Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and correcting the baseline of a continuously sampled signal for use in positron emission tomography. The method employs continuous signal sampling to determine the signal level at time t(0) so that an accurate determination of an integrated signal may be calculated, resulting in an accurate energy estimate for an ac-coupled, continuously-sampled signal at various count rates. The device includes a front-end electronics processing channel including primarily an analog CMOS ASIC, a bank of ADCs, an FPGA-based digital sequencer, and two RAMs. The processing electronics perform continuous digital integration of PMT signals to obtain normalized position and energy. Continuous baseline restoration (BLR) is used, wherein the baseline of the signal pulses are placed at mid-scale by continuously sampling the ADC, thus always making available the past history. A correction signal is generated for use in negative feedback control of the baseline.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a thermoplastic elastomer material for a paper feeding roller having all of a high coefficient of friction, great delivery force, a polishing workability and an abrasion resistance which are characteristics to be required for the paper feeding roller. It is preferable that 20 to 80 parts by weight of an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer and 80 to 20 parts by weight of a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer are contained and a total amount of both thermoplastic elastomers is 100 parts by weight.

Abstract: A system and method includes an interoperability engine dynamically generating and updating an application database, a web-based portal in a computer communications network, and a baseline data schema from at least one of a data source and a supplemental data source comprising self-describing documents, and enabling interoperability among application systems. The application database dynamically generates a reporting database. The web-based portal provides access to the application systems via the application database and the reporting database. The self-describing documents may be hosted. An integration unit maps the application systems to the baseline data schema and facilitates transmission and messaging between the baseline data schema and the application systems.

Abstract: An embolic protection filter assembly and method of making the same. In at least some embodiments, the present invention relates to embolic protection filters having at least one radiopaque component.

Abstract: An medical device include a shaft having an elongated inner tubular member and an elongated tubular reinforcing member disposed over a portion of the inner tubular member. In some embodiments, the reinforcing member is disposed about a proximal portion of the inner tubular member such that a distal portion of the inner tubular member is free of the reinforcing member. In some embodiments, the at least a portion of an outer surface of the inner tubular member is spaced from an inner surface of the reinforcing member. In some embodiments, the shaft can include a tip structure disposed on the distal portion of the inner tubular member. In some such embodiments, reinforcing member has a distal end, and the tip structure is disposed on the distal portion of the inner tubular member adjacent the distal end of the reinforcing member.

Abstract: A microchannel plate (MCP) (50) and a dielectric insulator (80) are deposited with a thin film (54, 84) using a suitable metal selected for optimum diffusion. The metallized MCP (50) and dielectric insulator (80) are then aligned and placed in a bonding fixture (36) that provides the necessary force applied to the components to initiate a diffusion bond. The bonding fixture (36) is then placed in a vacuum heat chamber to accelerate the diffusion bonding process between the MCP (50) and the dielectric insulator (80).

Abstract: The dual band bi-directional amplifier has only one amplifier chain having an uplink amplifier and a downlink amplifier, but can nonetheless amplify signals from two frequency bands in both an uplink and a downlink direction between two antennas. This is possible by using duplexers and circulators to separate signals to and from each antenna into the two bands. In particular, for each frequency band handled by the circuit, the dual band bi-directional amplifier has a duplexer set for separating the signals from one of the bands into the uplink and downlink direction. In the case of a dual band amplifier, there are two sets of duplexers, one for each band. By using duplexers and circulators to differentiate signals in different bands travelling in different directions, there is no need for additional amplifier chains, which increase the manufacturing costs.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing intravascular endarterectomy. Methods includes intravascularly advancing a catheter having a carbon dioxide delivering distal end past a plaque-occluded vessel site, passing the distal end between the plaque and vessel wall. Other methods include intravascularly advancing paddles between plaque and vessel walls, including ultrasonic imaging paddles, ultrasonic vibrating paddles, and mechanically vibrating paddles. Some methods include providing intravascular devices having radially expandable jaws or paddles, and advancing those jaws or paddles along vessel walls to separate plaque from vessel walls. Still other methods include providing an anchoring guide catheter adapted to establish a suction grip around the left coronary artery ostium, and to use the anchored guide catheter to support intravascularly introduced endarterectomy devices operating on plaque in the left main coronary artery.

Abstract: An endoscope having a guide tube is described herein. The assembly has an endoscope which is slidably insertable within the lumen of a guide tube. The guide tube is configured to be rigidizable along its entire length from a relaxed configuration. The endoscope has a steerable distal portion to facilitate the steering of the device through tortuous paths. In the relaxed configuration, a portion of the guide tube is able to assume the shape or curve defined by the controllable distal portion of the endoscope. Having assumed the shape or curve of the endoscope, the guide tube may be rigidized by the physician or surgeon to maintain that shape or curve while the endoscope is advanced distally through the tortuous path without having to place any undue pressure against the tissue walls.

Abstract: A promotional card for use in a marketing promotion and the method of use thereof. The promotional card has a plurality of scratch-off figures. In one embodiment, each scratch-off figure covers an indication of a prize which can be monetary or non-monetary. A plurality of promotional cards are manufactured by a promoter on behalf of one or more merchants and distributed to one or more agents. The agents, in turn, distribute the promotional cards to a plurality of potential customers. In one embodiment, each customer can only use one promotional card. The customers, when purchasing or leasing a predetermined product or service at one of the participating merchants, redeems the promotional card by presenting the card to the merchant, scratching off one of the figures to reveal an indication of a prize, and receiving the revealed prize from the merchant as part of the purchase or lease transaction.

