Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for processing pharmaceutical orders to determine whether a buyer of pharmaceuticals qualifies for an “own use” discount. “Own use” discounts on pharmaceuticals are available for a limited class of buyers under 35 U.S.C. §13c. Under one method, an auditor receives an order for a quantity of pharmaceuticals, receives a report associated with the order containing sufficient information therein to perform an audit on the order, and compares the information found in the order with the information found in the associated report to make a status determination as to whether a buyer qualifies for an “own use” discount. Preferably a second report containing additional audit information is received as well. The auditor can also audit the order by comparing the order to this additional information.

Abstract: A data storage and retrieval device and method is disclosed. The device includes at least one magnetic storage medium configured to store target data and at least one re-configurable logic device comprising an FPGA coupled to the at least one magnetic storage medium and configured to read a continuous stream of target data therefrom, having been configured with a template or as otherwise desired to fit the type of search and data being searched. The re-configurable logic device is configured to receive at least one search inquiry in the form of a data key and to determine a match between the data key and the target data as it is being read from the at least one magnetic storage medium. This device and method can perform a variety of searches on the target data including without limitation exact and approximate match searches, sequence match searches, image match searches and data reduction searches.

Abstract: A recoil operating pistol has a barrel and slide with at least a pair of flat mating surfaces extending along a substantial length of both the barrel and slide parallel to each other on opposite sides of the barrel. The matching flat surfaces of the barrel and slide allow relative sliding motion between the slide and the barrel when the at least a portion of the barrel is received in the hollow interior of the slide.

Abstract: A blower housing may be used with a climate control furnace or with a water heater and provides cooling of the motor that rotates the blower fan and also provides dilution and cooling of exhaust gases drawn from the furnace or water heater. The housing has an interior dilution compartment that communicates with an elongate conduit. The dilution compartment receives dilution air through the conduit, thereby reducing blower operation noise at the blower housing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a card member for receiving a tissue specimen to be processed for histological examination including an absorbent portion for maintaining the tissue specimen in engageable contact with the card member, and a generally non-adhesive portion for allowing separation of the tissue specimen from the card member, where the card member provides the specimen with a known, consistent orientation throughout processing.

Abstract: A printer processible wristband has a cinch slot at one end and an imaging area at another, connected with a strap therebetween. The imaging area is shaped like a shovel and the cinch slot is shaped like a “D” and sized so that the imaging area interference fits through the cinch slot to thereby join the wristband about the wrist. The imaging area may have one of its ends adhered to the strap to clamp it in place and further secure the wristband or it may be left loose to act as a hang tag. Alternate embodiments are disclosed including providing a self adhering label to attach to the imaging area, providing a layer of laminate to laminate the printed information or label, providing a second imaging area along with a second strap, and providing a snap closure to further attach the wristband.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of removing scale from the surfaces of processed sheet metal and tubular metal employs a scale removing medium propelled by counter-rotating pairs of wheels positioned in close proximity to the metal surfaces.

Abstract: A bulk material handling system includes a bulk material handling apparatus to convey bulk material and a bulk material handling accessory to aid the bulk material handling apparatus in conveying the bulk material. The bulk material handling accessory includes a controller having one or more sensors. The controller generates a control signal to adjust operation of the bulk material handling accessory based upon at least one status signal of the one or more sensors. The controller also generates the control signal in accordance with a status signal to control signal response pattern defined by system parameter values. The system parameters include a minimum value to define a minimum level of the control signal associated with fail-safe operation and a maximum value to define a maximum level of the control signal associated with stable operation the bulk material handling accessory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus use decision logic deployed on a reconfigurable logic device to process a stream of financial information at hardware speeds. The decision logic can be configured to perform data reduction operations on the financial information stream. Examples of such data reductions operations include data processing operations to compute a latest stock price, a minimum stock price, and a maximum stock price.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing a soft tissue site, and augmenting the soft tissue site, such as the breast(s) of a subject through use of devices that exert a distractive force on the breast(s) and grafting of autologous fat tissue such as domes with sealing rims for surrounding each of the breasts and a regulated pump. The method for preparing the soft tissue site, and enhancing fat graft results, entails application of the distracting force to the targeted soft tissue site for several weeks prior to the graft procedure. A related aspect of the invention includes following the preparation steps by transfer of fat from other areas of the subject to the subject's breast(s), and then reapplication of the distractive force to the breast(s) that received the autologous fat graft. Alternatively, fat from genetically related sources may be used, and the fat may be further processed prior to injection.

