Abstract: In certain embodiments, a lockable canister for retaining and selectively dispensing medications is disclosed. To prevent drug diversion, a plurality of doses of medication may be loaded into the locking canister at a central pharmacy and then the canister may be locked to prevent unauthorized removal of medication in transit to a remote automated dispensing unit that may be located in a remote pharmacy. The lockable canister may include a canister housing and a canister cover that may be locked to the canister housing to enclose the plurality of doses of medication. The canister cover may include tamper evident or tamper resistant features. The canister may include one or more locking mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to the medication in the canister in transit or before it is specifically authorized for dispensing.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a remote automated dispensing unit (ADU) may include an enclosed cabinet, one or more locking mechanisms to keep the cabinet secure, one or more doors on the cabinet to allow access to the internal components, and a computer system that manages the dispensing of inventory. The ADU may include a mechanism for the dispensing of medications for individual patients including: one or more canisters for storing medications, one or more canister base stations for securing the one or more canisters to the ADU, and a chute and funnel system for the guidance of medications as they fall from the canisters into a packaging station for packaging medications into packages for particular patients. One or more sensors may be used to detect misdispensing of medications, and a combination of sensors and operating sequences may be used to reduce the amount of misdispensed medication.

Abstract: A device for managing exchange unit transfers between consumers and merchants includes a memory that stores machine instructions and a processor coupled to the memory that executes the machine instructions to direct a consumer payment from a financial account associated with the device to an exchange unit dispenser. The consumer payment is denominated in a national currency corresponding to a location associated with the device. The processor further executes the instructions to receive a balance of exchange units corresponding to an exchange account associated with the device. The balance of exchange units is based on the national currency and is greater than the consumer payment. The processor also executes the instructions to encode information associated with the device and transmit the encoded information to a merchant terminal.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a remote automated dispensing unit (ADU) may include an enclosed cabinet, one or more locking mechanisms to keep the cabinet secure, one or more doors on the cabinet to allow access to the internal components, and a computer system that manages the dispensing of inventory. The ADU may include a mechanism for the dispensing of medications for individual patients including: one or more canisters for storing medications, one or more canister base stations for securing the one or more canisters to the ADU, and a chute and funnel system for the guidance of medications as they fall from the canisters into a packaging station for packaging medications into packages for particular patients. One or more sensors may be used to detect misdispensing of medications, and a combination of sensors and operating sequences may be used to reduce the amount of misdispensed medication.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a lockable canister for retaining and selectively dispensing medications is disclosed. To prevent drug diversion, a plurality of doses of medication may be loaded into the locking canister at a central pharmacy and then the canister may be locked to prevent unauthorized removal of medication in transit to a remote automated dispensing unit that may be located in a remote pharmacy. The lockable canister may include a canister housing and a canister cover that may be locked to the canister housing to enclose the plurality of doses of medication. The canister cover may include tamper evident or tamper resistant features. The canister may include one or more locking mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to the medication in the canister in transit or before it is specifically authorized for dispensing.

Abstract: A hanger bar for supporting a recessed light fixture is attachable to ceiling joists or a T-bar grid of a drop down ceiling. First and second bars of the hanger bar slide and telescope. First and second spring clips are detachably coupled to the brackets at the ends of the first and second bars, respectively. Each of the first and second clips has a pair of downwardly extending arms bent inwardly toward one another, a first leg extending from a first arm, a second leg extending from a second arm, and an outwardly-extending foot on the second leg. The spring clips snap on to the T-bar grid. Each bracket includes a nail that is angled away from the hanger bar and downward so that the nail head is below the level of the hanger bar. The angled nails enable easy hammer strikes to attach the hanger bar to ceiling joists without accidental hammer blows to the hanger bar. The bracket may be discrete from the hanger bar but attached via tox clinching or a tab pass-through attachment.

Abstract: A junction box having a sheathed cable retainer structure is disclosed. The junction box contains pry outs that cover openings at corners of the junction box wherein the pry outs are removed and a sheathed cable or like electrical wiring can pass therethrough. A strain relief bracket having segmented distal bends at opposite ends thereof engages the cable and under bias pushes the cable against an indent formed on a wall inside the junction box opposite the cable.

Abstract: A junction box having a sheathed cable retainer structure is disclosed. The junction box contains pry outs that cover openings at corners of the junction box wherein the pry outs are removed and a sheathed cable or like electrical wiring can pass therethrough. A strain relief bracket having segmented distal bends at opposite ends thereof engages the cable and under bias pushes the cable against an indent formed on a wall inside the junction box opposite the cable.

Abstract: Avian antibodies that bind to influenza virus are provided. The disclosed antibodies are inexpensive to produce and are more effective than previously used antibodies against influenza. The present disclosure provides methods of treatment, prevention and diagnosis using such avian antibodies as well as methods of producing the disclosed avian antibodies. Methods of using the disclosed avian antibodies to prevent viral adhesion of influenza to cells are also provided. A novel source of such antibodies is bird eggs from countries in which vaccination against influenza of various bird populations is legally required. The present disclosure solves the problem of the limited supply of antibodies for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of influenza.

Abstract: A hanger bar for supporting a recessed light fixture is attachable to ceiling joists or a T-bar grid of a drop down ceiling. First and second bars of the hanger bar slide and telescope. First and second spring clips are detachably coupled to the brackets at the ends of the first and second bars, respectively. Each of the first and second clips has a pair of downwardly extending arms bent inwardly toward one another, a first leg extending from a first arm, a second leg extending from a second arm, and an outwardly-extending foot on the second leg. The spring clips snap on to the T-bar grid. Each bracket includes a nail that is angled away from the hanger bar and downward so that the nail head is below the level of the hanger bar. The angled nails enable easy hammer strikes to attach the hanger bar to ceiling joists without accidental hammer blows to the hanger bar.

