Author: claimsbot

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.

1. A dispensing head for an air pump, comprising:
a sleeve including a tubular portion and an enlarged portion, the tubular portion having a passage defined therethrough, a chamber defined in the enlarged end of the sleeve, the chamber communicating with the passage;
a housing having a first connection portion defined in a first end thereof and a through hole defined through a second end of the housing, the enlarged end having the chamber of the sleeve being received in the housing; and
a mount piece having a first groove defined in an outside thereof and a first seal ring engaged with the first groove, a second connection portion defined in the outside of the mount piece and connected with the first connection portion so as to receive the mount piece in the housing, a first end of the mount piece being inserted in the chamber and enclosed by the enlarged end of the sleeve, the enlarged end of the sleeve surrounding the first ring and the first groove, the enlarged end of the sleeve located between the housing and the first ring, the first seal ring being in contact with an inner periphery of the chamber, a plurality of inner threads defined axially in a central passage in the mount piece and adapted to be connected with a threaded section of a French valve, a second groove defined in the mount piece and located close to a second end of the mount piece, a second seal ring engaged with the second groove and adapted to be mounted to a neck of the French valve, with the second end of the mount piece having an outlet in communication with the central passage of the mount piece, with the second groove located between the plurality of inner threads and the outlet of the mount piece, the second connection portion axially spaced from the first groove, the first connection portion located between the first groove and the second groove.
2. The dispensing head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first connection portion of the housing is threadedly connected with the second connection portion of the mount piece.
3. The dispensing head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first connection portion of the housing is a convexconcave portion and the second connection portion of the mount piece is a concaveconvex portion which is engaged with the first connection portion.
4. The dispensing head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first connection portion of the housing is force fitted with the second connection portion of the mount piece.
5. The dispensing head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first connection portion of the housing is adhered to the second connection portion of the mount piece.
6. The dispensing head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing includes a serrated outer surface.
7. The dispensing head as claimed in claim 1, wherein a flange with an end surface is located on the second end of the mount piece and the flange includes a diameter larger than an outer diameter of the first end of the housing, the second connection portion located between the first end of the mount piece and the flange, the second connection portion of the mount piece having an outer diameter smaller than the diameter of the flange and larger than an outer diameter of the first end of the mount piece.
8. The dispensing head as claimed in claim 7, wherein the outlet is defined in a center of the end surface.
9. The dispensing head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first seal ring is made by rubber.

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 morphing material, comprising:
an outer layer;
a polymer layer; and
an inner core, wherein the polymer layer is between the inner core and the outer layer, wherein the inner core includes a shape memory polymer and the shape memory polymer has a known glass transition temperature, wherein the morphing material can be mechanically deformed to a temporary shape when a temperature of the shape memory polymer is at or above the glass transition temperature.
2. The morphing material of claim 1, wherein the shape memory polymer includes covalent bonds and some of the covalent bonds are broken when the temperature of the shape memory polymer is at or above the glass transition temperature.
3. The morphing material of claim 1, wherein a slip plane is created when the temperature of the shape memory polymer is at or above the glass transition temperature and the slip plane allows the polymer layer and outer layer to act at least partially independent of the inner core.
4. The morphing material of claim 1, wherein the morphing material includes a permanent shape and the morphing material can transition from the temporary shape to the permanent shape when the temperature of the shape memory polymer is at or above the glass transition temperature.
5. The morphing material of claim 1, wherein the polymer layer includes fibers to increase the stiffness of the morphing material.
6. The morphing material of claim 1, further comprising:
a second shape memory polymer, wherein the second shape memory polymer has a known second glass transition temperature that is different than the glass transition temperature.
7. The morphing material of claim 1, further comprising:
a second inner core, wherein the second inner core is next to the inner core and the second inner core includes a second shape memory polymer and the second shape memory polymer has a known second glass transition temperature.
8. The morphing material of claim 1, wherein the glass transition temperature is about the temperature of a user that is using the morphing material.
9. A method, comprising:
heating a material to a temperature above a glass transition temperature for the material, wherein the material includes:
an outer layer;
a polymer layer; and
an inner core, wherein the polymer layer is between the inner core and the outer layer, wherein the inner core includes a shape memory polymer, wherein the material can be mechanically deformed to a temporary shape when a temperature of the shape memory polymer is at or above the glass transition temperature; and

deforming the material.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the shape memory polymer includes covalent bonds and some of the covalent bonds are broken when the temperature of the shape memory polymer is at or above the glass transition temperature.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein a slip plane is created when the temperature of the shape memory polymer is at or above the glass transition temperature and the slip plane allows the polymer layer and outer layer to act at least partially independent of the inner core.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the material is mechanically deformed into a temporary shape.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
re-heating the material to a temperature above the glass transition temperature, wherein, in reaction to the re-heating, the material transitions from the temporary shape to a permanent shape without any intervention.
14. The method of claim 9, wherein the material further includes a second shape memory polymer, wherein the second shape memory polymer has a known second glass transition temperature that is different than the glass transition temperature.
15. The method of claim 9, wherein the material further includes a second inner core, wherein the second inner core is next to the inner core and the second inner core includes a second shape memory polymer and the second shape memory polymer has a known second glass transition temperature.
16. An electronic device, comprising:
a plurality of electronic components; and
a morphing material coupled to at least one of the plurality of electronic components, wherein the morphing material includes:
an outer layer;
a polymer layer; and
an inner core, wherein the polymer layer is between the inner core and the outer layer, wherein the inner core includes a shape memory polymer and the shape memory polymer has a known glass transition temperature, wherein the morphing material can be mechanically deformed to a temporary shape when a temperature of the shape memory polymer is at or above the glass transition temperature.
17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the shape memory polymer includes covalent bonds and some of the covalent bonds are broken when the temperature of the shape memory polymer is at or above the glass transition temperature.
18. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein a slip plane is created when the temperature of the shape memory polymer is at or above the glass transition temperature and the slip plane allows the polymer layer and outer layer to act at least partially independent of the inner core.
19. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the morphing material includes a permanent shape and the morphing material can transition from the temporary shape to the permanent shape when the temperature of the shape memory polymer is at or above the glass transition temperature.
20. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the morphing material further includes:
a second shape memory polymer, wherein the second shape memory polymer has a known second glass transition temperature that is different than the glass transition temperature.
21. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the morphing material further includes:
a second inner core, wherein the second inner core is next to the inner core and the second inner core includes a second shape memory polymer and the second shape memory polymer has a known second glass transition temperature.
22. A system, comprising:
means for heating a material to a temperature above a glass transition temperature for the material, wherein the material includes:
an outer layer;
a polymer layer; and
an inner core, wherein the polymer layer is between the inner core and the outer layer, wherein the inner core includes a shape memory polymer, wherein the material can be mechanically deformed to a temporary shape when a temperature of the shape memory polymer is at or above the glass transition temperature; and

means for deforming the material.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein the shape memory polymer includes covalent bonds and some of the covalent bonds are broken when the temperature of the shape memory polymer is at or above the glass transition temperature.
24. The system of claim 22, wherein a slip plane is created when the temperature of the shape memory polymer is at or above the glass transition temperature and the slip plane allows the polymer layer and outer layer to act at least partially independent of the inner core.
25. The system of claim 22, further comprising:
means for heating the material to a temperature above a second glass transition temperature for the material, wherein the material further includes:
a second inner core, wherein the second inner core includes a second shape memory polymer and the second glass transition temperature is associated with the second shape memory polymer.