Abstract: A micromachined structure, comprises a substrate and a cavity in the substrate. The micromachined structure comprises a membrane layer disposed over the substrate and spanning the cavity.

Abstract: A method for treating a wound with sutures is disclosed. One method includes placing the body and shaft of the device within a cavity of the wound; attaching a first end of at least one suture to a first side of the wound; passing a second end of the at least one suture through the body and coupling it to the shaft; attaching a second end of the at least one suture to the second side of the wound; and rotating the shaft with respect to the body to pull the first side of the wound and the second side of the wound toward one another.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymerizable material for making a polymeric article, the polymerizable material comprising: a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol having crosslinkable groups; and a modifier in an amount sufficient to improve one or more physical properties of a polymeric article made from the polymerizable material, wherein the one or more physical properties are selected from the group consisting of stress at break (N/mm2), percentage of elongation at break, toughness or energy to break (N·mm), and susceptibility to fracture. The modifier is selected from the group consisting of nanoparticles having a hydrophilic surface, a copolymer having hydrophobic groups or units for imparting at least one desired physical property to said ophthalmic device and hydrophilic groups or units in an amount sufficient to render the copolymer miscible with the polyvinyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, a dual clutch assembly, a countershaft, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, a plurality of interconnecting members, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include synchronizer assemblies.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a coin processing system includes a coin input area that receives coins from a user, a coin processing module that counts the received coins, and a foreign object detection system that detects a foreign object within the coin processing module subsequent to counting substantially all the received coins.

Abstract: A carrying bag includes a bag body including first and second panels cooperating to substantially form a first compartment therebetween; an expandable compartment configured for housing an object, the expandable compartment including first and second areas cooperating with each other; the first area being connected to the bag body, the first area having two end portions, each end portion comprising a protrusion, and the first area having a fold line approximately along its center, the second area comprising three regions configured to cooperate with each other; and a cord capable of cooperating with the second area for facilitating the cooperation of the three regions. The shape of the protrusions of the end portions prevents the visibility of the first area to a user when the compartment is in an unexpanded configuration.

Abstract: It has been found that integrated packages having dies with at least 10 bonding pads separated by a pitch of 65 ?m or less are susceptible to corrosion upon wire bonding to these pads and subsequent encapsulation in a passivating material. In particular, crevices are potentially formed between the bonding wire and bonding pad that are not passivated and that promote corrosion. Avoidance of crevice formation through, for example, appropriately choosing the bonding pad and wire configuration substantially avoids such corrosion.

Abstract: A heart valve implant has a body sized and configured to rest near or within a heart valve annulus. A plurality of spaced-apart retainers extend outwardly from the body to contact tissue near or within the heart valve annulus. The retainers are sized and configured to secure the body to the heart valve annulus. The implant can be secured, e.g., without the use of sutures.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of a compound of formula (1) wherein R and R? represent optionally substituted hydrocarbyl groups and X represents a hydrocarbyl linking group. The process comprises either the stereoselective reduction of the keto group in a dihydroxy keto precursor followed by selective esterification of a primary hydroxy, or selective esterification of a primary hydroxy of a dihydroxy keto precursor followed by stereoselective reduction of the keto group.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for receiving a local input video signal, processing the video signal, and providing a processed video signal to a local digital television display panel. A communications port includes an Ethernet or other communications network connector for allowing access to the video signal processing system by a remote device. This allows a remote user to remotely diagnose, debug, and even modify operation of the video signal processing system. In certain examples, this involves downloading a Lua script that can take partial or complete control over operation of the video signal processing system from resident instruction code. In certain examples, the video signal processing system includes pipelined image analysis or processing stages. Video signal data intermediate to such processing, or the processed video signal being provided to the local display can be communicated to the remote user.

Abstract: A method for reducing pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract of a live animal comprising orally administering to the animal an effective amount of an aqueous antimicrobial solution, wherein the aqueous antimicrobial solution comprises from about 0.01% to about 0.1% by weight of a metal chlorite and a sufficient quantity of an acid having a first pKa of from about 2.0 to about 4.4 to adjust the pH of the aqueous antimicrobial solution to about 2.2 to about 4.5 and to maintain the chlorite ion concentration in the form of chlorous acid to not more than about 35% by weight of the total chlorite ion present in the aqueous antimicrobial solution, is disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical device suitable for use in spinal fusion of the cervical vertebrae is provided. The surgical device includes an inner tubular body and an outer tubular body. The inner and outer tubular body each has a lengthwise region and a distal portion with a discontinuous wall forming a fenestration. The fenestrations are alignable to provide a passage through the wall of the surgical device. The surgical device may provide any of several benefits, including unobstructed access to a surgical site, greater stability, and improved tactile control.

Abstract: A test method for an ASIC uses an embedded processor in the ASIC to execute test routines from an embedded memory or an external memory. During ASIC production, the test routines can comprehensively test of the blocks of the ASIC without a complicated test pattern from test equipment. The test routines can also perform power-up tests in systems or end products containing the ASIC. Test selection, activation, and result output can be implement using a few terminals of the ASIC.

Abstract: A novel approach to performance engineering that leverages expertise to enable a user to design, build and deploy reliable and efficient applications is disclosed. In doing so, the innovation discloses novel techniques and mechanisms that integrate performance into the application development lifecycle and to adapt current software engineering practices and methodologies to include specific performance related activities. These activities include identifying performance objectives, creating performance models, applying performance-related design guidelines, conducting performance-related design inspections, performing regular code inspections, testing for performance, and conducting performance-related deployment inspections.

Abstract: A power control system includes a switching power converter and a power factor correction (PFC) and output voltage controller. The PFC and output voltage controller provides a control signal to a switch to control power factor correction and regulate output voltage of the switching power converter. During a single period of the control signal, the PFC and output voltage controller determines the line input voltage, the output voltage, or both using a single feedback signal received from the switching power converter. The feedback signal is received from a switch node located between an inductor and the switch. The PFC and output voltage controller determines either the line input voltage or the output voltage, whichever was not determined from the feedback signal, using a second feedback signal received from either a PFC stage or a driver stage of the switching power converter.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide pulsed-power to a load utilizing high temperature superconductors (HTS) within multiple pulsed-power devices. According to embodiments described herein, each pulsed-power device includes a HTS mounted on a rotor and an armature coil mounted on a stator. The rotor is positioned to allow a magnetic field within the HTS to induce a voltage in the armature coil when the rotor is rotating and to allow a magnetic field created by passing current through the armature coil to charge the HTS. Current created from the operation of a first pulsed-power device is routed to the armature coil in a second pulsed-power device to charge the associated HTS to a higher value. Subsequently, the second pulsed-power device is operated to produce current that is used to further charge the HTS in the first pulsed-power device. This bootstrapping procedure is repeated until all HTSs are fully charged.

Abstract: A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.