Author: claimsbot

1. In a drill string that extends along an axis from an uphole direction to a downhole direction, a torque converter comprising:
upper and lower cylindrical string parts, each comprising an uphole end and a downhole end;
helical spring elements operatively connecting the downhole end of the upper cylindrical string part to the uphole end of the lower cylindrical string part;
wherein the helical spring elements limit otherwise free relative axial and counter-rotational movement of the upper and lower cylindrical string parts with respect to each other;
wherein relative counter-rotational movement of the upper and lower cylindrical parts in a first direction causes the helical spring elements to contract along the axis, and thus move the lower cylindrical string part in the uphole direction;
wherein relative counter-rotational movement of the upper and lower cylindrical parts in a second, opposite direction causes the helical spring elements to expand along the axis, and thus move the lower cylindrical string part in the downhole direction; and
wherein a predetermined amount of torque applied to the drill string during drill string operation causes relative counter-rotational movement of the upper and lower cylindrical parts in the first direction and thus results in movement of the lower cylindrical string part in the uphole direction.
2. The torque converter according to claim 1, comprising at least one guide element disposed between the upper and lower cylindrical string parts.
3. The torque converter according to claim 1, comprising at least one seal disposed between the upper and lower cylindrical string parts.
4. The torque converter according to claim 1, comprising a drill string having a downhole end and a drill bit operably connected to the downhole end, and wherein the torque converter is incorporated into a drill string such that relative rotation movement of the upper and lower cylindrical parts causes the drill bit to retract in the uphole direction away from a drilling surface.
5. A method of operating the torque converter of claim 4 comprising the step of operating the drill string until a predetermined amount of torque is applied to the helical spring elements to thus retract the drill bit in the uphole direction away form the drilling device.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for monitoring leukocyte migration including a housing defining:
a plurality of chambers therein, each of the plurality of chambers including:
a first well region including at least one first well;
a second well region including at least one second well; and
a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another, the at least one channel including at least one leukocyte migration mediator, or endothelial cells disposed therein,
wherein at least one of the plurality of chambers on the one hand, and the first well regions and the second well regions of respective ones of the plurality of chambers on the other hand, are disposed relative to one another to match a pitch of a standard microtiter plate.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one leukocyte migration mediator comprises a leukocyte capture mediator, a leukocyte rolling mediator, a leukocyte arrest mediator, a leukocyte transmigration mediator, or any combination thereof.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the leukocyte capture mediator is a selectin or a selectin-binding ligand.
4. The device of claim 2, wherein the leukocyte rolling mediator is a selectin or a selectin binding ligand.
5. The device of claim 2, wherein the leukocyte arrest mediator is an integrin binding ligand.
6. The device of claim 2, wherein the leukocyte transmigration mediator is PECAM-1 or JAM.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one leukocyte migration mediator comprises a first leukocyte migration mediator and a second leukocyte migration mediator, the first leukocyte migration mediator and the second leukocyte migration mediator being different from one another.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein the first leukocyte migration mediator comprises a leukocyte rolling mediator and the second leukocyte migration mediator comprises a leukocyte arrest mediator.
9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a chemokine disposed in the at least one channel.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises:
a support member; and
a top member mounted to the support member,
wherein the support member and the top member are configured such that they together define the plurality of chambers.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein the top member is in conformal contact with the support member.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of chambers on the one hand, and the first well regions and the second well regions of respective ones of the plurality of chambers, on the other hand are disposed relative to one another to match a pitch of a 24-well microtiter plate, a 96-well microtiter plate, a 384-well microtiter plate, a 768-well microtiter plate or a 1536-well microtiter plate.
13. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one channel comprises a plurality of rectilinear, parallel channels.
14. The device of claim 1, wherein the second well region is horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device.
15. The device of claim 1, wherein the channel region is configured for supporting physiological shear flow therealong.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein the channel region is configured for supporting physiological shear flow by hydrostatic pressure.
17. A system comprising the device of claim 1, further comprising a video camera operatively linked to the device for viewing the at least one channel.
18. A kit for monitoring leukocyte migration comprising:
a device including a housing defining a plurality of chambers therein, each of the plurality of chambers including:
a first well region including at least one first well;
a second well region including at least one second well; and
a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another,
wherein at least one of the plurality of chambers on the one hand, and the first well regions and the second well regions of the respective ones of the plurality of chambers on the other hand, are disposed relative to one another to match a pitch of a standard microtiter plate; and a first leukocyte migration mediator or endothelial cells.
