Abstract: The invention comprises a system for the secure remote programming of an implant. A TAN server is provided for this purpose, in which a user is first accredited and which then generates a TAN upon a request and provides it to the user on one hand and to a patient intermediate device assigned to the implant to be reprogrammed on the other hand.

Abstract: A pump supplies pressurized air to inflate compression garments, mattresses, cushions, or similar at the desired times and to desired pressures appropriate to the therapy. The garments are each identified by small steps generated in the pressure waveform during inflation, with the identifying means including a flat sheet valve in the connector chamber having vents to atmosphere and being situated along the flow path from the pump to the garment(s). As the air flows through the connection tubing and through the connector a pressure wave is generated by the valve and fed back upstream to a pressure sensor in the pump. The shape of the pressure waveform identifies a particular compression garment, the pump supplying the appropriate inflation regime upon detection of this pressure waveform.

Abstract: A portable sensor unit for capturing motion and/or other data may be securely mounted on objects such as a user's limb, a vehicle, or other items. The sensor unit may then collect motion and/or other data from the object to which it is affixed, and may provide this data to a data logger which stores the data. The data logger may subsequently communicate the data to a gaming system which may tailor the motion characteristics of a virtual object to resemble those of the real-world object from which the motion data was captured. Thus, a user can (for example) capture motion data from a vehicle, with this data being supplied to a video gaming unit which provides a virtual vehicle having the same acceleration/deceleration, handling, and other characteristics.

Abstract: Fluoropolymer foams are prepared by mixing fluoropolymer resin with blowing agents and additives to produce foamable compounds at temperatures below the activation temperature of the blowing agent. The compounded material is expanded at temperatures above both the softening point of the fluoropolymer resin and the activation temperature of the blowing agent. The resulting fluoropolymer foam can be fabricated into any desired shape, such as pipes, sheets, tapes, blocks and rods, using techniques such as cutting, welding, thermoforming and adhesive bonding. Alternatively the fluoropolymer compound may be expanded directly into the desired shape, for example, by expanding the compound in a mold.

Abstract: Antifreeze polypeptides, antifreeze compositions including the polypeptides, nucleotides encoding the antifreeze polypeptides, methods of making antifreeze compositions, and methods of inhibiting ice crystal growth are provided herein. The peptides are based on the primary sequence of collagen and include those having a molecular weight between about 500-7000 Da. The peptides preferably include cationic polypeptides. The methods of making antifreeze compositions include digesting collagen or gelatin into hydrolysates with peptides having molecular weights between about 500-7000 Da. The digestions are performed with proteases and/or non-enzymatic hydrolysis. The methods of inhibiting ice crystal growth include adding the antifreeze polypeptides or compositions described herein to a composition to be frozen. The methods may be used to inhibit ice crystal growth in frozen food products.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of inhibiting the growth of neoplastic tumors and lesions and localized infections by administering an Immune Response Modifier (IRM) drug to human patients suffering from such tumors, lesions or infections. IRMs act by stimulating cellular immunity and have been found to have both anti-viral and anti-tumor effects. By administering IRM drugs directly into a tumor, lesion or infection, the cells of the tumor, lesion or infection, as well as those surrounding the tumor, lesion or infection can be stimulated to increase their cellular response, thereby inhibiting the growth of such tumors, lesions or infections.

Abstract: A medical implant has at least one interface for bidirectional wireless data exchange, a data memory, and a controller. The controller and interface perform a wireless data exchange with at least two different external devices, resulting in at least two different data communication channels, one channel being assigned to data communication with the programming device and a second channel being assigned to data communication with a central service center. The medical implant is also designed to receive control commands and/or messages over the second channel while the second channel is active, and to recognize received control commands and/or messages intended for a programming device, store them temporarily in a memory (if necessary), and forward them to a programming device via the first channel when the first channel is active.

