Abstract: A hand held nail polish removal tool includes a housing having a main body connected by an elongated neck to a head. An abrasive member is removably attached to the head and the tool contains a motor or transducer for causing the abrasive member to move so that when the abrasive member is positioned against a finger or toe nail, the abrasive member will abrade away any polish on the nail. The polish removal process may be accelerated by applying a solvent to the abrasive member. This may be done by dipping that member in a solvent or by including a solvent in the member or by incorporating a solvent dispensing system in the housing which allows a solvent to be delivered via the head to the member's abrasive surface. Preferably, the tool is powered by a rechargeable battery in the housing. Various different abrasive cover members for attachment to the head are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bioerodible endoprosthesis erodes to a desirable geometry that can provide, e.g., improved mechanical properties or degradation characteristics.

Abstract: Cleaning solutions and related methods for cleaning and removing stains and residues from items and surfaces such as laboratory equipment and surfaces uses cleaning solutions containing from about 25 wt % to about 99 wt % of a liquid sulfoxide and from about 1 wt % to about 75 wt % of a base-water solution. A variety of bases can be used in the base-water solution so long as the base-water solution has a pH of at least about 8. The cleaning solutions are particularly fast and effective in cleaning stains caused by biological staining reagents and solutions. A preferred embodiment of the cleaning solution contains between about 80 wt % liquid sulfoxide, such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and between about 10 wt % and about 20 wt % base-water solution, such as a 4.5% potassium hydroxide-water solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides variants of cyanovirin-N and water-soluble polymer conjugates thereof, and methods of preparing such conjugates. The cyanovirin-N of the invention are particularly suited for site-selective covalent attachment of one or more water soluble polymers, to provide polymer conjugates of cyanovirin-N variants exhibiting antiviral activity.

Abstract: A medical device comprising radiopaque water-dispersible metallic nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles are released from the medical device upon implantation of the device. The medical device of the present invention is sufficiently radiopaque for x-ray visualization during implantation, but loses its radiopacity after implantation to allow for subsequent visualization using more sensitive imaging modalities such as CT or MRI. The nanoparticles are formed of a metallic material and have surface modifications that impart water-dispersibility to the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles may be any of the various types of radiopaque water-dispersible metallic nanoparticles that are known in the art. The nanoparticles may be adapted to facilitate clearance through renal filtration or biliary excretion. The nanoparticles may be adapted to reduce tissue accumulation and have reduced toxicity in the human body. The nanoparticles may be applied directly onto the medical device, e.g.

Abstract: Automated staining equipment that can mix reagents is used to spray a Romanowsky stain onto slide mounted specimens which are then briefly centrifuged. The centrifugation step removes excess stain leaving only a thin film. Depending on the time of the centrifugation step, most of the organic solvent and part of the water in the stain are evaporated by airflow through the equipment. This greatly accelerates the staining reaction and preserves water soluble structures such as the granules in basophilic leukocytes. For optimal performance, this staining procedure requires a thiazin-eosin stain with about 90% to about 40% organic solvent, such as methanol, and only about 10% to about 60% water. This is a unique staining reagent in Romanowsky staining.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are disclosed which provide ATM currency conversion capabilities. In one embodiment, a financial account number associated with a financial account maintained by a customer at a financial institution is received, a foreign currency type associated with the financial account is determined, and a choice is presented to the customer at the ATM to conduct a financial transaction in the foreign currency type. A currency selection is received from the customer and at least a portion of the financial transaction is conducted at the ATM in the selected currency.

Abstract: A medical device including at least one reservoir, adapted to contain a material, such as a therapeutic agent, and sealed by a cover. The reservoir is openable, so as to release the material, for example, by (i) disintegration of the cover, (ii) movement of the cover to an open position, and/or (iii) a change of composition or properties of the cover allowing the material to pass therethrough. The power required to open the reservoir is provied by a current induced in a coil associated with the medical device by a change in magnetic flux in the area of the medical device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are disclosed which provide ATM currency conversion capabilities. In one embodiment, a financial account number associated with a financial account maintained by a customer at a financial institution is received, a foreign currency type associated with the financial account is determined, and a choice is presented to the customer at the ATM to conduct a financial transaction in the foreign currency type. A currency selection is received from the customer and at least a portion of the financial transaction is conducted at the ATM in the selected currency.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to medical devices, such as stents, for providing a medical treatment to an area of a patient, such as a body lumen. More particularly, the invention is directed to a stent comprising a grooved surface. The invention is also directed to a method for manufacturing a medical device comprising a grooved surface.

