Abstract: A manometry system includes a manometric catheter configured to sense pressure within a gastrointestinal tract, a wireless assembly configured for transmitting/receiving signals to/from the catheter, and a base unit configured to calibrate the catheter prior to usage thereof and to store and charge a wireless electronics module of the wireless assembly.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for planning radiosurgical treatments for neuromodulating a portion of the renovascular system may be used to plan radiosurgical neuromodulation treatments for conditions or disease associated with elevated central sympathetic drive. The renal nerves may be located and targeted at the level of the ganglion and/or at postganglionic positions, as well as preganglionic positions. Target regions include the renal plexus, celiac ganglion, the superior mesenteric ganglion, the aorticorenal ganglion and the aortic plexus. Planning of radiosurgical treatments will optionally employ a graphical representation of a blood/tissue interface adjacent these targets.

Abstract: Methods of electron beam (EB) curing of polymeric inks are provided. Surface printed substrates with polyolefinic inks (for example, HP indigo electro inks) are used with EB cured lacquers and/or instant cure EB laminating adhesives. EB treatment of polymeric inks can achieve cross-linking in at least one portion of the polymeric inks and can improve the temperature and pressure resistant properties of the polymeric inks.

Abstract: An electron beam processing apparatus for treating a substrate is provided. The apparatus has an electron beam generating assembly housed in a chamber that includes a filament for generating a plurality of electrons upon heating. The apparatus may also have a foil support assembly that is configured to direct the plurality of electrons through a thin foil out of the chamber. The apparatus may further have a processing assembly that is configured to pass the substrate by the thin foil so that the plurality of electrons penetrates the substrate and cause a chemical reaction. A distance of an air gap between the thin foil and the substrate may be adjustable.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for cooking French fries without cooking oil. The apparatus relies on high pressure inert gas at high temperature as the cooking medium. The inert gas acts both as a heat transfer medium to cook the potatoes, and as a protective atmosphere to prevent charring and oxidation of the potatoes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for testing performance of a disk drive in a digital home communications terminal. In one such method, the steps comprise: measuring at least one time for data transfer of a group of sectors on the disk drive; and providing the time to a server over a communications channel. In another method, the steps comprise: downloading a disk drive performance test application from a server over a communication channel; executing the test application to measure at least one time for data transfer of a group of sectors on the disk drive; and reporting the time to the server over the communication channel.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods are disclosed for testing performance of a disk drive in a digital home communications terminal. One such method comprises: downloading a disk drive performance test application from a server over a communication channel; executing the test application to measure at least one time for data transfer of a group of sectors on the disk drive; and reporting the time to the server over the communication channel. A digital video recorder comprises: a disk drive; a communication interface; memory storing executable instructions thereon; and a processor configured by the executable instructions. The processor is configured to download a disk drive performance test application from a server over the communication interface; execute the test application to measure at least one time for data transfer of a group of sectors on the disk drive; and report the time to the server over the communication interface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for cooking French fries without cooking oil. The apparatus relies on high pressure inert gas at high temperature as the cooking medium. The inert gas acts both as a heat transfer medium to cook the potatoes, and as a protective atmosphere to prevent charring and oxidation of the potatoes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for cooking French fries without cooking oil. The apparatus relies on high pressure inert gas at high temperature as the cooking medium. The inert gas acts both as a heat transfer medium to cook the potatoes, and as a protective atmosphere to prevent charring and oxidation of the potatoes.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods are disclosed for testing performance of a disk drive in a digital home communications terminal. One such method comprises: downloading a disk drive performance test application from a server over a communication channel; executing the test application to measure at least one time for data transfer of a group of sectors on the disk drive; and reporting the time to the server over the communication channel. A digital video recorder comprises: a disk drive; a communication interface; memory storing executable instructions thereon; and a processor configured by the executable instructions. The processor is configured to download a disk drive performance test application from a server over the communication interface; execute the test application to measure at least one time for data transfer of a group of sectors on the disk drive; and report the time to the server over the communication interface.

Abstract: A method is described for scanning image pixels in a sequence which, in contrast to the traditional and ubiquitous raster scan, groups effectively adjacent and neighboring image pixels together in the scanned sequence, resulting in a much lower bandwidth signal and data stream, and leading directly to bandwidth and storage gains from compression and exploitation of image redundancy. M-Scan, for meandering scan, is synthesized by iterative application of a simple primitive pattern, and analyzed by iterative partitioning. M-Scans achieve unbroken continuity between pixels in the image, and in routine application never need to step between non image adjacent pixels. Whereas a conventional raster has a low vertical and a high horizontal deflection scan rate, M-Scan has intermediate and equal vertical and horizontal rates, and no large jumps related to flyback. An M-Scan signal power spectrum has no comb at the line rate.

