Abstract: An interactive multi media performance assessment system and process for use by students for creating multi media presentations based upon the task assignments generated by a teacher and utilizing any combination of text, audio and visual input sources. A series of workfolders are created by the student to view the issued task assignments and provide a vehicle for creating the multi media presentations. Resources such as Internet based connection and various audio visual items may be utilized with the system for assisting in the creation of the presentations and both the teachers and students may provide feedback in the form of text, audio or video. Additionally, administrators can provide feedback to teachers which in turn can be utilized for evaluation and suggested improvements.

Abstract: A personal fitness monitoring device and a method for assessing the fitness of an individual as the individual exercises includes using a pedometer to determine and output data representing the locomotion of the individual. A heart rate monitor determines and outputs data representing the heart rate of the individual. A determination arrangement calculates the fitness of the individual as the individual exercises using personal data provided by the individual in combination with the data outputs of the pedometer and the heart rate without requiring a predetermined exercise regime. In one embodiment, the pedometer calculates a distance traveled by the individual using personal data provided by the individual. The personal fitness monitoring device may further include a user interface for communicating with the user. The user interface uses a single user controlled selecting mechanism to select a desired one of various user selectable options.

Abstract: A method and drying apparatus for drying a quantity of sludge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for introducing therapeutic and/or diagnostic devices through a balloon dilatation catheter and to an occlusion site, while longitudinally moving the dilatation balloon proximally from the occlusion area. This may enable, for example, an Intra-Vascular Ultra-Sonic (IVUS) device to produce non-distorted images of an occluded site between balloon dilatations of an angioplasty procedure.

Abstract: A method and various structures are described for reducing excess photon noise in short coherence light sources, such as broadband superfluorescent fiber or superluminescent diodes, for example. The method contemplates splitting the light source signal into a plurality of components, thereby splitting, and reducing, the photon noise or "beat noise" as well as the light intensity. Each component travels in a separate path having a unique time delay which is longer than the coherence time of the light source. The light from each separate path is recombined at an output end, prior to detection, causing the signal to get back to its original intensity, while keeping the total beat noise at a reduced level. The paths may be created using different length polarization maintaining (PM) fibers, different length optical fibers, or multi-mode fibers having several propagation modes propagating at different rates.

Abstract: The present invention provides for improved rotational ablation devices for use in medical applications designed to ablate a circular opening in a stenotic blood vessel wherein the rotational ablation device is provided with a replaceable cutting burr which allows the user to employ burrs of multiple sizes and configurations on a single rotational ablation device. The present invention also provides for a unique applicator tool which allows the user to readily remove and replace the novel cutting burrs of the present invention on a single rotational ablation device.

Abstract: An articulated surgical instrument for enhancing the performance of minimally invasive surgical procedures. The instrument has a high degree of dexterity, low friction, low inertia and good force reflection. A unique cable and pulley drive system operates to reduce friction and enhance force reflection. A unique wrist mechanism operates to enhance surgical dexterity compared to standard laparoscopic instruments. The system is optimized to reduce the number of actuators required and thus produce a fully functional articulated surgical instrument of minimum size.

Abstract: A densimeter is provided that is mounted on the side of a conduit carrying a fluid flow. The densimeter consists of an inlet and an outlet scoop which are immersed into the fluid flow through the conduit. A portion of the fluid flow enters into the first scoop and is directed into the densimeter where the fluid's density is measured and then exits through the exit scoop back into the fluid flow in the conduit.

Abstract: A multimedia projector comprises a optical frame that mounts, from back to front, a light source, a back fresnel lens, a back polarizer, an LCD display object, a front polarizer, a front fresnel lens, and a front lens group for projecting images formed by the LCD display object. To provide contrast adjustment, a contrast adjustment mechanism is attached to the back polarizer to permit the manual selective tilting of the back polarizer about an axis extending perpendicular to the front polarizer, in order to optimize contrast of images projected by the front lens group.

Abstract: The invention uses a garnish of tufts of filaments or strips attached to camouflage material, particularly camouflage material for use on mobile equipment, vehicles and personnel. The garnish or tuft is formed from a sheet of flexible, low emissivity material that has been cut into filaments or strips adhesively attached along one uncut longitudinal strip edge portion of the sheet. The tuft is formed by rolling the strip edge portion longitudinally around one part of a tuft retaining anchor, to form a rolled, adhesive-bound segment attached to the tuft part. When the rolled strips or filaments are so bound about the tuft retaining anchor part, a tuft is formed therefrom. When all the tuft retaining anchor parts are assembled, the tuft retaining anchor and tuft together constitute the garnish. A plurality of garnishes is attached to a base camouflage material on, e.g., mobile equipment, vehicles and personnel.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging catheter comprises a catheter body having a distal region and proximal region. The distal region has a reduced cross-sectional area compared to that of the proximal region, and the proximal region includes at least two lumens therethrough for accommodating a movable guidewire and a rotatable working element, respectively. The catheter body may be inserted over the moveable guidewire, with the guidewire passing through a lumen in the distal region and the guidewire lumen in the proximal region. After positioning the catheter body, the guidewire can be retracted from the distal region and into the proximal region, leaving the lumen in the distal region available for the rotatable working element. Such a construction allows over-the-wire imaging of the catheter while minimizing the width of the catheter in the distal region which remains available for placement of the working element.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved rupture disk apparatus and manufacturing method. The apparatus includes a rupture disk having at least one area of weakness formed by the displacement of material through a partial shearing motion. The weakened area is capable of withstanding pressure cycling because the rupture disk flange acts to support the weakened area during use. The apparatus further includes a safety member adjacent to the rupture disk on the outlet side to ensure opening, the safety member having at least one rupture-initiating, stress-concentrating point positioned to contact the rupture disk weakened area.

