Abstract: An easily expandable and interchangeable library system is achieved by integrating several storage library modules which are specifically designed to allow easy transfer of storage media there between. Each library module is equipped with an integral elevator track which is capable of directing and accommodating the movement of a storage media elevator between the various modules. The storage elevator is appropriately designed to easily travel between the storage library modules, without the need for additional components or additional equipment. The use of wireless communication between an elevator controller and a library controller allows for the controlled movement an interaction of the elevator between library modules, thus creating an expandable library system within which storage capacity can be easily and economically increased without the need for additional equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to image management systems and methods. In one implementation we provide a method to provide geo-location feedback corresponding to an image area selected by a user. A digital watermark embedded in the selected image area is decoded, and the decoded digital watermark includes or points to geo-location information associated with the selected image location. In another implementation we provide an alert engine to notify a network station that information associated with a digital watermark identifier is available.

Abstract: A time domain reflectometry measuring instrument uses a microprocessor that provides added functionality and capabilities. The circuit electronics and probe are tested and calibrated at the factory. Installation and commissioning by the user is simple. The user installs the probe. The transmitter is attached to the probe. The user connects a standard shielded twisted pair to the electronics. Power is applied and the device immediately displays levels. A few simple parameters may need to be entered such as output characteristics and the process material dielectric constant.

Abstract: A system utilizes an oxygenation device to generate a gas-enriched physiologic fluid and to combine it with a bodily fluid to create a gas-enriched bodily fluid. The oxygenation device may take the form of a disposable cartridge, which is placed within an enclosure. An electronic controller manages various aspects of the system, such as the production of gas-enriched fluids, flow rates, bubble detection, and automatic operation and shut down.

Abstract: A device generates a gas-enriched physiologic fluid and combines it with a bodily fluid to create a gas-enriched bodily fluid. The device may take the form of a disposable cartridge. The cartridge may include a fluid supply chamber for delivering physiologic fluid under pressure to an atomizer. The atomizer delivers fluid droplets into a gas-pressurized atomization chamber to enrich the physiologic fluid with the gas. The gas-enriched physiologic fluid is delivered to a mixing chamber in the cartridge where the gas-enriched physiologic fluid is mixed with a bodily fluid, such as blood, to create a gas-enriched bodily fluid.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, one or more implants in a body may be connected with optical fibers for transmitting data and/or power to or from the implants. Aspects of the invention related to various embodiments of the actual implant as well as to various embodiments for connecting optical fibers to the implants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for managing images and related information. In one implementation, geographic information system (GIS) layer information is registered or aligned to an image using digital watermark information embedded within the image.

Abstract: A micro-opto-electro-mechanical transducer in which an optical element is angularly positioned by electrical field coupling. Movable electrodes of two orthogonally disposed, differential variable capacitors are coupled to the optical element constrained by structural means to angular displacement around two free-axes of rotation. Cooperating stationary capacitor electrodes with surface contoured regions facing the movable electrodes are affixed to the structural means. A thin dielectric layer of high permittivity material provides a region of fixed spacing between the capacitor electrodes. The surface contoured regions constrain the approach of the movable electrodes with angular displacement of the optical element. Both the open-loop gain and the equilibrium voltage-angle response of the transducer is largely independent of displacement. Electrostatic force feedback maintains the optical element at voltage programmed positions of static equilibrium over a wide angular range of tip and tilt.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for blood oxygenation is provided, advantageously comprising an extracorporeal circuit for the preparation and delivery of hyperoxic or hyperbaric blood. In one embodiment, an apparatus for gas-supersaturating fluids, e.g., physiologic saline, includes a chamber having a first inlet to receive the fluid; a second inlet to receive a gas, e.g., oxygen, from a gas supply that maintains pressure within the chamber at a predetermined level, advantageously about 600 p.s.i.; and an outlet advantageously coupled to a capillary assembly. An atomizer nozzle coupled to the first inlet advantageously creates within the chamber fine droplets of fluid into which gas diffuses to create the gas-supersaturated fluid, which collects within the chamber below the atomizer nozzle for removal via the outlet.

