Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are implemented in connection with measuring the relative content of intramuscular fat (IMF) in a portion of muscle tissue. Consistent with one such method a probe is presented to the portion of muscle tissue. The probe produces a response-provoking signal in the muscle tissue. A resulting signal is used to determine the relative content of IMF in the portion of muscle tissue as a function of the pressure being exerted between the probe and the portion.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are implemented in connection with measuring the relative content of intramuscular fat (IMF) in a portion of muscle tissue. Consistent with one such method a probe is presented to the portion of muscle tissue. The probe produces a response-provoking signal in the muscle tissue. A resulting signal is used to determine the relative content of IMF in the portion of muscle tissue as a function of a selected filter.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are implemented in connection with measuring characteristics of a portion of muscle tissue. Consistent with one such method an ultrasound probe is presented to the portion of muscle tissue. The probe produces a response-provoking signal in the muscle tissue, and the pressure applied between the probe and the portion of muscle tissue is sensed. A resulting signal is used to determine the muscle tissue characteristics based on the pressure being exerted between the probe and the portion. For example, the pressure data is associated with and used to filter the acquisition or use of ultrasound image data.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are implemented in connection with measuring subcutaneous fat and loin depth in a portion of muscle tissue. Consistent with one such method a probe is presented to the portion of muscle tissue. The probe produces a response-provoking signal in the muscle tissue used to determine the fat and loin depth in the portion of muscle tissue.

Abstract: An electro-tactile panel (ETP) apparatus for a display panel is disclosed. The ETP apparatus is composed of three major parts: a controller, a panel, and a holder. The panel consists of four layer made of transparent material. The first layer is an insulating substrate, the second layer is a conductive layer formed of a plurality of horizontal electrodes on the first layer. The third layer is an insulating layer having holes formed therein, which corresponding to the electrodes on the second layer. The fourth layer is a conductive layer formed of a plurality of vertical electrodes on the third layer. The panel is attached to the display panel by means of the holder apparatus. The electro-tactile signal and cursor position is process by the controller when the skin touches the panel so that some positions of the vertical electrodes and horizontal electrodes are electrically connected through the holes.

Abstract: A disposable shield designed to sheath a patient control device prevents contaminants from contacting or entering the device. The shield has a bi-directional opening through which the hand-operated device is inserted and removed from the shield. A removable sealing device is used to preserve the integrity of the shield when the sealing device is removed. The shield can therefore be changed each time the device is handled by a different person, minimizing the chances of cross-contamination. The shield also extends the life of the device by preventing biological contaminants from contacting the device.

Abstract: This application relates to an electrotactile system and method for delivering tactile stimuli to a skin surface of a user. The system includes one or more electrotactile modules each comprising an array of electrodes electrically connected to an integrated circuit. Each integrated circuit has data processing and current driving capability. The current delivered from the integrated circuit to each electrode is relatively small, preferably less than 4 milliamps. The modules may be connected to a flexible PC board by spring-loaded connectors. In one embodiment a plurality of electrotactile modules may be grouped together to from an electrotactile device. Multiple electrotactile devices may in turn be deployed as part of a wearable article for use in virtual reality, telepresence, telerrobotics or other haptic feedback applications. The system is capable receiving and transmitting tactile data via a communication link, such as a conventional data network.

Abstract: An electro-tactile panel (ETP) apparatus for a display panel is disclosed. The ETP apparatus is composed of three major parts: a controller, a panel, and a holder. The panel consists of four layer made of transparent material. The first layer is an insulating substrate, the second layer is a conductive layer formed of a plurality of horizontal electrodes on the first layer. The third layer is an insulating layer having holes formed therein, which corresponding to the electrodes on the second layer. The fourth layer is a conductive layer formed of a plurality of vertical electrodes on the third layer. The panel is attached to the display panel by means of the holder apparatus. The electro-tactile signal and cursor position is process by the controller when the skin touches the panel so that some positions of the vertical electrodes and horizontal electrodes are electrically connected through the holes.

Abstract: A display apparatus and a method for distributed modules of light-emitting elements, the display apparatus comprising: a plurality of display modules, each comprising: a plurality of total passive clusters, an active control module and an electrical structure module. The total passive clusters and the active control module are attached onto the tube-shaped electrical structure module on one side or both sides. The electrical structure module comprises an interface for data and power transmission between the total passive clusters, the active control module and the electrical structure module such that a display apparatus for distributed modules of light-emitting elements is formed. Since easy assembly, setup, removal, maintenance, re-use, adjustment in display size, excellent display size/weight ratio and both single-sided and double-sided display can be achieved, the display apparatus is suitable for use in temporary display sites.

