Abstract: In a method for fabricating an integrated circuit interconnect upon a semiconductor substrate an integrated circuit component is formed upon the surface of the semiconductor substrate. A copper interconnect is formed and electrically coupled to the integrated circuit component. A metal is introduced in the copper interconnect to provide an introduced metal. A gas is reacted with the implanted metal to form a barrier layer cladding upon the copper interconnect. The metal is introduced substantially near the surface of the copper interconnect and substantially all of the introduced metal diffuses to the surface and reacts with the gas. Thus the resistivity of the introduced interconnect is substantially equal to the resistivity of copper. The metal can be, for example, titanium, tantalum, chromium, aluminium or tungsten. The gas can contain, for example, nitrogen, oxygen and carbon.

Abstract: A spacer element having a first material and at least one second material. The at least one second material has a specific gravity less than that of the first material, and the first material is integrated with the at least one second material. Also contemplated is a rotary knife arrangement having such a spacer element.

Abstract: Methods are provided for eluting peptides that are bound to major histocompatibility complex ("MHC") molecules expressed on the cell surfaces of viable cells that have at least one MHC-peptide complex on the surfaces of the cells. Methods are provided for using such acid-eluted T cell epitopes, preferably obtained from a patient's tumor, and autologous dendritic cells as the basis for antitumor vaccines.

Abstract: A sensor includes a sensor electrode layer, a solid electrolyte layer and a backplate electrode layer. The contacts for the sensor electrode and the backplate electrode are integrated into the sensor electrode layer and the backplate electrode layer. The contact integrated into the sensor electrode layer is used as a diffusion barrier. A solid electrolyte is placed in the layer of the sensor electrode and the backplate electrode. The sensor functions according to the amperometric principle at ambient temperatures, and is manufactured by the cold-pressing of layers (1) to (3).

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical liposuction apparatus comprises a piezoelectric cral transducer assembly is connectable with a push rod house within the housing which allows the use of interchangeable operative probe and tip. The probe can be hollow, if aspiration of the fatty tissue is desired, or it can be solid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a formulation or composition which is used to enhance the softness, elastin, or appearance of tissue by increasing the endogenous elastin production. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a composition formulated from the products of thermolysin digestion which are filtered through a 10,000 molecular weight cutoff device, which may be dried to have a formulation which contains 90% or greater of peptides having a molecular weight lower than 10,000 Da. This formulation is preferably applied to human skin in a cosmetic or therapeutic formulation and results in enhanced elasticity of the skin.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a treadmill apparatus having a rotatable treadmill frame which includes a right side, a left side, a front end, and a back end. The treadmill includes a lift motor which is connected to the front end of the treadmill frame. A lift arm is also included which has a first end and a second end and is connected to the lift motor. There is a "Y" shaped member having a one-pronged end and a two-pronged end. The one-pronged end is connected to the second end of the lift arm whereby the "Y" shaped lift arm is extended by a force supplied to the lift arm by the lift motor. The treadmill also includes a back axle support which has a first end and a second end and also has two attachment points. The attachment points are connected to the two-pronged end of the "Y" shaped member. The first end and second end of the back axle support are each connected to a swing arm, each swing arm being pivotly connected to the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a generator assembly having a power source operable to power a generator. The generator is connected to a battery assembly having one or more batteries. The battery assembly is operably connected to a drive system, such as an electric drive propulsion assembly and/or an electric or hydraulic positioning assembly. A selector is operably connected to the generator assembly to select either the battery assembly or both of the generator assembly and the battery assembly to power the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for treating a corneal abnormality. A marked corneal surface is formed by applying a pigment to an outer surface of the cornea over the corneal abnormality. The marked corneal surface is preferably centered about the corneal abnormality. Thereafter, the marked corneal surface is illuminated with laser light for a period sufficient to treat the corneal abnormality.

Abstract: A water based ink composition which can be used effectively in various ink jet type printing arrangements and on a variety of predetermined substrate surfaces. Such ink composition being resistant to smearing and running when contacted by water after application and drying on such substrate surfaces. This water based ink composition comprising a dye material, having a predetermined color, which is present in the ink composition generally in a range of between about 0.1 weight percent and about 10.0 weight percent. Water is present in such ink composition generally in a range of between about 50.0 weight percent and about 80.0 weight percent. There is a substantially water compatible organic solvent compound for dissolving such dye material therein. The organic solvent compound is present in such ink composition generally in a range of between about 10.0 weight percent and about 40.0 weight percent.

