Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided for treating heart failure patients suffering from various levels of heart dilation. Such heart dilation is treated by reshaping the heart anatomy with the use of shape memory elements. Such reshaping changes the geometry of portions of the heart, particularly the right or left ventricles, to increase contractibility of the ventricles thereby increasing the stroke volume which in turn increases the cardiac output of the heart. The shape memory elements have an original shape and at least one memory shape. The elements are implanted within the heart tissue or attached externally and/or internally to a surface of the heart when in the original shape. The elements are then activated to transition from the original shape to one of the at least one memory shapes. Transitioning of the elements cause the associated heart tissue areas to readjust position, such as to decrease the width of the ventricles.

Abstract: A lens case for storing an intraocular lens contains a housing for storing an intraocular lens and a support member configured to support the intraocular lens. The support member includes a plurality of jaws, the jaws having a closed configuration for holding the intraocular lens and an open configuration for releasing the intraocular lens. The lens case further comprises a passage formed when the jaws are in the open configuration, the passage including an opening in the lens case for transfer of the intraocular lens into an intraocular lens inserter. The lens case may further comprise an intraocular lens that is disposed between the jaws, the intraocular lens comprising an optic and a haptic coupled to the optic. The lens case may be configured to maintain the haptic in either a first position in which a distal portion of the haptic is disposed farther from the optic or a second position in which the distal portion of the haptic is disposed closer to optic.

Abstract: A slim compact disk media case spine label apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising a backing, an adhesive operatively adhered to the backing, and a face bonded to the adhesive, wherein a first portion of the face is removable from the adhesive and a second portion of the face is preconfigured to fit substantially precisely against a spine of a slim compact disk media case. Also provided are related methods of labeling a spine of a slim compact disk media case and methods of manufacturing a label apparatus to be preconfigured for use in conjunction with a slim compact disk media case spine.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an optical interface unit provides an interface between an optoelectronic device and industry standard MTP/MPO connectors. The optical interface unit axially aligns the core of a fiber with the optoelectronic device and interfaces that fiber to the standardized connector. In addition, the optical interface unit further provides a standardized interface for visible contact connection between the individual fiber stubs and the terminated fibers in the standardized connector. The optical interface unit therefore maximizes coupling from the optoelectronic device with the standardized connector.

Abstract: A utility trailer convertible between an open bed configuration and a cargo box configuration includes an open-bed trailer and a removable cargo box. The bed of the trailer includes multiple full-length, parallel, longitudinal grooves. Adjacent each groove is a rail that is elevated slightly above the elevation of the bed. The rails function both as deck protectors and friction reducers for the cargo box that is designed for a slide-in, non-interference fit between the walls of the trailer. The cargo box-has a sheathing covered frame with a door at the rear end thereof. Multiple anchors that align with the grooves, are attached to the underside of the cargo box frame. When properly positioned on the trailer, the anchors are removably securable to the bed. Multiple jacks can be used to elevate the cargo box and slide the trailer from beneath the cargo box.

Abstract: A method of making a circuitized substrate in which solder material (e.g., in paste form) is deposited through a screen onto individual conductors in a spaced pattern of individual solder “islands”. A solder flux is then deposited onto the “islands” causing these to spread out and form a continuous solder layer across the conductor's upper surface. The solder layer is then capable of coupling to an external conductor such as a solder ball, to form an electrical assembly such as might be used within an information handling system such as a personal computer.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an optical interface unit provides an interface between an optoelectronic device and industry standard MTP/MPO connectors. The optical interface unit axially aligns the core of a fiber with the optoelectronic device and interfaces that fiber to the standardized connector. In addition, the optical interface unit further provides a standardized interface for visible contact connection between the individual fiber stubs and the terminated fibers in the standardized connector. The optical interface unit therefore maximizes coupling from the optoelectronic device with the standardized connector.

Abstract: A suture trimmer having a shaft with a groove formed in the side thereof, a cutting member movably disposed within the shaft, and a suture retainer slidably disposed within the shaft. The suture trimmer may be used to position knots formed within a suture loop prior to trimming the free end(s) of the suture loop, and to deliver an agent near the location where the suture is severed.

Abstract: A multi-port application system for applying or dispensing fluids such as adhesives to a substrate at relatively high pressures. The dispensing system includes a manifold chamber and a plurality of nozzles in which the inner end of each nozzle is spaced inwardly of the inner manifold chamber wall. The method includes applying the fluid at a pressure of at least 100 psi.

Abstract: A suture clamping system, including a plurality of elements positioned together in a row, wherein at least one of the elements is flexible, the plurality of elements each being dimensioned such that an opening slot is formed through the row of elements when the at least one flexible element is biased into a first position, and wherein a tortuous path is formed through the row of elements when the elements are not biased. A method of clamping a suture pair, including biasing a row of adjacent flexible elements to a first position in which an opening slot is formed there along; receiving the suture pair into the opening slot; and removing the biasing such that the adjacent flexible elements move to positions which hold the suture pair in a tortuous path.

