Abstract: A replaceable valve shaft sealing system is disclosed that enables the operator to greatly reduce the maintenance needs of valves where rotational movement of a shaft, that is connected to the actual metering apparatus of the valve, actuates the opening or closing of the valve thereby regulating fluid flow. The design of the shaft enables the user to replace the valve stem and associated sealing rings or to re-lubricate the shaft, while the valve is connected to the line, by simply removing the packing nut. There are no-preloaded sealing devices that require re-construction. Prior art designs use O-rings to prevent the seepage of fluid into the valve body and though the rotating shaft, but the disclosed shaft prevents contamination of the lubrication into the fluid flow and eliminates any of the axial loads that can cause O-rings to fail using the prior art designs.

Abstract: A linear position transducer reliably and wirelessly tracks rapid motion. The transducer includes a scale, a control head, and a wirelessly-powered read head disposed proximate to the scale. The read head is configured to sense movement between the scale and the read head and to wirelessly communicate position data to the control head. The control head can include a wireless data receiver to receive position data from the read head, an output data driver to communicate with an external device, and a microcontroller to coordinate a data transfer between the wireless data receiver and the output data driver. In addition, the read head can include a wireless data transmitter to transmit position data to the control head, a linear position sensor to sense position along the scale, and a microcontroller to calculate a position measurement from the scale. The microcontroller in the read head can also coordinate a data transfer between the wireless data transmitter and the control head.

Abstract: A rotary actuator includes a stator assembly positioned within an outer enclosure. A rotor assembly is positioned adjacent to the stator and is configured to rotate relative thereto and about a centerline axis of the rotary actuator. Each of the outer enclosure, the stator assembly, and the rotor assembly are arranged to carry a magnetic flux therethrough and form a flux path loop, such that as a magnetic flux flows through the outer enclosure, the stator assembly, and the rotor assembly, a torque is generated by rotation of the rotor assembly relative to the stator assembly.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for prompting emergency medical personnel who are attending to a patient. When the patient presents a heart rhythm that is a non-perfusing and non-shockable rhythm or perfusing but unstable, the attending personnel are prompted to administer therapy, such as reestablishing perfusion by performing CPR. The attending personnel may also be urged to defer taking the pulse of the patient.

Abstract: A method comprises, without ceasing flow of fluid through a flow meter, transmitting an ultrasonic signal of a first frequency through the fluid, adjusting the first frequency to a second frequency, and transmitting another ultrasonic signal of the second frequency through the fluid.

Abstract: A control system having an integrator component that provides an integrator output signal used to control a load, and a method controlling the same includes conditioning the integrator component during a fraction of the period in which it would tend to otherwise wind-up.

Abstract: The presence of a cardiac pulse in a patient is determined by evaluating physiological signals in the patient. In one embodiment, a medical device evaluates two or more different physiological signals, such as phonocardiogram (PCG) signals, electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, patient impedance signals, piezoelectric signals, and accelerometer signals for features indicative of the presence of a cardiac pulse. Using these features, the medical device determines whether a cardiac pulse is present in the patient. The medical device may also be configured to report whether the patient is in a VF, VT, asystole, or PEA condition, in addition to being in a pulseless condition, and prompt different therapies, such as chest compressions, rescue breathing, defibrillation, and PEA-specific electrotherapy, depending on the analysis of the physiological signals. Auto-capture of a cardiac pulse using pacing stimuli is further provided.

Abstract: An external defibrillator includes a therapy delivery circuit, a sensor, and a processor. The therapy delivery circuit is configured to be electrically charged and to deliver electrical therapy to a patient. The sensor is configured to sense a physiological condition of the patient and generate data indicative of a probability that therapy will be delivered to the patient. The processor is configured to analyze data generated by the sensor to determine whether there is a threshold level of the probability that the therapy delivery will be delivered to the patient, if the probability is at least at the threshold level, charge the therapy delivery circuit, and determine whether therapy delivery is advisable based on the physiological condition of the patient after determining whether the probability is at least at the threshold level.

Abstract: A modular external defibrillator system in embodiments of the teachings may include one or more of the following features: a base containing a defibrillator to deliver a defibrillation shock to a patient, (b) one or more pods each connectable to a patient via patient lead cables to collect at least one patient vital sign, the pods operable at a distance from the base, (c) a wireless communications link between the base and a selected one of the two or more pods to carry the at least one vital sign from the selected pod to the base, the selection being based on which pod is associated with the base.

Abstract: A flow meter prover (120, 220, 320) is provided with multiple pairs of detectors to record multiple calibrated prover volumes with a single pass of the displacer 124. The prover conduit 122 may be fitted with a first pair of detectors (116, 118) for a first calibrated prover volume (V1) and a second pair of detectors (130, 132) for a second calibrated prover volume (V2). A single pass of the displacer may trip more pairs of detectors (216, 218, 230, 232, 234, 236) corresponding to more calibrated prover volumes (V3, V4, V5). A flow computer 326 may be configured to record more than two calibrated prover volumes (V6, V7, V8, V9) using only two pairs of detectors (316, 318, 330, 332) and a displacer (324).

