Abstract: A method is disclosed for diagnosing, monitoring and treating cardiovascular pathologies. Among the hemodynamic parameters of interest are peripheral resistance, compliance, and cardiac (left ventricular) output. Peripheral resistance determined according to the present invention has been found to be a reliable indicator, not only of hypertension, but also of the cause of the hypertension. The determined peripheral resistance can be compared against a predetermined threshold value. This comparison helps to foster a diagnosis of a hypertensive condition.

Abstract: An earplug dispenser for manual operation by a user includes a bottle member to receive a plurality of earplugs. A dispensing mechanism is located at an open end of the bottle member so that when the bottle member is turned upside down, the dispensing mechanism projects downward and the earplugs fall by gravity to the dispensing mechanism. The dispensing mechanism includes an impeller member having a plurality of impeller openings to have individual earplugs located within the impeller openings by gravity and additionally includes a knob member projecting downward from the impeller and including a ratchet mechanism so that the rotation of the knob provides for rotation of the impeller and any individual earplugs captured in the impeller openings in only one direction.

Abstract: A method is described for determining the concentration of an organic blood analyte using multi-spectral analysis in the near infrared and mid-infrared ranges. Incident radiation containing a plurality of distinct, nonoverlapping regions of wavelengths in the range of approximately 1100 to 5000 nm is used to scan a sample. Diffusively reflected radiation emerging from the sample is detected, and a value indicative of the concentration of the analyte is obtained using an application of chemometrics techniques. Information obtained from each nonoverlapping region of wavelengths can be cross-correlated in order to remove background interferences.

Abstract: An apparatus that can measure a space between a first surface and a second surface. The apparatus may include a light source that can reflect a light beam from the first and second surfaces. A birefringent element may split the reflected light beam into an ordinary beam and an extraordinary beam. The ordinary and extraordinary beams are detected by a photodetector. The apparatus may include a controller that is coupled to the photodetector and which can compute the space from a phase value that is determined from data collected when the mechanism varies the phase between the ordinary and extraordinary beams, and a ratio between a first modulation amplitude detected from light reflected from the first and second surfaces and a second modulation amplitude detected from light reflected from the first surface when the second surface is not adjacent to the first surface. The ratio can also be used to compute the reflectance and index of refraction of the second surface.

Abstract: An apparatus that can measure a space between a first surface and a second surface such as the air bearing between a slider and a disk. The apparatus may include a light source that can reflect a light beam from the slider and the disk. By way of example, the light beam can be reflected off of an Al2O3 cap of a slider. A birefringent element such as a Savart plate may split the reflected light beam into an ordinary beam and an extraordinary beam. The ordinary and extraordinary beams may combine to form an interference pattern that is detected by a photodetector. A controller receives data from the photodetector. The apparatus may have a mechanism which can vary a phase between the ordinary and extraordinary beams so that the controller can calculate a phase value &phgr;. The controller then computes the space from the phase value &phgr;. The variation in phase between the beams may be created by tilting the birefringent element, or moving the reflected light beam directed into the birefringent element.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for diagnosing, monitoring and treating cardiovascular pathologies. Among the hemodynamic parameters of interest are peripheral resistance, compliance, and cardiac (left ventricular) output. Peripheral resistance determined according to the present invention has been found to be a reliable indicator, not only of hypertension, but also of the cause of the hypertension. The determined peripheral resistance can be compared against a predetermined threshold value. This comparison helps to foster a diagnosis of a hypertensive condition.

Abstract: A loader that loads a head onto a disk. The head is typically mounted to a flexure arm which has a rail. The rail may have a top edge. The loader has a finger which can engage the flexure arm at a location that does not make contact with the top edge of the rail. With the present invention the finger can remain adjacent to the flexure arm even after the head is loaded onto the disk. There is no requirement to retract the finger after loading the head.

Abstract: One or more basis sets are applied to a spectroscopic signal during analysis to produce an accurate spectral representation from which analyte concentration may be accurately determined. A basis set includes all interfering components found in a sample, such as serum. With regard to an analyte, such as glucose, it is necessary to define those components of a sample that have a larger interference than that of glucose. A basis set may be generated, for example, that produces a transform for the red blood cells that interfere or scatter the light; and also for skin effects. Once the spectra of all these components is known, it is then necessary to determine how each of these components interact, e.g. taking serum data, extracting each of the components, and then comparing the spectra for the individual components with that of the components in solution.

Abstract: An optical inspection station for inspecting a substrate. The substrate may include a first surface and a second surface. Light is reflected from both the first and second surfaces of the substrate. The light reflected from the first surface is detected by a light detector. A controller may determine a surface characteristic of the first surface from the detected light. The system may include a spatial filter that filters the light reflected from the second surface. The spatial filter eliminates the optical noise that may be created by the light reflected from the second surface.

