Author: claimsbot

What is claimed is:

1. A method of liberating various existing hydrocarbon fractions from a hydrocarbon mixture, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a hydrocarbon mixture, wherein the hydrocarbon mixture comprises a hydrocarbon fraction and a second component in emulsion; and
(b) treating the hydrocarbon mixture with cavitational energy, wherein the cavitational energy induces cavitation in the hydrocarbon mixture insufficient to cause substantial cracking of hydrocarbons within the hydrocarbon mixture yet sufficient to disrupt the emulsion to produce a treated hydrocarbon mixture.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the cavitational energy is provided using a cavitational energy source selected from the group consisting of ultrasonic, electromagnetic, propeller, impeller, venturi and combinations thereof.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the cavitational energy source is an ultrasonic source.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the ultrasonic source comprises one or more ultrasonic horns.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein the cavitational energy has a frequency of about 5 kHz to about 500 kHz.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the cavitational energy has a frequency of about 18 kHz to about 22 kHz.
7. The method of claim 3, wherein the cavitational energy is less than about 375 Wcm2.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the second component comprises an aqueous hydrophilic phase.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrocarbon mixture is selected from the group consisting of crude oil, atmospheric tower refining bottoms, used motor oil, vacuum gas oils, refining residuums, cat cracker bottoms, fuel oil, vacuum tower bottoms, residual fuel oils and mixtures thereof.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrocarbon mixture further comprises organic components containing heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, sulfur, chlorine, oxygen and mixtures thereof.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrocarbon mixture is treated at a temperature less than about 300 F.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrocarbon mixture having a predetermined pour point is treated at a temperature less than about 20 F. over the pour point of the hydrocarbon mixture.
13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of separating the second component from the hydrocarbon fraction after the treatment step.
14. The method of claim 1, further comprising subjecting the treated hydrocarbon mixture to step (b) multiple times until the treated hydrocarbon mixture exhibits a predetermined fractionation value.
15. A treated hydrocarbon mixture produced by the method of claim 1, wherein the treated hydrocarbon mixture has a higher distillable hydrocarbon content than the original hydrocarbon mixture.
16. A method of liberating various existing hydrocarbon fractions from a hydrocarbon mixture, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a hydrocarbon mixture, wherein the hydrocarbon mixture comprises a hydrocarbon fraction and a second component in emulsion;
(b) treating the hydrocarbon mixture with ultrasonic energy, wherein the ultrasonic energy induces cavitation in the hydrocarbon mixture insufficient to cause substantial cracking of hydrocarbons within the hydrocarbon mixture yet sufficient to disrupt the emulsion to produce a treated hydrocarbon mixture; and
(c) separating the second component from the hydrocarbon fraction.
18. A method of liberating various existing hydrocarbon fractions from a hydrocarbon mixture, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a hydrocarbon mixture, wherein the hydrocarbon mixture comprises a hydrocarbon fraction and a second component in emulsion;
(b) treating the hydrocarbon mixture with ultrasonic energy, wherein the ultrasonic energy induces cavitation in the hydrocarbon mixture insufficient to cause substantial cracking of hydrocarbons within the hydrocarbon mixture yet sufficient to disrupt the emulsion to produce a treated hydrocarbon mixture and wherein the hydrocarbon mixture further has a predetermined pour point and is treated at a temperature from the pour point of the hydrocarbon mixture to about 20 F. over the pour point; and
(c) separating the second component from the hydrocarbon fraction.
19. A method of liberating various existing hydrocarbon fractions from a hydrocarbon mixture, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a hydrocarbon mixture, wherein the hydrocarbon mixture comprises a hydrocarbon fraction and a second component in emulsion;
(b) providing a means for delivering the hydrocarbon mixture to a source of ultrasonic energy using a cup-shaped flow tube;
(c) treating the hydrocarbon mixture with ultrasonic energy, wherein the ultrasonic energy induces cavitation in the hydrocarbon mixture insufficient to cause substantial cracking of hydrocarbons within the hydrocarbon mixture yet sufficient to disrupt the emulsion to produce a treated hydrocarbon mixture.
