Abstract: A spectrometer for measuring the complex impedance spectrum of tissue comprises: a multi-frequency excitation current generator; a demodulation signal generator; two identical amplification/demodulation circuits; an A/D converter; and a microprocessor for signal processing. In use, the current generator excites the tissue sample and a series-connected reference impedance. The voltages generated in the tissue and reference are measured, demodulated, and digitized in parallel using the demodulation signal generator, the two amplification/demodulation circuits, and the A/D converter. Demodulation is done using the same demodulation signal generated at a frequency with a preset difference from the excitation signal, which allows measurements to be made at a low frequency independent of the excitation frequency. The microprocessor then calculates the complex impedance spectrum in relation to the reference signal.

Abstract: Alternate embodiments of an impedance spectroscopy method are disclosed for monitoring ischemic mucosal damage in hollow viscous organs. In each embodiment, a sensor catheter is placed inside a patient's hollow viscous organ. Afterwards, the catheter is electrically driven to obtain a complex impedance spectrum by causing two electrodes in the tip of the catheter to inject a current into the mucosal tissue at different frequencies, while two other electrodes measure the resulting voltages. A pattern recognition system is then used to analyze the complex impedance spectrum and to quantify the severity of the mucosal injury. Alternatively, the complex impedance spectrum can be appropriately plotted against the spectrum of normal tissue, allowing for a visual comparison by trained personnel.

Abstract: A low temperature process for extracting principal components from plants or plant materials and plant extracts produced by such a low temperature process, are provided. The inventive low temperature process improves the yield and quality of volatile and non-volatile components extracted from plants or plant materials.

Abstract: A security device, such as a security thread, uses multiple security detection features provided by combining metal and metal/magnetic security features on a carrier substrate. The security detection features basically comprise an optionally repeating pattern of discrete metal/magnetic indicia and discrete metal or metal-dot formed indicia. The security detection features may also include at least one metal strip extending along the length of the carrier substrate and/or a plurality of metal dots located on metal-free portions of at least one surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable that employs a dual layer jacket and that demonstrates improved dimensional stability over a wide temperature range, is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the inventive cable is flame-retardant and, upon flaming, smoke suppressed and non-hazardous.

Abstract: The present invention provides a porous paper product impregnated with at least one chemical species. The porous paper product can be in the form of sheets, or compressed pellets. The porous paper can be prepared from a variety of sources, including wood pulp, kenaf, flax, or hemp. The chemical species impregnating the paper react and/or diffuse out of the paper to accomplish a variety of desired results. For example, diffusion of a volatile biocidal chemical out of pores in the paper create a no-growth zone on and immediately surrounding the impregnated paper. In this manner the impregnated paper can provide a sterile environment for activities such as food packaging/storage, the treatment of illness/injury, or waste disposal.

Abstract: An impedance spectroscopy system for monitoring ischemic mucosal damage in hollow viscous organs comprises a sensor catheter and an impedance spectrometer for electrically driving the catheter to obtain a complex tissue impedance spectrum. Once the catheter is in place in one of a patient's hollow viscous organs, the impedance spectrometer obtains the complex impedance spectrum by causing two electrodes in the tip of the catheter to inject a current into the mucosal tissue at different frequencies, while two other electrodes measure the resulting voltages. A pattern recognition system is then used to analyze the complex impedance spectrum and to quantify the severity of the mucosal injury. Alternatively, the complex impedance spectrum can be appropriately plotted against the spectrum of normal tissue, allowing for a visual comparison by trained personnel.

Abstract: An ejector system comprises a lobed, supersonic primary nozzle and a convergent/divergent ejector shroud. The lobed nozzle is just upstream from the ejector shroud, such that there is an annular space between the nozzle and shroud for admitting a secondary flow. In operation, a primary flow of high-pressure steam or air is directed through the primary nozzle, where it is accelerated to supersonic speed. The primary flow then exits the primary nozzle, where it entrains and is mixed with the secondary flow, creating a low pressure region or vacuum. The ejector shroud subsequently decelerates the combined flow while increasing the flow pressure, which increases suction performance and reduces energy loss. Because the primary nozzle mixes the two flows, the ejector shroud is able to have a length-to-entrance-diameter ratio significantly smaller than typical shrouds/diffusers, which decreases the system's size and increases performance.

