Abstract: There is provided an energy transaction platform to facilitate a wholesale?distribution?DER owner marketplace for DER-based energy products, including contracting, delivery, and settlement, for example, based on blockchain technology. The platform provides components to enrol and verify DER owners having a DER device. Platform components define and communicate contracts for energy services for bidding by DER owners to facilitate e.g. EV charging, GHG reduction, or demand response goals. Contracts are cleared in response to bidding, for example, by DER owners. The platform triggers contract delivery, which delivery is monitored and confirmed. Settlement is made between contract parties according to confirmed participation. Participation rewards and/or credit tokens are transferrable to DER owners, which can be further transferred. DER owner credibility measures can encourage participation and assist with clearing contracts.

Abstract: There is provided an energy transaction platform to facilitate a wholesale?distribution?DER owner marketplace for DER-based energy products, including contracting, delivery, and settlement, for example, based on blockchain technology. The platform provides components to enrol and verify DER owners having a DER device. Platform components define and communicate contracts for energy services for bidding by DER owners to facilitate e.g. EV charging, GHG reduction, or demand response goals. Contracts are cleared in response to bidding, for example, by DER owners. The platform triggers contract delivery, which delivery is monitored and confirmed. Settlement is made between contract parties according to confirmed participation. Participation rewards and/or credit tokens are transferrable to DER owners, which can be further transferred. DER owner credibility measures can encourage participation and assist with clearing contracts.

Abstract: A brachytherapy balloon system, including a brachytherapy applicator and a brachytherapy balloon, is described. The brachytherapy balloon is shaped and sized to fit a vagina, a rectum or an esophagus and is made of elastomeric polymer and has a cylindrical inner surface defining an interior hollow of diameter D with at least one open end into which a brachytherapy applicator of diameter x<D can fit, and an outer surface. The inner and outer surfaces of the brachytherapy balloon together define an inflatable elongated toroidal shape having a distal and a proximal end. The distal end has a diameter less than x, a valve for inflating the balloon, and a retention ring that prevents the brachytherapy applicator from protruding beyond the retention ring and reproducibly positioning the applicator on every use.

Abstract: A home asset management account system is provided that includes a first mortgage account and an equity line of credit (LOC), a periodic sweep feature between the first mortgage and equity LOC, a periodic property value review feature of the first mortgage, and a statement feature that provides a customer valuable information on the subject property estimated value and the relationship between the first mortgage and the equity LOC. The first mortgage and equity LOC, results from a proprietary automated decisioning/pricing system, the periodic sweep feature, the periodic property value review feature, and a unique statement feature are bundled into a financial package available for customers.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for indicating the presence of pressure within a collection chamber of a device such as a chest drainage device. The apparatus includes a bladder configured to be positioned within the collection chamber or within another chamber in fluid flow communication with the collection chamber. The bladder has a concavity formed therein and configured to contract or expand in response to pressure in the collection chamber. The apparatus also includes surfaces associated with the bladder that are configured to move with respect to one another upon contraction or expansion of the concavity of the bladder, thereby indicating pressure within the collection chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a home asset management account system is provided that combines a first mortgage account and an equity line of credit (LOC) and offers a periodic sweep feature between the first mortgage and equity LOC, a periodic property value review feature of the first mortgage, and a statement feature that provides a customer valuable information on the subject property estimated value and the relationship between the first mortgage and the equity LOC. The first mortgage and equity LOC results from a proprietary automated decisioning/pricing system, the periodic sweep feature, the periodic property value review feature, and a unique statement feature are bundled into a financial package available for customers.

Abstract: A technique for the design of 3-D RF welding electrodes by first modeling the surface of the welded part perimeter as a spline in a 3-D CAD program, and then dividing the spline up into multiple, small straight segments. The straight segments are offset simultaneously in opposite directions from the spline, to form two sets of straight segments, each set being equidistant from the spline, with the gap between the two sets equal to the target thickness of the welded package. New die faces are constructed from each of the sets using smoothing techniques, and 3-D models of the die faces are manufactured to check accuracy of the design, making sure that all the corresponding points of the pair of electrodes are equidistant, thereby creating a strong weld with good cosmetic results all along the parts being joined.

