1. A method for facilitating the evaluation of one or more financial products, comprising the steps of:
providing a set of predetermined questions relating to a financial product;
allowing a user to electronically configure a set of required questions from the predetermined questions;
allowing the user to electronically configure appropriate answers for each question of the set of required questions;
allowing the user to electronically configure a set of preferred questions from the predetermined questions;
allowing the user to electronically configure appropriate answers for each question of the set of preferred questions;
allowing the user to electronically configure a weight for each question of the set of preferred questions;
allowing one or more providers of financial products to electronically provide responses to at least some of the questions of the set of required questions and at least some of the questions of the set of preferred questions;
electronically comparing the appropriate answers for each question of the set of required questions and the responses by the one or more providers of financial products to corresponding questions of the set of required questions;
electronically comparing the appropriate answers for each question of the set of preferred questions and the responses by the one or more providers of financial products to corresponding questions of the set of preferred questions;
electronically calculating a required question score for the one or more financial products based at least in part on a proportion of the questions of the set of required questions for which the corresponding appropriate answer matched the corresponding response;
electronically calculating a preferred question score for the one or more financial products based at least in part on the weights for the questions of the set of preferred questions and whether, for each question of the set of preferred questions, the corresponding appropriate answer matched the corresponding response;
electronically calculating a combined score for the one or more financial products based at least in part on a weighted average which is based on a weight of the required question score, a weight of the preferred question score, the required question score, and the preferred question score; and
electronically presenting the combined score for the one or more financial products to the user.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the weight of the required question score is in the range of 70%-75%.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
allowing the user to electronically configure a weight for the required question score and a weight for the preferred question score to be used in the step of calculating the combined score.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
electronically setting a default weight of the required question score.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of:
giving the user an option of electronically setting a new weight of the required question score to replace the default weight.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the default weight is in the range of 70%-75%.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of allowing the user to electronically configure a weight for each question of the set of preferred questions comprises allowing the user to electronically select, for each question of the set of preferred questions, an integer between one and five inclusive.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
precluding the user from configuring a weight for any of the questions of the set of required questions.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
when electronically presenting the combined score for the one or more financial products to the user, presenting the combined score for the one or more financial products to the user in the form of a listing of the one or more financial products and their respective combined scores; and
providing a special visual symbol for those of the one or more financial products for which, for each question of the set of required questions, the corresponding response matches the corresponding appropriate answer.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the special visual symbol is an image.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
electronically receiving an identification of one or more financial products that are approved.
12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
electronically receiving an indication of whether the user is acting in a restricted role; and
restricting access to at least one electronic feature if the indication is that the user is acting in a restricted role.
13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:
electronically receiving an indication of whether the user is acting in a consulting capacity; and
when electronically presenting the combined score for the one or more financial products to the user, filtering out results for financial products that are not approved if the indication is that the user is not acting in a consulting capacity.
14. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:
after electronically presenting the combined score for the one or more financial products to the user, allowing the user to electronically request generation of a RFP for one or more of the one or more financial products that are approved;
electronically generating the one or more requested RFPs; and
electronically transmitting the one or more requested RFPs to those of the one or more providers of financial products who provide the one or more of the one or more financial products that are approved.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of:
after electronically presenting the combined score for the one or more financial products to the user, precluding the user from electronically requesting generation of a RFP for any of the financial products that are not approved.
16. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
electronically presenting to the user, for the one or more financial products, the number of required questions for which the corresponding appropriate answer matches the corresponding response, the number of preferred questions for which the corresponding appropriate answer matches the corresponding response, the number of questions in the set of required questions, and the number of questions in the set of preferred questions.
17. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
after electronically presenting the combined score for the one or more financial products to the user, allowing the user to select a financial product for which the corresponding appropriate answer did not match the corresponding response for one or more of the questions of the set of required questions; and
electronically presenting to the user, for the selected financial product, for each of the questions of the set of required questions for which the corresponding appropriate answer did not match the corresponding response, one or more of the question, the corresponding appropriate answer, and the corresponding response.
18. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
after electronically presenting the combined score for the one or more financial products to the user, allowing the user to select a financial product for which the corresponding appropriate answer did not match the corresponding response for one or more of the questions of the set of required questions; and
electronically presenting to the user, for the selected financial product, for each of the questions of the set of required questions for which the corresponding appropriate answer did not match the corresponding response, the question, the corresponding appropriate answer, and the corresponding response.
19. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
electronically generating a report including at least:
v) a set of reported questions comprising some of the questions of the set of required questions andor some of the questions of the set of preferred questions;
vi) the appropriate answers for the questions of the set of reported questions;
vii) for at least one financial product, the responses for the questions of the set of reported questions; and
viii) for the at least one financial product, the combined score.
20. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
electronically generating a report including at least one of:
v) a set of reported questions comprising some of the questions of the set of required questions andor some of the questions of the set of preferred questions;
vi) the appropriate answers for the questions of the set of reported questions;
vii) for at least one financial product, the responses for the questions of the set of reported questions; or
viii) for the at least one financial product, the combined score.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein the report also includes at least one comment from at least one of the user and a provider of financial products who provides at least one of the at least one financial product.
22. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of:
allowing the user to electronically select the at least one financial product for which the responses for the questions of the set of reported questions and the combined score are included in the report.
23. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
allowing the user to select sections from amongst a plurality of sections to be included in a report and a relative order in the report of the selected sections; and
electronically generating the report according to the user’s selections.
24. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:
allowing the user to electronically assign a weight for the combined score and a weight for at least one additional factor;
electronically calculating a total score for the at least one financial product based at least in part on a weighted average of the combined score and the at least one additional factor; and
when electronically generating the report, including the total score.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the at least one additional factor comprises at least one of a score assigned to the provider of the financial product based on feedback from the provider’s previous customers, a score assigned by the advisor based on the advisor’s opinion, and a third party rating.
26. A method for facilitating the evaluation of one or more financial products, comprising the steps of:
providing a set of predetermined questions relating a financial product;
allowing an individual other than a user to electronically pre-set a first set of questions from the predetermined questions.
allowing the user to electronically configure a set of required questions from the predetermined questions, while requiring the first set of questions to be included in the set of required questions;
allowing the user to electronically configure appropriate answers for each question of the set of required questions;
allowing the user to electronically configure a set of preferred questions from the predetermined questions;
allowing the user to electronically configure appropriate answers for each question of the set of preferred questions;
allowing the user to electronically configure a weight for each question of the set of preferred questions;
allowing one or more providers of financial products to electronically provide responses to at least some of the questions of the set of required questions and at least some of the questions of the set of preferred questions;
electronically comparing the appropriate answers for each question of the set of required questions and the responses by the one or more providers of financial products to corresponding questions of the set of required questions;
electronically comparing the appropriate answers for each question of the set of preferred questions and the responses by the one or more providers of financial products to corresponding questions of the set of preferred questions;
electronically calculating a required question score for the one or more financial products based at least in part on a proportion of the questions of the set of required questions for which the corresponding appropriate answer matched the corresponding response;
electronically calculating a preferred question score for the one or more financial products based at least in part on the weights for the questions of the set of preferred questions and whether, for each question of the set of preferred questions, the corresponding appropriate answer matched the corresponding response;
electronically calculating a combined score for the one or more financial products based at least in part on a weighted average of the required question score and the preferred question score; and
electronically presenting the combined score for the one or more financial products to the user.
27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the steps of:
allowing the individual other than the user to electronically pre-set a second set of questions from the predetermined questions; and
while allowing the user to electronically configure the set of preferred questions from the predetermined questions, requiring the second set of questions to be included in the set of preferred questions.
