Abstract: The invention is directed to tenaculum-like devices and systems for the intravaginal delivery of therapeutic or diagnostic devices and particularly for occluding a female patient's uterine arteries in order to treat uterine disorders. Included are methods for grasping, manipulating and retaining tissue. The tenaculum-type device has a distal portion with a sound configured to enter a cervical os without causing undue trauma or discomfort to the patient, and a retention or tissue grasping mechanism with a grasping element such as a spike configured to engage and retain a patient's cervix. The tenaculum-type devices embodying features of the invention may have an expandable distal tip to more securely be engaged within the patient's uterine cervical canal.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a uterine artery clamp and the relatively non-invasive treatment procedure utilizing this clamp. The uterine clamp includes a clamping member having a jaw with tissue-contacting surfaces for applying pressure to target tissue and a stabilizing member which is configured to be inserted into the patient's uterine cervical canal. The clamp may be provided with elongated handles to manually adjust the spacing between the jaw and stabilizer and thereby apply pressure to a uterine artery beneath a bundle of tissue held between the jaw and stabilizer. Uterine clamps embodying features of the invention by be used in procedures for treating uterine disorders such as fibroids, DUB, PPH and the like.

Abstract: The invention is directed to instruments and procedures using such instruments for temporarily reducing or terminating blood flow through a female patient's uterine artery to treat post partum hemorrhage (PPH). The uterine artery is occluded by a clamping device which includes a pair of pivotally connected clamping members, with each of the clamping members having a handle and a clamping element at the distal end of the handle. The clamping elements are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axes of the handles at an included obtuse angle between about 120° and about 170°, preferably between about 130° and 160°. An artery locating sensor is provided on the distal end of at least one of the clamping elements. Preferably, the artery locating sensor is a Doppler ultrasound blood flow sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for monitoring the vibration levels of gas turbine engines. The vibration monitoring system acquires vibration data from an engine, and processes the data with advanced algorithms to determine engine component health, both in a diagnostic and prognostic fashion. The method includes the steps of measuring an operating parameter and a corresponding set of vibration amplitudes for a plurality of rotating component during a period of operation and normalizing the set of measured vibration amplitudes based on established amplitude limits. The set of normalized amplitude data points are stored in parameter-based data blocks, which extend over a predetermined range of the operating parameter. For each data block, a time period remaining to reach the established amplitude limits is estimated based on changes in the normalized amplitude data points stored in the data blocks.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for treating a uterine disorder which receive its blood supply from a uterine artery. In particular, uterine fibroids are effectively treated by occluding the uterine arteries using trans-vaginal, trans-uterine, transrectal, or retroperitoneal approaches. The devices and methods are advantageous because the inventive procedures may be performed by a patient's gynecologist in the course of treatment, avoiding the need for referrals to specialist practitioners and for more radical treatments, such as hysterectomies. The methods include both temporary and permanent occlusion of the arteries. A cannula carries an imaging device and a member which will easily penetrate tissue, the member including a device which partially or completely, and temporarily or permanently, occludes a uterine artery.

Abstract: A novel separator housed within a shell for the separations of solid and liquid components from a slurry. The separator has two stages, a first static screen and rotating brush assembly section and a second stage, with a screen and a roller press and brush assembly. The slurry is pumped into the separator through a weir box. The slurry flows into the first stage and most of the liquid component flows into a sump located below the two stages. The solid component is then directed into the second stage where the rollers squeeze remaining liquids from the solid component. The brushes then direct the remaining solid component of the slurry into a solids discharge area.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for optimizing the transient response of a gas turbine engine by controlling the variable positioning of compressor inlet guide vanes. The system employs a normal mode schedule which schedules relatively closed inlet guide vane settings at low compressor speeds and relatively open inlet guide vane settings at high compressor speeds. The system further employs an alternate mode schedule that schedules inlet guide vane settings that are more closed at low compressor speeds than those scheduled by the normal mode schedule. Control logic is provided for rapidly moving the inlet guide vanes from the more closed settings of the alternate mode schedule to settings which are more open than those which are schedule by the normal mode schedule, during an acceleration from low engine power levels. The control logic is further configured to command the inlet guide vanes back to the normal mode schedule as the acceleration nears completion.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for optimizing the transient response of a gas turbine engine by controlling the variable positioning of compressor inlet guide vanes. The system employs a normal mode schedule which schedules relatively closed inlet guide vane settings at low compressor speeds and relatively open inlet guide vane settings at high compressor speeds. The system further employs an alternate mode schedule that schedules inlet guide vane settings that are more closed at low compressor speeds than those scheduled by the normal mode schedule. Control logic is provided for rapidly moving the inlet guide vanes from the more closed settings of the alternate mode schedule to settings which are more open than those which are schedule by the normal mode schedule, during an acceleration from low engine power levels. The control logic is further configured to command the inlet guide vanes back to the normal mode schedule as the acceleration nears completion.

Abstract: A power turbine speed control system for a helicopter is disclosed which includes components for generating a power turbine speed signal based upon a demanded rotor speed, a high-order filter for filtering the power turbine speed signal by effectuating a rapid attenuation of main and tail rotor torsional frequencies in the power turbine speed signal without compromising phase at low frequencies, and a governor for providing isochronous power turbine speed and rotor speed control based upon the filtered power turbine speed signal.

