Abstract: A housing for an airbag module that contains an inflatable airbag cushion in a compacted configuration before being inflated by inflation gas supplied by an inflator device. The housing includes a collar formed of a rigid material for attaching the housing to a vehicle and a chute assembly formed of a flexible material and secured to the collar.

Abstract: A housing for an airbag module that contains an inflatable airbag cushion in a compacted configuration before being inflated by inflation gas supplied by an inflator device. The housing includes a collar for attaching the housing to a vehicle and a chute assembly formed of a flexible material and secured to the collar.

Abstract: A device and method to direct a user to a Website to purchase products or services employs a DVD with prestored media segments and associated Website addresses of each advertiser site. The DVD is distributed to users who insert them into their host computer connected to the Internet. A program runs which allows the user to select media segments. If the user would like to purchase the product or service relating to the media segment being played, the user clicks a button. Once clicked, the user jumps to the advertiser's site allowing the user to purchase the product or service. The purchase information, along with the IP address and optionally information relating to the media segments viewed and the disk ID may be collected and analyzed. Statistics relating to this information is provided to the advertiser.

Abstract: A substrate holder is provided to move a slide containing a microarray of biomaterial through a biomaterial analysis process. The substrate holder includes a substrate loader that allows loading of slides into the substrate holder with minimal contact to the slide, thereby minimizing the amount of contamination on the slide. The substrate holder can be used to transport a microarray of DNA through array fabrication, hybridization and analysis stations.

Abstract: A golf training system includes a golf club, an alignment strip, and a plurality of markers for coupling to a golfer's apparel. The golf club includes a shaft having an axial centerline, a grip coupled to the shaft, and a head coupled to the shaft. The grip may have a length, a width, and a that varies from a minimum about equal to about the width to a maximum about equal to twice the width. The golf club may also include a polyhedron coupled to the shaft and positioned between the grip and the head. The polyhedron may have an axial alignment such that a vertex of the polyhedron is substantially parallel to the axial centerline of the shaft. The alignment strip may have a plurality of markings indicating a variety of possible locations for a golfer's feet in a stance, and a preferred position of a golf ball. The markers may be configured to be removably coupled to the golfer's appeal, and may serve as visual aids to the golfer during a swing.

Abstract: A computer system includes a look-up table implemented in a memory controller which includes a processor which manipulates data and look-up-table entries so as to make an unused and in-use memory available for testing in a manner which is alien to and aims to minimize impact to the operating system and the main system processor. In-use memory is made available by moving in-use data to an unused area of memory within a bank, by moving in-use data to another bank having an unused area, or by compressing in-use data within a bank and moving the data to an area within the bank made available through such compression, and updating the look-up table to point to the moved areas so that memory references can continue to be serviced during the testing process. Areas made available can be tested by a non-system processor such as a service processor, although other processors can be used.

Abstract: An automated method for dispensing pharmaceuticals, particularly tablets and capsules, and other small discrete objects, includes: receiving prescription information, selecting a container, labeling the container, dispensing the tablets or capsules into the labeled container, applying a closure to the filled, labeled container, and offloading the container to a designated location. Preferably, the tablets are dispensed with high speed dispensing bins that employ forced air to agitate and singulate the tablets. The other functions within the system are typically carried out at stations designed to offer speed, flexibility and precision to the dispensing operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system, method, and program for transferring data. When a transaction commits, multiple data objects that have been changed by the transaction are identified. The multiple data objects are written from local storage to a cache structure using a batch write command. When changed data objects at a first system that are not cached in the shared external storage are written to disk, a batch cross invalidation command is used to invalidate the data objects at a second system. Additionally, multiple data objects are read from the cache structure into a processor storage using a batch castout command.

Abstract: Illuminated surgical retractors include at least one retractor blade and a light delivery system. The light delivery system may include an array of lights which may be attached directly to the retractor blade or to a support in the shape of an elongated blade that extends along the length of the retractor blade for illuminating all or a portion of the length of the retractor blade.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program storage device for providing intelligent rebuild order selection is a storage array is disclosed. The interrelationship of the data on the drives to be rebuilt and the remaining drives in the system is examined. A relative score for a rebuild record to be rebuilt is based upon the manner in which the RAID data is placed on the other drives. The rebuild record with the highest relative risk is identified as the rebuild record to be rebuilt next.

