Abstract: An insulating container having a base and a lid is provided. The lid may be rotatable about a hinge from a closed configuration to an open configuration and may be secured, via one or more latching devices, in the closed configuration. In some examples, the insulating container further includes a pull handle assembly with a telescopic three-stage arm configuration defined by a stowed configuration, a partially extended configuration, and a fully extended configuration. In other examples, the insulating container further includes a wheel assembly with a pair of wheels mounted with one or two axles, and further including a wheel grommet for absorbing shock and cushioning the axle. In still other examples, the insulating container further includes a drain plug assembly on the rear sidewall adjacent to the bottom portion of the base, the drain plug assembly comprising a main tube that cooperatively engages with an outer tube with a plurality of ratchet teeth that engage one or more ratchet keys on the main tube.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising one or more layers and/or indicia formed from a fluorescent composition comprising: a base polymer; and a colorant; wherein the colorant is a small-molecule ionic isolation lattice formed from one or more fluorescent dye and one or more cyanostar macrocycles. The one or more fluorescent dyes may include at least one dye selected from xanthenes, oxazines, styryls, cyanines, trianguleniums, or mixtures thereof. The colorant may be a dispersion of the small-molecule ionic isolation lattice in a carrier medium or a powder. In particular embodiments, at least one of the one or more layers is a cover layer and/or a coating layer.

Abstract: Loss control inspections by an insurance company are facilitated by a system that includes a wearable data-gathering device worn by a loss control inspector while he/she conducts an inspection. Other aspects of the system may include a centralized report processor operated by the insurance company, and a mobile device (such as a smartphone) carried by the loss control inspector to relay data between the wearable data-gathering device and the centralized report processor. The loss control inspector may gather verbal and visual information via the wearable data-gathering device, guided by prompts originating from the centralized report processor. The prompts may cause the data to be gathered as required to complete sections of an inspection report format. The centralized report processor may automatically edit and assemble the data gathered via the wearable device to generate a completed inspection report.

Abstract: A system and method of providing control of prices in an on screen window having a price held for further transactions on an interface for traders of financial instruments. The interface contains a display of products for trading and respective prices for bids and offers. The user has a control device such as a computer mouse with a roller control. Selection of a particular product results in the display of the price of the product at the instant time the product is selected. The price is held until a confirming key or mouse stroke is received to initiate a trading action such as placing a new order, killing an existing order or hitting or lifting an order. The price can be altered by means of the roller control.

Abstract: An Internet-based system and method facilitates interactive placing and acceptance of patient referrals within a health care community. A referring health care provider accesses the proposed specialty clinic or other provider through the system, identifies the patient and pertinent medical conditions, and responds to interactive queries put by the system to qualify the patient and his or her medical condition for the referral. The system automatically accepts or rejects the referral, proposes prior tests or treatments for the patient before another referral attempt is made, or accepts the referral subject to tests being completed. Accepted referrals are then scheduled by staff depending on their urgency as indicated in the interactive querying system. Rules governing the interactive querying are set by physicians and managers of the community and can be changed as conditions warrant.

Abstract: A method for treating patients suffering from left ventricular dysfunction, exhibited by a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than normal, is disclosed. The method involves applying, during diastole, for a time period of about one hour, about five days each week for at least about seven weeks, an incrementally increasing therapeutic pressure to the patients' lower extremities, from the calves through the thighs and the buttocks. The hourly treatments are carried out at incrementally increasing peak diastolic/systolic pressure ratios (D/S Ratios) in the range of about 0.4:1 up to about 0.6:1 and thereafter at a D/S Ratio in the range of 0.5:1 to 1:1 for each consecutive hourly treatment, with the proviso that the average D/S Ratio over the entire treatment regimen does not exceed about 0.9:1.

Abstract: Circulatory assistance is provided in a non-invasive procedure safely and effectively using a microprocessor of an external counter pulsation device programmed to control the actuation of any or all of a plurality of valves, each of which is mounted on and in fluid communication with one of a plurality of individual inflatable bladders disposed in pockets within cuffs encasing the calves, thighs, buttocks, abdomen and/or chest of a person and an optional valve in fluid communication with the person's airway, in any desired sequence or order, toward the heart or toward the feet, either during diastole or systole, at desired inception times during the cardiac cycle, for selected durations and at chosen pressures, for treating a variety of cardiac, non-cardiac and circulatory conditions.

Abstract: An interface layer for separating first and second microelectronic ceramic substrates during firing includes a thermally degradable binder, preferably a polymer, that degrades at temperatures above room temperature and below a firing temperature for the microelectronic ceramic substrates, and a separating material, such as boron nitride or graphite. The method of making the interface layer includes mixing the binder, one or more solvents for the binder, a plasticizer and the separating material for a sufficient period of time to form a homogeneous mass, then casting the material in a thin sheet to form the interface layer.

Abstract: A cleaning method and related apparatus for cleaning semiconductor screening masks using an aqueous alkali detergent solution applied under high pressure simultaneously from both sides of the mask, followed by a drying step that uses air knives to blow off the mask surface any residual cleaner solution.

