Abstract: An A-mode ultrasound transducer is tracked in three-dimensions by an optical position tracking system as the transducer is scanned over the skin to generate measurements of bone surface distance from the transducer. A processor correlates the ultrasound data with position and orientation data to generate a three-dimensional physical space model of the bone surface which is registered with an image space model of the bone surface generated from a tomographic image to produce an alignment of the two models. The ultrasound transducer is replaced by an instrument which is also optically tracked. The alignment is used to translate instrument position in physical space to a position in image space for generation on a monitor of a composite display of the instrument and the tomographic image. This composite display can be used to guide positioning and orienting the instrument in physical space with respect to sites of interest observed in the tomographic image on the display.

Abstract: A plastic closure has a gas impermeable barrier member co-extruded with and substantially fully embedded within the cap so that the barrier member is mechanically captured within the molded cap. The substantially fully embedded barrier member extends at least across the end wall and can also extend circumferentially within and at least partially axially down the skirt from the end wall.

Abstract: Each copy of software, such as software used by a digital computer to create a document and the software used by printers, facsimile machines or digital copiers to produce or reproduce documents, is assigned a unique identifying code pattern which is printed on all documents produced with that software by a high resolution printer. The unique identifying code pattern is a plurality of spaced apart marks having a size no greater than about 150 dpi and preferably about 300 dpi, and is therefore, at best, barely noticeable to the human observer. The "invisible signature" permits detection of documents made by unauthorized copies of software or by unauthorized or improper use of authorized copies. Preferably, the unique identifying code is replicated multiple times over the document using an error correcting code to assure that at least one replication will be clear of matter selected for printing by the software. A high resolution scanner extracts and identifies the code patterns printed on the document.

Abstract: A two-piece dispensing closure is disclosed, which includes a plastic fitment that fits in the mouth of a bottle, a twist type over cap having a central aperture in its top wall for engagement with a post on the top of the fitment and having a sealing wall and lip for sealing over holes through a bottom wall of the fitment.

Abstract: A flexible trowel has a compliant coupling between the handle and the blade. In the preferred embodiment, the handle is pivotally mounted to the elongated shaft extending from the planar blade for rotation in a plane generally perpendicular to the blade. The pivot pin extends transversely through a longitudinal recess in the handle. The handle is biased upward by a helical compression spring seated in a transverse passage in the handle and adjustably preloaded by a follower nut threaded on a bolt axially restrained in the end of the transverse passage by a retainer cap.

Abstract: A container for dispensing two flowable products in desired proportions includes a multichamber squeeze tube with a pair of nested tubes integrally molded with an end wall as a single piece. Apertures in the end wall provide dispensing openings for a first chamber inside the inner tube, and for a second chamber between the two tubes. Preferably, the two tubes have out of round cross-sections, generally ellipsoidal in configuration, and the outer tube has a cylindrical neck with a shoulder joining it to the out of round main section. The out of round inner tube extends up into the neck of the outer tube to the end wall and is integrally molded along a major axis to the shoulder of the outer tube. The single piece, two chamber squeeze tube is molded in a straight draw mold with a split mold piece only required to release external threads formed on the neck. A cap with internal threads screws onto the threaded neck.

Abstract: A dispensing closure is molded as a base having an end wall with a dispensing orifice and a lid having a fixed section and a moveable section joined by an integral hinge. The fixed section of the lid is mounted on the base by a socket and plug connection in which the socket includes a central prong and the plug has a central recess. The socket and plug are sized for an interference fit, but with chamfered edges providing a lead in. In addition, the recess in the plug is tapered at a greater angle than the prong in the socket, so that as the plug engages the socket and the prong enters the recess in the plug, the plug is wedged outward into tight engagement with the socket. Extensions or wings on the moveable section of the lid created by offset of the integral hinge have inwardly projecting knobs which cooperate with outwardly projecting ribs on the raised member on the bare end wall in which the socket is formed.

Abstract: A three-phase dc to-ac power inverter includes a dc power source with a first dc node for positive voltage, a second dc node for negative voltage, and a third dc node for zero voltage. A set of three-level pole circuits are connected to the first dc node, the second dc node, and the third dc node of the dc power source. A control circuit, responsive to an inverter voltage vector reference demand signal with a voltage magnitude reference demand component and a voltage phase reference demand component, generates pole control signals for the three-level pole circuits using logic circuitry which combines phase indexed digital waveform values stored in a pair of lookup tables. The pole control signals force the three-level pole circuits to generate a set of phase-shifted waveforms with zero voltage components. The phase-shifted waveforms are combined by a set of transformers to produce a three-phase output voltage with a harmonic content lower than the harmonic content of the phase-shifted waveforms.

