Abstract: The present invention features new methods, apparatuses and devices for fixing adjacent bone segments, segments of a bony structure and adjacent vertebrate of a spine. The methods, apparatuses and devices utilize an apparatus for forming a channel in a surface of the bone or bony structure segments or adjacent vertebra or a channel submerged within the bone or bony structure segments or adjacent vertebra. In more particular embodiments such apparatuses and methods including forming an arcuate channel and which channel can receive therein a curved rod or implant member. Also featured are systems, apparatuses and methods for removably suspending a spacer in the intervertebral space while forming such a channel as well as systems, apparatuses and methods for use of dynamized implant members.

Abstract: A method of preparing a fluid sample for use in a fluid analyte monitor, the method including drawing a fluid sample into a capillary channel in a body having a septum piercing projection; piercing a first septum covering a treatment solution chamber with the septum piercing projection, thereby exposing the fluid sample in the capillary channel to the contents of the treatment solution chamber; mixing the fluid sample with the contents of the treatment solution chamber; and piercing a second septum covering the treatment solution channel such that the mixed fluid and treatment solution chamber contents are received into a fluid analyte meter. The method may also include shaking the treatment solution chamber with the capillary channel therein, thereby mixing the fluid sample with the contents of the treatment solution chamber.

Abstract: A method of preparing a fluid sample for use in a fluid analyte monitor, the method including drawing a fluid sample into a capillary channel in a body having a septum piercing projection; piercing a first septum covering a treatment solution chamber with the septum piercing projection, thereby exposing the fluid sample in the capillary channel to the contents of the treatment solution chamber; mixing the fluid sample with the contents of the treatment solution chamber; and piercing a second septum covering the treatment solution channel such that the mixed fluid and treatment solution chamber contents are received into a fluid analyte meter. The method may also include shaking the treatment solution chamber with the capillary channel therein, thereby mixing the fluid sample with the contents of the treatment solution chamber.

Abstract: A device for preparing a fluid sample for use in a fluid analyte meter, including: (a) a first portion, comprising: a capillary channel dimensioned to receive a fluid sample therein, an internal nozzle in communication with the capillary channel, a mixing chamber in communication with both the capillary channel and the internal nozzle, and a dispensing nozzle in communication with the mixing chamber; (b) a treatment solution chamber covered by a septum; and (c) a second portion that is moveable with respect to the first portion to pierce the septum such that contents of the treatment solution chamber mix with contents of the capillary channel in the mixing chamber and are ejected through the dispensing nozzle when the second portion is moved with respect to the first portion.

Abstract: A method of processing a check prior to electronically depositing the check includes steps of (a) attempting to print a cancellation mark on the check using an energy emitting ink, such as a luminescent ink, (b) radiating first energy, such as UV energy, toward the check, (c) determining whether second energy is emitted from the check as a result of the radiated first energy impinging upon the energy emitting ink present on the check, and (d) allowing the check to proceed to electronic deposit only if it is determined that the second energy is emitted from the check. Also, an apparatus for electronically depositing a check that implements the method.

Abstract: A number of methods of processing checks are provided that enable the various parties involved in processing/clearing the checks to be able to audit the movement of the check, and specifically an image of the check, through the check processing/clearing system.

Abstract: A method of processing checks includes obtaining first information relating to the checks that is compiled by an operator using a calculator, such as by scanning a calculator tape, wherein the first information includes a first number of first dollar amounts, each of which corresponds to a respective one of the checks. The method further includes scanning the checks to create a plurality of check images, obtaining from the check images a second number of second dollar amounts, each corresponding to a respective one of the check images, determining whether the first number is equal to the second number, and providing an error indication if the first number does not equal the second number (which is an indication that a misfeed has occurred).