Abstract: The invention concerns an induction system for heating, re-heating and keeping warm a food container combining an armature beneath the container, an induction device supporting the container optimised for the safety of the user, the electromagnetic compatibility, and preserving the induction device since the induction is activated only in the presence of an appropriate armature.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the number of copies of a target nucleic acid relative to the number of copies of a reference nucleic acid in a biological specimen. The method includes amplifying the target nucleic acid, measuring the amplification of the target nucleic acid, amplifying the reference nucleic acid, measuring the amplification of the target nucleic acid, and comparing the amplification of the target nucleic acid sequence to the amplification of the reference nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: A method for detecting a target nucleic acid, which method includes the steps of (i) amplifying the target nucleic acid to obtain an amplification product using a polymerase, a first primer with or without a segment noncontiguous to a first priming sequence, and a second primer with or without a segment noncontiguous to a second priming sequence in the presence of an oligonucleotide which is incapable of acting as a primer for the polymerase, wherein the oligonucleotide has at least 5 consecutive nucleotides fully complementary to at least 5 consecutive nucleotides of the first primer; and (ii) detecting the presence of the target nucleic acid by monitoring the amplification thereof.

Abstract: A method for detecting a target nucleic acid, which method includes the steps of (i) amplifying the target nucleic acid to obtain an amplification product using a polymerase, a first primer with or without a segment noncontiguous to a first priming sequence, and a second primer with or without a segment noncontiguous to a second priming sequence in the presence of an oligonucleotide which is incapable of acting as a primer for the polymerase, wherein the oligonucleotide has at least 5 consecutive nucleotides fully complementary to at least 5 consecutive nucleotides of the first primer; and (ii) detecting the presence of the target nucleic acid by monitoring the amplification thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a homogeneous process for amplifying a target sequence in a nucleic acid sample and detecting amplification in the absence of a separation step. The invention further provides a method for nucleic acid amplification under conditions which substantially reduce the occurrence of nonspecific amplification. Products and an apparatus related to the homogeneous process are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of atomic emission spectrometry includes confining a solution within an emission chamber for on-line analysis or individual sample analysis. An electrical discharge created within the liquid to directly excite an internal portion of the liquid within the liquid solution. The atomic emission is totally enclosed within a liquid solution pocket. A fiber optic probe is connected directly to the excited internal portion within the liquid and to a suitable analyzer which analyzes the atomic spectral lines to determine the atomic elements within the liquid solution. The system can be used for individual element analysis or a multiple element analysis by use of an array spectrometer, with a simultaneous display of the complete atomic spectrum of multiple elements in a liquid solution, all in less than a period of one second.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel method for analyzing aqueous systems to simultaneously quantify the concentrations of multiple active or inactive treating components which may be contained therein. The method comprises determining the absorbance or emission spectrum of the components in the aqueous system over the wavelength range of from 200 to 2500 nm, and then applying chemometrics algorithms to extract and analyze features in the spectrum that are specific to the qualitative and quantitative concentrations from the specific components to simultaneously determine the concentrations of the components.

Abstract: A system (10) is disclosed for facilitating the healing of traumatized tissue and broken or fractured bone. The system (10) establishes an electric field between a pair of electrodes (14) positioned on opposite sides of the patient site (12), resulting in the production of an alternating current having the desired frequency and amplitude characteristic in the tissue or bone. Specifically, the system (10) includes a resonator (32) formed by an inductor (36) coupled in series with the resistor (R1) and capacitor (C1) of an equivalent circuit (34) representing the patient site (12), the electrodes (14), and any gaps (30) therebetween. This resonator (32) also includes a capacitor (C2) designed to prevent spurious, high-frequency oscillations. The resonator (32) is operated by a free-running oscillator (16), which maintains the operation of the resonator (32) at its resonant frequency.

Abstract: An expansive and expandable monitoring system which in one of its broadest embodiments includes a multi-sector, multi-condition monitoring system including radio linked alert monitors, smoke monitors and an expandable range of activity monitors such as door-opening monitors and toilet-flushing monitors and including method and apparatus for identifying a particular monitor within a sector; wherein each sector stands itself as a unique sub-system built about a two-wire bus on which both power identifying signals are simultaneously conveyed along the same two wires; and within each sector, the plurality of monitoring devices receive operating power from a common power source and convey identifying signals to a common discriminator (identifier) arrangement all along the common two-wire bus, each monitoring device being constructed with a unique arrangement of current modulating and signal/voltage isolation elements to facilitate the common bus--common power source--common discriminator scheme of the present inve

Abstract: Small dielectric particles such as biological cells or DNA molecules are suspended in a quantity of liquid within a container. A pair of spaced apart electrodes are immersed in the liquid and a coil surrounds the region between the electrodes. First and second electric signals are applied to the electrodes and the coil, respectively, to thereby generate substantially orthogonal oscillating electric and magnetic fields which are at the same frequency but approximately ninety degrees out of phase. By selecting the frequency, particles having different polarization relaxation frequencies and sizes will migrate at different velocities and thereby sort into various fractions.

Abstract: A non-invasive apparatus and related method for measuring the concentration of glucose or other blood analytes utilizes both diffuse reflected and transmissive infrared absorption measurements and may be applied to either in vitro or in vivo sampling. The apparatus and method utilize non-dispersive correlation spectrometry and apply it to liquid blood serum analysis. Spectrally-modified near infrared light from the sample containing the analyte is split into two beams, one of which is directed through a negative correlation filter which blocks light in the absorption bands for the analyte to be measured, and the other of which is directed through a neutral density filter capable of blocking light equally at all wavelengths in the range of interest. Differencing the light intensity between the two light paths provides a measure proportional to analyte concentration.