20. A continuous self-contained ultrasonic treatment system for liberating various existing hydrocarbon fractions from hydrocarbon mixtures comprising:
(a) a containment space for containing the hydrocarbon mixture, wherein the hydrocarbon mixture comprises a hydrocarbon fraction and a second component in emulsion;
(b) an inlet line operatively connected to the containment space;
(c) at least one ultrasonic energy source for emitting ultrasonic energy positioned such that the ultrasonic energy passes through the containment space;
(d) an outlet line operatively connected to the containment space to allow for withdrawal of the hydrocarbon mixture; and
(e) a cup-shaped flow tube operatively connected to the containment space and oriented to direct flow of the hydrocarbon mixture toward the ultrasonic energy source.
21. A method of liberating various existing hydrocarbon fractions from a hydrocarbon mixture, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a hydrocarbon mixture wherein the hydrocarbon mixture is at a temperature less than 20 F. over the pour point of the hydrocarbon mixture and wherein the hydrocarbon mixture comprises a hydrocarbon fraction and a second component in emulsion;
(c) directing the hydrocarbon mixture toward an ultrasonic energy source using a cup-shaped flow tube;
(b) treating the hydrocarbon mixture with ultrasonic energy emitted from the ultrasonic energy source, wherein the ultrasonic energy has sufficient energy to disrupt the emulsion but insufficient energy to cause substantial cracking of hydrocarbons within the hydrocarbon mixture to produce a treated hydrocarbon mixture; and
(c) recovering the hydrocarbon fraction from the second component.

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 method for treating a condition of a patient’s airway wherein said condition is attributed at least in part to a spacing of a base of a tongue of the patient from opposing tissue of a pharyngeal wall of the patient; said method comprising:
selecting an implant sized to be implanted within said tongue, said implant a tissue-engaging member sized to be implanted within said tongue near said base and oppose relative movement between said tissue-engaging member and surrounding tissue of said tongue, said implant further having an elongated tether member with a first end secured to said tissue-engaging member;
placing said implant within said tongue with said tissue-engaging member implanted within tissue of said tongue near said base and with said tether member extending from said first end to a second end near a jaw bone of said patient; and
securing said second end of said tether to said jaw bone.
2. A method according to claim 1 comprising drawing on said tether member to place said tether member under tension before securing said second end to said jaw bone.
3. A method according to claim 1 comprising drawing on said tether member to narrow a natural spacing between said jaw bone and said base of said tongue.
4. A method according to claim 1 comprising accessing said secured second end at a time following initial implantation and adjusting a spacing between said jaw bone and said tissue-engaging end.
5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said condition is snoring.
6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said condition is sleep apnea.

What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
a plurality of transmitters configured to broadcast electromagnetic signals, the electromagnetic signals having an identifying characteristic;
a receiver to receive the signals from the plurality of transmitters, the receiver comprising:
a processor;
memory operably associated with the processor;
a program of instructions to be stored in the memory and executed by the processor, the program of instructions including instructions to:
associate particular signals received with particular ones of the plurality of transmitters based on the identifying characteristic of the signal;
determine distances between the plurality of transmitters and the receiver; and
generate a notification when one of the plurality of transmitters is farther from the receiver than a notification distance.
2. The system as in claim 1, wherein the receiver further includes a distance control to set the notification distance.
3. The system as in claim 1, wherein the identifying characteristic includes a frequency at which the electromagnetic signals are broadcast.
4. The system as in claim 1, wherein the identifying characteristic is a broadcast pattern.
5. The system as in claim 1, wherein the identifying characteristic includes an identification code included in the electromagnetic signals.
6. The system as in claim 1, wherein the receiver further includes a status display to indicate a status of the plurality of transmitters.
7. The system as in claim 6, wherein the status display includes a plurality of indicators, wherein particular ones of the plurality of indicators are associated with particular ones of the plurality of transmitters.
8. The system as in claim 7, wherein the indicators are light emitting diodes, and wherein the instructions to generate a notification include instructions to illuminate a particular diode when a particular one of the plurality of transmitters is farther from the receiver than the notification distance.
9. The system as in claim 1, wherein the receiver further includes a speaker, and wherein the instructions to generate a notification include instructions to generate an audible alarm using the speaker.
10. The system as in claim 1, wherein the receiver further includes a transducer, and wherein the instructions to generate a notification include instructions to generate a vibration alarm using the transducer.
11. The system as in claim 1, wherein the notification distance is adjustable to between about 6 feet and about 200 feet.
