Abstract: A haptic input device comprises a hexapod or pentapod parallel linkage mechanism with force feedback effected by proportional control of magneto-restrictive fluid brakes constraining the measurement of the struts of the mechanism, through their base nodes. In the pentapod version of the haptic data input device, a haptic stylus is employed which includes an annular compliant feature that can be squeezed and whose squeeze pressure can be monitored.

Abstract: A powered mechanism able to articulate about two orthogonal tilt axes, the powered mechanism having a sphere pivotally mounted in a ring or band and driven by a first pivotally mounted motor to articulate the sphere about the first axis, and a second pivotally mounted motor mounted to a fixed reference to drive the sphere about the second axis through ring or band.

Abstract: A fishing rod holder that is mountable to a surface. The rod holder comprises an elongated sleeve defining a proximal end, a distal end and a body disposed between the proximal end and the distal end. The body delimits an internal channel that extends between the proximal end and the distal end and that opens out of the distal end. The distal end includes a first cut-out and a second cut-out which are in communication with the internal channel and in communication with each other. The second cut-out is positioned perpendicular with respect to the first cut-out and opening out of the distal end wherein the second cutout is sized and shaped to guide the handle of the fishing rod to the first cut-out as the fishing rod enters the distal end and into the internal channel.

Abstract: An element management system (EMS) for monitoring elements of a communication network utilizes a plurality of clients, a plurality of network elements, and an element management system (EMS). The clients and the network elements are interfaced with the EMS. The EMS is configured to track which of the network elements are of interest to the clients and to automatically monitor the network elements based on which of the network elements are determined, by the EMS, to be of interest to the clients. The EMS is further configured to provide the clients with information indicative of the monitored elements. Furthermore, the EMS may be configured to store graphical user interface (GUI) code that can be utilized to provide a GUI for monitoring and/or changing a network element. The EMS may provide the GUI code to the clients on demand and may enable a user to update the GUI code stored at the EMS.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body shaped to deform a wellbore tool in a predetermined manner. A vibration device applies a vibration to the body to reduce a frictional force caused when the body deforms the wellbore tool. In one arrangement, the vibration devices imparts a resonant wave motion to a swaging apparatus that is being pushed through a passage of a wellbore tubular. A swaging body vibrates at a resonant frequency along the long axis of the wellbore tubular and/or normal to long axis of the wellbore tubular. The relative motion between the swaging body and the tubular member reduces the force required to expand the wellbore tubular. Optionally, a controller operatively connected to the vibration device adjusts the operation of the vibration device in response to the sensor measurements of the vibrations in the swage body.

Abstract: Guidewires and thin-film catheter-sheaths, fabricated using vacuum deposition techniques, which are monolayer or plural-layer members having ultra-thin wall thicknesses to provide very-low profile delivery assemblies for introduction and delivery of endoluminal devices.

Abstract: A composition for human or animal consumption for supplying folate which includes a natural isomer of reduced folate, such as (6S)-tetrahydrofolic acid. 5-methyl-(6S)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5-formyl-(6S)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 10-formyl-(6R)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5,10-methylene-(6R)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5,10-methenyl-(6R)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5-formimino-(6S)-tetrahydrofolic acid, and their polyglutamyl derivatives is disclosed. Such compositions include multivitamin preparations (with or without minerals and other nutrients); breakfast foods such as prepared cereals, toaster pastries and breakfast bars; infant formulas; dietary supplements and complete diet and weight-loss formulas and bars; animal feed (for example pet foods) and animal feed supplements (such as for poultry feed). The amount of the natural isomer of a reduced folate in a composition for human consumption can range between about 5% and about 200% of the daily requirement for folic acid per serving or dose.

Abstract: This invention relates to prosthetic cardiac and venous valves and a single catheter device and minimally invasive techniques for percutaneous and transluminal valvuloplasty and prosthetic valve implantation.

Abstract: A b-tree having information stored therein is utilized to facilitate positional access of elements stored in the leaves of the b-tree. The b-tree is structured such that for each non-leaf level value, a count is located to its immediate left and a value is located to its immediate right. These left and right counts indicate the number of leaf level values located in the leaves of the sub-trees to the immediate left and right of the value. The left and right counts are used to determine the path to take when descending the b-tree in search of a specific position. The counts can also be utilized to determine the total number of values in the leaf level of the b-tree.

Abstract: An endoluminal stent composed of a plurality of first structural elements arrayed to form the circumference of the stent and extending along the longitudinal axis of the stent, and a plurality of second structural elements that interconnect adjacent pairs of first structural elements. The plurality of first structural elements have either a linear shape or a generally sinusoidal configuration with either a regular or irregular periodicity or regions of regular and regions of irregular periodicity between the peaks and troughs of the pattern, with the peaks and troughs projecting from the first structural elements in the circumferential axis. The plurality of second structural elements are generally linear or sinusoidal-shaped members which interconnect an apex of a peak of one of the plurality of first structural elements with an apex of a valley of a second and adjacent one of the plurality of first structural elements.

