Abstract: This invention relates to control techniques and controllers for resonant discontinuous forward power converters (RDFCs). A method of controlling a resonant discontinuous forward converter (RDFC), said converter including a transformer with primary and secondary matched polarity windings and a switch to, in operation, cyclically switch DC power to said primary winding of said transformer, said converter further having a DC output coupled to said secondary winding of said converter, said method comprising: sensing a primary winding signal during an on period of said switch, said primary winding signal representing a current in said primary winding; comparing said sensed primary winding signal with a threshold value; and controlling one or both of an on and off duration of said switch in response to said comparison.

Abstract: The invention relates to techniques for programming trimming circuitry of a power integrated circuit without the need for separate programming pins. We describe a power supply controller IC with internal circuitry, a plurality of external connections, the IC further comprising trimming circuitry with no external connections to said IC other than via shared ones of said external connections. The shared external connections comprise a first connection comprising a data input for receiving data for programming said trimming circuitry, and a second, different connection comprising a select input to select between a data receiving mode for receiving data from said data input and a programming mode for programming said trimming circuitry using said received data.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for sensing the output current in a switch mode power supply (SMPS) using primary side sensing. We describe a module which senses a current in a primary winding of a transformer and a voltage on a primary or auxiliary winding of the transformer, and which includes a multiplier coupled to an output of a signal averager averaging a primary winding current and to an output of a timing signal generator using the sensed voltage to signal when a secondary winding is powering an output of the SMPS, to multiply an averaged current sense signal by a fraction of a total cycle period of said SMPS during which the secondary winding is providing power to provide a signal estimating an output current of the SMPS.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sensing the output current in a switch mode power supply (SMPS) using primary side sensing are described. A module senses a current in a primary winding of a transformer and a voltage on a primary or auxiliary winding of the transformer, and which includes a multiplier coupled to an output of a signal averager averaging a primary winding current and to an output of a timing signal generator using the sensed voltage to signal when a secondary winding is powering an output of the SMPS, to multiply an averaged current sense signal by a fraction of a total cycle period of said SMPS during which the secondary winding is providing power to provide a signal estimating an output current of the SMPS.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sensing the output current in a switch mode power supply (SMPS) using primary side sensing are described. A module senses a current in a primary winding of a transformer and a voltage on a primary or auxiliary winding of the transformer, and which includes a multiplier coupled to an output of a signal averager averaging a primary winding current and to an output of a timing signal generator using the sensed voltage to signal when a secondary winding is powering an output of the SMPS, to multiply an averaged current sense signal by a fraction of a total cycle period of said SMPS during which the secondary winding is providing power to provide a signal estimating an output current of the SMPS.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sensing the output current in a switch mode power supply (SMPS) using primary side sensing are described. A system includes a primary current sense input, a charge input to sense a charging time of an SMPS transformer; a discharge input to sense a discharging time of the transformer; at least one averager; and a calculator. The primary current is averaged by the averager over at least a switching cycle of the SMPS and the calculator estimates the output current of the SMPS using the averaged primary current, the charge signal and the discharge signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to SMPS controllers employing primary side sensing. We describe a system for identifying a knee point in a sensing waveform, at which the output voltage of the SMPS may be sampled accurately on the primary side. The system identifies the knee point by fitting a tangent to a portion of a power transformer voltage waveform, and samples the voltage waveform at the knee point to determine the SMPS output voltage. In preferred embodiments this technique is implemented using a decaying peak detector, providing a timing signal indicating detection of the knee point. Sample/hold and error amplifier circuits may be employed to achieve output voltage regulation.

Abstract: This invention relates to SMPS controllers employing primary side sensing to detect a point of zero magnetic flux, at which the output voltage of the SMPS may be sampled accurately on the primary side. We describe a switch mode power supply (SMPS) controller for regulating the output voltage of an SMPS is response to a feedback signal from an auxilliary winding of a magnetic energy storage device forming part of an output circuit of the SMPS, the SMPS controller comprising: a reference level input to receive an output reference level signal; an input to receive said feedback signal, said feedback signal being responsive to a voltage on said auxilliary winding of said magnetic energy storage device; an integrator to integrate a difference between said feedback signal and a first fixed reference level signal; a first comparator to compare an output of said integrator with a second fixed reference level signal and to provide an output responsive to said comparison for regulating said SMPS output voltage.