Abstract: Potassium-containing polyphosphate glasses having a relatively high amount of potassium and a relatively low level of insoluble material (e.g., less than about 10% by weight), and a method for their production that includes using a boron-containing glass-former additive. More specifically, these polyphosphate glasses may be described according to the formula M(n+2)O(PO3)n, where M is at least K or K+Na and the glasses have a mole % M-as-K that is about 33 to 100. These polyphosphate glasses may be used in reduced sodium foods (e.g., beverages and meat products).

Abstract: A method is provided for removing iron oxide scale from sheet metal and producing a sheet metal surface with rust inhibitive properties. The sheet metal is advanced through the descaling cell and a slurry mixture is propelled against at least one of the top surface and bottom surface of the sheet metal across the sheet metal width as the material is advanced through the descaling cell. The rate of slurry impact against the at least one of the top surface and bottom surface of the sheet metal is controlled in a manner to remove substantially all of the scale from a surface of the sheet metal, and in a manner to create a passivation layer on the descaled surface of the sheet metal. The passivation layer comprises at least one of silicon, aluminum, manganese and chromium and inhibits oxidation of the descaled surface of the processed sheet metal.

Abstract: A bearing is disclosed comprising an inner ring concentrically disposed with an outer ring with rotational elements therebetween adapted for allowing rotational movement of the inner ring relative to the outer ring. A flinger may be secured to the inner ring having an extension member formed from a resilient material. The extension member may extend radially outward from the flinger along an axial side of the bearing and engages a portion of a side face of the outer ring during operation of the bearing.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing iron oxide scale from sheet metal and producing a sheet metal surface with rust inhibitive properties. The sheet metal is advanced through the descaling cell and a slurry mixture is propelled against at least one of the top surface and bottom surface of the sheet metal across the sheet metal width as the material is advanced through the descaling cell. The rate of slurry impact against the at least one of the top surface and bottom surface of the sheet metal is controlled in a manner to remove substantially all of the scale from a surface of the sheet metal, and in a manner to create a passivation layer on the descaled surface of the sheet metal. The passivation layer comprises at least one of silicon, aluminum, manganese and chromium and inhibits oxidation of the descaled surface of the processed sheet metal.

Abstract: A self-organizing hive of computing engines is used to process information. A network communicatively couples multiple of hive engines together. These hive engines are configured to self-organize into a cooperative hive for performing computing of client jobs, with the cooperative hive including a multiple processing regions and a request region. This self-organization includes self-forming the processing regions and the request region by the hive engines such that each of the hive engines belongs to at least one of the processing regions; and wherein each the request region includes multiple of the plurality of hive engines.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a technique for medical imaging, referred to herein as the Rapid Interleave Overlap Technique (RIOT), wherein image data is acquired as a plurality of series sequences in a manner that allows for unlimited overlap. RIOT involves interleaving and overlapping 2D image slices of multiple series of image data of the same ROI into a composite data set from which MPR and 3D reconstructions exhibiting excellent resolution properties and crisp image quality can be generated.

Abstract: A bulk material handling system includes a bulk material handling apparatus to convey bulk material and a bulk material handling accessory to aid the bulk material handling apparatus in conveying the bulk material. The bulk material handling accessory includes a controller having one or more sensors. The controller generates a control signal to adjust operation of the bulk material handling accessory based upon at least one status signal of the one or more sensors. The controller also generates the control signal in accordance with a status signal to control signal response pattern defined by system parameter values. The system parameters include a minimum value to define a minimum level of the control signal associated with fail-safe operation and a maximum value to define a maximum level of the control signal associated with stable operation the bulk material handling accessory.

Abstract: A scraper blade for a conveyor belt cleaner is provided. The scraper blade being adapted, when appropriately tensioned against a conveyor belt, to maintain a plurality of predetermined cleaning angles, relative to the conveyor belt, as the scraper blade is progressively worn down through contact with the conveyor belt, the scraper blade having a first blade section and a second blade section. The first blade section is proximate a distal end of the scraper blade, the first blade section being configured to maintain a first predetermined cleaning angle relative to the conveyor belt. The second blade section substantially adjacent the first blade section, the second blade section being configured to maintain a second predetermined cleaning angle, relative to the conveyor belt, after the first blade section is worn away through contact with the conveyor belt. The second predetermined cleaning angle is different than the first predetermined cleaning angle.

Abstract: A fire stop apparatus for a small duct, high velocity air distribution system is assembled to a duct opening and includes a cylindrical support wall that supports a cylindrical band of intumescent material that expands and closes the duct opening when subjected to the heat of a fire.