Abstract: A non-invasive blood gas test is carried out by a method that utilizes a venous blood sample together with a pulse oximeter and a plurality of mathematical equations. The method generates the following data points of the blood: (i) the pH level; (ii) the [H+] concentration; (iii) the [HCO3?] concentration; (iv) the partial pressure of carbon dioxide; and (v) the oxygen saturation level. Mathematical formulas, tables, and chemical equations provide a simple method by which a doctor or other medical professional can easily calculate the blood gas data without the need for an arterial blood sample or specialized machines. Blood gas measurements are obtained from a patient in a faster, safer and less painful manner than tests that require an arterial blood sample. In another embodiment of the present invention, a system for locating a dysfunctional organ in a patient is disclosed.

Abstract: A breakable odor control additive provides release of fragrance or odor masking scent when present in a litter formulation that is used by a cat or other animal within a litter box. The odor control additive comprises a plurality of fragrant-scented balls. Each of the balls has a central, compressible, porous, open-celled substrate, which is saturated with a fragrant scent. This central, fragrance-saturated substrate is coated with a barrier coating, which prevents evaporation of the fragrance and protects the substrate against deterioration by urine and other contaminants deposited on the litter. When cat or animal enters the litter box, a load is applied to the fragrant-scented balls. The barrier coating breaks, exposing the fragrant coated substrate. Fragrance evaporating from the substrate provides odor control and a pleasant scent.

Abstract: A highlighter marker with a unique scent. The marker is used to highlight printed or written textual material. During the highlighting event, the unique scent evaporates from the ink. A memory link is thereby established between the unique scent and the highlighting event. Subsequently, when the cap of the highlighter marker is opened, the unique scent of the highlighter ink is detected, triggering recall of the highlighted text. A memory aid is thereby provided, which enhances the remembrance of previously highlighted material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide interactive participation at live entertainment events. Enjoyment for a plurality of participants is enhanced. Participants employ wireless interactive devices that present a promotional message and include user input and output interfaces. Participants are queried, and enter wagers via the user input interface. The wagers are transmitted to a central processor, stored as participant data, and processed into results. A visual display or the user output interface announces the results to the participants.

Abstract: The present invention is an anchoring biscuit device for joining three boards. It includes, (a) an at least partially flat horizontal top element having an imaginary center line, having opposite side walls, and having a top view footprint adapted to be inserted into grooves of adjacent boards; (b) at least one substantially vertical support member attached to the underside of the top element and extending downwardly therefrom for a predetermined length for joinder of two adjacent boards which contain said grooves for receiving portions of said top into said grooves; and, (c) at least one compressive element located on aid device, with at least a portion of said at least one compressive element, from a top view footprint, being located away from said imaginary center line and way from said vertical support member, wherein said compressive element is adapted to at least partially collapse under predetermined compressive force.

Abstract: A correlator system for automatic car wash has roller assemblies for supporting the front left and right wheels of a vehicle entering a car wash line. A set of guide rails or bars cooperate with the roller assemblies to adjust axial displacement and angular misalignment between the vehicle's front end and a conveyor track transporting the vehicle through the car wash facility. The rollers in the roller assembly rotate freely with minimal friction, axially displacing the front end of the vehicle and adjusting the angular misalignment of the front wheels. The low friction, easy-to-rotate rollers are provided with a plurality of braking elements that generate friction against the rollers, retarding their rotation when a worker steps thereon. The friction generated by the braking elements is insufficient to prevent roller rotation during alignment of the front end with the conveyor track.

Abstract: A portable, pocket-sized weight loss Dial Tracker Scale has adjustable settings for indicating current weight, goal weight and weight loss/weight gain. The Dial Tracker Scale has insignia, business logos and motivational statements to encourage weight loss behavior. The Dial Tracker Scale may be a mechanical device requiring no battery power. Alternatively, the Dial Tracker Scale may be a battery powered electronic device with enhanced functions such as remote wireless communication with a special bathroom floor scale or computer web program adapted to interface with a Dial Tracker Scale Web Site to tabulate or graphically display weight loss or weight gain. In addition, the electronic scale has the ability to download its image into a cell phone where weight indications are changeable with volume, pound and star type buttons.

