Abstract: In one aspect, coated cutting tools are described herein comprising a substrate and a coating comprising a refractory layer deposited by physical vapor deposition adhered to the substrate, the refractory layer comprising M1-xAlxN wherein x?0.68 and M is titanium, chromium or zirconium, the refractory layer including a cubic crystalline phase and having hardness of at least 25 GPa.

Abstract: A surface-coated cutting tool according to the present invention includes a base material and a coating film formed on the base material. The coating film includes one or more hard layer and one or more oxygen-rich hard layer. The hard layer is crystalline in its entirety or crystalline with a part thereof being amorphous. The oxygen-rich hard layer and the hard layer are stacked and the oxygen-rich hard layer is amorphous in a region of interface with the hard layer.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond abrasive element, particularly a cutting element, comprises a layer of polycrystalline diamond having a working surface and bonded to a substrate, particularly a cemented carbide substrate, along an interface. The polycrystalline diamond abrasive element is characterized by using a binder phase that is homogeneously distributed through the polycrystalline diamond layer and that is of a fine scale. The polycrystalline diamond also has a region adjacent the working surface lean in catalyzing material and a region rich in catalyzing material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device and a control method thereof, the semiconductor device including: a bit line connected to a memory cell; a voltage control circuit controlling a voltage supplied from a voltage source to the bit line; a differential amplifier circuit providing the control voltage to the voltage control circuit in response to a voltage at a node coupled to the bit line and a reference voltage; and a current source providing a current to the differential amplifier circuit. The current source provides more current to the differential amplifier circuit in the first period including a period for precharging than in the second period after precharging.

Abstract: Using MEMS device design and fabrication techniques, liquid metal inductors can be formed. Because of the common fabrication techniques, liquid metal inductors can be more easily integrated with certain MEMS microswitches.

Abstract: A coated article, and a corresponding method of making the same are provided. The coated article includes a coating supported by a substrate, the coating including a thin metal or metal nitride contact layer (e.g., NiCr, Ni, Cr, CrNx or NiCrNx) located directly between and contacting an infrared (IR) reflecting layer (e.g., Ag) and an oxide barrier layer (e.g., NiCrOx).

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer coating having a stainless steel color. The coating comprises an electroplated layer or layers on the article surface, a refractory metal or refractory metal alloy strike layer on the electroplated layer or layers, a color layer containing a refractory metal oxide or refractory metal alloy oxide having a substoichiometric oxygen content on the strike layer, and a refractory metal oxide or refractory metal alloy oxide having a substantially stoichiometric oxygen content layer on said color layer.

Abstract: When a transparent conductive film formed on a glass sheet is heat-treated in the air, its conductivity decreases. Even if the conductivity is increased by a heat treatment in a nitrogen atmosphere or the like beforehand, it decreases considerably by heating in the air during a processing step to obtain a final product. The present invention provides a glass sheet with a transparent conductive film, in which the increasing rate of its sheet resistance is 15% or lower even after heating at 450° C. in the air for three hours.

Abstract: A Home Location Server (HLS) and method of processing an incoming real-time call to a Mobile Station (MS) in a hybrid radio telecommunications network having both second generation (2G) and third generation (3G) service nodes. When a request for location information for the called MS is received in the HLS from an interrogating switch where the incoming call originated, the HLS determines whether the called MS is located in a 2G Mobile Switching Center (MSC), or a 3G Call State Control Function (CSCF). If neither, the HLS concludes that the called MS is located in an Serving General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Support Node (SGSN). A 3G flag, which is set in the subscriber profile when the MS registers with a 3G SGSN, is checked to determine whether the SGSN is a 2G SGSN or a 3G SGSN. If the SGSN is a 2G SGSN, the HLS informs the interrogating switch that the MS is not available for the real-time call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a billing identifier for a subscriber from a first network roaming within a second network is disclosed. A node interconnecting the first and second networks receives a call message that does not include a billing identifier from the first network. A billing functionality within the node responsive to the call message generates a billing identifier enabling billing records within the second network to be associated with the subscriber from the first network. Messages containing the billing identifier are then transmitted to the second network from the interconnecting node.

Abstract: An intraluminal catheter for directing a guidewire and/or catheter in a desired direction within a bodily vessel or cavity. The intraluminal catheter has a first elongate tubular member and a support means which can comprise a second elongate tubular member that can pass over a main support guidewire. The catheter acts as a platform as the guidewire is passed through the first elongate tubular member and is deflected transversely outwardly by an angled surface through an aperture. A second intraluminal catheter has a first elongate tubular member and a support means comprising a second elongate tubular member. The first elongate tubular member has a main portion and an end portion, with the end portion being deflectable relative to the locus of the main portion so as to direct the guidewire passing through the end portion in a desired direction in the bodily vessel.