19. The kit of claim 18, further comprising an inhibitor or promoter of leukocyte migration.
20. The kit of claim 18, further comprising a second leukocyte migration mediator, wherein the first leukocyte migration mediator and the second leukocyte migration mediator are different from one another.
21. A device for monitoring leukocyte migration comprising:
a housing;
means associated with the housing for defining a plurality of chambers in the housing, each of the plurality of chambers including:
an inlet means for receiving a sample comprising leukocytes;
an outlet means in flow communication with the inlet means for receiving the sample comprising leukocytes from the inlet means; and
connection means connecting the inlet means and the outlet means to one another, the connection means including at least one leukocyte migration mediator, or endothelial cells disposed therein,
wherein at least one of the plurality of chambers on the one hand, and the inlet means and the outlet means on the other hand, are disposed relative to one another to match a pitch of a standard microtiter plate.
22. The device of claim 21, wherein:
the support means comprises support member;
the means for defining comprises a support member and a top member,
wherein the support member and the top member are configured such that they together define the plurality of chambers.
23. The device of claim 21, wherein:
the inlet means comprises at least one first well; and
the outlet means comprises at least one second well.
24. A method of monitoring leukocyte migration comprising:
providing a device including a housing defining a plurality of chambers therein, each of the plurality of chambers including:
a first well region including at least one first well;
a second well region including at least one second well; and
a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another, wherein at least one of the plurality of chambers on the one hand, and the first well regions and the second well regions of the respective ones of the plurality of chambers are disposed relative to one another to match a pitch of a standard microtiter plate;
disposing at least one leukocyte migration mediator, or endothelial cells in the at least one channel;
providing a sample comprising leukocytes in the at least one channel; and
observing the interaction between the leukocytes and the at least one leukocyte migration mediator or the interaction between the leukocytes and the endothelial cells.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the at least one leukocyte migration mediator comprises a leukocyte capture mediator, a leukocyte rolling mediator, a leukocyte arrest mediator, a leukocyte transmigration mediator or any combination thereof.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the leukocyte capture mediator is a selectin or selectin binding ligand.
27. The method of claim 25, wherein the leukocyte rolling mediator is a selectin or selectin binding ligand.
28. The method of claim 25, wherein the leukocyte arrest mediator is an integrin binding ligand.
29. The method of claim 24, wherein the at least one leukocyte migration mediator comprise a first leukocyte migration mediator and a second leukocyte migration mediator, the first leukocyte migration mediator and second leukocyte migration mediators being different from one another.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein the first leukocyte migration mediator comprises a leukocyte rolling mediator and the second leukocyte migration mediator comprises a leukocyte arrest mediator.
31. The method of claim 29, further comprising adding at least one inhibitor adapted to inhibit the first leukocyte migration mediator, the second leukocyte migration mediator, or both.
32. The method of claim 29, further comprising adding at least one promoter adapted to promote leukocyte migration mediated by the first leukocyte migration mediator, the second leukocyte migration mediator, or both.
33. The method of claim 24, further comprising adding a test agent to the sample comprising leukocytes.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein the test agent comprises an inhibitor of leukocyte migration or a promoter of migration.
35. The method of claim 24, wherein the housing comprises:
a support member; and
a top member mounted to the support member, wherein the support member and the top member are configured such that they together define the plurality of chambers.
36. The method of claim 24, further comprising providing physiological shear flow along the longitudinal axis of the at least one channel.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein the shear flow is provided by hydrostatic pressure.
38. The method of claim 36, wherein the shear flow has a velocity in the range between about 0.1 dynescm2 to about 20 dynescm2.
39. The method of claim 24, further comprising providing a video camera operatively linked to the device for viewing the at least one channel.
40. The method of claim 24, wherein the video camera is adapted to capture an image during predetermined intervals over a predetermined period of time.
41. The method of claim 24, further comprising determining a rolling velocity of leukocytes.
42. The method of claim 24, wherein the sample of leukocytes are in about 10 microliters to about 100 microliters of media.
43. The method of claim 24, wherein the number of leukocytes in the sample comprising leukocytes is in the range of about 103 to about 106.
44. A method of simulating physiological conditions of a blood vessel in vivo comprising:
providing a device comprising a housing defining a chamber, the chamber including:
a first well region including at least one first well;
a second well region including at least one second well; and
a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another;
placing a first leukocyte migration mediator adapted to mediate a rolling of a leukocyte in the at least one channel;
placing a second leukocyte migration mediator adapted to an arrest of a leukocyte in the at least one channel;
providing a suspension comprising leukocytes in about 10 microliters to about 100 microliters of media in the at least one channel; and
allowing the suspension comprising leukocytes to flow along the at least one channel.
