Abstract: The present invention provides a coating that emits magnetic resonance signals and a method for coating medical devices therewith. The coating includes a paramagnetic metal ion-containing polymer complex that facilitates diagnostic and therapeutic techniques by readily visualizing medical devices coated with the complex. The present invention also provides methods by which pre-existing polymers and medical devices may be made MR-imageable. The invention also provides methods of improving MR-imageability of polymers and medical devices by encapsulating the polymers and medical devices with hydrogels.

Abstract: A coating that emits magnetic resonance signals and a method for coating medical devices therewith are provided. The coating may include a paramagnetic-metal-ion/ligand encapsulated or sequestered by a hydrogel. Methods by which pre-existing medical devices may be made MR-imageable are also provided, along with MR-imageable medical devices, and methods of using the medical devices.

Abstract: A system for updating a merchant customer account database is provided, wherein the system may be used to update a merchant's customer database in response to changes made to a customer transaction account. The system provides a remote database location which stores a merchant's customer transaction account information for customers using the transaction account for recurring billing purposes. A server is used to manage the remote database information to update the remote database in response to changes in transaction account information. The updated transaction account information is then periodically provided to the merchant for use in updating the merchant's customer account database.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coating that emits magnetic resonance signals and a method for coating medical devices therewith. The coating includes a paramagnetic metal ion-containing polymer complex that facilitates diagnostic and therapeutic techniques by readily visualizing medical devices coated with the complex. The present invention also provides methods by which pre-existing polymers and medical devices may be made MR-imageable. The invention also provides methods of improving MR-imageability of polymers and medical devices by encapsulating the polymers and medical devices with hydrogels.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for automatically adjusting a radio frequency communication system to define the spatial dimensions of a read zone and no-read zone using programmable checktags. The system comprises a controller adapted to send and receive data from two subsets of a plurality of transponders. The first subset of transponders is located in a spatial read zone, and the second subset of transponders is located in a spatial no-read zone. The system automatically adjusts transmission parameters to ensure that only the first subset of transponders is able to be read.

Abstract: A system for updating a merchant customer account database is provided, wherein the system may be used to update a merchant's customer database in response to changes made to a customer transaction account. The system provides a remote database location which stores a merchant's customer transaction account information for customers using the transaction account for recurring billing purposes. A server is used to manage the remote database information to update the remote database in response to changes in transaction account information. The updated transaction account information is then periodically provided to the merchant for use in updating the merchant's customer account database.

Abstract: A method of employing an electric motor that is used to roll and unroll tarpaulin covers that is mounted to the front portion of a belly dump trailer in a fashion that allows it to move both fore and aft as the tarpaulin is rolled over the trailer box is provided. This mounting of the motor is primarily accomplished by the use of a pair of tubular slide rails that are horizontally positioned above a cross member of the trailer frame. The mounting of the electric motor to these slide rails is accomplished by the use of a pair of tubular motor runners that fit over the slide rails prior to the mount's final assembly. This design allows the electric motor assembly to move freely fore and aft within the confines of the horizontal slide rails. The motor assembly is then connected through a universal joint to the solid drive shaft which is connected through an additional universal joint to the tarpaulin roll tube.

Abstract: A method of providing secure attachment points for a rollable tarpaulin cover used in open top trailers is provided. This is accomplished by the use of cleats attached to the leading edge of a tarpaulin roll tube or shaft. These cleats engage a gear cog mounted to the side of the trailer when the tarpaulin is fully deployed. This arrangement provides additional points at which the tarpaulin can be secured to the trailer to provide a tight seal over the top of the trailer.

Abstract: A tonneau cover is provided that is attached at its most forward end to an adjustable tensioning rail which spans the front end of a pickup truck box. The tensioning rail is adjustably attached at its outside edges to two side rails which are attached to the inside of a pickup box. The adjustable attachment of the tensioning rail to the side rails is accomplished by the use of a tensioning screw and two attachment blocks. As the tensioning screw is moved forwards and backwards by the use of the adjustment knob, the tensioning rail is moved in a corresponding manner. This adjustment is preformed when the tonneau cover is in the open position, and thus, allows a user to obtain the desired amount if tightness when the tonneau cover is subsequently placed in the closed position.

Abstract: A crank handle (40) which is used in a roll-up flexible cover assembly (64) for an open container, such as a truck (68), includes a longitudinal tube (42) and a rotatable tube (44). The rotatable tube (44) has a longitudinal portion (46) being telescopically disposed in the longitudinal tube (42). The rotatable tube (44) is adjustable among a stored location, an adjusting position, and a working location. The crank handle (40) is extended at the working location, so that the operator can stand away from the side of the truck (68) and easily operate the crank handle (40). The crank handle (40) is retracted to the stored location, preferably on the side of the truck (68). The rotatable tube (44) of the crank handle (40) is turned to a desired direction at the adjusting position so that the crank handle (40) can be vertically stored in a desire location.

Abstract: A variable resistance lifting mechanism for increasing the resistive force during an exercise stroke includes a lever arm pivotally attached to a frame at one end and slidably mounted through a linear bearing sleeve at a position remote from the pivot point. In one embodiment, the linear bearing sleeve is connected by a clevis pin to a housing slidable in a linear manner on guide bars. A bar secured to the housing is adapted to be attached to a predetermined number of weights. The weights are also slidable in a linear manner on the guide bars. In a second embodiment, the linear bearing sleeve is pivotally connected by the clevis pin directly to the bar adapted to the attached to the predetermined number of weights.

Abstract: A dual function exercise machine, enabling unilateral and bilateral exercise of a limb, includes a pair of lever arms pivotally mounted adjacent to each other on a frame. Each lever arm is slidably mounted through a separate linear bearing sleeve at a point remote from the pivot point and is associated with a separate and independent stack of weights. Each weight stack is slidably mounted on guide bars of the frame. Each sleeve is pivotally connected to a selector bar which is adapted to connect a number of weights to the sleeve to provide resistance during either unilateral or bilateral exercise of a limb. In this manner, one or both corresponding limbs may be exercised with the same or different number of weights connected to each lever arm.