Abstract: A radiation detector 10 has a base 12 and a window 16 that define a vacuum chamber 20. Within the vacuum chamber 20 is a temperature controlled filter 32 and a focal plane array (FPA) 22 defining a gap h therebetween. The filter 32 is heat sunk to a readout integrated circuit (ROIC) 24 and thermoelectric elements 28 to inhibit heat transfer from non-scene sources 38, 40 to the FPA 22. The temperature controlled filter 32 may also incorporate a bandpass filter to reflect all sources of radiation not within the desired wavelength region of interest. The temperature controlled filter 32 is maintained at substantially the same temperature as the FPA 22.

Abstract: The present invention is a display housing for use with a display screen. The display housing includes a rear housing portion and a front frame connectable to the rear housing portion. The front frame defines an aperture through which the display screen is visible when the display screen is disposed between the front frame and the rear housing portion. The display housing also includes a retaining component for retaining a filter medium between the display screen and a front edge of the front frame.

Abstract: A particle with a diameter of at most about 3,000 microns has an internal pressure of at least about 1.1 atmospheres at a temperature of less than about 25° C.

Abstract: The present invention is a display housing for use with a display screen. The display housing includes a rear housing portion and a front frame connectable to the rear housing portion. The front frame defines an aperture through which the display screen is visible when the display screen is disposed between the front frame and the rear housing portion. The display housing also includes a retaining component for retaining a filter medium between the display screen and a front edge of the front frame.

Abstract: The present inventors recognized a need for improving conventional informational retrieval systems, particularly those intended for retrieval of legal information. Accordingly, they devised systems, methods, and software that facilitate online access to documents, such as non-opinion legal documents, in context of a legal workflow. An exemplary method of operation includes determining that a user of a client access device is performing a litigation-related task using a word-processing application on the client-access device. And in response to an affirmative determination, providing trial court materials relevant to the litigation-related task to the client access device without the user leaving the word-processing application. In some embodiments, the word-processing application is launched from a case-management application that provides case, activity, and role information to the online legal research system.

Abstract: A dispenser removably attached to a vacuum cleaner for easy access to distribute carpet and room deodorizer. The dispenser may have a Velcro attachment to mount on the vacuum cleaner to enable the dispenser to fit all upright models or standard cleaners. The carpet and room deodorizer is poured into the dispenser and can be releaser by the push of a button or switch.

Abstract: An imaging optical system has an optical axis and a refractive optical group including a lens lying on the optical axis. At least one lens of the refractive optical group lying on the optical axis has an aspheric front surface and an aspheric back surface. An image surface lies on the optical axis, and the refractive optical group forms an image at the image surface. The image surface is preferably substantially planar. A detector, such as a focal plane array detector, lies on the optical axis such that a ray of light passing through the lens is incident upon the detector. It is preferred that there are two lenses lying on the optical axis, with each lens having an aspheric front surface and an aspheric back surface. The imaging optical system is suitable for use as a large-aperture, wide-field-of-view, compact system having an F number of less than about F/1.5, a field of view of more than about 45 degrees, and a telephoto ratio of less than about 2.0.

Abstract: Andersonville's new and scientific addition to our society includes the continuing unity of the United States of America and it's lands and waters. Newborns gaining citizenship at birth will at a bare minimum have the option upon their parent's actions of having their new and unique DNA Profile entered, recorded, and stored within it's Database in case of needed retrieval at the end of the newborn's natural life. This way, if an infant girl born in Presque Isle, Me. is the victim for a coroner twenty-six years later in Yuma, Ariz., the deceased's DNA Profile can be matched with that of the two-day old infant's DNA Profile taken approximately twenty-six years earlier at the delivering hospital in Maine. This would be done if the identity of the victim is unknown in Yuma, Arizona, and Andersonville would easily provide the missing link in the form of the stored DNA Profile on file from when the victim was a newborn. These cities and states are merely examples.

Abstract: A new and useful golf range target and system is disclosed. The new target incorporates an area having a top surface that will guide a golf ball which hits the surface to a golf ball receiver. The target receiver includes an RFID reader and a GPS receiver, which, upon the passing of a golf ball through the receiver, reads the golf ball ID using an RFID tag in the golf ball, then sends that data along with GPS data back to a server. The target is designed to be mobile, or moveable, by range personnel. The server then stores the data, and makes calculations such as the distance the golf ball traveled, the point value of the target hit (if any), and related fun information. This enables players to get real-time feedback using the targets, and allows ranges to encourage range play by keeping scores, awarding prizes, etc., based on target hits and other criteria.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided for treating heart failure patients suffering from various levels of heart dilation. Such heart dilation is treated by reshaping the heart anatomy with the use of shape memory elements. Such reshaping changes the geometry of portions of the heart, particularly the right or left ventricles, to increase contractibility of the ventricles thereby increasing the stroke volume which in turn increases the cardiac output of the heart. The shape memory elements have an original shape and at least one memory shape. The elements are implanted within the heart tissue or attached externally and/or internally to a surface of the heart when in the original shape. The elements are then activated to transition from the original shape to one of the at least one memory shapes. Transitioning of the elements cause the associated heart tissue areas to readjust position, such as to decrease the width of the ventricles.