Abstract: After-loader devices, kits, and methods for using the same are provided. Such after-loader devices are useful for loading implants into hollow needles, especially after the needles are inserted into patient tissue. The after-loader devices can be pre-loaded with implants, before the after-loaders are connected to hubs of hollow needles, or loaded thereafter.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for integrated sensor and data processing assembly is provided.

Abstract: A template representing a desired target is applied to response signals from an area including a plurality of targets and illuminated by electromagnetic radiation. The response signals include poles or damped sinusoids representing resonances (e.g., resonant frequencies) distinctly associated with each of the targets within the area. An embodiment of the present invention utilizes pole or damped sinusoid frequencies of a desired target to construct the template or comb-like pattern that is compared to the mixture of pole frequencies within the response signals from the area. The comparison yields a resulting score that indicates the presence of the desired target within the area.

Abstract: An improved regulator system is disclosed for controlling a field winding of an alternator to regulate the charging of a battery. The improved regulator system comprises an internal regulator mounted onto the alternator. The internal regulator has an internal regulator control circuit for monitoring the battery and for controlling the field winding. An electrical connector actuates the internal regulator to regulate the output of the alternator in accordance with the internal regulator. The electrical connector enables an external regulator to be connected to the alternator thereby bypassing the internal regulator to regulate the output of the alternator in accordance with the external regulator. The improved regulator system facilitates the connection of an upgrade external regulator with the internal regulator functioning as a reserve regulator in the remote event of a malfunction of the external regulator.

Abstract: A routing mechanism, service or system operable in a distributed networking environment. One preferred environment is a content delivery network (CDN) wherein the present invention provides improved connectivity back to an origin server, especially for HTTP traffic. In a CDN, edge servers are typically organized into regions, with each region comprising a set of content servers that preferably operate in a peer-to-peer manner and share data across a common backbone such as a local area network (LAN). The inventive routing technique enables an edge server operating within a given CDN region to retrieve content (cacheable, non-cacheable and the like) from an origin server more efficiently by selectively routing through the CDN's own nodes, thereby avoiding network congestion and hot spots.

Abstract: The invention relates to a member comprising a substrate and a transparent conductive layer comprising an electronically conductive polythiophene polymer present in a cationic form with a polyanion, wherein said conductive polymer has an FOM less than or equal to 50 wherein FOM is defined as the slope of the plot of ln (1/T) versus [1/SER]: and wherein T=visual light transmission SER=surface electrical resistance in ohm per square FOM=figure of merit, and wherein the SER has a value of less than or equal to 1000 ohm per square and wherein said transparent conductive layer has an ASI (aging stability index) of ?0.002.

Abstract: A unified messaging system, method and user interface is provided for a handheld mobile communication device. The method may include the following steps: (a) receiving a notification signal at the wireless device via the wireless data channel indicating that the unified messaging system received and stored a voice mail message intended for a user of the wireless device; (b) transmitting a command signal from the wireless device to the unified messaging system via the wireless data channel, the command signal including a message retrieval command; (c) receiving via the wireless voice channel a voice call initiated by a voice mail system component of the unified messaging system in response to the message retrieval command transmitted from the wireless device; and (d) receiving the voice mail message from the unified messaging system via the wireless voice channel.

Abstract: Integrated vertical search engines and contact management systems are disclosed. In many embodiments, the vertical search engine enables searching of information relating to real estate and the contact management system enables the association of contacts with the real estate information. One embodiment of the invention includes a server connected to a database.

Abstract: A system includes a patient bed configured to support a patient in a patient care facility. The system also includes a medical instrument system configured to obtain medical data of the patient. The system also includes an medical instrument system cable coupled to the medical instrument system at one end. The system may include a catheter configured to be inserted into the patient to cooperate with the medical instrument system to obtain the medical data. The system also includes a catheter cable coupled to the catheter at one end and coupled to the medical instrument system cable at another end. The medical instrument system cable and the catheter cable are connected to each other at a site outside a patient sterile zone including the patient bed.

Abstract: A near field linear element microstrip antenna is disclosed which is configured to read an RFID label such that a localized electric E field emitted by the antenna at an operating wavelength resides substantially within a zone defined by the near field. The localized E field directs a current distribution along an effective length of the antenna corresponding to a half-wave to a full-wave structure.

Abstract: An adaptive gate drive for an inverter includes control circuitry having a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and includes power circuitry having a plurality of FETs for operating a switching device, such as a Trench Gate Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT device). The control circuitry provides switching signals for operating the switching device. In addition, the control circuitry receives signals of output current of the IGBT device, temperature of the IGBT device, and DC link voltage. The FPGA has a plurality of operating points stored therein. Each operating point has corresponding parameters for a control signal that is used to control the turn-on or turn-off behavior of the IGBT device. During operation, the control circuitry compares the measured current, voltage and temperature operating points stored in the FPGA and sends the corresponding parameters to the gate drive circuit.

