Abstract: There is provided a monitor and method for monitoring the condition of a photoresist film on a wafer in which the phase of high frequency ultrasonic pulses reflected from the wafer/photoresist interface provides an indication of the condition of the photoresist film.

Abstract: The fault system includes an interface for accessing first data fault representative of faults in the reported by users of mobile stations of the network, an interface for accessing second fault, data representative of faults in the network determined by a network analysis system, and pattern matching device for allocating the first and second fault data to fault patterns, representative of faults having at least one common characteristic. The common characteristics is geographic location and fault type. The fault system further includes pattern generation device for generating the fault pattern using respective fault templates to allocate the fault data to the fault patterns.

Abstract: Ultrasound apparatus for examining tissue in a region of interest in a body comprising a housing having a viewing aperture. An ultrasonic transducer is provided comprised of an array of ultrasonic elements disposed in the viewing aperture. Electrical pulses are supplied to the transducer for transducer excitation to introduce ultrasonic signals into the body for reflection from the tissue in the region of interest. The transducer is capable of converting ultrasonic signals reflected from the tissue within the body to the transducer to provide electrical signals. The electrical signals are gain corrected in accordance with time. In-phase and out-of-phase components of the electrical signals are provided and then digitized. The digitized electrical signals are collected to form one image for a single frame of the tissue in the region of interest in the body from transducer excitations less than thirty-three in number which is then displayed.

Abstract: An adaptive control device (77) and method (102-108) for control of the operation of an actuator (72), and particularly thermally-powered actuator (72) of the type used in a variable-air-volume diffuser (71). The preferred adaptive control device is an expert system circuit which controls a heater (74) provided on a thermally-powered actuator (72) to implement an adaptive process (102-108) in which a sensed variable, such as room air temperature, is driven toward a target temperature control range (±0.25° F.). Most preferably, the process steps (106) include driving the room air temperature toward a gross (broader) temperature control range (±1.0° F.) by moving a diffuser damper assembly (80) to a substantially fully open or substantially fully closed position.

Abstract: A method of controlling a supply of electric power to an electric load and a circuit thereof are disclosed. The circuit includes a control voltage generating part means for generating a control voltage which decreases over time, an amassing part for amassing the control voltage upon a voltage signal increasing over time and discharging the amassed voltage nearby a zero crossing point of AC voltage from the AC source in order to generate a saw-tooth wave, a trigger signal generating part for generating trigger signals based on the saw-tooth wave, wherein the phase angle of the trigger signals varies depending on the saw-tooth wave, and a switch part for supplying electric energy from the AC power source to the electric load in response to the trigger signals. Therefore, electric power being supplied to an electric load fades out.

Abstract: A method and system for automatic analysis of a testing substrate for an analyte in a liquid sample. The sample is applied to a testing substrate having an immobilized thereon, in a limited region of the testing substrate, a receptor capable of binding to the analyte. A labeled reagent, capable of binding to the analyte, is added to the testing substrate. If the analyte is present, a color is generated at the area of the testing substrate where the receptor is immobilized. The testing substrate is then illuminated and, using electronic equipment a digital image of the testing substrate is acquired and automatically scanned to locate an area of the testing substrate having the highest color density and generating a first measurement of color density. Next, an area peripheral to the area of highest color density is located and a second measurement of color density is generated.

Abstract: A method for treating a tracheo-esophageal fistula. The method comprises the steps of augmenting the wall forming the esophagus in the vicinity of the fistula and placing a stent over the fistula in the esophagus so as to inhibit material traveling down the esophagus from passing into the trachea. The augmenting of the wall facilitates support of the stent in the esophagus so as to enhance isolation of the fistula.

Abstract: A liquid medication dispenser apparatus which provides for user-friendly medication measurement and compliance. The apparatus measures and dispenses liquid medication doses and records the time and dose sizes for up to one year. The recorded information can then be downloaded to a personal computer for evaluation of patient compliance. A disposable, motor driven pump is used to provide a very wide range of medication dispensation volumes, while maintaining full accuracy and reducing the risks of patient errors as might occur with a manual dispense system.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel methods and compositions for the detection of analytes using the nuclear reorganization energy, &lgr;, of an electron transfer process.