45. The method of claim 44, wherein the first leukocyte migration mediator is a leukocyte rolling mediator and the second leukocyte migration mediator is a leukocyte arrest mediator.
46. The method of claim 44, wherein the leukocytes flow along the at least one channel under hydrostatic pressure.
47. A method of screening test agents comprising:
providing a device comprising a housing defining a plurality of chambers, each chamber including:
a first well region including at least one first well;
a second well region including at least one second well; and
a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another, the at least one channel including at least one leukocyte migration mediator, or endothelial cells disposed therein, the first well regions and the second well regions of respective ones of the plurality of chambers are disposed relative to one another to match a pitch of a standard microtiter plate;

providing leukocytes in each of the first well regions of respective ones of the plurality of chambers;
placing at least one of a plurality of test agents in each of the first well regions of respective ones of the plurality of chambers;
observing the interaction between the leukocytes and the at least one leukocyte migration mediator in the presence of the least one of a plurality of test agents.
48. A device for monitoring leukocyte migration including a housing comprising:
a support member; and
a top member, the top member mounted to the support member by being placed in conformal contact with the support member, wherein the support member and the top member are configured such that they together define at least one chamber, the at least one chamber including:
a first well region including at least one first well;
a second well region including at least one second well; and
a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another, the at least one channel including at least one leukocyte migration mediator disposed therein.
49. The device of claim 48, wherein the at least one chamber includes a plurality of chambers.

1. A method in a computing system for modernizing an existing menu-based legacy application having a plurality of executable individual tasks, each individual task configured to be executed as corresponding code module on a host computing system, comprising:
providing, by the computing system, a first level of configuration tools to a user with sufficient privilege to administer and configure use of the legacy application, the first level of configuration tools allowing the user with sufficient privilege to further define task customization tools configured to be used for end user customization of the at least some of the executable individual tasks of the existing menu-based legacy application on a role by role basis, wherein the tasks and task customization tools associated with a role are only accessible to users that have proper authorization to conduct the associated tasks; and
using the computing system, displaying the task customization tools defined using the first level of configuration tools in a manner configured to enable an end user to customize one or more executable individual tasks of the existing menu-based legacy application on an individual task basis, the task customization tools enabling the end user to perform at least one of configuring parameter values, determining task extensions, andor determining output format for an individual task of the existing menu-based legacy application.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first level of configuration tools is provided in an application separate from the menu-based legacy application to be customized.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first level of configuration tools allows the user with sufficient privilege to define task customization tools on a role by role basis, wherein roles are represented in a data structure that associates one or more roles with each of multiple tasks.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the task customization tools include an ability to individually supplement one or more tasks of the menu-based legacy application with non-legacy code functionality.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the task customization tools include an ability to add a map, a website, an image, or an icon to supplement one or more individual tasks of the menu-based legacy application.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the task customization tools include an ability to add icons to portions of screen output from at least one task of the menu-based legacy application.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the task customization tools include an ability to add columns to a table output by at least one task of the menu-based legacy application.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the columns can include images.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the first level of configuration tools is used to define a set of available images.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the first level of configuration tools allow the user with sufficient privilege to define which executable individual tasks of the menu-based legacy application are accessible through which roles.
11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium whose contents enable a computing system to modernize an existing menu-based legacy application having a plurality of executable individual tasks, each individual task configured to be executed as corresponding code module on a host computing system, by performing a method comprising:
providing, by the computing system, a first level of configuration tools to a user with sufficient privilege to administer and configure use of the legacy application, the first level of configuration tools allowing the user with sufficient privilege to further define task customization tools configured to be used for end user customization of the at least some of the executable individual tasks of the existing menu-based legacy application on a role by role basis, wherein the tasks and task customization tools associated with a role are only accessible to users that have proper authorization to conduct the associated tasks; and
using the computing system, displaying the task customization tools defined using the first level of configuration tools in a manner configured to enable an end user to customize one or more executable individual tasks of the existing menu-based legacy application on an individual task basis, the task customization tools enabling the end user to perform at least one of configuring parameter values, determining task extensions, andor determining output format for an individual task of the existing menu-based legacy application.
12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11 wherein the computer-readable medium is a memory of the computing system, and wherein the contents are instructions that are stored on the memory and that are configured to cause the computing system to perform the method.
13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11 wherein the first level of configuration tools is provided in an application separate from the menu-based legacy application to be customized.
14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11 wherein the first level of configuration tools allows the user with sufficient privilege to define task customization tools on a role by role basis.
