Abstract: A distributed processing system includes a plurality of cells where each cell processes information in response to a type of event, and cells communicate with each other according to an (asynchronous) event-reaction protocol. Cells maintain mailing lists which are associated with events and which indicate the address(es) of cell(s) to whom a message is sent in response to the event. According to one embodiment, at least one cell is provided with the ability to read, write, and delete any address on any mailing list in the system. According to another embodiment, at least one cell keeps a list of events (subscription list) that are deemed important by the user where it is the cell's responsibility to insure that it remains subscribed to the mailing lists associated with these events. According to another embodiment, at least one cell serves more than one mailing list and preferably keeps a list of the mailing lists it serves.

Abstract: An anti-snoring device has maxillary and mandibular bite forms with outwardly extending pivots which are mounted to the bite forms by frameworks which are at least partially embedded in the bite forms. This retains the pivots securely in place even in the face of extensive bruxing. In constructing the device, a jig may be used for positioning the pivots. The method of manufacturing the device involves casting the frameworks, such that each framework has a pair of pivot mounts, mounting pivots to the pivot mounts, and at least partially embedding the frameworks in the bite forms.

Abstract: A bridging device for mapping and demapping Ethernet data packets onto a SONET network includes an Ethernet controller chip set which receives packet data, a SONET framer for a SONET interface, a UTOPIA interface for the SONET framer, and an FPGA (or ASIC) which bridges the UTOPIA interface and a system bus interface of the Ethernet controller. The FPGA is preferably implemented in VHDL software code as several modules: an Ethernet controller interface module, a chunk memory module, a UTOPIA interface module, a microprocessor interface module, and a UTOPIA OUT module. In a transmit mode, the Ethernet controller interface module interfaces with the data and control signals from a thirty-two bit data bus of the Ethernet controller chip set and writes the data to chunk memory implemented in the FPGA. The chunk memory module implements the chunk memory to a programmable size.

Abstract: A laser eye surgery system includes a laser for producing a laser beam capable of making refractive corrections, an optical system for shaping and conditioning the laser beam, a digital micromirror device (DMD) for reflecting the shaped and conditioned beam toward the eye, and a computer system for controlling the mirrors of the DMD. The computer system generates one-bit resolution images corresponding to ablation layers defining a correction for the eye. The images are then transferred to the DMD for appropriate reflection of the laser beam toward the eye such that the shape of the cornea of the eye is corrected.

Abstract: A coaxial cable includes an inner conductor, a multifilament twisted and drawn or swaged tubular cable outer conductor, and a dielectric (insulative) material therebetween. According to one embodiment, the filaments of the multifilament twisted and drawn or swaged outer conductor are twisted about a central inner conductor provided with an insulative sheath. The outer conductor filaments are arranged such that when they are drawn or swaged, the compressive forces are directed on neighboring filaments and not directed radially inward toward the inner conductor, thereby preventing deformation of the inner conductor. According to another embodiment, each of the filaments is provided with an insulative sheath. According to other embodiments, a cable is formed with a central filament harder than the surrounding filaments. The central filament is withdrawn leaving behind a twisted and drawn or swaged tube with a hollow.

Abstract: An electrical system, such as a motor control system for a motorized wheelchair, includes a two-part electrical connector which connects a first sub-system to a second sub-system. A reference terminal of one part of the connector is connected to a voltage detecting circuit but is otherwise unconnected: in the event of the connector terminals corroding, a conductive path develops between the reference terminal and one of the other, active terminals and the voltage detecting circuit detects the resulting change in voltage at the reference terminal.

Abstract: The apparatus of the invention (a) monitors a subscriber line for the presence of DTMF tones, (b) intercepts DTMF tones by transmitting a set of DTMF harmonics onto the subscriber line, (c) detects the intercepted DTMF tones and records them or the digits they represent, (d) analyzes the intercepted digits to determine whether a long distance number has been dialed, and (e) if a long distance call has been dialed, transmits onto the subscriber line a DTMF signal which includes the intercepted DTMF signal plus a service provider access code DTMF signal inserted before it. According to a presently preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a voltage sensor which detects a drop in voltage whenever a phone connected to the same subscriber line as the apparatus goes off-hook. The voltage detector turns the apparatus “ON” when an off-hook condition is detected.

