Abstract: Systems and methods for providing valid responses to requests for quotations are provided. In one embodiment of the invention, a system according to the invention preferably includes a server. The server includes a server storage device and a server processor connected to the server storage device. The server storage device preferably stores a server program for controlling the server processor. The server processor is preferably operative to receive a request from a requesting participant for a market-validated offer to sell an item; receive an offer price from a responding participant in response to the request; and provide a bid to an electronic marketplace, the bid including a price that is lower than the received offer price.

Abstract: A method for providing at least one utensil wrapped in a napkin is provided. The method includes placing the napkin on a wrapping assembly having first, second and third rollers and an endless belt wrapped around the rollers, in an initial configuration, placing the at least one utensil on the napkin, moving the second roller toward the first roller, turning the endless belt around rollers, stopping to turn the endless belt, and returning the wrapping assembly to the initial configuration. An apparatus for wrapping a napkin around at least one utensil, a utensil picker for picking up at least one utensil from at least one utensil magazine storing a plurality of utensils, an apparatus having the utensil picker, a magazine for storing a plurality of utensils and an apparatus having the magazine are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a trading system and method for indicating trading interests. A wrapped liquidity notice may be provided to a user, in which the wrapped liquidity notice provides first information about a trading interest of at least one other user. The user may request to unwrap the liquidity notice. Responsive to the request, the liquidity notice may be at least partially unwrapped to provide to the user second information about the trading interest. The liquidity notice may be unwrapped additional times to reveal additional information about the trading interest. Exemplary information that may be unwrapped for the user comprises information about the buy/sell side, trading product, price, and quantity of the trading interest.

Abstract: A method and system for order management that allows access to additional pools of liquidity is described. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a trading system and method for indicating trading interests. A wrapped liquidity notice may be provided to a user, in which the wrapped liquidity notice provides first information about a trading interest of at least one other user. The user may request to unwrap the liquidity notice. Responsive to the request, the liquidity notice may be at least partially unwrapped to provide to the user second information about the trading interest. The liquidity notice may be unwrapped additional times to reveal additional information about the trading interest. Exemplary information that may be unwrapped for the user comprises information about the buy/sell side, trading product, price, and quantity of the trading interest.

Abstract: A method and system for order management that allows access to additional pools of liquidity is described. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A distributed trading platform comprising: a first participant system of a liquidity provider configured to determine a first order that is stored in a first order management system; a central system configured to determine a plurality of second orders based on the first order, an aggression level and market data; and a second participant system of a liquidity taker configured to determine that a contra order is stored in a second order management system, determine a single second order of the plurality of second orders that the liquidity taker is qualified to view based on a third quantity of the contra order, and populate a second trader interface with information soliciting submission of the contra order to the distributed trading platform for matching with the single second order.

Abstract: A system for managing trading orders comprises a memory operable to store a trader list that is associated with a first trader and that designates one or more other traders. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to receive a trading order from the first trader, wherein the trading order is for an order quantity of a first trading product. The processor is further operable to determine a first portion and a second portion of the order quantity. The processor is further operable to disclose the first portion of the order quantity to a plurality of traders. If a configurable condition is satisfied, the processor is further operable to disclose the second portion of the order quantity to one or more traders that are not designated by the trader list and to prevent the disclosure of the second portion of the order quantity to the one or more designated traders from the trader list.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing a discretion order in a dark pool matching environment may receive a first order of a first trader, and a contra second order defining a quantity reserved in an OMS of a second trader and a price range. When a first price of the first order is determined to be within the price range, (1) the price of the first order and (2) execution indicia selectable by the second trader to cause execution of a portion of the second order against a portion of the first order, are provided to the second trader. The first price of the first order and the execution indicia are not output or otherwise disclosed to the second trader, prior to determining that the first price of the first order is within the price range of the second order.

Abstract: An electronic trading marketplace (ETM) communicates with interfacing modules interfacing directly with order management systems (OMS's) at trading institutions. The interfacing modules automatically transmit orders from the OMS databases to the ETM and update the OMS databases in response to orders executed at the ETM. Traders can communicate with the ETM to anonymously negotiate trades of securities.

Abstract: A distributed trading platform comprising: a first participant system of a liquidity provider configured to determine a first order that is stored in a first order management system; a central system configured to determine a plurality of second orders based on the first order, an aggression level and market data; and a second participant system of a liquidity taker configured to determine that a contra order is stored in a second order management system, determine a single second order of the plurality of second orders that the liquidity taker is qualified to view based on a third quantity of the contra order, and populate a second trader interface with information soliciting submission of the contra order to the distributed trading platform for matching with the single second order.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises a processor, and a memory that stores a program. The program, when executed by the processor, directs the processor to perform a method including the following steps: receiving an encrypted query, in which the query indicates at least one security, and at least one price; determining whether the encrypted query corresponds to any order in an encrypted data set that represents orders; outputting a response to the query, in which the response indicates whether the encrypted query corresponds to any order in an encrypted data set that represents orders; receiving order data that represents the orders; and encrypting the order data to yield the encrypted data set that represents orders.