Abstract: A sortation and sequencing system for sorting a plurality of different items into discrete orders and putting the items into a predetermined sequence within each discrete order or group of orders. The system includes an induction station for accepting items in random succession, and a sensor at the induction station for sensing an identifying characteristic unique to each item and for generating tracking signals uniquely corresponding to the items for tracking the items through the system. A controller receives the tracking signals and generates sort command and sequence command signals which are in part responsive to the tracking signals. A sorter receives the items from the induction station and directs individual items to selected ones of a plurality of sort locations, each sort location corresponding to an individual order or group of orders, in response to sort command signals from the controller.

Abstract: An intraluminal, crush resistant stent for implantation in a body lumen is disclosed. The crush resistant stent is made from a base section having a plurality of resilient, parallel, coplanar struts having a zig-zag configuration extending therefrom wherein the zig-zag struts are curved and pass through corresponding slots in the base section to form a continuous, cylindrical hoop. Each zig-zag strut has an amplitude that decreases when the zig-zag strut is placed under tension and an amplitude that increases when the zig-zag strut is unstressed or is placed under compression. Accordingly, each zig-zag strut can be pulled through the respective slot in the base section, but under compression the zig-zag struts assume the larger amplitude and cannot pass through the corresponding slot thereby maintaining the diameter of the stent constant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a function on an integrated circuit having a plurality of electrical contact pads is disclosed. The apparatus includes a substrate for performing the function on the integrated circuit, the substrate having a plurality of electrical contact pads and at least one electrical test contact pad. A centering housing encompasses the integrated circuit and centers the integrated circuit with respect to the substrate such that the plurality of electrical contact pads of the integrated circuit electrically connects with the plurality of electrical contact pads of the substrate. A test connector connects integrated circuit to the substrate.

Abstract: A radar detecting circuit adapted to be on the vehicle detects a radar signal and selectively provides a radar detect signal in response to detecting the radar signal. The vehicle's speed is determined such as indicated by a tachometer signal or a global positioning system (GPS) receiver adapted to be on the vehicle and providing a GPS speed signal representative of the vehicle speed. An alarm responsive to both the radar detect signal and the GPS speed signal provides an alarm indication when a radar signal is detected and the vehicle speed is above a preset maximum, such as the speed limit. The operator indicates the present maximum speed via an input device such as a keypad or via voice recognition software.

Abstract: An access platform having a first and a second blade interconnected to a spreader member that laterally drives the blades apart or together and support pads interconnected to a blade. A torsional member is operably interconnected to a blade and the spreader member and is used to vertically displace the interconnected blade and, thus, increase a surgeon's working space and visual access for the dissection of an internal mammary artery. A tissue retractor interconnected to the blades and is used to draw the soft tissue around an incision away from the surgeon's working area.

Abstract: An electrochemical fuel cell comprises a pair of separator plates and a pair of fluid distribution layers interposed between the separator plates. At least one of the fluid distribution layers comprises a sealing region and an electrically conductive, fluid permeable active region, and a preformed sheet material extending into each of the sealing region and the active region. An ion exchange membrane is interposed between at least a portion of the fluid distribution layers, and a quantity of electrocatalyst is interposed between at least a portion of each of the fluid distribution layers and at least a portion of the membrane, thereby defining the active region. Compression of the preformed sheet material by urging of the pair of plates towards each other renders the at least one fluid distribution layer substantially fluid impermeable in a direction parallel to the major planar surfaces, in the sealing region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydraulic fluid tank assembly for a vehicle having a hydraulic brake cooling circuit and a hydraulic steering circuit. The hydraulic tank assembly includes a hydraulic tank that has a brake cooling section fluidically coupled to the hydraulic brake cooling circuit of a vehicle and a steering section fluidically coupled to the hydraulic steering circuit of a vehicle. The steering section further is fluidically coupled to the brake cooling section such that hydraulic fluid may flow between the brake cooling section and the steering section of the hydraulic tank. A barrier plate disposed in the tank separates the brake cooling section from the steering section. The barrier plate has a through hole that fluidically couples the brake cooling section with the steering section; and a hydraulic fluid strainer is disposed in the through hole of the barrier plate in order to strain hydraulic fluid that flows between the brake cooling section and the steering section.

Abstract: A novel photocathode and image intensifier tube include an active layer comprised substantially of amorphic diamond-like carbon, diamond, or a combination of both. The photocathode has a face plate coupled to an active layer. The active layer is operable to emit electrons in response to photons striking the face plate.