Abstract: A tire assembly that includes a tread portion, a rim, and at least a first band assembly positioned between the tread portion and the rim. The first band assembly includes a first SMA element having an outer surface and a first bead member having an outer surface. The first SMA element extends circumferentially about the tire assembly and the first bead member extends circumferentially about the tire assembly. The first band assembly also includes a plurality of fiber reinforcement members. Each of the plurality of fiber reinforcement members extend around the outer surface of the first SMA element and the outer surface of the first bead member to form the first band assembly.

Abstract: A wheel assembly that includes an outer rim assembly with a first outer rim portion, a second outer rim portion, and a plurality of outer cross members extending between the first and second outer rim portions, a tire assembly secured to the outer rim assembly, and at least a first bump stop assembly. The tire assembly includes an outer main body portion that includes first and second outer side wall portions and an outer contact portion extending transversely between the first and second outer side wall portions. The first bump stop assembly includes a first inner rim portion, a second inner rim portion and an inner main body portion. The inner main body portion includes first and second inner side wall portions and an inner contact portion extending transversely between the first and second inner side wall portions. The inner contact portion is coupled to the outer contact portion.

Abstract: A pad assembly, system and method of securing a patient onto an operating table when the patient is in the Trendelenburg position. The pad assembly and system is used to support and hold a patient on a medical procedure table during a medical procedure performed while the table, and thus the patient lying thereon, is in an inclined position, such as the Trendelenburg position. The pad assembly and system has characteristics which promote improved securing to eliminate shifting and/or sliding due to gravitational forces when the patient's body is in the Trendelenburg position, as well as promote a secure holding of the patient in a desired position on the table, in order to minimize injury to the patient. The pad assembly and system further has improved channels to allow for drainage of fluids that may otherwise be trapped between the patient's body and the OR Table during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A wheel assembly that includes an outer rim assembly with a first outer rim portion, a second outer rim portion, and a plurality of outer cross members extending between the first and second outer rim portions, a tire assembly secured to the outer rim assembly, and at least a first bump stop assembly. The tire assembly includes an outer main body portion that includes first and second outer side wall portions and an outer contact portion extending transversely between the first and second outer side wall portions. The first bump stop assembly includes a first inner rim portion, a second inner rim portion and an inner main body portion. The inner main body portion includes first and second inner side wall portions and an inner contact portion extending transversely between the first and second inner side wall portions. The inner contact portion is coupled to the outer contact portion.

Abstract: A wheel assembly that includes an outer rim assembly with a first outer rim portion, a second outer rim portion, and a plurality of outer cross members extending between the first and second outer rim portions, a tire assembly secured to the outer rim assembly, and at least a first bump stop assembly. The tire assembly includes an outer main body portion that includes first and second outer side wall portions and an outer contact portion extending transversely between the first and second outer side wall portions. The first bump stop assembly includes a first inner rim portion, a second inner rim portion and an inner main body portion. The inner main body portion includes first and second inner side wall portions and an inner contact portion extending transversely between the first and second inner side wall portions. The inner contact portion is coupled to the outer contact portion.

Abstract: A pad assembly, system and method of securing a patient onto an operating table when the patient is in the Trendelenburg position. The pad assembly and system is used to support and hold a patient on a medical procedure table during a medical procedure performed while the table, and thus the patient lying thereon, is in an inclined position, such as the Trendelenburg position. The pad assembly and system has characteristics which promote improved securing to eliminate shifting and/or sliding due to gravitational forces when the patient's body is in the Trendelenburg position, as well as promote a secure holding of the patient in a desired position on the table, in order to minimize injury to the patient. The pad assembly and system further has improved channels to allow for drainage of fluids that may otherwise be trapped between the patient's body and the OR Table during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: Shape memory alloy elements (“SMAs”) are bonded, encased, or encapsulated with one or more polymers to form an integrated component with unique elastic, pseudoelastic, and load-bearing properties.

Abstract: A pad assembly, system and method of securing a patient onto an operating table when the patient is in the Trendelenburg position. The pad assembly and system is used to support and hold a patient on a medical procedure table during a medical procedure performed while the table, and thus the patient lying thereon, is in an inclined position, such as the Trendelenburg position. The pad assembly and system has characteristics which promote improved securing to eliminate shifting and/or sliding due to gravitational forces when the patient's body is in the Trendelenburg position, as well as promote a secure holding of the patient in a desired position on the table, in order to minimize injury to the patient. The pad assembly and system further has improved channels to allow for drainage of fluids that may otherwise be trapped between the patient's body and the OR Table during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A modular surgical patient positioner unit apparatus, system and method for adjustably positioning human joints such as knees for surgical operating procedures having a base plate to support moveably a transformable carriage that can be releasably locked in position and which adjustably supports a boot or other limb holder which can be releasably locked in position by the carriage. The base plate also is configured with a side bar located at a mid-portion of the base plate to secure to an arc clamp configured to secure the positioning system to a side rail of an operating table in a medical procedure on the left or right side of the body. An extension unit also is provided and configured to secure to a lower surface of the base plate to extend the base plate of the system, as needed, for larger limbs of patients, which extension unit is configured with a stud and post locking portions for securing to the base plate and for positioning in a medical procedure on either side of the body.

