Abstract: Methods for hydraulically re-fracturing a brittle shale formation section having a Young's Modulus of 20 GPa or more are disclosed involving injecting steam through a horizontal wellbore and into the brittle shale formation section; transferring heat from the injected steam through the shale matrix to pores that contain hydrocarbon gas or liquid; rupturing at least some of the pores by heating hydrocarbon gas or liquid contained in those pores and raising the pressure of hydrocarbon gas being heated in those pores to a level sufficient to rupture those pores, weaken the structure of the brittle shale matrix, and form micro-fractures in the brittle shale matrix; and injecting hydraulic fracturing fluid through the horizontal wellbore and into the primary fracture to form one or more macro-fractures in the brittle shale matrix having a weakened structure by expanding or coalescing at least some of the micro-fractures during the injecting of the hydraulic fracturing fluid.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods and systems to provide a liquid oxygen delivery system that efficiently delivers therapeutic oxygen in accordance with a patient's respiratory cycle. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a portable liquid oxygen delivery system having a liquid oxygen device, an oxygen conserving device, and an accumulator device. The portable liquid oxygen delivery system has a collective gaseous oxygen volume and the accumulator device is enabled to actuate and reduce the collective gaseous oxygen volume.

Abstract: A lancing device has a carousel of lancets removably received in a housing. In exemplary embodiments, the lancing device includes a sterility cap positioning mechanism that removes sterility caps from the lancets for actuation and afterwards replaces the sterility caps onto the lancets. Preferably, the lancing device includes a lancet advancing mechanism that automatically advances sequential lancets of the lancet carousel for charging and actuating, and a drive mechanism for actuating the lancets. Also provided are replacement lancet carousels, which include a cylindrical carrier with axial openings and a plurality of the lancets axially oriented in the openings.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods and systems to provide a liquid oxygen delivery system that efficiently delivers therapeutic oxygen in accordance with a patient's respiratory cycle. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a portable liquid oxygen delivery system having a liquid oxygen device, an oxygen conserving device, and an accumulator device. The portable liquid oxygen delivery system has a collective gaseous oxygen volume and the accumulator device is enabled to actuate and reduce the collective gaseous oxygen volume.

Abstract: A tip portion or endcap for a lancing device having a non-circular opening to provide tension and pressure upon the patient's skin before and/or during lancing of the skin for sample collection. In example embodiments, the endcap is shaped to prevent the lancet body from sticking within the hole or passing through the hole. The endcap may also be shaped to allow it to be used at various lancing sites on the body without changing the endcap.

Abstract: A container useful in microwave heating of foods comprises a substrate with a titanium nitride film on at least a portion of the substrate. The substrate is substantially microwave transparent except where coated with the titanium nitride film. The film is adapted to absorb microwave energy. The film thus becomes heated and transfers heat to foods when adjacent the film. This heat transfer provides crisp heating of foods, such as fried chicken, french fries and the like.