Abstract: Method creates Real-Time Estimates (RTE) of network parameters for responsive resources of a network management zone (NMZ) by sending requests in a management protocol and uses those real-time estimates to present a resource map of the NMZ, possibly altering a responsive resource, possibly posting a service schedule request. The invention includes implementation mechanisms and installation packages. The RTE of network parameter is a product of the process. Constructing a quality of service measure from RTE of at least two network parameters. Quality of service measure as a product of the process. The quality of service measure may include or be the Mean Opinion Score.

Abstract: Disk clamp including a disk clamp base and a disk clamp platform. Disk pack including at least one disk coupled between disk clamp and spindle motor. Hard disk drive including disk pack mounted on disk base. Manufacturing methods for disk clamp base, disk clamp platform, disk pack and hard disk drive, and these items as products of their manufacturing processes.

Abstract: A slider operating air bearing surface (ABS) to remove a front saturation water vapor pressure peak near a front bulwark and a bad flow pattern area the between front bulwark and a central island. The ABS implementing these operations. Alternatively, ABS includes a front bulwark channel in the front bulwark and a central fin between the front bulwark and the central island. Slider includes an embodiment of the ABS. Head gimbal assembly (HGA) includes the slider. Head stack assembly includes at least one HGA. Hard disk drive includes the head stack assembly. Manufacturing methods for the slider, the HGA, the head stack assembly, the hard disk drive, and these items as products of their manufacturing processes.

Abstract: The present invention includes a data processing system and method for managing the origination of a mortgage loan by a loan originator in coordination with a loan broker for a loan customer. The loan originator is not the loan broker. The loan originator provides services necessary for the origination of the mortgage loan and not duplicative of services provided by the loan broker.

Abstract: The invention includes a thermoelectric device, preferably including an electrical contact pair providing enabling power for a first heat transfer from an internal heat transfer interface to the exterior heat transfer interface, and a second heat transfer from the exterior heat transfer interface to the internal heat transfer interface. The device preferably includes a means for enabling the power from the electrical contact pair for the first and second heat transfers. The thermoelectric device may include a thermal controller and/or a thermal transfer element. The thermoelectric device may include a fan motor driving a fan moving air across a heat sink included in the thermal transfer element. An external cover may include the thermoelectric device. The hard disk drive including the thermoelectric device. A system including the hard disk drive. Manufacturing these apparatus and these apparatus as products of these manufacturing processes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include: a hard disk drive using a read track to position for writing to a write track and generating a position error signal (PES) based upon all four servo offset bursts used to disable writing when the PES exceeds a position error threshold; a preamplifier generating the PES from four bursts from a slider reading the read track to position when the write track is to be written, and methods of writing the write track using PES from four bursts of the read track that disables writing when the PES is above the position error threshold.

Abstract: The present invention is a one or two-part sleeve assembly for use during minimally invasive spinal stabilization surgery. An outer sleeve is designed to slide over the coupling between a polyaxial screw and an inner sleeve so as to prevent the screw from becoming disengaged from the inner sleeve during surgery. The outer sleeve includes a lower generally cylindrical wall having a slot, and an upper extension having an outwardly protruding manipulation handle attached to it. The slot in the lower section extends the entire length of the cylindrical wall, giving it a generally “C” shaped cross section. This slot corresponds with a similar slot on the inner sleeve for receiving a stabilizing rod to be attached to the polyaxial screw during surgery. The interior diameter of the lower section is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the inner sleeve, so that the outer sleeve may slide snugly over the inner sleeve and the screw coupling.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a SAN management system to provide autonomic management of a storage system using an action-centric approach. The SAN management system includes a policy specification logic block to maintain a policy specification associated with the managed system. In addition, the SAN management system includes a reasoning logic block to provide for the determining of action rules using a combination of logic and information obtained from the policy specification. Also, the SAN management system includes a learning logic block to couple the policy specification logic block with the reasoning logic block to improve an understanding of a managed system. The learning is continuous and provides for autonomic evolvement of the system in which reliance on manual input from a user is lessened.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical transmitter and/or receiver assembly comprising at least one transmitter component (2) and/or at least one receiver component (3, 4), in addition to a planar optical circuit (5) with at least one integrated waveguide (51). According to the invention, light from the transmitter element (1) is coupled into a waveguide (51) of the planar optical circuit (5) and/or light from the waveguide (51) of the planar optical circuit (5) is uncoupled and guided onto the receiver component (3, 4). The assembly is provided with a lens (14, 15) for optically coupling the waveguide(s) (51) of the planar optical circuit (5) to a fiber-optic that can be fixed to the transmitter and/or receiver assembly (1), said lens (14, 15) being positioned on the planar optical circuit (5).

