Abstract: A method and computer readable medium for selecting order fulfillment nodes within an order fulfillment system. The method determines one or more product-node pairs of an omni-channel order fulfillment system responsive to a received customer order. There is received for each determined product-node pair, a first input including an associated price and a price markdown rate (r) for the product. There is further received for each product-node pair, input representing a current amount of supply availability of the product (w) for a period of time in an inventory; and a first threshold value and a second threshold values defining a supply availability window of the product. The method computes an inventory performance value based on the current w, the defined supply availability window, and one or more the p and r values; and selects a node for customer order fulfillment based on the computed cost of inventory performance value.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for facilitating a meeting between members of a social network, the method including the steps of receiving from a first member of the social network a selection of a future location of the first member from a first database; receiving from the first member a date and time when the first member will be at the future location; and broadcasting the future location together with the date and time when the first member will be at the future location to at least one member who is connected to the first member via the social network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an infant placement device for preventing infant roll over that may include: an under support padding; at least two winged supporting portions extending from the support padding; and a means to secure an infant onto the support padding. The means to secure the infant may include two crossing straps, or alternatively two straps and a torso cover. The upper support padding may include a head support pillow and a bedding support, where said bedding support extends the entire length of the placement device. In one exemplary embodiment, the head support pillow may include a first side which is substantially flat and a second side which is substantially concaved. The bedding support may also include a first side which is substantially flat and a second side which is substantially concaved. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the head support pillow may include an audio system.

Abstract: A bodily fluid space entry detection method includes entry of the distal, sharp tip of a needle cannula into a bodily fluid space such as a blood vessel or epidural space to allow bodily fluid such as blood or spinal fluid to establish electrical conduction along the cannula and energizing an alert source, LED, and/or a buzzer, in response.

Abstract: An enclosed needle catheter insertion device (10) includes an elongated needle guard housing (20) and an elongated needle support housing (22). The support housing (22) is received for movement in guard housing (20) to pull needle (24) in from catheter (12) to be enclosed by guard housing (20). Support housing (22) is of sufficient length that a proximal end (42) thereof is accessible at or beyond a proximal end (28) of guard housing (20) even with the needle (24) extended out of catheter (12) for use, so as to allow for access to the fluid path (44) of support housing (22) to needle lumen (49).

Abstract: A generally rigid molded plastic catheter hub attachment (16, 52, 74) includes one or more co-molded elastomeric gaskets (22, 58).

Abstract: An enclosed needle catheter insertion device (10) includes a catheter (12) and a needle insertion device (14) which are held together by cooperating arms (52, 53) with one or more detents (56) cooperating with a radially projecting surface (26) of the catheter hub (16). Insertion device (14) includes a guard housing (30) to enclose a needle (34) in a shielded position and a support housing (32) supporting the needle (34) for movement between a ready position, with the tip (36) of the needle (34) exposed, to the shielded position. Cooperating lock elements (47, 78) are provided for the housings (30, 32) which are positioned to define a lock actuation stage between the ready and shielded positions, whereat the needle is still within a passageway (54) defined by the cooperating arms (52, 53).

Abstract: A needle guard includes a clip with a canting wall to grip the needle shaft and a distal wall to block the tip thereof, wherein the canting and distal walls may be interconnected by an angled strut, a spring member, such as a leaf spring, may have a portion extending past an edge of the strut to bias the clip to grip the needle shaft, and the distal wall may be or include a stylus and have an L-shape to define a lip to help block the needle tip. The clip may have a depending heel to help pivot the clip about a ledge to grip the needle shaft. A needle support may be provided to limit flexure of the needle which might otherwise allow the needle to come loose from the clip. Arrangements for limiting rotation of the needle hub and needle guard housing are provided, as is a protective shroud to reduce the risk of inadvertent activation of the needle guard. Further, the needle guard may be used with a catheter assembly. Also provided is an improved duckbill release mechanism.