Abstract: A highly flexible radiopaque cable includes two, and preferably three or more strands of nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloy wire which are twined about a higher density core wire preferably made of at least one of silver, gold, tungsten, or platinum-iridium to form a wire rope. Other high density core wires may be used. The wire rope is drawn through successive dies to reduce its diameter until the outer surface of the cable is substantially smooth, the cross section of the cable is substantially circular, and the overall diameter of the wire rope is reduced by 20-50%. The cable is then annealed to remove the effects of cold working. The resulting cable has been found to have a substantially equal or improved flexibility (i.e., a lower modulus of elasticity) relative to single strand nickel-titanium wires of the same diameter and a higher radiopacity. In an alternative embodiment, no core wire is utilized, and the higher density wire is drawn with two or more strands of NiTi wire.

Abstract: A system and method for performing corneal ablation or reshaping with a laser in order to correct aberrations in the optical system of the eye utilizes a wavefront sensor which defines a wavefront correction for the eye and then, based upon that defined wavefront correction, drives a digital micromirror device (DMD) which modulates a laser beam to the eye to perform the correction. As the DMD is a 2-D array of individually controlled mirrors, and the wavefront sensor analysis can provide a sequence of two dimensional arrays of values which together define the wavefront correction for the eye, the combination of the two produces a method for correcting the corneal surface.

Abstract: A method of producing a registrable visible image on two or substantially flat articles includes providing substantially flat articles of predetermined shape having at least two edges, providing a sublimation transfer carrier sheet having a predetermined mirror image on an area of said carrier sheet, providing edge templates adjacent the area, each of the edge templates being arranged to abut a corresponding edge of the predetermined shape, placing one of the articles and a sublimation transfer carrier sheet on a a support surface and arranging the area of the carrier sheet such that the mirror substantially covers the predetermined shape with each of the two edges abutting a respective one of the edge templates, allowing sublimation transfer of the image, removing the carrier sheet and the edge templates so as to leave a predetermined visible image within the shape, and repeating the steps with at least one more article which can be arranged in register with the first article.

Abstract: A container for storage of items during watersports is described, having a base (10) affixed to the watersports equipment such as a surfboard or diver's gas tank and a body forming a waterproof enclosure detachably secured to the base. The top cover (14) of the body has tabs (44) which are retained under projections (22) of the base such that the bottom tray (12) and top cover of the body cannot be unsealed without disengaging the body from the base. The top surface (40) of the cover forms a ramp engageable by the foot of the surf rider and may have grip material attached thereto.

Abstract: A quantity of solid fuel is attached to the inside of the combustion chamber of the turbine. When the engine begins a starting sequence, a starter begins spinning the compressor and an air flow is pumped through the engine. The solid fuel is then heated by a heater element until the solid fuel begins to burn. The combustion of the solid fuel increases the temperature of the combustion chamber so that when, thereafter, an atomized or vaporized liquid fuel is injected, the temperature within the combustion chamber is sufficient to allow the liquid fuel to burn in a self-sustaining manner.

Abstract: A mechanical rapid exchange device is provided which plastically deforms a guidewire and constrains the guidewire in a non-linear configuration such that a catheter may be moved relatively proximally or distally over the guidewire to facilitate catheter exchange. The device generally includes a housing having a channel along a length of one side of the housing, a central first punch movable between a first position in which the first punch is located substantially to one side of the channel and a second position in which it extends at least partially into the channel, lateral second and third punches movable between a respective first position in which they are located to the other side of the channel and a respective second position in which they extend at least partially into the channel. The device also includes a handle attached via levers to the second and third punches such that when the handle is actuated, the second and third punches are moved into the second position.

Abstract: A turbojet engine includes a housing having a forward inlet nozzle, an aft exhaust nozzle, a combustion chamber therebetween, a compressor between the inlet nozzle and the combustion chamber, and a turbine between the combustion chamber and the exhaust nozzle. A liquid fuel injector is provided to inject atomized or vaporized fuel into the chamber for combustion therein. In addition, a solid fuel is provided in the aft exhaust nozzle. The solid fuel may be used to assist the starting of the engine, particularly useful under adverse starting conditions. That is, when the compressor begins to spin up to pump air through the engine, the solid fuel in the exhaust nozzle is ignited by an igniter which begins to combust with the oxygen rich air introduced by the compressor. This combustion increases the temperature in the entire engine, such that when liquid fuel is injected in the combustion chamber, the temperature is sufficiently high to allow the liquid fuel to burn in a self-sustaining manner.

