2615 results about "Weakness" patented technology

An implantable prosthesis for repairing an anatomical defect, such as a tissue or muscle wall hernia, including an umbilical hernia, and for preventing the occurrence of a hernia at a small opening or weakness in a tissue or muscle wall, such as at a puncture tract opening remaining after completion of a laparoscopic procedure. The prosthesis includes a patch and/or plug having a body portion that is larger than a portion of the opening or weakness so that placement of the body portion against the defect will cover or extend across that portion of the opening or weakness. At least one tether, such as a strap, extends from the patch or plug and may be manipulated by a surgeon to position the patch or plug relative to the repair site and/or to secure the patch or plug relative to the opening or weakness in the tissue or muscle wall. The tether may be configured to extend through the defect and outside a patient's body to allow a surgeon to position and/or manipulate the patch from a location outside the body. An indicator may be provided on the tether as an aid for a surgeon in determining when the patch or plug has been inserted a sufficient distance within the patient. A support member may be arranged in or on the patch or plug to help deploy the patch or plug at the surgical site and/or help inhibit collapse or buckling of the patch or plug. The patch or plug may be configured with a pocket or cavity to facilitate the deployment and/or positioning of the patch or plug over the opening or weakness.

An identification bracelet for mounting about a person's wrist or the like incorporates a sealable window to protect wearer-related information against contact with moisture and the like. The bracelet includes a flexible band defining an information-bearing zone, in combination with an overlying adhesive-backed transparent cover strip. In an initial state, the cover strip has opposite ends securely adhered to the band, and a central window segment separated from the band by a peel-off release film. The window segment is adapted for lift-away separation from the band as by tearing along a line of weakness line at one end thereof to expose the information-bearing zone for receiving wearer-related information, and for facilitated peel-off removal of the release film, followed by adhesively seating the strip central window segment onto the band in a manner defining a sealed perimeter overlying and protecting the wearer-related information.

Systems and methods as provided herein may create a biometric model associated with a user. The created biometric model may be used to generate challenges that are presented to the user for authentication purposes. A user response to the challenge may be compared to an expected response, and if the user response matches within a predetermined error of the expected response, the user may be authenticated. The systems and methods may further generate challenges that are adaptively designed to address weaknesses or errors in the created model such that the model is more closely associated with a user and the user is more likely to be the only person capable of successfully responding to the generated challenges.

The invention relates to prosthetic devices that include antimicrobial substances for reducing microbial infection, and method of using such implants for repairing, reconstructing and/or augmenting a defect or a weakness in a wall of a muscle, tissue or organ.

The invention relates to a community-based author and academic paper recommending system and a recommending method. A double-layer quotation network consisting of an author layer and an academic paper layer is formed by utilizing a quotation relation between an author and the academic paper and the community information, then a user interesting model is established according to a historic behavior record of the user and the academic paper set read by the user, finally the user demand is analyzed according to the obtained double-layer quotation network and the user interesting model, and the author and academic paper thereof can be recommended to the user. The system is provided with an academic paper capturing module, an academic paper preprocessing module, a double-layer quotation network establishing module, a user interesting model establishing module and an individualized academic paper recommending module as well as a database. By adopting the recommending system and recommending method, not only can the correlation of the study content among users be used for establishing an author community through a subjective model, but also multiple attribute values of the to-be-recommended author and academic paper inside the community can be calculated, and the weakness that the calculation of the existing recommending algorithm is large can be improved; and meanwhile, multiple attribute values of the author and academic paper can be simultaneously calculated, so that the recommend result is more diversified, and the user requirement can be better met.

A highly flexible prosthetic heart valve having an internal leaflet support frame that is designed to separate into individual cusps after implantation. The leaflet support frame (or “stent” or “wireform”) has a plurality of alternating cusps on an inflow end and commissures on an outflow end. The cusps of flexible leaflets attach around the support frame cusps. The support frame provides structural rigidity during implantation, but each support frame commissure has a point of weakness that is designed to fracture upon repeated relative movement of the cusps after implantation such that the support frame cusps separate. Because of the flexible nature of the heart valve, after the cusps separate the implanted heart valve does not significantly impede the natural motions of the annulus or adjacent vessel walls. The support frame may be a homogeneous material such as Nitinol with the point of weakness being a narrowing at the commissure tips. The commissure tips can include enlarged regions adjacent the point of weakness that help prevent the separated ends from poking through surrounding fabric.

