Abstract: A disposable absorbent article to be worn about the lower torso of a wearer that facilitates an easy, intuitive change is provided. The disposable absorbent article includes at least one serviceable indicium that facilitates an easy change by providing alignment of the article relative to an anatomical feature of the wearer or by externally highlighting one or more components of the article thereby indicating alignment and fit about the wearer's lower torso.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for delivering drugs, gene vectors, naturally-occurring or synthetic hormones or proteins or other bioactive agents within a patient's vasculature. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a material that elutes or secretes a bioactive agent and is held in place within the patient's vessel by an anchor. The material may comprise a biocompatible, and optionally, absorbable matrix, or a culture medium that sustains and nourishes stem cells, spleen cells or pancreatic islets or other beneficial cells. The anchor and material are sized and/or collapsible from a delivery configuration, in which the anchor and material may be delivered into the patient's vasculature within a delivery sheath, to a deployed configuration, wherein the anchor engages an interior wall of the patient's vessel. The apparatus of the invention may be temporarily or permanently implanted, and may in addition self reconfigure after a predetermined period of residency.

Abstract: Burnout resistance ferroelectric material is used in the feedback path of a microwave oscillator as a frequency control element. The ferractor has rapid broadband frequency tuning capabilities limited only by the speed of an external DC source.

Abstract: A device for the treatment of periodontal disease includes a handle that has a configuration familiar to dental professionals, and a cartridge, that is locked into the handle when use, typically delivery of a composition to a periodontal pocket is desired. The cartridge provides for effective delivery of compositions, such as agents, as its tip is deformable, typically from a circular to an oval shape so as to flatten. The deformation may be made, either manually, by the dental professional, or upon contact with teeth or other tissues, whereby this flattened tip can penetrate deeply into periodontal pockets for quick and direct application of the composition, for example, therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A device for the treatment of periodontal disease includes a handle that has a configuration familiar to dental professionals, and a cartridge, that is locked into the handle when use, typically delivery of a composition to a periodontal pocket is desired. The cartridge provides for effective delivery of compositions, such as agents, as its tip is deformable, typically from a circular to an oval shape so as to flatten. The deformation may be made, either manually, by the dental professional, or upon contact with teeth or other tissues, whereby this flattened tip can penetrate deeply into periodontal pockets for quick and direct application of the composition, for example, therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A device for the treatment of periodontal disease includes a handle that has a configuration familiar to dental professionals, and a cartridge, that is locked into the handle when use, typically delivery of a composition to a periodontal pocket is desired. The cartridge provides for effective delivery of compositions, such as agents, as its tip is deformable, typically from a circular to an oval shape so as to flatten. The deformation may be made, either manually, by the dental professional, or upon contact with teeth or other tissues, whereby this flattened tip can penetrate deeply into periodontal pockets for quick and direct application of the composition, for example, therapeutic agents.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a mount, a housing, and a sensor. The mount is adapted to be disposed at least partially underneath a shoelace of a shoe, and the housing is adapted to be releasably attached to the mount. There is a tongue on one of the mount and the housing and a groove on the other of the mount and the housing, wherein the tongue is adapted to releasably engage the groove when the housing is attached to the mount. The apparatus further comprises a sensor, that senses motion of the shoe, disposed within the housing such that the sensor remains disposed within the housing when the housing is separated from the mount. In another embodiment, a method involves providing a housing that houses a sensor that senses motion of a shoe, and attaching a mount to an instep portion of the shoe such that at least a portion of the mount is disposed underneath at least a portion of a shoelace of the shoe.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a mount, a housing, and a sensor. The mount is adapted to be disposed at least partially underneath a shoelace of a shoe, and the housing is adapted to be releasably attached to the mount. There is a tongue on one of the mount and the housing and a groove on the other of the mount and the housing, wherein the tongue is adapted to releasably engage the groove when the housing is attached to the mount. The apparatus further comprises a sensor, that senses motion of the shoe, disposed within the housing such that the sensor remains disposed within the housing when the housing is separated from the mount. In another embodiment, a method involves providing a housing that houses a sensor that senses motion of a shoe, and attaching a mount to an instep portion of the shoe such that at least a portion of the mount is disposed underneath at least a portion of a shoelace of the shoe.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a mount, a housing, and a sensor, wherein the mount is adapted to be secured to a shoe, the housing is adapted to be releasably attached to the mount, and the sensor is supported by the housing such that the sensor remains supported by the housing when the housing is separated from the mount. In another embodiment, an apparatus comprises a mount and a motion-sensing device, wherein the mount is adapted to be secured to a shoe, and the motion-sensing device is adapted to be releasably attached to the mount.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for monitoring locomotion of a person that can be secured to the person's shoe includes a mounting unit, a housing unit, and a motion-sensing device. The mounting unit is adapted to be secured to an outer surface of the shoe. The housing unit is adapted to releasably attach to the mounting unit. The motion-sensing device is attached to the housing unit such that, when the housing unit is detached from the mounting unit, the motion-sensing device remains attached to the housing unit. In another embodiment, a motion-sensing apparatus includes a circuit board and an accelerometer. The accelerometer has an acceleration-sensing axis, and is mounted on the circuit board such that the acceleration-sensing axis is oriented at an acute angle with respect to a surface of the circuit board. In yet another embodiment, a motion-sensing apparatus includes a housing unit and an accelerometer. The housing unit is adapted to be secured to an instep portion of a shoe.