Abstract: An interactive, computer network based system presents consumers with multimedia brand information via a browser-based interface called the GraffitiWall®. Consumers can use the GraffitiWall® to modify and display a sponsor's brand information in any way desired, including use of avatars. Consumer modifications are immediately communicated to the other member consumers and the advertiser/sponsor. Consumers can rate the GraffitiWall®, or portions thereof, and email the GraffitiWall®. An archive of GraffitiWalls™ is maintained by the system. Consumers participate in online focus groups, one-to-one interviews and discussions, as well as games and promotions pertaining to the brand.

Abstract: A breakable odor control additive provides release of fragrance or odor masking scent when present in a litter formulation that is used by a cat or other animal within a litter box. The odor control additive comprises a plurality of fragrant-scented balls. Each of the balls has a central, compressible, porous, open-celled substrate, which is saturated with a fragrant scent. This central, fragrance-saturated substrate is coated with a barrier coating comprising soda ash, which prevents evaporation of the fragrance and protects the substrate against deterioration by urine and other contaminants deposited on the litter when cat or animal enters the litter box, a load is applied to the fragrant-scented balls. The barrier coating breaks, exposing the fragrant coated substrate, while the soda ash neutralizes urine acid and retards odor development fragrance evaporating from the substrate provides odor control and a pleasant scent.

Abstract: A flexible abrasion resistant omnidirectionally reflective retractable pet leash has an omnidirectionally reflective leash housed within a retractable housing device. The omnidirectionally reflective leash reflects incoming light beams back in the direction from which they emanated. This retractable leash is created by surrounding a central braided rope of nylon or polyethylene fibers with a cylindrically braided reflective sleeve that is coated with an abrasion resistant transparent polymeric coating. The braided reflective sleeve consists of narrow width reflective strips that comprise a woven or knitted narrow width strip and a flexible nylon retroreflective sheet sewn thereon. The flexible retroreflective sheet is formed by thermally bonding corner cube, microsphere retroreflectors, or wide angle exposed retroreflective lenses to a flexible polymeric sheet.

Abstract: A canine femoral stem system provides a set of sizes of stems designed to fit in a reamed femoral bone canal with controlled interference. The canine femoral stems can be implanted using either a cemented or cementless procedures. Cementless stems have a porous coating of sintered beads on the tapered proximal section providing interference with reamed femoral canal causing friction and initial stability. The distal end of the stem has a tapered fit and contacts the lower region of the reamed femoral bone canal due to curvature of the stem providing distal stability. The porous coating encourages bone ingrowth in the cementless system or cement penetration resulting in long term stability. The cementless system uses either cast cobalt chromium stems with 250±50 ?m beads of cobalt chromium or Ti- 6Al- 4V stem with 250±50 ?m beads of chemically pure titanium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing interactive audience participation at live entertainment events. The method includes providing audience members with an interactive device that presents a promotional message and includes a user interface, broadcasting audio programming to the audience member through the interactive device, querying the audience members, wherein answers to the querying may be entered by the audience member via the user interface of the interactive device, transmitting the answers to a central processor, storing the answers as audience data, processing the audience data into results, storing the results of the processing of the audience data and broadcasting the results of the processing of the audience data.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rational, multi-tier approach to the administration of growth factor proteins in the treatment of heart disease. Also disclosed is a method to evaluate the effectiveness of the administration of growth factor proteins comprising the clinical assay of CPK-MB levels in a patient undergoing treatment with growth factor proteins. In addition, there is disclosed a method for treatment of heart disease comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a growth factor protein by oral inhalation therapy.

Abstract: A hands-free gun support has an adjustable telescoping barrel stand that supports the front end of a gun in a cradle. The gun butt is attached to a gun butt harness, which is removably attached to a shoulder harness worn by the hunter. The gun is aimed at the firing position and both the telescoping barrel stand and the butt harness support are adjusted so that the gun is completely supported in the firing position and the user's hands are free. The barrel stand height, as well as the horizontal and vertical orientation of the gun mounting cradle can be adjusted and locked. Adjustment of the gun butt harness is accomplished by a standard adjustable clip and a push-button clip in the shoulder harness. The gun support is especially suited for hunting turkey hunting or other game animals that are extremely sensitive to the slightest movement of the gun or the person holding the gun. Hunters engaged in such pursuits must spend long hours holding the gun steady without motion.