15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11 wherein the task customization tools include at least one of:
an ability to supplement one or more tasks of the existing menu-based legacy application with non-legacy code functionality;
an ability to add a map, a website, an image, or an icon to supplement one or more tasks of the existing menu-based legacy application;
an ability to add icons to portions of screen output from at least one task of the existing g menu-based legacy application; andor
an ability to add columns to a table output by at least one task of the existing menu-based legacy application.
16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11 wherein the first level of configuration tools is used to define a set of available images.
17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11 wherein the first level of configuration tools allow the user with sufficient privilege to define which tasks of the existing menu-based legacy application are accessible through which roles.
18. A computer system configured to modernize an existing menu-based legacy application having a plurality of executable individual tasks, each individual task configured to be executed as corresponding code module on a host computing system, comprising:
a memory;
a computer processor; and
a module that is stored on the memory and that is configured, when executed, by the computer processor, to:
provide a first level of configuration tools to a user with sufficient privilege to administer and configure use of the legacy application, the first level of configuration tools allowing the user with sufficient privilege to further define task customization tools configured to be used for end user customization of the at least some of the executable individual tasks of the existing menu-based legacy application on a role by role basis, wherein the tasks and task customization tools associated with a role are only accessible to users that have proper authorization to conduct the associated tasks; and
use the computing system, displaying the task customization tools defined using the first level of configuration tools in a manner configured to enable an end user to customize one or more executable individual tasks of the existing menu-based legacy application on an individual task basis, the task customization tools enabling the end user to perform at least one of configuring parameter values, determining task extensions, andor determining output format for an individual task of the existing menu-based legacy application.
19. The computer system of claim 18 wherein the module includes instructions for execution in the memory of the computer system.
20. The computer system of claim 18 wherein the first level of customization tools are configured to add a map, a website, an image, or an icon to supplement one or more tasks of the menu-based legacy application.

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. A gaming apparatus, comprising:
a housing;
a display unit that is capable of generating video images and mounted in the housing,
the display unit having a display area;
a touch-sensitive input device disposed overlaying a portion of the display unit;
a sensor disposed overlaying a portion of the touch sensitive input device and having a field of view;
a value input device associated with the housing; and
a controller disposed in the housing and operatively coupled to the display unit, the touch-sensitive input device, the sensor and the value input device, the controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor,
the controller being programmed to allow a person to make a wager,
the controller being programmed to cause a first video image to be generated on the display unit, the first video image representing a game and including at least one user input area,
the controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of the game;
the controller being programmed to cause a second video image to be generated on the display unit, the second video image being larger than the field of view of the sensor and smaller than the display area, having a spatial relationship to the at least one user input area of the first video image and including a plurality of regions each having at least one unique characteristic relative to the other regions of the plurality of regions, the plurality of regions with at least one target region;
the controller being programmed to receive a signal from the sensor;
the controller being programmed to determine if at least one of the plurality of regions is within the field of view of the sensor;
the controller being programmed to alter the position of the first and second video images until at least one of the plurality of regions is within the field of view of the sensor;
the controller being programmed to determine which of the plurality of regions is within the field of view of the sensor; and
the controller being programmed to alter the position of the first and second video images relative to the sensor until the at least one target region is within the field of view of the sensor.
2. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
the at least one unique characteristic being at least one of an intensity, a color, a hue and a pattern; and
the controller being programmed to determine which of the plurality of regions is within the field of view of the sensor according to the at least one unique characteristic.
3. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
the controller is programmed to receive a signal from the sensor that is associated with at least one of the plurality of regions other than the at least one target region;
the controller is programmed to determine the identity of the at least one of the plurality of regions other than the at least one target region;
the controller is programmed to refer to a table for a change in position for the first and second video images that is dependent upon the identity of the at least one of the plurality of regions other than the at least one target region; and
the controller is programmed to alter the position of the first and second video images relative to the sensor according to the change in position from the table.
4. The gaming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:
the controller is programmed to receive another signal from the sensor that is associated with at least one other of the plurality of regions other than the at least one target region;
the controller is programmed to determine the identity of the at least one other of the plurality of regions other than the at least one target region;
the controller is programmed to refer to another table for another change in position for the first and second video images that is directly dependent upon the identity of the at least one other of the plurality of regions other than the at least one target region and indirectly dependent upon the identity of the at least one of the plurality of regions; and
the controller is programmed to alter the position of the first and second video images relative to the sensor according to the another change in position from the another table.
5. The gaming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the change and the another change are in the form of a horizontal shift and a vertical shift.
