Abstract: A dual stage microactuated head suspension includes a base plate, a mounting region attached to the base plate, a load beam coupled to the mounting region, a flexure supported by the load beam and the mounting region, and a microactuator mechanically and electrically coupled to the mounting region. The mounting region is oriented in a plane and includes a microactuator slot for receiving the microactuator such that the microactuator lies substantially or entirely in the plane of the mounting region. The head suspension includes a microactuator support structure provided for mechanically and electrically coupling the microactuator to the mounting region.

Abstract: A system for regulating a reverse osmosis system to obtain zero wastewater includes a fresh water supply, a reverse osmosis apparatus, a concentrate storage tank and a permeate storage tank, a concentrate solenoid valve and a permeate solenoid valve, a permeate heater, an institutional dishmachine and a control system. The reverse osmosis apparatus filters water from the fresh water supply into a concentrate rinse stream and a permeate rinse stream. The concentrate storage tank and the permeate storage tank are downstream of the reverse osmosis apparatus and receiving the concentrate rinse stream and the permeate rinse stream, respectively. The concentrate solenoid valve and the permeate solenoid valve control the flow of the concentrate rinse stream and the permeate rinse stream, respectively, from their respective storage tank. The permeate heater heats the permeate rinse stream to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Device for sensing load relief by a secondary path of a flight control actuator having a primary path and a secondary path capable of relieving the load of the primary path in the event of a breakdown thereof, the primary path comprising a screw, the screw terminating in a fastener of the primary path, the secondary path comprising an emergency load relief rod passing through the screw, this rod terminating in a male shape which, when the primary path is carrying the load, is accommodated inside of a female shape of a fastener of the secondary path, characterized in that at least one sensing element is disposed on the male shape terminating the rod, on the female shape or between both of these two shapes, this sensing element being designed to wear down due to the friction between the male shape and the female shape, when the secondary path is loaded and is relieving the load, this sensing element being connected or capable of being connected to means capable of sensing wear on this sensing element and of tri

Abstract: The present invention relates to a switch comprising a casing (1, 9), an actuator member (2, 3) pivotably mounted in the casing (1, 9) and integral with a switching control rod (10), capable of occupying a central position (A) and a rocked position (C), a pusher (5) slidably mounted in the actuator member (2, 3) in an incoming/outgoing direction substantially parallel to the plane of symmetry of the rocking, remarkable in that it further comprises a rockably mobile lock (4) on an elastic support (11), said lock (4) being distinct from the pusher (5) and capable of assuming a first position where it is interposed on the trajectory of the actuator member (2, 3) and a second position where it cooperates with the pusher (5) so that a thrust on the pusher (5) urges the lock (4) and allows the latter to disengage from the trajectory of the actuator member (2, 3) towards the rocked position (C).

Abstract: A method for forming the crosslinkable thermal interface materials disclosed herein comprises a) providing at least one saturated rubber compound, b) providing at least one amine resin, c) crosslinking the at least one saturated rubber compound and the at least one amine resin to form a crosslinked rubber-resin mixture, d) adding at least one thermally conductive filler to the crosslinked rubber-resin mixture, and e) adding a wetting agent to the crosslinked rubber-resin mixture. This method can also further comprise adding at least one phase change material to the crosslinked rubber-resin mixture. The contemplated thermal interface material can be provided as a dispensable liquid paste, a gel, a tape, or a film. Applications of the contemplated thermal interface materials described herein comprise incorporating the materials into a layered material, an electronic component or a finished electronic product.

Abstract: An inhalation device may include a control and an air pump that is connected to the control. The air pump is controlled by the control such that the air pump supplies an inhalation flow, or inhalation volume or both according to a predetermined time course to a nebulizer connected to the air pump. The inhalation flow, inhalation volume or both is controlled by controlling the air pump, rather than by using valves.

Abstract: A hand-held apparatus for spraying texture material including a body, a pressurized air source mounted on the body, a texture material hopper mounted on the body, and a texture delivery nozzle for selectively spraying texture material from the hopper onto a surface to be coated by propelling the texture material using pressurized air from the pressurized air source wherein each of the air source and the hopper can be disconnected from the body without the use of tools. An air directing plunger has a plurality of discontinuities at an outlet thereof, which may be radially outwardly directed recesses or radially inwardly directed teeth for reducing the noise generated by the pressurized air during operation.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a cardiac lead system adapted for fixation to a vessel including an expandable fixation mechanism adapted to engage an inner surface of the vessel and a lead member comprising an anchor structure at distal end, the anchor structure configured to removably engage with fixation mechanism. Such anchor structure may be helical, and may removably engage fixation mechanism upon rotation or an application of torque, and may be extendable and/or retractable. Fixation mechanism may be polymer coated weave and/or mesh to trap anchor structure. Lead member and/or fixation mechanism may include electrodes and/or sensors, and lead member may include L-shape, S-shape, spiral, and/or sinusoidal shape for positioning of electrodes and/or sensors or for facilitated engagement of anchor structure. A guide wire attached to fixation mechanism during deployment may, prior to detachment, serve to guide lead member to a target site at fixation mechanism.

Abstract: A lead assembly for placement in a coronary vessel of the heart, the coronary vessel having a pericardial wall portion and a myocardial wall portion. The lead assembly comprises a lead body extending from a proximal end adapted for coupling to a pulse generator to a distal end adapted for implantation in the heart, an electrode positioned at the distal end of the lead body, and a loop biasing feature located at the distal end of the lead body. The loop biasing feature includes a resilient loop positioned to bias a portion of the electrode towards the myocardial wall portion of the coronary vessel by exerting a force against the pericardial wall portion. The loop biasing feature further includes a collar for coupling the loop biasing feature to the lead body. A method of implanting the lead assembly.