Abstract: Computer programs, systems and the like related to processing, segmenting and feature normalizing digital images. The images are of cells and the methods are useful for the detection of malignancy-associated changes (MAC) in cells, which can be used for the detection of cancer. The programs and methods detect cancer in one tissue by detecting MAC in another tissue, such as associated tissues or non-associated tissues. Examples of associated tissues include nipple aspirates or ductal washings to detect breast cancer, and sputum or bronchial lavage to detect lung cancer. Examples of non-associated tissues include buccal mucosa to detect lung or breast cancer.

Abstract: Computer programs, systems and the like related to processing, segmenting and feature normalizing digital images. The images are of cells and the methods are useful for the detection of malignancy-associated changes (MAC) in cells, which can be used for the detection of cancer. The programs and methods detect cancer in one tissue by detecting MAC in another tissue, such as associated tissues or non-associated tissues. Examples of associated tissues include nipple aspirates or ductal washings to detect breast cancer, and sputum or bronchial lavage to detect lung cancer. Examples of non-associated tissues include buccal mucosa to detect lung or breast cancer.

Abstract: A method for detecting malignancy-associated changes. A sample of cells is obtained and stained to identify the nuclear DNA material. The sample is imaged with a digital microscope. Objects of interest are identified in the sample of cells based on the intensity of the pixels that comprise the object versus the average intensity of all pixels in the slide image. An exact edge is located for each object and variations in the illumination intensity of the microscope are compensated for. A computer system calculates feature values for each object and, based on the value of the features, a determination is made whether the cell exhibits malignancy-associated changes or not.

Abstract: A gas outlet apparatus (10) is configured to provide a medical gas outlet for a gas supply line (62). The apparatus (10) includes a front cover (12) formed to include a gas outlet opening (14), a back plate (24) coupled to the front cover (12), and a gas outlet barrel (30) having an inlet end, an outlet end (80), and a valve located between the inlet end and the outlet end (80). The apparatus (10) also includes a retention portion located on the back plate (24). The retention portion is configured to engage the barrel (30) adjacent the outlet end (80) to secure the barrel (30) to the back plate (24) and the cover (12) and with the outlet end (80) of the barrel (30) in alignment with the gas outlet opening (14) formed in the front cover (12).

Abstract: An outlet dust cover, for attachment to a back plate having a wall plate formed to include an aperture within which a valve controlling gas flow in a pipe is received, includes a plate, a valve actuator located in the plate and arranged to be positioned adjacent the valve when the plate is positioned adjacent the wall plate, the valve actuator having a first state in which the valve is not actuated and a second state wherein the valve is actuated, and a vent extending through the cover and positioned to be in communication with the pipe.

Abstract: A method for detecting malignancy-associated changes. A sample of cells is obtained and stained to identify the nuclear DNA material. The sample is imaged with a digital microscope. Objects of interest are identified in the sample of cells based on the intensity of the pixels that comprise the object versus the average intensity of all pixels in the slide image. An exact edge is located for each object and variations in the illumination intensity of the microscope are compensated for. A computer system calculates feature values for each object and, based on the value of the features, a determination is made whether the cell exhibits malignancy-associated changes or not.

Abstract: Apparatus for manually controlling a motorized microscope stage for movement about the X, Y and Z axes. The apparatus includes a main housing having an X axis control knob and a Y axis control knob rotatably mounted to the housing. A Z axis control knob is provided for controlling movement about the Z axis. The Z axis knob is mounted to a removable module so that the position of the Z axis control knob is adjustable with respect to the other knobs. There is a controller for generating stage control signals in response to movement of the knobs. A plug-in connector connects the apparatus to the microscope stage controller such that the stage control signals create corresponding movements of the motorized stage. The apparatus simulates the controls of a nonmotorized stage while maintaining compatibility with existing stage controller units. The apparatus is designed to provide tactile position feedback to the user similar to that of a manual non-motorized microscope.