Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a device that treats sleep disordered breathing (SDB) during successive treatment sessions, where the device provides continuous positive airway pressure during sleep. The method includes the steps of applying a constant treatment pressure during a first session and deriving a sleep disorder index (SOI) representative of the number of SOB episodes that occurred during the first session. If the treatment pressure should be increased based upon the derived SOI, it is increased during a second, subsequent session.

Abstract: A climatic chamber for rapidly reaching and maintaining a predetermined air humidity and/or a predetermined temperature. The air in a sample space is conveyable by at least one fan from an outlet of sample space at least partially via a bypass branch and/or at least partially via a drying branch back to an inlet of sample space. The air is circulated continuously by the fans in a substantially self-contained circuit. The air is guided by guide elements through the bypass branch and/or drying branch.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing gusts and/or structural loads at aircraft, in particular passenger aircraft. The method includes generating an observer on the basis of a nonlinear model of the aircraft which describes the movement of the aircraft in all six degrees of freedom (DoF) and the elastic motion of the aircraft structure; continuously supplying all the data and measurements substantial for the description of the state of the aircraft to the observer; and calculating the gust velocities and structural loads (maneuver and gust loads) by the observer from the supplied data and measurements.

Abstract: To compensate a failure in downloading of music piece data. For example, when a viewer instructs purchase of a music pieceC to an IRD at a timing t0 during the sixth transmission of music piece data, the music piece data to be transmitted for the seventh time immediately after the instruction is usually downloaded. When the downloading of the music piece data transmitted for the seventh time fails for some reason, downloading is re-executed on music piece data to be transmitted for the eighth time. The music piece data for the final transmission time in each of musical pieces is used for re-execution. Timing at which downloading of the music piece data transmitted for the time immediately preceding the final time can be instructed is set as purchase limit time by using elapsed time since program start time.

Abstract: The present invention is applicable to video cameras, for example. The present invention encodes input image data D1 on the basis of a true predicted code quantity TRUE PRED(n) calculated by correcting a roughly calculated predicted code quantity ROUGH PRED(n), predicted from the input image data D1, with a correction coefficient ADJUST(n) and sets the correction coefficient ADJUST(n) of a corresponding picture type on the basis of an actual generated code quantity BIT(n).

Abstract: A method of treating a component can include providing a component including a plurality of metallic posts extending generally parallel to one another. The providing step can be performed so that the posts have solder on the tips of the posts but not covering other portions of the posts. The method can include reflowing the solder provided on the posts so that the solder coats the posts. The providing step may be performed so that, prior to the reflowing step, the solder covers only the tips of the posts. The providing step can include depositing portions of the solder on a surface of a metallic sheet and etching the sheet from the surface. The plurality of posts may comprise elongated posts.

Abstract: Instrumentation for implanting a cervical disc replacement device includes cervical disc replacement trials for determining the appropriate size of replacement device to be implanted, an insertion plate for maintaining the elements of the replacement device in fixed relation to one another for simultaneous manipulation, an insertion handle for attachment to the insertion plate for manipulation of the elements, an insertion pusher for releasing the insertion handle from the insertion plate, a drill guide that cooperates with the insertion plate to guide the drilling of tap holes for bone screws to be placed through bone screw holes in the flanges of the replacement device, clips that are applied to the flanges after placement of the bone screws to resist screw backout, and a clip applicator for applying the clips to the flanges.

Abstract: The system to implant a prosthetic device in a long bone such as a femur or a humerus includes a stem implant having a recess. The system of present invention also includes a broach to prepare the long bone that may receive the stem implant. The broach also has a recess that is similar to the recess in the stem implant. An adapter of a generally rectangular shape similar to the recess fits snugly in the recess in the stem implant. A trial neck that fits snugly in the recess formed in the adapter is also provided. A trial head may be assembled on the trial neck. A neck similar to the trial neck can be inserted in place of trial neck. A head may be assembled on the proximal end of the neck. A system for implantation of a prosthetic device in a long bone may be made available as a kit that includes at least two stems having the adapter inserted in each of the stem, at least two trial necks, at least two trial heads, at least two necks and at least two heads.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for executing processor tasks on a multi-processing system. The multi-processing system includes a plurality of sub-processing units and a main processing unit that may access a shared memory. Each sub-processing unit includes an on-chip local memory separate from the shared memory. The methods and apparatus contemplate: providing that the processor tasks be copied from the shared memory into the local memory of the sub-processing units in order to execute them, and prohibiting the execution of the processor tasks from the shared memory; and migrating at least one processor task from one of the sub-processing units to another of the sub-processing units.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring a property of a fluid is provided including a tube for retaining the fluid, the tube including a lateral access opening and a domed portion including a sealing surface on the outside wall of the tube surrounding the lateral access opening and a sensor sealingly disposed on the sealing surface surrounding the lateral access opening in the tube for direct contact with the fluid in the tube for sensing the property of the fluid in the tube.