Abstract: A system and method for determining an access trajectory to a target site to safely place a surgical access instrument (e.g., guide wire, dilator, cannula, etc.) through a tissue (e.g., muscle, fat, brain, liver, lung, etc.) without damaging nearby neurovascular structure is described herein. The trajectory determination system includes a nerve stimulation probe and a dilator guide having a plurality of guide channels and registerable to an operating table in a fixed orientation. Motor nerve stimulation (e.g., EMG, MMG) is performed with the stimulation probe positioned in each of said plurality of guide channels to generate a map of nerve locations within intervening anatomical structures (e.g., muscle, bone, etc.) between the dilator guide and the surgical target site. Available access pathways are determined based on the nerve location data and displayed on a display unit.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a trading system and method for determining orders and their prices. A trader may request a quote for a composite order comprising a plurality of constituent orders. The request may be provided to a pricing module located behind the trader's firewall. The pricing module may determine a quote on behalf of a pricing entity associated with a fund. The quotes may be determined based on current market conditions and net tracking error that would result if the fund executed all of the constituent orders of the composite trading order. The trading module may provide the requesting trader with the requested quote, which may comprise a firm counter-order immediately executable against the composite trading order. The quote and the existence of the request may not be transmitted outside the trader's firewall. The trader may execute the quote, and the pricing entity may fill all the constituent trading orders of the trader's composite trading order at the quoted price(s).

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods for processing a discretion order in a dark pool matching environment. A first order to buy or sell a trading product is received from a computer of a first trader. The first order has a first price and a first size. A second order to buy or sell the trading product that is contra to the first order is received from a second trader. The second order defines a second quantity and a price range of possible prices at which the second order can be executed. The price range comprises at least a second price. The second quantity of the trading product is reserved in an OMS of the second trader such that the second quantity of the second order is permitted by the OMS to be executed at any price within the price range. The second order is received before or after the first order is received. A processor determines that the first price of the first order is within the price range of the second order.

Abstract: A trading platform and trading method that may allow access to additional pools of liquidity is described. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An intraoperative ultrasound imaging system and method capable of using ultrasound imaging to safely place a surgical access instrument (e.g. guide wire, dilator, cannula, etc.) through a tissue (e.g., muscle, fat, brain, liver, lung, etc.) without damaging nearby neurovascular structure is described herein. The intraoperative ultrasound system includes an ultrasound probe assembly configured for emitting and receiving ultrasound waves and a computer system including a processor and a display unit. Once the probe is in position, ultrasound imaging is performed wherein the computer receives RF data from the probe and causes a B-mode image of the visible anatomical structures (e.g. muscle, bone, etc.) to be displayed on the display unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions, devices, methods, processes, and systems for culturing of large quantities of mammalian cells in suspension culture. Also disclosed are unique and surprising cell populations derived from the disclosed methods, processes, and systems. In many embodiments, the cells are cultured in suspension in liquid culture media that is agitated to maintain the cells in suspension, and agitation increases to maintain cells in suspension while growing and dividing to create cell spheres. The disclosed devices, methods, processes, and systems are useful in tailoring characteristics of the resulting cells based on characteristics of donor subject/initial cells. The disclosed cell populations are useful in treating subjects with cell based therapies in need thereof for various diseases and conditions.

Abstract: A system for managing trading orders comprises a memory operable to store a trader list that is associated with a first trader and that designates one or more other traders. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to receive a trading order from the first trader, wherein the trading order is for an order quantity of a first trading product. The processor is further operable to determine a first portion and a second portion of the order quantity. The processor is further operable to disclose the first portion of the order quantity to a plurality of traders. If a configurable condition is satisfied, the processor is further operable to disclose the second portion of the order quantity to one or more traders that are not designated by the trader list and to prevent the disclosure of the second portion of the order quantity to the one or more designated traders from the trader list.

Abstract: An electronic trading marketplace (ETM) communicates with interfacing modules interfacing directly with order management systems (OMS's) at trading institutions. The interfacing modules automatically transmit orders from the OMS databases to the ETM and update the OMS databases in response to orders executed at the ETM. Traders can communicate with the ETM to anonymously negotiate trades of securities.