Abstract: A power supply includes a dc voltage source and circuitry which powers a modem data access arrangement (DAA) while preventing dc voltages from being applied to a private line; i.e., the private line is effectively isolated from dc voltages generated by the voltage sources. The circuitry permits ac signals from the modem to travel substantially unhindered over the private line. A first embodiment includes a split winding transformer, and a capacitor coupled across the voltage source. A second embodiment includes a standard transformer, an inductor and a capacitor. A third embodiment includes two capacitors and two inductors. The capacitors are coupled to the inputs of the DAA, while the inductors are coupled between the poles of the voltage source and respective inputs of the DAA.

Abstract: A propulsion system with at least one storage chamber containing at least one solid propellant and at least one fluid propellant is disclosed. The fluid propellant is retained under pressurized conditions, such that depressurization of the storage chamber substantially homogeneously disperses the at least one solid propellant in the at least one fluid propellant. A mixed-phase propellant can thereby be fed to a combustion chamber. The pressurized conditions under which the at least one fluid propellant is retained can include supercritical or critical conditions, saturation conditions, and conditions sufficient to provide a compressed gas.

Abstract: An object feeding, counting, and dispensing device is provided which includes a feeding funnel having a pathway having an entrance into which discrete objects are provided and an exit, an object sensing system at the exit of the pathway, a dispensing funnel having an upper opening into which the objects are gravity fed after passing through the object sensing system and a relatively smaller lower opening, a vibration system which substantially silently vibrates the dispensing funnel in a horizontal plane, and preferably not a vertical plane, and a display indicating the number of object counted. According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the vibration system includes a weight, a motor coupled to the dispensing funnel which eccentrically rotates the weight through XY plane such that rotation of the weight creates forces in X and Y directions, and a system which cancels the force in one of the X and Y directions.

Abstract: A speaker assembly is provided including a rigid front speaker mounting element defining at least one speaker mounting opening, at least one speaker driver coupled to the at least one speaker mounting opening of the speaker mounting element, at least one flexible bladder at least partially forming the sides and rear of the enclosure and coupled to the speaker mounting element, and a valve coupled to the flexible bladder. The flexible bladder has a first wall portion and a second wall portion defining a substantially air-tight interior space therebetween and may take any desired shape when inflated. Together, the speaker mounting element and the bladder form at least one interior chamber at least partially surrounding the speaker driver. The valve, which provides a substantially air-tight seal when closed, is in fluid communication with the interior space of the flexible bladder and can be used for inflation and deflation of the bladder.

Abstract: A volar fixation system includes a T-shaped plate intended to be positioned against the volar side of the radial bone, a plurality of bone screws for securing the plate along an non-fractured portion of the radial bone, and a plurality of bone pegs which extend from the plate and into bone fragments of a Colles' fracture. The plate is a T-shaped plate including a plurality of screw holes and a plurality of threaded peg holes. According to a first preferred aspect of the invention, the peg holes are preferably linearly or parabolically arranged and provided such that the holes are positioned increasingly distal in a medial to lateral direction along the second side. According to a second preferred aspect, axes through the holes are oblique relative to each other and preferably angled relative to each other in two dimensions.

Abstract: A volar fixation system includes a T-shaped plate intended to be positioned against the volar side of the radial bone, a plurality of bone screws for securing the plate along an non-fractured portion of the radial bone, and a plurality of bone pegs which extend from the plate and into bone fragments of a Colles' fracture. The plate is a T-shaped plate including a plurality of screw holes and a plurality of threaded peg holes. According to a first preferred aspect of the invention, the peg holes are preferably non-linearly arranged and provided such that the holes are positioned increasingly distal in a medial to lateral direction along the second side. According to a second preferred aspect, axes through the holes are oblique relative to each other and preferably angled relative to each other in two dimensions.