Abstract: A link and a chain formed therefrom, wherein the links comprise a shaft portion having first and second opposing ends defining therebetween a longitudinal axis for the link; an enlargement portion connected to the shaft portion at the first end, the enlargement portion having a width which is greater than a width of the shaft portion at the first end; and a mandorla shaped portion having first and second apertures therein, the mandorla shaped portion being connected to the shaft portion at the second end, and the apertures being shaped so as to prevent the enlargement portion from passing therethrough.

Abstract: An ultrasonic Doppler flow (i.e. blood) imaging and/or measuring system capable of adaptively suppressing stationary or slowly-moving non-flow (i.e. tissue) signals having variable spectra from recovered ultrasonic echoes. In accordance with the invention, the tissue signals are suppressed using a tissue rejection filter having an attenuation characteristic which is controllably shaped based upon measured estimates of at least one spectral characteristic of the tissue signals to be removed, thereby maximizing the rejection of tissue movement signals and minimizing undesired attenuation of the blood flow signals. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the tissue rejection filter is embodied as a complex notch filter for filtering the baseband components of the recovered ultrasonic echoes, which filter has a variable notch shape and position as adaptively determined in response to changes in estimates of the spectral components of the tissue signal portion of the recovered echoes.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the invention, a surveillance radar is provided with a rotating, frequency squinting, end-fed slotted array antenna, which is caused to transmit a plurality of different carrier frequency pulses for successively illuminating specific antenna beam positions during rotation of the antenna. Upon reception of each radar signal return, a signal processor responsive to the frequency of each transmitted pulse and the mechanical pointing angle of the antenna at the time of transmission of each pulse, will determine the frequency dependent squint angle for the transmitted pulse and combine that angle with the instantaneous mechanical pointing angle of the antenna at the time of the pulse transmission, to determine the actual beam pointing angle for each pulse at the time of its transmission. A video signal processor groups together the pulse signal returns from physically adjacent ones of the actual beam pointing angles for common processing, i.

Abstract: The digital subtraction angiography method useful for three dimensional (3D) imaging of a selected volume of a body comprises the following steps. Acquiring first and second 3D data sets representative of an image of substantially the same selected volume in the body, the first and second data sets being acquired at different times corresponding to a pre- and a post injection of a contrast medium, respectively. Determining common reference points for spatially corresponding subvolumes in the data sets. Comparing in a 3D spatial manner data in subvolumes of the second data set with data in corresponding subvolumes in the first data set in order to determine a new reference point in each of the subvolumes of the first data set which results in a best match of the spatial similarity of the data in the corresponding subvolumes of the second data set.

Abstract: A monitor system for acquiring medical data from a plurality of sensors adapted for attachment to a patient. The system is distributed over at least two geographically separate patient monitoring areas via a communication network and includes a portable monitor and at least two monitor docking stations. The portable monitor is adapted for coupling to the plurality of sensors, for receiving, processing and displaying patient data signals acquired from the plurality of sensors when said sensors are attached to the patient. At least one docking station is located in each of the two patient monitoring areas and are connected to one another for transmission of patient data therebetween via the communication network.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the expansion and contraction of the thoracic cavity of a patient caused by respirations comprises, generating means for generating an AC examination current signal, coupling means for applying the examination current signal to the patient so that the examination current passes through the thoracic cavity of the patient, but at least a portion of the current does not pass through the thoracic cavity of the patient, detecting means coupled to the coupling means for detecting an amplitude modulated voltage signal developed across the patient in response to the application of the examination current and variation of the transthoracic impedance of the patient due to respiration, and current modifying means coupled with the generating means for modifying the AC examination current during application to the patient so that the portion of the examination current which does not pass through the patient is at least partially compensated.

Abstract: A shielded electrical connector having an elongated annular housing composed of an electrically insulative material molded so as to form an elongated structure for the connector and at least a portion of a grasp for a user of said connector. The housing defines outside and inside surfaces and front and rear ends for said connector. A contact holding portion composed of an electrically insulative material is positioned inside said annular housing and includes a plurality of electrically conductive signal contacts positioned therein so as to be completely surrounded by, yet spaced a distance away from, the inside surface of the housing. An elongated annular electrically conductive shield having inner and outer sides is insert molded with the housing so as to be disposed between its outside and inside surfaces.

Abstract: A multiple layer multileaf collimator for shaping a radiation beam. The collimator comprises first and second layers of a plurality of elongated radiation blocking leaves. The leaves of each layer are arranged adjacent one another so as to form two opposed rows of adjacently positioned leaves and are movable in a longitudinal direction (Y) which is generally traverse to the direction of the beam so as to define a radiation beam shaping field between the opposed ends of the leaves. The layers are arranged one above another in the beam direction and offset in a lateral direction (X) generally transverse to the beam direction and orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (Y) so that spaces between adjacent leaves of the first and second layers are positioned over and under, respectively, leaves of the second and first layers, respectively.