Abstract: A wrap (20) for securing about a blood vessel (36) by encasing a section of the vessel. The wrap (20) being of thin flexible construction having two ends (22, 24) and two sides (26, 28). The wrap (20) is more elastic or stretchable at, near, or along at least some of its sides (22, 24) compared to at, near, or along its center, to provide strain relief from wrapped to unwrapped aorta. The wrap (20) is not inelastic, so that loss of aortic compliance is minimized or enhanced. The wrap (20) is adapted to apply, in use, less compressive force at, near, or along at least some of its sides (22, 24) compared to at, near, or along its center.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for using human placental alkaline phosphatase or an active derivative to reduce blood glucose level in a mammal. Treatment regimens provided by the invention may be used to control Type 1 and Type 2 forms of diabetes in humans. The methods and treatment regimens may be effective to maintain the human's blood glucose level below about 10 mM, and preferably within the normal range of 4 mM to 7 mM. The methods and treatment regimens may be used in combination with administration of known anti-diabetic medicaments. Also provided by the invention is a method for inducing weight loss or reducing an expected weight gain caused by or associated with obesity or Type 2 diabetes. The invention further provides a preparation for administration to a human, the preparation comprising homogeneous purified human placental alkaline phosphatase in a physiologically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A socket assembly includes a housing with a plurality of through openings that extend between opposite surfaces of the housing. First and second plurality of contact members are positioned in a plurality of the through openings. The contact members each include major beams and minor beams with proximal ends attached to a center portion, and distal ends extending away from the center portion. The major beams preferably have a length greater than the minor beams. When the first circuit member is engaged with the socket assembly the ball grid array displaces the distal ends of the major beams to create a plurality of first and second forces. The first plurality of forces generally oppose the second plurality of forces. The first and second plurality of forces also generate an engagement force that biases the first circuit member toward the housing. The minor beams on the first and second plurality of contact members do not contribute to the engagement force.

Abstract: A cardiac-valve prosthesis which can be used, for example, as a valve for percutaneous implantation. The prosthesis includes an armature for anchorage of the valve prosthesis in the implantation site. The armature defines a lumen for passage of the blood flow and supports a set of prosthetic valve leaflets, which, under the action of the blood flow, are able to move into a radially divaricated condition to enable the flow of the blood through the lumen in a first direction and a radially contracted condition, in which the valve leaflets co-operate with one another and block the flow of the blood through the prosthesis in the opposite direction. The armature includes, in one embodiment, two annular elements connected by anchor members having the capacity of projecting radially with respect to the prosthesis, and support members for the set of leaflets, the support members being carried by at least one of the annular elements so as to leave substantially disengaged the aforesaid lumen for passage of the blood.

Abstract: A manually operated internally fed paint brush having a resilient handle forming a refillable paint reservoir and a brush head with a fluid delivery path connecting the reservoir to the brush head via a siphon tube having an inlet positioned at a lowermost region of the reservoir when the paint brush is generally horizontal. A combined valve and O-ring seals an outlet of the siphon tube and selectively opens in response to compression of the reservoir. A latching mechanism retains the brush head to the handle. A trough having a spout is provided for filling the paint brush.

Abstract: A novel method of treating and preventing bacterial diseases is provided. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibition of Gram negative, Gram positive and acid fast bacilli in general and tuberculosis (TB), mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), and anthrax in particular. Thus, the invention relates to modulation of cellular activities, including macrophage activity, and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to the inhibitory compounds comprising naturally occurring and man-made inhibitors of serine protease.

Abstract: An on board monitor for an endoscope reprocessor for monitoring the performance and order of a predetermined set of critical steps for reprocessing an endoscope. The monitor will only allow the overall system to reach the last step indicating successful completion of the process related to the critical steps representing successful reprocessing of an endoscope after the system successfully completes all of the previous critical steps and in the correct order.

Abstract: When data are sent in the form of Ethernet messages on an Ethernet transmission link using an interface to link a node to the Ethernet transmission link, the data to be sent are converted using a conversion unit in line with a transmission standard of the Ethernet protocol in order to provide Ethernet messages, and a transmission unit is used for ongoing transmission of the provided Ethernet messages, with Ethernet messages being output onto the Ethernet transmission link continuously.

Abstract: A network coupler is provided between a network, on which Ethernet messages can be transmitted, and a plurality of subscribers, the network being linked to an external interface of the network coupler and the plurality of subscribers being linked in series to a ring-type transmission path via an internal interface of the network coupler. For interchanging data, an Ethernet message received via the external interface of the network coupler is forwarded to the internal Ethernet interface of the network coupler and is output onto the ring-type transmission path, each subscriber connected to the internal interface interchanging the useful data intended for the respective subscriber with the Ethernet message circulating on the ring-type transmission path.

Abstract: A system and method for managing enterprise assets located at geographically distributed sites utilizing wireless tag technologies. The method includes storing in a database information relating to each asset, wherein the stored information includes cost of each asset and cost of service for each asset. The method further includes tracking and storing information relating to servicing of the assets, including the cost of servicing. Information relating to the assets is then displayed to a user of the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems of tracking enterprise gas emissions such as greenhouse gas emissions. The systems and methods relate to collecting or entering data relating to one or more emissions source of an enterprise or an enterprise location, calculating emissions totals, and, according to certain embodiments, generating emissions reports.