Abstract: An implantable catheter or shunt for draining fluid from a body cavity. The catheter or shunt body has a wall structure that carries one or more therapeutic agents in a manner enabling release of the therapeutic agent from the wall structure in situ after surgical implantation of the catheter or shunt body. The therapeutic agent can be gradually released over time to prevent infection, inhibit tissue ingrowths, and/or provide some other desired medicinal purpose. As an example, the therapeutic agent can be rapamycin or an mTOR inhibitor. According to some contemplated embodiments of the present invention, the therapeutic agent carried by the catheter/shunt is rechargeable or refillable in situ so that the therapeutic agent can be gradually released from the catheter/shunt over the expected useful life of the catheter/shunt.

Abstract: An aminocarboxylic acid chelating agent, preferably EDTA, or a salt thereof has been found to be useful for inhibiting particulate formation in piperacillin/tazobactam parenteral combinations. The composition may also contain a buffer, preferably citrate, and optionally an aminoglycoside. The product may be in the form of a frozen composition that can be thawed for use. The product may also be in the form of a cryodesiccated powder that can be reconstituted by addition of an aqueous vehicle to reform a solution.

Abstract: An aminocarboxylic acid chelating agent, preferably EDTA, or a salt thereof has been found to be useful for inhibiting particulate formation in piperacillin/tazobactam parenteral combinations. The composition may also contain a buffer, preferably citrate, and optionally an aminoglycoside. The product may be in the form of a frozen composition that can be thawed for use. The product may also be in the form of a cryodesiccated powder that can be reconstituted by addition of an aqueous vehicle to reform a solution.

Abstract: A system and method to collect, transmit and access user information from an information collection system. User information is received with is submitted by a user in response to a posting of an opportunity made at a host web site. In response to receiving the user information, the user is transmitted a confirmation page comprising one or more tags. The one or more of the one or more tags are used in connection with enrolling the user with an information collection system by transmitting user identifier and user contact information to the information collection system. The enrolling step is accomplished without activity by the user. The one or more of the one or more tags are invisible or visible to the user. Data is collected from the user in response to one or more questions posed to the user. Access is provided to the user information and the user data to the sponsor through an access page. The access page includes a tag that visually indicates to the sponsor a status of data collection from the user.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for price protection associated with one or more items purchased. A registered item, which comprises an item purchased by a buyer from a seller, is monitored electronically to obtain information associated with the item, including an item's current purchase price. If it is determined from electronically monitoring the status of the item that the buyer is eligible for a refund under a price protection policy covering the item purchased, the buyer is notified.

Abstract: This pipe comprises: a base body (8) of metal, defining an outer surface (10) of the base body and an inner surface (12) of the base body, and an inner coating (14) which is applied to the inner surface (12) of the base body. The inner coating (14) comprises a thermoplastic material or a polyamide. Use in pipes for transporting drinking water.

Abstract: An implantable catheter or shunt for draining fluid from a body cavity. The catheter or shunt body has a wall structure that carries one or more therapeutic agents in a manner enabling release of the therapeutic agent from the wall structure in situ after surgical implantation of the catheter or shunt body. The therapeutic agent can be gradually released over time to prevent infection, inhibit tissue ingrowths, and/or provide some other desired medicinal purpose. As an example, the therapeutic agent can be rapamycin or an mTOR inhibitor. According to some contemplated embodiments of the present invention, the therapeutic agent carried by the catheter/shunt is rechargeable or refillable in situ so that the therapeutic agent can be gradually released from the catheter/shunt over the expected useful life of the catheter/shunt.

Abstract: A system and device for harvesting various frequencies and polarizations of ambient radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy for making a passive sensor (tag) into an autonomous passive sensor (tag) adapted to collect and store data with time-stamping and some primitive computation when necessary even when an interrogating radio frequency identification (RFID) reader is not present (not transmitting). A specific source of ambient RF EM energy may include wireless fidelity (WiFi) and/or cellular telephone base stations. The system and device may also allow for the recharging of energy storage units in active and battery assisted passive (BAP) devices. The system could be a “smart building” that uses passive sensors with RF EM energy harvesting capability to sense environmental variables, security breaches, as well as information from “smart appliances” that can be used for a variety of controls and can be accessed locally or remotely over the Internet or cellular networks.

