44results about How to "Increase ability" patented technology

The devices and methods described herein relate to improved structures for removing obstructions from body lumens. Such devices have applicability in through-out the body, including clearing of blockages within the vasculature, by addressing the frictional resistance on the obstruction prior to attempting to translate and / or mobilize the obstruction within the body lumen

A minimally invasive retractor system is shown which has a support frame having two opposing pairs of horizontally oriented sides. The sides of the frame can be adjusted to vary an interior space of the frame. Four retractor blades are mounted on the frame for engaging tissue within a surgical site. Each retractor blade has an elongate body portion with a length which is oriented perpendicularly to the frame in use. One of the retractor blades can be equipped with a light source and a suction source which are integral to the blade. The blade also has an integral power source for powering the light source. The blade can also house a tissue retractor such as a dural retractor for retracting the dural sack of a patient during spinal surgery.

Various sensor unit configurations are disclosed within the context of a fluid quality monitoring system. The distribution of sensor units can be accomplished using existing product distribution channels to sell, distribute and install sensor units so that a fluid distribution monitoring system can be established at relatively low cost, on a wider basis, and by locating sensor units at the most desirable location from problem detection standpoint, the location of the end user.

An improved communication method for sending media between a sending node and receiving node during a conversation. When network bandwidth is insufficient to transmit a full bit rate representation of time-sensitive media, then a reduced bit rate representation of the media is transmitted for the purpose of increasing the ability of the recipient to review the media upon receipt and continue the conversation in the real-time mode when the bandwidth on the network is insufficient to support the transmission of the full bit rate representation. Media that is ascertained as not time-sensitive on the other hand is transmitted when bandwidth in excess of what is needed for time-sensitive media becomes available. When the media ascertained as not time-sensitive is transmitted, the rate of transmission is adjusted at the sending node based on network conditions, the adjusted rate of transmission being set for network efficiency and reliable delivery of the media ascertained as not time-sensitive relative to the timeliness of the delivery of the media ascertained as time-sensitive.

The present invention relates to embodiments of a process for subjecting a holographic storage medium to illuminative treatment to: (1) enhance or optimize recording of holographic data; (2) enhance or optimize reading of recorded holographic data; and / or (3) erase recorded holographic data. The present invention also relates to embodiments of a system comprising: (a) an illuminative treatment beam; (b) means for reducing the coherence of the beam and (c) means for transmitting the reduced coherence beam to cause illuminative treatment of: (1) an unrecorded portion of a holographic storage medium to provide pre-cured portions having increased ability to stably record holographic data; (2) a recorded portion of a holographic storage medium to provide a post-cured portion having reduced residual sensitivity; and / or (3) a recorded portion of a holographic storage medium having holographic data to provide an erased portion wherein at least some of the recorded holographic data is erased.

Processes and methods of producing fuels and other chemicals whereby a substantial portion of the chemical energy of the product is provided by solar energy (110) or a powerbeam (120) consisting of microwave, laser or other radiant energy, and performing thermochemical processes. Systems and applications include using radiant energy to drive moderate- to high-temperature endothermic reactions, followed by downstream chemical reactions and separations to create the desired chemical product.

A compactor wheel that is mountable on an axle of a compaction machine and that automatically adjusts for compacting low density and high density refuse. The compacting surface of the compactor wheel is effectively wide when compacting low density material and narrower when compacting higher density material. The compactor wheel includes a hub, a rim and a plurality of cleats. The rim is mounted around the outer circumference of the hub and has a face with at least one smaller diameter section and at least one larger diameter section. The cleats are mounted to the larger diameter section(s) of the face. The one or more larger diameter sections of the face enable the compactor wheel to concentrate the weight of the compaction machine while the compaction machine is compacting relatively high density material. At the same time, the one or more smaller diameter sections of the face enable the compactor wheel to disperse the weight of the compaction machine over more surface area while the compaction machine is compacting relatively low density material.

Disclosed are methods, compositions of matter, and kits useful for augmentation of homing and engraftment of stem, progenitor and mature cells through modification of cellular membrane properties following ex vivo treatment. The methods, compositions, and cells may be used for the treatment of a wide variety of disorders in which augmentation of cell trafficking, homing and engraftment is desired.

Games, lotteries, and / or sweepstakes as well as tickets, systems, technologies, and / or methods related thereto. In some embodiments, unique games and / or unique administrations of games and / or unique tickets useful for participating in games. In certain preferred embodiments, games which can be administrated or participated in contemporaneously with an event, such as a sporting event, music performance, or trade show (e.g., at the same time or during a live event). In certain of such preferred embodiments, participants in games make no payment to participate in the games.