Abstract: After-loader devices, kits, and methods for using the same are provided. Such after-loader devices are useful for loading implants into hollow needles, especially after the needles are inserted into patient tissue. The after-loader devices can be pre-loaded with implants, before the after-loaders are connected to hubs of hollow needles, or loaded thereafter.

Abstract: The display formed of multiple fragmented images is formed by folding at least one translucent sheet and placing a first image fragment on the sheet to one side of the fold line. A second image fragment is placed on the sheet to the opposite side of the fold line from the first image fragment. The sheet is then folded with the two sides or leaves of the sheet overlying one another to place the two image fragments in registry with one another, allowing the image to be viewed in its entirety. The second image fragment may be applied in mirror image to the first image fragment on the same surface of the sheet, or may alternatively be applied to the opposite surface of the sheet in proper orientation. Multiple sheets may be used with more than two images applied to form more complex fragmented patterns, and the bottom leaf may be opaque.

Abstract: An end connector for use in forming a conduit in a poured concrete member is provided. The end connector is adapted to be secured to a wall of a concrete member pouring form, the end connector having a surface feature to achieve a substantially fluid tight seal upon receiving an end of a tube that extends between opposite walls of the pouring form to form a conduit in the poured structural member. The end connector has a geometry capable of nesting with at least one other end connector to minimize a container size required to transport the end connectors.

Abstract: In response to the start of an initialization sequence at a service processor, if power to a main processor was interrupted at a most-recent time that an operating system executed on the main processor, power to the main processor is turned on, the operating system is started executing on the main processor, data from the non-volatile memory of the service processor is provided to the operating system, and the service processor is reset, which restarts the initialization sequence. If the power to the main processor was not interrupted at the most-recent time that the operating system executed on the main processor, and if the operating system is currently executing on the main processor, a monitoring function is started in the service processor, which monitors for errors at a computer system.

Abstract: A poured concrete slab foundation which has a first component comprising a poured concrete slab on soil, having at least one interior grade beam, grade beams about the periphery of said poured concrete slab, and an array of openings along and adjacent to each said interior grade beam; a second component comprising an array of driven piles in the soil below said interior and periphery grade beams; and a third component comprising poured concrete closures in said openings, which is made by preparing a poured concrete slab on soil, having at least one interior grade beam, grade beams about the periphery of said poured concrete slab, and an array of openings along and adjacent to each said interior grade beam; driving an array of pilings in the soil below said interior grade beams adjacent to the openings and the periphery grade beams and pouring concrete closures in said openings.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods, apparatus and systems for enabling interactive interfacing with a computer game program are provided. One method provides an input device to accept and transmit user input to the computer game program. The input device enables activation of one or more gearing parameters associated with interactive components of the computer game program. In another operation, the method identifies an interactive component of the computer game program. The interactive component used to receive the transmitted user input to enable the interactive interfacing. In yet another operation the method detects user input to apply one of the gearing parameters to the interactive component if so dictated by the transmitted user input. The applied gearing parameter used to define a scaling ratio between the user input and a rate at which the interactive component reacts during execution of the computer game program.

Abstract: High-pressure bleeding wounds (and other bleeding wounds) may be treated by applying direct pressure directly in the bleeding wound, such as by applying a back pressure in a confined space around and in the wound. Certain substances and articles may be inserted into the wound, and the wound may be enclosed with that substance or article (such as a hemostatic substance, which may be polymeric), by swelling on contact with molecules (such as water molecules in the blood) encountered in the wound, generates the desired pressure to stop or at least reduce the bleeding without the detrimental effects of a tourniquet. Clot-inducing substances may be introduced into the wound contemporaneously with direct pressure application directly in the wound. Compressible and non-compressible wounds are treated. Treatment stops bleeding without producing pressure injury or ischemic damage. Medical devices using this technology are provided, including removable, biodegradable, medic-administrable devices.

Abstract: A marking implement for making a radiopaque marking to facilitate a surgical procedure. A main body is formed of a composition adapted to be smeared onto a substrate when dragged along the substrate. The composition including a radiopaque component that is applied to the substrate in the smear. A method of facilitating a surgical procedure includes subjecting a target surgical site within a patient to x-ray exposure for visualization of the target surgical site, locating a position on the skin of the patient relative to the target surgical site; and marking the position on the skin using a marking implement having a main body formed of a composition adapted to be smeared onto the substrate when dragged along the substrate and which includes a radiopaque component.

Abstract: A device, such as a catheter, for intraluminally delivering a distensible stent includes a first elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end; a band circumferentially disposed over at least a circumferential portion of the first tubular member at the proximal end, the band having at least one projection for releasably engaging a portion of a radially distensible stent; and a second elongate tubular member slidably disposed over the first tubular member and the band. Desirably, the at least one projection is a low-profile, lobate-projection. shaped projection. The band may include two opposed projections, where the two opposed projections may be circumferentially disposed at about 180° from one and the other. Desirably, the band includes a metal, for example, stainless steel.