Abstract: A surgical sleeve which includes an array of spaced apart protuberances on an interior wall surface. The spaced protuberance reduce the surface contact between the sleeve and the tip and define a network of generally uniform channels through which fluid may flow, irrespective of pressure applied to the sleeve. As a result, the sleeve is able to provide fluid flow which is better able to remove heat from the tip and provide a more uniform irrigation of the eye.

Abstract: Greensheets having enhanced flexibility and strength are prepared from a greensheet casting composition comprising alumina or other ceramic having a mean particle size of less than about 1 micron and being substantially unimodal, a binder resin, a solvent system and a plasticizer. The greensheets may be formed having a thickness of about 50 microns using conventional greensheet fabricating devices. The greensheets are particularly suitable as dielectric layers for internal layer capacitors in a multilayer ceramic substrate. A preferred co-sintering heating profile to avoid blistering of the MLC package is also provided to form the capacitor containing MLC.

Abstract: A cleaning method and related apparatus for cleaning semiconductor screening masks using an aqueous alkali detergent solution applied under high pressure simultaneously from both sides of the mask, followed by a drying step that uses air knives to blow off the mask surface any residual cleaner solution.

Abstract: Camber of ceramic substrates is prevented by placing a conformable load tile over substrates during sintering. The conformable load tile has an initial curvature that facilitates escape of substrate binder gases during a burn out cycle. Subsequently, the conformable load tile conforms to the substrates under the higher heat of sintering temperature to maintain flatness of the substrates. To prevent sticking of the conformable load tile to the substrates, the conformable load tile is provided with a nonstick surface.

Abstract: A process for making multiple microelectronic ceramic substrates uses an interface layer between stacked layers of green sheets that are laminated with the interface layer, then fired to produce the ceramic substrates. The interface layer acts to protect the substrates, and to hold them together before firing, then thermally degrades at a desired point in the firing cycle to separate the individual substrates. The invention also includes the ceramic substrates produced by the method.

Abstract: An interface layer for separating first and second microelectronic ceramic substrates during firing includes a thermally degradable binder, preferably a polymer, that degrades at temperatures above room temperature and below a firing temperature for the microelectronic ceramic substrates, and a separating material, such as boron nitride or graphite. The method of making the interface layer includes mixing the binder, one or more solvents for the binder, a plasticizer and the separating material for a sufficient period of time to form a homogeneous mass, then casting the material in a thin sheet to form the interface layer.

Abstract: Process for producing multilayer ceramic substrates using greensheet technology and thin dielectric ceramic greensheets for miniaturization purposes. The process avoids the screening of the thin greensheets by forming self-supporting fusible particulate metal electrode layers, interposing them with the thin greensheets and sintering the assembly to form the multilayer substrates such as integrated capacitors.

Abstract: Process for producing circuitized greensheets including multi-layer ceramic sub-laminates and composites comprising thin ceramic greensheets carrying and thin, fine line patterned conductive metal layers. The invention comprises releasably-supporting the thin greensheets on a temporary carrier support having an ablatable release layer, preferably over a patterned conductive layer, and filling the vias with conductive metal paste, whereby the thin greensheets are supported against warpage and distortion. The supported greensheets are formed as single layers, pairs and stacks thereof, as desired, and thereafter separated from the temporary support for use.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a deformable or compressible intraocular lens can be received and staged for insertion into a patient's eye. The apparatus has an elongated compression chamber with proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal passageway, having an inner surface, extending between the ends. The portion of the passageway adjacent to the proximal end forms a loading area in which the passageway gradually decreases in size for causing an intraocular lens to be deformed or compressed as the lens is moved along the passageway. A staging area having a top and bottom passageway wall, communicates with the loading area with the passageway wall including alignment means for retaining the intraocular lens in a deformed or compressed condition. A portion of the passageway is sized to retain the intraocular lens in the deformed or compressed condition.

Abstract: A combination retractable syringe and injector enclosure are disclosed. A hypodermic syringe is placed into the injector enclosure and attached to a spring-loaded plunger. The plunger terminates in a tubular case that houses a coil spring and extends out from one end of the injector enclosure. An empty syringe may be filled by loading the injector with the empty syringe, engaging the plunger with the empty syringe, positioning a canula or needle of the syringe for collecting a fluid, and then withdrawing the case and plunger from the end of the injector enclosure. This causes the syringe to pull fluid from the canula and into the body of the syringe. In an alternate use, a fluid in a full syringe is dispensed by loading the injector enclosure with the full syringe, engaging the plunger with the full syringe, positioning the canula for injection, and then pushing the case into the injector enclosure.

Abstract: Circulatory assistance is provided in a non-invasive procedure safely and effectively using a microprocessor of an external counter pulsation device programmed to control the actuation of any or all of a plurality of valves, each of which is mounted on and in fluid communication with one of a plurality of individual inflatable bladders disposed in pockets within cuffs encasing the calves, thighs, buttocks, abdomen and/or chest of a person and an optional valve in fluid communication with the person's airway, in any desired sequence or order, toward the heart or toward the feet, either during diastole or systole, at desired inception times during the cardiac cycle, for selected durations and at chosen pressures, for treating a variety of cardiac, non-cardiac and circulatory conditions.