Abstract: A cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator, or other programmable medical device (25) includes a source unit (15) and a collection unit (20). The source unit (15) has a check data unit (40) generating at least one check datum for control data for the medical device (25), and a transmitting unit (45) transmitting the control data and the check datum to the collection unit (20). The collection unit (20) has a storage unit (65) storing the control data, a check unit (70) checking the integrity of the control data using the check datum, and a transmitting unit (75) transmitting the control data to a programmable control unit (80) of the medical device (25) only if the integrity of the control data is established by the check unit (70). The control unit (80) of the medical device (25) controls the functions of the medical device (20) on the basis of the transmitted control data.

Abstract: A support for a self-balancing vehicle that allows users to operate the vehicle while standing or sitting. The support includes one or more sitting platforms connected to the vehicle. The sitting platforms are rotationally movable between standing and sitting positions. The sitting platforms are connected to the vehicle by support bars that run vertically from the sitting platforms to the body of the vehicle. Displaceable rods moveably attached to the support bars contact the underside of the sitting platforms when in the sitting position and extend past the support bars to the standing platform to activate the vehicle. A plate system interposed between where the displaceable rods extend from the support bars and the standing platform help to evenly distribute pressure exerted by the support bars on the standing platform.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing fuel costs, along with a corresponding apparatus, and a corresponding medium are described. The method includes receiving transaction information at a Network Administrator, the transaction information being associated with: (a) a shipper who has arranged for a shipment of goods from an origin to a destination; and (b) a corresponding carrier that has agreed to transport the shipment using a pre-determined maximum number of eligible units of fuel, where the fuel is purchased by the carrier at a pre-set base price per eligible unit, and where the fuel is purchased from pre-selected fueling locations. The maximum number of eligible units of fuel and the base price per eligible unit for the shipment are established between the shipper and the carrier, while the fueling locations are established by the Network Administrator. The actual price paid for the fuel is set by the market.

Abstract: Closed cell silicone foams are formed by subjecting a silicone base to an inert gas at an elevated pressure, preferably after a pre-curing step, reducing the pressure to allow the base to expand to produce closed cell silicone foam and curing this expanded foam at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: A marginals aquarium planting system includes a hanging planter and at least one disc-like trellis raft floating in front of the hanging planter. The trellis raft is comprised of sections of closed-cell foam that form an asymmetrical latticework. The system can also include supplementary floats.

Abstract: A container and method of using the container to maintain an excised tissue specimen in a fixed orientation during transport and imaging is described. The container includes a body, a flexible, soft retainer capable of holding various sized specimens, an adjustable soft retainer that interacts with the body to retain the specimen against the soft retainer without significant compression or distortion, and a lid that snaps tightly to the body reducing bodily fluid leakage when the container is placed in a horizontal position, and preventing contamination of the specimen.

Abstract: Disclosed are carbenes of the general formula: and including salts thereof, and metal complexes thereof. The carbenes are useful in any reaction where carbenes and carbene-metal complexes are used. The carbenes disclosed herein are particularly useful in asymmetric catalysis.

Abstract: A system for controlling the dimensions of an extrudate exiting an extruder and for compensating for the variations in the extrusion rate of the extruder, expansion rate and rate of travel of the extrudate through sizing devices by changing the speed of an extrudate puller device, includes an extruder which extrudes the extrudate; a conveyor system comprising rollers and a series of sizing devices; a puller device for pulling the extrudate through the sizing devices; and a laser proximity measuring device to assist the system in keeping the desired shape of the extrudate. The laser proximity measuring device includes at least one pair of optical non-contact displacement transducers, a real time processor, and an interactive touch screen display unit. The transducers emit a laser beam which provides a laser point on the side of the extrudate.

Abstract: A low-temperature catalytic process for converting biomass (preferably glycerol recovered from the fabrication of bio-diesel) to synthesis gas (i.e., H2/CO gas mixture) in an endothermic gasification reaction is described. The synthesis gas is used in exothermic carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions, such as Fischer-Tropsch, methanol, or dimethylether syntheses. The heat from the exothermic carbon-carbon bond-forming reaction is integrated with the endothermic gasification reaction, thus providing an energy-efficient route for producing fuels and chemicals from renewable biomass resources.