64results about How to "Ability to use" patented technology

Systems and methods are described for redeeming rewards at a merchant's point-of-sale. The reward redemption takes place in real time and can be accomplished without the active participation of the merchant. A single credit card with no additional information may be used with a single swipe from the consumer to access both credit and rewards accounts, such that a single authorization request is made to encompass both rewards and credit. Merchants can be fully compensated for transactions by the issuer despite the customer's choice to redeem rewards.

A neuro-stimulation system employs a includes a stimulator which may include electrode devices and / or vibration elements. A controller may be employed to drive the stimulating elements with an electrical signal. In response to the electrical signal, the stimulating elements deliver electrical and / or mechanical stimulation to the body part. The stimulation may be an aperiodic stimulation and / or may be a subthreshold stimulation. In one embodiment, the stimulator is disposable and the processor determines usage of the stimulator and ensures that the stimulator is limited to a certain amount of use. Neuro-stimulation systems may be applied to sensory cells of body parts during movement of the body parts to induce neuroplastic changes. Such movement may involve a variety of therapeutic applications, e.g. in stroke patient therapy.

The present invention is a dual function transfer tray that can be used for either a scalpel or a suturing needle holder with suturing needle. A scalpel slot is formed in the bottom of a relatively deep set of sloped walls. A suture needle cavity is formed above the first slot. However, at a mid-section of the scalpel slot and the half-cylindrical suture needle cavity are opposing and deep V-shaped cutaway sections in the sidewalls with a flat floor section between them. A user need never have to focus their attention for more than a split second to discern the location of the mid-section of the transfer tray. The user's thumb and forefinger are aimed at the V-shaped sidewall openings to grasp a midsection of a supported surgical sharps. The scalpel slot and half-cylindrical suture needle cavity are set relatively deep with respect to top edges of the transfer tray and the to form an open tray to prevent a user from being inadvertently injured by a scalpel blade or a suture needle. In addition, the scalpel cannot be placed in the scalpel slot unless it rests on one of its longitudinal edges, preferably the same one as that of its blade edge. Thus, a user grasping the mid-section of the scalpel handle in the cutaway and flat floor section picks up the scalpel in a ready-to-use position.

A keypad lockset adapted for deadbolt as well as lever locks, and having as a first embodiment an exterior gear train, an interior gear train, and an electronically controlled clutch for coupling the gear trains when engaged and for uncoupling the gear trains when the clutch is disengaged, so that when the clutch is engaged rotation of an external thumb turn will permit the door latch to be withdrawn and thus to permit opening of the door, and a mechanical override mechanism that can be operated in case of electrical failure, and in which clutch mechanism and the override mechanism both operate through the single, standard 2⅛ inch door preparation hole, or alternatively as a second embodiment, a keypad lockset in which two four-bar mechanical linkages are used in place of gears as means to actuate the clutch, and alternatively to provide for a pass-through override function.

The present invention relates to an artificial cartilage containing mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-like dedifferentiated cells obtained by passage culturing costal chondrocytes, and a preparation process thereof.

An improved system, device and method for characterizing a fluid sample that includes injecting a fluid sample into a mobile phase of a flow characterization system, and detecting a property of the fluid sample or of a component thereof with a flow detector comprising a mechanical resonator, preferably one that is operated at a frequency less than about 1 MHz, such as a tuning fork resonator.

An adjustable abduction apparatus, including a cushion for being received against the torso, a sling pouch attached to the cushion for maintaining a limb and shoulder of the wearer in an abducted position, and a support connected to the pouch for immobilizing the limb and shoulder in the abducted position and distributing the weight of the abducted limb evenly across the torso of the wearer. A waist strap is carried by the cushion and releasaby secures the apparatus against the torso. A back strap interconnects the waist strap and the sling pouch and extends therebetween generally parallel to the spinal column of the wearer for supporting the sling pouch and maintaining the limb and shoulder in the abducted position.

