Abstract: A flexible endoscopic clip applier includes a flexible coil with a manual actuator coupled to one end and a jaw assembly coupled to the other end. A store of clips is arranged adjacent to the jaw assembly and a clip pusher is arranged adjacent to the store of clips. The actuator includes a lever for opening and closing the jaws, a knob for rotating the jaw assembly, and a crank for dispensing clips. The knob and the lever are coupled to a single control member which extends through the coil to a joiner where it is joined to a pair of pull wires coupled to the jaws. The crank is coupled to a second control member which is threaded along a distal portion. The threaded portion engages a threaded member near the pusher and is coupled to the pusher such that rotation of the threaded control member by the crank causes the pusher to be moved distally.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for rotating an end effector on a long, flexible medical device. The methods and devices utilize an actuator mechanism that is effective to rotate an end effector on the distal end of an elongate flexible shaft. The actuator mechanism is movable between a freely rotatable position and a rotationally resistant position. When the actuator mechanism is in a freely rotatable position, the actuator mechanism can be rotated to impart torque to the end effector, and thus at least a distal portion of the elongate shaft, to cause the end effector to rotate. In order to prevent the actuator mechanism from “freewheeling,” wherein the actuator mechanism freely rotates in an opposite direction upon release rather than the end effector rotating in the desired direction, the actuator mechanism can be moved to the rotationally resistant position.

Abstract: A torque transmitting apparatus includes a cover portion generally defined by a first axis. The cover portion includes a plurality of adjustment apertures. The apparatus also includes a flywheel coupled to the cover portion for rotation therewith, wherein the flywheel is restrained from axial movement relative to the cover portion. The apparatus also includes a pressure plate coupled to the cover portion for rotation therewith. The pressure plate is axially moveable relative to the cover portion. The apparatus also includes a clutch disk at least partially interposed between the flywheel and the pressure plate. The apparatus also includes a plurality of first members extending between the pressure plate and the cover. Each first member exerts a biasing outward radial force on the adjustment aperture to resist axial movement therebetween. A portion of the first member exerts a biasing axial force on the pressure plate thereby biasing the pressure plate toward the flywheel.

Abstract: A method, management system, and management information system operated and maintained by a borrower for the plurality of its loan obligations in the form of a computer software system and database wherein the a borrower's loan transactions are recorded in the system and retained in the database for the plurality of its loans while exporting accounting entries to the borrower's other financial systems. Periodic interest is calculated by the system for verification against the lender's calculation. Payments of principal, accrued interest and escrow amounts are calculated and initiated for payment to a borrower's plurality of lenders by the system. The system retains a current balance for outstanding principal balance, accrued interest, escrow accounts, lender's commitment to lend and remaining interest reserve for each of a borrower's loan obligations. The system manages every practical method of loan servicing as commonly practiced in real estate lending and other industries.

Abstract: A method and system for the loading of patrons at multiple attractions at an entertainment environment includes the first-in first-out line and a priority based line. A patron can have an additional priority entry at a time selected by the patron to any one of the multiple attractions in the entertainment environment. There can be an entry selected by the patron to at least one of the multiple attractions in the entertainment environment, such entry being affected on a priority basis as selected by the patron. A patron can have an entry at a second time period selected by the patron to the second attraction in the entertainment environment. The second time period can overlap a first time period. Alternatively the second time period can be substantially close in time to the first time period, whereby the closeness in time under essentially normal conditions would be too close for use on a first attraction in the first time period and subsequent use on a second attraction in that second time period.

Abstract: A method for check destruction tracking and reconstruction relates to tracking the destruction of financial institution items, such as paper checks. The method includes transferring the financial institution items to a bin for transporting the items to be destroyed. The bin is associated with a bin identifier. The items which are in the bin are identified and the bin is transported for destruction. If the items are safely transported and safely destroyed, a notification of destruction of the items in the bin is sent. If the items are either not safely transported or not safely destroyed, a notification of an incident is sent. Appropriate action may be taken in response to receiving such notification.