Abstract: An air duct system which mates an air duct attached to the roof of an automotive vehicle and an air duct attached to a nonexposed surface of a headliner is provided. The air duct system is attached to an air supply which delivers directed air and is disposed between an inner surface of the roof and the nonexposed surface of the headliner. The headliner includes an opening into the passenger compartment of the automotive vehicle. The air duct system includes a first air duct and a second air duct. The first air duct is attached to the inner surface of the roof, and the second air duct is attached to the nonexposed surface of the headliner. Upon installation of the headliner to the roof a portal on the first air duct registers with a portal on the second air duct so as to provide an air flow passage between said first air duct and said second air duct.

Abstract: A snap post for use in conjunction with a snap lid to attach a trim ring to an opening of a headliner of an automotive vehicle is provided. The snap post includes an elongated leg extending outwardly from the trim ring. The elongated leg has a barb for engaging with the snap lid disposed on a distal end thereof. A support structure provides the elongated leg with sufficient reinforcement to withstand the stress imposed during the installation of the headliner, yet provides sufficient flexibility for the quick and easy attachment of the trim ring to the opening of the headliner.

Abstract: A Kitchen Display System (KDS) includes a workstation including a first Personal Computer (PC)-based controller, a fanless workstation including a second PC-based or a non-PC-based controller having lower cost than the first PC-based controller, an Ethernet network operatively coupling the controllers, and a bump bar, keyboard, touchscreen, or keypad operatively coupled to at least one of the controllers. The first PC-based controller stores and displays video, multimedia, or a build card. At least one of the controllers includes a rugged computing module, which includes a circuit board including an outer perimeter and traces associated therewith, an integrated circuit mounted on the circuit board, at least one interface connector, a housing, and a thermal transfer device.

Abstract: An example integrated interface apparatus for a point-of-sale system and an example point-of-sale system including the integrated interface apparatus have been disclosed. The integrated interface apparatus includes a base member, a vertical arm member, a display device and a data input device. The base member is configured to be disposed on a counter. The vertical arm member is operatively connected to the base member. The vertical arm member includes a terminal attachment member and a side attachment member below the terminal attachment member. The display device is operatively connected to the terminal attachment member and the data input device is operatively connected to the side attachment member.

Abstract: Medical devices, software and methods are provided, for making a decision as to whether to administer electric shock therapy to a patient. The decision is made with respect to ECG data that is discounted at least partially, and sometimes even completely, if it occurs during a transition between chest compression group and a pause for ventilation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a system and methods for providing status information about resuscitation efforts of a person receiving chest compressions as part of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). A microphone generates a soundtrack by sampling sounds within or around the body of the person receiving CPR. The soundtrack is gated in one or more various ways to eliminate portions of the soundtrack, and analysis performed on the remaining portions. By evaluating the remaining portions of the soundtrack, the system can determine a cardiovascular effect of the compressions and provide status information to the rescuer about the determined cardiovascular effect.

Abstract: Determining a hierarchical structure, possibly for delivery to an asset management system. Some exemplary embodiments may be a method comprising receiving a message originated by a data acquisition system and destined for a remote process controller (the receiving by a message router), using content of the message to determine a hierarchical structure of a system between the data acquisition system and the remote process controller, forwarding the message by the message router, and passing information related to the hierarchical structure to an asset management system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining a defibrillation treatment protocol in an external defibrillator whereby a user may override a CPR-first default protocol. The method includes following steps configured in a defibrillator controller of issuing an inquiry; waiting for a response to the inquiry for a set time; ordering a CPR treatment protocol if no response is received within the set time; analyzing a response; ordering a CPR treatment protocol upon receiving a non-affirmative response to the inquiry; and ordering a shock treatment protocol upon receiving an affirmative response to the inquiry. Upon selecting a shock treatment protocol, the defibrillator performs a shock analysis under the shock treatment protocol, and either orders a CPR treatment protocol if shock treatment is not indicated by the shock analysis or provides a defibrillation shock if shock treatment is indicated by the shock analysis. Queries may be presented to a user in visual, audible, or both visual and audible format.

Abstract: A theft-deterring security apparatus for articles with handles is described. The apparatus consists of a bracket that substantially surrounds an article handle and a locking body into which the bracket is telescopically inserted, to in turn compress both the bracket and the locking body about the article handle so as to be releasably fastened thereto. Fastening devices, such as a threaded screw and nut, are used to initiate and maintain compression of the bracket and locking body about the article handle. The bracket is shaped to accommodate different types of article handles. The bracket may be hinged to accommodate the insertion of article handles into the bracket periphery. The apparatus is further equipped with an electronic article surveillance element capable of setting off an alarm if an attempt is made to remove the article from the store. Alternatively, a pair of locking body elements surrounds a knob on an article handle.