Abstract: A Y-Lock tracheal stent system consisting of a stent device, for emplacement in the larynx, and a stent delivery system. A method for employing the stent delivery system to emplace the stent device.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a fuel cell module that produces heat and water, and a thermal energy storage module that stores the heat produced by the fuel cell module. The thermal energy storage module includes a phase-change material. A conduit couples the fuel cell module to the thermal energy storage module. The conduit is oriented to channel the water produced by the fuel cell module through the thermal energy storage module.

Abstract: In one form the invention provides a method of modifying a data file for transmission over a data network. The method comprises the steps of receiving the original data file and creating a header file, the header file including the length in bytes of the original data file. At least one repetition byte sequence is identified within the original data file, the repetition byte sequence comprising a byte value that is repeated consecutively within the repetition byte sequence. A modified data file is created by replacing the repetition byte sequence with a repetition marker, the repeated byte value, and a repeat frequency value representing the number of times the repeated byte value occurs within the repetition byte sequence. The repetition marker is added to the header file. The invention further provides a method of transmitting a data file to a remote device over a data network.

Abstract: An interface mechanism is provided for developers to bundle together a set of extensions (or add-ins) to a productivity suite allowing end users and system administrators to manage their lifecycle in a unified way. Aspects such as discovery, acquisition, authorization deployment, management, updates, and similar ones ma be addressed for the bundle as opposed to each of the different extensions (for example extensions for different versions of the same application such as desktop version, web application version, mobile version, etc.). Bundles may also provide a means to match specific functional sets or commercial offerings to specific user or customer profiles.

Abstract: According to one aspect there is provided a prepaid currency card (PPCC) vending machine comprising: PPCC storage; an electronic point of sale terminal (POS) configured to take payment from a user and initiate transmission of a payment received message, said message comprising a payment identification code (PIC); a controller configured to receive said payment received message; a card identifier configured to read an identification code (ID) of a PPCC held in a position in PPCC storage which is next to be dispensed from; a PPCC dispenser configured to dispense a PPCC from said PPCC storage in response to receipt of a dispense command from said controller; and a transmitter configured to transmit said PIC together with said card ID to a card issuer server. According to a second aspect there is provided a method for issuing a PPCC from such a vending machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container tilting apparatus which includes at least one base section, and at least two tilt arms, with each of the tilt arms being pivotably connected to a base section. The tilt arms may be configured to engage different portions of the container. Also included is at least one tilt arm drive configured to pivot a tilt arm relative to a base section. The apparatus is arranged so that at least one tilt arm is pivotably connected to abase section at a point offset from the center of the tilt arm.

Abstract: A modification kit for converting an existing signage mounting structure to an electronic sign generally includes at least one sectional sign assembly including a frame section having a back-facing portion configured to be coupled to the existing signage mounting structure and a front-facing portion including an array of bays, each individual bay having removably mounted therein an LED display module and being prewired with a power routing system; wherein the power routing system includes an input end that branches out to a plurality of output ends, each disposed in one of the bays and each configured to directly couple to one of the LED display modules; a power kit configured to couple the input end of each power routing system to an AC power source; and an installation kit configured to facilitate mounting said back-facing portion to the existing signage mounting structure.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a material loader for quickly and easily loading material, particularly bulk material, into a containment apparatus. Material to be loaded is placed inside a bin that is dimensioned to fit inside the containment apparatus. In use the containment apparatus is positioned so that the bin is inside the containment apparatus and the containment apparatus or a vehicle bearing the containment apparatus is connected to a material transfer member inside the bin. Forward movement of the containment apparatus/vehicle causes the material transfer member to hold against the material while the bin slides out of the containment apparatus from the point of view of the containment apparatus, leaving the material behind. In other words, the forward movement of the containment apparatus/vehicle causes the material transfer member to pull the material into the containment apparatus. The invention may also be used for unloading a containment apparatus.

Abstract: Fire mist apparatus is provided including a fire mist dispensing head having at least one fluid outlet means provided thereon for dispensing a fluid therefrom on activation of the same in use. The apparatus further includes illumination means capable of emitting light therefrom in use.

Abstract: A blood filtration method, system, device and media for removing gram negative bacteria from the blood wherein the media includes a substrate coated with mannose optionally in constitution with substrate coated with heparin.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing c-Met kinase inhibitors. Also disclosed are processes for making said pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: A method comprising: processing account data obtained for one or more accounts to determine relative sizes of a quantitative attribute of a plurality of comparable account data elements; and rendering at least some of said account data graphically such that each of said account data elements is represented by an image, relative sizes of said images indicating relative sizes of the corresponding quantitative attributes of the account data elements.

Abstract: Amphiphilic biomimetic phosphorylcholine-containing silicone compounds for use in both topical and internal applications as components in biomedical devices. The silicone compounds, which include zwitterionic phosphorylcholine groups, may be polymerizable or non-polymerizable. Specific examples of applications include use as active functional components in ophthalmic lenses, ophthalmic lens care solutions, liquid bandages, wound dressings, and lubricious and anti-thrombogenic coatings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a grapple assembly in which a single actuator is used to operate the arms of the grapple but each arm is able to at least partly open and/or close independently of the other arms.

Abstract: A Y-Lock tracheal stent system consisting of a stent device, for emplacement in the larynx, and a stent delivery system. A method for employing the stent delivery system to emplace the stent device.

Abstract: A swab for obtaining a biological surface sample has a shaft extending from a first side of a cap. A first test tube can be coupled to the first side of the cap in a detachable watertight fit, to enclose the swab. A second tube can be coupled to a second side of the cap in a manually detachable watertight fit. The first tube or the swab can include a collection solution; the second tube can be used as a handle to extend the reach of the swab when the first tube is detached; and the second tube can contain an enrichment broth and/or developer solution for the collected sample.

Abstract: Adaptive control of operating and body bias voltages. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, a desirable operating frequency for the microprocessor is determined. Information stored within and specific to the microprocessor is accessed. The information can comprise coefficients of a quadratic approximation of a frequency-voltage characteristic of the microprocessor for a set of body biasing conditions. An efficient voltage for operating the microprocessor at the desirable operating frequency is computed. The microprocessor is operated at the efficient voltage and the set of body biasing conditions.

Abstract: The method is described as the removal of mediators that contribute to the pathogenesis of cancer from blood by contacting the blood with a solid, essentially non-micro-porous substrate which has been surface treated with heparin, heparan sulfate and, optionally, other molecules or chemical groups (the adsorbent media or media) having a binding affinity to the mediator, and wherein the size of the interstitial channels within said substrate are balanced with the amount of interstitial substrate surface area such that high flow rates of blood past said substrate creates a flow transport that is characterized by convection transport more than Brownian diffusion transport.

Abstract: Automatic discovery and verification of optical communication links as well as isolation of link failures in an optical communication system.

Abstract: An article comprising two chemically grafted polymer layers comprising a hydrogel layer and an end-functionalized polyurethane layer. The invention also includes methods of making and using the article.