Abstract: Method and apparatus implementing and using techniques for controlling flow in a body lumen, including use of an implantable medical device. The device includes a membrane implantable in a body lumen and invertably deformable between a first position and a second position. The membrane is invertible in response to the direction of fluid flow through the lumen and can be deformable by fluid flow in the body lumen.

Abstract: An umbrella with an integral anchoring structure is provided. The umbrella includes a post having a lower end for insertion into the ground, and an upper end for supporting an umbrella top. The umbrella includes an integral spiral shaped anchoring structure formed on the lower end of the post. The anchoring structure is formed with a width, W, greater than a diameter of the post and a length, L, which is adapted to stabilize a weight of the umbrella and secure the umbrella and the post in a variety of earthen conditions such as sand, lawn, and soil even in a prevailing breeze or stormier conditions. The umbrella further includes one or more retractable levers integrally attached along the post.

Abstract: A system for facilitating simulations and modelling of market sales volume is provided including a server, an input device, at least one web pages, and software for projecting penetration of merchandise at a predetermined number of weeks, W, since a launch of a product, based on weekly data of initial purchases from a launch of a product. The software can also be operable for generating a curve from weekly sales data. The software can also be operable for retrieving a component of the curve (B) representing a degree of belly of the curve, retrieving a component from the curve representing a slope term (S) and performing a calculation to produce a predicted or continued value for components of market sales volume using the B component and the slope component (S) in a formula, wherein the formula is: Predicted=Exp(S)×W(B).