Abstract: Implantable in vivo sensors used to monitor physical, chemical or electrical parameters within a body. The in vivo sensors are integral with an implantable medical device and are responsive to externally or internally applied energy. Upon application of energy, the sensors undergo a phase change in at least part of the material of the device which is then detected external to the body by conventional techniques such as radiography, ultrasound imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, radio frequency imaging or the like. The in vivo sensors of the present invention may be employed to provide volumetric measurements, flow rate measurements, pressure measurements, electrical measurements, biochemical measurements, temperature, measurements, or measure the degree and type of deposits within the lumen of an endoluminal implant, such as a stent or other type of endoluminal conduit.

Abstract: The invention relates to cleaning deposits from a moving surface within a printer. According to just one aspect of the invention a cleaning device for cleaning a moving surface in a printer is provided. The cleaning device includes a blade defining at least one cleaning edge configured to engage the moving surface in the printer, the blade including a multitude of blade segments spaced along a width thereof.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of restricting user access to parcels of data in a database. Each user of the database may be given a specified security level depending on their needs for their job. Further, each parcel of data in the database may be assigned a particular security threshold that determines its ability to be accessed by users. Both the security threshold of parcels of data, and security levels of users can be easily changed by a user with administrator status. Further an administrator is able to allow a user to access a particular parcel of data whose security threshold is greater than the users security level, by means of an override. The present invention is easily adaptable to help restrict search results of a search of a database, so that each user could receive different results, based on their security level and overrides, from the same initial search.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies are provided that employ an allocation lock, which permits only a single transaction to acquire space on a particular page at any one time. The allocation lock of the present invention facilitates operations of concurrent transactions at a subpage level (e.g., a row level), and in conjunction with a heap manager can enforce a set of conditions such that prior to a commit stage of a transaction, a space availability for a particular page can be typically assured (e.g., that transactions operating on various copies of the page do not consume all of storage space on that page), and reorganization of data around the page is mitigated (e.g., that a transaction need not move data around the page for purpose of merging various copies.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies are provided for efficiently performing concurrent transactions by multiple users, and tracking data at a logical level beneath a physical level of the object being modified. Each transaction can copy a committed version of the data segment to be modified to its respective space, and can update such copy during modification. A detect component detects whether any data segment being operated upon requires updating as a result of other transactions committing, and a merge component synchronizes the data segment with its committed version. Various optimization procedures can also be incorporated as part of the commit stage, upon completion of the detect and merge process.

Abstract: This invention relates in general to fuser for a reproduction apparatus, and more particularly to an adjustable loading mechanism for a printing machine fuser. According to various aspects of the invention, apparatus and methods for loading a printing machine fuser are provided. A loading force for a pressure member and a fuser member may be generated by deflecting a spring relative to a spring support that restrains an end of the spring, the spring support being mounted to an arm body, the arm body comprising a pivot axis and a loading mount acting on one of the pressure member and the fuser member. The loading force may be adjusted by displacing the spring support to adjust a deflection of the spring.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies are provided in a lock hierarchy arrangement wherein upon release of all child locks associated with a parent lock, then such parent lock is also released. The present invention supplies each lock with sufficient information to determine its own life time. Such framework enables a higher degree of transaction concurrency in a database, and mitigates an over locking thereof, thus conserving system resources.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for searching for a desired item includes, in response to user input specifying an alphanumeric string associated with a desired item, searching a database that comprises information associated with items for an alphanumeric string that matches the user-specified alphanumeric string to determine item names and item descriptions for all matching items corresponding to the matching alphanumeric string. The determined item names and item descriptions for the matching items are provided for display to the user. In response to user input indicating a desire to view attribute values for attributes of the particular matching item, attribute names and attribute values for attributes of the particular matching item are determined and provided for display to the user.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies are provided for enforcing a set of conditions such that prior to a commit stage of a transaction, a space availability for a particular page can be typically assured (e.g., that transactions operating on various copies of the page do not consume all of storage space on that page), and reorganization of data around the page is mitigated (e.g., that a transaction need not move data around the page for purpose of merging various copies.) A page aggregator and a heap manager can facilitate operations of concurrent transactions at a subpage level (e.g., a row level), during such modifications of a data base by multiple users.

Abstract: The present invention consists of an implantable structural element for in vivo controlled delivery of bioactive active agents to a situs in a body. The implantable structural element may be configured as an implantable prosthesis, such as an endoluminal stent, cardiac valve, osteal implant or the like, which serves a dual function of being prosthetic and a carrier for a bioactive agent. Control over elution of the bioactive agents occurs through a plurality of cantilever-like cover members which prevent drug elution until an endogenous or exogenous stimulus causes the cover members to open and permit drug elution.