An electrical connector tool assembly is disclosed. The tool assembly includes a conductor tool and a connector tool connected to and cooperable with the conductor tool. The tool assembly can be used in connecting a first conductor to a second conductor with an electrical connector. The tool assembly is adjustably arranged and disposed to receive and removably retain a first conductive member of an electrical connector in the connector tool and is further arranged and disposed to both to hold the second conductor in place relative to a second conductive member of the electrical connector and to prevent rotation of the second conductive member with respect to the first conductive member.

A portable brewing device includes a container and a top assembly removably attachable to the container. The top assembly is configured to receive a brewing agent and is fluidly connected to the container through a filter. When the device is flipped upside down, liquid can flow from the container body through the filter and into the top assembly. When the beverage has steeped a desired amount, the device can be turned right side up to separate the liquid from any remaining brewing agent. The top assembly can be removed and the beverage is now ready to be drunk from the container. An improved sealing system can be used to prevent leaks, particularly when the device is upside down. In addition, an improved filter system can allow for the quick and proper movement of liquid between the container and top assembly.

An improved system and method for providing Internet access services to guests of a hotel chain. A web services (WS) framework is used for communications between a central authentication server (CAS) and property management system (PMS) of a hotel within a chain. Authentication of a user to a high speed Internet network is accomplished using the WS framework to facilitate communication between the CAS and PMS. A gateway device for authentication is bypassed and transactions are posted by implementing a WS interface between a CAS and PMS at each hotel. Additional transactions may be incorporated within the WS interface thereby increasing the system and method's ability to deliver significant improvements in customer service to the hotel guest. Reduced dependence upon a gateway device to facilitate communications allows a hotel to implement a high speed Internet access program with a degree of independence from one particular vendor.

A system for selecting skis accesses the weight of a user without disclosing the weight, then assigns the weight into one of several predefined weight ranges. Encrypted weight indicators are provided which are each distinctive to a particular weight range, and the appropriate weight indicator for the weight range into which the weight of the user is assigned is provided. A set of distinct indicia that match the weight indicators are applied to a collection of skis. The skis are divided into groups, each group being designed to be suitable for users having any weight within a particular one of the weight ranges. The skis in a particular group are marked with the indicia which match the weight indicator for that particular weight range. By selecting skis having indicia that match the weight indicator provided, the user selects skis which are suitable based on the weight of the user.

A system that is directly coupled to the transmission network or the distribution network, wherein a variable-speed, twin-fed asynchronous machine is combined with a flywheel. Besides the function as a voltage-regulating phase shifter, energy in the flywheel can at the same time be stored or removed as the speed changes. The provided properties relate to a combination of frequency support, voltage stabilisation, energy storage and short-circuit capacity. In a particular embodiment the speed of the flywheel is increased in relation to the speed of the rotor by a transmission, wherein the capability of the flywheel to store energy advantageously rises disproportionally with the speed.

A method of measuring sub-micrometer hysteresis loops of a magnetic film is provided. First, a magnetic field is applied to a sample of a magnetic film, and a polarization microscope is used to observe an analytical area of the sample. Next, the observed dynamic video is converted to many digital pictures stored in chronological order. Then, the grayscale values of each selected pixel are read and converted to the corresponding relative magnetic moments, and hysteresis loops of each selected pixel are drawn.

The present invention is a new and improved motorized adjustable workstation. The invention base has substantially parallel feet and legs that rise at an angle to support the main drive tube. Attached to the main drive tube is a linear actuator that raises the main work surface. The preferred embodiment of the invention incorporates an adjustable monitor lift that raises a monitor with, and above the main work surface in an overlapping fashion relative to the main work surface, and is particularly suited for computer workstations.

In one embodiment, a resolution resiliency application modifies domain name service (DNS) resolution. In operation, the resolution resiliency application determines that an authoritative name server has begun recovering from a degraded state or receives a flush list update from the authoritative name server. In response, the resolution resiliency application performs operation(s) that modify a query rate and / or a cache. The query rate specifies a frequency associated with DNS queries transmitted to the first authoritative name server. The cache stores DNS record(s) received from the first authoritative name server. Finally, the resolution resiliency application generates a DNS response to a DNS query based on the modified query rate and / or the modified cache.

An arrangement and a method to control and regulate the bottom hole pressure in a well during subsea drilling at deep waters: The method involves adjustment of a liquid / gas interface level in a drilling riser up or down. The arrangement comprises a high pressure drilling riser and a surface BOP at the upper end of the drilling riser. The surface BOP havs a gas bleeding outlet. The riser also comprises a BOP, with a by-pass line. The drilling riser has an outlet at a depth below the water surface, and the outlet is connected to a pumping system with a flow return conduit running back to a drilling vessel / platform.