Abstract: A method of enabling remote deposit of checks includes receiving at a second site a plurality of check images and a plurality of entered dollar amounts, wherein the check images were generated at the depositor site by scanning the checks and the entered dollar amounts were manually entered at the depositor site. Each of the entered dollar amounts correspond to a respective one of the check images. The check dollar amounts are read from the check images at the second site using character recognition, and certain of the entered dollar amounts are used as hints to improve the accuracy of the character recognition. The enhanced character recognition results are provided to the depository bank along with the check images to enable the checks to be deposited in the depositor's account.

Abstract: The game apparatus has: a rotating bin containing at least one game piece; a moveable claw for grabbing the at least one game piece; a catapult for launching the at least one game piece; and a target area for receiving the at least one game piece; wherein the moveable claw places the at least one game piece on the catapult, and wherein the catapult launches the at least one game piece at the target area. The method of playing the game having a plurality of game pieces and having a target area, has the steps of: selecting at least one of the game pieces at a first location; moving the selected game piece to a second location; and catapulting the at least one of the game pieces from the second location toward a target area. The step of selecting may have the steps of rotating a plurality of game pieces, selectively stopping rotation of the plurality of game pieces, and picking up at least one of the game pieces.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for quantitative measurement of percent glycated hemoglobin as hemoglobin A1c in whole blood having extended shelf life at room temperature. The system comprising a blood dilution solution and a device adapted for receiving at least a portion of diluted blood solution, for contacting the blood solution with a dry reagent system, for detecting a change in the reagent system and for providing an indication of the analytical result to the user, and the extended shelf life and the elimination of a requirement for refrigeration for storage is achieved by having the blood dilution solution which comprises a first surfactant for hemolysis and a second surfactant for stability. The system of this invention is useful in other analysis kits and systems as well.

Abstract: A method of generating electronic and/or paper versions of electronic and paper documents that represent the documents contained in a document set, by placing an identification on at least one document in a set of documents that uniquely identifies the set of documents; and placing an identification on each paper document that comprises the set of documents to uniquely identify each document in the set of documents so that one may determine whether or not the document or documents are complete, i.e., they contain all the verbiage and graphics that have been prepared, and no section of a document or document is missing.

Abstract: A device for preparing a fluid sample for use in a fluid analyte meter, including: (a) a first portion, comprising: a capillary channel dimensioned to receive a fluid sample therein, an internal nozzle in communication with the capillary channel, a mixing chamber in communication with both the capillary channel and the internal nozzle, and a dispensing nozzle in communication with the mixing chamber; (b) a treatment solution chamber covered by a septum; and (c) a second portion that is moveable with respect to the first portion to pierce the septum such that contents of the treatment solution chamber mix with contents of the capillary channel in the mixing chamber and are ejected through the dispensing nozzle when the second portion is moved with respect to the first portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for quantitative measurement of percent glycated hemoglobin as hemoglobin A1c in whole blood having extended shelf life at room temperature. The system comprising a blood dilution solution and a device adapted for receiving at least a portion of diluted blood solution, for contacting the blood solution with a dry reagent system, for detecting a change in the reagent system and for providing an indication of the analytical result to the user, and the extended shelf life and the elimination of a requirement for refrigeration for storage is achieved by having the blood dilution solution which comprises a first surfactant for hemolysis and a second surfactant for stability. The system of this invention is useful in other analysis kits and systems as well.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a method for embedding key information into a printed document is disclosed. The method comprises creating a first section comprising a first ink having a first color under white light; and creating a second section comprising a second different ink. The second ink comprises a fluorescent ink and has a second color under white light which is substantially the same as the first color, and the fluorescent ink has a fluorescence when subjected to fluorescent-exciting radiation. The first section and the second section are visually indiscernible from each other on the printed document in white light. Also, the second section comprises key information, which is selected or highlighted by a user during creation of the document, and the first section comprises non-selected information.

