Abstract: An implantable connector for connecting components of implantable medical devices. The connector comprises first and second connector halves electrically coupled to the implantable components. A sealing membrane is provided to seal the electrical connection between the first and second connector halves. The sealing membrane is configured to be ruptured with a minimal amount of force so that the connector halves may be readily disconnected from each other.

Abstract: A design interface tool for designing force sensations for use with a host computer and force feedback interface device. A force feedback device is connected to a host computer that displays the interface tool. Input from a user is received in the interface to select a type of force sensation to be commanded by a host computer and output by a force feedback interface device. Input, such as parameters, is then received from the user which designs and defines physical characteristics of the selected force sensation. A graphical representation of the characterized force sensation is displayed on the host computer which provides a visual demonstration of a feel of the characterized force sensation so that the user can view an effect of parameters on said force sensation.

Abstract: A camera head enclosure apparatus configured to allow the interchangeability of photo-electric pixel arrays used in various applications is provided. A personality plate configured to receive and secure a photo-electric pixel array of a particular configuration provided on a chip is provided. The exemplary embodiments allow a user to interchange photo-electric pixel arrays, and personality plates, while using the same camera head enclosure, thus enabling the camera head enclosure to be adapted to a different photo-electric pixel array eliminating the need to custom make camera head enclosures for each application. The camera head enclosure apparatus may include carriers configured to hold circuit boards associated with the particular photo-electric pixel array selected.

Abstract: Inflatable devices principally for vehicle occupant protection are addressed. Included among the devices are curtains or other cushions (18) with braided portions (42) along their lower edges (30) designed to form semi-rigid members when deployed. Unlike commercially-available vehicle curtains, inflation occurs from the bottom (where the semi-rigid member is formed) upward. The devices additionally optionally may include inflatable nodes (46) within the curtains (18) or otherwise extending from the cushions.

Abstract: A speed cooking oven is disclosed comprising a cooking cavity, a controller, thermal heating source, blower assembly, air directing means and a vent assembly. Hot air is circulated by the blower motor assembly into the oven cavity where the hot air is directed in a manner wherein a conflicting, colliding turbulent gas flow is directed at a food product providing for the rapid cooking of food products.

Abstract: Detailed are systems and techniques for protecting structures from vehicular attack. The systems incorporate deformable materials sufficient to disable or otherwise inhibit certain vehicular traffic yet support weights and weight distributions typically associated with pedestrian or other non-threat traffic. Bodies of deformable materials further may include rigid structures or vehicle-immobilization devices.

Abstract: An LED fixture includes multiple LED drivers and multiple LED lamps so that the lifetime of the fixture is a multiple of the lifetime of a conventional fixture that uses only a single LED driver. A distributed controller activates and deactivates the LED drivers so that the different LED lamps are driven sequentially. An optional multi-lamp LED driver concurrently drives multiple LED lamps that have been previously driven by the LED drivers.

Abstract: The present invention determines the resonant frequency of a sensor by adjusting the phase and frequency of an energizing signal until the frequency of the energizing signal matches the resonant frequency of the sensor. The system energizes the sensor with a low duty cycle, gated burst of RF energy having a predetermined frequency or set of frequencies and a predetermined amplitude. The energizing signal is coupled to the sensor via magnetic coupling and induces a current in the sensor which oscillates at the resonant frequency of the sensor. The system receives the ring down response of the sensor via magnetic coupling and determines the resonant frequency of the sensor, which is used to calculate the measured physical parameter. The system uses a pair of phase locked loops to adjust the phase and the frequency of the energizing signal.

Abstract: A speed cooking oven is disclosed comprising a cooking cavity, a controller, thermal heating source, blower assembly, air directing means and a vent assembly. Hot air is circulated by the blower motor assembly into the oven cavity where the hot air is directed in a manner wherein a conflicting, colliding turbulent gas flow is directed at a food product providing for the rapid cooking of food products.

Abstract: A flow field plate for a fuel cell or electrolyser comprises on at least one face an assembly of channels comprising one or more gas delivery channels, one or more gas removal channels, and a permeable wall separating same. The permeable wall may comprise a plurality of gas diffusion channels.

Abstract: An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested instruments (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to photoacid generating compounds, lithographic resists comprising photoacid generating compounds, and to various lithographic processes techniques, and applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, systems, and methods for achieving high efficiencies of nitrogen oxide (NOx) removal from exhaust gases while minimizing ammonia slip and sulfur dioxide oxidation. In one embodiment, a method of removing nitrogen oxides from an exhaust gas comprises providing a first catalyst layer, adding an ammonia-containing compound to the exhaust gas upstream of the first catalyst layer in excess of the stoichiometric equivalent of the nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas, flowing the exhaust gas through the first catalyst layer, selectively catalytically decomposing ammonia in excess of the stoichiometric reaction equivalent of the nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas, and catalytically reducing the nitrogen oxides by reaction with ammonia not selectively catalytically decomposed.

Abstract: The invention provides composite porous materials in which a second material is fused to and/or is in the pores and/or is fused directly to some of the pore walls of a porous first material. The invention also provides methods of filtering a fluid using these composite porous materials and methods of manufacturing the composite porous materials.

Abstract: A sand slurry injection system and/or method can include mixing a drilling mud inhibitor with water to form a water mixture; mixing the water mixture with sand to form a sand slurry; and injecting the sand slurry into an unstable ground subsurface area to stabilize the area. The water mixture can be pumped under pressure into the bottom and/or into the middle of the hopper to help maintain the sand slurry in suspension. The water mixture can be pumped into two opposed injection ports at each of the bottom and the middle of the hopper. The two upper injection ports can be oriented at a 90 degree angle from the two bottom injection ports.

Abstract: A method includes receiving data values associated with one of a position and orientation of a simulated scanner relative to an object. Image values are calculated, substantially in real-time, based on the data values. A simulated ultrasound image is rendered in a graphical display based on the image values. The simulated ultrasound image is representative of an interior or a simulated interior of the object on the ultrasound scan plane.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present subject matter provide a compound and material that may be used as a lead-free primary explosive. An embodiment of the present subject matter provides the compound copper(I) nitrotetrazolate. Certain embodiments of the present subject matter provide methods for preparing lead-free primary explosives. The method includes: providing cuprous salt; providing water; providing 5-nitrotetrazolate salt; combining the cuprous salt, water and 5-nitrotetrazolate salt to form a mixture; and heating the mixture. The method may also include providing cuprous chloride and providing sodium 5-nitrotetrazolate. Certain embodiments of the present subject matter also provide methods for preparing copper(I) nitrotetrazolate. The method includes: providing cuprous salt; providing water; providing 5-nitrotetrazolate salt; combining the cuprous salt, water and 5-nitrotetrazolate salt to form a mixture; and heating the mixture.

Abstract: A system comprises an editable electronic document and a plurality of selectable sub areas in the document, each independently actionable for cropping.