Abstract: A system and method providing automated voice-based healthcare plan delivery. The system interfaces with the patient through a voice-controlled personal assistant appliance via the internet. Some embodiments are implemented as voice applications or skills within the eco-system of an existing voice-controlled personal assistant device/appliance (hereinafter VCPAD). The system and method allow a clinician to create, digitally input, and modify a healthcare plan for a patient using a simple computer/web interface and without the need of any software development or computer programming skills, and allows a patient to interface with and query that healthcare plan using a largely conventional voice-controlled digital assistant appliance simply and efficiently to extract information about his/her individual healthcare plan in the patient's own language.

Abstract: A device for moistening an envelope flap includes a mechanism which defines an envelope feed path and a plate disposed adjacent the envelope feed path. The plate passes between the envelope body and the envelope flap. A plurality of orifices formed in the plate discharge moistening fluid received from a reservoir onto the envelope flap. The moistening device also includes a valve mechanism to selectively supply each of the orifices with moistening fluid from the reservoir. A flap sensing mechanism is disposed adjacent the envelope feed path for sensing an edge portion of the envelope flap and operatively connected to the valve mechanism to supply signals to the valve mechanism to selectively actuate the valve mechanism to selectively supply moistening fluid to the orifices in response to the sensing of the edge portion of the envelope flap.

Abstract: In a postage meter, funds are requested from an accounting unit and transferred to a print buffer when a print registration sensor detects a mailpiece at a location that is sufficiently downstream of the printing mechanism in order to enable the meter sufficient time to compose the indicia. A presentation sensor detects the presence of the mailpiece just prior to printing the indicia; and a printing mechanism prints the indicia if the mailpiece is properly aligned with the printing mechanism, or stores the indicia data in a secure register if the mailpiece is not properly aligned with the printing mechanism to enable the operator to obtain a refund.

Abstract: In a postage meter, funds are requested from an accounting unit and transferred to a print buffer when a print registration sensor detects a mailpiece at a location that is sufficiently downstream of the printing mechanism in order to enable the meter sufficient time to compose the indicia. A presentation sensor detects the presence of the mailpiece just prior to printing the indicia; and a printing mechanism prints the indicia if the mailpiece is properly aligned with the printing mechanism, or stores the indicia data in a secure register if the mailpiece is not properly aligned with the printing mechanism to enable the operator to obtain a refund.

Abstract: A "modified rearrangeable" switch matrix combines both .beta. switching elements and crossbar switch matrices in a single switch configuration, with .beta. switching elements used at the input and output and at least one crossbar switch matrix in the middle to receive its inputs from .beta. switching elements and provide its outputs to .beta. switching elements.

Abstract: On-board satellite switching is performed in three stages, an outer stage of switching on the up-link side for routing the received signals to either demodulators or frequency translators, a first inner stage of switching, preferably a baseband switch and processor, for routing and processing the outputs of the demodulators, a second inner stage of switching, e.g., a microwave switch matrix, for routing the outputs of the frequency translators, and an outer stage on the down-link side for assembling and routing the down-link spot beams. For a multiple hopping-beam system, the outer stages are microwave switch matrices, and for a hybrid scanning-hopping system the outer stages are beam forming matrices. A general purpose modified rearrangeable switch matrix is also disclosed.

Abstract: An initial aqueous pertechnetate solution which has a low electrolyte concentration compared with physiological saline is treated by passage through a bed of insoluble ion exchange material for adsorbing the pertechnetate. In a second step an ionic eluant having a smaller volume than the pertechnetate solution is passed through the bed to remove the pertechnetate to provide a relatively concentrated and pure eluate solution, the ion exchange material in the bed and the ionic eluant having respective properties for providing the eluate with a pH suitable for radiopharmaceutical purposes. The bed retains thereon radionuclidic impurities which may have been in the initial solution. The method can be valuable for treating the eluate from a portable technetium generator which is eluted with water and advantageously the insoluble material in the bed is zirconium oxide.

Abstract: A Technetium-99m generator has a matrix having a compound of molybdenum-99 bound into or forming the matrix, the compound of the molybdenum-99 being substantially insoluble in an eluant which can be used in a radiopharmaceutical and the molybdenum compound permitting diffusion of technetium-99m therethrough and elution therefrom. The molybdenum compound can be a monomolybdate, an isopolymolybdate or a heteropolymolybdate and zirconium molybdate is preferred although other cation molybdates may be used. Methods of preparation of the generator include dissolving irradiated molybdenum trioxide in alkaline solution and precipitating the molybdate at a selected pH and packing the precipitate in finely divided form into a column. Alternatively the generator may be formed from a non-radioactive, molybdenum compound and activated later when desired by passing a solution of a compound of molybdenum-99 through the column.