Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion and materials used therein.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing graphene from a microwave-expandable un-exfoliated graphite or graphitic carbon, comprising: (a) feeding a powder of the microwave-expandable material onto a non-metallic solid substrate, wherein the powder is in a ribbon shape having a first ribbon width and a first ribbon thickness; (b) moving the ribbon-shape powder into a microwave applicator chamber containing a microwave power zone having a microwave application width (no less than the first ribbon width) and a microwave penetration depth (no less than the first ribbon thickness) so that the entire ribbon-shape powder receives and absorbs microwave power with a sufficient power level for a sufficient length of time to exfoliate and separate the powder for producing graphene sheets; and (c) moving the graphene sheets out of the microwave chamber, cooling the graphene sheets, and collecting the graphene sheets in a collector container or for a subsequent use.

Abstract: A system and method for operating system includes a first user device, a second user device, and a first device having a controller and a first database storing a first data object of a first type of data associated therewith and a second database storing a second data object of a second type of data associated therewith different than the first type of data. The second database is accessible separately from and simultaneously with the first database. The second data object forms a second portion of a display. The controller has an application interface selecting a selected database from the first, second database or both and separately and simultaneously accessing the first and second database based on the first user input command and the second user input command to obtain stored data and separately and simultaneously communicating stored data to the first user device and to the second user device.

Abstract: An infusion monitoring device (IMD) for facilitating infusion pump medication treatment compliance. The IMD having at least one sensor to monitor data on a tube extending from an infusion pump. The IMD may be part of a compliance system. The IMD able to collect data and communicate data to a network for remote compliance analysis. The system provides compliance feedback to support the patient and improve compliance with the treatment process.

Abstract: An obstacle detection system includes a first light emitter that emits a light signal and a first light detector configured to receive a portion of the light signal reflected back from an object. The obstacle detection system includes a second light emitter configured to emit a test signal toward the first light detector, and a second light detector configured to detect the light signal emitted by the first light emitter. The obstacle detection system includes a processor to determine, based on the light signal, whether an obstruction is detected and whether, by use of the second light emitter and the second light detector, the first light emitter and the first light detector are operable.

Abstract: Automated operations related to providing visual information of multiple types in an integrated manner about a building or other defined area may include generating and presenting a GUI (graphical user interface) on a client device that includes a computer model of the building's interior with one or more first types of information (e.g., in a first pane of the GUI), and simultaneously presenting other types of related information about the building interior (e.g., in additional separate GUI pane(s)) that is coordinated with the first type(s) of information being currently displayed. The computer model may be a 3D (three-dimensional) or 2.5D representation generated after the house is built and showing the actual house's interior (e.g., walls, furniture, etc.), and may be displayed to a user of a client computing device in a displayed GUI with various user-selectable controls.

Abstract: A method and system for ordering content includes a voice menu system and a phone device communicating a phone signal to the voice menu system. The voice menu system determines the phone number associated with the phone device through the phone signal and generates a voice prompt for recording a content selection from the voice menu system. The phone device selects a recording content option. The voice menu system generates prompts for determining a content title. The phone device selects a content title by communicating a selection signal to the voice menu system. The voice menu system enables a content recording at a recording device in response to the selection signal.

Abstract: A unitary graphene-based continuous graphitic fiber comprising at least 90% by weight of graphene planes that are chemically bonded with one another having an inter-planar spacing from 0.3354 to 0.4 nm and an oxygen content of 0.01 to 5% by weight, wherein the graphene planes are parallel to one another and parallel to a fiber axis direction and the graphitic fiber contains no core-shell structure, have no helically arranged graphene domains, and have a porosity level less than 5% by volume. This fiber can be produced by a continuous filament of graphene oxide gel having living graphene oxide molecules or functionalized graphene chains dissolved in a fluid medium. The filament is deposited onto a supporting substrate under a molecule-aligning stress condition along the filament axis direction and then subjected to drying and heating treatments.

Abstract: Sensor stations and related systems and methods to monitor and measure properties of food products in food processing structures such as cure rooms, smokehouses, ovens, and related structures. The sensor stations allow real-time, local collection of product properties and their surrounding environmental conditions in order to improve efficiency, reduce product waste and guesswork, and to provide data-based analysis for decision making. Sensor stations can be mounted to food supports and can be in electronic communication with each other and with intermediate nodes that provide a connection to other external computing devices that provide analysis and alerts to users and technicians. Various non-destructive modeling systems for determining water activity and pH of changing products are also provided.

