Abstract: A liquid-activated lighted ice cube includes a battery-powered electrical circuit and LED housed in a hollow body that resembles an ice cube. The circuit includes electrodes exposed to the exterior of the hollow body that, when in contact with water or other liquid beverage, cause the circuit to turn on the LED and illuminate the beverage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring dry density and gravimetric water content of soil includes the steps of providing a plurality of spikes adapted to be driven into the soil and driving the spikes into the soil in spaced relationship. An electrical signal is applied to the spikes and a reflected signal is analyzed using time domain reflectometry to determine an apparent dielectric constant and the bulk electrical conductivity of the soil. With these parameters, the dry density and gravimetric water content of the soil can be calculated using a predetermined relationship between apparent dielectric constant, bulk electrical conductivity, dry density and gravimetric water content. The predetermined relationship includes experimentally determined soil specific calibration constants. The calculated value of the bulk electrical conductivity as determined by time domain reflectometry is adjusted to correspond to a value for which values of the constants are known.

Abstract: An oscillometric, noninvasive blood pressure monitor comprising an inflatable cuff adapted for placement around a body member, a pump for cuff inflation, a pressure transducer connected to the cuff, means for detecting oscillations in arterial pressure occurring during a transition in cuff pressure between a pressure greater than normal systolic pressure and a pressure less than normal diastolic pressure, and a blood pressure measurement circuit which is capable of determining the maximum amplitude (Am) of the oscillations, identifying mean cuff pressure (Pm) as the coincident value of the cuff-pressure signal from the pressure transducer, and determining systolic pressure as a function of both Am and Pm. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the blood pressure monitor has an optical sensor including a light source and photodetector optically coupled to the body member proximate to the cuff.

Abstract: A method for treating a soft tissue wound is provided and includes the steps of providing a signal generator in electrical communication with first and second electrodes, disposing the first and second electrodes on a skin surface on opposing sides of the soft tissue wound and applying an electric field in the soft tissue wound by generating a voltage at a frequency within a range of 20 to 100 kHz and having a symmetrical waveform with an amplitude within a range of 0.1 to 20 volts peak to peak through said first and second electrodes. In accordance with a first preferred embodiment the signal generator is an AC generator generating a sine wave voltage and in accordance with second and third preferred embodiments, the signal generator is a bipolar DC generator, all generating a symmetrical waveform at a frequency of 60 kHz, with an amplitude of about 5 volts peak to peak.

Abstract: A system for knowledge transfer in a group setting comprises a plurality of participant work areas and a moderator work area. Each of the plurality of participant work areas has at least one corresponding participant input-device, and each of the participant input-devices is adapted to define participant images that are then included on the corresponding participant work area. The moderator work area comprises at least one moderator input-device. The at least one moderator input-device is adapted to define moderator images that are then included on the moderator work area and to select moderator images that are then simultaneously included on each of plurality of participant work areas. The moderator input-device is further adapted to select participant images from any of the plurality of participant work areas that are then included on the moderator work area.

Abstract: A sub-assembly for a multiple bed unit having an elongate bed rail and a bed end including a pair of spaced, substantially vertical posts affixed to a side of the bed rail. Each of the posts includes a rail connector for receiving a rail of another bed. A multiple bed unit includes a first bed having a pair of bed ends, a side rail and a sub-assembly connected between and supported by the bed ends, and a second bed having a bed end and at least one side rail connected between the bed end of the second bed and the bed end of the sub-assembly of the first bed.

Abstract: A system for automatically adjusting a fastener screw of a pivot joint between first and second parts of a pair of scissors, each part having a blade and a respective handle. A part clamp engages and holds the handle of the first part. A torque arm engages and moves the handle of the second part relative to the first part about the pivot joint. A driver adjusts the fastener screw to provide a desired resistance to relative movement between the first and second parts. A position encoder is connected to the part clamp and torque arm to generate a position signal indicative of the position of the second part relative to the first part. A torque transducer is connected to the parts clamp and torque arm to generate a torque signal indicative of the resistance to relative movement between the first and second parts. A controller has inputs operatively connected to the position encoder and to the torque transducer and an output operatively connected to the driver.

Abstract: A Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) probe device (20) is disclosed. NMR probe device (20) includes a plurality of detection coils (30, 40) each operable to detect a signal from a corresponding one of a plurality of samples (34, 44) undergoing NMR analysis. Also included is a plurality of tuning circuits (31, 41, 38, 48) each coupled to one of detection coils (30, 40) to tune the one of the detection coils (30, 40) to a corresponding resonant frequency for the NMR analysis of the corresponding one of the samples. An electromagnetic shield (22) is positioned between a first one of the detection coils (30, 40) and a second one of the detection coils (30, 40) to isolate the first one of the detection coils (30, 40) and the second one of the detection coils (30, 40) from each other.

Abstract: A noninvasive method and apparatus for treating living tissue with pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) having selectively reduced high-frequency signal components, with improved bioresponse provided by magnetic field amplitudes less than approximately 40 ?T, and most preferably in the range of 4–10 ?T. Such amplitude levels for the disclosed PEMF signal are particularly effective with a treatment duration in the range of 0.25–2 hours/day.