Abstract: A practical method to increase the fusion of radio-frequency welds between two structures made of dissimilar materials by introduction of a bonding layer between the two structures. The bonding layer must be an RF-weldable material that welds or bonds well to both of the materials from which the respective structures are made. The bonding layer may be introduced by coating one of the structures with the bonding material or by forming the bonding material into a sleeve which is placed over one of the structures.

Abstract: An inflatable air cell pressure transducer. The air cell has a concavity formed therein. The concavity has two edges, wherein increased pressure within the air cell causes contraction of the concavity moving the two edges closer.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is an inflatable support member having at least one tension point to establish a bend in the inflatable support member. The inflatable support member includes a first sheet and a second sheet sealed around their respective edges. A tension point is formed by enlarging the seam area where a bend in the inflatable support member is desired. Alternate embodiments of the invention include structures including the inflatable support member. An alternate inflatable support member includes a first sheet and second sheet, the second sheet having an elasticity less than that of the first sheet by using different materials, additional materials or stretching the second sheet.

Abstract: Methods of joining two structures made from dissimilar polymeric materials involve applying a coating containing a polymeric resin, such as a polyurethane-based polymer, to at least a portion of the first structure and welding the second structure to the coated portion of the first structure.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for indicating the presence of pressure within a collection chamber of a device such as a chest drainage device. The apparatus includes a bladder configured to be positioned within the collection chamber or within another chamber in fluid flow communication with the collection chamber. The bladder has a concavity formed therein and configured to contract or expand in response to pressure in the collection chamber. The apparatus also includes surfaces associated with the bladder that are configured to move with respect to one another upon contraction or expansion of the concavity of the bladder, thereby indicating pressure within the collection chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a home asset management account system is provided that comprises a first mortgage account and an equity line of credit (LOC), a periodic sweep feature between the first mortgage and equity LOC, a periodic property value review feature of the first mortgage, and a statement feature that provides a customer valuable information on the subject property estimated value and the relationship between the first mortgage and the equity LOC. The first mortgage and equity LOC, results from a proprietary automated decisioning/pricing system, the periodic sweep feature, the periodic property value review feature, and a unique statement feature are bundled into a financial package available for customers. The equity LOC in one preferred embodiment is a renewable home equity line of credit providing a combined loan to value (CLTV) from 0.01% to 100% at time of loan closing. The periodic sweep feature preferably performs a quarterly principal sweep from the first mortgage to the equity LOC.

Abstract: A deployable cushion mechanism for a vehicle that provides a cushion deployed in case of vehicle tipping. The cushion is inflated from a folded condition through rapid release of stored energy. Air is allowed to enter the cushion by way of valves or other orifices. Ground contact of the tipped vehicle occurs with the inflated cushion so as to prevent injury to the passenger.

Abstract: A kit for effecting hemostatis of an organ comprises a mesh and a sack. The mesh is formed of semirigid, bioabsorbable material adapted to be generally conformingly disposed on at least the bleeding surface of an organ. The sack is made of flexible, elastic, air-impermeable material adapted to be elastically stretched over the mesh and over a substantial portion of the organ and then released to compress the organ portion and thereby decrease the flow of blood thereto. The sack further permits operative attachment of the undersurface thereof to a vacuum source so that portions of the organ may be pulled outwardly by the vacuum into the interstices of the underlying mesh to promote hemostasis.

Abstract: A kit for effecting hemostatis of an organ comprises a mesh and a sack. The mesh is formed of semirigid, bioabsorbable material adapted to be generally conformingly disposed on at least the bleeding surface of an organ. The sack is made of flexible, elastic, air-impermeable material adapted to be elastically stretched over the mesh and over a substantial portion of the organ and then released to compress the organ portion and thereby decrease the flow of blood thereto. The sack further permits operative attachment of the undersurface thereof to a vacuum source so that portions of the organ may be pulled outwardly by the vacuum into the interstices of the underlying mesh to promote hemostasis.