Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are disclosed for determining an orientation of an implanted medical lead. For example, a system may include processing circuitry configured to receive image data representing a lead implanted within a patient, identify, from the image data, at least one hypointensive portion, identify, from the image data, at least one hyperintensive portion, determine, based on the at least one hypointensive portion and the at least one hyperintensive portion, an orientation of the lead within the patient, and output the orientation of the lead.

Abstract: A method of both coating a substrate with aluminum oxide and infusing the substrate with elemental aluminum is disclosed. In one example, the method includes providing a metal powder/polymer binder slurry, the slurry having a solvent, an organic binder, metal granules and a seed element, wherein the metal granules include Al; dispersing the slurry upon a Cr-containing surface; after dispersing the slurry, exposing the slurry to air and maintaining the temperature of the slurry and substrate below 110° C. to remove at least a portion of the solvent from the slurry; and, in a combined step, both exposing the binder, metal granules and substrate to air and heating the remaining slurry and substrate at a temperature less than or equal to 1000° C. to both diffuse at least a portion of the metal of the metal granules into the substrate and coat the substrate with aluminum oxide.

Abstract: Reactive coating processes are provided that can include providing a coating material, reacting the coating material to form a shell about the coating material, contacting the shelled coating material with a substrate to be coated, depositing the coating material from within the shelled coating material on the substrate, and removing the shells from the substrate. Coating materials may be deposited upon a substrate to be coated and reacted to form a shell about the coating material. The coating materials can be particles and a shell can be formed about each of the individual particles.

Abstract: A method of both coating a substrate with aluminum oxide and infusing the substrate with elemental aluminum is disclosed. In one example, the method includes providing a metal powder/polymer binder slurry, the slurry having a solvent, an organic binder, metal granules and a seed element, wherein the metal granules include Al; dispersing the slurry upon a Cr-containing surface; after dispersing the slurry, exposing the slurry to air and maintaining the temperature of the slurry and substrate below 110° C. to remove at least a portion of the solvent from the slurry; and, in a combined step, both exposing the binder, metal granules and substrate to air and heating the remaining slurry and substrate at a temperature less than or equal to 1000° C. to both diffuse at least a portion of the metal of the metal granules into the substrate and coat the substrate with aluminum oxide.

Abstract: A system and method are detailed for aluminizing surfaces of metallic substrates, parts, and components with a protective alumina layer in-situ. Aluminum (Al) foil sandwiched between the metallic components and a refractory material when heated in an oxidizing gas under a compression load at a selected temperature forms the protective alumina coating on the surface of the metallic components. The alumina coating minimizes evaporation of volatile metals from the metallic substrates, parts, and components in assembled devices that can degrade performance during operation at high temperature.

Abstract: Reactive coating processes are provided that can include providing a coating material, reacting the coating material to form a shell about the coating material, contacting the shelled coating material with a substrate to be coated, depositing the coating material from within the shelled coating material on the substrate, and removing the shells from the substrate. Coating materials may be deposited upon a substrate to be coated and reacted to form a shell about the coating material. The coating materials can be particles and a shell can be formed about each of the individual particles.

Abstract: A system and method are detailed for aluminizing surfaces of metallic substrates, parts, and components with a protective alumina layer in-situ. Aluminum (Al) foil sandwiched between the metallic components and a refractory material when heated in an oxidizing gas under a compression load at a selected temperature forms the protective alumina coating on the surface of the metallic components. The alumina coating minimizes evaporation of volatile metals from the metallic substrates, parts, and components in assembled devices that can degrade performance during operation at high temperature.

Abstract: A system and method are detailed for aluminizing surfaces of metallic substrates, parts, and components with a protective alumina layer in-situ. Aluminum (Al) foil sandwiched between the metallic components and a refractory material when heated in an oxidizing gas under a compression load at a selected temperature forms the protective alumina coating on the surface of the metallic components. The alumina coating minimizes evaporation of volatile metals from the metallic substrates, parts, and components in assembled devices during operation at high temperature that can degrade performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar rechargeable, battery powered, electric igniting device that includes: a cylindrical housing having a first and second end, a length, an top flat surface, and at least one heating element disposed at the first end; a photovoltaic array disposed over the top surface, where the array is capable of receiving light; at least one rechargeable battery; a first indicator, where the first indicator indicates when the battery is receiving a charge or is fully charged; a second indicator, where the second indicator indicates when the at least one heating element is being energized; a slide mechanism to activate the device; and a charge regulating circuit to regulate the charging of a battery and said a charge regulating circuit includes a means to connect to an external power source.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention comprises associating a marker with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest of the bulk sample, exciting the seeds using an photonic emitting device, evaluating at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample for the presence or absence of the marker, and sorting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest based on the presence or absence of the marker. In various other embodiments, the method may comprise associating a red fluorescent protein marker with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest of the bulk sample, evaluating at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample for the presence of the red fluorescent protein marker using an evaluating device, and sorting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest based on the presence of the red fluorescent protein marker.