Abstract: A tube and connector assembly for warming an intravenous fluid comprises a tube, a temperature sensor, and a connector. The tube includes a single hollow generally cylindrical side wall with an inner surface along which the intravenous fluid flows. The tube further includes first and second electrically conductive wires, each within the side wall and electrically connected to one another to carry electrical current to warm the intravenous fluid. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the fluid flowing through the tube. The connector includes first, second, and third side walls. The first side wall receives the tube. The second side wall is positioned opposite the first side wall and is configured to receive line tubing. The third side wall is spaced apart from the second side wall and includes threads on an inner surface thereof configured to receive a line connector for the intravenous line.

Abstract: A method of hand hygiene compliance enforcement and hand hygiene system comprising at least one dispenser unit that has an interior chamber containing a volume of hand soap or sanitizer and a dispenser nozzle configured to dispense a measured volume of hand soap or sanitizing material upon a triggering event. The dispenser also has a control unit mounted therein, the control unit is in electronic communication with the dispenser nozzle and has at least one identity sensor, at least one alarm indicator and at least one transmitter. The hand hygiene system also has at least one proximity sensor in electronic communication with the control unit. The proximity sensor is located a spaced distance from the at least one dispenser.

Abstract: A system and method of entering a low power mode includes an external tuner module having a first external tuner and a receiving device having a first receiving tuner. The receiving device has a controller determining an unused tuner from one of the first external tuner or first receiving tuner and controls entering a low power mode at the unused tuner.

Abstract: An implant system for capturing a regurgitant jet to effect preserving the atrioventricular pressure gradient and ventricular remodeling in a human heart including an expandable implant for positioning in the atrial/ventricular valve of the human heart and at least partially within the atrium and/or the ventricle, the expandable implant defining a first position for at least partially capturing the atrioventricular pressure gradient and regurgitant trans-valvular blood flow and associated driving forces during systole and a second position for steering flow from the atrium to the ventricle to enhance vorticular flow during diastole; a therapeutic apical base plate attachable to the apex of the heart; and a tethering conduit connected between the expandable implant and the therapeutic apical base plate assembly that transducts the energy and/or forces of captured regurgitant trans-valvular blood flow or atrioventricular pressure to the structures of the ventricle and the ventricular wall.

Abstract: A user receiving device includes at least one transceiver module that receives a video and an ad. The ad is played out as part of the video is for a product or service. An output module displays the video and the ad on a display. The display is associated with the user receiving device. A transaction module initiates a purchase transaction based on an initiation signal and, after initiating the purchase transaction, displays an additional offer based on a purchasable object corresponding to the ad or a stored customer history. The transaction module generates an offer response to the additional offer and receives a confirmation response based on the offer response.

Abstract: An occlusive implant can be delivered into a body vessel using a delivery assembly that can engage with at least a portion of the implant. The assembly can utilize an engagement member and an engagement socket or a catheter or sheath to removably couple the engagement member with the implant. When the implant is advanced to a target location in the body vessel, the implant can be released to restrict flow of a fluid through the vessel and/or promote occlusion of the vessel.

Abstract: A system includes a sensor attached to an individual and detects an individual's improper body movements that increase injury risk. The system includes a safety tag with an accelerometer that measures proper acceleration. Proper acceleration along multiple directions are projected onto multiple 2-D planes, generating acceleration vectors. Phasor angles of the acceleration vectors are calculated, and if the spread in phasor angles for any one 2-D plane within a moving time window exceeds a threshold, the system determines that the individual has made an improper body movement.

Abstract: To facilitate synchronization of a robot motion with a musical piece, a data conversion apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire first time-series information for designating coordinates of a constituent component of a predetermined computer graphics (CG) model on a beat basis in time series. The data conversion unit also includes a control unit configured to detect a structural difference between the predetermined CG model and a predetermined robot based on the first time-series information. The data conversion unit further includes a generation unit configured to correct the first time-series information based on the detected difference to generate second time-series information for designating coordinates of a constituent component of the predetermined robot on a beat basis in time series.

Abstract: A spreader for spreading particulate material has a plurality of outlets transversely spaced-apart in a direction perpendicular to a direction of travel of the spreader. The outlets are configured to receive the material from a metering device and to dispense an amount of the material to mid-rows between crop rows on a field such that the plurality of outlets dispenses half the amount of material to an outermost mid-row compared to the amount of material dispensed to the other mid-rows. Also, the metering device may have two metering elements, which may be controlled to meter the material to only one side of the spreader. A centrally located outlet situated on a driving line of the spreader may receive material from both metering elements so that the centrally located nozzle can dispense the material whenever one or the other side of the spreader is not dispensing material.