Abstract: In a CDMA data communication system capable of variable rate transmission, utilization of beam switching techniques decreases the average interference caused by transmissions of a base station to subscriber stations within a cell, and in neighboring cells. Base stations utilize multiple transmit antennas, each transmitting signals at controlled amplitudes and phases, to form transmit signal corresponding to sector divisions. Data and reference signals are transmitted along sector division beams that alternate according to fixed time slots in order to increase system capacity and data rates by maximizing carrier-to-interference ratios (C/I) measured at subscriber stations.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to techniques for estimating signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of signals received by a wireless communication device. The techniques take advantage of spatial receive diversity in a wireless communication device to achieve accurate estimates of SNR. In general, a spatial projection wiener filter function can be applied to incoming symbol estimates to support efficient computation of SNR. The estimated SNR can be used to produce power control commands for use in forward power control.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a trocar seal adapted to form a seal around a surgical instrument, the trocar seal comprising a housing having an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end and forming a working channel sized and configured to receive the surgical instrument; an elastomeric septum seal having a proximal face and a distal face, the septum seal being disposed in the housing and extending transverse to the axis of the housing across the working channel; portions of the septum seal defining a hole having a diameter less than or equal to the diameter of the surgical instrument so that during insertion of the instrument along the working channel the septum seal forms a seal with the instrument; and at least one structure formed integrally with or proximate to the septum seal to prevent inversion of the septum seal upon withdrawal of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A releasable mechanism such as a cap is adapted for use with an access sheath having an elongate tube and a handle structure disposed at a proximal end of the tube. The releasable mechanism is sized and configured to fit the handle structure, which is shaped like the bell of a horn, to further facilitate use with surgical instrumentation. The releasable mechanism may operate as a separate cap that snaps onto the handle structure to provide access pathways to the sheath. The releasable mechanism may also be disposed at a proximal end of a surgical instrument to be introduced into the access sheath such that it may be interlocked with the sheath. In a method of manufacturing a kink-resistant sheath, a wire is initially coated with a plastic material, the coated wire is then wrapped around a mandrel forming a plurality of windings, and the wound coated wire is heated until the plastic material melts and bonds the windings to form a wire-reinforced sheath.

Abstract: A surgical clip having a sliding state and a crimped state is adapted for use in a surgical procedure initially to slide along suture ends to an operative position and ultimately to crimp the suture ends at the operative position. A substrate, bendable between the sliding state and the crimped state carries at least one coating having either lubricious or traction enhancing properties. A second coating can be added to form a coating laminate with the outer coating having lubricious properties facilitating the sliding state and the inner coating having traction enhancing properties facilitating thee crimped state.