Abstract: The present invention employs branded virtual characters across multiple network platforms throughout various stages of complex transactions (eg, selling insurance). These characters initially engage prospective customers on a network platform, such as a social network, and persist over time across other network platforms (eg, university and company websites) to educate consumers until they are ready to purchase—e.g., from their “trusted advisor”—particular products and services offered by various providers. An extensible configuration tool (“Config Tool”) is provided to simplify the continued development of such a system, as well as customization of individual Product Modules (e.g., a Life Insurance Module) by product and service providers (e.g., insurance companies and employers) and other third-party developers (before and during runtime).

Abstract: The present invention includes systems and methods employing branded virtual characters across multiple network platforms throughout various stages of complex transactions (eg, selling insurance). These characters initially engage prospective customers on a network platform, such as a social network, and persist over time across other network platforms (eg, university and company websites) to educate consumers until they are ready to purchase—from their “trusted advisor”—particular products and services offered by various providers. Even after completing transactions, these characters continue to provide various services, such as notifying a customer whose circumstances have changed of a relevant product or service, while remaining available to answer questions and provide information upon demand.

Abstract: The present invention employs branded virtual characters across multiple network platforms throughout various stages of complex transactions (eg, selling insurance). These characters initially engage prospective customers on a network platform, such as a social network, and persist over time across other network platforms (eg, university and company websites) to educate consumers until they are ready to purchase—e.g., from their “trusted advisor”—particular products and services offered by various providers. An extensible configuration tool (“Config Tool”) is provided to simplify the continued development of such a system, as well as customization of individual Product Modules (e.g., a Life Insurance Module) by product and service providers (e.g., insurance companies and employers) and other third-party developers (before and during runtime).

Abstract: A system and method are detailed for aluminizing surfaces of metallic substrates, parts, and components with a protective alumina layer in-situ. Aluminum (Al) foil sandwiched between the metallic components and a refractory material when heated in an oxidizing gas under a compression load at a selected temperature forms the protective alumina coating on the surface of the metallic components. The alumina coating minimizes evaporation of volatile metals from the metallic substrates, parts, and components in assembled devices during operation at high temperature that can degrade performance.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems and methods employing branded virtual characters across multiple network platforms throughout various stages of complex transactions (eg, selling insurance). These characters initially engage prospective customers on a network platform, such as a social network, and persist over time across other network platforms (eg, university and company websites) to educate consumers until they are ready to purchase—from their “trusted advisor”—particular products and services offered by various providers. Even after completing transactions, these characters continue to provide various services, such as notifying a customer whose circumstances have changed of a relevant product or service, while remaining available to answer questions and provide information upon demand.

Abstract: A surface modification to prevent oxide scale spallation is disclosed. The surface modification includes a ferritic stainless steel substrate having a modified surface. A cross-section of the modified surface exhibits a periodic morphology. The periodic morphology does not exceed a critical buckling length, which is equivalent to the length of a wave attribute observed in the cross section periodic morphology. The modified surface can be created using at least one of the following processes: shot peening, surface blasting and surface grinding. A coating can be applied to the modified surface.

Abstract: A method and software for daily reconciling and monitoring of a defined benefit plan including plan assets and plan benefit liabilities. A data processor receives a daily plan asset value and automatically tracks a difference between the plan asset value and allowed benefit values for participants of the defined benefit plan. The method further includes automatic posting of the difference to a side account with the data processor.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems and methods employing branded virtual characters across multiple network platforms throughout various stages of complex transactions (eg, selling insurance). These characters initially engage prospective customers on a network platform, such as a social network, and persist over time across other network platforms (eg, university and company websites) to educate consumers until they are ready to purchase—from their “trusted advisor”—particular products and services offered by various providers. Even after completing transactions, these characters continue to provide various services, such as notifying a customer whose circumstances have changed of a relevant product or service, while remaining available to answer questions and provide information upon demand.

Abstract: The present invention provides a material and a method for its creation and use wherein a reactive element, preferably a rare earth element, is included in an oxide coating material. The inclusion of this material modifies the growth and structure of the scale beneath the coating on metal substrate and improves the scale adherence to the metal substrate.

Abstract: Programmable infusion systems and method for controlled infusion of diagnostic or therapeutic substances (e.g., drugs, biologics, fluids, cell preparations, etc.) into the bodies of human or animal subjects.