The present disclosure provides a system and method for an ultrathin optical metasurface with an array patterning formed on an optical fiber facet that enables manipulation of light passing therethrough, such as focusing and steering the light, and controlling a polarization state of light. The patterning can be non-uniform to selectively direct light passing through the metasurface. Array structures can vary in size, angle, shapes, and other non-uniform aspects. Further, the array can include materials that can be electrically activated and controlled to variably tune the metasurface characteristics for increased ability to manipulate the light passing therethrough. The materials can include a conductor, a dielectric, or a composite of a conductor, insulator, and dielectric formed on the optical fiber. The integration of an ultrathin metasurface and optical fiber can provide practical applications in optical imaging and sensing, optical communications, high power lasers, beam steering, color filters, and other applications.

The invention relates to a pump for pumping contaminated liquid including solid matter, comprising a pump housing provided with a rotatable impeller suspended in a drive shaft and having at least one vane, and an impeller seat, at least one part of the impeller and the impeller seat being movable in the axial direction in relation to each other. Furthermore, the impeller seat presents at least one groove in the top surface thereof.

Retractor safety device for identifying and controlling hazardous areas associated with unmarked, unbarricaded or unprotected areas of Construction and General Industry work sites, as well as any application requiring pedestrian movement-control, designed to meet all required safety standards in terms of color and signage, and will incorporate a variety of elements to promote visibility and ease of use. Retractor safety device is an industrial-grade, reusable caution / danger / hazard tape retractor that attaches by means of a universal mounting bracket, includes a manually- or automatically-operated tape-locking mechanism, as well as a quick-connect, universal tape attachment with Lock-Out, Tag-Out (LOTO) capabilities, and field cleanable / maintainable.

The use of an aminoalkyl glucosamine phosphate compound, or a derivative or analog thereof, in combination with a cytokine or lymphokine such as granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor or interleukin-12, is useful as an adjuvant combination in an antigenic composition to enhance the immune response in a vertebrate host to a selected antigen.

Polymer particles are irradiated with radiation from a high energy source to increase the water or other fluid absorbency of the particles. Products manufactured using the activated particles include protective undergarments, bandages, kitty litter, and spill clean up materials.

A composition for increasing alkalinity in the body containing water, a source of alkalinity, and silicon.

The present invention provides a device and related method that uses a physical stimulus (27) to alert the user of a possible disturbance through biofeedback in response to external body temperature fluctuations outside the normal range (26) to make the user consciously aware (30) of the disturbance so the user can refocus energy and attention. The present device comprises an electric circuit (8), energy source (3), timing element, physical stimulus generator (4), programmable component which sends a physical stimulus to said user at a default or programmed time interval, and at least one thermal sensor (9) disposed to come into direct contact with the user's skin to detect abnormal changes in skin temperature and send a physical stimulus to the user.

Improvements in a fixture housing with dog ears is disclosed that can be installed from one side of a wall or ceiling. This increases the ability of the installer to place the fixture in a desired location as opposed to using a location that provides the best access on stud or joists. Once the ideal location is identified the installer uses a saw to cut an opening in the desired location. The housing is pushed into the opening for installation without requiring access to the back of the wall, ceiling or floor. The fixture housing uses a plurality of spring loaded dogs that are operated from the visible wall or ceiling surface. It is also possible for the fixture to be removed by lifting the locking tabs and sliding securing ears where the entire fixture can then be pulled back through the open hole.

This invention relates to the use of human neutrophil marker interleukin 8 receptor B (IL8Rb) for detection of bladder cancer, and more particularly to the use of EL8Rb for discriminating between transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (TCC) and inflammatory conditions of the bladder.

The biosynthesized magnetic metal nanoparticles for oil spill remediation are magnetic nanoparticles capped with an extract of Anthemis pseudocotula. The magnetic nanoparticles are formed by co-precipitation of ferric chloride hexahydrate and ferrous chloride tetrahydrate in an ethanol solution of the extract with the dropwise addition of ammonium hydroxide to raise the pH to between 8 and 11. The extract may be an extract of the aerial parts of Anthemis pseudocotula in a low polar extraction solvent, such as an n-alkane solvent or mono-di-, or trichloromethane. The extract is hydrophobic, improving dispersion of the magnetic nanoparticles in oil spills in seawater, resulting in 90% removal of oil for a 1:10 ratio of nanoparticles:oil by weight.