Abstract: A system for cutting a bone at a desired location may include an image guided drill cylinder configured to receive either a drill bit to create a bore at a target location on the bone or a pin for insertion into the target location, and a cutting block having a plurality of adjustable guides, each defining a cutting path to guide a cutting instrument, a mounting location configured to attach to the bone at the target location, and a plurality of adjustors for adjusting the position of the guides relative to the target location. The system may further include a tracking instrument for providing image guidance of the adjustments to the positions of the guides.

Abstract: The invention concerns test elements and methods for the optical detection of an analyte in a sample. The test element includes a support having at least one transparent portion, and a one-layer film positioned on the support. The film has a thickness when dry of less than about 10 ?m. The method includes contacting the sample with the test element and determining the analyte concentration in the sample.

Abstract: A medical procedure drape for use during a medical procedure such as a colonoscopy. The medical procedure drape includes a cover and a barrier.

Abstract: The present invention is a candle composition containing a vegetable lipid base component and a candle formed from the composition. The candle composition may contain up to 100 percent by weight of a vegetable lipid base component. The candle composition may further contain a plant derived crystal modifier.

Abstract: A clamp including kinetic energy control. The clamp includes a self-compensating, non-adjustable hydraulic damper having kinetic energy absorption, such as a shock absorber.

Abstract: The invention concerns an array and a method for dosing a hormone regulating the blood glucose, especially insulin of a diabetic patient (10). In order to improve the administration of the hormone, the invention provides the following characteristic combination: a) a measuring device (16) to detect measured values correlatable with blood sugar; b) a controlling means (12) comprising a controller (44) and a hormone dosing device (46) for supplying a hormone dosage; c) a pilot control device (14) acting on the hormone fine dosage controlling means (12) for performing a coarse pre-control in accordance with at least one influence variable that influences blood glucose.

Abstract: A healthcare management system and method identify individuals at risk of high near-term healthcare use. On step of the method includes collecting information from an individual for a predetermined set of predictive factors. Another step of the method includes assigning, based upon the information from the individual, a separate value to each predictive factor of the predetermined set of predictive factors. The method further includes the step of generating, based upon a predetermined predictive model and the separate values assigned to the predetermined set of predictive factors, a risk level of the individual utilizing healthcare services at a predetermined level within a prospective time span.

Abstract: A molecular interferometric imaging system for detecting an analyte in a sample, that includes an illumination source providing a beam of radiation; a pixel array for detecting radiation in an image plane; a biolayer designed to react to the analyte when it comes in contact with the sample; a substrate designed to convert phase modulation into intensity modulation which can be detected and imaged directly by the pixel array, the biolayer being on the substrate; a reference surface; an image switching means for switching between a first position for collecting a sample image of the biolayer, and a second position for collecting a reference image of the reference surface; and a processing means for producing a composite image using the sample image and the reference image for illumination normalization.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light-activated adhesive composite suitable for medical and surgical applications. The composite includes a scaffold and a light-activated adhesive, such as a laser tissue solder. The scaffold includes a biological, biocompatible, or biodegradable material, such as PLGA or SIS.

Abstract: A detection system includes a modulator to apply a circular polarization modulation to an incident beam of radiation, a sample holder through which the modulated beam is pass, a grating to diffract the beam of radiation, an array of solid state detectors arranged to receive different wavelengths of the beam, and a process arranged to synchronise detected signals with the modulation applied by the modulator, in order to measure the spectral circular dichroism of the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a vehicle. The apparatus includes an actuator and a stand assembly supported by the actuator. The stand assembly includes a coupling device configured to attach to a vehicle, and the actuator is configured to move the vehicle in response to a computer-generated signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive unit for a medical device such as an insulin pump, lancing device, or test strip magazine. The drive unit comprises an actuator for charging a mechanical energy storage element. The actuator oscillates and executes travel strokes which are transmitted by means of a step-up element to a nonreturn rotor or traveler for prestressing the mechanical energy storage element and driving a movement element.

Abstract: A logic synthesis method to apply supply gating to idle portions of general logic circuits in their active mode of operation to reduce power requirements and the circuits resulting therefrom. A Shannon expansion is utilized to determine idle portions and active portions of the general logic circuits.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a recipient's access to a user's information. The method includes receiving a plurality of contact information, registration information and access information from the user. Only person's knowing the user's registration information can update the contact and access information of the user. The contact information entered by a user is about that user. The access information defines accessible sets of contact information to be made accessible to recipients. A telephone exchange is associated with each recipient; and a local server is associated with each telephone exchange. The accessible set of information is stored in the local server for access by the recipient. The system handles updates to information on the local servers when a user updates their contact information. The system can automatically place calls for a recipient to a user that has granted the recipient access to a number for communicating with the user.

Abstract: A method and system for calculating a plan for moving trains on a network to reduce the cost of delays or late running. The method and system can be used to develop a timetable for real time dynamic rescheduling of trains on a network and for assessing proposed changes to network infrastructure.

Abstract: An apparatus for assessing topology of a surface of a target including an optical source for generating a probe laser beam. The apparatus also includes a means for scanning the probe laser beam across at least a portion of the surface of the target and a beamsplitter for redirecting a return signal toward the means for detecting the return signal in a substantially quadrature condition. A quadrature interferometric method for determining the presence or absence of a target analyte in a sample comprising a laser probe beam having a wavelength ? and a waist wo to probe at least a portion of a substrate having a reflecting surface that includes at least a first region having a layer of recognition molecules specific to the target analyte and a second region that does not include a layer of recognition molecules specific to the target analyte.

Abstract: A system and method for enrolling patients in a medical study, includes: a database component operative to maintain a medical practice database component and their corresponding plurality of specialities and a clinical studies database component and their corresponding plurality of medical studies. The system further includes a communications component to alert the medical practices of the medical studies and observe changes to the database components. The system also includes a processor programmed to update the database components, periodically match compatible medical specialties with the medical studies, and generate reports of the matched medical practices in the medical practice database. The system also includes a fee database component which the processor uses to calculate a fee for conducting the study.

Abstract: A plug for a port is provided. Preferably, the plug and a cartridge configured to couple fluid tubes to a housing use substantially identical components such as a seal and a retainer or guide.

Abstract: A vegetable lipid-based composition comprised of a vegetable lipid component and a petroleum wax is described. The vegetable lipid component may include a triglyceride or a free fatty acid/triglyceride mixture. The vegetable lipid-based composition has properties that make it advantageous in candle production.

Abstract: The present invention is the apparatus and method for producing a plastic sheet having a pattern produced in a layer therein. The plastic sheet is a single layer sheet or a multi-layer sheet. The pattern is produced by mixing two or more plastic extrudants together in a mixer. The pattern is visible in the layer containing the two or more plastic extrudants because an at least one of the plastic extrudants is at least partially transparent. The mixer used to produce the pattern includes a housing having an end configured to expel the mixture of the two or more extrudants through a plurality of outlets. The mixer further comprises a rotatable shaft and at least one projection coupled to the shaft and rotatable with the shaft, the at least one projection configured to orient the mixture of the two or more extrudants relative to the plurality of outlets in the housing. The mixer further comprising a thrust bearing configured to couple an end of the shaft to the housing.