Abstract: A radiation treatment apparatus (10) including a stand (12), a gantry (14) movably supported on the stand (12), the gantry (14) having a vertical section (16) and a generally linear cantilevered strut section (18), the cantilevered strut section (18) having a supported end adjacent the vertical section (16) and a projecting end opposite the supported end, a substantially linear particle accelerator (30) disposed within and longitudinally supported in generally parallel relationship with the cantilevered strut section (18), the accelerator (30) having a predetermined injection point (32) where particles are launched in the accelerator and a predetermined exit point (34) where the particles are discharged from the accelerator, a treatment head (22) coupled to the remote end of the cantilevered strut section proximate the exit point (34), the treatment head (22) for emitting a radiation beam (27), and a tuneable stiffening apparatus (40) attached to the accelerator (30) for substantially maintaining alignment be

Abstract: A variable length balloon catheter is provided. The balloon catheter includes a catheter shaft having a distal portion, a balloon and an adjustment device. The balloon is in fluid communication with a distal end of the catheter shaft. The adjustment device includes an outer sleeve and an attachment structure. The outer sleeve is configured to be generally co-axially received over the distal portion of the catheter shaft and includes a distal end configured to restrict inflation proximal the distal end. Further, the outer sleeve is configured such that at least a portion of the outer sleeve is slidable relative to the distal portion of the catheter shaft such that a distal end of the outer sleeve relative to the balloon can be varied.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a collision between signal transmissions on a carrier medium, such as UTP wiring, are described. The method commences with the transmission of an access identifier from a transmitter of a network device. The transmitted access identifier has a predetermined duration and includes a pulse at a temporal location within the transmitted access identifier specific thereto. An access identifier is also received at a receiver of the network device. The received access identifier also has a predetermined duration, and includes a pulse at a temporal location therein. A determination is then made as to whether the temporal location of the pulse within the received access identifier corresponds to the temporal location of the pulse within the transmitted access identifier. If not, a collision is detected on the network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microstrip collinear antenna having cable connector assembly means and a collinear microstrip printed circuit board means. The cable connector assembly means responds to a radio signal, for providing a cable connector assembly radio signal. The collinear microstrip printed circuit board means responds to the cable connector assembly radio signal, for providing a collinear microstrip printed circuit board radio signal. The microstrip line collinear antenna is constructed with a number of one half .lambda. printed circuit board elements on both sides of a double-sided board. These one half .lambda. sections are the radiators. On the other side of the board opposite each radiator is a respective section of corresponding microstrip transmission lines to provide radio frequency power to each radiating element.

Abstract: A catheter includes a manifold and a proximal shaft portion coupled to the manifold. A distal shaft portion is coupled to a distal end of the proximal shaft portion and is flexible relative to the proximal shaft portion. A fiber reinforcement layer is disposed about the distal shaft portion.

Abstract: An article inventory control system for articles, such as books, uses RFID tags attached to each article. Each tag has a unique identification or serial number for identifying the individual article. An inventory database tracks all of the tagged articles and maintains circulation status information for each article. Articles are checked out of the library using a patron self-checkout system. Checked out articles are returned to the library by being deposited into an exterior smart book drop which reads the RFID tag and automatically checks the article back in. Article data from the exterior smart book drop are used to generate reshelving reports for efficiently reshelve the articles. Articles which are used in the library, but not checked out, are returned to interior smart book drops within the library for reshelving. The interior smart book drops capture data regarding in-house use of articles. The data are used to generate historical usage reports.

Abstract: A small, portable infusion device for ambulatory use by a patient includes an audible enunciator integrated circuit chip. This chip is controlled by a microprocessor to provide output data to an operator, and to work in place of, or in association with a visual output display, such as an LCD screen. The audible data output permits a remote clinician to monitor operation of the pump, and diagnose and correct problems with the pump's operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in arthroscopically attaching a suture to bone comprises a cannula and drill guide for use in drilling parallel holes in the bone and a scissors-like component for carrying a suture down one hole and pushing the suture through soft bone into the other hole where it can be retrieved.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a patternable diffusing layer therein positioned between the display's substrates. The diffusing (or diffuser) layer includes a host material having a plurality of particles (e.g. substantially transparent spherical balls or spacers) provided therein in order to perform a diffusion function. The refractive index n.sub.p of the particles is different (i.e. .DELTA.n) from the refractive index n.sub.h of the host material by at least about 0.05, and .DELTA.n is preferably from about 0.05-0.15. In certain embodiments, photoimageable color filters, with diffusing particles embedded therein, function as discrete diffusing members across the passive substrate. In other embodiments, a substantially continuous diffusing layer with a transparent host, including spherical balls embedded therein, may be provided across the passive substrate between the substrate and the color filters.