Abstract: A long life scent dispersing mat apparatus uses an outer housing with apertures appointed to disperse a scent or fragrance. The fragrance is provided in a fragrant body which is a springy spongy rubber or polymeric sponge soaked with essential oils that have high vapor pressure at ambient temperatures. The fragrant body is inserted into an inner pouch which has small apertures and the stagnant air within the inner pouch attains saturation of fragrance vapor, thereby stopping further evaporation of the essential oils. When the scent-dispersing mat is stepped on, the inner pouch releases the saturated fragrant vapor into the interior of the outer housing and it is released to room air through apertures provided in the outer housing. When force on the mat is released, the fragrant body recovers its original shape and the inner pouch draws fresh make up air and essential oils volatilize until saturation is reached.

Abstract: A radio station transmits its broadcast audio content, including audible advertisements, to listeners over the Internet via an Internet Hosting Service that provides listener access to radio station content. A computing system at the radio station digitizes the audio, and supplies marking information that identifies the beginning and duration of commercials. The digital marking information is supplied with the radio station's audio to the Internet Hosting Service. The Internet Hosting Service maintains a repository of replacement audio commercials along with information about the commercials including duration. Upon receiving the digital marker indicating the presence of a commercial, the Internet Hosting Service selects a replacement commercial of comparable duration from its repository.

Abstract: A system dries water droplets within a person's outer and inner ear. The presence of the droplets is typically caused by swimming, showering, bathing, and other activities associated with water sports such as diving, water polo and the like. A hair dryer blows warm air at a distance into a handheld drying apparatus. One or more diffusion chambers containing a plurality of apertures deliver warm air from the hair dryer into the outer ear. An integral central tubular element forming part of the diffusion chamber delivers warm air from the hair dryer into the inner canal. The diffusion chamber has a handle to help position the central tubular element within the inner ear canal. The distance between the hair dryer and the handheld drying apparatus may be varied to select a comfortable warmth level and warm air velocity.

Abstract: An apparatus protects the feet and legs of an infant from certain rigid parts of an infant bouncer seat while the infant is sitting and playing in the bouncer seat. A foot and leg protector includes a unitary and elongated, shell, wherein the shell is u-shaped when viewed from its top surface. Padded material having a thickness of at least about one half inch is disposed within the shell. The shell containing the padded material is permanently attached to the bouncer seat such that the foot and leg protector covers substantially the entire portion of the front lip of said bouncer seat, and front portions of left and right side lips. Alternatively, the foot and leg protector includes a removable attachment means including a male part and a female part. The male part is located on the bottom surface of the foot and leg protector and the female part is located substantially near the front lip of the bouncer seat.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric, rotating electric machine includes a stator assembly that includes stacked stator coil windings. The machine is preferably a polyphase, axial airgap device. Improved slot filling results from the stacked stator coil configuration. Device performance capability is thereby increased. The stator assembly of the electric device has a magnetic core made from low loss, high frequency material. A high pole count permits the electrical device to operate at high commutating frequencies, with high efficiency, high power density and improved performance characteristics. Low-loss materials incorporated by the device include amorphous metals, nanocrystalline metals, optimized Si—Fe alloys, grain-oriented Fe-based materials or non-grain-oriented Fe-based materials.

Abstract: Externally detectable electronic article surveillance markers are attached to surgical implements, such as sponges and surgical instruments, appointed for use in a surgical wound. The attachment mechanism facilitates detection by an external interrogating field before the wound has been closed and the patient has left the operating table. The markers are responsive to the imposition of an interrogating field produced by an electronic article surveillance system. Markers contain one or more magnetomechanically responsive elements that are urged into mechanical resonance by the interrogating field. The ring-down of the resonance and the associated dipolar electromagnetic field provide a signal-identifying characteristic detected by a detection system. Upon detection, an audible or visible signal is triggered to alert relevant medical personnel to the need for follow-up care and removal of the offending item. The resonance occurs at a frequency ranging from about 70 to 300 kHz.