Abstract: A catheter system for locking a catheter to an implantable pump and for effectively flushing a catheter after implantation within a body. A locking component comprises an extension boot and catheter lock that together fluidly connect the catheter to the pump in a secure, safe and effective manner. A catheter component comprises a design having kink-resistant walls and a unique tip. A flushing component comprises a hub and stylet combination characterized by a hydrophilic coating on the stylet and a flush through hub to allow flushing of the stylet while inside the catheter.

Abstract: A distributed network data storage method includes receiving a data set from a client, defining a virtual device to include a plurality of device portions each on one of a plurality of network servers, parsing the data set into a plurality of data portions, and writing each of the data portions to a corresponding one of the virtual device portions. Methods are also disclosed for securely writing data to the virtual devices, and for identifying and reconstructing corrupt data. A system for implementing the data storage/retrieval method includes a plurality of network servers, each running a distributed RAID server application. The servers communicate with clients via a first network, and with each other via a second network.

Abstract: A wheelchair has a reclined configuration and an upright configuration. In the upright configuration, the seat of the wheelchair is at least substantially perpendicular to a back support and located at a first elevation. An actuator is useful to lift the seat during the movement to the reclined configuration to a second elevation higher than the first elevation. Outriggers move to load bearing position in the reclined configuration to assist in supporting weight on the back support. An installed litter is useful in assisting patient movement to and from the wheelchair.

Abstract: A system for managing credit card accounts or the like, having a database for storing a permanent customer ID associated with each cardholder, an account ID for each account accessible by the cardholder, a presentation ID (card number) appearing on each card, and a role identifier. When a transaction is conducted at a terminal, the presentation ID is provided to a database management system, which then can retrieve the customer ID and the account ID (for the account being accessed). If a card is lost, stolen or otherwise rendered unusable, a security suspense record is inserted into the database in an account ID filed associated with the affected presentation ID. When the presentation ID associated with the lost or stolen card is provided to the system, the security suspense record is retrieved and causes the transaction to be invalidated. All other presentation IDs (and associated cards) for the affected account can continue to be used, thus eliminating the need to close the account.

Abstract: A catheter system for locking a catheter to an implantable pump and for effectively flushing a catheter after implantation within a body. A locking component comprises an extension boot and catheter lock that together fluidly connect the catheter to the pump in a secure, safe and effective manner. A catheter component comprises a design having kink-resistant walls and a unique tip. A flushing component comprises a hub and stylet combination characterized by a hydrophilic coating on the stylet and a flush through hub to allow flushing of the stylet while inside the catheter.

Abstract: A system for managing credit card accounts or the like, having a database for storing a permanent customer ID associated with each cardholder, an account ID for each account accessible by the cardholder, a presentation ID (card number) appearing on each card, and a role identifier. When a transaction is conducted at a terminal, the presentation ID is provided to a database management system, which then can retrieve the customer ID and the account ID (for the account being accessed). If a card is lost, stolen or otherwise rendered unusable, a security suspense record is inserted into the database in an account ID filed associated with the affected presentation ID. When the presentation ID associated with the lost or stolen card is provided to the system, the security suspense record is retrieved and causes the transaction to be invalidated. All other presentation IDs (and associated cards) for the affected account can continue to be used, thus eliminating the need to close the account.

Abstract: A distributed network data storage method includes receiving a data set from a client, defining a virtual device to include a plurality of device portions each on one of a plurality of network servers, parsing the data set into a plurality of data portions, and writing each of the data portions to a corresponding one of the virtual device portions. Methods are also disclosed for securely writing data to the virtual devices, and for identifying and reconstructing corrupt data. A system for implementing the data storage/retrieval method includes a plurality of network servers, each running a distributed RAID server application. The servers communicate with clients via a first network, and with each other via a second network.

Abstract: A unit that is used to lift a toilet seat. This unit has a base hinge with a foot pedal that uses a cable and pulley lifting system. This system lifts a movable rod of a shock-absorber device, which in turn lifts a seat bracket and the toilet seat. A removable adjustment pad, limits the travel lift distance of the toilet seat. This adjustment keeps the toilet seat on a slight tilted angle. The gravity of the seat on an angle, returns the seat when a pedal is depressed. The shock absorber device slows the returning decent of the seat back down to the bowl when the pedal is depressed. The shock absorber device resides inside a housing tube, and it rests on top of a bottom cover plate pedestal. The housing tube is attached to a base hinge. There is non-skid material on the bottom cover plate to stabilize the unit while in use.

Abstract: Tubular solid-state membrane modules for separating oxygen from an oxygen-containing gaseous mixture which provide improved pneumatic and structural integrity and ease of manifolding. The modules are formed from a plurality of tubular membrane units, each membrane unit which comprises a channel-free porous support having connected through porosity which is in contact with a contiguous dense mixed conducting oxide layer having no connected through porosity. The dense mixed conducting oxide layer is placed in flow communication with the oxygen-containing gaseous mixture to be separated and the channel-free porous support of each membrane unit is placed in flow communication with one or more manifolds or conduits for discharging oxygen which has been separated from the oxygen-containing gaseous mixture by permeation through the dense mixed conducting oxide layer of each membrane unit and passage into the manifolds or conduits via the channel-free porous support of each membrane unit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a bullet resistant fabric which is capable of withstanding the penetration of a 9 mm or a .357 magnum bullet, has an areal density fo about 0.65 to 0.87 pound per square foot, and which is made up of a plurality of quilted together sub-plies of woven fabric having substantially no binder or matrix resin associated therewith.

Abstract: A sidetrack mill is provided for drilling through a cased borehole to provide a sidetracked wellbore having a final diameter, the mill comprising: a pilot mill having a tapered cutting surface being, at its largest diameter, between about 50% and about 75% of the final diameter; a second stage cutting surface being, at its smallest diameter about the diameter of the maximum diameter of the pilot mill, and being at its largest diameter, at least five percent greater in diameter than the largest diameter of the pilot mill; and a final stage cutting surface being, at its largest diameter, about the final diameter, and at the smallest cutting surface diameter, being a diameter of at least about 5% smaller than the final diameter. This mill is can rapidly penetrated casings without requiring excessive torque. The milling can be accomplished with a single trip.

Abstract: Finely divided silicon carbide materials, particularly powders, whiskers and short fibers, are provided with a titanium nitride surface coating by the process of (i) placing a low carbon diffusivity layer atop the silicon carbon, (ii) placing a titanium metal coating atop the low carbon diffusivity layer, and (iii) nitriding the titanium metal.

Abstract: Finely divided silicon carbide materials, particularly powders, whiskers and short fibers, are provided with a titanium nitride surface coating by the process of (i) placing a low carbon diffusivity layer atop the silicon carbide, (ii) placing a titanium metal coating atop the low carbon diffusivity layer, and (iii) nitriding the titanium metal.