Abstract: A system and method for processing invoice information in which invoice information is communicated from a first site to a second site and an automated reasonability test is performed on the invoice information at the second site using a reasonability criterion.

Abstract: A non-mechanical switch for actuating a light beam scanning device disposed within a device housing. The device housing has a first area for emitting a scanning light beam from the device. The switch is formed of a light source and a light detector disposed within the device housing, the light source emits light through a second area on the device housing. The light detector is adapted to receive light emitted from the light source and reflected back through the second area toward the light detector by an object disposed outside of the device housing. The light detector has an output signal that is coupled by electronic circuitry to a light beam scanner within the light beam scanning device. The electronic circuitry is adapted to selectively actuate the light beam scanning device in response to the output signal from the light detector. The first area on the device housing for emitting the scanning light beam from the device is separate from the second area on the device housing.

Abstract: An exercise system including an exercise device at a user location includes a controller at the user location for controlling the exercise device. A control location remote from the user location and a communication system for transmitting information between the exercise device and the control location are provided. A sensor at the user location determines user location information and applies the user location information to the communication system for transmission to the control location. Control information is applied to the communication system by the control location in response to the user location information for transmission to the controller to control the exercise device according to the control information. Thus, the present invention is an interactive fitness system for permitting a user of a programmable exercise device to interact with a fitness server device while the user is in a location remote from the fitness server device.

Abstract: A battery tester device that may be integrated into a label of battery. The battery tester device includes first dielectric layer, a conductive layer adjacent the first dielectric layer, a temperature sensitive indicator layer in thermal contact with the conductive layer, and thermal insulation adjacent the conductive layer. The thermal insulation includes a second dielectric layer and thermally insulative material combined with the second dielectric layer for enhancing the structural strength of the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of charging a rechargeable battery which comprises charging the battery with a charging current; sampling a charging voltage of the battery during charging to recognize potential adverse conditions within the battery; interrupting the charging current periodically to create current-free periods and sampling an open circuit voltage of the battery at a plurality of points during each current-free period to identify potential overcharge conditions in the battery; lowering the charging current if any of the above-identified adverse conditions are identified and continuing charging with the charging current if the potential adverse charging condition is not identified; and terminating charging when a negative slope on a chemical polarization versus time curve is identified below a pre-determined minimum level.

Abstract: A method of charging a rechargeable lithium battery which comprises charging the battery with a charging current; sampling a charging voltage of the battery during charging to recognize potential electrolyte decomposition; interrupting the charging current periodically to create current-free periods and sampling an open circuit voltage of the battery at a plurality of points during each current-free period to identify potential shunting and unequal states of charge among individual cells of the battery; lowering the charging current if any of the above-identified adverse conditions are identified and continuing charging with the charging current if the potential adverse charging condition is not identified; and terminating charging when the charging current is lowered below a pre-determined minimum level.

Abstract: A product display board for display of a plurality of product lines of memorial products having a plurality of design features. The product display board includes samples of memorial products of each product line arranged in rows with related design features arranged in columns.

Abstract: A method of forming a film having enhanced reflow characteristics at low thermal budget is disclosed, in which a surface layer of material is formed above a base layer of material, the surface layer having a lower melting point than the base layer. In this way, a composite film having two layers is created. After reflow, the surface layer can be removed using conventional methods.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods whereby flexible walled containers may be automatically pressure tested at a pressure testing station for the purpose of determining the presence of defective containers. Detected defective containers may thereafter be transported to an ejector station and ejected physically from their respective supporting tray. The pressure testing station is provided with an array of pressure testing heads which are moveable reciprocally towards and away from the containers while supported in their tray. Each of the pressure testing heads thus makes sealing contact with the rim of an individual respective one of the containers supported in the tray. The ejector station is provided with an array of ejector assemblies equal in number to the number of containers supported on a tray and oriented at an angle relative to a vertical cross-machine plane. If a container is determined to be defective (i.e.

Abstract: This invention relates to decorative ribbons, and to methods and machines for making them. More specifically, the invention relates to fabric ribbons that are edged with wire and trimmed with an overlay of decorative thread.According to the invention, a run of fabric ribbon is simultaneously edged with wire and tightly bound with a binding filament (such as monofilament) and a trim filament (such as decorative thread). This is done in a single operation. The result is a unique ribbon construction, which has many desirable properties. The new ribbons are flexible, but will retain their shape when bent, twisted or tied into a desired configuration. They are elegantly simple in design and provide a novel streamlined finished product with components that are firmly bound together. The ribbons provide an improved edge and trimming where the wire meets the fabric.