Abstract: A hanger bar for supporting a recessed light fixture is attachable to ceiling joists or a T-bar grid of a drop down ceiling. First and second bars of the hanger bar slide and telescope. First and second spring clips are detachably coupled to the brackets at the ends of the first and second bars, respectively. Each of the first and second clips has a pair of downwardly extending arms bent inwardly toward one another, a first leg extending from a first arm, a second leg extending from a second arm, and an outwardly-extending foot on the second leg. The spring clips snap on to the T-bar grid. Each bracket includes a nail that is angled away from the hanger bar and downward so that the nail head is below the level of the hanger bar. The angled nails enable easy hammer strikes to attach the hanger bar to ceiling joists without accidental hammer blows to the hanger bar. The bracket may be discrete from the hanger bar but attached via tox clinching or a tab pass-through attachment.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting a normal shower room into a steam and sauna facility. The apparatus mainly comprises a vertical panel, a rain shower, a hand held massage means, a back and foot massage means, a seat with seat massage means, and steam and heat generating means. The apparatus also includes an electronic device incorporating radio and telephone features and buttons for controlling steam, heat and massage means.

Abstract: A hanger bar for supporting a recessed light fixture is attachable to ceiling joists or a T-bar grid of a drop down ceiling. First and second bars of the hanger bar slide and telescope. First and second spring clips are detachably coupled to the brackets at the ends of the first and second bars, respectively. Each of the first and second clips has a pair of downwardly extending arms bent inwardly toward one another, a first leg extending from a first arm, a second leg extending from a second arm, and an outwardly-extending foot on the second leg. The spring clips snap on to the T-bar grid. Each bracket includes a nail that is angled away from the hanger bar and downward so that the nail head is below the level of the hanger bar. The angled nails enable easy hammer strikes to attach the hanger bar to ceiling joists without accidental hammer blows to the hanger bar.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for simultaneously processing two single-sided hard memory disks is provided. Disks are positioned in pairs, with one surface of one disk positioned adjacent one surface of the second disk, with the disk surfaces touching or with a slight separation between them. In this back-to-back orientation, the disk pairs may be processed using conventional double-sided disk processing equipment and techniques. However, each disk will not have two active surfaces. Because of the positioning of the disks during processing, only one surface of each disk will be subjected to full processing. Therefore, each disk will only have one active side.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining an optimal therapeutic window of parameter settings for nerve stimulation therapy are described herein. The disclosed techniques generally utilize one or more parameter sweeps to determine upper and lower threshold settings. The determination of the optimal therapeutic window may be performed during or after implantation.

Abstract: A system and method for managing remote reprogramming of flash memory in a vehicle electronic control unit. A vehicle state manager process is used to first determine if the vehicle conditions are suitable for reprogramming of a particular ECU and, if so, the vehicle state manager then maintains the proper vehicle configuration during the reprogramming operation. The system and method can be used to automatically reprogram a vehicle ECU using new programming received by digital satellite broadcast or other wireless transmission to the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling operation of a vehicle. The apparatus includes, but is not limited to, an input configured to receive an action of the operator that is indicative of the operation to be performed by the vehicle and a transmitter that is configured to send a first signal via a wireless connection with the vehicle that at least partially embodies a command for the action of the operator received by the input. In addition, the apparatus comprises a receiver configured to receive a second signal via the wireless connection with the vehicle that at least partially embodies feedback from a sensor of the vehicle indicative of the operation resulting from the command at least partially embodied by the first signal sent by the transmitter. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises an output configured to present information to the operator on the operation based at least in part on the feedback in the second signal received by the receiver.

Abstract: Switch card apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, a circuit includes a first portion having a first switch adapted to be coupled to a first voltage, a second portion including a second switch, and a third portion including a third switch. The first portion activates the first switch to couple the first voltage to the second portion. Similarly, the second portion activates the second switch in response to a second input signal and the first voltage to couple a second voltage to the third portion. Finally, the third portion activates the third switch in response to a third input signal and in response to the second voltage from the second portion to couple a control voltage to a load. Embodiments of the invention provide the desired reliability suitable for a variety of electrical systems, including arming and firing applications over a wide voltage and wide current range.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for automatically updating the calibration parameters of a vehicle from a remote location. The apparatus typically comprises an onboard computing platform connected to electronic control units in the vehicle. The computing platform is typically pre-programmed with initial vehicle calibration parameters for downloading to the electronic control units. A remote calibration data system is generally configured to acquire vehicle performance data via a wireless communication link, and to update the vehicle calibration parameters based on statistical analysis of the acquired data. The updated calibration parameters are then typically transmitted by the remote calibration data system to the computing platform via the communication link. The computing platform can then download the updated calibration parameters to the electronic control units.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for projecting an end of service (EOS) and/or an elective replacement indication (ERI) of a component in an implantable device and for determining an impedance experienced by a lead associated with the implantable device. An active charge depletion of an implantable device is determined. An inactive charge depletion of the implantable device is determined. A time period until an end of service (EOS) and/or elective replacement indication (ERI) of a power supply associated with the IMD based upon the active charge depletion, the inactive charge depletion, and the initial and final (EOS) battery charges, is determined. Furthermore, to determine the impedance described above, a substantially constant current signal is provided through a first terminal and a second terminal of the lead. A voltage across the first and second terminals is measured. An impedance across the first and second terminals is determined based upon the constant current signal and the measured voltage.