Abstract: A strain-isolated mirror is made from a substrate having first and second body portions. First and second connecting portions extend across a gap between the first body portion and the second body portion. A first flexural hinge on the first second connecting portion couples the second connecting portion to the first body portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for blood oxygenation is provided, advantageously comprising an extracorporeal circuit for the preparation and delivery of hyperoxic or hyperbaric blood. In one embodiment, an apparatus for gas-supersaturating fluids, e.g., physiologic saline, includes a chamber having a first inlet to receive the fluid; a second inlet to receive a gas, e.g., oxygen, from a gas supply that maintains pressure within the chamber at a predetermined level, advantageously about 600 p.s.i.; and an outlet advantageously coupled to a capillary assembly. An atomizer nozzle coupled to the first inlet advantageously creates within the chamber fine droplets of fluid into which gas diffuses to create the gas-supersaturated fluid, which collects within the chamber below the atomizer nozzle for removal via the outlet.

Abstract: A bubble detector utilizes an ultrasonic transducer to sample bubbles as they pass the transducer. The envelope of the return signal is analyzed to determine the volume of each sampled bubble. If the total volume of bubbles sampled within a certain period of time exceeds a desired maximum volume, the bubble detector may initiate a system shut down. A bubble detector can be evaluated or calibrated by introducing bubbles into a conduit, detecting the bubbles introduced into the conduit using visual inspection or a bubble detector of known resolution and comparing the results with the examination of a bubble detector under evaluation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and kits for the simultaneous detection of hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus in biological samples from human subjects.

Abstract: The present invention provides various authentication and digital watermarking methods and apparatus. In one implementation, we use our techniques to authenticate clothing, e.g., flight jackets and designer clothing. The clothing includes machine-readable indicia, which is generally imperceptible to a human observer of the clothing. The method includes the steps of: i) providing the clothing to an optical sensor, which produces image data corresponding to the clothing; ii) analyzing the image data to detect the machine-readable indicia; and determining based at least in part on the machine-readable indicia whether the clothing is authentic.

Abstract: A device generates a gas-enriched physiologic fluid and combines it with a bodily fluid to create a gas-enriched bodily fluid. The device may take the form of a disposable cartridge. The cartridge may include a fluid supply chamber for delivering physiologic fluid under pressure to an atomizer. The atomizer delivers fluid droplets into a gas-pressurized atomization chamber to enrich the physiologic fluid with the gas. The gas-enriched physiologic fluid is delivered to a mixing chamber in the cartridge where the gas-enriched physiologic fluid is mixed with a bodily fluid, such as blood, to create a gas-enriched bodily fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for blood oxygenation are provided. The apparatus advantageously comprises a liquid-to-liquid oxygenation assembly. The liquid-to-liquid oxygenation assembly includes a pressurizable chamber having inlets for a first gas-supersaturated fluid and a second fluid, such as blood. The inlets are advantageously positioned on the mixing chamber in such a way that the first fluid and the second fluid enter the mixing chamber normally to each other to promote mixing and liquid-to-liquid gas transfer. The mixed fluid exits the chamber via an outlet for delivery to a patient.

Abstract: A method for a bubble-free oxygenated blood delivery is provided. The method includes a step of selecting a delivery system having a tubular elongated member with a lumen. The selecting step comprises determining an effective diameter of the lumen needed to achieve a bubble-free delivery of the oxygenated blood based on a specified oxygenated blood flow rate and a desired target oxygen partial pressure in the oxygenated blood. The delivery system includes a generally tubular elongated member having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a transition portion located between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion. The transitional portion is relatively flexible compared to the proximal end portion and is relatively stiff compared to the distal end portion. In another embodiment, the delivery system includes a generally tubular elongated member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion with a plurality of holes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for blood oxygenation is provided, advantageously comprising an extracorporeal circuit for the preparation and delivery of hyperoxic or hyperbaric blood. In one embodiment, an apparatus for gas-supersaturating fluids, e.g., physiologic saline, includes a chamber having a first inlet to receive the fluid; a second inlet to receive a gas, e.g., oxygen, from a gas supply that maintains pressure within the chamber at a predetermined level, advantageously about 600 p.s.i.; and an outlet advantageously coupled to a capillary assembly. An atomizer nozzle coupled to the first inlet advantageously creates within the chamber fine droplets of fluid into which gas diffuses to create the gas-supersaturated fluid, which collects within the chamber below the atomizer nozzle for removal via the outlet.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques whereby objects are readily identified. These inventive techniques are ideally suited for traffic monitoring. In one implementation a vehicle is marked with a machine-readable code on an outer, top surface of the vehicle. An elevated or aerial platform captures an image of the vehicle. A detector analyzes the captured image to recover the machine-readable code. The vehicle is identified from such. Traffic congestion can be determined by monitoring the movement of a marked vehicle through the city traffic. In some implementations the machine-readable code comprises an identifier, which is used to interrogate a database for related information.