Abstract: The supply of water used in dental operations and other applications in a dental office, or other medical facility, wherein non-contaminated water is necessary to avoid transmission of microorganisms, is enriched with oxygen, whether from ambient air or a source of oxygen. The oxygenated water is passed through a silver containing catalyst cartridge. The water borne oxygen is attracted to the silver and forms a weak bond sufficient to permit dissociation to oxidize organic matter, including microorganisms. A small amount of silver dissolves in the water and flows downstream through the attendant conduits to and through dental handpieces and dental implements. A portion of the silver will adhere to the walls of the conduits, handpieces and implements where it is free to react with the oxygen dissolved in the water flowing therepast. The resulting oxidizing of the organic matter will destroy any biofilm present and prevent biofilm buildup.

Abstract: An infant cranial support system particularly adapted to cushion and support the head of an infant carried in an infant restraining car seat. A first toroidal cushion is configured and sized to receive the posterior region of the infant's skull and is provided with a relieved region next to the neck of the infant. A second toroidal cushion is preferably provided to encircle the neck of the infant to cushion against lateral and forward motion of the head. The first and second cushions may be releasably attached to each other. And at least one strap fastener may be provided for attaching the system to the restraining straps of the car seat.

Abstract: A sheet of thermoformable plastic material is positioned by air pressure adjacent a planar surface of a heating plate to heat and at least soften the sheet. The softened sheet is draped over a mold by the force of air pressure to form a molded part upon cooling. Registration pins engaging the sheet maintain the sheet in registration with the mold to insure correct positioning of any indicia on the sheet with corresponding elements of the mold. A plurality of sheets may be fused to one another during heating of the sheets.

Abstract: Apparatus and attendant methodology for extracting maximum power from an energy source, such as a photo voltaic panel, an array of photo voltaic panels, or a windmill and delivering that power to a battery or an array of batteries is disclosed. The apparatus determines the maximum operating point of the energy source, and circuits and circuit topologists are presented for extracting the energy. The apparatus eliminates the problem of finding local maximum points, and problems attendant variations of the absolute maximum power point as a function of temperature, insolation, array construction, and photo voltaic panel manufacturing tolerances. The energy source supplies power in the form of a voltage and charges the batteries with a controllable current source.

Abstract: A maskless exposure system for selectively exposing a photosensitive work surface, such as a photoresist layer, includes a semiconductor substrate having an elongated aperture. A series of shutters and associated guides are formed upon the substrate using conventional wafer processing methods. The shutters move between a first position covering the aperture and a second position exposing the aperture. A corresponding series of computer-controlled actuators, in the form of electromagnetic coils, cooperate with the shutters for selectively sliding each shutter between its first and second positions. A light beam is directed toward the aperture, and the shutters create a patterned light beam exiting the aperture. A computer-controlled stepper is synchronized with the shutter actuators and adjusts the relationship between the patterned light beam and the photosensitive work surface to direct the patterned light beam at different portions of the work material.

Abstract: A segmented digital-to-analog converter includes a string DAC (210) and an interpolation DAC (211). The string DAC includes 2M series-connected string resistors (Ri) and 2M pairs of switches (Sia,b). The switch pairs couple a first (201) and second (202) conductor across each resister responsive to the MSB subword decoder (212). The interpolation DAC (211), responsive to the LSB subword decoder (215), connects an input of a plurality of differential stages to the first conductor (201) and second (202) conductor. Each differential stage includes a first transistor (QjA) and a second (QjB) transistor differentially coupled to a corresponding tail current source (In). The drains of the first (QjA) and second (QjB) transistors are connected to a first load device (QL1) and second (QL2) load device and the inverting and non-inverting inputs of the output amplifier (205) via third (203) and forth (204) conductors, respectively.

Abstract: A touch screen digitizing system includes a touch screen unit including a first resistive sheet with opposed x+ and x− terminals and a second resistive sheet with opposed y+ and y− terminals, and an ADC having first and second reference input terminals. A first switch is coupled between a first reference voltage and the x− terminal, and a second switch is coupled between the x+ terminal and a second reference voltage for energizing the first resistive sheet. A third switch is coupled between the first reference voltage and the y− terminal, and a fourth switch is coupled between the y+ terminal and the second reference voltage for energizing the second resistive sheet.

Abstract: The concentration of glucose in the anterior chamber of an eye is non-invasively measured by guiding a beam through a polarizer (4), a quarter wave plate (6), a polarization modulator (20), and an analyzer (7). After initializing the polarizer and the analyzer to extinguish the beam, it is guided parallel to the iris (56) of the eye (50) and introduced into the anterior chamber (57), wherein it is refracted, impinges on and is reflected from the iris, and exits the anterior chamber approximately collinear with the portion (55A) of the beam incident on the anterior chamber. The beam then is guided onto a detector (10), and a sufficient signal is applied to the polarization modulator to extinguish the beam. The signal represents the glucose concentration in the patient's blood.

