Abstract: A device for applying pressure to a body limb comprises a sleeve containing individually inflatable cells, each cell being subdivided into longitudinally extending confluent compartments that are inflated and deflated essentially simultaneously. A messaging sleeve, an inflation unit for intermittent inflation of selected cells of the sleeve, and a detecting unit for detecting a temporo-spatial regime of cell inflation are provided. Applications include immobilization of fractured bones, and messaging of limbs to promote blood flow.

Abstract: A sleeve is disclosed for use in an oil film bearing of the type employed to rotatably support a roll neck in a rolling mill. The sleeve has an internally tapered section, an end section aligned axially with the internally tapered section, and a cylindrical outer surface surrounding the internally tapered section. The cylindrical outer surface is adapted to be rotatably journalled in a bushing component of the bearing and has a diameter D of at least 500 mm. The internally tapered section is adapted to be seated on an externally tapered section of the roll neck and has a taper angle greater than three degrees and a minimum thickness of between about 10 mm and 0.024D+14.5. Keyways located outside of the internally tapered section and exclusively in the end section serve to rotatably fix the sleeve to the roll neck.

Abstract: A charge processing circuit which integrates charge at an output node that is representative of an input charge provided at an input node. The circuit includes a precharge path coupled to the input node, the precharge path operable for setting the potential of the input node to a fixed precharge potential prior to introduction of input charge to the input node. A sensing path is coupled to the input and output nodes which is operable for returning the potential of the input node to the fixed precharge potential subsequent to introduction of input charge to the input node. A feedback element has an input coupled to the sensing path and the precharge path, the feedback element operable for setting said fixed precharge potential. In another embodiment there is provided a method of integrating charge at an output node of a charge processing circuit that is representative of input charge provided at an input node.

Abstract: A tunable, active RC filter and method of tuning the active RC filter which prevents distortions introduced during tuning. Generally, each tuning element in the feedback loop of the tunable active RC filter comprises a capacitor, a first switch, a second switch, and a third switch. The first switch connects a first terminal of the capacitor to a summing junction at the input of the op-amp when closed. When closed, a second switch connects the first terminal of the capacitor to a replica of the voltage present at the summing junction (input) of the op-amp to which the first terminal of the reactance element is connectable via the first switch. A third switch, when closed, connects the first terminal of the capacitor to the second terminal of the reactance element, which is connected the output of the op-amp.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and retrieving information to and from a memory of a hand-held audio database device. The audio database device includes a graphics display provided on a hand-held housing for displaying graphical information. A microphone and a speaker are provided on the housing to receive and broadcast audio information from and to a user, respectively. The audio database device includes a memory configured to store graphical icons and to support a hierarchical memory structure comprising categories, wherein the icons graphically represent the categories. A user-actuated navigation control is provided on the housing and permits a user to navigate the categories in the hierarchical memory structure and to select a desired category.

Abstract: A device for determining a strength profile of a human limb. The device comprises a first tubular member and a support intended to be suspended in a fixed position in relation to a coordinate system X-, y and z-axes. The first tubular member is arranged for holding the human limb and for being in contact with the support via at least one force sensor arranged for detecting forces exercised by the human limb on the first tubular member in directions in the coordinate system when determining the strength profile, wherein the coordinate system is three-dimension and has x-, y and z-axes and the force sensor is/are arranged for detecting forces along each of the x-, y and z-axes. The determined strength profile, for e.g. an arm or a leg of a human subject, can be presented as a table or diagram illustrating the forces and torques the human limb in question can exercise in different directions in the coordinate system.

Abstract: A device for applying pressure to a body limb comprising a sleeve containing individually inflatable cells each cell being subdivided into longitudinally extending confluent compartments that are inflated and deflated essentially simultaneously. A device for applying pressure to a body comprising the massaging sleeve, means for the intermittent inflation selected cells of the sleeve; and means for determining a temporo-spatial regime of cell inflation. A method for immobilizing a fractured bone in a limb comprising inserting the limb into the sleeve and inflating all the cells in the sleeve. A method of massaging a limb of the body of an individual, comprising inserting the limb into the sleeve and inflating the cells of the sleeve according to a predetermined temporo-spatial regime.

Abstract: A data communication network operating in asynchronous transfer mode has a data transmission node and a data reception node. The nodes transfer data cells having associated headers followed by associated payloads. Each header indicates whether or not the associated cell is unassigned, is idle, or has an erroneous header. A filter of the data reception node stores each header of the sequentially received cells in a header memory. The filter stores, in a cell memory, cells that are non-idle, are assigned, and have non-erroneous headers. The filter rejects from storage payloads associated with idle, unassigned, and erroneous cells.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for subband signal coding, using algorithms of comparable complexity to conventional coders, that exploits a noisy analog signal at the decoder. It is assumed that the analog signal is the output of a channel through which the source is sent uncoded. By using the analog signal at the receiver, the required digital bit rate is able to be reduced while offering comparable fidelity to conventional coding systems that ignore the analog signal. Concepts from conventional subband coding, e.g., subband decomposition, quantization, bit allocation, and lossless bitstream coding, are tailored to exploit the analog signal at the receiver such that frequency-weighted mean-squared error (MSE) is minimized. Because subband coefficients are coded, all results pertaining to perceptual masking are easily applied to this method of coding.

Abstract: A door or window unit adapted for use in a sliding or window assembly wherein said door or window unit includes an infill panel or panels (4) housed in a surrounding frame (3) characterised in that said panel is fined substantially flush to a face surface of said frame.