An adjustable abduction apparatus, including a cushion for being received against the torso, a sling pouch attached to the cushion for maintaining a limb and shoulder of the wearer in an abducted position, and a support connected to the pouch for immobilizing the limb and shoulder in the abducted position and distributing the weight of the abducted limb evenly across the torso of the wearer. A waist strap is carried by the cushion and releasaby secures the apparatus against the torso. A back strap interconnects the waist strap and the sling pouch and extends therebetween generally parallel to the spinal column of the wearer for supporting the sling pouch and maintaining the limb and shoulder in the abducted position.

Systems and methods are described for redeeming rewards at a merchant's point-of-sale. The reward redemption takes place in real time and can be accomplished without the active participation of the merchant. A single credit card with no additional information may be used with a single swipe from the consumer to access both credit and rewards accounts, such that a single authorization request is made to encompass both rewards and credit. Merchants can be fully compensated for transactions by the issuer despite the customer's choice to redeem rewards.

Disclosed is a sanitary or no-touch dispenser which dispenses sheets of a web material, such as a paper towel. The disclosed dispenser provides the web material to a user by using both manual and electronic means to dispense the sheet. This is accomplished by having a motor engagably connected to an actuator roller. The motor is activated by a motor activation means, such as a switch. The motion of the actuator roller, which is started by the user grabbing and pulling a tail of the web material extending from the dispenser, causes the motor activation means to activate the motor which in turn drives the actuator roller to continue it its rotation motion to dispense the sheet from the dispenser.

Disclosed is a sanitary or no-touch dispenser which dispenses sheets of a web material, such as a paper towel. The disclosed dispenser provides the web material to a user by using both manual and electronic means to dispense the sheet. This is accomplished by having a motor engagably connected to an actuator roller. The motor is activated by a motor activation means, such as a switch. The motion of the actuator roller, which is started by the user grabbing and pulling a tail of the web material extending from the dispenser, causes the motor activation means to activate the motor which in turn drives the actuator roller to continue it its rotation motion to dispense the sheet from the dispenser.

A display is capable of displaying images in response to differently formatted signals. The display includes a switch that enables a user to select among a plurality of signal formats. The switch has a first setting that corresponds to a first of the plurality of signal formats and a second setting that corresponds to a second of the plurality of signal formats. The display also includes a memory module that receives requests from a channel and transmits a response associated with the setting of said switch.

A system for transmitting and receiving data using an industrial expansion bus connected to a chassis is provided, the industrial expansion bus having a plurality of module slots, the system having a programmable logic controller (PLC) control rack and a PLC remote rack. The PLC control rack has a first embedded central processing unit (CPU), and a first peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) module adapted to send and receive PCIe compliant signals. The PLC remote rack has a second PCIe module adapted to send and receive PCIe compliant signals, and a second embedded CPU. The first PCIe module and the second PCIe module are communicatively coupled with cable to provide an interface between the first and second CPUs. A method for polling a local peripheral and a distant peripheral is also provided.

A neuro-stimulation system employs a includes a stimulator which may include electrode devices and / or vibration elements. A controller may be employed to drive the stimulating elements with an electrical signal. In response to the electrical signal, the stimulating elements deliver electrical and / or mechanical stimulation to the body part. The stimulation may be an aperiodic stimulation and / or may be a subthreshold stimulation. In one embodiment, the stimulator is disposable and the processor determines usage of the stimulator and ensures that the stimulator is limited to a certain amount of use. Neuro-stimulation systems may be applied to sensory cells of body parts during movement of the body parts to induce neuroplastic changes. Such movement may involve a variety of therapeutic applications, e.g. in stroke patient therapy.

A brush for hygienic purposes includes a handle with a lower and an upper portion and a head. The upper portion is sized and shaped to capture the head. Preferably the head is a removable cartridge and includes a flexible base with a plurality bristles and a pad with holes disposed over the bristles. The pad could be a foam or sponge matrix or could be a stack of sheets removable one at a time. Upper portion of the handle is curved to provide a predetermined shape to the head. Optionally, a vibrating device is incorporated in the brush so that the brush can be used as to massage the skin or scalp.