A method for determination of tunnel oxide weakness is provided. A tunnel oxide layer is formed on a semiconductor wafer. At least one poly gate is formed on the tunnel oxide layer in a flash memory region of the semiconductor wafer. At least one poly island, which is substantially larger than the poly gate, is formed on the tunnel oxide layer in a voltage contrast cell region of the semiconductor wafer. The poly island and the tunnel oxide layer therebeneath form a voltage contrast tunnel oxide cell. A voltage contrast measurement is performed on the voltage contrast tunnel oxide cell. The voltage contrast measurement is then compared with prior such voltage contrast measurements on other such voltage contrast tunnel oxide cells. The tunnel oxide weakness of the tunnel oxide layer is then determined from the voltage contrast measurement comparisons.

An expandable substantially spherical structure for deployment in a blood vessel or other body lumen, comprising:

• • an open frame formed out of a closed loop of filament and configured to assume (i) a collapsed configuration in the form of a substantially two-dimensional elongated loop structure so as to facilitate insertion into the blood vessel or other body lumen, and (ii) an expanded configuration in the form of a three-dimensional substantially spherical structure so as to facilitate retention at a site in the blood vessel or other body lumen; and
  • a flow-restricting face carried by the open frame;
  • wherein the open frame is configured so as to permit substantially normal flow therethrough when the open frame is in its expanded configuration, and further wherein the flow-restricting face is configured so as to restrict flow therethrough.

Preparations and extracts of valerian, as well as isovaleramide, isovaleric acid, and certain structurally related compounds exhibit clinically significant pharmacological properties which implicate a treatment for a variety of pathological conditions, including spasticity and convulsions, which are ameliorated by effecting a modulation of CNS activity. The compositions in question generally are non-cytotoxic and do not elicit weakness or sedative activity at doses that are effective for the symptomatic treatment of such pathological conditions.

An expandable spherical structure for deployment in a blood vessel or other body lumen, comprising:

• • an open frame configured to assume a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and
  • a closed face carried by the open frame;
  • wherein the open frame is configured so as to permit substantially normal flow therethrough when the open frame is in its expanded configuration, and further wherein the closed face is configured so as to obstruct flow therethrough.

The present invention provides a method and system for preventing unsolicited bulk email (UBE). Spammers sending UBE typically capitalize on the weakness of SMTP. The present invention affixes a subscriber key value to the local part of an email address. The email and associated key value are sent to a server where the subscriber key value, and subscriber and recipient email addresses are associated and stored into a database. Once stored, the email is sent to the ultimate recipient. A recipient is in possession of a subscriber key value can use this key value to sign an email they intend to send to the original subscriber/sender. Recipient will then send this signed email to a server where the association between the subscriber and the subscriber key value is verified. Once verified the email is sent to the subscriber. In some embodiments, the verification process is not controlled by a server.

A dual intensive property tissue. The tissue has a first set of intensive properties including density, surface area, thickness and void volume as presented to the consumer. The consumer plastically activates the tissue by pulling it in tension. A series of slits 44 or other lines of weakness elongate in a direction parallel to the line of tension, allowing the tissue to achieve a second state of intensive properties. The value of the second state of intensive properties is different after activation. The change in value of the intensive properties allows for economies in shipping, where a higher density product is shipped to the consumer. At the point of use, the consumer activates the product to achieve the increase surface area and lower density. The increase in surface area and concomitant decrease in density provides for increased efficacy in cleaning. The plastically activatable state may be provided by a series of slits 44 or other lines of weakness in the tissue. The tissue may comprise cellulosic and/or synthetic fibers. The tissue may be used as a facial tissue, bath tissue, paper towel, napkin, body wipe, mophead, etc.

