Abstract: A method is disclosed for converting a third-party owned life insurance policy from being guaranteed by an insurance carrier's general account to a life insurance policy guaranteed by the insurance carrier's separate account. An insurance carrier receives a request from a policy owner to convert the account from being backed by the general account to being backed by a separate account. The insurance carrier transfers cash or assets in an amount equal to the policy value of the life insurance policy from the general account to the separate account. The insurance carrier issues an endorsement to the policy owner amending the policy. In a preferred embodiment, the owner of the third-party life insurance policy is a bank.

Abstract: When transesophageal echocardiography is used to obtain a transgastric short axis view of the left ventricle of the heart, the best place to position the transducer is in the fundus of the stomach, aimed up through the left ventricle. The probes disclosed herein facilitate placement of the transducer in the optimum position within the fundus, despite wide variations in the distance between the lower esophageal sphincter and the fundus among different subjects. In one preferred embodiment, the ultrasound probe uses a bending section with a series of vertebrae and stiffening that is more flexible proximally and less flexible distally, which causes the probe to bend relatively sharply at the point where the probe exits the lower esophageal sphincter.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing perspective to market data. In one embodiment, market data is displayed in a three-dimensional perspective that emphasizes important aspects of market data while minimizing less important aspects. In some embodiments, market data is mapped to an object that automatically moves to display the inside market. In another embodiment, orders can be entered, manipulated, and/or canceled in conjunction with, or separately from, the object. Single and combination gestures can be used to perform one or more commands for entering orders and viewing market data. In one embodiment, multiple displays from one or more different types of computing devices are used in conjunction with each other for operating and/or displaying a portion of the aspects of the disclosed technology. In another embodiment, a filter component is used to show select market data and to enter or trigger specific types of market orders.

Abstract: Ultrasound transducers can be fabricated by bonding a block of piezoelectric material having a conductive coating to a flex circuit that has a conductive region and at least 20 conductive traces disposed on an insulating substrate. The block of piezoelectric material is then diced so as to cut all the way through the block of piezoelectric material and all the way through the conductive region, and part way through, but not completely through, the insulating substrate. The dicing is performed so that the first conductive region is divided into at least 20 regions that are electrically isolated from each other, and each of the at least 20 regions is in electrical contact with a respective one of the at least 20 conductive traces.

Abstract: An absorbent article for wearing about the torso and including a member that supports the movement of urine in an x-y plane to enhance the wearer's awareness that urination has occurred by increasing the wetted area contacting the wearer's skin. The member has a permeable body-facing layer and an impermeable layer disposed in a face-to-face arrangement with the permeable layer and preferably is held in close contact with the wearer's skin during use.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer that includes a backing layer, an insulating layer disposed on top of the backing layer, and a plurality of conductive traces disposed on top of the insulating layer are disclosed. Each of the conductive traces has an upper face. A plurality of transducer elements, each having (a) a core of piezoelectric material and (b) a conductive coating disposed beneath the core, are bonded directly to the upper face of a respective one of the plurality of conductive traces. Methods for fabricating ultrasound transducers are also disclosed.

Abstract: When transesophageal echocardiography is used to obtain a transgastric short axis view of the left ventricle of the heart, the best place to position the transducer is in the fundus of the stomach, aimed up through the left ventricle. The probes disclosed herein facilitate placement of the transducer in the optimum position within the fundus, despite wide variations in the distance between the lower esophageal sphincter and the fundus among different subjects. In one preferred embodiment, the ultrasound probe uses a bending section with a series of vertebrae and stiffening that is more flexible proximally and less flexible distally, which causes the probe to bend relatively sharply at the point where the probe exits the lower esophageal sphincter. The flexibility of the proximal-most portion of the bending section is preferably greater than or equal to the flexibility of the interface between the bending section and the shaft.

Abstract: When transesophageal echocardiography is used to obtain a transgastric short axis view of the left ventricle of the heart, the best place to position the transducer is in the fundus of the stomach, aimed up through the left ventricle. The probes disclosed herein facilitate placement of the transducer in the optimum position within the fundus, despite wide variations in the distance between the lower esophageal sphincter and the fundus among different subjects. In one preferred embodiment, the ultrasound probe uses a bending section with a series of vertebrae and stiffening that is more flexible proximally and less flexible distally, which causes the probe to bend relatively sharply at the point where the probe exits the lower esophageal sphincter. The flexibility of the proximal-most portion of the bending section is preferably greater than or equal to the flexibility of the interface between the bending section and the shaft.

Abstract: To keep the temperature of an ultrasound probe down, the probe is operated at a low frame rate (with correspondingly low heat generation) for the vast majority of time. Probe operation is only switched to the high frame rate temporarily at times when high temporal resolution is needed, preferably under operator control. The probe is only operated at the high frame rate for a short period of time, during which a burst of images with high temporal resolution is obtained. After capturing the short burst of images, the frame rate is cut back, which reduces the generation of heat.

