Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention stretches the carpal ligament and the flexor retinaculum, as well as the superficial structures and muscles of the hand, in a safe manner under precise control of the patient or a healthcare professional. A first embodiment of the inventive apparatus includes a housing for receiving the patient's hand with a bottom portion having a first pressure element positioned to contact the hypothenar region of the patient's hand and a second pressure element positioned to contact the thenar region of the patient's hand, and a top portion having a central longitudinal pressure element positioned to contact the central longitudinal dorsal region of the patient's hand.

Abstract: A drywall finisher's flat box is disclosed, having an adjustable pressure plate spring, independent suspension for guide wheels on the back plate, and a wiper configured so that the pressure plate can be pushed flat against the back plate, thus expelling nearly all of the drywall compound from the flat box.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for measuring parameters, measuring or determining capacitance, producing a digital output that is dependent upon a capacitance, or converting a variable capacitance output, of a sensor capacitor for example, into a digital format. By activating and deactivating pins, a microprocessor may form various circuits, for instance, each containing a resistor and a different capacitor and, in some embodiments, without the use of intermediate switching components. The microprocessor may alternately measure the time to change the charge of each of the capacitors and then calculate the capacitance of one of the capacitors using the measured times and known capacitances of one or more reference capacitors. Certain embodiments use two reference capacitors and alternately charge and discharge the capacitors, and a simple formula may be used to calculate capacitance using times to reach a threshold voltage. A measured parameter may be humidity or pressure, for example.

Abstract: A process for producing L-ascorbic acid from 2-keto-L-gulonic acid or D-erythorbic acid from 2-keto-D-gluconic acid by contacting 2-keto-L-gulonic acid or 2-keto-D-gluconic acid, respectively, with an enzym having ?-amylase activity in solution. The solvent for this reaction can be water, an aqueous alcohol, an organic solvent or a mixture thereof. In each case, the starting material can be in the form of the free acid, the sodium salt, or the calcium salt.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for separating albumin from samples comprising albumin and other proteins based on the pI of albumin. More particularly, the methods relate to forming an aqueous combination comprising the sample and an anion or a cation exchange material at various pHs, agitating the combination, and separating a fraction of unbound proteins from a concentrated solids fraction comprising the ion exchange material and bound proteins.

Abstract: A reference circuit includes: (a) a first reference circuit having a reference signal and a ?VBE loop; and (b) a modification circuit using a first voltage to change a first current in the ?VBE loop of the first reference circuit. In one embodiment, the reference circuit is a voltage reference circuit. In some embodiments, the reference circuit can include a bandgap core circuit, which adds a VBE and a multiplied ?VBE, so that the output voltage of the reference circuit is a bandgap voltage. The reference circuit also can also include a modification circuit, which uses the output voltage (i.e. the reference signal) of the bandgap core circuit to change a current in the ?VBE loop. The ?VBE loop can be the portion of the circuit involved in generating the ?VBE voltage. Other embodiments are disclosed in this application.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure (100, 900) includes a substrate (110) having a surface (111) and also includes one or more semiconductor chips (120) located over the substrate surface. The semiconductor structure further includes an electrical isolator structure (340) located over the substrate surface, where the electrical isolator structure includes one or more electrical leads (341, 342) and an organic-based element (343) molded to the electrical leads. The semiconductor structure also includes a solder element (350) coupling together the electrical isolator structure and the substrate surface.

Abstract: The system of the invention provides for testing of Electronic Funds Transfer host systems. A first personal computer is used to generate test scripts. The test scripts are downloaded to a number of second personal computers that are operated under control of the first processor to provide EFT test messages to the host system. The number of the second personal computers is selected to provide a maximum rate of providing test transactions to the host. Data collection is utilized to permit the first processor to display the host system response time to varying loads or transaction rates.

Abstract: A method of packaging a semiconductor die includes the steps of providing a flange (110), coupling one or more active die (341) to the flange with a lead-free die attach material (350), staking a leadframe (120) to the flange after coupling the one or more active die to the flange, electrically interconnecting the one or more active die and the leadframe with an interconnect structure (470), and applying a plastic material (130) over the flange, the one or more active die, the leadframe, and the interconnect structure.

Abstract: An electrical power delivery system includes a base (110) having a first surface (111) and a second surface (112) spaced apart from the first surface by a first sidewall (113). The electrical power delivery system also includes a platform (120) extending away from the second surface of the base such that the platform covers a portion of but less than all of the second surface. The platform itself includes a third surface (121) substantially parallel to the second surface and spaced apart from the second surface by a second sidewall (122) that is substantially perpendicular to the second surface. A first electrical power outlet (130) is located at the third surface, and a second electrical power outlet (140) is located at the second sidewall. A power cord (150) is physically and electrically coupled either to the base or to the platform.

Abstract: A bipolar transistor (100) is manufactured using the following processes: (a) forming a base electrode layer (129) as a portion of a base electrode over a semiconductor substrate (110); (b) forming a first portion of an emitter electrode (154) over the base electrode layer; (c) forming a mask layer (280) over a first portion of the base electrode layer, a portion of the first portion of the emitter electrode and a portion of the semiconductor substrate; and (d) implanting a dopant into a second portion of the base electrode layer after forming the emitter electrode after forming the mask layer.

Abstract: A safety mechanism capable of blocking an opening to an electrical connection in an electrical outlet includes a safety barrier coupled to the electrical outlet at a pivot point and a biasing member adjacent to the safety barrier. The safety barrier is rotatable between a first position, in which the safety barrier blocks the opening, and a second position, in which the safety barrier does not block the opening. The biasing member biases the safety barrier toward the first position. In the same or another embodiment of the invention, the safety mechanism forms a part of one or more electrical outlets contained in an electrical product.

Abstract: The present Invention relates to enzymes involved in the Synthesis of Coenzyme Q-10, i.e., decaprenyl diphosphate (DPP) synthase and 4-hydroxybenzoate polyprenyltransferase, to isolated DNA encoding said enzymes and to methods for the microbial production of Coenzyme Q-10.

Abstract: An electrical power conditioning apparatus in accordance with the present invention generally includes an electrical input for receiving power from the power source, a surge suppression circuit and a plurality of electrical outlets. A plurality of parallel channels connect the input to at least one of the plurality of outlets. At least one of the plurality of channels includes a filter circuit and a current sensor circuit for measuring the current through the channel. One or more displays are electrically connected to the current measuring to a visual indication of voltage and current measurements.

Abstract: A cord management device (100) includes: a receptacle (110) defining an interior space (120) and including: (a) a stationary portion (111); and (c) a cord management feature (113) coupled to the stationary portion, the cord management feature includes: (1) a first finger (171); and (2) a second finger (172), the stationary portion and the cord management feature define a first space (173) there between; and (b) a cover (115) hingedly coupled to the stationary portion. The cover is configured to move between a first position, in which the cover substantially encloses the interior space, and a second position, in which the interior space is exposed. The first space between the first finger and the second finger allows a cord to enter the receptacle when the cover is in the first position.