Abstract: System and components for inducing pleurodesis or other sclerosis or desired adhesion conditions to treat a patient, while minimizing likelihood of tissue damage from direct application of sclerosis-enhancing materials. A tube device is provided that is configured to elute sclerosis-enhancing material and/or other medicaments including autologous or otherwise patient compatible blood and/or blood component(s) via an assembly including fenestrated drainage tube which may be a multi-lumen assembly allowing simultaneous infusion/elution and drainage. The assembly of tube device with outer (typically drainage) tube may include one or more features configured to enhance delivery of medicament and/or drainage through the same assembly.

Abstract: The invention involves utilizing variable reluctance measurement technology (“VRMT”) sensors to monitor forces and stresses on drilling risers and riser towers. The tension monitoring system described herein includes an optimized configuration of variable reluctance measurement technology sensors, wherein the sensors have increased wire turns around each end of their C-cores or alternatively are mounted on mechanical amplifiers or both. An array of optimized variable reluctance measurement technology sensors can be configured at multiple points on a riser system. The VRMT sensors may be integrally attached to the risers or flexible joints for the risers, or may be installed on existing riser or flexible joint systems.

Abstract: A foot orthotic having a foot support where the foot support includes a thermoplastic outer shell, a closed cell foam liner within the outer shell, and a tongue to secure the user's foot within the foot support. The orthotic also typically has includes a lower leg support that includes a thermoplastic outer shell, a closed cell foam liner within the outer shell, and a strap to secure the orthotic to the user's leg within the lower leg support. A cinching mechanism that typically has a rotatable tightening knob is on the lower leg support, and a tightening cable coupled to the rotatable tightening knob and operably connected to the foot support.

Abstract: An embodiment provides A method for making a non-hazardous iron product for treating wastewater, including: adding sodium bisulfite to a solution comprising iron, creating an aqueous solution; adding an amount of sodium hydroxide to the aqueous solution to increase the pH of the aqueous solution to between 2-2.5; determining an amount of sodium bicarbonate and adding the identified amount of sodium bicarbonate to the aqueous solution, wherein the sodium bicarbonate adjusts the pH of the aqueous solution to a desired pH; and providing a buffer to the aqueous solution to generate a slurry. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method and network for transmitting a message from a sender to a recipient wherein the sender has no previous knowledge of the recipient's identity. A method is provided for registering a user with a web-enabled database service by providing correlating data on the user's identity and vehicle license plate number and/or other vehicle identifying information. A sender observing a vehicle can send a message to the recipient by logging onto the service and sending a message including the license plate number of the vehicle or other vehicle identifying information. The service will forward the message to the recipient by looking up the vehicle information, discerning the most appropriate communications method(s), and causing the message to be transmitted to the recipient or stored for later delivery.

Abstract: The invention relates to floating platform mooring and involves an improved platform mounted tendon tension monitoring system with porch mounted variable reluctance measurement technology sensors configured. The variable reluctance measurement technology sensors of this system are optimized for porch mounting. The porch mounted tendon tension monitoring system can also be configured such that the porch-mounted optimized variable reluctance measurement technology sensors are replaceable. Sensors may be replaced to extend the desired useful lifetime of a tendon tension monitoring system or in the event that a sensor happens to malfunction. A plurality of variable reluctance measurement technology sensors can be configured in sensor packs at the corners or at other locations where tendon tension monitoring can be useful for a floating platform.

Abstract: The invention relates to floating platform mooring and involves an improved platform mounted tendon tension monitoring system with porch-mounted variable reluctance measurement technology sensors configured. The variable reluctance measurement technology sensors of this system are optimized for porch mounting. The porch-mounted tendon tension monitoring system can also be configured such that the porch-mounted optimized variable reluctance measurement technology sensors are replaceable. Sensors may be replaced to extend the desired useful lifetime of a tendon tension monitoring system or in the event that a sensor happens to malfunction. A plurality of variable reluctance measurement technology sensors can be configured in sensor packs at the corners or at other locations where tendon tension monitoring can be useful for a floating platform.

Abstract: The invention involves utilizing variable reluctance measurement technology (“VRMT”) sensors to monitor forces and stresses on drilling risers and riser towers. The tension monitoring system described herein includes an optimized configuration of variable reluctance measurement technology sensors, wherein the sensors have increased wire turns around each end of their C-cores or alternatively are mounted on mechanical amplifiers or both. An array of optimized variable reluctance measurement technology sensors can be configured at multiple points on a riser system. The VRMT sensors may be integrally attached to the risers or flexible joints for the risers, or may be installed on existing riser or flexible joint systems.

Abstract: A method and network for transmitting a message from a sender to a recipient wherein the sender has no previous knowledge of the recipient's identity. A method is provided for registering a user with a web-enabled database service by providing correlating data on the user's identity and vehicle license plate number and/or other vehicle identifying information. A sender observing a vehicle can send a message to the recipient by logging onto the service and sending a message including the license plate number of the vehicle or other vehicle identifying information. The service will forward the message to the recipient by looking up the vehicle information, discerning the most appropriate communications method(s), and causing the message to be transmitted to the recipient or stored for later delivery.

Abstract: The present invention is a bacteria and nutrient delivery composition containing bran. The subject composition is preferably made in the form of a tablet that is structurally stable without being excessively hard. The tablets preferably have a configuration that reduces the likelihood of premature shearing in tableting presses or jamming in feeder devices for biomass generators. Methods of manufacturing the bacterial delivery composition in a structurally stable form that maintains bacterial viability are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to floating platform mooring and involves an improved platform mounted tendon tension monitoring system with porch-mounted variable reluctance measurement technology sensors configured. The variable reluctance measurement technology sensors of this system are optimized for porch mounting. The porch-mounted tendon tension monitoring system can also be configured such that the porch-mounted optimized variable reluctance measurement technology sensors are replaceable. Sensors may be replaced to extend the desired useful lifetime of a tendon tension monitoring system or in the event that a sensor happens to malfunction. A plurality of variable reluctance measurement technology sensors can be configured in sensor packs at the corners or at other locations where tendon tension monitoring can be useful for a floating platform.