A variable-sized, self-inflating and self-deflating intragastric balloon device, includes a hiocompatible polymer membrane formed into a balloon having inner and outer surfaces preferably coated with a wax, the balloon defining an interior lumen having an internal capsule freely floating within the lumen, the internal capsule having first and second chambers with a communicating one way valve therebetween. The first chamber is formed from a biocompatible polymer preferably coated with wax forming a gas and liquid tight housing to store a liquid solution therein, and the second chamber is composed of material capable of self dissolving or degrading in the presence of the liquid solution. Application of external pressure will transfer liquid from the first chamber through the valve into the second chamber where it will degrade the chamber and react with a solid reagent disposed within the lumen external to the capsule, forming a gas which inflates the balloon. A manufactured weakness within the membrane wall reacts chemically and/or physically causing a deflation of the balloon.

The present invention provides muscle-derived progenitor cells that show long-term survival following transplantation into body tissues and which can augment soft tissue following introduction (e.g. via injection, transplantation, or implantation) into a site of soft tissue. Also provided are methods of isolating muscle-derived progenitor cells, and methods of genetically modifying the cells for gene transfer therapy. The invention further provides methods of using compositions comprising muscle-derived progenitor cells for the augmentation and bulking of mammalian, including human, soft tissues in the treatment of various cosmetic or functional conditions, including malformation, injury, weakness, disease, or dysfunction. In particular, the present invention provides treatments and amelioration for dermatological conditions, gastroesophageal reflux, vesico-ureteral reflux, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, heart failure, and myocardial infarction.

The present invention provides a novel visible catalyst-silver phosphate and a preparation method thereof, solving the problems of wide TiO2 forbidden band, no absorbability of visible weakness, and the like in the prior art and applying Ag3PO4 to the field of photocatalysis for the first time. In the invention, a silver ammonia solution for replacing a silver nitrate solution is used as a silversource, the reaction of silver ions and phosphate ions is slowed, and then the catalyst is obtained and has the effect of high-efficiency photocatalytic degradation. The preparing method of the invention is simple and is favorable to extensive popularization.

A shoulder exercise bar intended for use with hemiplegic patients is provided which maintains a patient's hands in proper position during shoulder exercises and may also be used for elbow and wrist exercises. The shoulder exercise bar includes a crossbar which is adjustable in length to fit a particular patient. A plurality of handles are provided at each end of the crossbar to be grasped by the patient demonstrating weakness. One of the handles is angularly offset at each end with respect to a longitudinal axis defined by the crossbar and provides for versatile strengthening and stretching exercises for the patient. The orientation of the handles also encourages self resisted or isotonic strengthening exercises.

A method for creating training systems including analyzing/mapping course requirements for evaluating required knowledge/skills according to mapped subjects and defining possible failure causes, wherein each failure cause represents knowledge/skill weakness relating a certain subject or general weakness, defining knowledge/skills target level correct/wrong answers in each subject as function of the number of users, preparing a question pool, wherein each question relates to a subject knowledge/skill and/or failure cause, preparing correct and wrong answers for each question, wherein each wrong answer is related to a specific sub-subject/subject and/or to a failure cause, defining an evaluation module for assessing user knowledge/skills level based on user's success in giving correct answers in comparison to predefined target levels and type of failure causes related to the user's wrong answers, and defining exercise module for selecting sequence of questions from predefined question set based on evaluations of user knowledge/skills level and detected failure causes.

A reverse acting rupture disc is provided having a laser defined electropolished line-of-weakness recess, and an improved method of forming an electropolished line-of-weakness recess in a reverse acting rupture disc that assures full opening of the disc upon reversal. A rupture disc blank is pre-bulged, final bulged, and then provided with a layer of resist material. A laser is used to remove at least a portion of the layer of resist material corresponding to a desired line-of-weakness recess in the concave face of the bulged rupture disc. The disc is then subjected to an electropolishing operation to remove metal from the lased area of the rupture disc, thereby forming a lustrous polished line-of-weakness recess in the disc of desired configuration and of a predetermined depth that is related to material thickness. The electropolished line of weakness is defined by spaced opposed channel portions separated by a central raised crown portion wherein the channel portions are of greater depth than the crown portion. The burst/reversal pressure of the disc having an electropolished line-of-weakness recess may be selectively controlled by varying the pre-bulging pressure on the disc.