Abstract: Sets of phase shifting interphase transformers are used to combine the outputs of six-pulse static inverter stages to generate harmonic neutralized outputs with higher pulse counts. The phase shifting interphase transformers have a primary winding and at least one secondary winding. For phase shifting interphase transformers having a single secondary winding, a tap on the primary winding is connected through the secondary windings on one of the other phase shifting interphase transformers to produce a combined output having a displacement factor which preserves the displacement factors of the inputs. When the phase shifting interphase transformer has two secondary windings, the tap on the primary is a center tap which is routed through secondary windings on each of the other two phases. Higher pulse count inverters are constructed by combining outputs of the phase shifting interphase transformers with additional shifting interphase transformers to generate a combined output.

Abstract: A patient is automatically accurately positioned relative to a fixed refece of a treatment/diagnostic device by an optical system which operates a patient positioning assembly to bring fiducials or skin markers on the patient into coincidence with impingement points of laser beams projected in a fixed pattern relative to the device. Cameras record images of the fiducials and laser impingement points from which alignment error and velocity error in pixel space are determined. The velocity error in pixel space is converted to a velocity error in room space by the inverse of an Image Jacobian. The Image Jacobian is initially derived using rough values for system parameters and is continuously updated and refined using the calculated errors in pixel space derived from the camera images and errors in room space derived from position encoders on the treatment/diagnostic device.

Abstract: A diaphragm valve has an adjustment device for precisely setting maximum valve lift. A bushing threaded into the bonnet clamping the diaphragm within the valve body forms at its inward end an axially facing engagement surface which is engaged by an outwardly, axially facing engagement surface formed by a shoulder on the valve stem. The bushing can be threaded in or out without disassembling the entire valve to adjust the maximum lift to the precise setting desired. The bushing is then locked in place such as by a thread adhesive. Alternatively, the bushing can be threaded on the valve stem and be provided with a radial flange forming the axially facing engagement surface which engages a shoulder on the bonnet.

Abstract: A high power inverter pole for a voltage sourced inverter suitable for providing compensation in electric power transmission and distribution systems, has a positive switching valve and a negative switching valve connected between closely spaced dc-source terminal, respectively, and a common ac terminal to form a current loop with minimum loop area thereby reducing stray loop inductance and limiting the overshoot voltage on serially connected electronic switches which make up the valves. In a preferred embodiment, the valves are mounted on opposite sides of the web of an insulative I-beam. The electronic switches are incorporated in modular switching units connected in series by C-channel connecting conductors having flanges bolted to the I-beam flanges. The modular units include broad, flat conductors bolted through end flanges to the C-channel connecting conductors. The electronic switches and anti-parallel diodes of the modular units are clamped between these broad, flat conductors.

Abstract: Intestinal ischemia is diagnosed non-invasively by scanning the abdomen externally with a SQUID magnetometer which measures the magnetic field produced by smooth muscle electrical activity. These measurements are processed to determine the basic electrical rhythm (BER) frequency at various locations along the intestine. A nominal value for the BER frequency is established at each location, and if the measured value falls below the associated nominal value by more than a predetermined margin, ischemia at that location is indicated. Ischemia is further indicated by an interval of arrhythmia in which the BER frequency increases to a range of about 24-180 cpm or at least about twice the nominal value. The BER frequency values are presented on a graphic display which provides an indication of the nominal value at an affected location from the gradient of the measured values at adjacent normal locations.

Abstract: A dispensing fitment has a plurality of angularly spaced discrete retaining bead members extending circumferentially around the internal wall surface of a skirt on the fitment. Thinned wall sections of the skirt between the discrete retaining bead members elastically circumferentially expand to break the hoop strength of the skirt and allow the discrete retaining bead members to snap over and engage an external bead on the container neck. Thin, flexible, radially outwardly extending tabs secure the fitment within a cap for initial application to the container as an assembly with the fitment remaining on the container with subsequent removal of the cap.

Abstract: A camera generates digital image signals representing an image of one or more natural or artificial fiducials on a patient positioned on treatment or diagnosis equipment. A processor applies multiple levels of filtering at multiple levels of resolution to repetitively determine successive fiducial positions. A warning signal is generated if movement exceeds certain limits but is still acceptable for treatment. Unacceptable displacement results in termination of the treatment beam. Tracking templates can be generated interactively from a display of the digital image signals or through automatic selection of an image having the median correlation to an initial template. A gating signal synchronized to patient breathing can be extracted from the digital image signals for controlling the radiation beam generator.