6. The gaming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:
the at least one unique characteristic being at least one of an intensity, a color, a hue and a pattern; and
the controller being programmed to determine one of the identify of the at least one of the plurality of regions and the identity of the at least another of the plurality of regions according to the at least one unique characteristic.
7. The gaming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:
the controller is programmed to receive a signal from the sensor that is associated with at least one target region;
the controller is programmed to determined a characteristic of the at least one target region;
the controller is programmed to alter the position of the first and second video images relative to the sensor according to the characteristic of the at least one target region.
8. The gaming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein
the controller is programmed to receive a signal;
the controller is programmed to determine a dimension of the at least one target region within the field of view of the sensor according to the received signal; and
the controller is programmed to alter the position of the first and second video images relative to the sensor according to the dimension of the at least one target region within the field of view of the sensor.
9. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises one or more charge coupled devices.
10. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to cause a first video image representing a game to be generated on the display unit, the video image representing one of the following games: video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno and video bingo,
the video image comprising an image of at least five playing cards if the game comprises video poker,
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels if the game comprises video slots,
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of playing cards if the game comprises video blackjack,
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of keno numbers if the game comprises video keno, and
the video image comprising an image of a bingo grid if the game comprises video bingo.
11. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to cause a first video image to be generated on the display unit, the video image comprising a plurality of simulated slot machine reels of a slots game, each of the slot machine reels having a plurality of slot machine symbols.
12. A method comprising:
receiving a wager,
causing a first video image to be generated on a display unit having a display area, the first video image representing a game and including at least one user input area,
determining a value payout associated with an outcome of the game;
causing a second video image to be generated on the display unit, the second video image being larger than the field of view of a sensor and smaller than the display area, having a spatial relationship to the at least one user input area of the first video image and including a plurality of regions each having at least one unique characteristic relative to the other regions of the plurality of regions, the plurality of regions with at least one target region;
receiving a signal from the sensor;
determining if at least one of the plurality of regions is within the field of view of the sensor;
altering the position of the first and second video images until at least one of the plurality of regions is within the field of view of the sensor;
determining which of the plurality of regions is within the field of view of the sensor; and
altering the position of the first and second video images relative to the sensor until the at least one target region is within the field of view of the sensor.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the at least one unique characteristic being at least one of an intensity, a color, a hue and a pattern, the method comprising:
determining which of the plurality of regions is within the field of view of the sensor according to the at least one unique characteristic.
14. The method according to claim 12, comprising
receiving a signal from the sensor that is associated with at least one of the plurality of regions other than the at least one target region;
determining the identity of the at least one of the plurality of regions other than the at least one target region;
referring to a table for a change in position for the first and second video images that is dependent upon the identity of the at least one of the plurality of regions other than the at least one target region; and
altering the position of the first and second video images relative to the sensor according to the change in position from the table.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein:
receiving another signal from the sensor that is associated with at least one other of the plurality of regions other than the at least one target region;
determining the identity of the at least one other of the plurality of regions other than the at least one target region;
referring to another table for another change in position for the first and second video images that is directly dependent upon the identity of the at least one other of the plurality of regions other than the at least one target region and indirectly dependent upon the identity of the at least one of the plurality of regions; and
altering the position of the first and second video images relative to the sensor according to the another change in position from the another table.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the change and the another change are in the form of a horizontal shift and a vertical shift.
17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the at least one unique characteristic being at least one of an intensity, a color, a hue and a pattern, the method comprising:
determining one of the identify of the at least one of the plurality of regions and the identity of the at least another of the plurality of regions according to the at least one unique characteristic.
18. The method according to claim 15, wherein:
receiving a signal from the sensor that is associated with at least one target region;
determining a characteristic of the at least one target region;
altering the position of the first and second video images relative to the sensor according to the characteristic of the at least one target region.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein
receiving a signal;
determining a dimension of the at least one target region within the field of view of the sensor according to the received signal; and
altering the position of the first and second video images relative to the sensor according to the dimension of the at least one target region within the field of view of the sensor.
20. The method according to claim 12, comprising causing a first video image representing a game to be generated on the display unit, the video image representing one of the following games: video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno and video bingo,
the video image comprising an image of at least five playing cards if the game comprises video poker,
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels if the game comprises video slots,
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of playing cards if the game comprises video blackjack,
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of keno numbers if the game comprises video keno, and
the video image comprising an image of a bingo grid if the game comprises video bingo.
21. The method according to claim 12, comprising causing a first video image to be generated on the display unit, the video image comprising a plurality of simulated slot machine reels of a slots game, each of the slot machine reels having a plurality of slot machine symbols.