Abstract: A system for augmenting a bone structure. A shape memory device includes a deflectable distal segment including temperature-dependent memory metal material. The shape memory device is slidably received within a guide cannula. The deflectable distal segment may include a substantially longitudinally straightened form, such as when subjected to a force from the guide cannula. The deflectable distal segment forms a first deflected shape having a first bend away from said straight longitudinal axis at a first elevated temperature greater than an initial temperature, and forms a second deflected shape having a second bend away from said straight longitudinal axis at a second elevated temperature greater than said first elevated temperature. The shape memory device may create voids within the bone structure with the deflectable distal segment at the first and/or second bends. Methods for positioning a shape memory device within a bone structure are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to floating platform mooring and involves an improved platform mounted tendon tension monitoring system with porch mounted variable reluctance measurement technology sensors configured. The variable reluctance measurement technology sensors of this system are optimized for porch mounting. The porch mounted tendon tension monitoring system can also be configured such that the porch-mounted optimized variable reluctance measurement technology sensors are replaceable. Sensors may be replaced to extend the desired useful lifetime of a tendon tension monitoring system or in the event that a sensor happens to malfunction. A plurality of variable reluctance measurement technology sensors can be configured in sensor packs at the corners or at other locations where tendon tension monitoring can be useful for a floating platform.

Abstract: The invention relates to floating platform mooring and involves an improved platform mounted tendon tension monitoring system with porch-mounted variable reluctance measurement technology sensors configured. The variable reluctance measurement technology sensors of this system are optimized for porch mounting. The porch-mounted tendon tension monitoring system can also be configured such that the porch-mounted optimized variable reluctance measurement technology sensors are replaceable. Sensors may be replaced to extend the desired useful lifetime of a tendon tension monitoring system or in the event that a sensor happens to malfunction. A plurality of variable reluctance measurement technology sensors can be configured in sensor packs at the corners or at other locations where tendon tension monitoring can be useful for a floating platform.

Abstract: System and components for inducing pleurodesis or other sclerosis or desired adhesion conditions to treat a patient, while minimizing likelihood of tissue damage from direct application of sclerosis-enhancing materials. A tube device is provided that is configured to elute sclerosis-enhancing material and/or other medicaments including autologous or otherwise patient compatible blood and/or blood component(s) via an assembly including fenestrated drainage tube which may be a multi-lumen assembly allowing simultaneous infusion/elution and drainage. The assembly of tube device with outer (typically drainage) tube may include one or more features configured to enhance delivery of medicament and/or drainage through the same assembly.

Abstract: System and components for inducing pleurodesis or other sclerosis or desired adhesion conditions to treat a patient, while minimizing likelihood of tissue damage from direct application of sclerosis-enhancing materials. A tube device is provided that is configured to elute sclerosis-enhancing material and/or other medicaments including autologous or otherwise patient compatible blood and/or blood component(s) via an assembly including fenestrated drainage tube which may be a multi-lumen assembly allowing simultaneous infusion/elution and drainage. The assembly of tube device with outer (typically drainage) tube may include one or more features configured to enhance delivery of medicament and/or drainage through the same assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, apparatuses and methods for detecting one or more nucleic acid targets present in a sample. Methods of the invention include utilizing two or more ligation probes that reversibly bind a target nucleic acid in close proximity to each other and possess complementary reactive ligation moieties. When such probes have bound to the target in the proper orientation, they are able to undergo a spontaneous chemical ligation reaction that yields a ligation product that is directly detected or that is amplified to produce amplicons that are then detected. The present invention also provides methods to stabilize sample RNA so that degradation does not significantly affect the results of the analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of operating a quilting or sewing machine. In the method, an operator may switch the modes in which the sewing machine is operating. The modes may be switched when the sewing machine is in operation or when the machine is stopped. The modes to which the sewing machine may be switched to and from may be pre-set modes as defined by an operator. The modes that may be switched to and from may include settings for stitch mode and stitch speed. The buttons may be physical buttons associated with the sewing machine's handles, or they may be digital buttons associated with a tablet device.

Abstract: The invention relates to floating platform mooring and involves an improved platform mounted tendon tension monitoring system with porch-mounted variable reluctance measurement technology sensors configured. The variable reluctance measurement technology sensors of this system are optimized for porch mounting. The porch-mounted tendon tension monitoring system can also be configured such that the porch-mounted optimized variable reluctance measurement technology sensors are replaceable. Sensors may be replaced to extend the desired useful lifetime of a tendon tension monitoring system or in the event that a sensor happens to malfunction. A plurality of variable reluctance measurement technology sensors can be configured in sensor packs at the corners or at other locations where tendon tension monitoring can be useful for a floating platform.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, apparatuses and methods for detecting one or more nucleic acid targets present in a sample. Methods of the invention include utilizing two or more ligation probes that reversibly bind a target nucleic acid in close proximity to each other and possess complementary reactive ligation moieties. When such probes have bound to the target in the proper orientation, they are able to undergo a spontaneous chemical ligation reaction that yields a ligation product that is directly detected or that is amplified to produce amplicons that are then detected. The present invention also provides methods to stabilize sample RNA so that degradation does not significantly affect the results of the analysis.