Abstract: A connectorized ultrasound probe includes a distal section that is configured for insertion into a patient's body and a proximal section configured to interface the distal section with an ultrasound system. The distal section is easily attachable and detachable from the proximal section using at least one set of connectors. When connected, a user-operated actuator located on the proximal section controls the bending of the distal section, and the ultrasound system sends driving signals to and receives return signals from the ultrasound transducer via the proximal section. This arrangement is particularly advantageous for long term monitoring, because the disconnectability of the proximal section makes it possible to leave the distal section in place in the patient for longer periods of time without undue discomfort. In some preferred embodiments, the mechanical interface is made before the electrical interface when the distal section is connected to the proximal section.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for converting a third-party owned life insurance policy from being guaranteed by an insurance carrier's general account to a life insurance policy guaranteed by the insurance carrier's separate account. An insurance carrier receives a request from a policy owner to convert the account from being backed by the general account to being backed by a separate account. The insurance carrier transfers cash or assets in an amount equal to the policy value of the life insurance policy from the general account to the separate account. The insurance carrier issues an endorsement to the policy owner amending the policy. In a preferred embodiment, the owner of the third-party life insurance policy is a bank.

Abstract: Extraction instruments and systems for use in revision arthroplasty are provided. The extraction instruments are shaped and configured to fit within the typically tight confines in which revision arthroplasty is performed, and to enhance the surgeon's control over the axis, quantum and speed of the force that is required be applied to disrupt a bone-to-prosthesis bond. This enables completion of a revision arthroplasty to proceed more quickly, and with reduced risk that unwanted movements might cause accidental injury to nearby vital structures.

Abstract: A connectorized ultrasound probe includes a distal section that is configured for insertion into a patient's body and a proximal section configured to interface the distal section with an ultrasound system. The distal section is easily attachable and detachable from the proximal section using at least one set of connectors. When connected, a user-operated actuator located on the proximal section controls the bending of the distal section, and the ultrasound system sends driving signals to and receives return signals from the ultrasound transducer via the proximal section. This arrangement is particularly advantageous for long term monitoring, because the disconnectability of the proximal section makes it possible to leave the distal section in place in the patient for longer periods of time without undue discomfort.

Abstract: A connectorized ultrasound probe includes a distal section that is configured for insertion into a patient's body and a proximal section configured to interface the distal section with an ultrasound system. The distal section is easily attachable and detachable from the proximal section using at least one set of connectors. When connected, a user-operated actuator located on the proximal section controls the bending of the distal section, and the ultrasound system sends driving signals to and receives return signals from the ultrasound transducer via the proximal section. This arrangement is particularly advantageous for long term monitoring, because the disconnectability of the proximal section makes it possible to leave the distal section in place in the patient for longer periods of time without undue discomfort. In some preferred embodiments, the mechanical interface is made before the electrical interface when the distal section is connected to the proximal section.

Abstract: An apparatus for perforating a casing string including a first module and a second module, each including a gun assembly. The first module is positioned longitudinally adjacent the second module on the casing string. Each module contains a firing assembly for igniting the gun assembly in the first module, a remote signaler to remotely detonate the firing assembly, and ballistic transfer assembly for igniting the gun assembly in the second module. The ballistic transfer assembly includes a booster charge.

Abstract: Devices and methods for automatic monitoring of fluid of a patient are disclosed, comprising a patient line, a transfer disk which receives the fluid and controllably transfers the fluid to test substrates, and a sensor disk which houses the test substrates. The sterile transfer disk may be configured to maintain the sterility of the patient sampling assembly while transferring samples to non-sterile components, such as the sensor disk.

Abstract: A remotely actuatable vehicle security system for a parking garage. In some embodiments, the vehicle security system includes a structure forming an enclosure between a ceiling and a floor of the parking garage and an electronic actuation system. The structure has a closeable opening through which a vehicle enters and leaves the enclosure. The electronic actuation system is configured to actuate a drive mechanism to close the opening or to expose the opening upon receipt of a remotely generated signal.

Abstract: Novel methods and drug products for treating inflammatory joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and associated arthritides are disclosed. The methods and products employ various serum markers of bone and cartilage metabolism or destruction, including cartilage oligomer matrix protein (COMP) and Receptor activator of NFB ligand (RANKL), as biomarkers to assess the effect of IL-17A antagonists on joint destruction in inflammatory joint diseases.

Abstract: A relocatable and remotely actuatable vehicle security system. In some embodiments, the vehicle security system includes a relocatable structure forming an enclosure over a parking surface and an electronic actuation system. The relocatable structure has a closeable opening through which a vehicle enters and leaves the enclosure. The electronic actuation system is configured to actuate a drive mechanism to close the opening or to expose the opening upon receipt of a remotely generated signal.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article including a wetness sensation member and visible highlighting indicating the presence of the wetness sensation member to facilitate an opportunity for the toilet training of the wearer. The wetness sensation member includes a permeable layer and a flow control layer. Urine deposited on the wetness sensation member can penetrate through the permeable body-facing layer in a z direction away from the wearer to the flow control layer. The flow control layer retards the passage of the urine through the wetness sensation member in the z direction while supporting the movement of the urine in an x-y plane to increase the wetted area contacting the wearer's skin and thereby enhance the wearer's awareness that urination has occurred. The visible highlighting is visible when viewing a body-facing surface of the article and may be associatively correlated with an externally visible marking and/or with the concept of toilet training.