Abstract:
Devices and methods are provided for directionally receiving and/or transmitting acoustic waves and/or radio waves for use in applications such as wireless communications systems and/or radar. High directional gain and spatial selectivity are achieved while employing an array of receiving antennas that is small as measured in units of the wavelength of radio waves being received or transmitted, especially in the case of spatially oversampled arrays. Frequency/wavenumber, multi-dimensional spectrum analysis, as well as one-dimensional frequency spectrum analysis can be performed.
Abstract:
A system and method are disclosed for one-stop shopping for health-care services and related needs. The one-stop shopping system and method provide objective information for the system enrollee to assess and decide on health-care insurance and services. The system and method provide this objective information in a way that is easily accessible by system enrollees in an economical and rapid manner.
Abstract:
A multi-chambered deposition pin wash station is provided. The wash station includes a lower chamber and an upper drain basin connected by a plurality of wash tubes. Cleaning fluid is provided to the lower chamber and passes through the cleaning tubes into the upper drain basin. The cleaning tubes are adapted to clean a single deposition pin with a single tube per wash cycle.
Abstract:
A method of processing fullerenes includes generating a gas stream having suspended soot particles and condensable gases, wherein the condensable gases comprising fullerenes, and separating at least a portion of the condensable gases from the suspended soot particles using a gas/solid separations process. At least a portion of the fullerenes in the condensable gases can be condensed and collected after separation of the condensable gases.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method and system for virtual mentoring of a group of individuals based on the management of their work-related knowledge. According to the embodiments of the present invention, collective experience and intellectual capital of an organization and its personnel are efficiently and intelligently gathered to provide “just-in-time” training/mentoring of the organization's personnel to enhance job performance and satisfaction and to achieve Quality Management (QM) results/outcomes. The training/mentoring can be requested by or automatically provided to the personnel via various designated access locations.
Abstract:
Metal films are deposited with uniform thickness and excellent step coverage. Copper metal films were deposited on heated substrates by the reaction of alternating doses of copper(I) NN′-diispropylacetamidinate vapor and hydrogen gas. Cobalt metal films were deposited on heated substrates be the reaction of alternating doses of cobalt(II) bis(N,N′-diispropylacetamidinate) vapor and hydrogen gas. Nitrides and oxides of these metals can be formed by replacing the hydrogen with ammonia or water vapor, respectively. The films have very uniform thickness and excellent step coverage in narrow holes. Suitable applications include electrical interconnects in microelectronics and magnetoresistant layers in magnetic information storage devices.
Abstract:
The present invention relates particularly to a method and system for integrating an interactive voice response (IVR) environment into an existing host processing system to provide automated telephone responses to callers to the host system. The integrated IVR environment is highly scaleable with hardware and software open to the host system for in-house modification and/or addition of components and applications to accommodate additional and/or modified host business logic, host applications, and other host requirements. The integrated IVR environment also alleviates the high cost often associated with the purchase, installation, and maintenance of the IVR functionality for a host processing system.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a device for occluding an anatomical aperture, such as an atrial septal defect (ASD) or a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The occluder includes two sides connected by a central tube. The occluder is formed from a tube, which is cut to produce struts in each side. Upon the application of force, the struts deform into loops. The loops may be of various shapes, sizes, and configurations, and, in at least some embodiments, the loops have rounded peripheries. In some embodiments, at least one of the sides includes a tissue scaffold. The occluder further includes a catch system that maintains its deployed state in vivo. When the occluder is deployed in vivo, the two sides are disposed on opposite sides of the septal tissue surrounding the aperture and the catch system is deployed so that the occluder exerts a compressive force on the septal tissue and closes the aperture.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a novel substituted azaindoline intermediate of formula (I) and a method for its synthesis. The novel substitued azaindoline intermediate (I) is provided for use in the manufacture of 5-substituted 7-azaindolines and 5-substituted 7-azaindoles.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a scleral lens which includes channels on its posterior bearing surface that improve the flow of tears between the bearing surface of the device and the underlying scleral eyes tissue into the space between the optic of the lens and cornea. The channels are disposed on the inside surface of the lens and extend generally radially from the inside of the haptic and the outside rim of the lens. Various configurations are possible for the channels, as described in more detail below. Additionally, the channels can have a serpentine or arcuate configuration to allow for the appropriate amount of fluid flow between the space under the lens and the scleral surface of the eye. In another embodiment, microchannels can be formed in the lens to increase the oxygen permeability of the lens. The microchannels can have many configurations that reduce the volume of the lens material.