28. A computerized system for facilitating the evaluation of one or more financial products, comprising:
an electronic database containing a set of predetermined questions relating to a financial product;
configuration means for allowing a user to electronically configure a set of required questions from the predetermined questions, for allowing the user to electronically configure appropriate answers for each question of the set of required questions, for allowing the user to electronically configure a set of preferred questions from the predetermined questions, for allowing the user to electronically configure appropriate answers for each question of the set of preferred questions, and for allowing the user to electronically configure a weight for each question of the set of preferred questions.
communication means for allowing one or more providers of financial products to electronically provide responses to at least some of the questions of the set of required questions and at least some of the questions of the set of preferred questions;
a score calculating apparatus for electronically comparing the appropriate answers for each question of the set of required questions and the responses by the one or more providers of financial products to corresponding questions of the set of required questions, for electronically comparing the appropriate answers for each question of the set of preferred questions and the responses by the one or more providers of financial products to corresponding questions of the set of preferred questions, for electronically calculating a required question score for the one or more financial products based at least in part on a proportion of the questions of the set of required questions for which the corresponding appropriate answer matched the corresponding response, for electronically calculating a preferred question score for the one or more financial products based at least in part on the weights for the questions of the set of preferred questions and whether, for each question of the set of preferred questions, the corresponding appropriate answer matched the corresponding response, and for electronically calculating a combined score for the one or more financial products based at least in part on a weighted average which is based on a weight of the required question score, a weight of the preferred question score, the required question score, and the preferred question score; and
presentation means for electronically presenting the combined score for the one or more financial products to the user.
29. A method for facilitating the evaluation of one or more products by a potential purchaser, comprising the steps of:
providing a set of predetermined questions relating to a product;
allowing a potential purchaser to electronically configure a set of required questions from the predetermined questions;
allowing the potential purchaser to electronically configure appropriate answers for each question of the set of required questions;
allowing the potential purchaser to electronically configure a set of preferred questions from the predetermined questions;
allowing the potential purchaser to electronically configure appropriate answers for each question of the set of preferred questions;
allowing the potential purchaser to electronically configure a weight for each question of the set of preferred questions;
allowing one or more product providers to electronically provide responses to at least some of the questions of the set of required questions and at least some of the questions of the set of preferred questions;
electronically comparing the appropriate answers for each question of the set of required questions and the responses by the one or more product providers to corresponding questions of the set of required questions;
electronically comparing the appropriate answers for each question of the set of preferred questions and the responses by the one or more product providers to corresponding questions of the set of preferred questions;
electronically calculating a required question score for the one or more products based at least in part on a proportion of the questions of the set of required questions for which the corresponding appropriate answer matched the corresponding response;
electronically calculating a preferred question score for the one or more products based at least in part on the weights for the questions of the set of preferred questions and whether, for each question of the set of preferred questions, the corresponding appropriate answer matched the corresponding response;
electronically calculating a combined score for the one or more products based at least in part on a weighted average which is based on a weight of the required question score, a weight of the preferred question score, the required question score, and the preferred question score; and
electronically presenting the combined score for the one or more products to the potential purchaser.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1-57. (canceled)
58. A device for treating diseases of a heart, the device comprising:
a biocompatible material configured to cover an external surface of the heart;
the material having a compliance reflecting an ability to deform under strain to a stretched state, and an elasticity reflecting a tendency to return to a rest state from the stretched state;
the material having a rest size at the rest state and a stretched size at the stretched state, the stretched size being at least 20% greater than the rest size;
the elasticity and compliance being selected to store energy in the material to assist chronic remodeling of the heart and avoid significant acute resistance to diastolic filling of the heart.
59. The device according to claim 58, wherein the rest size defines a rest volume and the stretched size defines a stretched volume.
60. The device according to claim 59, wherein the material is configured as a jacket having an upper and a lower end, the upper end defining an opening for receiving the heart.
61. The device according to claim 60, wherein the material is closed at the lower end.
62. The device according to claim 60, wherein the material is open at the lower end.
63. The device according to claim 59, wherein the compliance allows at least a 3% increase in volume for every 1 mm Hg change in applied pressure.
