Abstract: A digital card, “DPD&P card,” functions as both (a) a prescription drug discount card and (b) a loadable/reloadable stored-value account card (e.g., debit card) for purchasing prescription drugs. A client displays the DPD&P card at a mobile device (e.g., smartphone), including drug discount identification information, which is read at a pharmacy point-of-sale (POS) and forwarded to a pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) to identify a discount for a drug purchase. The client may initiate, via the mobile device, a request to redeem funds onto the DPD&P card, and in response, a financial entity generates or updates a debit account balance linked to the DPD&P card. During a drug purchase transaction, a debit account identifier (e.g., barcode) linked to the debit account balance is displayed at the client mobile device, and read at a pharmacy POS to access the debit account balance to make a full or partial payment for the drugs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for effecting bariatric procedures are disclosed. Each system includes an instrument, a control valve and, optionally, a suction controller. The instrument is in the form of an elongated, flexible sizing tube having a distal end portion including a plurality of apertures. The control valve enables suction to be applied to the patient's stomach via the apertures to drain gastric fluids and to bring adjacent portions of the patient's stomach into engagement the sizing tube to provide a visually perceptible delineation line along which a portion of the stomach may be resected, sealed and tested.

Abstract: Process for retrofitting existing processing units for natural gas fee streams. A portion of the dehydration adsorbent is removed from the vessels of the dehydration unit and is replaced with an adsorbent for heavy hydrocarbons. In operation the vessels are operated in thermal swing adsorption processes with reduced cycle times compared to the original design.

Abstract: This present invention provides means for cell harvesting and isolation to be carried out with a single apparatus. This represents a more convenient way for the processing of cells compared with known methods and represents a useful development for the manufacture of cell therapies.

Abstract: A smoke evacuator system includes a regulator device configured for coupling to a vacuum source for evacuating smoke from a laparoscopic field within the body of a patient. The regulator device is pneumatic-operated and configured to continuously monitor pressure of insufflation gas within the laparoscopic field and to automatically apply suction from the vacuum source to the laparoscopic field when the pressure monitored reaches a preset level, whereupon smoke within the laparoscopic field is evacuated from the laparoscopic field. In one embodiment the smoke is evacuated via a conventional trocar. In another embodiment, where the laparoscopic field is confined, the smoke is evacuated by means of a smoke probe.

Abstract: Systems and methods for effecting bariatric procedures are disclosed. Each system includes an instrument, a control valve and, optionally, a suction controller. The instrument is in the form of an elongated, flexible member having a distal end portion arranged for anchoring the instrument in the patient's stomach and for enabling fluids to be removed from the patient's stomach. Suction is applied to the patient's stomach by the distal end portion of the instrument to drain gastric fluids and to bring adjacent portions of the patient's stomach into engagement with the instrument to provide a visually perceptible delineation line along which a portion of the stomach may be resected, sealed and tested.

Abstract: Techniques are described for tracking and determining a three dimensional path travelled by controlled unmanned aircraft (i.e. drones) or other moving objects. By monitoring the strength of communication signals transmitted by an object, the strength of control signals received by the object, and altitude data generated by the object, its three dimensional path is determined. For example, these techniques can be applied to racing drones to determine their positions on a course. An end gate structure for such a course that can automatically transmit disable signals to the drones upon completing the course is also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for effecting bariatric procedures are disclosed. Each system includes an instrument, a control valve and, optionally, a suction controller. The instrument is in the form of an elongated, flexible member having a distal end portion arranged for anchoring the instrument in the patient's stomach and for enabling fluids to be removed from the patient's stomach. Suction is applied to the patient's stomach by the distal end portion of the instrument to drain gastric fluids and to bring adjacent portions of the patient's stomach into engagement with the instrument to provide a visually perceptible delineation line along which a portion of the stomach may be resected, sealed and tested.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating the removal of a tissue specimen from a patient are disclosed. The systems include a bag or pouch, a tissue cutter device, a support and a stabilizer. The tissue cutter device includes a passer, a wire, and a handle. The support is an elongated member. The passer is an elongated member configured to be coupled to the support and introduced as a temporary unit into the mouth of the bag or pouch in the patient's body holding the tissue specimen. The wire is attached to the passer. The temporary unit is configured to pass around the tissue specimen and out of the opening in the bag or pouch to carry the wire through that path so that a distal portion of the wire and a proximal portion of the wire are outside the patient's body. Those portions of the wire can be pulled to cut into the tissue specimen. The stabilizer holds the tissue specimen as the wire cuts into it.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer-implemented system and method for automatically utilizing data from a document. The method may comprise the steps of: receiving a document; automatically scanning the document to identify at least one data field in the document; proposing a document definition to a user based on the scan; receiving an acceptance or modification of the document definition from the user through the user interface; automatically extracting at least one data element and at least one data field from the document using the document definition; automatically searching an existing database for at least one data element or data field that matches the data element or data field extracted from the document; and storing a link between at least one of the extracted data element or data field and a data element or data field in the existing database.