Abstract: A molded storage container with dual compartments for storing a plurality of useful objects including a plurality of molded storage elements, each hinged to an adjacent storage element. A first storage elements forms a bottom wall of a first storage compartment and has a configuration approximating the configuration of the useful object. A second storage element folds about a first hinge and is spaced from the first storage element to form the top wall of the first compartment. The second storage element has a similar configuration to the first storage element and forms the bottom wall of a second storage compartment. A third storage element folds about a second hinge and is spaced from the second storage element to form the top wall of the second storage compartment smaller in size than the first storage compartment. The third storage element also has a similar configuration to the first and second storage elements.

Abstract: A unidirectional fluid valve for use with a respirator includes a flexible flap initially formed as a flat resilient member. A valve body has a flat valve seat to support the flexible flap. The flexible flap is contoured to make contact with the valve seat when a fluid is not passing through the valve body, and free to lift from the valve seat when a fluid passes through the valve body. The valve body additionally includes an arm located off center relative to the flap and the arm extends inwardly in the valve body to contact the flexible flap off center to push the flexible flap at a position to deform the flexible flap to contour a concave configuration for the flexible flap and provide a secured end and a free end for the flap. In this way the flexible flap is normally pushed into sealing engagement with the flat valve seat when fluid is not passing through the valve body and is free to move away from the valve seat when fluid passes through the valve body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for determining the concentration of an organic blood analyte using multi-spectral analysis in the near infrared and mid-infrared ranges. Incident radiation containing a plurality of distinct, nonoverlapping regions of wavelengths in the range of approximately 1100 to 5000 nm is used to scan a sample. Diffusively reflected radiation emerging from the sample is detected, and a value indicative of the concentration of the analyte is obtained using an application of chemometrics techniques. Information obtained from each nonoverlapping region of wavelengths can be cross-correlated in order to remove background interferences.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading and unloading a slider onto the surface of a substrate. The present invention includes a suspension assembly that supports a slider having an air bearing surface. The suspension assembly is coupled to a guide rod that is biased toward a first, second and third bearing. The guide rod remains in continuous contact with at least two bearings. Movement of the slider toward or away from the substrate surface is accomplished by changing the position of one or more of the bearings. In this manner, a set of pivot points acting upon the guide rod is varied as the slider is rotated toward or away from the disk surface such that the axis of rotation of the slider varies as the slider is rotated toward or away from the substrate surface. The loader is also configured to minimize the lateral movement of the slider along the surface of the substrate as the slider is loaded or unloaded from the substrate surface.

Abstract: A buckle located around a resilience strap and a method of manufacturing includes a resilient strap material provided on a continuous basis and having a particular width and thickness. The strap material is stretched to reduce the width and thickness of the strap material at a particular position. A mold member is provided to form a buckle and the buckle is molded around the strap at the particular position where the strap material is reduced in width and thickness to increase the friction between the buckle and the strap material.

Abstract: A self-acting air bearing for a pressurized spindle air bearing includes a bearing that is located within a cavity of a housing. The bearing and cavity may be shaped as a segment of a sphere. The spindle may be connected to a pressurized air source which creates an air bearing within a gap that separates the bearing from the housing. The bearing is attached to a shaft that is rotated by a motor. Rotation of the bearing creates a flow of air within the gap. The cavity and/or bearing may have a slot which cooperates with the air flow to increase the pressure of the air bearing.

Abstract: An earplug composed of a resilient polymeric material including a first hollow member having a closed end and an open end and with the closed end having a rounded cone shaped configuration. At least one flange member extending from the first hollow member and having a similiar cone shaped rounded configuration as the closed end of the hollow member but larger in diameter and located rearward of the closed end. A plug member for insertion into the open end of the first member and with the plug closing off and sealing the open end of the first member to form an air pocket immediately adjacent the closed end and the flange member.The plug member serving in combination with the rearward end of the first member as a handle for insertion of the earplug in an ear canal.

Abstract: An earplug dispenser for manual operation by a user includes a bottle member to receive a plurality of earplugs. A dispensing mechanism is located at an open end of the bottle member so that when the bottle member is turned upside down, the dispensing mechanism projects downward and the earplugs fall by gravity to the dispensing mechanism. The dispensing mechanism includes an impeller member having a plurality of impeller openings to have individual earplugs located within the impeller openings by gravity and additionally includes a knob member projecting downward from the impeller so that the rotation of the knob provides for rotation of the impeller and any individual earplugs captured in the impeller openings.