Abstract: The present invention is a thermometer assembly adapted to be utilized to sense the temperature of a material within a container, such as a food item heating or cooling container. The assembly includes a spout connected to the container, a closure releasably engageable with the spout, and a temperature sensing element engaged with the closure. The closure and spout allow a food item to be inserted into and withdrawn from the container after preparation, while the temperature sensing element, when engaged with the closure, senses the temperature of the food item within the container and emits both visible and audible signals regarding the temperature of the food item.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a support defining a first sliding surface and at least one hand-held sliding device that defines that defines a second sliding surface. The hand-held sliding device, and particularly the second sliding surface, is configured to mate with the first sliding surface. In operation, the second sliding surface slides along the first sliding surface when a user applies body weight to the hand-held sliding device. The exercise apparatus preferably includes a stop coupled to the support which is positioned orthogonally to a sliding direction of the hand-held sliding device. The stop is preferably also adjustable, as is the support, to accommodate performing different types of exercises.

Abstract: Compensation for patient rotation between planning and treatment in a radiation therapy machine is provided by angled translation of a table surface on which the patient is supported without actual patient rotation.

Abstract: Elastography is used to examine soft tissue of the uterus to detect tumors and to evaluate the strength of the cervix of the uterus based on its elastographic properties.

Abstract: Parametric ultrasonic measurements which characterize the structure of tissue, using information from an ultrasonic signal beyond amplitude information, are obtained by combining multiple ultrasonic signals acquired at different angles, thereby reducing the variance of the calculations. Such angular compounding may be applied to detecting scatterer size, spacing, density, and attenuation.

Abstract: An electronic health care system includes a modular framework and a display in communication with the modular framework for providing a graphical user interface to a system user. The modular framework includes a plurality of activities, each activity providing an aspect of patient care, where the framework is adaptable for accepting additional activities forming a single integrated system. The graphical user interface is adaptable for displaying information corresponding to one or more of the activities, and includes a common menu format for communicating available operations in the graphical user interface, and common visual components for displaying information to a system user.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance imaging apparatus provides an improved optical assembly allowing fixed source and detector operating with a horizontal test surface for a more compact design. In a preferred embodiment, a mechanical linkage of planar mirrors provides a single point adjustment of angle of incidence and angle of refraction while maintaining a constant optical axis of the source and detector.

Abstract: An external cavity laser may be swept rapidly in frequency and cavity length to prevent formation of modes providing improved spectral response and light characteristics.

Abstract: A magnetic lid closure sensor uses a magnet sensor element mounted within the washing machine housing below the closed lid. Flux directors conduct flux from a magnet in the lid to the magnet sensor. A lock mechanism employs a hook engaging an aperture in the lid so that opening of the lid does not impart a torque to the hook such as would disengage it, allowing the hook to be activated and deactivated with a simple bi-directional solenoid.

Abstract: A phantom for rotational radiation therapy machines allows beam fluence and energy to be measured at a variety of beam angles without intervening adjustment of the phantom. The phantom in the preferred embodiment provides two half cylinders directed along the axis of rotation of the machine abutting about a common center.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for monitoring the environment within a microfluidic device. The microfluidic device includes a body defining a channel for accommodating flow of fluid therethrough. A monitor structure is disposed in the channel of the body in the flow of fluid. The monitor structure changes color and/or dimension in response to various parameters of the fluid having predetermined values.

Abstract: A spring device consists of a coil spring case formed of right, left, back and front side plates and a spring receiving plate, a coil spring having a liner spring property, and a spring urging member for urging the coil spring into the coil spring case. A distance between the right and left side plates of the spring case is set a little larger than an outer diameter of the coil spring. A distance between the back and front side pates of the spring case is set about 1.5 to 2 times larger than the outer diameter of the coil spring, and a length of the spring case is set smaller than a free length of the coil spring. The coil spring is deformed and a non-linear spring property is obtained when the coil spring is urged through the spring urging member.

Abstract: A computer-based system for recording, storing, and accessing clinical documentation in an acute care setting is provided. In an embodiment of the invention, a single electronic database or repository for storing clinical patient notes, provides multiple points of read/write access via a user interface operating on one or more client computers that are in real-time communication with the repository.

Abstract: A motion sensing MRI coil allows correction of motion-induced image artifacts by the MRI machine or on a machine independent basis using correction circuitry associated with the coil.

Abstract: A two-phase or three-phase claw-pole type rotary machine comprises two or three coaxially arranged single phase rotary machine elements. Each of the rotary machine elements has a magnet rotor, a claw-pole type stator, and an annular stator winding. Claw poles of the stator are divided into a plurality of blocks and are circumferentially separated from one another. A distance between adjacent claw poles of the same polarity in each block is (?0???), substantially, where ?0 is a reference pitch when the claw poles of the same polarity are arranged equidistantly apart from one another in a range of 360°, ?? is ?/2q, or ?/3q and q is a number of claw poles of the same polarity in each block. The first and second rotary machine elements are circumferentially shifted from each other by 90° or 120°.

Abstract: A safety candle comprising: a tea light candle holder and at least one tea light candle insert.

Abstract: A float-responsive valve includes a valve actuator that is selectively responsive to operation of a float to move from a first position to a second position in which the valve actuator holds the valve element in its open position. When the valve actuator is in the second position thereof, fluid pressure that would otherwise tend to force the valve element toward its seat is essentially incapable of closing the valve element. Preferably, a force vector applied through a flapper-type valve actuator forms an essentially nonnegative, more preferably generally collinear, angle with a bisector line passing through a pivot axis of the valve actuator and a primary contact point between the valve actuator and the flapper.