Abstract: A stowable device for washing the underside and wheel well regions of a vehicle includes a base member joined at one end to a handle member such that the angle between the members can vary. A water jet disposed adjacent the distal end of the base member has a slit-like outlet. A length of flexible tubing couples the water jet to a trigger handle and waterjet valve located on the free end of the handle member. A source of water is coupled to the trigger handle, and passes through the flexible tubing and out the waterjet when the user presses the water jet valve. At least one non-swivelling wheel assembly is attached to the base member. The ratio between the length of the base member and the width of the wheel assembly preferably exceeds about 20:1 to promote maneuverability of the device.

Abstract: A stent for use in a lumen defined by a wall of a vessel of a patient having a body. The vessel is comprised of a hollow substantially cylindrical member formed of a biocompatible composition. The composition incorporates at least one medical agent in a weight up to 90% of the total weight of the stent so that at least one medical agent is released from the composition of the stent into the vessel at a controlled rate extending over a period of time after the stent is inserted into the vessel.

Abstract: An ion transmission system for transferring ions from an atmospheric pressure ionization source to an analyzer including a capillary having an input orifice which is indirectly coupled to the ion source.

Abstract: Anion-exchange compositions are provided comprising anion-exchange functional groups comprising at least a first and a second nitrogen group, wherein the first nitrogen group is a quaternary amine and the second nitrogen group is selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary, tertiary or quaternary amines. Methods of making and using the compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A two-piece handle assembly (10, 10a) including a plunger (12, 12a) and a body (24, 24a) having an axial bore (50, 50a) in which plunger (12, 12a) can move between retracted and extended positions. The upper end (28) of body (24, 24a) includes a pair of opposed longitudinal slots (32) that permit radially outward resilient movement of the upper end (28) to enlarge a bore (52), defined by a neck portion (54) of the body, to permit insertion of plunger (12) into body (24, 24a). A plunger shoulder (44) is designed to engage a body shoulder (55) to limit movement of the plunger in the direction of retraction, and a finger pad (13) is provided to limit movement of the plunger in the direction of extension.

Abstract: Method and composition for making an expanded polyethylene material by forming a foamable melt of polyethylene, a nucleating agent, a material which retards migration of alkanes, and a blowing agent which comprises 10 to 100 mole percent ethane. In one disclosed embodiment, the melt is passed through an annular extrusion die to form an elongated tube of extruded material which is then expanded, slit lengthwise and laid flat to form a sheet of the expanded material.

Abstract: A system for detecting, localizing and targeting a medical instrument toward a target tissue within the body using an optical contrast agent in which a light source (102) is optically coupled to the tissue to be diagnosed (135), a light detector (174) is optically coupled to the tissue to detect a portion of the light which passes through the tissue, and either one or both of the light source and light detector are coupled to a medical instrument (130) used in a medical procedure. A contrast locator engine (184) receives a signal from the detector and provides an target tissue output signal (195) based upon the localization and distribution of the contrast agent, allowing the target tissue to be detected, located, or imaged, and for the medical instrument to positioned or targeted relative to the target tissue, and for allowing the accuracy of placement or the progress of a procedure to be assessed in real time. A method for the system is also described.

Abstract: Haemophilus adhesion and penetration proteins, nucleic acids, vaccines and monoclonal antibodies are provided.

Abstract: An actuator assembly directs a first beam of light towards an optical assembly. A particular angular displacement of the beam of light relative to the optical assembly by the actuator assembly directs the beam of light to exit the optical assembly at a particular output port.

Abstract: Nucleoproteins comprising overlapping homologous DNA sequences coated with a recombinase are employed for introduction into cells to produce double D-loop structures. The sequences may be modified with various moieties which result in modification of DNA. Formation of the D-loops results in inhibition of replication and transcription, where the moieties can be employed for permanent scission or modification of the DNA. The methods and compositions can be used for investigating physiological processes, for producing animal models, and for inhibition of an undesirable phenotype in vivo.

Abstract: A blow molded container has a cylindrical neck portion with novel seven circumferentially spaced continuous spiral thread configurations on its exterior to immediately receive and engage an improved tamper indicating flexible cap comprising a top with an annular depending wall on its peripheral edge and seven circumferentially spaced continuous spiral thread configurations on the inner surface of the annular depending wall. The novel constructions enable the tamper indicating flexible cap to immediately engage the lead-in ends of the seven circumferentially spaced thread patterns on the exterior of the neck of the container without the heretofore necessary rotation of the prior art caps in order to engage the single spiral thread configuration on the neck of the container.