Abstract: A motor speed controller for use with dc motors, such as found in model (slot) cars, is provided by a plurality of pairs of oppositely-poled voltage-sensitive threshold conduction devices which are selectively connected so as to be controllably inserted between a source of operating voltage and the dc motor. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the voltage-sensitive threshold conduction devices advantageously comprise a series connection of diode bridges which are sequentially included in the energizing path of the motor.Furthermore, the controller provides a speed sensitive brake function by controllably connecting at least one voltage-sensitive threshold conduction device across the windings of the dc motor. When so connected, this allows the voltage generated by the spinning motor to cause the voltage-sensitive threshold conduction device to be conductive until the motor speed slows to the point that the generated voltage no longer causes the device to conduct.

Abstract: A data acquisition device is disclosed for use in a patient monitoring system which includes a display device. The system also includes a pressure transducer which produces patient blood pressure signals. The data acquisition device includes terminals for receiving signals representing blood pressure from the pressure transducer. Circuitry in the data acquisition device, including multiplexers and a digital to analog converter conditions the signals representing blood pressure. The pressure transducer and the circuitry are collocated. The device also includes circuit paths for electrically coupling the pressure transducer and the conditioning circuitry. The conditioning circuitry is selectably coupled to the display to provide the conditioned signals to the display. The data acquisition device may be positioned independently of the display device.

Abstract: An ultrasonic Doppler flow (e.g. blood) imaging and/or measuring system capable of adaptively suppressing stationary or slowly-moving non-flow (e.g. tissue) signals having variable spectra from the recovered ultrasonic echoes. In accordance with the invention, the tissue signals are suppressed using a tissue rejection filter arrangement having an attenuation characteristic which is controlled based upon measured estimates of at least one spectral characteristic of the tissue signals to be removed, thereby maximizing the rejection of tissue movement signals and minimizing undesired attenuation of the blood flow signals. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, signal routing out of the corner-turning buffer memory component in prior art systems is advantageously modified, so as to provide during a first mode of operation, the echo signal data to a Doppler velocity processor, for forming estimates of tissue signal motion.

Abstract: A communication system for receiving aircraft reply squits (transmissions) normally used in a radar beacon system for surveilling aircraft in a given geographic area. The communication system includes a plurality of omnidirectional receivers, each receiver having a function of omnidirectionally receiving the aircraft squits and developing therefrom two types of information strings, namely a data string, indicative of a message in the aircraft squit, and a corresponding confidence string indicative of the reliability of the developed data string. A data communication link transmits the data and confidence strings between the plurality of omnidirectional receivers and the master data processor.

Abstract: An automatic blood pressure monitor has a dual-speed control circuit which is used to control the speed of a DC motor that powers the inflation cuff. The control circuit limits the motor current, permitting operation from a limited power source (such as a battery). The control circuit also includes structure for electrically braking the motor; the motor is braked after a time delay which commences after motor power is cut off.

Abstract: A flexible multi-parameter conductor cable having coaxially symmetric elongated zones for signal carrying conductor placement therein, comprising an electrically conductive inner shield defining an electrically shielded inner longitudinal zone symmetrically disposed along and defining a center of said cable for containing at least one of a first type of signal carrying conductor, and an electrically conductive outer shield spaced a given distance symmetrically around said inner shield so as to define an electrically shielded outer longitudinal zone symmetrically disposed about said inner longitudinal zone for containing a plurality of at least a second type of signal carrying insulated conductor arranged in a single layer adjacent one another in said second longitudinal zone, said second type of conductor having an electrically conductive outer jacket in electrical contact with at least said outer shield.

Abstract: An ultrasonic Doppler flow (i.e. blood) imaging and/or measuring system capable of adaptively suppressing stationary or slowly-moving non-flow (i.e. tissue) signals having variable spectra from recovered ultrasonic echoes. In accordance with the invention, the tissue signals are suppressed using a tissue rejection filter having an attenuation characteristic which is controllably shaped based upon measured estimates of at least one spectral characteristic of the tissue signals to be removed, thereby maximizing the rejection of tissue movement signals and minimizing undesired attenuation of the blood flow signals. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the tissue rejection filter is embodied as a complex notch filter for filtering the baseband components of the recovered ultrasonic echoes, which filter has a variable notch shape and position as adaptively determined in response to changes in estimates of the spectral components of the tissue signal portion of the recovered echoes.

Abstract: A portable carrier module having a safety interconnect latch mechanism for securing the portable carrier module to a portable product. The portable carrier has a rail on one of its outer walls for engaging with a track on the portable product and for aligning the portable product to the portable carrier.

Abstract: The control unit of an automatic blood pressure monitor has a central chimney-shaped heat sink which is open at the top and the bottom. Air rising through the chimney dissipates heat generated during operation of the device. Additionally, in the event that liquid is accidently spilled from e.g. a bag of saline solution, it is directed downwardly through the chimney via a funnel.

Abstract: An electronic labeling and display system for displaying a user defined label created once by the user at a display monitor location and displayed at the remote sensing location and a display monitor.