Abstract: A method for removing submicron colloidal particulates, such as hydrocarbons, from water. The method includes first adding a soluble, cationic polymer, such as chitosan, a salt, or solution of chitosan to water containing the submicron particulates and a halogenating agent, followed by adding a soluble, anionic polymer or anionic salt to the water. The resulting flocs are filtered to remove the submicron particulates.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a retractor is provided for retracting tissue at a surgical location within a patient for minimally invasive access to a region of the spine. The retractor comprises an elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The retractor comprises a first elongate member and a second elongate member. The first and second elongate members define an outer surface of the retractor. The retractor is actuatable between a low profile configuration and an expanded configuration.

Abstract: A pill dispensing system includes a shelving unit in array form that holds a number of bulk containers, each holding a bulk amount of a pill to be dispensed. A computer controlled robot removes a selected bulk container and places it on a counter that also dispenses pills. The robot has an arm with a free end portion that can grip a bulk container or a single pill bottle to be filled. The robot is computer controlled to retrieve an empty pill bottle, place it on a label printing and applying unit, then place it next to the counter/dispenser to receive the selected number of selected prescription pills, then place the filled, labeled bottle on a conveyor. In an alternate embodiment, pill bottles are dispensed from a dispenser that holds bottles on inclined plates and feeds them to a vertical dispensing channel. Gates prevent the flow of bottles from an inclined position until the plate above has been emptied.

Abstract: An implantable neuromodulation system and method of treating a patient through neuromodulation of a patient's body tissue. The neuromodulation system includes a portable transmitter and an implantable receiver. The implantable receiver includes one or more electrodes disposed on the distal end of one or more elongated, flexible insulated leads. The transmitter is programmable with a treatment protocol to cause the transmitter to generate a pulsed, alternating magnetic field in accordance with the treatment protocol. When the transmitter is placed in close proximity to the receiver, the alternating magnetic field pulses generated by the transmitter cause the receiver to operably generate stimulating pulses delivered via the electrode(s) to the targeted tissue of the patient.

Abstract: A collapsible signaling device bearing a pair of opposed message panels is convertible between a display configuration and a compact linear storage configuration. The message panels are joined together at spaced apart points along their periphery using spacers to form a pocket having an internal cavity. A mast is insertable within the pocket and is joined to the panel members at its upper end. A pair of struts of spring material are joined at one end to the upper end of the mast and are joined at their lower ends to a slider member which is slidably movable with respect to the mast. As the slider member is advanced toward the upper end of the mast, the struts are outwardly bowed imparting outwardly directed tension to the periphery of the message panels.

Abstract: A vertical height adjustment mechanism for a dish rack includes a slide member fixedly mounted relative to a support member, a housing secured to the dish rack, and a latch member. The housing includes a central guide channel that slidably receives the slide member. The latch member includes a support leg, an actuating arm and an intermediate portion joining the support leg and actuating arm. The sliding element includes an end portion that receives and retains the support leg of the latch when the dish rack is in the raised position.

Abstract: An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes a tube that may be restricted to prevent gas venting. A cord is coupled to the tube and to a surface of the cushion. Upon airbag deployment, the cord extends until taut or extends until the cushion encounters an obstruction. If pulled taut, the cord tightens the tube and restricts gas venting. If the cushion encounters an obstruction, the cord remains lax and the tube is able to vent gas.

Abstract: Fiber optic phototherapy devices include fiber optic light emitters having fiber optic end portions at one or both ends that may be separated into a plurality of groups of end portions that receive light from one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). The fiber optic end portions of different segments of the light emitters may also be grouped together in different groups and lighted by different LEDs for selectively lighting any or all of the segments of the light emitters at the same or different types as desired. Lenses may be used to focus the light from one or more LEDs onto the end portions of each group. The LEDs may be mounted to a heat sink to dissipate any excess heat generated by the LEDs.

Abstract: A base is provided for use with warning signs and the like. A metal structural framework is fitted to the underside of an elastomeric body in the form of a monolithic slab. Forces from the sign panel are transmitted through the structural framework, which includes a plurality of outwardly radiating legs. Forces are transmitted to the ends of the legs, which preferably are fitted with outwardly extending feet. Force loadings are transmitted through the structural framework rather than the elastomeric body, which provide a ballast for the structural framework.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards managing unsolicited email messages, and the like, in part, by providing segmentation of an email inbox. In one embodiment, the email inbox is segmented into segments associated with a message from a trusted, trusted email address, an untrusted email address, and a segment for a bulk email message, such as spam, and the like. A determination that the message is from a trusted email address may be made based, in part, on whether the email address is associated with one's address book, a degree of separation that may be determined based on an association with another's address book, whether the email address was a sent email address, and the like. By segmenting the email inbox, the invention minimizes a risk associated with incorrectly discarding a message from a desired, but untrusted source.