Abstract: The game apparatus has: a rotating bin containing at least one game piece; a moveable claw for grabbing the at least one game piece; a catapult for launching the at least one game piece; and a target area for receiving the at least one game piece; wherein the moveable claw places the at least one game piece on the catapult, and wherein the catapult launches the at least one game piece at the target area. The method of playing the game having a plurality of game pieces and having a target area, has the steps of: selecting at least one of the game pieces at a first location; moving the selected game piece to a second location; and catapulting the at least one of the game pieces from the second location toward a target area. The step of selecting may have the steps of rotating a plurality of game pieces, selectively stopping rotation of the plurality of game pieces, and picking up at least one of the game pieces.

Abstract: The present invention provides a way to access a secure environment by virtue of a right to access another secure environment. The present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a method of authenticating membership for providing access to a secure environment. The environment for which access is requested can be a network environment, such as, for example, an Internet, containing a first secure domain and a second secure domain. Network connections can be made using TCP/IP protocols. Claimants inside and outside of the first secure environment are afforded access to the second secure environment. The first secure environment uses its own authentication information, such as a database of user names and passwords, for authenticating claimants. In order for an outside claimant to gain access to the second secure environment, the outside claimant must have previously been an inside claimant.

Abstract: The game apparatus has a gamepiece aiming device having a plurality of degrees of movement that allows a player to have better aiming capability. The game apparatus features a multi-playfield game having at least first and second playfields that are coupled to one another. The gamepiece aiming device emits a gamepiece into the first playfield for first game play, the gamepiece thereafter being conducted to the second playfield for second game play. The gamepiece aiming device has a first degree of movement that is a substantially linear movement, and a second degree of movement that is a substantially rotational movement. In general, the playfield has a plurality of playfields and a plurality of levels, at least one respective playfield being in each level of the plurality of levels. Each playfield has a win/lose scenario, and the win/lose scenarios are independent of one another. Redemption tickets can be dispensed based on results of the win/lose scenarios.

Abstract: The game apparatus has a gamepiece aiming device having a plurality of degrees of movement that allows a player to have better aiming capability. The game apparatus features a multi-playfield game having at least first and second playfields that are coupled to one another. The gamepiece aiming device emits a gamepiece into the first playfield for first game play, the gamepiece thereafter being conducted to the second playfield for second game play. The gamepiece aiming device has a first degree of movement that is a substantially linear movement, and a second degree of movement that is a substantially rotational movement. In general, the playfield has a plurality of playfields and a plurality of levels, at least one respective playfield being in each level of the plurality of levels. Each playfield has a win/lose scenario, and the win/lose scenarios are independent of one another. Redemption tickets can be dispensed based on results of the win/lose scenarios.

Abstract: An analytical rotor intended primarily for performing immunoassays comprises one or more inlet chambers for sample, wash reagents, and labelling reagents. A reaction chamber is disposed radially outwardly from the inlet chambers and connected thereto by low flow resistance flow paths. A collection chamber is located radially outwardly from the reaction chamber and connected thereto by a high flow resistance flow path. Samples are introduced to the sample inlet chamber by a transfer device, with sample volumes optionally determined by detecting when the sample inlet chamber is filled. Reagents initially introduced to the inlet chambers may be selectively transferred to the reaction chamber by low speed rotation of the rotor. The reaction chamber may then be emptied by high speed rotation of the rotor. In this way, heterogeneous immunoassays requiring sequential contact of reaction zones with sample and different reagents may be performed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating extremely robust opto-electronic devices on a monolithic support structure is provided. Incorporated into the support structure are registration structures that are used to quickly and accurately align the various components associated with the device, typically eliminating the need for manual component alignment. The registration structures are fabricated using conventional lithographic techniques, offering alignment accuracy of a micrometer or less. Utilizing the registration structures, a gain module is fabricated that is comprised of at least a pump laser, an optical element, and a solid state gain medium. The pump laser is preferably a semiconductor diode laser that pumps the edge of the gain medium, thus eliminating many of the difficulties that arise from end pumping the medium.