Abstract: A system and method for managing captured network traffic data is provided. The invention comprises a plurality of capture agents, each being configured to capture the network traffic associated with one or more applications. Each application is associated with one or more capture agents according to an application profile that is stored and maintained in a capture server. When analysis of an application's network traffic is required, the capture server contacts the corresponding capture agents according to the application profile. The capture server then effects the identification and archiving of the network traffic that corresponds to a user-defined capture condition. A database at the capture server maintains a record that associates the corresponding network traffic with the user-defined capture condition such that the corresponding network traffic can later be retrieved and analyzed using an analysis engine.

Abstract: A low power analog linear temperature sensor integrateable with digital and/or analog circuits in CMOS fabrication processes. The sensor is accurately calibrateable at a single temperature that yields a linear relationship between measured differential voltage and temperature over a wide variety of temperature ranges. The sensor provides stable voltage and current references that are essential for wireless sensor platforms. There are many applications where sensors require stable voltage/current references and the physics of the sensor's transduction mechanisms are themselves temperature dependent. Wireless platforms such as, but not limited to, passive RFID tags with the addition of on- or off-chip sensors provide a low cost solution for a variety of low cost sensor applications.

Abstract: A database having information sought by a consumer, a database containing consumer attributes, and a database of advertising messages are made responsive to telephone calls placed to an interactive voice response (IVR) system. Alternatively, the databases can be linked to a web site responsive to consumer input. Either system can deliver the advertising messages to the consumer. The database of consumer attributes contains information already known about the consumer that can be used to decide on which advertising message to deliver. The consumer initiates activity by calling the interactive voice response system or accessing the web site. Software identifies the consumer via the consumer-inputted identification and delivers an advertising message likely appeal to the consumer. The advertising message can include an offer to purchase a product or service. The offer can be taken during the advertising period and recorded so as to be sent to a sponsor.

Abstract: A mobile and data application server component of an apparatus in one example delivers contents of a voice message from a voice mailbox to a multimedia capable device.

Abstract: A dual side-by-side refrigerator having a courtesy section and a paid-vend section both cooled by a single cooling unit. A frontal door or double-hung doors are mounted at the front of the cabinet to cover both courtesy and paid-vend sections. An array of sensors including product-removal sensors in the paid-vend section detect removal of products, and door-open sensors the opening of door(s). A programmable controller is connected to all of the sensors for compiling data therefrom and for communicating it to a hotel front desk, and to room service. The fully-monitored refrigerator simplifies and improves housekeeping services because empty containers and wrapper are not left for the next guest, and refrigerators which were not opened since the last cleaning need not be restocked and/or cleaned.

Abstract: The invention pertains to pharmaceutical compositions of Zosyn® piperacillin with tazobactam in the presence of a buffer, preferably citrate, a particulate formation inhibitor, preferably EDTA optionally an aminoglycoside which when frozen and thawed or lyophilized and reconstituted reform a solution which has decreased particulate formation.

Abstract: Messages are pushed to handsets using a secondary carrier channel separate from the wireless network. The handset includes a secondary carrier receiver, which may share a power source and other components with the wireless network receiving hardware included in the handset. When the handset receives a message broadcast over the secondary carrier channel or one of multiple secondary carrier channels, the message is then stored in a message memory of the handset. A stored message is output from the message memory in a user understandable format, e.g., audibly or visually, through the handset hardware in response to a predetermined operation of the handset. A stored message may be output in response to a “send” operation of the handset, prior to the establishment of a communication link between the handset and a base station of the wireless network.

Abstract: The invention pertains to pharmaceutical compositions of Zosyn® in the presence of a buffer, preferably citrate, a particulate formation inhibitor, preferably EDTA optionally an aminoglycoside which when frozen and thawed or lyophilized and reconstituted reform a solution which has decreased particulate formation.

Abstract: The socket is foreseen for fastening and connecting an electronic component with lined-up conducting pins, whereby the free end of the pins is parallel to the main plane of the component, as it is the case for the SMD components. The socket comprises a carrier of insulating material and contact elements maintained in the carrier and positioned each with its first flexible end in the face of a pin for applying a determined contact pressure on that pin when the component is mounted in the socket. The second end of the contact element can be soldered to a conductor in a circuit. The socket comprises further a comb of insulating material with teeth gliding in a guidance of the carrier.