Particle immobilized coatings and uses thereof

Surface coatings including microparticles immobilized in a matrix of polymeric material on a substrate are described. The microparticles can also include an agent which can be useful for various applications, such as medical applications. This invention relates to the field of surface coatings for use in various applications. More particularly, the invention relates to surface coating useful for drug delivery, imaging and other uses of microparticles immobilized via a polymeric matrix.

Methods and apparatus for user-based targeted content delivery

Methods and apparatus for selecting and delivering advertising or promotional content based on, e.g., the attributes of a desired demographic. In one embodiment, the invention enhances advertising or promotional penetration into a particular demographic of a network subscriber pool by correlating the advertising/promotion (and even the contextual program content) with specific users or groups of users within the pool. This approach decouples the advertising or promotion from any given program or lineup, and gives the network operator flexibility in deciding where, when, and how often to insert advertisements or promotions in order to achieve the desired result. Dynamic network architectures such as broadcast switched architectures can also be leveraged to further enhance flexibility and targeting precision. In effect, the network advertising or promotion model is made results-driven (versus program-centric). Subscriber privacy is also optionally maintained, thus ensuring that stored data is not traceable to a specific user.

AIR VENTILATION SYSTEM

The present invention is directed at an air ventilation system for use with semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Specifically, the ventilation system of the present invention adjusts vents or outlets located on an enclosure used for semiconductor manufacturing between a restricted state and an open state. When the vents and/or outlets are in an open state, a high flow rate through the enclosure is able to properly scavenge toxic and volatile gasses to safely remove them. When the vents and/or outlets are in a restricted state, the flow rate of gases therethrough is substantially or fully restricted. Upon the sensing of a condition (or the lack thereof) or the manual operation of an operator, the vents and/or outlets are selectively adjusted between the restricted and open states.

Method and system for classification of software using characteristics and combinations of such characteristics

In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for the steps of identifying a functional code block that performs a particular function within executable code; transforming the functional code block into a generic code representation of its functionality by tokenizing, refactoring, or the like, the functional code block; comparing the generic code representation with a previously characterized malicious code representation; and in response to a positive correlation from the comparison, identifying the executable code as containing malicious code.

System and method for facilitating the operation of a combined lottery/raffle game

Systems and methods for administering an instant win lottery game where one prize may be entry into a future draw raffle game are disclosed. The holder of an instant win ticket with a future draw raffle indicator may redeem the ticket and receive a future draw raffle entry that is eligible for a prize awarded in a raffle drawing. In one alternative, a redeemed ticket with a symbol indicating the instant ticket is eligible for an entry in a bonus raffle game may be entered into a bonus raffle game.

Systems and methods of contextual advertising

A system of contextual advertising is disclosed. The system includes a message receiving module to receive a message from a sender and determine a recipient of the message. The system further includes an advertisement selection module to select an advertisement. The advertisement is selected based on at least one of a characteristic of the recipient, a characteristic of the sender, and a characteristic of the message. The system further includes a message delivery module to send the message to the recipient and an advertisement delivery module to send the advertisement to the sender.

Enabling persistent recognition of individuals in images

A method and system for accumulating and using images of individuals, and associated image-derived data, on an continuous basis to create recognition models that facilitate ongoing recognition of individuals in images or photo collections.

Transverse connector

A transverse connector system having a first and a second locking head, and a transverse rod that is secured by the first and second locking heads. The first and second locking heads are provided with a first and second pivot arm for engaging and securing first and second elongated rods. The first and second locking heads each simultaneously engage and secure the transverse and elongated rods separately.

Devices, systems and methods for diagnosing and treating sinusitis and other disorders of the ears, Nose and/or throat

Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies, endoscopic studies and transillumination studies. Devices and methods for visually confirming the positioning of a distal end portion of an illuminating device placed within a patient include inserting a distal end portion of an illuminating device internally into a patient, emitting light from the distal end portion of the illuminating device, observing transillumination resulting from the light emitted from the distal end portion of the illuminating device that occurs on an external surface of the patient, and correlating the location of the observed transillumination on the external surface of the patient with an internal location of the patient that underlies the location of observed transillumination, to confirm positioning of the distal end portion of the illuminating device.

Expansion valve with refrigerant flow dividing structure and refrigeration unit utilizing the same

An expansion valve of the present invention has a structure which integrates a refrigerant flow divider. The expansion valve includes a refrigerant flow dividing chamber 6 on the downstream side of a first throttle 10. Flow dividing tubes 12 are connected to the refrigerant flow dividing chamber 6. In the expansion valve, refrigerant which has passed through the first throttle 10 is sprayed into the refrigerant flow dividing chamber 6, so that the flow dividing characteristic of the refrigerant is improved. Also, due to an enlargement of the passage in the refrigerant flow dividing chamber 6, the ejection energy of a flow of the refrigerant ejected from the first throttle 10 is dispersed, whereby a discontinuous refrigerant flow noise is reduced.