12. The system as in claim 1, wherein the receiver includes an extensible antenna, and wherein:
the notification distance is adjustable to between about 6 feet and about 50 feet when the antenna is unextended; and
the notification distance is adjustable to between about 50 feet and about 200 feet when the antenna is extended.
13. The system as in claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic signals include location information.
14. The system as in claim 13, wherein the plurality of transmitters include global positioning system circuitry.
15. The system as in claim 1, wherein the program of instructions includes instructions to determine a direction of the plurality of transmitters in relation to the receiver.
16. The system as in claim 15, wherein the receiver includes a plurality of directional antennas, and wherein the direction is determined based on a received signal strength at the plurality of antennas.
17. The system as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of transmitters is configured to be worn by a child.
18. The system as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of transmitters is an anklet.
19. A method comprising:
receiving, from a plurality of transmitters, electromagnetic signals having an identifying characteristic;
associating particular signals received with particular ones of the plurality of transmitters based on the identifying characteristic of the signal;
determining distances between the plurality of transmitters and the receiver; and
generating a notification when one of the plurality of transmitters is farther from the receiver than a notification distance.
20. The method as in claim 19, further including adjusting the notification distance.
21. The method as in claim 19, wherein the identifying characteristic includes a frequency at which the electromagnetic signals are broadcast.
22. The method as in claim 19, wherein the identifying characteristic is a broadcast pattern.
23. The method as in claim 19, wherein the identifying characteristic includes an identification code included in the electromagnetic signals.
24. The method as in claim 19, wherein generating a notification includes illuminating an indicator when one of the plurality of transmitters is farther from the receiver than the notification distance.
25. The method as in claim 19, wherein generating a notification includes generating an audible alarm.
26. The method as in claim 19, wherein generating a notification includes generating a vibration alarm.
27. The method as in claim 19, wherein the notification distance is adjustable to between about 6 feet and about 200 feet.
28. The method as in claim 19, wherein:
the notification distance is adjustable to between about 6 feet and about 50 feet when an antenna is unextended; and
the notification distance is adjustable to between about 50 feet and about 200 feet when the antenna is extended.
29. The method as in claim 19, wherein the electromagnetic signals include location information.
30. The method as in claim 29, wherein the location information includes global positioning system information.
31. The method as in claim 19, further including determining a direction of the plurality of transmitters in relation to the receiver.
32. The method as in claim 31, wherein the direction of the plurality of transmitters is determined based on a received signal strength at a plurality of antennas.
33. The method as in claim 19, wherein at least one of the plurality of transmitters is configured to be worn by a child.
34. The method as in claim 19, wherein at least one of the plurality of transmitters is an anklet.
35. A receiver comprising:
an antenna to receive electromagnetic signals from a plurality of transmitters, the electromagnetic signals having an identifying characteristic;
an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the antenna;
a processor coupled to the analog-to-digital converter;
memory operably associated with the processor;
a program of instructions to be stored in the memory and executed by the processor, the program of instructions including instructions to:
associate particular signals received with particular ones of the plurality of transmitters based on the identifying characteristic of the signal;
determine distances between the plurality of transmitters and the receiver; and
generate a notification when one of the plurality of transmitters is farther from the receiver than a notification distance.
36. The receiver as in claim 35, further including a distance control to set the notification distance.
37. The receiver as in claim 35, wherein the identifying characteristic includes a frequency at which the electromagnetic signals are broadcast.
38. The receiver as in claim 35, wherein the identifying characteristic is a broadcast pattern.
39. The receiver as in claim 35, wherein the identifying characteristic includes an identification code included in the electromagnetic signals.
40. The receiver as in claim 35, further including a status display to indicate a status of the plurality of transmitters.
41. The receiver as in claim 40, wherein the status display includes a plurality of indicators, wherein particular ones of the plurality of indicators are associated with particular ones of the plurality of transmitters.
42. The receiver as in claim 41, wherein the indicators are light emitting diodes, and wherein the instructions to generate a notification include instructions to illuminate a particular diode when a particular one of the plurality of transmitters is farther from the receiver than the notification distance.
43. The receiver as in claim 35, further including a speaker, and wherein the instructions to generate a notification include instructions to generate an audible alarm using the speaker.
