Abstract: The present application provides implantable intragastric devices for the treatment of obesity. The intragastric devices advantageously act as a volume-occupying device, and is able to survive implantation in a patient's stomach for a year or longer. In addition, the intragastric devices may be configured to stimulate an inner stomach wall and/or temporarily block the pylorus to slow gastric emptying and/or be rotationally variant, thereby encouraging different stimulation points on the inner wall of the stomach and limiting the stomach's ability to adapt over long term implantation. The intragastric devices may reshape the stomach cavity, such as by pushing on opposite sides so as to “planarize” the stomach. For instance, the device may be an inflated disk, or an implantable loop or a springy coil that may be straightened for delivery/extraction yet assume the loop or coil shape upon implant.

Abstract: A communication device may include a manpack, and a radio removably attached to the manpack, the radio serving as a communications element of the manpack.

Abstract: In one embodiment there is provided a method for storing hair dye components. The method includes providing a computer control system having at least a memory, input controls, and a display. The method provides a plurality of receptacles. Each receptacle being sized to store at least one hair dye component tube to define a storage of a colorant or dye blending material. The method further provides a locking mechanism positioned about each receptacle configured to lock and unlock the receptacle. Each locking mechanism is in communication with the control system and configured to lock or unlock upon the receipt of an unlocking or locking signal from the control system. The method further links one or more colorant(s) or dye blending material(s) to a receptacle and sends an unlocking or locking signal to one or more of the locking mechanisms.

Abstract: In one embodiment there is provided a method for preparing a hair dye mixture. The method includes a scale and control system in communication with each other. The control system provides for a memory and a display, wherein the memory contains a formula defining instructions for blending a hair dye mixture. The method displays the instructions on the display. The stylist may then view the display of instructions and then adds to a receptacle on the scale, colorant(s) and dye blending material(s) in accordance with the instructions by using hair color manufacturers' standardized packaging, such that non-standardized or specialized packaging of colorants and/or dye blending materials are not required.

Abstract: An improved ornamental container for gardening and the like is provided. The container, which is made of an artificial material of a desired shape and size, includes soil or some other growing medium, perennial bulbs or plants, a positioning device and individual containers or planting pots made from peat moss or some other growing medium for containing the bulbs. The container of the invention includes a large opening along the top surface thereof through which the planted bulbs or flowers will grow; this opening is covered with a seal comprised of removable plastic or other material. Also provided is a plurality of holes formed along the bottom of the container for ensuring proper drainage.

Abstract: A fall protection arrangement including a rotatable hub and a lifeline having a first end attached to the hub and a second end for removable attachment to a user, an engagement mechanism to prevent rotation of the hub upon activation, and a braking arrangement to brake the payout of the lifeline during a fall event.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present system invention, the operator enters the customer name into the color management system and the computer screen displays the customer's history. If this is a new customer, a history file is created. The operator selects desired color from the color pallet, enters the required amount of finished dye and finally the activator strength is selected. The operator is instructed to place an empty batch container on the scale. The system prompts the operator for the first dye color, and an LED adjacent to the corresponding drawer is illuminated. The operator manually adds the amount indicated on the display panel, while the scale monitors exactly how much has been added and provides feedback to the operator leading to an extremely accurate dispense. After returning the bottle or tube to the designated storage bin, the operator presses “next”, and the next LED is illuminated along with the required amount of the next ingredient.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for replacing legacy interfaces of add drop ring optical networks using STS-3 granularity with an optical hub using STS-1 granularity. In order to avoid locking up ports on the optical hub with dedicated STS-3 packages, a signal broadcast feature of the optical hub, originally provided for remote provisioning, may be adapted to allow a single port to broadcast a signal on multiple and contiguous timeslots to the legacy networks expecting STS-3 granularity.

Abstract: In one embodiment there is provided a system for recalculating a formula previously used in preparing a mixture made from adding at least two components. The system includes a control apparatus and scale. The control apparatus has a memory for storing the mixture formula. The scale, in communication with the control apparatus, allows the control apparatus to monitor a weight on the scale, such that a final weight of the mixture is stored on the memory. When an end weight of the mixture, defined to be the final weight of the mixture previously prepared minus an amount used by a user, is positioned back on the scale and when the control apparatus receives a recalculation signal, the control apparatus calculates the amount used, recalculates the mixture based on the amount used, and stores a new mixture for subsequent use.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for treating epiphora, the method comprising administering to a nasal area of a subject in need thereof a composition comprising camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol, wherein the composition is substantially free of lipids other than the eucalyptus oil.