Abstract: A multi-state flashing button and method of conducting a lottery using such a button. One or more multi-state buttons including an internal timer are distributed along with a relatively large number of single-state flashing buttons. The timer causes the multi-state buttons to change from a flashing state to non-flashing state at the end of a predetermined time-out interval, and a prize is awarded to each participant having a button which undergoes such a change of state.

Abstract: An optical communications subsystem is proposed to permit the multiplexing of multiple, parallel electronic data streams onto a serial, very high speed optical data channel. The subsystem may also be used to generate programmable ultrafast optical data words for the testing of optical components, and system performance testing of very high speed data transmission systems. The key device component, based on a modified arrayed waveguide grating structure, is directly integratable with a high-speed optoelectronic modulator array in a simple, cost effect, and manufacturable configuration. Pulse spacings as small as 1 picosecond have been demonstrated corresponding to an effective data rate of up to one terahertz. An integrated optical pulse generator is configured to receive a laser light input and output an optical pulse train. Direct space-to-time pulse shaping and optical pulse train generation is achieved by use of an arrayed waveguide (AWG) that is double-passed.

Abstract: A phased-array device for wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing, comprising at least one input channel, a plurality of output channels, and an irregularly sampled array of phase modulators between the input and output channels, the irregular array having a configuration and phase modulation such that effectively only one beam at a given wavelength is focused onto a given output channel. In one embodiment the individual phase modulators are randomly spaced, their relative locations being determined by establishing a set of initially chosen locations, shifting each initial location by a random increment resulting in delay within one wavelength if the initially chosen locations are not sufficiently random, and then adjusting each shifted location a fraction of a wavelength such that the overall phase shift to a desired image point on one of the output channels equals a constant value.

Abstract: A nonmodular tibial prosthesis having a retainer for a modular bearing on the superior surface of a tibial base, a nonmodular primary bearing directly molded to the base, and a mechanical release member mounted on the tibial base in contact with the nonmodular primary bearing. The release member includes a wedge portion with a superiorly posteriorly inclined face, and is designed to be driven anteriorly upon actuation so as to force the primary bearing off of the tibial base, after which the primary bearing and release member are removed and replaced with a modular bearing.

Abstract: A device and method for severing fasteners securing deck boards to pallet runners. A band saw extends across a table recess. The band saw is spaced above the tabletop aligning the saw between the deck boards and runners. The recess includes stop surfaces enabling the pallet to be pivoted from a horizontal position through a vertical position and then to an upside down position while the saw blade remains within the pallet for severing fasteners securing the opposite top deck board from the pallet.

Abstract: An illuminated magnetic-clasp bottle cap comprising a bottle cap with a printed circuit board mounted thereon, the printed circuit board having an IC flasher circuit including a plurality of COB LEDs mounted thereon, the bottle cap further comprising a low-profile epoxy dome covering the LEDs, a battery holder extending below the printed circuit board and the central portion of the bottle cap and containing at least one battery operatively connected to the IC flasher circuit, and a magnetic clasp for holding the bottle cap on an object with first and second mutually attractive parts of the magnetic clasp located respectively on first and second surfaces of the object.

Abstract: A technique to encode a group of vectors by quantizing the group with each of a number of different codes (44) and selecting the quantization results which are most favorable. This technique may include providing several vectors to an encoder (40) of a communication system (20) and quantizing each of the vectors with a number of different codebooks (44) to generate a corresponding number of codeword sets with the encoder (40). The codeword sets are each representative of the vectors. Each of the codeword sets is evaluated by determining a corresponding distortion value. The codeword set with the lowest distortion is selected to encode the vectors based on this evaluation. The codebook (44) or sequence of codebooks (44) used to generate the selected codeword set may differ from one vector sample to the next to provide a sample adaptive coding scheme. Transmission of the encoded data to a decoder (50) of communication system (20) may also be performed where the original vectors are reconstructed.

Abstract: A modular wall panel system in which individual panels are constructed with a lightweight aluminum frame. In a preferred embodiment, the frame is substantially filled with a foam core material and decorative display surfaces are affixed to opposite sides thereof. One edge of each panel contains a plurality of ball-shaped connector pins, while the opposite edge has a plurality of connector slots having a diamond configuration. A similar panel placed adjacent to the first panel may be mated thereto by engagement of the connector pins with respective connector slots in the other panel. The pins/slots are shaped and sized so that the connector pin may enter/exit the connector slot at a wide region thereof but not in the apex region thereof. Secure coupling with fast assembly/disassembly is thereby achieved, without tools or detachable components.

Abstract: A member-illuminating cuff for measurement of systolic, mean and diastolic pressure, oxygen saturation, pulse and respiratory rate in small body members, comprising a hinged cuff housing, one or more light sources mounted on a first section of the housing, a photodetector mounted on a second section of the housing, and a disposable, inflatable cuff adapted to fit within the cuff housing and around a body member placed therein.