Abstract: A method for locking a firearm in an “open” position involves blocking some portion of the firearm's action (internal operational mechanism) with a selectively-extendable locking device accessible from outside the firearm. More specifically, the locking device is positioned at one of a plurality of pre-selected locations on the firearm, and includes a plunger that lies retracted when the device is unlocked, and that extends into the interior of the firearm when locked. The pre-selected location is chosen such that: (i) when locked, the locking device interferes with the firearm's action, preventing it from being closed, and the firearm from being fired; (ii) the locking device can only be locked when the firearm's action is in an open position, with the chamber visually exposed; and (iii) to the extent one is able to operatively disassemble the firearm when the locking device is locked, the locking device cannot be defeated internally.

Abstract: A method for protecting wood and wood products from mold and sapstaining fungi for periods of at least about seven months is provided. The method employs a non-toxic mold inhibitor, which has been found to be unusually effective in providing resistance to mold and sapstaining fungi. Mold and fungi resistant wood and wood products are also provided.

Abstract: Snow and ice-melting granules prepared from compacted blends of salts of alkali and/or alkaline earth metals and a method for preparing such granules, are provided. The inventive granules have improved mechanical properties and, as such, are not readily reduced to a powder when subjected to mechanical loadings during transit and storage. In a preferred embodiment, the inventive granules employ one or more corrosion inhibitors homogeneously distributed throughout the granules.

Abstract: A cable for transmitting electromagnetic signals has a central conductor. A pair of insulator filaments, each having a circular cross section, are twisted around each other to form an insulator wrap. The insulator wrap is helically wound around the conductor. An insulator sheath, provided as an outer cover for the cable, surrounds the wrapped central conductor and is supported by the insulator wrap. Since the insulator sheath is offset from the conductor, an enclosed air space is formed between the sheath and the conductor in the spaces not occupied by the insulator wrap. The twist pitch of the filaments and the pitch of the wrap around the conductor can both be modified to adjust the amount of insulator material located in the air space and thereby the cable's effective dielectric constant, which effects the propagation speed of the electromagnetic signals carried by the cable.

Abstract: A magnesium-based casting alloy having good salt-spray corrosion resistance and improved creep resistance, tensile yield strength and bolt-load retention, particularly at elevated temperatures of at least 150° C., is provided. The inventive alloy comprises, in weight percent, 2 to 9% aluminum and 0.5 to 7% strontium, with the balance being magnesium except for impurities commonly found in magnesium alloys. A method of making an oxidation-resistant alloy melt, and the alloy melt prepared by such a method, are also provided. The alloy melt comprises magnesium as a primary alloying metal, and aluminum and strontium as secondary alloying metals, while the inventive method comprises: melting the alloying metals under an atmosphere of an inert gas selected from a mixture of carbon dioxide and sulfur fluoride gas, a mixture of nitrogen and sulfur dioxide gas, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A security label having one or more security elements is used on or in association with items, such as consumer products, that have value and are susceptible to counterfeiting. The security label is preferably used as a primary label directly affixed to the item or product. The security element(s) can be affixed to an outer or inner label surface, embedded within the label film or paper layer and/or laminated between two or more layers. One type of security element includes a security thread having indicia formed thereon that are not easily reproduced or duplicated. Another type of security element includes a machine-readable security element that provides encoded machine-readable verification data.