Abstract: A system to perform real time temporal correlation on pulsed and periodic signals. Application is to systems which perform PRI analysis of signals and provide signal gain as part of the correlation process. Correlation is performed in two stages, the first conditioning the signals for correlation using the zero mean, PW matched filter and the second performing temporal correlation using the difference minimization PRI correlator. The primary purpose of the filter is to minimize any DC signals before they reach the correlator. If DC signals reach the correlator, they correlate up at every PRI setting and on every temporal point, resulting in false detections and can block actual signals from detection. The filter also provides some gain for signals with pulse widths greater than one temporal cell. After conditioning with the filter, the data is correlated using a difference minimization correlator.

Abstract: An EID or RFID transponder having an encapsulant with an open end to allow insertion of the transponder circuitry and a phase changing material such as an epoxy used to both secure the circuitry of the transponder within the encapsulant and seal the open end of the encapsulant.

Abstract: Provided is a parts washer that includes a multi-tiered basin, a cleaning fluid and a biological component, living within the fluid, that breaks down organic waste. The multi-tiered basin includes a sink member with a false bottom, and a support grid and filter are interposed between the false bottom and a bottom panel of the sink member. The false bottom, support grid, and filter are readily removable from the sink member. The tank is partially filled with the cleaning fluid and a pump and conduit assembly direct a flow of the cleaning fluid to the basin. The cleaning fluid discharged into the basin flows through a drain hole in the false bottom, through the filter and support grid, and then through a drain hole in the bottom panel of the sink member back into the tank for reuse. The cleaning fluid includes, at least, a surfactant that functions to remove organic waste from the parts being washed.

Abstract: A system for physical emulation of electronic circuits or systems includes a data entry workstation where a user may input data representing the circuit or system configuration. This data is converted to a form suitable for programming an array of programmable gate elements provided with a richly interconnected architecture. Provision is made for externally connecting VLSI devices or other portions of a user's circuit or system. A network or internal probing interconnections is made available by utilization of unused circuit paths in the programmable gate arrays.

Abstract: A display device includes a display area, for exhibiting a display unit, substantially surrounded by a variable color background area, which includes a color control input for uniformly controlling its color. The variable color background area includes a plurality of multi-color light emitting diodes arranged in a pattern, which are coupled to the color control input for being illuminated in a selective uniform color in accordance with a color control signal.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for use in an automotive vehicle. A source of hydraulic pressure selectively operates in two modes. In one mode, it feeds a radiator cooling fan and a power steering system in parallel when a system pressure or flow exceeds a predetermined pressure rate. In another mode, it feeds the radiator cooling fan and the power steering system in series when the system pressure or flow is less than the predetermined pressure or flow.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device, and an associated method, in which a logic element, such as a central processing unit, is embedded together with an EDRAM EDRAM (Enhanced Dynamic Random Access Memory) upon a common substrate die. A memory bus interconnects the EDRAM and the logic element. Data thruput rates of memory read and write operations are permitted to be of increased rates relative to the rates permitted of conventional, discrete devices.

Abstract: A computer system including a group of CPUs, each having a private cache which communicates with its CPU to receive requests for information blocks and for servicing such requests includes a CPU bus coupled to all the private caches and to a shared cache.

Abstract: A faceplate system that removably mounts interchangeable connector mounting inserts. The system uses a faceplate frame having mounting rails with access notches and rectangular connector mounting inserts that have corner legs and spacer walls at their ends. The legs have ledge surfaces slidingly engage the under sides of the mounting rails, and the spacer walls slidingly engage the upper sides of the mounting rails. The legs gain access to the under sides of the rails through the rail notches.

Abstract: The invention is a method for improving the performance of a fiber-optic gyro comprising counter-propagating light beams from a broadband source in an optical fiber configured as a coil. The fiber-optic gyro is of the type where the phases of the light beams are step-modulated at one or both ends of the optical fiber at time intervals equal to the light propagation time .tau. through the optical fiber, the step being in the range from 0 to 2.pi.-.delta. radians where .delta. is an infinitesimal. The step is the sum of an estimate of the Sagnac phase residual .phi..sub.SE with reversed sign and the quantity (2.pi.k+j.phi..sub.M) where the index k can take on the values -1, 0, and 1, and the index j can take on the values -1 and 1. The phase angle .phi..sub.M is a positive constant less than .pi. radians. The method comprises the steps of determining the interferometer output light intensity, determining the Sagnac fringe number n, calculating the error P.sub.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding a bit sequence as a symbol, suitable for transmission over POTS wiring, are described. The symbol has a duration indicative of the bit sequence, this time duration be determined by first and second delimiters. The method commences upon the receipt of a bit sequence at an encoder. Thereafter, a symbol, having a duration indicative of the bit sequence, is identified. The symbol is characterized in that it includes a buffer portion and an encoding portion. The buffer portion is of sufficient duration to allow reflections, generated by propagation of the first delimiter of the symbol on the POTS wiring, to decay to a predetermined level before propagation of the second delimiter.