A bag for carrying medium to heavy loads comprising a body formed from a flexible thermoplastic film, such that the body comprises a first panel and an opposing second panel, a receptacle cavity formed the first and second panels, an integral handle opening, and an easy-open feature which extends longitudinally from a top seal to an opposing bottom seal and positioned adjacent to a first side seal of the body. The easy-open feature comprises at least one of (i) at least one line of structural weakness in the thermoplastic film, (ii) a reclosable fastener adhered to the thermoplastic film, or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii).

A computer-implemented method for mitigating address book weaknesses that permit sending of e-mail to wrong addresses includes determining prior to sending an e-mail message whether one of a plurality of recipients of an e-mail message should receive the e-mail message, the determining prior to sending the e-mail message including analyzing history information of a sender of the e-mail message to determine whether the one of the plurality of recipients is ordinarily connected with the plurality of recipients and whether the one of the plurality of recipients is ordinarily connected with a subject of the e-mail message, the analyzing history information including comparing the plurality of recipients to a database indicative of recipients that received e-mail from the sender, and, responsive to the history information, determining whether the one of the plurality of recipients is one of a new recipient and an ordinary recipient, and presenting the determining to the sender.

The invention discloses a new Chinese medicinal composition for treating diseases of weakness of spleen and stomach and indigestion, and a preparation method thereof. The Chinese medicinal composition mainly comprises the following raw material medicaments: stir-fried medicated leaven, scorch-fried crataegus, stir-fried barley sprout, scorch-fried areca, chicken's gizzard-membrane, cassia bark, dried ginger, rhizoma corydalis, nutgrass galingale rhizome, costustoot, combined spicebush root, Indian buead, swordlike atractylodes rhizome, officinal magnolia bark, fortune eupatorium herb, fructus amomi, tsaoko amomum fruit, nutmeg, fresh membranous milkvetch root, pilose asiabell root, common yam rhizome, Chinese angelica, white paeony root, baical skullcap root, lightyellow sophora root, fresh rehmannia root, tree peony bark, combined spicebush root, anemarrhena asphodeloides bunge, Mongolian snakegourd root, common lophatherum herb, ash bark, bunge cherry seed, fructus cannabis and rhubarb. The Chinese medicinal composition can be prepared into any common oral preparation by a general method for preparing a Chinese medicinal preparation. The Chinese medicinal composition can obviously improve symptoms of the weakness of spleen and the indigestion, obviously improves stomach duct dull pain, glomus and fullness, and abdominal distension, obviously improves appetite, improves diet amount, and has exact clinical curative effect, obvious curative effect and quick response. The Chinese medicinal composition basically combines medicinal and edible medicaments specified in national pharmacopoeia, so the Chinese medicinal composition has the advantages of low cost, basically no toxic or side effects and the like.

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one alpha2-adrenergic agonist or baclofen and at least one alpha1-adrenergic agonist are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising tizanidine and modafinil are disclosed. Methods for reducing somnolence, sleepiness, lethargy, dizziness, drowsiness, somnolence, tiredness, lightheadedness, increased weakness, confusion, unsteadiness, clumsiness, or a combination of the symptoms thereof in a human patient; treating pain; and attenuating muscle spasticity, using pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one alpha2-adrenergic agonist or baclofen and at least one alpha1-adrenergic agonist are disclosed.

Tracking patterns during a semiconductor fabrication process includes: obtaining an image of a portion of a fabricated device; extracting contours of the portion of the fabricated device from the obtained image; aligning the extracted contour to a matching section of a reference design; decomposing the matching section of the reference design into one or more patterns; and updating a pattern tracking database with information pertaining to at least one pattern in the one or more patterns generated as a result of the decomposition.