Abstract: A language identification system that includes a universal phoneme decoder (UPD) is described. The UPD contains a universal phoneme set representing both 1) all phonemes occurring in the set of two or more spoken languages, and 2) captures phoneme correspondences across languages, such that a set of unique phoneme patterns and probabilities are calculated in order to identify a most likely phoneme occurring each time in the audio files in the set of two or more potential languages in which the UPD was trained on. Each statistical language models (SLM) uses the set of unique phoneme patterns created for each language in the set to distinguish between spoken human languages in the set of languages. The run-time language identifier module identifies a particular human language being spoken by utilizing the linguistic probabilities supplied by the one or more SLMs that are based on the set of unique phoneme patterns created for each language.

Abstract: A catheter connector for a subcutaneously placed catheter. The catheter connector can be configured for a single lumen catheter or a multiple lumen catheter. The connector facilitates precise positioning of both distal and proximal ends of a catheter, providing enhanced functionability and patient comfort.

Abstract: A septum for use in access port for providing subcutaneous access to a patient is disclosed. More particularly, a septum including at least one topographical feature configured for identification of the septum is disclosed. An access port including such a septum is also disclosed. In addition, an access port comprising a septum and a means for identification of the septum is disclosed. Also, a method of identifying a subcutaneously implanted access port is disclosed. Specifically, an access port including a septum may be provided and at least one topographical feature of the septum of the access port may be perceived. The subcutaneously implanted access port may be identified in response to perceiving the at least one feature of the septum of the access port.

Abstract: A valved connector for controlling the flow of fluid having a valve assembly positioned within a connector housing having a first position wherein the valve assembly prevents fluid flow through the connector housing, and a second position wherein the valve assembly permits fluid flow through the connector housing. The valve assembly may be movable from the first position to the second position by a male luer fitting. The valve assembly is configured for multiple and repeated access and also for minimizing fluid flow restrictions. The valved connector may be designed for use with a catheter to provide for “over the guidewire” placement or replacement techniques with little or no bleed-back or air embolism.

Abstract: A catheter connector system that allows trimming of the proximal end of a catheter (single or multiple lumen) prior to the placement of a connector hub. In one variation, the catheter connector system comprises a catheter, a connector sheath including a soft collet, and a connector hub including a cannula for engaging the catheter and a connector hub interface for receiving the connector sheath.

Abstract: A catheter connection system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a catheter connection system may include at least two components and a deformable sealing element positioned between the at least two components configured to allow, upon deformation, fluid flow through the at least two components. In another embodiment, the catheter connection system may include a sealing element positioned between at least two components, wherein the components are coupled to one another by a locking member.

Abstract: An apparatus and a system for affixing a label to a cup, bottle and/or container is provided. The apparatus and system may allow for affixing a pre-printed label having a plurality of colors and indicia thereon to a cup whereby the label may be viewed as integral part to the cup itself. The preprinting of the labeling prior to the affixation of the cup insures consistency and uniformity of the indicia thereon. Additionally, the printing of the label prior to affixing it to the cup may allow the printer to ensure proper angles of the indica prior to the application of the label onto the desired cup apparatus. Moreover, the present invention may allow for the peeling away of a portion if the label to review the outside edge of the receiving cup/container.

Abstract: In one embodiment, payload of multiple threads between intellectual property (IP) cores of an integrated circuit are transferred, by buffering the payload using a number of order queues. Each of the queues is guaranteed access to a minimum number of buffer entries that make up the queue. Each queue is assigned to a respective thread. A number of buffer entries that make up any queue is increased, above the minimum, by borrowing from a shared pool of unused buffer entries on a first-come, first-served basis. In another embodiment, an interconnect implements a content addressable memory (CAM) structure that is shared storage for a number of logical, multi-thread ordered queues that buffer requests and/or responses that are being routed between data processing elements coupled to the interconnect. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Extruded, stretched, sintered tubular PTFE materials are produced which are suited for use in the medical field as liners and covers for expandable stents. The PTFE materials have an unusually low REC (Radial Expansion Coefficient) and RER (Radial Expansion Ratio).

Abstract: A method for forming a self-expanding stent-graft, including coupling a shape memory member to a polymer cladding to form a polymer clad member, winding a length of the polymer clad member about a mandrel so that adjacent windings include regions of polymer cladding that overlap, heating the wound polymer clad member to join and seal the overlapping regions to one another, manipulating the stent-graft from a first diameter to a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and loading the stent-graft into a restraining sheath, wherein the restraining sheath prevents the stent-graft from reverting to the first diameter.