Abstract: A modular surgical patient positioner unit apparatus, system and method for adjustably positioning human joints such as knees for surgical operating procedures having a base plate to support moveably a transformable carriage that can be releasably locked in position and which adjustably supports a boot or other limb holder which can be releasably locked in position by the carriage. The base plate also is configured with a side bar located at a mid-portion of the base plate to secure to an arc clamp configured to secure the positioning system to a side rail of an operating table in a medical procedure on the left or right side of the body. An extension unit also is provided and configured to secure to a lower surface of the base plate to extend the base plate of the system, as needed, for larger limbs of patients, which extension unit is configured with a stud and post locking portions for securing to the base plate and for positioning in a medical procedure on either side of the body.

Abstract: A pad assembly, system and method of securing a patient onto an operating table when the patient is in the Trendelenburg position. The pad assembly and system is used to support and hold a patient on a medical procedure table during a medical procedure performed while the table, and thus the patient lying thereon, is in an inclined position, such as the Trendelenburg position. The pad assembly and system has characteristics which promote improved securing to eliminate shifting and/or sliding due to gravitational forces when the patient's body is in the Trendelenburg position, as well as promote a secure holding of the patient in a desired position on the table, in order to minimize injury to the patient. The pad assembly and system further has improved channels to allow for drainage of fluids that may otherwise be trapped between the patient's body and the OR Table during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A clamping device configured to secure a strap to a rail of a support and/or operating table so as to preventing the patient from slipping, providing optimal patient stability when the operating table is placed in angle positions, and eliminating patient re-positioning during surgical procedure. The clamping device comprising a body portion with a rail channel with a rail flange located on upper arms so as to engage the upper surface of the side rail and a pivot jaw assembly with jaw rail flange portions is connected to sides of the body portion hingedly operated between an open and closed position. The clamping device further comprising a body portion with a strap channel assembly having strap flange portions configured to hold a strap in the strap channel assembly and to secure the strap a side rail using a clamp bar and the rail flanges of the clamp assembly to a clamp to the side rail of an operating table.

Abstract: A method for adding appeal to an activity by integrating it with chance and reward through using a randomizing device or method involving a variety of action categories related to the activity and data categories that together serve as the inputs and outputs of the randomizing device or method and a prize for performance of the action categories. After being activated, the randomizing device or method produces an output that is performed by one or more participants and/or manipulates a reward for performance of the action categories. At the conclusion of action category performance, the participation prize is awarded to the participants.

Abstract: A system and method to allow individual financing of a purchase or lease of an apparatus with enhanced repayment is described. The system provides an interface and services for individual financing. Repayment is enhanced through the coupling of a payment protection system with the apparatus. A tamper protection system is also coupled with the apparatus to prevent tampering with the payment protection system.

Abstract: A system and method for interactive video advertising comprising advertising overlays that are displayed on a video screen to initiate user interaction and allow e-commerce. Advertising overlays may promote highlight any video content with which an advertiser wishes to promote user interaction. User interaction with advertising overlays are recorded and displayed in a user interface. The user interface allows for access to an e-commerce interface wherein purchases of items related to advertising overlays may be initiated. Payment account information is stored in the system and automatically transmitted to vendors. User interaction data are saved by the system and used to send suggestions to individuals, social media, and mobile media outlets.

Abstract: A system and method for interactive video advertising comprising advertising overlays displayed on a video screen to prompt user interaction. Advertising overlays directly and substantively relate to video content and promote advertising content. Advertising overlays highlight a particular region of the video content for which an advertiser wishes to promote user interaction. Such overlays notify the user that a particular portion of the video content is related to advertising content that may be stored and viewed in a user interface.

Abstract: A system and method for interactive video advertising comprising advertising overlays that are displayed on a video screen to prompt user interaction. User interaction causes additional advertising content to be made available in a user interface that may be accessed immediately or at a later time point. Advertising content that populates the user interface is chosen based on marketing and behavioral data and parameters. The user interface allows users to access advertising material, send advertising materials to other users and networks such as social networks, social media, telephone networks, wireless telephone networks, cellular telephone networks, computer networks, cable television networks, satellite television networks, video game system networks, the internet, individuals, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for interactive video advertising comprising advertising overlays displayed on a video screen to prompt user interaction and e-commerce. Advertising overlays specifically highlight a particular region of the video content for which advertising or marketing is appropriate. Software is used to associate advertisement tags with video content, and to associate metadata with the advertisement tag. Payment account information is stored in the system and automatically transmitted to vendors. Purchase suggestions are sent to individuals, social media, and mobile media outlets.

Abstract: A modular surgical patient positioner unit consists of three perforated plastic boards arranged for interconnection together and for attachment to a hospital O.R. table. Two outer boards of similar length and width and a central board of similar width and greater length are employed. When employed with regular-sized patients, the three boards are arranged such that the widths thereof are in alignment. When employed with bariatric patients, the longer central board is rotated perpendicular the other two boards, to provide added width to support the bariatric patient.