Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, grasping, manipulating, and sealing tissue includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof. The handle being operable to effect movement of the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The bipolar instrument is connectable to a source of electrical energy having a first electrical potential connected to one of the jaw members and a second electrical potential connected to the other of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. Both the first and second electrical potentials are transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft.

Abstract: A RF transaction device is provided, which is operable to store multiple distinct data sets owned by unrelated data set owners, wherein the distinct data sets may include differing formats. The method includes the steps of: adding, by a read/write, a first data set to the RF transaction device, wherein the first data set is owned by a first owner; adding, by the read/write device, a second data set to the RF transaction device, wherein the second data set is owned by a second owner; and storing the first data set and the second data set on the RF transaction device in accordance with an owner defined format. The first and second data sets may each be stored as a Block of Binary. The first and second data sets are associated with first and second owners, respectively, and are configured to be stored independent of each other and in accordance with the particular data set storage protocol.

Abstract: A liquid gel concentrate for forming a high viscosity treating fluid is provided which can be premixed and stored before being used. The concentrate is comprised of an aqueous formate solution, at least one hydratable polymer which yields viscosity upon hydration and optionally an inhibitor having the property of reversibly reacting with the hydratable polymer in a manner whereby the rate of hydration of the polymer is retarded. Upon the selective reversal of the hydration inhibiting reaction the polymer is hydrated and high viscosity yielded thereby. The concentrate can be diluted with water to hydrate the hydratable polymer and form a large volume of high viscosity treating fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for managing a plurality of data sets on a financial transaction instrument configured to facilitate performing a financial transaction. A first data set owner and a second data set owner are enrolled in a multiple account management program. A first data set owned by a first data set owner and of a first format is added to a database on the financial transaction instrument. A second data set of a second format is added to the database. The second data set is owned by a second data set owner, distinct from the first data set owner, and the second format is different from the first format. A condition header identifying a status condition is added to at least one of the first and second data sets. At least one of the first and second data sets is modified in the database.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising preparing a sealant composition comprising a crosslinkable material, a crosslinking agent, a fluid loss control additive, and water, placing the sealant composition in a permeable zone in the wellbore, and allowing the sealant composition to set. A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising preparing a sealant composition by combining a crosslinkable material, a crosslinking agent, a fluid loss control additive, water, and a cement, wherein an amount of the cement is reduced to an effective amount to increase a gel time of the sealant composition to greater than or equal to about 4 hours when the sealant composition is exposed to ambient temperatures in the wellbore, placing the sealant composition in a permeable zone in the wellbore, and allowing the sealant composition to gel.

Abstract: A priority routing process is provided for routing calls received via a call routing system to a live call center agent. Routing is determined through collection of Automated Call Distribution (“ACD”) real-time performance based data and subjective non-ACD data, normalization and weighting of the ACD and non-ACD data through application of certain algorithms resulting in a derived priority score for each call center, and selection of a call center based upon the highest priority score.

Abstract: A pumping apparatus and pump set for use to deliver a supply of liquid to a patient. The feeding set has a conduit for the nutrient liquid and a safety interlock device associated with the conduit. The pumping apparatus has a pumping device and a control system for controlling operation of the pump. An electromagnetic radiation source is operatively connected to the control system of the pump for emitting an electromagnetic radiation signal in a direction for striking the safety interlock device of the feeding set. The safety interlock device being adapted to affect the direction of the electromagnetic radiation. An electromagnetic radiation detector is operatively connected to the control system for receiving the electromagnetic radiation signal when the direction is affected by the safety interlock device, and provides an indication to the control system that the feeding set conduit is properly positioned in the feeding pump.

Abstract: Traffic flow is monitored in a plurality of links. Based on the monitoring, a manner in which traffic is allocated to the links is determined, and at least one policer is assigned according to the manner in which traffic is allocated to the links.

Abstract: An enteral feeding pump and feeding set for use to deliver a supply of liquid to a patient. The feeding set has a conduit for the nutrient liquid and a safety interlock device associated with the conduit. The enteral feeding pump has a pumping device and a control system for controlling operation of the pump. An electromagnetic radiation source operatively connected to the control system of the enteral feeding pump emits an electromagnetic radiation signal in a direction for striking the safety interlock device of the feeding set. The safety interlock device is adapted to affect the direction of the electromagnetic radiation. An electromagnetic radiation detector is operatively connected to the control system for receiving the electromagnetic radiation signal when the direction is affected by the safety interlock device, and provides an indication to the control system that the feeding set conduit is properly positioned in the enteral feeding pump.

