Abstract: Secure web-based messaging according to a “push” paradigm is augmented by specific, intended recipient authentication. In particular, a document can be sent to a specified, intended recipient through the Web using e-mail recipient notification, and the recipient is authenticated prior to delivering the document to the recipient. Such authentication prevents a cracker from snooping a delivery notification e-mail message and retrieving the document prior to retrieval by the true intended recipient. In addition, such authentication of the recipient is driven by the sender such that prior participation by the recipient in the messaging system according to the present invention is required.

Abstract: An e-mail firewall applies policies to e-mail messages transmitted between a first site and a plurality of second sites. The e-mail firewall includes a plurality of mail transfer relay modules for transferring e-mail messages between the first site and one of the second sites. Policy managers are used to enforce and administer selectable policies. The policies are used to determine security procedures for the transmission and reception of e-mail messages. The e-mail firewall employs signature verification processes to verify signatures in received encrypted e-mail messages. The e-mail firewall is further adapted to employ external servers for verifying signatures. External servers are also used to retrieve data that is employed to encrypt and decrypt e-mail messages received and transmitted by the e-mail firewall, respectively.

Abstract: Secure web-based messaging according to a “push” paradigm is augmented by specific, intended recipient authentication. In particular, a document can be sent to a specified, intended recipient through the Web using e-mail recipient notification, and the recipient is authenticated prior to delivering the document to the recipient. Such authentication prevents a cracker from snooping a delivery notification e-mail message and retrieving the document prior to retrieval by the true intended recipient. In addition, such authentication of the recipient is driven by the sender such that prior participation by the recipient in the messaging system according to the present invention is required.

Abstract: A surgical retrieval device, and related method, for removing material, such as calculi, from a patient's body has the ability to capture and release the material. The surgical retrieval device has a handle, a sheath, and a retrieval assembly that includes a plurality of legs. At least one of the legs of the retrieval assembly has a hollow passageway. In one embodiment according to the invention, a prong is disposed within the hollow passageway of the leg.

Abstract: A method for facilitating a real estate transaction includes engaging an initiating party in communication with an initiated party regarding a property, where the parties are engaged for an engagement period. In this regard, the initiating party can be a buyer arrangement or a seller arrangement, with the initiated party being the other of the buyer arrangement and the seller arrangement. Thereafter, the engaged parties are restricted from communicating with other buyer arrangements and seller arrangements during the engagement period. Restricting the parties thereby facilitates the parties concluding a real estate transaction regarding the property. In addition, the method can further include insuring the buyer arrangement for a period of time against a loss of income due to a default of at least one tenant if the parties conclude a real estate transaction regarding an income-producing property including at least one tenant.

Abstract: An e-mail firewall applies policies to e-mail messages transmitted between a first site and a plurality of second sites. The e-mail firewall includes a plurality of mail transfer relay modules for transferring e-mail messages between the first site and one of the second sites. Policy managers are used to enforce and administer selectable policies. The policies are used to determine security procedures for the transmission and reception of e-mail messages. The e-mail firewall employs signature verification processes to verify signatures in received encrypted e-mail messages. The e-mail firewall is further adapted to employ external servers for verifying signatures. External servers are also used to retrieve data that is employed to encrypt and decrypt e-mail messages received and transmitted by the e-mail firewall, respectively.

Abstract: A tool for pulling or removing seals includes an elongate handle having a manual engagement end and a seal hook member attachment end with a seal hook member pivotally attached to the seal hook member attachment end. The seal hook member includes at least one hook element and a mechanism for pivotally adjusting and fixing the pivotal relationship of the seal hook member with the elongate handle member.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for noninvasive intraductal fluid aspiration. Intraductal fluid is noninvasively aspirated using compression, heating and suction cycles. The device is configured to provide a compression force, deliver heat, and apply a vacuum pressure to encourage the aspiration of patient fluid. The device includes an adjustable support and a movable wall for applying compression. Withdrawn fluid may be used either for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for noninvasively obtaining intraductal fluid. The method includes the use of an intraductal fluid sampling device to contact the patient, provide compression, and deliver heat thereto according to predetermined cycle characteristics. The cycle characteristics, such as compression cycle times and compression rates, may be varied and controlled by a control circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for accomplishing a noninvasive screen for breast disease markers, including breast cancer markers and cytologically abnormal cells. Intraductal fluid is noninvasively aspirated using compression, heating and suction cycles. The removed sample is thereafter assayed for the presence of cytologically abnormal cells and/or one or more breast disease markers. In addition to the diagnostic applications of the disclosed method and apparatus, a therapeutic application is also contemplated wherein intraductal fluids are noninvasively aspirated using compression, heating and suction cycles to remove toxic buildups within the fluid.

