Abstract: The fouling state of a polymeric membrane within the high pressure housing of a spiral wound or a hollow fiber membrane module is determined. An ultra sonic transducer positioned with its emitting face in physical engagement with the outer surface of the housing is pulse energized by a pulser/receiver device. A membrane echo signal is detected by a receiver of the pulser/receiver device. A reference echo signal indicative of a fouled or an unfouled state of the membrane is compared to the echo signal to determine the membrane fouling state. The echo to reference comparing step can be based upon comparing amplitude domain signals, comparing time-domain signals, comparing combinations of amplitude domain and time-domain signals, and comparing transformations of amplitude domain and time-domain signals.

Abstract: A horizontally extendable, two section gate assembly for use in restricting access through a wide opening that is defined by a pair of horizontally spaced and vertically extending walls. One end of the gate mounts hinges that are removably received within hinge brackets mounted on one wall. A swing stop allows the gate to swing in only one direction. The other end of the gate mounts a manual latch mating with a latch bracket mounted on the other wall. Two gate sections each include a horizontal upper support bar. Each upper support bar includes a horizontally extending open face slot that mates with the open face slot in the other support bar. Opposite ends of the two slots include a fixed position and extending slide block. Each slide block is fixed within one slot and is movable in the other slot, to provide low friction relative movement of the two gate sections, and to support the two gate sections in an extended position so that no gate sag is experienced.

Abstract: Effectuation of a health care provision agency cooperative function is established through a communication network linking all the various entities of the cooperative. The entities include the third party payor members, the health providing individuals, clinics, or the like, along with secondary providers including pharmacies and laboratories, health care facilities such as hospitals, and the several entities associated with management of the cooperative and appropriate funds transfer functions. A coordinating interface system maintains data storage of the necessary information, and manages the entity intercommunications in accordance with the basic structure of the active and eligible elements of the agency cooperative.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enticing a passive television viewer by automatically playing promotional presentations of selectable options in response to the viewer's inactivity. One embodiment of the invention presents the passive viewer with a set of selectable options. If the viewer does not select an option from the set of selectable options within a predetermined amount of time, the invention then displays a promotional presentation of a first option from the set of selectable options. A more specific embodiment of the invention displays the promotional presentation of the first option by (1) requesting promotional data concerning the first option from a service source through a communication network, and (2) receiving the promotional data from the service source through the communication network.

Abstract: Apparatus and programmed method is disclosed, providing for the creation of a circular file of use in conjunction with the UNIX.TM. operating system or other layered and modular operating system architectures. The circular file uses an inode field to identify the file as circular and writes fill data to the file to allocate physical blocks to the file at the time of its creation. Thereafter, blocks already allocated to the file are re-allocated when more file space is needed and the file size does not increase.

Abstract: An optical frequency shifter is provided to change the frequency of a coherent input light beam by imparting periodic increases in phase to the beam. This increase in phase is caused by ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) in conjunction with quarter wave plates. The FLCs are repeatedly switched on and off by electrical signal generators, adding phase shift in steps, which in turn results in a higher output optical frequency.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency (RF) microstrip antenna employs a planar or curved radiator element that is mounted or supported in spaced relation to a planar or curved ground plane element. A RF feed is attached near one edge of the radiator element for receiving and/or transmitting RF signals in a lobe that is substantially perpendicular to the ground plane element. The radiator element and the ground plane element are maintained in a converging or tilted physical relationship. When a coaxial cable is employed as the antenna feed, the cable's outer insulation is secured to the ground plane element, the cable's center conductor extends away from the ground plane element to provide a signal feed to the radiator element and to provide physical support for one edge of the radiator element, and two insulator posts extend away from the ground plane element to provide support for the opposite edge of the radiator element.

Abstract: Method for the controlled injection of a liquid in a tube by means of a peristaltic type pump actuated by a rotary d.c. motor (12) controlled by a control unit (10) such as a microprocessor, wherein an optical encoder (18) sends pulses to said control unit (10) during the intermittent operation of the motor. The method comprises operating the motor for period corresponding to a number of pulses equal to a set value. For each operating phase of the motor (12), equal to a predetermined number of pulses, the set value is reduced by the number of pulses transmitted during the preceding deceleration phase when the power supply is interrupted. The resulting error in the level of the volume of liquid to be injected thus remains approximately constant for the entire length of the injection period. The method according to the invention may be advantageously used in a programmable portable infusion system.