Abstract: A drug administration system includes a cradle attached about an intravenous injection port having a flange extending therefrom. The cradle supports first drug administration information in the nature of machine and human readable code, for example, barcode. A syringe including a needle includes a flange extending from the syringe. The syringe supports second drug administration information in machine and/or human readable form. A scanner module is constructed to slidably receive the flange of the cradle and syringe whereby the syringe needle is aligned with the intravenous injection port. The module may be provided with an electronic scanning system for identifying the first and second drug administration information, as well as determining the amount of the drug being administered from the syringe to the injection port by monitoring movement of the syringe plunger. The information and data may be stored within the module for uploading to a remote location.

Abstract: A collar protector for preventing the collar on a shirt or other garment from being crushed, distorted or wrinkled during handling when the shirt or garment is stored, stacked or displayed. The collar protector is constructed as a shaped, unitary body made of a resilient, preferably plastic, material.

Abstract: A interventional procedure is performed by advancing a probe into a patient and periodically acquiring magnetic resonance images depicting the probe and adjacent portions of the patient's body. The patient, or a part of the patient, is reoriented during the procedure to facilitate advancement of the probe as, for example, by changing the position or orientation of internal organs.

Abstract: In magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”), RF power is applied to a region of interest within the patient by a local antenna disposed adjacent the region of interest. The local antenna is excited by RF signals sent through free space from a principal antenna mounted to the primary field magnet of the MRI system. The principal antenna includes one or more loops mounted so that the plane of the loop is transverse to the pole pieces of the magnet frame and so that the plane of the loop is transverse to adjacent metallic portions of the frame. The loops are aligned with openings in the frame so that a patient is advanced into a frame through the loop. The loops do not substantially obstruct axis to the subject receiving space.

Abstract: IM tibia revision tools include a trial stem extender having multiple notches which serve both as depth witness marks and holders for a stop clip, a collection of different sized tibial templates, each template adapted to receive an angular offset positioning guide, a collection of offset bushings, each bushing each bushing having a different offset distance and each being adapted to cooperate with the trial stem extender and the angular offset positioning guide, a neutral bushing for locating the position of the implant boss relative to the tibia and for reaming the tibia to accept the boss of the implant, a fin punch guide and fin punch for preparing the tibia to receive the keel of the tibial component, and a tool for translating the angular offset measurement to the tibial component. Tibial components according to the invention have three parts: the baseplate portion, the offset portion, and the stem portion.

Abstract: An element such as a semiconductor wafer or other body is provided with leads by applying a sacrificial layer over the front surface of the body depositing leads onto the sacrificial layer so that the leads are connected to contact pads on the body and removing the sacrificial layer from beneath the leads. The sacrificial layer may incorporate thin and thick regions so that portions of the leads projecting upwardly away from the body will be formed on the thick regions of the sacrificial layer.

Abstract: A tape reel for a tape cassette capable of substantially preventing deformation thereof, even when it is thin-walled to substantially reduce a cycle time required for a molding step of the tape reel. The tape reel includes a reel hub and a disc-like flange. Reinforcing ribs include an annular rib arranged on an outer periphery of a disc-like flange and a plurality of linear ribs arranged on an outer surface of the disc-like flange so as to extend from a core stabilizing surface rib to the annular rib. The linear ribs are so arranged that each of the linear ribs intersects at least one of the other linear ribs at a position which is further than a midpoint between the core stabilizing surface rib and the annular rib.

Abstract: The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention comprise orally administerable dosage forms that use effervescence as a penetration enhancer for drugs known, or suspected, of having poor bioavailability. Effervescence can occur in the stomach, once the tablet or other dosage form is ingested. In addition to effervescence in the stomach, or as alternative technique, by the use of appropriate coatings and other techniques, the effervescence can occur in other parts of the gastrointestinal tract, including, but not limited to, the esophagus, duodenum, and colon. The site of effervescence and drug release is chosen to correspond with the segment of the gastrointestinal tract displaying maximal absorption of the formulated drug, or to gain some other therapeutic advantage.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip having contacts on the central region of its top surface is provided with a dielectric element overlying the central portion of the top surface. The dielectric element has a first surface facing toward the chip and a second surface facing away from the chip, a hole encompassing the central contacts and an edge bounding the hole. Central contact leads extend from the central contacts on the chip to central terminals on the dielectric element. The terminals on the dielectric element may be connected to a substrate using techniques commonly employed in surface mounting of electrical devices, such as solder bonding. The leads, and preferably the dielectric element, are flexible so that the terminals are moveable with respect to the contacts on the chip, to compensate for differential thermal expansion of the chip and substrate. The dielectric element may be provided with a compliant layer disposed between the terminals and the chip. The entire assembly is compact.

Abstract: The present invention relates to making sensors by cutting pieces from a boule or ingot of a metal oxide single crystal. The sensors produced are also described.