Abstract: A system and method includes an interoperability engine dynamically generating and updating an application database, a web-based portal in a computer communications network, and a baseline data schema from at least one of a data source and a supplemental data source comprising self-describing documents, and enabling interoperability among application systems. The application database dynamically generates a reporting database. The web-based portal provides access to the application systems via the application database and the reporting database. The self-describing documents may be hosted. An integration unit maps the application systems to the baseline data schema and facilitates transmission and messaging between the baseline data schema and the application systems.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that includes a first financial management system handling receivables and a second financial management system handling payables. The receivables system sends debt offset information to an offset payment system and the payables system sends payment information to the offset payments system. The offset payment system either makes a payment or offsets the payment with the debt. Both of the financial management systems receive offset information from the offset payment system. The system designates, in the respective separate receivables and payables systems, debt and payments that are suitable for offset using threshold criteria such as age, amount, party, number of notices of delinquency, etc. The system allows administrative fees and other charges, such as interest and penalties, to be added to the debt as well as the limiting of the percentage applicable to the offset at the time of the referral.

Abstract: A dust collection system for portable sanding or grinding equipment employs a cyclone separator mounted directly on the tool or machine, with a dust outlet duct at the narrow lower end of the cyclone, and a cartridge air filter mounted on the top of the cyclone. The filter returns the air flow from the machine to the ambient air in the vicinity of the tool. The dust is concentrated in the cyclone, and a small volume air flow then moves the dust through an elongated flexible hose or duct to a remote dust collection station. An air pump at the remote dust collection station provides sufficient air flow to draw the small volume of air plus entrained dust from the tool-mounted cyclonic separator. A cyclonic separator at the remote station separates this dust from the air flow and deposits it in a collection tank or drum.

Abstract: An implantable microporous ePTFE tubular vascular graft exhibits long term patency, superior radial tensile strength and suture hole elongation resistance. The graft includes a first ePTFE tube and a second ePTFE tube circumferentially disposed over the first tube. The first ePTFE tube exhibits a porosity sufficient to promote cell endothelization, tissue ingrowth and healing. The second ePTFE tube exhibits enhanced radial strength in excess of the radial tensile strength of the first tube.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods of manufacturing medical devices at least partially from linear elastic materials. The manufacturing methods may include cold-forming and/or low-temperature heat setting to construct medical devices.

Abstract: The invention provides a devices, methods and systems to measure and record uterine tissue environment components such as pH during the course of uterine artery occlusion. The uterus becomes ischemic due to the occlusion thereof, and its pH drops sharply within minutes of uterine artery occlusion and remains relatively low for a period of time. The return of normal pH is an indicator of return of blood to the ischemic tissue. In use, a catheter with a pH measuring tip is advanced through the patient's vaginal canal and into the patient's uterine cavity until the pH measuring active electrode on the distal end of the catheter contacts or penetrates the uterine fundus. The active electrode detects the pH and a signal representing pH is transmitted to a pH recording and monitoring device which preferably displays the pH. The signal may be transmitted through a conductor or by a radio transmitter. Components other than pH may be monitored such a pCO2, and pO2.

Abstract: A printing system for drying ink deposited upon a printable medium. The system including at least one print head for directing ink onto the medium as the print head moves over the printable medium. Moving with the print head is at least one halogen lamp that generates electromagnetic radiation having a sufficient wavelength to penetrate the ink. The at least one halogen lamp may irradiate the printable medium and/or the platen, with one or both of the printable medium and the platen aiding with drying the ink deposited upon the printable medium.

Abstract: In a multiprocessor write-into-cache data processing system including: a memory; at least first and second shared caches; a system bus coupling the memory and the shared caches; at least one processor having a private cache coupled, respectively, to each shared cache; method and apparatus for preventing hogging of ownership of a gateword stored in the memory which governs access to common code/data shared by processes running in the processors by which a read copy of the gateword is obtained by a given processor by performing successive swap operations between the memory and the given processor's shared cache, and the given processor's shared cache and private cache. If the gateword is found to be OPEN, it is CLOSEd by the given processor, and successive swap operations are performed between the given processor's private cache and shared cache and shared cache and memory to write the gateword CLOSEd in memory such that the given processor obtains exclusive access to the governed common code/data.

Abstract: A stent is designed to be placed in a lumen of a patient and extend therethrough. The stent includes a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end includes a distal retention structure and the proximal end includes a plurality of radially extending flexible segments to prevent migration of the stent through the lumen. At least one radially extending flexible segment at the proximal end is able to assume an outwardly everted configuration. The stent of the invention, due to its dimensions, shape, and rigidity, minimizes the force of contact and abrasion to sensitive areas of the patient's body, such as the trigone region of the bladder and the ureteral-vesical junction.

Abstract: Medical devices that include oxidizable portions can be plated after a two step activation process that includes successive applications of two aqueous solutions of ammonium bifluoride. Once plated, such materials can be soldered using conventional solders and fluxes. Medical devices can be assembled by soldering together plated materials. Oxidizable materials can be plated with radiopaque materials to yield medical devices that are more visible to fluoroscopy.