Abstract: This invention relates to electromagnetic wave beam paths, formation of the beam, illumination of programmable electromagnetic wave field vector orientation rotating devices (“PEMFVORD”) with an electromagnetic beam, and the technique of projection of the modulated beam. This invention also relates to a unique light path and method of forming the light into a rectangular beam to be used for optical projection systems and, more particularly, in a color and/or black and white liquid crystal device (LCD) projectors that produce high resolution, high brightness and/or three-dimensional images. This invention further relates to a device capable of receiving and displaying two-dimensional and three-dimensional images.

Abstract: A panel includes a plurality of elongated members in a serpentine configuration under axial compression. The members are adapted to straighten to extend into an opening cut through the panel and the members.

Abstract: A room conditioner provides an essentially uniform temperature within a room upon operation of a motor of a ceiling fan. The motor includes a stator supporting by a ceiling mounted shaft and a rotor supporting a set of fan blades of the ceiling fan for causing airflow upon energization of the motor. A heating element supported by the shaft and upwardly displaced from the ceiling fan heats air flowing therepast and a secondary fan responsive to the rotor via a sleeve about the shaft draws air past the heating element. Heated air flowing from the heating element is mixed with the airflow caused by operation of the set of fan blades to distribute warmed air uniformly throughout the space of the room wherein the room conditioner is located.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable distribution frame assembly includes a support frame in which a number of drawers are slidingly supported for movement between stored and extended positions. Incoming and outgoing fiber optic cables are routed to each drawer. Each drawer supports rows of termination connector support brackets, each such bracket including two or more connector support columns. Each such support column has first and second sets of support arms extending therefrom in opposing directions. The support arms extend at an angle of between 25 degrees and 65 degrees relative to the plane in which the drawer slides. An adaptor is supported by each of the support arms. Each adaptor receives termination connectors from a selected pair of incoming and outgoing fiber optic cables for removably coupling the selected pair of fiber optic cables.

Abstract: A protocol for the recording of bowel sounds, a computerized algorithm for recognizing the start and stop time of bowel sounds in the digital sound recordings, metrics that can be calculated from the start and stop times and limits of these metrics which can be used to categorize individuals with respect to medical conditions which effect the gastrointestinal tract. The use of these methods and values allows for the diagnosis of certain gastrointestinal syndromes or diseases with a high degree of accuracy in a manner not previously possible.

Abstract: A logarithmically controlled attenuator circuit includes a resistive attenuator having a single series resistive element connected between an input conductor and an output conductor, and a plurality of parallel resistive elements each having a first terminal connected to the output conductor. A plurality of switching elements controllably couple the parallel resistive elements, respectively, between the output conductor and a first reference voltage conductor. A control circuit produces successive gradually increasing and then leveling off analog control signals on the control terminals of successive switching elements, respectively. A programmable implementation includes a first group of parallel resistive elements (Q1,3,5 . . . ) each having a first terminal connected to the output conductor (12), and a second group of parallel resistive elements (Q2,4,6 . . . ) each having a first terminal connected to the output conductor (12).

Abstract: A heat exchanger for heating cleaning liquid with exhaust gasses from an internal combustion engine that have been treated by a catalytic converter further includes an arrangement for injecting fuel into the gases to further provide heat in the exchanger.

Abstract: A socket for removably receiving an end of a dental saliva ejector tube includes a central body having a first end forming a port for being coupled to a vacuum hose. The central body includes a passage extending therethrough from the first end toward a second opposing end. An elastic sleeve is secured over the second end of the central body for receiving the end of the dental saliva ejector tube. A pair of spreader members are secured to the elastic sleeve. A pair of levers are pivotally secured about the central body and are actuated by the user to pull the spreader members apart, thereby distending the opening of the elastic sleeve to more easily receive the dental saliva ejector tube. To prevent the dental saliva ejector tube from becoming dislodged from the socket during use, a rib may extend about the lower end of the dental saliva ejector tube.

Abstract: A twist-style mop and method, having a locking wringing grip and a lockable, adjustable, second grip. The lockable, adjustable second grip allows the size adjustment of the twist-type mop to fit a particular user.

Abstract: A hood with a depending side wall has vacuum passages formed in the inner surface thereof. An inner shroud positioned internally of the hood cooperates therewith in forming the vacuum passages and has a lower edge elevated above the surface to be cleaned. A foramenous skirt depends from the lower edge of the hood sidewall to contact the surface to be cleaned. The vacuum passages are connected to a source of vacuum. A rotating spray assembly inside the shroud sprays cleaning liquid onto the surface to be cleaned.