Abstract: A server interacts with a sender to form a package which can include one or more attached data files to be sent to one or more recipients, and the server applies a policy established by a policy authority of the sender to the package. Since the server both forms the package through interaction with the sender and applies the policy, any violations of the policy by the package can be brought to the sender's attention during an interactive session with the sender and before encryption of all or part of the package. As a result, the sender is educated regarding the policy of the sender's policy authority, and the sender can modify the package immediately to comport with the policy. The server delivers the package to the one or more intended recipients by sending notification to each recipient and including in such notification package identification data, e.g., a URL by which the package can be retrieved.

Abstract: A surgical retrieval device, and related method, for removing material, such as calculi, from a patient's body has the ability to capture and release the material. The surgical retrieval device has a handle, a sheath, and a retrieval assembly that includes a plurality of legs. At least one of the legs of the retrieval assembly has a hollow passageway. In one embodiment according to the invention, a prong is disposed within the hollow passageway of the leg.

Abstract: A e-mail relay provides message filtering services to an e-mail network. The e-mail relay monitors incoming communication and intercepts messages. The e-mail relay extracts signature data from messages that include signature data. The e-mail relay restricts the delivery of message based on the presence and validity of signature data. The e-mail relay optionally classifies a sender in accordance with a level associated with validated signature data.

Abstract: A server interacts with a sender to form a package which can include one or more attached data files to be sent to one or more recipients, and the server applies a policy established by a policy authority of the sender to the package. Since the sever both forms the package through interaction with the sender and applies the policy, any violations of the policy by the package can be brought to the sender's attention during an interactive session with the sender and before encryption of all or part of the package. As a result, the sender is educated regarding the policy of the sender's policy authority, and the sender can modify the package immediately to comport with the policy. The server delivers the package to the one or more intended recipients by sending notification to each recipient and including in such notification package identification data, e.g., a URL by which the package can be retrieved.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for noninvasively obtaining intraductal fluid. The method includes the use of an intraductal fluid sampling device to contact the patient, provide compression, and deliver heat thereto according to predetermined cycle characteristics. The cycle characteristics, such as compression cycle times and compression rates, may be varied and controlled by a control circuit.

Abstract: Secure web-based messaging according to a “push” paradigm is augmented by specific, intended recipient authentication. In particular, a document can be sent to a specified, intended recipient through the Web using e-mail recipient notification, and the recipient is authenticated prior to delivering the document to the recipient. Such authentication prevents a cracker from snooping a delivery notification e-mail message and retrieving the document prior to retrieval by the true intended recipient. In addition, such authentication of the recipient is driven by the sender such that prior participation by the recipient in the messaging system according to the present invention is required.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for effecting secure document delivery in any of various document formats. A document is encrypted with the public key of a server associated with the recipient of the document, instead of with the public key of the intended recipient. The receiving server is located within a firewall. The encrypted document is forwarded to the server within the firewall. The server decrypts the document using its corresponding private key, converts the document to a now data representation, and then either forwards the document to the recipient inside the firewall, or re-encrypts the document with the public key of an intended recipient outside of the firewall or with the public key of another server that is associated with the intended recipient of the document.

Abstract: Secure web-based messaging according to a “push” paradigm is augmented by specific, intended recipient authentication. In particular, a document can be sent to a specified, intended recipient through the Web using e-mail recipient notification, and the recipient is authenticated prior to delivering the document to the recipient. Such authentication prevents a cracker from snooping a delivery notification e-mail message and retrieving the document prior to retrieval by the true intended recipient. In addition, such authentication of the recipient is driven by the sender such that prior participation by the recipient in the messaging system according to the present invention is required.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for noninvasively obtaining intraductal fluid. The method includes the use of an intraductal fluid sampling device to contact the patient, provide compression, and deliver heat thereto according to predetermined cycle characteristics. The cycle characteristics, such as compression cycle times and compression rates, may be varied and controlled by a control circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and a method for monitoring a subject's activity on a global communications network such as the Internet (107). The system comprises a client monitoring module (110) and an enterprise server (102) accessible over the global communications network by the client monitoring module (110). The client monitoring module (110) is established in the Windows Socket Layer (417) of the operating system of the subject's digital computer (108). The enterprise (102) is provided with a database of content (104) available on the network and corresponding topical categories of the content. Artificial intelligence is also provided to categorize on-the-fly content which is not present in the database (104). The method involves a supervisor establishing (526) an account and providing (524) a usage policy for each subject.