Abstract: A safety enclosure for a Huber needle includes a needle housing and a panel unit. The panel unit includes a series of planar panels assembled in an enclosing arrangement defining an enclosed area and is movable between an installation position where the sharp outer end of the Huber needle projects from the panel unit and a safety position where the sharp outer end is covered by the panels. The Huber needle has an aft end and a fore end connected by a bend with the fore end including a sharp outer end.

Abstract: A self-expanding stent comprising a series of zig-zag stenting rings (A, B, C, D, E, F, D1, D2) spaced along the axis and with adjacent said rings connected by connecting links (12, 14) spaced around the circumference of the rings, the links (12) between any two axially adjacent rings A, B being circumferentially staggered relative to the links (14) between the rings B and C, each ring being constituted by a succession of alternating struts (18) with points of inflection (16, 16?, 16?) therebetween. The points of inflection at one end of at least one of the rings are staggered in their location along the longitudinal axis whereby, with axial withdrawal of a surrounding sheath at a stenting site, to deploy the self-expanding stent, the individual points of inflection at said one ring end escape from the sheath sequentially, with continued withdrawal of the sheath, rather than simultaneously.

Abstract: A system to control the emissions of a fluid stream in a cyclical fashion utilizing an up-flow cycle and a down-flow cycle. The system may include a first inlet and a first outlet at a first end of the system and a second inlet and a second outlet at a second end of the system, a catalyst zone between the first end and second end, two heat transfer zones, at least one heat transfer zone positioned between the catalyst zone and the first end of the system and between the catalyst zone and the second end of the system, and two heating zones, at least one heating zone positioned between the catalyst zone and each of the at least one heat transfer zones. The symmetrical arrangement permits a bi-directional fluid cycle to recover a portion of the energy supplied to the system during each cycle.

Abstract: A multi-lumen catheter including tip sections distal to a dividing point, the tip sections releasably joined by a method that produces a variable separation force between the tip sections along a length thereof. An increasing separation force may be imparted to the tip sections by providing an increasing bond strength in fusion zones from a distal portion of the tip sections toward the dividing point.

Abstract: An exemplary infusion system for accessing an implanted device is disclosed comprising an insertion assembly, a hub comprising a sealable path configured to receive at least a portion of the insertion assembly, a flexible catheter attached to the hub and configured to receive at least a portion of the insertion assembly, and an extension tube attached to the hub. The hub may comprise a manifold element configured to provide fluid communication between the flexible catheter and the extension tube. The hub may also comprise a septum configured to seal the sealable path upon removal of the insertion assembly from the flexible catheter. The extension tube may also be configured to receive at least a portion of the insertion assembly. Exemplary methods of providing a fluid communication path to an implanted device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making an encapsulated stent includes providing a first seamless unsintered ePTFE tube, providing a second seamless sintered ePTFE tube, positioning a self-expanding stent between the first and second ePTFE tubes to form an assembly, disposing an ePTFE interlayer member between the first and second ePTFE tubes, and joining the first ePTFE tube to the second ePTFE tube through openings in a wall of the stent by applying first pressure, and then heat, to the assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for remediation of contaminated soil are provided. The system comprises a soil remediation cell of contaminated soil and a plurality of multi-functional conduits located within the contaminated soil. Each multi-functional conduit defines a reaction housing. The multi-functional conduits includes heating elements for introducing heat into the contaminated soil for volatilizing the contaminants located within the contaminated soil, without utilizing mechanically driven forced air. This produces a contaminated vapor. The system and allows for re-circulation of vapors generated during breakdown of contaminants allowing for use of the re-circulated vapor for heat production and energy use. The system may be utilized for remote access and portability to disparate locations whereby the system does not require use of a container or receptacle. A substantial portion of the contaminants in the contaminated vapor are destroyed in the reaction housing.

Abstract: A catheter is described herein, having a catheter shaft including a proximal end and a distal end, a tip attached to the distal end, including first and second legs spaced apart to form a slot therebetween, the slot in fluid communication with a lumen of the catheter shaft, and a bladder inflatable element positioned over an outer surface of at least one of the first and second legs.