Abstract: A method of using a pump set on a pump to deliver a supply of liquid to a patient. The pumping apparatus has a control system for controlling operation of the pump. An electromagnetic radiation source is controlled by the control system to emit an electromagnetic radiation signal in a direction for striking a safety interlock device associated with the pump set. The safety interlock device affects the direction of the electromagnetic radiation. An electromagnetic radiation detector is operatively connected to the control system for receiving the electromagnetic radiation signal when the direction is affected by the safety interlock device, and provides an indication to the control system that the pump set conduit is properly positioned in the pump. The pump is controlled to pump liquid in the pump set only when electromagnetic radiation emitted from the first source is detected by the first detector.

Abstract: A flameless evaporator for vaporizing a liquid, comprising a tank for receiving the liquid to be vaporized thereinto; a manifold disposed in the tank for the flow of hot gas therethrough, the manifold having an inlet for the supply of the hot gas and an outlet for the discharge of the hot gas from the manifold; an inlet into the tank for the supply of the liquid thereinto for thermal contact with the manifold for heating and vaporizing the liquid; and a vapour outlet for the discharge of the vapour from the tank.

Abstract: A pump set for use with a pump to deliver a supply of liquid to a patient. The feeding set has a conduit for the nutrient liquid and a safety interlock device associated with the conduit. The pumping apparatus has a pumping device and a control system for controlling operation of the pump. An electromagnetic radiation source is operatively connected to the control system of the pump for emitting an electromagnetic radiation signal in a direction for striking the safety interlock device of the feeding set. The safety interlock device is adapted to affect the direction of the electromagnetic radiation. An electromagnetic radiation detector is operatively connected to the control system for receiving the electromagnetic radiation signal when the direction is affected by the safety interlock device, and providing an indication to the control system that the feeding set conduit is properly positioned in the feeding pump.

Abstract: A method for treating a disease selected from diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis, and a method for reducing triglycerides and/or increasing HDL cholesterol levels in the plasma of a subject. The method comprises administrating. to a subject an effective amount of crude Dunaliella powder, optionally together with an activator of nuclear receptors.

Abstract: Improved methods and compositions for consolidating proppant in subterranean fractures are provided. In certain embodiments, the hardenable resin compositions may be especially suited for consolidating proppant in subterranean fractures having temperatures above about 200° F. Improved methods include providing proppant particles coated with a hardenable resin composition mixed with a gelled liquid fracturing fluid, and introducing the fracturing fluid into a subterranean zone. The fracturing fluid may form one or more fractures in the subterranean zone and deposit the proppant particles coated with the resin composition therein. Thereafter, the hardenable resin composition on the proppant particles is allowed to harden by heat and to consolidate the proppant particles into degradation resistant permeable packs. The hardenable resin composition may include a liquid bisphenol A-epichlorohydrin resin, a 4,4?-diaminodiphenyl sulfone hardening agent, a solvent, a silane coupling agent, and a surfactant.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a downhole method and apparatus for simultaneously determining the horizontal resistivity, vertical resistivity, and relative dip angle for anisotropic earth formations. The present invention accomplishes this objective by using an antenna configuration in which a transmitter antenna and a receiver antenna are oriented in non-parallel planes such that the vertical resistivity and the relative dip angle are decoupled. Preferably, either the transmitter or the receiver is mounted in a conventional orientation in a first plane that is normal to the tool axis, and the other antenna is mounted in a second plane that is not parallel to the first plane. This invention also relates to a method and apparatus for steering a downhole tool during a drilling operation in order to maintain the borehole within a desired earth formation.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans may be removed from a fluid or gaseous stream by reacting the hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans in the stream with a scavenger selected from a: (i.) 1,3,5-trisalkanylamino hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine derivative; (ii.) morpholine or piperazine derivative; (iii.) amine oxide; (iv.) alkanolamine; or (v.) aliphatic or aromatic polyamine.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising providing a wellbore fluid comprising a carrier fluid and a resilient material, and introducing the wellbore fluid to an annulus, wherein at least a portion of the resilient material reduces in volume to affect the annular pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing electronic postmarking of data, without directly utilizing a regular electronic postmark (EPM) server (110), including receiving data from a data acquisition device (102), generating a MicroEPM data structure (106) comprising a time stamp, a digital signature, and the received data and transferring the MicroEPM data structure (106) to a regular EPM server (110).

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Raphiolepis×delacourii found as an openly pollinated seedling of Raphiolepis×delacourii ‘Georgia Charm’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,982. The new variety is unique with its dense, mounding growth habit, resistance to Entomosporium leaf spot, increased cold hardiness, and abundance of late blooming white flowers.