Abstract: A needle retraction mechanism includes a hollow handle defining a cavity, a needle hub assembly movably disposed in the handle, a biasing mechanism to move the needle hub assembly from an extended position to a retracted position and a latch to hold needle hub assembly in the extended position against the bias of the biasing mechanism. The needle hub assembly includes a flexible stopper at its proximal end that creates an air tight seal with the inner wall of the handle. This allows a vacuum to be created between the proximal end of the handle and the flexible stopper when the needle hub is moved from the retracted position to the extended position. The configuration of the flexible stopper allows it to change the amount of frictional force created between the inner wall of the handle and the flexible stopper when the device is at different elevations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter device and guidewire system to enable the catheter to be exchanged over a conventional length guidewire without the use of a guidewire extension or exchange wire. The catheter device includes an elongated inflation shaft having a longitudinal inflation lumen, an extension shaft having a longitudinal extension lumen coupled in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, a balloon member disposed at the distal end of the extension shaft and in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, a guidewire shaft having a longitudinal guidewire lumen which extends from the distal end of the balloon member, through the balloon member and extension shaft, to the proximal end of the extension shaft, and a variable length shaft coupled to the proximal end of the extension shaft.

Abstract: A tip cap assembly is provided for positive sealing engagement with the tip of a syringe barrel of a syringe. The tip cap assembly includes an inner cap formed from an elastomeric material dimensioned for sealing engagement with the tip of the syringe barrel. The tip cap assembly further includes an outer cap engaged with the inner cap, and a collar for mounting the tip cap assembly to the syringe barrel. In addition, the outer cap includes a plurality of frangible portions for evidencing tampering and for connecting the outer cap to the collar.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a patient. The apparatus includes a deployment mechanism having a surface. The apparatus also includes at least one probe disposed on the deployment mechanism surface. The probe extends between 25 microns and 1000 microns from the surface of the deployment mechanism. The apparatus also includes material coated on the probe. A method for treating a patient. The method includes the steps of placing a material with a probe which extends less than 1000 microns from a surface of a deployment mechanism. Next, there is the step of inserting the probe into preferably a blood vessel of a patient. Then, there is the step of penetrating the interior wall of the vessel from the interior of the vessel with the probe by activating the deployment mechanism so the material can contact the vessel.

Abstract: Each lateral waist region of a disposable garment in the form of a diaper 1 at least partially 13 comprises a pair of breathable nonwoven fabrics 21, 22 being extendible circumferentially of the diaper but normally under no tension and elastically stretchable hot melt adhesive 23 applied on respective inner surfaces of the nonwoven fabrics 21, 22 so as to extend continuously in the circumferential direction but intermittently in the vertical direction, wherein the adhesive 23 is applied with no tension on the nonwoven fabrics 21, 22.

Abstract: The present invention provides an injection system and a pump system for use therein for pressurizing a liquid medium for injection into a patient. In general, the pump system comprises a pressurizing unit having at least one chamber. Each chamber has disposed therein a pressurizing mechanism to pressurize liquid medium within the chamber. Preferably, the pressurizing mechanism positively displaces the liquid medium through generally linear motion of the pressurizing mechanism within the chamber. Through reciprocating linear motion of the pressurizing mechanism (for example, a piston), the liquid medium is alternatively drawn into the chamber from a source of liquid medium (for example, a container) and forced out of the chamber under a desired pressure. Each chamber comprises an inlet port and an outlet port.

Abstract: A steerable drug delivery catheter and method of use, particularly adapted for percutaneous use. The distal end of the drug delivery catheter is deflectable. The catheter has a relative movement compensation mechanism for maintaining positioning between the distal end of the drug delivery catheter and the distal end of the drug delivery device therein.

Abstract: An inflatable balloon catheter having a guide wire lumen, an inflation lumen, and a one-way valve disposed within the inflation lumen, the one-way valve allowing fluid flow from the guide wire lumen into the inflation lumen and balloon. One method for preparing the catheter for use includes blocking the guide wire lumen proximal port and injecting inflation fluid into the guide wire lumen distal port. The injected fluid flows through the one-way valve into the inflation lumen and exits through the inflation lumen proximal port. One catheter includes a proximal switchable valve having bleed and inflation positions. This catheter provides a small distal profile and allows for bleeding the catheter while inflation equipment is attached to the catheter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device for insertion into the body wherein the device has at least one surface which periodically comes into contact with a second surface. The first surface comprises an improved lubricious coating having a first hydrogel layer and a second hydrophobic top coating which prevents the hydrogel coating from prematurely absorbing too much moisture. The hydrophobic top coating comprises at least one hydrophilic surfactant which acts as a carrier to facilitate removal of the hydrophobic top coating upon entry into an aqueous environment.