A keypad lockset adapted for deadbolt as well as lever locks, and having as a first embodiment an exterior gear train, an interior gear train, and an electronically controlled clutch for coupling the gear trains when engaged and for uncoupling the gear trains when the clutch is disengaged, so that when the clutch is engaged rotation of an external thumb turn will permit the door latch to be withdrawn and thus to permit opening of the door, and a mechanical override mechanism that can be operated in case of electrical failure, and in which clutch mechanism and the override mechanism both operate through the single, standard 2 and ⅛ inch door preparation hole, or alternatively as a second embodiment, a keypad lockset in which two four-bar mechanical linkages are used in place of gears as means to actuate the clutch, and alternatively to provide for a pass-through override function.

Transactional memory (TM) may be used in conjunction with various synchronization mechanisms, such as that copy a current version of an object, update the copy, and then cause the copy to become current atomically by changing a “current version” indicator. Software operations to modify an object may first make a private copy of the object, modify the private copy, and atomically make the private copy the current version while verifying that no other software operation or transaction has concurrently updated the object. A transaction may be used to update the current copy of a collection of data “in place” and thereby avoiding the necessity to make a copy of the data being modified. If the transactional memory mechanism is unable to complete the transaction to modify the collection of data in place, a set of software operations may be used to modify the collection of data.

A modular DMFC array, and a related method of manufacturing such an array is provided. The modular DMFC array incorporates separately manufactured individual fuel cells that are connected after the manufacturing process. A locking mechanism incorporates the necessary electric connections. In one embodiment of the invention, the electrical connections also function as the locking mechanism. In such an embodiment, a separate mechanical fastening mechanism is not needed. In other embodiments of the invention, mechanical connections are provided to connect the individual fuel cells in the modular fuel cell array. Yet a further embodiment includes a carrier component on which the individual fuel cells are bonded. The electrical connections are provided either through the carrier component, or cell-to-cell.

The invention relates to novel variants of cytochrome P450 oxygenases. These variants have at least one mutation improving their ability to use peroxide as an oxygen donor as compared to the corresponding wild-type enzyme. The variants also have at least one mutation improving thermostability as compared to the parent enzyme or corresponding wild-type enzyme. Preferred variants include cytochrome P450 BM-3 heme domain variants having L52I, I58V, F87A, H100R, S106R, F107L, A135S, M145A / V, A184V, N239H, S274T, L324I, V340M, I366V, K434E, E442K, and / or V446I amino acid substitutions.

A brush for hygienic purposes includes a handle with a lower and an upper portion and a head. The upper portion is sized and shaped to capture the head. Preferably the head is a removable cartridge and includes a flexible base with a plurality bristles and a pad with holes disposed over the bristles. The pad could be a foam or sponge matrix or could be a stack of sheets removable one at a time. Upper portion of the handle is curved to provide a predetermined shape to the head. Optionally, a vibrating device is incorporated in the brush so that the brush can be used as to massage the skin or scalp.

Disclosed is a sliding and rotating apparatus for connecting two components of a device, such as a portable electronic media player, and a device having the same. The apparatus provides has a base member, a sliding member, and a rotating member. The sliding member is coupled to the base member so as to permit sliding thereon in a first linear direction and between first and second positions, and the rotating member rotationally coupled to the sliding member. The rotating member and base member are configured such that when the sliding member is forced into the second position the rotating member is rotated in a first angular direction. The apparatus also may contain a sliding mechanism that biases the apparatus in either the first or second position.

A data independent acquisition method of mass spectrometry for analysing a sample as it elutes from a chromatography system is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: ionising the sample to produce precursor ions, selecting a precursor mass range for the sample to be analysed, performing a plurality of MS1 scans and performing at most two sets of MS2 scans. Each of the MS1 scans uses a mass analyser operated at a first, relatively higher resolution, for identification and / or quantitation of the sample in the MS1 domain across the precursor mass range. The set of MS2 scans comprises performing MS2 scans of fragmented mass range segments performed with the mass analyser, operated at a second, relatively lower resolution. In the method, the MS1 scans are interleaved throughout the performing of the set of MS2 scans such that the MS1 scans provide a mass chromatogram of the sample.