Abstract: To reliably expose the treated organ during surgical procedures, retraction devices are used with a holding arm (2) to which clamps (1) or the like are fastened, so that the clamps (1) canquickly be replaced and brought into a new position at the holding arm (2), the holding arm (2) designed as a rod with a hollow space, in which a blade-shaped locking bar (13) is guided. The holding arm (2) has openings (3), and the locking bar (13) has notches (12) aligned with the openings (3), so that, in the unlocked position, the openings (3) are exposed, while, in the locked position they are partly covered by the locking bar (13). Clamps (1) with shafts (10) can be inserted into the openings (3). The shaft (10) of a clamp (1) has a groove (11), into which the locking bar (13) can be slid, so as to fasten the clamp (1) in the opening (1) of the holding arm (2).

Abstract: A novel ventilator waveform having an enhanced inspiratory flow pattern is ideally suited for determining an effective “inspiratory impedance” in ventilator-dependent patients, and/or patients with severe obstruction resulting in expiratory flow-limitation. This waveform is referred to herein as the “Enhanced Ventilator Waveform” (EVW). The EVW maintains ventilatory support while simultaneously providing an accurate and sensible assessment of the mechanical status of the lungs or total respiratory system. The EVW technique of the present invention ensures that normal (tidal) volume levels are delivered during each inspiration, and that expiration remains passive. Furthermore, accurate estimation of lung resistance and elastance is established for several frequencies surrounding the primary ventilator breathing rate. From the resistance and elastance data, the mean level and structural distribution of airway versus tissue constriction conditions in the lung can be inferred.

Abstract: Two-wire sensors for measuring physical quantities have only two connections (A1, A2), which serve to connect the power supply and also to conduct the measuring signals. However, because two-wire sensors have the property of controlled current sources, they can be connected only in parallel. Consequently, for a parallel circuit of n two-wire sensors disposed at different locations, two n lines are required. To reduce the number of lines, a two-wire sensor is provided with an end stage (W), which generates an output voltage (UA), which is a measure of the physical quantity measured by a measuring sensor (S) and which is always greater than an adjustable reference voltage signal (Uref). Because the inventive two-wire sensor therefore has the property of a voltage source, several of them can be connected in series. Consequently, even for a series circuit of several two-wire sensors, only two lines are required.

Abstract: A micro-opto-electro-mechanical systems (MOEMS) modulator based on the phenomenon of frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR). The modulator effects amplitude and phase modulation at the boundary of a waveguide. Wavelength-specific switching is achieved by spatially separating the wavelength channels by dispersing a broadband input signal into its wavelength components through a grating. In exemplary embodiments, an array of micro-fabricated actuators is used to switch or modulate wavelengths individually. Applications include wavelength and space-resolved phase and amplitude modulation of optical beams, and re-configurable add/drop switching of dense wavelength-division multiplexed (DWDM) optical communication signals.

Abstract: An electronic power meter for metering the consumption of electrical energy on power lines includes phase compensation on current transformers, whereby the acquisition of one of the two samples for the current signals is delayed and time shifted averaged, such that the average of the two signals provides a compensated signal. The amount of delay is determined from the phase lag the current transformers exhibit during the process of calibration for phase compensation. The amount of compensation that is applied varies with current, thus compensation for the non-linearity in the phase shift for the current transformers. The degree of non-linearity is computed which results in only two variables that define the phase lag at higher current and the degree of non-linearity. The technique helps in using inexpensive current transformers in the meter.

Abstract: A molecular complex which comprises a biopolymer having a plurality of ionic functional groups and a conductive polymer having charges therein. The charges bind to the ionic functional groups to form the complex. The conductive polymer is selected from the group consisting essentially of polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene, poly(phenylenevinylene) or poly(phenylene sulfide) and substituted versions thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous structure of prepared fungal cell wall components, whereby the cell wall material is derived from a fungi selected from the division Zygomycota, the fungal material in the form of a suspension is subjected to drying in such a way that the material obtains a porous structure, the structure has a liquid absorbing property which is at least 15 ml/g of 1% NaCl (aq) and it has a liquid transporting ability of water, at a density of 0.01 to 0.03 g/cm3, in a horizontal direction of at least 10 mm during the first minute of absorption and in a vertical direction of at least 5 mm during a first minute of absorption.

Abstract: A tunable electromagnetic field frequency filter having an input waveguide which carries a signal including at least one desired frequency, and an output waveguide. A resonator-system is coupled to the input and output waveguides and is operable for the selective transfer of the at least one desired frequency to the output waveguide. The resonator-system supports at least two system modes, and includes at least three reflectors with at least two different reflectivity spectra. At least one of the reflectivity spectra is tuned such that at least two of the system-modes have substantially the same frequency when the transfer occurs substantially.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for monitoring electrical partial discharge signals in electrical power apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing and a plurality of openings in the housing through which electrical power may pass via electrical power contact units. The system includes a plurality of sensor units, each being in communication with, and associated with, an electrical power contact unit at each opening in the housing. The sensor units are for sensing partial discharge signals at each opening in the housing and for producing sensor output signals. The system also includes a control unit for simultaneously and synchronously receiving the sensor output signals over an interval of time, and produces simultaneous synchronous output signals. The system also includes a processing unit for processing the simultaneous synchronous output signals.

Abstract: A memory device comprises at least one electrically erasable and programmable non-volatile memory cell, a bistable flip-flop, connected in parallel with the memory cell, and a switching device, connected to the flip-flop, to connect at least one data input line to one of the status lines (QP, QN) of the flip-flop, in dependence on a switching signal.