Abstract: An electrotherapy device which provides neuromuscular and high voltage pulsed galvanic physiological stimulation and includes a common cabling assembly and a common electrode assembly for simultaneously accommodating the neuromuscular and high voltage pulsed galvanic stimulation modes, whereby neuromuscular and pulsed galvanic stimulation may be provided to a patient simultaneously.

Abstract: An automated external defibrillator (AED) having a housing and an openable lid with a water resistant speaker port formed in the housing below the openable lid. A water resistant fabric is attached underneath the speaker port to resist water passing into the interior of the AED while allowing clear sound output from the speaker located beneath the speaker port. A microphone is positioned adjacent to the speaker port in the AED for recording emergency scene ambient activities. This position uses the existing water resistant opening thereby taking advantage of the good sound transmitting properties of the opening for recording purposes and at the same time eliminating the need for an additional cavity in the housing where water could ingress. Positioning the microphone near the speaker also eliminates the need for an additional wiring harness.

Abstract: A current transducer includes a current transformer in which the conductor carrying the current to be monitored constitutes the primary. The transformer secondary is wound on a toroidal core. The transformer is operated below its cut-off frequency such that the output from the secondary is proportional to the differential of the current in the primary. The secondary output is integrated by an integrator to provide a measure of current in the primary and the integrator is initialized at predetermined intervals. A current measuring device for an electric machine, for example a reluctance machine, includes at least one of the current transducers.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning and sanitizing a tank, the tank for holding liquid food grade product, the liquid food grade product being transferred into and out of the tank by means of vacuum, the tank having a vacuum transfer system for transferring liquid food grade product includes apparatus for cyclically alternating a flow of cleaning fluid between the tank and the vacuum transfer system.

Abstract: A body-mountable display device includes an image source for producing an image, an image transmission device including at least one optically-transmissive fiber, the image transmission device being mountable on the body of a user, projection optics for receiving and relaying the image carried by the image transmission device, and a display for receiving the image from the image transmission device and projecting the image to at least one person. Embodiments of the invention are of significantly reduced size and weight, significantly reduced power consumption and thermal output, and significantly increased durability and reliability. Embodiments of the invention also are more aesthetically pleasing in appearance. Corresponding method embodiments provide similar advantages.

Abstract: An automatic underride protection actuator for a trailer, where the trailer has a forward end and an opposed rearward end and has a tiltable bed supported by a trailer frame, the tiltable bed being tiltable with respect to the trailer frame between a transport disposition and a load/unload disposition, the tiltable bed presenting a trailer rear margin, a rotatable ramp being operably coupled to the tiltable bed proximate the trailer rear margin, the automatic underride protection actuator including an actuation apparatus. The actuation apparatus is operably coupled to the trailer frame and to the rotatable ramp, the actuation apparatus acting to rotate the rotatable ramp between a ground engaging load/unload disposition when the tiltable bed is in the load/unload disposition and an underride protection disposition when the tiltable bed is in the transport disposition.

Abstract: Pizza pan shielding systems and methods generally include one or more of the following: a pan, a bottom shield, a top shield, and a ring shield. Each of these elements preferably incorporates a plurality of perforations. The size, location and density of these perforations, and/or the material make-up of the element(s), determine whether certain types of baking energy from various heat sources will reach a food item located within the system. Substantial evenness of cooking results, in a short time period and at reasonably baking temperatures. Embodiments of the invention address the problems of underbaking in central areas of the food item and overbaking, dryness, microwave-induced toughness or burning of outer areas of the food item, such as a crust area. Embodiments of the invention have particular, though not exclusive, application to the pizza-baking devices and methods.

Abstract: A support for input and output transducers of a hearing aid is implanted in the middle ear. The support, which is attached to the mastoid bone, can be a single component or comprise two adjustable components. In one embodiment, an arm extends from the proximal end of the support towards an access hole created behind the outer ear, where the arm is attached for further stability. In another embodiment, the arm extends outside the access hole, where it is mounted subcutaneously to the mastoid bone with a mechanical fastener. The support provides positional adjustability, stability, and is invisible externally.

Abstract: There is disclosed a microplate affording an array of discrete, separate sample wells in which each sample well consists of a well of a first polymer composition, the well having side walls and a base, and being located in a matrix of a second polymer composition, the second polymer composition being opaque, the said matrix shrouding the side walls of the said well and extending beyond the ends of the side walls of the wells, each well being thermally bonded to the matrix of the second polymer composition, so as to form an integral structure.

Abstract: A method of treating involuntary muscle dysfunctions includes administering a therapeuticaly effective amount of relaxin to a patient. Involuntary muscle dysfunctions amenable to treatment with relaxin include fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, dystonia, pelvic floor dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome, and others.