Rectangular or circular vent apparatus for protecting a confined space having a vent aperture for relief of an overpressure condition is provided with each including vent structure having a vent unit adapted to be positioned over the vent aperture in normal closing relationship thereto. Each vent unit preferably includes at least one spring steel panel, or spring steel leaves positioned against a metal sheet, provided with a movable pressure relief portion having an initial position extending across the vent aperture. A backstop is provided for arresting the degree of movement of the spring steel. The spring steel panel or the spring steel leaves have a sufficient modulus of resilience and elasticity to cause the relief portion of the spring steel panel or the metal sheet to return to their respective initial positions from the open positions thereof upon relief of the overpressure condition in the confined space.

A brush for hygienic purposes includes a handle with a lower and an upper portion and a head. The upper portion is sized and shaped to capture the head. Preferably the head is a removable cartridge and includes a flexible base with a plurality bristles and a pad with holes disposed over the bristles. The pad could be a foam or sponge matrix or could be a stack of sheets removable one at a time. Upper portion of the handle is curved to provide a predetermined shape to the head. Optionally, a vibrating device is incorporated in the brush so that the brush can be used as to massage the skin or scalp.

Transactional memory (TM) may be used in conjunction with various synchronization mechanisms, such as that copy a current version of an object, update the copy, and then cause the copy to become current atomically by changing a “current version” indicator. Software operations to modify an object may first make a private copy of the object, modify the private copy, and atomically make the private copy the current version while verifying that no other software operation or transaction has concurrently updated the object. A transaction may be used to update the current copy of a collection of data “in place” and thereby avoiding the necessity to make a copy of the data being modified. If the transactional memory mechanism is unable to complete the transaction to modify the collection of data in place, a set of software operations may be used to modify the collection of data.

A biochar generator to be carried by a vehicle may comprise a pyrolysis chamber, an auger, a heater, and a vapor condenser each connected to the pyrolysis chamber. The biochar generator may also include a synthesis gas collection chamber to collect synthesis gas, and a bio oil collection chamber to collect bio oil, each in communication with the vapor condenser. A biochar collection chamber may be included to collect biochar dispensed from the pyrolysis chamber.

A catheterization procedure training apparatus operable to provide a user training on the delivery of a catheterization process wherein the apparatus further allows the utilization of interventional devices. The catheterization procedure training apparatus includes a tubing network being hollow and fluidly coupled wherein the tubing network is configured to be sized and shaped so as to physically be proportionally representative of at least a portion of the blood vessels within a human circulatory system. A ventricle chamber is operably coupled to the tubing network. The tubing network further includes at least one opening having a union wherein the union is configured to be operably coupled to an exchangeable insertion point adapter. The exchangeable insertion point adapter includes a stem portion and a wall portion integrally formed and is configured to provide repetitive sealable use of a needle therethrough.

Add-on apparatus dynamically enhancing frequency diversity of a main signal sent over an existing communication system, the system using a communication protocol to convey the main signal from a Tx end to an Rx end, the add-on apparatus comprising a Transmission Frequency Converter (TFC) at the Tx end operative while the system is transmitting the main signal, to at least once shift a given center frequency about which the system is transmitting, to at least one corresponding alternative center frequency, wherein the TFC and an Reception Frequency Converter at the Rx end share prior knowledge defining how each shift of the given center frequency is to be timed relative to at least one recognizable element within the known communication protocol and wherein the Transmission Frequency Converter is operative to use the prior knowledge to recognize the at least one recognizable element and to shift the center frequency accordingly.

This invention relates in general to restraint systems for automotive vehicles and more particularly, to systems and methods for an assistive device including a C-shaped tool for use in depressing the actuator button of a car seat restraint harness to assist in unlocking the buckle.