44. The receiver as in claim 35, further including a transducer, and wherein the instructions to generate a notification include instructions to generate a vibration alarm using the transducer.
45. The receiver as in claim 35, wherein the notification distance is adjustable to between about 6 feet and about 200 feet.
46. The receiver as in claim 35, further including an extensible antenna, and wherein:
the notification distance is adjustable to between about 6 feet and about 50 feet when the antenna is unextended; and
the notification distance is adjustable to between about 50 feet and about 200 feet when the antenna is extended.
47. The receiver as in claim 35, wherein the electromagnetic signals include location information.
48. The receiver as in claim 35, wherein the program of instructions includes instructions to determine a direction of the plurality of transmitters in relation to the receiver.
49. The receiver as in claim 35, further including a plurality of directional antennas.

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 method of fabricating an organic light emitting device, comprising:
(a) depositing a first organic layer over a first electrode;
(b) depositing a second organic layer over and in physical contact with the first organic layer, wherein
(1) the second organic layer comprises a small molecule emissive material,
(2) the second organic layer is a patterned layer deposited by solution processing, and
(3) the first organic layer is insoluble in the solution used to deposit the second organic layer; and

(c) depositing a second electrode over the second organic layer; wherein the first organic layer comprises a cross linked material.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first organic layer is cross-linked thermally, photochemically, or a combination thereof.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first organic layer comprises at least one of NPD, an aromatic macrocyclic material, and a polyaromatic material.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein, prior to cross-linking, the cross-linked material comprises cross-likable groups selected from the group consisting of acrylate groups, vinyl groups, diacetylene groups, epoxide groups, oxetane groups, and a combination thereof.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein, prior to cross-linking, the cross-linked material comprises cross-likable groups selected from the group consisting of acrylate groups, vinyl groups, diacetylene groups, epoxide groups, oxetane groups, and a combination thereof.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the cross-linkable groups comprise vinyl groups.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein the cross-linkable groups comprise acrylate groups.
8. The method of claim 4, wherein the cross-linkable groups comprise diacetylene groups.
9. The method of claim 4, wherein the cross-linkable groups comprise epoxide groups.
10. The method of claim 4, wherein the cross-linkable groups comprise oxetane groups.
11. The method of claim 5, wherein the first organic layer comprises NPD.
12. The method of claim 5, wherein the first organic layer comprises NPD, and the cross-linkable groups comprise vinyl groups.
13. The method of claim 5, wherein the first organic layer comprises NPD, and the cross-linkable groups comprise acrylate groups.
14. The method of claim 5, wherein the first organic layer comprises NPD, and the cross-linkable groups comprise diacetylene groups.
15. The method of claim 5, wherein the first organic layer comprises NPD, and the cross-linkable groups comprise epoxide groups.
16. The method of claim 5, wherein the first organic layer comprises NPD, and the cross-linkable groups comprise oxetane groups.
17. The method of claim 5, wherein the first organic layer comprises an aromatic macrocyclic material.
18. The method of claim 5, wherein the first organic layer comprises an aromatic macrocyclic material, and the cross-linkable groups comprise vinyl groups.
19. The method of claim 5, wherein the first organic layer comprises an aromatic macrocyclic material, and the cross-linkable groups comprise acrylate groups.
20. The method of claim 5, wherein the first organic layer comprises an aromatic macrocyclic material, and the cross-linkable groups comprise diacetylene groups.
21. The method of claim 5, wherein the first organic layer comprises an aromatic macrocyclic material, and the cross-linkable groups comprise epoxide groups.
22. The method of claim 5, wherein the first organic layer comprises an aromatic macrocyclic material, and the cross-linkable groups comprise oxetane groups.
23. The method of claim 5, wherein the first organic layer comprises a polyaromatic material.
24. The method of claim 5, wherein the first organic layer comprises a polyaromatic material, and the cross-linkable groups comprise vinyl groups.
25. The method of claim 5, wherein the first organic layer comprises a polyaromatic material, and the cross-linkable groups comprise acrylate groups.
26. The method of claim 5, wherein the first organic layer comprises a polyaromatic material, and the cross-linkable groups comprise diacetylene groups.
27. The method of claim 5, wherein the first organic layer comprises a polyaromatic material, and the cross-linkable groups comprise epoxide groups.