64. The device according to claim 58, wherein the rest size defines a rest surface area and the stretched size defines a stretched surface area.
65. The device according to claim 64, wherein the material is configured as a patch.
66. The device according to claim 58, wherein the compliance is greater than a compliance of a normal myocardium, the compliance being the inverse of stiffness, and wherein the biocompatible material conforms to the external surface of the heart and is sized to provide resistance to circumferential expansion of the heart without impeding systolic contraction.
67. The device according to claim 66, wherein the material has a stiffness of less than about 3.8 lbsin when subjected to a uniaxial load at a strain of less than 30%.
68. The device according to claim 58, wherein the compliance is greater than a compliance of a normal latissimus dorsi, the compliance being the inverse of stiffness, and wherein the biocompatible material conforms to an external surface of the heart and is sized to provide resistance to circumferential expansion of the heart without impeding systolic contraction.
69. The device according to claim 58, wherein the biocompatible material has a stiffness of less than 0.5 lbsin when subjected to a uniaxial load at a strain of less than 30%.
70. The device according to claim 58, wherein the material is sized to be smaller than the external surface of the heart to which it is applied, wherein the material is configured to exert a pressure on the external surface of the heart that is no greater than an end diastolic pressure of a right ventricle of the heart.
71. The device according to claim 58, wherein the material is sized to be larger than the external surface of the heart to which it is applied, and is adapted to be sized by adjustment during implantation.
72. The device according to claim 58, wherein the material is capable of an elastic recovery of at least about 50%.
73. The device according to claim 58, wherein the material is configured to apply a pressure to the external surface of the heart at end diastole of less than 10 mm Hg.
74. A method for treating diseases of a heart, the method comprising:
surgically accessing the heart; and
applying a cardiac support device to an external surface of the heart, the cardiac support device including:
a biocompatible material having a compliance reflecting an ability to deform under strain to a stretched state, and an elasticity reflecting a tendency to return to a rest state from the stretched state;
the material having a rest size at the rest state and a stretched size at the stretched state, the stretch size being at least 20% greater than the rest size;
the elasticity and compliance being selected to store energy in the material to assist chronic remodeling of the heart and to avoid significant acute resistance to diastolic filling of the heart.
75. The method according to claim 74, wherein the remodeling includes reducing a volume of the heart.
76. The method according to claim 74, wherein the remodeling includes altering a shape of the heart.
77. The method according to claim 74, wherein the rest size defines a rest volume and the stretched size defines a stretched volume.
78. A device for treating diseases of a heart, the device comprising:
a biocompatible material dimensioned to correspond to the heart;
the material having a compliance reflecting an ability to deform to a stretched state within a range of stretched states defined by the compliance of the material;
the compliance of the material being higher than a compliance of the heart, the device expanding to not over restrain the heart;
the material having an elasticity reflecting a tendency to return to a rest state from the stretched state, the elasticity and compliance being selected to store energy in the material to assist chronic remodeling of the heart and avoid significant acute resistance to diastolic filling of the heart.
79. The device according to claim 78, wherein the biocompatible material conforms to an external surface of the heart and is dimensioned to provide resistance to circumferential expansion of the heart without impeding systolic contraction.
80. The device according to claim 79, wherein the material is sized to be smaller than the external surface of the heart to which it is applied, wherein the material is configured to exert a pressure on the external surface of the heart that is no greater than an end diastolic pressure of the heart.
81. The device according to claim 79, wherein the material is sized to be larger than the external surface of the heart to which it is applied, and is adapted to be sized by adjustment during implantation.
82. The device according to claim 78, wherein the compliance of the material is greater than a compliance of a normal myocardium, the compliance being the inverse of stiffness.
83. The device according to claim 78, wherein the compliance of the material is greater than a compliance of a normal latissimus dorsi, the compliance being the inverse of stiffness.