Abstract: A torque transmitting apparatus includes a cover portion generally defined by a first axis. The cover portion includes a plurality of adjustment apertures. The apparatus also includes a flywheel coupled to the cover portion for rotation therewith, wherein the flywheel is restrained from axial movement relative to the cover portion. The apparatus also includes a pressure plate coupled to the cover portion for rotation therewith. The pressure plate is axially moveable relative to the cover portion. The apparatus also includes a clutch disk at least partially interposed between the flywheel and the pressure plate. The apparatus also includes a plurality of first members extending between the pressure plate and the cover. Each first member exerts a biasing outward radial force on the adjustment aperture to resist axial movement therebetween. A portion of the first member exerts a biasing axial force on the pressure plate thereby biasing the pressure plate toward the flywheel.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for rotating an end effector on a long, flexible medical device. The methods and devices utilize an actuator mechanism that is effective to rotate an end effector on the distal end of an elongate flexible shaft. The actuator mechanism is movable between a freely rotatable position and a rotationally resistant position. When the actuator mechanism is in a freely rotatable position, the actuator mechanism can be rotated to impart torque to the end effector, and thus at least a distal portion of the elongate shaft, to cause the end effector to rotate. In order to prevent the actuator mechanism from “freewheeling,” wherein the actuator mechanism freely rotates in an opposite direction upon release rather than the end effector rotating in the desired direction, the actuator mechanism can be moved to the rotationally resistant position.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for rotating an end effector on a long, flexible medical device. The methods and devices utilize an actuator mechanism that is effective to rotate an end effector on the distal end of an elongate flexible shaft. The actuator mechanism is movable between a freely rotatable position and a rotationally resistant position. When the actuator mechanism is in a freely rotatable position, the actuator mechanism can be rotated to impart torque to the end effector, and thus at least a distal portion of the elongate shaft, to cause the end effector to rotate. In order to prevent the actuator mechanism from “freewheeling,” wherein the actuator mechanism freely rotates in an opposite direction upon release rather than the end effector rotating in the desired direction, the actuator mechanism can be moved to the rotationally resistant position.

Abstract: A process for the production of a heteroaromatic carboxylic acid comprising contacting in the presence of a catalyst, a precursor of said carboxylic acid with an oxidant, such contact being effected with said precursor and the oxidant in an aqueous solvent comprising water under supercritical conditions or near supercritical conditions close to the supercritical point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of insulinotropic peptides that are synthesized using a solid and solution phase (“hybrid”) approach. Generally, the approach includes synthesizing three different peptide intermediate fragments using solid phase chemistry. Solution phase chemistry is then used to add additional amino acid material to one of the fragments. The fragments are then coupled together in the solution phase. The use of a pseudoproline in one of the fragments eases solid phase synthesis of that fragment and also eases subsequent solution phase coupling of this fragment to other fragments. The present invention is very useful for forming insulinotropic peptides such as Exenatide(1-39) and its natural and non-natural counterparts.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for rotating an end effector on a long, flexible medical device. The methods and devices utilize an actuator mechanism that is effective to rotate an end effector on the distal end of an elongate flexible shaft. The actuator mechanism is movable between a freely rotatable position and a rotationally resistant position. When the actuator mechanism is in a freely rotatable position, the actuator mechanism can be rotated to impart torque to the end effector, and thus at least a distal portion of the elongate shaft, to cause the end effector to rotate. In order to prevent the actuator mechanism from “freewheeling,” wherein the actuator mechanism freely rotates in an opposite direction upon release rather than the end effector rotating in the desired direction, the actuator mechanism can be moved to the rotationally resistant position.