Abstract: A cassette of tympanic thermometer probe covers includes a frame and probe covers releasably attached to the frame. The probe covers can be individually attached over a probe of a tympanic thermometer to protect the probe from contamination. The probe covers are constructed to releasably secure themselves to the probe. The force required to secure the probe covers to the frame is less that the force which is required to detach the probe covers from the frame so that the probe cover is held by the frame while being attached to the thermometer probe. The probe cover is connected to the frame by frangible connections that are arranged to inhibit pivoting of the probe cover when being attached to the thermometer probe. A method of securing a probe cover to a probe of a tympanic thermometer is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for treating epiphora, the method comprising administering to a nasal area of a subject in need thereof a composition comprising camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol, wherein the composition is substantially free of lipids other than the eucalyptus oil.

Abstract: A compact portable, self-contained digital media player is provided whose content is not recordable or removable by a user. The content is playable in a high fidelity format. The binding of the content to the media player results in a significant degree of copyright protection. The compactness of the player enables binding of the player with various products. The self-contained aspect of the player enables it to be instant playable.

Abstract: In one embodiment there is provided a system for recalculating a formula previously used in preparing a mixture made from adding at least two components. The system includes a control apparatus and scale. The control apparatus has a memory for storing the mixture formula. The scale, in communication with the control apparatus, allows the control apparatus to monitor a weight on the scale, such that a final weight of the mixture is stored on the memory. When an end weight of the mixture, defined to be the final weight of the mixture previously prepared minus an amount used by a user, is positioned back on the scale and when the control apparatus receives a recalculation signal, the control apparatus calculates the amount used, recalculates the mixture based on the amount used, and stores a new mixture for subsequent use.

Abstract: Probe cover cassettes having a plurality of probe covers releasably attached to a frame are capable of being stacked so that probe covers attached to a first of the frames are nested within probe covers attached to a second of the frames. The vertical space occupied by the cassettes is reduced allowing more cassettes to be stacked in a given space. The frames of the cassettes are particularly constructed to resist twisting and bending motion when probe covers are detached from the frames using a tympanic thermometer probe.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present system invention, the operator enters the customer name into the color management system and the computer screen displays the customer's history. If this is a new customer, a history file is created. The operator selects desired color from the color pallet, enters the required amount of finished dye and finally the activator strength is selected. The operator is instructed to place an empty batch container on the scale. The system prompts the operator for the first dye color, and an LED adjacent to the corresponding drawer is illuminated. The operator manually adds the amount indicated on the display panel, while the scale monitors exactly how much has been added and provides feedback to the operator leading to an extremely accurate dispense. After returning the bottle or tube to the designated storage bin, the operator presses “next”, and the next LED is illuminated along with the required amount of the next ingredient.

Abstract: A cassette of probe covers that can be removed from the set for covering a probe of a tympanic thermometer can be securely retained in a cassette holder, and readily removed when necessary. The cassette includes a retaining system that can have a detent on the cassette holder and a detent receptacle on the cassette. The detent snaps into the receptacle when the cassette is inserted into the holder. The holder is configured so that grips on the cassettes are readily accessed to grasp and hold the cassettes for removal from the holder.

Abstract: A compact portable, self contained digital media player is provided whose content is not recordable or removable by a user. The content is playable in a high fidelity format. The binding of the content to the media player results in a significant degree of copyright protection. The compactness of the player enables binding of the player with various products. The self-contained aspect of the player enables it to be instant playable.

Abstract: A cassette of tympanic thermometer probe covers includes a frame and probe covers releasably attached to the frame. The probe covers can be individually attached over a probe of a tympanic thermometer to protect the probe from contamination. The probe covers are constructed to releasably secure themselves to the probe. The force required to secure the probe covers to the frame is less that the force which is required to detach the probe covers from the frame so that the probe cover is held by the frame while being attached to the thermometer probe. The probe cover is connected to the frame by frangible connections that are arranged to inhibit pivoting of the probe cover when being attached to the thermometer probe. A method of securing a probe cover to a probe of a tympanic thermometer is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for treating blepharitis, the method comprising administering to an ocular area of a subject in need thereof a composition comprising about 0.001% to about 0.01% (w/v) dexamethasone and an antibiotic, wherein the composition is substantially free of lipids, and wherein the composition is ophthalmically acceptable.