Abstract: A test methodology is provided for testing metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structures under high temperatures at the wafer level. A resistor is formed on a region of dielectric isolation material formed in a semiconductor substrate. The MIM capacitor is formed over the resistor and separated therefrom by dielectric material. A metal thermometer, formed from the same material as the plates of the MIM capacitor, is placed above the resistor and in close proximity to the capacitor. High current is forced through the resistor, causing both the metal thermometer and the MIM capacitor to heat up along with the resistor. The change in resistance of the metal thermometer is monitored. Using the known temperature coeffecient of resistance (TCR) for the metal used to form both the capacitor and the thermometer, changes in the measured resistance of the metal thermometer are converted to temperature.

Abstract: A test structure and a test methodology are provided for testing metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structures under high temperatures at the wafer level. The test structure includes a resistor formed on a region of dielectric isolation material formed in a semiconductor substrate. The MIM capacitor is formed over the resistor and separated therefrom by dielectric material. A metal thermometer, formed from the same material as the plates of the MIM capacitor, is placed above the resistor and in close proximity to the capacitor. High current is forced through the resistor, causing both the metal thermometer and the MIM capacitor to heat up along with the resistor. The change in resistance of the metal thermometer is monitored. Using the known temperature coeffecient of resistance (TCR) for the metal used to form both the capacitor and the thermometer, changes in the measured resistance of the metal thermometer are converted to temperature.

Abstract: Methods and articles used to position a stent within a body are disclosed.

Abstract: A hand held nail polish removal tool includes a housing having a main body connected by an elongated neck to a head. An abrasive member is removably attached to the head and the tool contains a motor or transducer for causing the abrasive member to move so that when the abrasive member is positioned against a finger or toe nail, the abrasive member will abrade away any polish on the nail. The polish removal process may be accelerated by applying a solvent to the head attachment or member. This may be done by dipping that member in a solvent or by including a solvent in the member or by incorporating a solvent dispensing system in the housing which allows a solvent to be delivered via the head to the member's abrasive surface. Various different abrasive members for attachment to the head are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for monitoring network authentication performance in wireless communication systems is disclosed, whereby a standardized message will be used to enable external reporting of a selection of (or all) successful Global Challenges. A network operator can select which Global Challenge results are to be reported, based on one or more factors such as, for example: subscriber number series (i.e., if a subscriber's number is within a predetermined range, then a successful Global Challenge can be reported); predetermined periodicity (i.e., the nth successful Global Challenge for a subscriber or MSC/VLR can be reported); access type (i.e., a successful Global Challenge for a Registration request, Originating Calls, Terminating Calls, and/or Originating Short Messages can be reported), etc.

Abstract: Medical devices, such as stents, and methods of making the devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a medical device includes an alloy having tantalum, tungsten, zirconium and niobium. For example, the alloy can include from about 20% to about 40% by weight of tantalum, from about 0.5% to about 9% by weight of tungsten, and from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of zirconium.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are disclosed which provide ATM currency conversion capabilities. In one embodiment, a financial account number associated with a financial account maintained by a customer at a financial institution is received, a foreign currency type associated with the financial account is determined, and a choice is presented to the customer at the ATM to conduct a financial transaction in the foreign currency type. A currency selection is received from the customer and at least a portion of the financial transaction is conducted at the ATM in the selected currency.

Abstract: A hand held nail polish removal tool includes a housing having a main body connected by an elongated neck to a head. An abrasive member is removably attached to the head and the tool contains a vibrator for causing the abrasive member to vibrate so that when the abrasive member is positioned against a finger or toe nail, the abrasive member will abrade away any polish on the nail. The polish removal process may be accelerated by applying a solvent to the abrasive member. This may be done by dipping that member in a solvent or by incorporating a solvent dispensing system in the housing which allows a solvent to be delivered via the head to the member's abrasive surface. Preferably, the tool is powered by rechargeable battery in the housing. Various different abrasive cover members for attachment to the head are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hand held nail polish removal tool includes a housing having a main body connected by an elongated neck to a head. An abrasive member is removably attached to the head and the tool contains a motor or transducer for causing the abrasive member to move so that when the abrasive member is positioned against a finger or toe nail, the abrasive member will abrade away any polish on the nail. The polish removal process may be accelerated by applying a solvent to the abrasive member. This may be done by dipping that member in a solvent or by including a solvent in the member or by incorporating a solvent dispensing system in the housing which allows a solvent to be delivered via the head to the member's abrasive surface. Preferably, the tool is powered by a rechargeable battery in the housing. Various different abrasive cover members for attachment to the head are also disclosed.

Abstract: A stent having at least one strut comprising at least one pad or bulge is disclosed. The pads or bulges are of a height that are preferably slightly greater than the thickness of a coating that can be disposed on the strut. The coating is not disposed on the pads. When the stent is placed within a delivery member such as a sheath or a catheter, the pads or bulges contact the inner surface of the delivery member, preventing the coating from contacting the inner surface. Damage to the coating that may be caused by friction with or adhesion to the delivery member is thus prevented. Methods for forming such a stent are also discussed.