Abstract: A flow testing system and method are provided for facilitating the continuous flow testing of fluid flow systems and components. An exemplary flow testing system and method are suitably configured for direct implementation into the manufacturing processes for fluid flow systems and components or for stand-alone operation, and can facilitate increased flow testing throughput. An exemplary flow testing system comprises a flow amplifier subsystem, a piping subsystem, a venturi subsystem, and an output coupling subsystem. The flow amplifier subsystem is configured for coupling to an ambient air source, while the output coupling subsystem is configured for coupling to a fluid flow component for testing.

Abstract: Fuel control systems for use with a gas turbine engines which accounts for real-time thermodynamic engine effects when attempting to match or track the NDOTActual rate to the NDOTDemand rate. The fuel control system includes a mechanism for measuring several engine operating parameters and a mechanism for determining an initial engine fuel demand based on the measured engine operating parameters. The control system further includes a mechanism for estimating, during engine operation and based on the measured operating parameters, the amount of heat transferred between fuel combustion gases and the engine metal and estimating an effective fuel flow adjustment based therefrom. The control system disclosed herein also includes a mechanism for determining a final engine fuel demand based on the initial predicted engine fuel demand and the estimated effective fuel flow adjustment.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to providing a method of preparing an anatomical vessel contained within a tissue bundle for ligation, including positioning a cannula adjacent to the tissue bundle, wherein the positioning is non-penetrating, the cannula including a first extendable member, a second extendable member, a Doppler wand, and a distal end, transmitting ultrasound signals toward the vessel through the tissue bundle with the Doppler wand, receiving ultrasound signals reflected by the vessel through the tissue bundle with the Doppler wand, invaginating the tissue bundle with the first extendable member on a first side of the tissue bundle, invaginating the tissue bundle with the second extendable member on a second side of the bundle opposite the first side, and interpenetrating a length of ligation material between the first and second extendable members on a side of the vessel opposite the cannula distal end.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for dissipating water wave energy and for shoreline control including a module with a generally hollow body, a pair of opposed flanges attached to adjacent corners of the body, a pair of axially aligned mounting apertures in the flanges for connecting the body to similar bodies for forming a wave energy dissipation system, and a recess disposed between the flanges. Each recess contains a plurality of boundary layer interrupting projections for substantially disrupting any laminar flow of water past the surface and creating turbulent flow.

Abstract: Systems that monitor and control energy distribution manage energy distribution or use for Energy Service Providers and end-users. A system includes a publicly or privately accessible distributed network, a network access device, and a management device. The network access device communicates with the management device through the distributed network to control loads at a remote location. The method of monitoring and controlling energy distribution receives data at an on-line Site, processes an application program that evaluates load and market supply data, and initiates power curtailment requests or power curtailment events.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for dissipating water wave energy and for shoreline control including a module with a generally hollow body, a pair of opposed flanges attached to adjacent corners of the body, a pair of axially aligned mounting apertures in the flanges for connecting the body to similar bodies for forming a wave energy dissipation system, and a recess disposed between the flanges. Each recess contains a plurality of boundary layer interrupting projections for substantially disrupting any laminar flow of water past the surface and creating turbulent flow.

Abstract: A vane pump is disclosed for use with gas turbine engines adapted and configured to provide a failure mode similar to that of a traditional gear pump. The vane pump includes a pump housing, a cam member, a cylindrical rotor member and a mechanism for communicating a high pressure fluid from the discharge arc region to the inlet arc region when the tip surface of each vane element has experienced a predetermined amounted of wear so as to prevent pump startup. The wearing of the tip surface of each vane element resulting from the slideable engagement with the circumferential surface of the pumping cavity.

Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for treating a uterine disorder which receive its blood supply from a uterine arteries. In particular, uterine fibroids are effectively treated by occluding the uterine arteries using trans-vaginal, trans-uterine, transrectal, or retroperitoneal approaches. The devices and methods are advantageous because the inventive procedures may be performed by a patient's gynecologist in the course of treatment, avoiding the need for referrals to specialist practitioners and for more radical treatments, such as hysterectomies. The methods include both temporary and permanent occlusion of the arteries. A cannula carries an imaging device and a member which will easily penetrate tissue, the member including a device which partially or completely, and temporarily or permanently, occludes a uterine artery.

Abstract: A ligation device includes a cannula having first and second extendable members and a Doppler wand. The Doppler wand permits an anatomical vessel, such as a blood vessel, to be located in close proximity to the distal end of the cannula. The extendable members are extendable on two opposite sides of the vessel. A length of ligation material, such as suture material, extends through the first extendable member, and is attached to a detachable element mounted to the distalmost end of the extendable member. The second extendable member includes a snare. The first extendable member includes curved portions which, when the member is extended distally, extend the detachable element into position for the snare so that the snare can grab the loop. Once ensnared, the detachable element is released from the first extendable member, which pulls the ligation material around the vessel. The ligation device does not require prior visualization or dissection of the area around the vessel.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to providing a method of preparing an anatomical vessel contained within a tissue bundle for ligation, including positioning a cannula adjacent to the tissue bundle, wherein the positioning is non-penetrating, the cannula including a first extendable member, a second extendable member, a Doppler wand, and a distal end, transmitting ultrasound signals toward the vessel through the tissue bundle with the Doppler wand, receiving ultrasound signals reflected by the vessel through the tissue bundle with the Doppler wand, invaginating the tissue bundle with the first extendable member on a first side of the tissue bundle, invaginating the tissue bundle with the second extendable member on a second side of the bundle opposite the first side, and interpenetrating a length of ligation material between the first and second extendable members on a side of the vessel opposite the cannula distal end.