Abstract: An apparatus for three dimensional imaging using multi-phased structured light. Measurement of dimensions as small as two hundred microns within one percent accuracy is possible, and multiple scans of a target object, such as the solder pads on an electronic circuit board substrate, are not required. A light source, having a pair of synchronized lamps and a specially designed reticle, projects two different phases of structured light onto a target object. The two phases are projected nearly instantaneously, and the detector is able to discriminate between the two exposures presented by the two out of phase illuminations. The method for presenting the three dimensional image uses filtering techniques and certain assumptions to resolve intensity equations having three unknowns from the two exposures of out of phase structured light.

Abstract: A plastic blow molded drum has unique top and bottom structure providing protection and strength for the drum and attachments. An integrally formed top structure with a sufficiently deep recess provides protection for drum inserts and associated closures. Additionally, the bottom structure includes a sump and structural member formed by the pinched-off parisan during the blow molding process. The drum has a top wall, a cylindrical side wall, and a bottom wall defining an open interior. The top wall has an access port comprising a fitting integrally formed with the drum. The fitting having an upwardly extending neck with inside threads and a top shoulder. A drum insert is engaged with the fitting and provides an additional second threaded fitting and a second shoulder both extending upwardly above the shoulder of the integral fitting. A closure comprising a plug portion and a threaded nut portion engages the second threaded fitting, closes the port, and extends above the second shoulder.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a shoe sole includes step (1): preparing an inside part which has two passages defined therethrough, step (2): placing the inside part into a mold, step (3): injecting foam material into the mold to let the foam material fill in the two passages and heating the foam material so as to form abonded combination, and step (4): removing the bonded combination from the mold and drying the combination.

Abstract: A drum includes a drum shell, a drum head, a counter-hoop and a shell hoop. A drum skin extends over the open end of the drum shell and has a circumferential bead. The counter-hoop has a downwardly and outwardly extending flange which bears on the bead. The shell hoop has a rim which extends upwardly and outwardly. An adjustable clamp ring engages the flange of the counter-hoop and the rim of the shell hoop through correspondingly inclined portions. The clamp ring has a breach and a tightening mechanism so that when the clamp ring is tightened, the counter-hoop is forced downwards, thereby tightening the skin.

Abstract: A rake arm deployment spreader with two arms and an elbow member arrangement, optionally and preferably having a locking mechanism involving an overcenter arrangement of certain pivots, for deployment or retraction of a folding hay rake which is towable by a tractor. The hay rake has a primary towable frame with right and left secondary frames pivotally attached adjacent the rear of the primary frame. The deployment spreader assembly is pivotally attached to the primary and secondary frames for pivoting the secondary frame relative to the primary frame. The deployment spreader includes a telescopic arm and a leg and link to control the telescopic arm.

Abstract: A connector device for use in connecting various electric components of an implantable hearing assistance system. In one embodiment, the connector has a lead housing defining at least one lead channel. The lead is sealed within the lead channel to prevent the intrusion of problematic fluids from inhibiting electrical communication within the connector. The lead channel can be vented and flushed, in one embodiment, by a non-coring needle through a self-sealing resilient plug disposed within a venting bore.

Abstract: An improved U-Blade implement, in one preferred embodiment, having fixed trailing and leading earth-piercing points on its U-shaped blade, integrated with support arms and a back plate. The back plate is generally planar, with a rear side of the back plate configured for attachment to a motorized vehicle, such as a skid steer.

Abstract: An automatic control system for controlling the firmness of a fluid supported mattress of a bed assembly. The control system includes a motorized fluid pump, a control unit for operating the pump to adjust the firmness of the air mattress, a hand held remote control unit for actuating the control unit, and a transceiver system for transmitting information signals between the hand held unit and the control unit. The air control system provides for independent control of both bladders in a two bladder air mattress from a single unit, and allows a user to consistently set the firmness of each mattress air bladder to a desired value. The air control system includes an air pump specially designed to minimize transmission of motor noise into the environment.

Abstract: A music library system that is adapted for the storage of sheet music, is designed for semi-permanent installation in a room having adjoining walls and a floor and includes a frame that is fixedly, removably coupled to the floor and to at least one wall of the room. The frame defines a plurality of drawer openings. A plurality of drawers are movably supported on the floor. Each of the plurality of drawers is disposed in a retracted disposition in close proximity to at least one other drawer in a corresponding drawer opening. The drawers are extendable from the frame outwardly from the wall to an extended disposition wherein a drawer side opening is exposed. The drawer side opening provides access to the stored sheet music.