Abstract: A bodily fluid space entry detection system includes electrical contacts in non-conducting relationship and associated with a needle cannula. Entry of the distal, sharp tip of the cannula into a bodily fluid space such as a blood vessel or epidural space allows bodily fluid such as blood or spinal fluid to make a conduction path between the contacts which, in turn, causes an alert source to be energized to indicate entry into the bodily fluid space. The alert source could be an LED and/or a buzzer.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an electroporation method for treating vesicles with exogenous material for insertion of the exogenous material into the vesicles which includes the steps of: a. retaining a suspension of the vesicles and the exogenous material in a treatment volume in a chamber which includes electrodes, wherein the chamber has a geometric factor (cm?1) defined by the quotient of the electrode gap squared (cm2) divided by the chamber volume (cm3), wherein the geometric factor is less than or equal to 0.1 cm?1, wherein the suspension of the vesicles and the exogenous material is in a medium which is adjusted such that the medium has conductivity in a range spanning 0.01 to 1.0 milliSiemens, wherein the suspension is enclosed in the chamber during treatment, and h. treating the suspension enclosed in the chamber with one or more pulsed electric fields.

Abstract: A seat back cushion support presenting device for use in a foldable vehicle seat moves a cushion support member from a position within the seat back frame to a position extended from the seat back frame such that the entire cushion is presented. A pair of presenting members, each including a side bolster support portion, are provided in overlapping arrangement for translation along a presenting device support member and rotation with respect to a cushion support member such that as an activation member moves the presenting members together, the cushion support member is extended along with the side bolster support portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for treating biological cellular material with a treating agent using pulsed electrical fields provided by a waveform generator (12). The treatment method includes obtaining an electrode assembly which includes three or more parallel rows of individual electrodes (19). The electrode assembly is applied to a treatment area. Electrically conductive pathways are established between the electrodes (19) and the waveform generator (12) through an array switch (14). Successive electric fields are applied to the treatment area in the form of successive electric field waveforms from the waveform generator (12), through the array switch (14), to adjacent rows of electrodes (19), wherein each successive electric field has the same direction, and wherein polarities of rows of electrodes are reversed successively during the applying of the successive electric fields between adjacent successive rows of electrodes to the treatment area.

Abstract: An ultra compact, easy to operate folding vehicle seat includes a seat back, seat base and support leg members and is movable between a stow position and a design position. The folding vehicle seat includes a folding mechanism having an upper member for connection to the seat back and a lower member for supporting the seat base; the upper and lower members of the folding mechanism include integrated teeth aligned in meshing relationship such that movement of the seat back causes the lower member to rotate and lift the seat base to move the folding vehicle seat to a design position. A pair of upper cams are provided for selective engagement with the upper member and a third cam tab of the lower member of the folding mechanism.

Abstract: A seat cushion and method of manufacturing a seat cushion suitable for use with a seat having a contour presenting device configured to move the seat cushion between a non-presented position and a presented position is disclosed. The seat cushion generally includes a substrate having a first portion and a second portion that are separated by a trench. A connector is provided for registering the substrate to a contour presenting device. The trench is designed to provide the seat cushion with a consistent, high quality craftsmanship, finish and appearance. According to one exemplary embodiment, the trench comprises a first side wall having a substantially vertical surface and a second side wall having an angled surface.

Abstract: A fishing lure has a hollow body that contains a battery and a selected recipient device (eg. a light emitting device, horn, vibrator motor). A switch interrupts a circuit to deactivate the light emitting device (or other recipient device) when the lure body is moved from a generally horizontal, “swimming” position to a more inclined position. The apparatus has a rechargeable battery that can be charged by connecting to hook eyelets on the lure body.

Abstract: This invention contains an acidic edible liquid composition comprising a low acetylated xanthan gum in an amount effective to substantially sustain the initial viscosity of the composition for at least about four months. Particularly preferred compositions include beverages and syrups. Beverages include, without limitation, carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks, still beverages, fruit-juice-type beverages, squashes and cordials, alcoholic and nonalcoholic, their concentrates and mixtures thereof. This invention also contains a method for stabilizing an acidic edible liquid composition which comprises admixing therewith an effective amount of a low acetylated xanthan gum in an amount effective to substantially maintain the initial viscosity of the composition for at least about four months under typical storage conditions.