Abstract: The present invention is directed to an implantable drug depot useful for reducing, preventing or treating post-operative pain in a patient in need of such treatment, the implantable drug depot comprising a polymer and a therapeutically effective amount of a local anesthetic or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the drug depot is implantable at a site beneath the skin to reduce, prevent or treat post-operative pain, and the drug depot is capable of releasing (i) a bolus dose of the local anesthetic or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof at a site beneath the skin and (ii) a sustained release dose of an effective amount of the local anesthetic or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over a period of at least 4 days.

Abstract: An integration assembly for a battery pack mounted between the passenger cabin floor panel of an electric vehicle and the driving surface is provided, the assembly utilizing a multi-layer thermal barrier interposed between the battery pack enclosure and the passenger cabin floor panel, where the multi-layer thermal barrier provides noise isolation, thermal isolation and vibration damping, and where the multi-layer thermal barrier is compressed when the battery pack enclosure is mounted to the vehicle. The multi-layer thermal barrier is comprised of a first layer formed from a compressible and conformable elastic material and a second layer formed from a conformable thermally insulating material. The multi-layer thermal barrier may also include a moisture barrier layer that encases the first and second layers, for example a moisture barrier layer fabricated from a plastic. A sealant may be used to seal and bond the moisture barrier layer to the battery pack enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an implantable drug depot useful for reducing, preventing or treating post-operative pain in a patient in need of such treatment, the implantable drug depot comprising a polymer and a therapeutically effective amount of a local anesthetic or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the drug depot is implantable at a site beneath the skin to reduce, prevent or treat post-operative pain, and the drug depot is capable of releasing (i) a bolus dose of the local anesthetic or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof at a site beneath the skin and (ii) a sustained release dose of an effective amount of the local anesthetic or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over a period of at least 4 days.

Abstract: A device, method, and system are provided for monitoring the delivery of fluids through a drip chamber. The device includes an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) source and an EMR detector. A device body is employed to position the source and detector about the drip chamber so that the source and detector define an optical path across the drip chamber. A processor device is employed to detect fluid drops from differences between detector signal values separated by a lag time. The flow rate is determined from a drip factor and the detection of multiple drops. In the context of delivering intravenous (IV) fluids, a battery powered handheld monitoring device that includes the source, detector, device body, and processor device may be affixed to a drip chamber included in an infusion set. The device includes a user interface, including buttons, a display, and an audio speaker, for the input and output of information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use by a mobile communication device (MCD) operating in a wireless communication network for increasing call performance through controlled temporary interruption of data transfer by the relay network outside of the wireless network. One illustrative method involves identifying a voice call request at the MCD operating in the wireless network and, in response to identifying the voice call request, performing the following actions of sending a pause data indicator to the relay network over the wireless communication network; sending a call confirm or setup voice call message to the wireless communication network for establishing the voice call; and maintaining the voice call at the mobile communication device. The pause data indicator is defined to pause data transfer for the MCD at the relay network.

Abstract: Flowable pharmaceutical depots are described. The flowable pharmaceutical depot includes a polyester, such as a polylactic acid or a poly(trimethylene carbonate) endcapped with a primary alcohol and a pain relieving therapeutic agent, such as a post operative pain relieving therapeutic agent. Method of making and using the same are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel insecticide formulation that not only demonstrates strong insecticidal and residual activity against a variety of insects, but also exhibits low mammalian toxicity. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the use of pesticidal compounds selected from beta damascone, CYCLEMONE A™, melafleur, and derivatives thereof for killing arthropod pests including, but not limited to, mosquitoes and flies. Specifically exemplified herein is the use of the compounds of the present invention to control three mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, and Anopheles quadrimaculatus), the house fly (Musca domestica), the stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) and the sand fly (Lutzomyia shannoni).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an implantable drug depot useful for reducing, preventing or treating post-operative pain in a patient in need of such treatment, the implantable drug depot comprising a therapeutically effective amount of clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a polymer; wherein the depot is implantable at a site beneath the skin to reduce, prevent or treat post-operative pain, and the depot is capable of releasing (i) about 5% to about 45% of the clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof relative to a total amount of the clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof loaded in the drug depot over a first period of up to 48 hours and (ii) about 55% to about 95% of the clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof relative to a total amount of the clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof loaded in the drug depot over a subsequent period of at least 3 days.

