeric nonwoven web of meltblown fibers as well as a composite elastic material which contains an anisotropic elastomeric nonwoven web of meltblown fibers.