Abstract: A rapid mounting, “square” electrical outlet or junction box (4″ square, 4-{fraction (11/16)}″ square, 2-gang, etc.) includes a back plate and four upstanding sidewalls attached to the back plate and defining a front opening. One or more of the sidewalls has a number of conduit knockouts, as well as a plurality of cable access ports, which allow entry of AC, MC, NM, or other cables. The sidewalls also have a mounting hole pattern for rapidly mounting the outlet box, by way of any of the sidewalls, to a wood or metal stud. Accordingly, regardless of the box's orientation, conduit and/or electrical cables can always be routed to the box, and conduits that approach the box from any direction can be easily accommodated without bending or rerouting. Among other things, the outlet box may also be provided with cable clamps, fold-out depth tangs, device connection flanges, and pre-attached ground leads.

Abstract: A dual C-arm angiographic device for flat panel x-ray receptor (“dual C-arm gantry”) comprises: a base attached to the floor; an outer C-shaped track non-movably attached to the base; a crawler carriage that moves along the outer track; and a counterweighted, inner C-shaped instrument bracket (“inner C-arm”) pivotally attached to the crawler carriage. A detector/counterweight housing, flat-panel x-ray receptor, and x-ray tube and collimator are attached to the inner C-arm. The bottom end of the outer track terminates at the base, such that the outer track arches over the side and top of a separate patient support table. Additionally, the outer track, crawler carriage, and inner C-arm are mutually configured such that the dual C-arm gantry is capable of full spherical angulation and of providing a full range of clinical positioning, while minimizing interference with clinical use patterns (i.e., the head end of the table is left clear for all angulations).

Abstract: A rotary, tubular hole cutter for quickly cutting holes through materials such as wood, fiberboard, and drywall. The device includes a tubular member with a backing plate attached to one end, with holes in the backing plate that enable the attachment of a conventional heavy-duty hole saw arbor. The device includes three equally spaced gullets, each of which has a cutting bit mounted adjacent to the trailing edge of the gullet, with the cutting face lying in the direction of rotation. The combination of three gullets and cutting bits, along with the cutting bit geometry, enable fast extraction of the “puck” or core from the tubular member after the cut is completed, by hand or other suitable device. The nature and aggressiveness of the cutting action is limited by the geometry of the cutting bits and their relationship to the top surface of the tubular member.

Abstract: A multi-layer insulation system for electrical conductors, an insulated electrical conductor, a process for preparing an insulated conductor, and an insulated conductor prepared by such a process are provided. The insulated electrical conductors are lightweight, qualify for temperature ratings of up to approximately 230° C., and demonstrate mechanical durability and hydrolysis resistance. As such, these insulated conductors are particularly useful for aircraft wire and cable.

Abstract: A plastic suit drying system comprises a drying chamber with an air warmer, and a mobile dryer rack. The mobile rack has a wheeled air plenum base, a number of drying positions (each comprising three perforated air pipes protruding up from the base), and a flanged air inlet in the back of the base that mates with a connection flange in the drying chamber. Through this flanged connection hot air is forced into the base/plenum and then into the perforated pipes. For use, wet plastic suits are placed upside down on the drying positions. Then, the mobile rack is rolled into the drying chamber so that the rack's flange mates with the drying cabinet's connection flange. Next, the drying chamber doors are closed, and the drying cycle started, during which heated air is blown into the mobile rack plenum and up into the air pipes extending into the suits.

Abstract: An interactive security blanket for children comprises two fabric sheets sewn together to provide a blanket body. One of the sheets preferably has a colorful children's pattern or design, while the other is provided in a complimentary solid color. Additionally, a plurality of spaced-apart ribbon loops, or “tags,” are attached to the four edges of the blanket body, and extend out therefrom. The lengths of ribbon comprising the tags are looped from and back into the seam between the pieces of fleece, and are firmly attached at that seam. The tags are provided in a variety of colors, patterns, and textures, e.g., they may be wide, thin, silky, textured, bright-colored, pastel, shiny, solid, and/or provided with fabric prints suitable for children. The tags function as a means for providing sensory stimulation for children via the children's passive (ocular) or active (tactile) interaction with the pillow or blanket.