Abstract: A method is described for scanning image pixels in a sequence which, in contrast to the traditional and ubiquitous raster scan, better groups effectively adjacent and neighbouring image pixels together in the scanned sequence, resulting in a much lower bandwidth signal and leading directly to bandwidth and storage gains from compression and exploitation of image redundancy. M-Scan, for meandering scan, is synthesised by iterative application of a simple primitive pattern or patterns, and analysed by iterative partitioning. M-Scans can achieve unbroken continuity between pixels in the image, and in routine application never need to step between non image adjacent pixels. Whereas a conventional raster has a low vertical and a high horizontal scan rate, M-Scan has intermediate and approximately equal vertical and horizontal rates. An M-Scan signal power spectrum lacks the comb at the line rate of the conventional raster scan signal.

Abstract: A method for cooking low or zero fat potato chips, for hot serving and immediate consumption, which uses zero or minimal amounts of cooking oil or fat. These chips may be known as “fries” in some regions. The cooking takes place in oxygen free gas instead of cooking oil. Higher temperatures than with oil and elevated pressure are used to avoid slower heating and cooking that might otherwise follow without oil. Particular care is taken to monitor moisture content and achieve an external crispy layer which does not become soggy before the chips can be reasonably consumed, to compensate for the absence of sealing oil which slows the sogging process. A searing phase may optionally be added to thicken the crisp outer layer and further defer the onset of sogginess, to add desirable brown or bronze or golden colour, to make the low fat chips more competitive with conventional oil cooked chips.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is provided comprising a polycrystalline cubic aluminum oxynitride having a density of at least 98% of theoretical density, and being transparent to electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range from 0.3 to 5 micrometers with an in-line transmission of at least 20% in this range.A method of preparing the optically transparent aluminum oxynitride is also provided comprising the steps of forming a green body of substantially homogeneous aluminum oxynitride powder and pressureless sintering said green body in a nitrogen atmosphere and in the presence of predetermined additives which enhance the sintering process. Preferred additives are boron and yttrium in elemental or compound form.

Abstract: A method of preparing substantially homogeneous aluminum oxynitride powder is provided comprising the steps of reacting gamma aluminum oxide with carbon in the presence of nitrogen, and breaking down the resulting powder into particles in a predetermined size range. A method of preparing a durable optically transparent body from this powder is also provided comprising the steps of forming a green body of substantially homogeneous cubic aluminum oxynitride powder and sintering said green body in a nitrogen atmosphere and in the presence of predetermined additives which enhance the sintering process. Preferred additives are boron, in elemental or compound form, and at least one additional element selected from the group of yttrium and lanthanum or compounds thereof. The sintered polycrystalline cubic aluminum oxynitride has a density greater than 99% of theoretical density, an in-line transmission of at least 50% in the 0.3-5 micron range, and a resolving angle of 1 mrad or less.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is provided comprising a polycrystalline cubic aluminum oxynitride having a density of at least 98% of theoretical density, and being transparent to electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range from 0.3 to 5 micrometers with an in-line transmission of at least 20% in this range.A method of preparing the optically transparent aluminum oxynitride is also provided comprising the steps of forming a green body of substantially homogeneous aluminum oxynitride powder and pressureless sintering said green body in a nitrogen atmosphere and in the presence of predetermined additives which enhance the sintering process. Preferred additives are boron and yttrium in elemental or compound form.

Abstract: A method of preparing substantially homogeneous aluminum oxynitride powder is provided comprising the steps of reacting gamma aluminum oxide with carbon in the presence of nitrogen, and breaking down the resulting powder into particles in a predetermined size range.A method of preparing a durable optically transparent body from this powder is also provided comprising the steps of forming a green body of substantially homogeneous cubic aluminum oxynitride powder and sintering said green body in a nitrogen atmosphere and in the presence of predetermined additives which enhance the sintering process. Preferred additives are boron, in elemental or compound form, and at least one additional element selected from the group of yttrium and lanthanum or compounds thereof. The sintered polycrystalline cubic aluminum oxynitride has a density greater than 99% of theoretical density, an in-line transmission of at least 50% in the 0.3-5 micron range, and a resolving angle of 1 mrad or less.

Abstract: A method of forging spinel into complex shapes in which a spinel plate is placed in a mold while the spinel plate is heated, in an atmosphere of helium, to a temperature below its melting point and above its solid two phases transition point that allows plastic deformation to take place. Forging stresses well above the yield point of the spinel are applied to the plate by the mold to reduce the forging time.

Abstract: A group of dielectric compounds and mixtures of dielectric compounds with useful properties at microwave frequencies is disclosed. The dielectric materials are temperature compensated, have relatively high dielectric constants, and comprise the group of BaTi.sub.4 O.sub.9, and mixtures of Li.sub.2 TiO.sub.3 and Li.sub.4 Ti.sub.5 O.sub.12, MgTi.sub.2 O.sub.5 and TiO.sub.2, Zn.sub.2 TiO.sub.4 and TiO.sub.2, and BaTi.sub.4 O.sub.9 and TiO.sub.2.