Abstract: Actuator arm includes an island coupling through a mote to at least two of actuator base, first and second actuator arm bridge. Head stack including at least one actuator arm. Head stack assembly including head stack. Hard disk drive including head stack assembly. Manufacturing methods for actuator arm, head stack, head stack assembly, and hard disk drive, and the products of these processes.

Abstract: Hard disk drive (HDD) including humidity sensor measuring interior and second humidity sensor measuring exterior with door actuator controlling door for mass transfer between interior and exterior based upon determination of whether or not to transfer. HDD may further include and use temperature sensors for interior and/or exterior to further control door. An embedded circuit and processor at least partly implementing these operations. External cover including door and door actuator, possibly second sensors. Manufacturing methods and these items as their products.

Abstract: The head gimbal assembly includes a slider and a micro-actuator assembly sharing power for the micro-actuator assembly to aid in positioning the slider and for an amplifier included in the slider to generate an amplified read signal when the slider read accesses data on a rotating disk surface included in a hard disk drive. The slider includes a read-write head providing a read differential signal pair to an amplifier to generate an amplified read signal reported when read accessing a rotating disk surface near the slider, which includes a read head employing a spin valve or employing a tunneling valve. Hard disk drive including a head stack assembly, which includes at least one of the head gimbal assemblies. Manufacturing the head gimbal assembly, the head stack assembly, and the hard disk drive, as well as these items as products of the invention's manufacturing processes.

Abstract: A stenting system includes a stent delivery catheter having a catheter shaft with a step balloon mounted thereon. The step balloon has a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion is inflatable to a larger expanded diameter than the distal portion. A two-part stent has a proximal part that is mounted on the proximal portion of the step balloon and a distal part that is mounted on the distal portion of the step balloon and a non-link zone between the proximal part and the distal part of the two-part stent. The proximal part and the distal part of the two-part stent are each configured with stent struts that extend like interdigitating fingers into the non-link zone to provide improved strut coverage in the carina region of the bifurcated vessel. The non-link zone effectively eliminates any difficulties in alignment of the two parts relative to one another during placement of the two-part stent in a bifurcated vessel.

Abstract: The present invention includes a flexible printed circuit bracket including a crash stop rubber and/or an air block. The air block directs the air flow from the rotating disk surface(s) away from the head gimbal assemblies to minimize positional variance of the read-write heads. The crash stop rubber contacts the crash stop stub on the actuator arm block, stopping actuator assembly swinging away from the disk. The invention includes making an actuator assembly with the invention's flexible printed circuit bracket, as well as making the hard disk drive. The invention includes both the actuator assembly and the hard disk drive as the products of these processes. The invention also includes the actuator assembly and the hard disk drive containing the invention's flexible printed circuit bracket.

Abstract: The invention includes a disk damper containing an extended area located on the upstream side of the head stack assembly. The extended area is joined to a tail section. In the extended area, the disk damper provides a wall near the neighboring rotating disk surface that extends from the outside diameter to the inside diameter of the rotating disk surface. Experimental results have shown that this provides much more consistent dampening of disk vibrations and vibrations of a head stack assembly positioned anywhere from the inside diameter to the outside diameter. The hard disk drive including the disk damper. Using the disk damper in a hard disk drive to improve the reliability of the hard disk drive during track following. Making the hard disk drive using the disk damper, and the hard disk drive as a product of that manufacturing process.

Abstract: A catheter system and method are described for stenting a vessel at a bifurcation or sidebranch of the vessel. The catheter system includes a first balloon catheter, a second balloon catheter and a releasable linking device for holding the first and second balloon catheters arranged in a side-by-side configuration and aligned with one another along a longitudinal axis. The linking device allows the catheter system to be advanced as a unit and helps prevent premature or inadvertent dislodgement of the stent from the catheters, yet is releasable so that one or both of the balloon catheters can be released from the linking device and maneuvered separately from the rest of the catheter system when desired. The method utilizes the described catheter system for stenting bifurcated vessels using a modified “kissing balloons” technique.

Abstract: This invention relates to a venous cannula for use in conjunction with cardiovascular examinations, treatments and surgery. The venous cannula is configured for two-stage drainage of oxygen-depleted venous blood from a central venous location via a peripheral venous insertion site, such as a femoral vein. The venous cannula is optimized for use in a cardiopulmonary bypass system that includes a multichannel arterial perfusion catheter. The cardiopulmonary bypass system is advantageous for use in performing standard open chest or least invasive cardiac surgical procedures.

Abstract: The invention includes apparatus and methods using a means for wirelessly communicating, preferably a radio location-tag unit, for reporting a sensed state of a container handler. The status reporting device may include: a micro-controller module, a means for wirelessly communicating, which may include means for wirelessly determining container handler location, and a means for sensing the state of the container handler.