Abstract: Devices and methods for achieving weight loss in obese and morbidly obese patients are disclosed. The invention combines a gastric and/or small bowel bypass (in which ingested food bypasses the stomach and, optionally, at least a portion of the small bowel) and a satiety device in the form of one or more expandable chambers, that tend to induce a feeling of satiety after the patient has consumed a relatively small amount of food. This combination of gastric and/or small bowel bypass and satiety structure may be delivered and removed using minimally invasive procedures such as an endoscope. In some instances, the gastric and/or small bowel bypass device itself can form the satiety structure. In other devices, the gastric bypass may be independent of the satiety structure (which may be provided as one or more expandable chambers).

Abstract: The invention provides a decorative object comprising a transparent or translucent substrate having a body and at least one surface bearing a thin film coating. The coating imparts in the substrate a body color that appears substantially constant at different angles of observation. This body color is imparted in the substrate at least in part by absorption of visible radiation that is transmitted through said coating. The coating includes a high absorption layer comprising film that is highly absorptive of visible radiation. Also provided are methods of coating gems and other decorative objects, as well as methods of heat treating coated gems and other decorative objects.

Abstract: The invention provides a gemstone material having therein embedded a plurality of dichroic particles. Methods of producing the gemstone material are also provided. The gemstone material can be provided in the form of a slab, faceted gemstone, or cabochon.