Abstract: Cyclic aspiration system including an aspiration catheter and a cyclic aspiration source connected in fluid communication thereto, wherein the cyclic aspiration pressure source produces a cyclic aspiration pressure waveform of intermittently cycling intervals of a vacuum pressure below atmospheric pressure and a positive pressure higher than the vacuum pressure. The system further including a non-powered internal structural impediment disposed within the lumen of the aspiration catheter and configured to engage with a clot capturable therein during resulting movement between the clot and the non-powered internal structural impediment while subject to the cyclic aspiration pressure waveform to assist in capture of the clot. The non-powered internal structural impediment may be permanently attached to the aspiration catheter or a separate component or device independently slidable within the lumen of the aspiration catheter.

Abstract: A medical article, such as an anchor pad for stabilizing a medical line and/or a medical line securement device to a patient's skin, is provided with a timer. The timer can measure and provide an indication of elapsed time. The timer can be flexible or rigid, and can be disposed directly on the anchor pad, on a flexible or rigid substrate disposed on the anchor pad, or on a retainer supported by the anchor pad. The anchor pad with integral timer provides an easy-to-use visual indicator of elapsed time since placement of the medical line, offering a reliable way to signal when the medical line should be re-sited.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring funds online from a customer's account at a first financial institution to a beneficiary's financial institution comprises receiving transaction information comprising a beneficiary's identity, an amount to transfer to the beneficiary's account, and the beneficiary's financial institution's identity. Sending a request to the beneficiary's financial institution, said request comprising the beneficiary's identity and the amount to transfer to the beneficiary's account, and debiting the customer's account at least the amount to transfer to the beneficiary's account if the beneficiary is a customer of the beneficiary's financial institution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for paying bills online comprising a plurality of financial institutions exchanging bill payee lists to form a master bill payee list. A first financial institution receiving a bill for its customer, the bill including a bill payee and an amount owed the bill payee by the customer. The first financial institution searching the master bill payee list to determine if the bill payee is on the master bill payee list. Debiting the customer's account if the bill payee is on the master bill payee list, and sending the amount owed to the bill payee's financial institution for depositing in the bill payee's account.

Abstract: Information storage associated within a memory device is improved using a combination of compressed and non-compressed data storage formats. Font data may be stored without compression, thereby reducing the overhead associated with decompression and the need to supply sufficient memory to accommodate the font after decompression. Executable code is compressed for storage.

Abstract: A calibrated scanner is disclosed. The calibrated scanner includes a sensor board with a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) having two output signals. The sensor board also includes two offset devices, a coarse offset and a fine offset, the coarse offset being connected to the two output signals, the fine offset being connected to one of the output signals. The offsets are adjusted to provide a nonclipping DC bias for the two output signals. The sensor board also includes two gain devices, one gain device being attached to each output signal. The gain devices are adjusted to balance the two output signals. After these adjustments, the saturation level of the CCD is determined. The saturation level information is then used in readjusting the gain and offset devices. After this calibration, a linear correction may be applied to the output signal of the sensor board. The linear correction is accomplished by determining dark and light values of the sensor board.