Abstract: Low volume production of electronic devices having ball attachments, e.g. solder ball arrays, is advantageously achieved using a specific method. In particular a stencil having holes in, for example, the ball grid array pattern is formed by laser ablation of the holes in materials such as paper and polymers. The stencil holes are aligned with corresponding pads on the electronic device. Balls such as solder balls are introduced into the holes and heated to induce adhesion of the balls to the corresponding pads.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for rotating an end effector on a long, flexible medical device. The methods and devices utilize an actuator mechanism that is effective to rotate an end effector on the distal end of an elongate flexible shaft. The actuator mechanism is movable between a freely rotatable position and a rotationally resistant position. When the actuator mechanism is in a freely rotatable position, the actuator mechanism can be rotated to impart torque to the end effector, and thus at least a distal portion of the elongate shaft, to cause the end effector to rotate. In order to prevent the actuator mechanism from “freewheeling,” wherein the actuator mechanism freely rotates in an opposite direction upon release rather than the end effector rotating in the desired direction, the actuator mechanism can be moved to the rotationally resistant position.

Abstract: The present invention provides various pharmaceutically active topical delivery compositions. In particular, compositions of the present invention are present in a pressurized contained comprising a quick-breaking alcoholic foaming agent, such that when the composition is released, i.e., dispensed, from the pressurized container, a quick-breaking temperature sensitive foam is formed. In addition, the present invention provides various aspects related to such compositions, including methods for modulating a foam characteristic, methods for improving the shelf-life of a pharmaceutically active compound, methods for the percutaneous treatment of various diseases, infections, and illnesses, and methods for evaluating foam characteristics.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for rotating an end effector on a long, flexible medical device. The methods and devices utilize an actuator mechanism that is effective to rotate an end effector on the distal end of an elongate flexible shaft. The actuator mechanism is movable between a freely rotatable position and a rotationally resistant position. When the actuator mechanism is in a freely rotatable position, the actuator mechanism can be rotated to impart torque to the end effector, and thus at least a distal portion of the elongate shaft, to cause the end effector to rotate. In order to prevent the actuator mechanism from “freewheeling,” wherein the actuator mechanism freely rotates in an opposite direction upon release rather than the end effector rotating in the desired direction, the actuator mechanism can be moved to the rotationally resistant position.

Abstract: A broadcast response system provides, e.g., a radio broadcast listener with the ability to obtain media content such as music or speech while listening to the radio. The user can respond to items in the radio broadcast such as advertisements, fund raising drives, or interactive listener polls during the broadcast. Data such as song title and artist, author or publisher and the IP address for the location where the digital version of the content is stored, can be transmitted using, e.g., the RBDS/RDS data stream. A reference number representing song title and artist, author or publisher and the IP address for the location where the digital version of the content is stored can also be employed for ease of implementation. This reference number can reside in a lookup table to be accessed by broadcast response server.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a lactam from an amino alkane nitrile and/or its hydrolysis derivatives, comprising reacting a solution comprising at least about 5% by weight amino alkane nitrile in water at a temperature of greater than or equal to about 350° C. and at a pressure of greater than about 250 bar. Optionally, a dilute acid may be added as a catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides various pharmaceutically active topical delivery compositions. In particular, compositions of the present invention are present in a pressurized container comprising a quick-breaking alcoholic foaming agent, such that when the composition is released, i.e., dispensed, from the pressurized container, a quick-breaking temperature sensitive foam is formed. In addition, the present invention provides various aspects related to such compositions, including methods for modulating a foam characteristic, methods for improving the shelf-life of a pharmaceutically active compound, methods for the percutaneous treatment of various diseases, infections, and illnesses, and methods for evaluating foam characteristics.

Abstract: A low cost, reliable and accurate audio frequency phase detection system and method includes an audio signal source generating an audio frequency test signal and a phase detector detecting phase reversals in the audio frequency test signal. The signal source may be an active, real time signal generator or a recorded media player playing back a prerecorded signal. The test signal is provided to a user system while the phase detector determines whether or not a phase reversal has occurred in the test signal between the input and output of the user system and illuminates a green or red LED to indicate whether or not a phase reversal has occurred. The test signal includes a lower frequency signal component and a higher frequency signal component that provides a marker for testing the phase of the lower frequency signal component.