Abstract: An airframe health monitoring system uses a controller to automatically determine a status of the airframe of an aircraft in real time, at power up and periodically during flight of the aircraft, based on the output of pressure sensors such as ribbon sensors and flex sensors mounted on the airframe arms and body. The controller can determine in real time whether the airframe has a fault or is damaged based on continuity measured in ribbon sensors located along the outside surfaces of the airframe. The controller can also determine a metric on the status of the airframe in real time based on arm impulses measured in flex sensors located along inside surfaces of arms of the airframe. This will lead to less expensive, more accurate, faster, automated detection of airframe faults, airframe damage and/or metrics on the health of the airframe.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of delivering an agent to a subject. Further disclosed herein are methods of treating a disease or disorder in a subject. The methods may include administering to the subject a chondroitinase polypeptide or a polynucleotide encoding a chondroitinase polypeptide in an amount sufficient to degrade glycosaminoglycans, and administering to the subject the agent. The methods may further include administering a hyaluronidase polypeptide or a polynucleotide encoding a hyaluronidase.

Abstract: A system and method for removing a tissue specimen or organ from the body of patient is disclosed. The system includes a bag and an excising instrument. The tissue specimen or organ is located in the bag, which is located in the patient's body. The instrument comprises a guide and a cutter. The guide is configured for introduction into the bag. The cutter is rotatable within the guide and includes a central passageway and an annular cutting blade. The cutting blade is brought into engagement with a peripherally located portion of the tissue specimen and rotated to produce a tangentially cut peripheral portion while a pulling force is applied to the tissue specimen through the central passageway. The pulling force rotates the tissue specimen within the bag to effect the production of the tangentially cut peripheral portion and to move the tangentially cut peripheral portion out of the patient's body. Gas pressure may be applied to inflate the bag to facilitate placement of the excising instrument.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a powered cable splitter. The splitter is comprised of a motor, a blade, a channel, a clamp to secure the tubing within the channel, and a hand grip for activating the motor. To use the splitter, a user places the cable inside of the channel, secures it with the clamp, and then squeezes the hand grip to activate the motor. The motor causes the blade to spin and cut to a specific depth. Rollers within the channel allow the cable to be moved into position before the tubing is cut, creating a cut of limited depth along a preferred length, and thus splitting the cable without damaging the wires within.

Abstract: Techniques are described for the exchange of control signals between a controlled unmanned aircraft (i.e. drone) and a ground control station and for the transmission of communication signals, such as video, from the drone to the ground control station so that the signals are more difficult to intercept or jam. The video signal transmitted from the drone can be an analog RF signal employing one or more of video “scrambling”, RF signal inversion, hopping, usage of a wide frequency range and other techniques. To secure the control signals between the drone and the ground control station, techniques can include hopping, encryption and use of a wide frequency range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purification of viral vectors, more closely it relates to purification of viral vectors from producer cells by using a single automated process. The method comprises the following steps: a) adding producer cells and cell lysis buffer to a processing container; b) mixing said producer cells and cell lysis buffer in said processing container to obtain a mixture; c) flowing said mixture through a chromatography column for purification of viral vectors, wherein the viral vectors are adsorbed on said chromatography column; and d) eluting viral vectors from the chromatography column into a product container.

Abstract: Process for retrofitting existing processing units for natural gas fee streams. A portion of the dehydration adsorbent is removed from the vessels of the dehydration unit and is replaced with an adsorbent for heavy hydrocarbons. In operation the vessels are operated in thermal swing adsorption processes with reduced cycle times compared to the original design.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method implemented on a computing device includes: retrieving a set of channel parameters, the set of channel parameters defining a television channel schedule made of a plurality of viewing time periods; retrieving a set of regional parameters relevant to a geographical area, the set of regional parameters defining at least one regional viewing time period of a first duration; identifying a viewing time period from the plurality of viewing time periods relevant to the at least one regional viewing time period by comparing the regional parameters to the channel parameters; retrieving an abstract schedule associated with the identified viewing time period, where the abstract schedule is a pro forma schedule of programs having a second duration and comprising a set of program content items; and generating a concrete television schedule for the at least one regional viewing time period, where the concrete television schedule is a an instantiated finalized schedule pr

Abstract: Disclosed are splash-proof covers and methods of use to prevent liquid within a pipe under the drain of a sink having a basin from splashing out of the sink. The covers include a central body portion having an undersurface from which plural spaced apart, suction cups project downward. The covers may include an anti-microbial and/or anti-fungal agent and are configured to be disposed in the sink with each of the suction cups releasably engaging respective portions of the basin surrounding the drain and with the central body portion being located directly over the drain and spaced slightly thereabove. The central body portion enables water from a faucet to flow under it into the drain while providing a barrier to prevent any liquid within a pipe under the drain from splashing back into the sink.

Abstract: An airframe health monitoring system uses a controller to automatically determine a status of the airframe of an aircraft in real time, at power up and periodically during flight of the aircraft, based on the output of pressure sensors such as ribbon sensors and flex sensors mounted on the airframe arms and body. The controller can determine in real time whether the airframe has a fault or is damaged based on continuity measured in ribbon sensors located along the outside surfaces of the airframe. The controller can also determine a metric on the status of the airframe in real time based on arm impulses measured in flex sensors located along inside surfaces of arms of the airframe. This will lead to less expensive, more accurate, faster, automated detection of airframe faults, airframe damage and/or metrics on the health of the airframe.