Abstract: A first embodiment of a detection apparatus arranged to detect defects within a flexible pipe body comprises a signal generator, a receiver, a correlator and a processor. A second embodiment of a detection apparatus arranged to detect defects within a flexible pipe at least partially surrounded by seawater comprises an impedance monitor and a processor. Methods of detecting defects within a flexible pipe body, a pipeline apparatus and methods of forming pipeline apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: A diaphragm metering pump includes a pump body having a head portion including a suction side and a discharge side defining a flow path. A valve seat is arranged at one of the suction side and the discharge side, and a check valve is arranged at the valve seat. A degassing system includes a check valve actuator operatively connected to the check valve. The check valve actuator is selectively activated to unseat the check valve from the valve seat to allow gases trapped in the head portion to pass through the discharge side.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an implantable drug depot useful for reducing, preventing or treating post-operative pain in a patient in need of such treatment, the implantable drug depot comprising a therapeutically effective amount of clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a polymer; wherein the depot is implantable at a site beneath the skin to reduce, prevent or treat post-operative pain, and the depot is capable of releasing (i) about 5% to about 45% of the clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof relative to a total amount of the clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof loaded in the drug depot over a first period of up to 48 hours and (ii) about 55% to about 95% of the clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof relative to a total amount of the clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof loaded in the drug depot over a subsequent period of at least 3 days.

Abstract: A system and method for upgrading or otherwise improving performance and/or operation of a transmission grid are provided. The system and method involve identifying transmission grid constraint(s), e.g., transmission bottlenecks or other causes of system congestion, and implementing step(s) to alleviate such constraint(s) on terms and conditions that shift initial capital requirements away from grid owners/operators. The capital-shifting mechanisms generally include installation of and/or access to equipment for monitoring and/or measuring grid performance parameter(s) on a predetermined basis, e.g., in real-time, on a daily basis or the like. A processor is provided that is programmed to calculate a payment stream to be paid to the independent party responsible for effectuating the grid performance upgrade based on measurement of performance parameters.

Abstract: A method for producing acetophenone comprising: treating one or more alkylbenzenes comprising s-butylbenzene to produce a feed comprising phenol and acetophenone; separating a crude phenol stream from the feed under crude phenol separation conditions effective to produce a crude phenol heavies; and, separating an acetophenone stream directly from the crude phenol heavies under azeotropic distillation conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for upgrading or otherwise improving performance and/or operation of a transmission grid are provided. The system and method involve identifying transmission grid constraint(s), e.g., transmission bottlenecks or other causes of system congestion, and implementing step(s) to alleviate such constraint(s) on terms and conditions that shift initial capital requirements away from grid owners/operators. The capital-shifting mechanisms generally include installation of and/or access to equipment for monitoring and/or measuring grid performance parameter(s) on a predetermined basis, e.g., in real-time, on a daily basis or the like. A processor is provided that is programmed to calculate a payment stream to be paid to the independent party responsible for effectuating the grid performance upgrade based on measurement of performance parameters.

Abstract: A wavelength monitor monolithically integrated with a tunable LD is disclosed. The wavelength monitor includes at least two filters, each having a periodic transmission spectrum but a period between nearest neighbor periods is different from the other. A transmittance of the first filter and another transmittance of the second filter at a grid wavelength attributed to the WDM system forms a combination which is specific to the grid wavelength bur different from other combinations at other grid wavelengths.

Abstract: An optical transceiver implemented with a tunable LD is disclosed. The tunable LD is installed within a TOSA (Transmitter Optical Subassembly). The optical transceiver provides two circuit boards arranged in the up-and-down relation. The TOSA is primarily connected to the second board but signals to drive the tunable LD are carried on an FPC board directly connected to the first board that mounts a driver circuit for the tunable LD.

Abstract: A filter for use with bulk filtration includes filters arranged in parallel flow and a manifold arrangement. The manifold arrangement has a first pipe within a second pipe. An inlet channel conveys unfiltered fluid to the filters, and an outlet channel conveys filtered fluid from the filters. The inlet channel is an interior volume between an outside surface of the first pipe and an inside surface of the second pipe. The outlet channel is an interior volume of the first pipe. Methods of servicing and filtering are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel insecticide formulation that not only demonstrates strong insecticidal and residual activity against a variety of insects, but also exhibits low mammalian toxicity.

Abstract: A method for producing acetophenone comprising: treating one or more alkylbenzenes comprising s-butylbenzene to produce a feed comprising phenol and acetophenone; separating a crude phenol stream from the feed under crude phenol separation conditions effective to produce a crude phenol heavies; and, separating an acetophenone stream directly from the crude phenol heavies under azeotropic distillation conditions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use by a mobile communication device (MCD) operating in a wireless communication network for increasing call performance through controlled temporary interruption of data transfer by the relay network outside of the wireless network. One illustrative method involves identifying a voice call request at the MCD operating in the wireless network and, in response to identifying the voice call request, performing the following actions of sending a pause data indicator to the relay network over the wireless communication network; sending a call confirm or setup voice call message to the wireless communication network for establishing the voice call; and maintaining the voice call at the mobile communication device. The pause data indicator is defined to pause data transfer for the MCD at the relay network.