Abstract: Methods and devices for detecting an analyte are provided. An analyte binding molecule is fixed to a nanoparticle to form a nanoparticle complex. The analyte binding molecule is capable of binding an analyte. The nanoparticle complex is introduced into one of a circulatory system of an animal or biological fluid of the animal. The analyte is allowed to bind to the nanoparticle complex. The analyte bound nanoparticle complex can be extracted and the presence of the analyte can be detected.

Abstract: A high power integrated fiber laser system includes cascaded amplifiers that utilize low numerical aperture fiber amplifiers. The system is rugged and lightweight.

Abstract: A cable routing guide attached to a fiber optic apparatus, such as a module positioned on a fiber optic equipment tray is disclosed. The cable routing guide is adapted to receive a length of at least one fiber optic cable intended to be connected to a cable connection point, such as a fiber optic adapter disposed on the module. The cable routing guide allows the at least one fiber optic cable to move in response to the fiber optic equipment tray or the module moving between a first position and a second position in a manner such that the length of the at least one fiber optic cable from the cable routing guide to the fiber optic adapter remains substantially unchanged. Moreover, the at least one fiber optic cable that is received by the cable routing guide may be retained and maintained by the cable routing guide without being tensed or stressed.

Abstract: Power distribution devices, systems and methods for a distributed communication system are disclosed. In one embodiment, an interconnect unit is coupled between a head-end unit and one or more remote units. The interconnect unit includes a plurality of communication links each configured to carry signals to and from a head-end unit to remote units. To provide power to the remote units, the interconnect unit electrically couples power from at least one power supply to a plurality of power branches. Each power branch is configured to supply power to a remote unit connected to the interconnect unit.

Abstract: A tough, water-proof building panel, made of fiber-reinforced polymer, is useful in making structural walls, ceilings, and floors of buildings. Upstanding such walls can have vertical and horizontal strengths sufficient to be used in place of concrete, as an engineered solution, both above grade and below-grade, including in severe weather conditions. Panels effectively have inner and outer layers, and structurally reinforcing members. Structurally-reinforcing members extend, typically as layer and/or stud, the full height of the wall panel, at spaced locations along the length of the panel. Spaces between the structurally reinforcing members are optionally filled with rigid thermally insulating foam. Optional reinforcing studs are attached to, or overlaid by, the inner layer, and extend inwardly into the building from what is otherwise the inner surface of the building panel. Panels can be made by e.g. assembling pre-fabricated blocks and/or webs, by evacuating a mold, and by pultrusion.

Abstract: The invention provides for a controller such as a thermostat for an HVAC system comprising a housing having a circuit board and a display screen, the display screen having at least one alpha-numeric icon and a group of input control areas. A microprocessor is provided for controlling the display screen. Buttons are pressed in order to program set-points of the thermostat so that seven days may be programmed simultaneously. The display includes a seven day icon so that the user can program the thermostat set-points rapidly (e.g. setting time and temperature settings with minimal steps).

Abstract: A single-aperture, multi-axial transceiver is provided that is particularly useful in a LIDAR system for detecting low velocities at increased ranges. The system is particularly useful in systems that measure very low velocities and very short distances as well as to provide an operating range of hundreds of meters. The transceiver uses closely spaced waveguides placed near the focal point of a single objective to form input and detector apertures.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, systems, apparatuses, methods and techniques for converting a discrete-time quantized signal into a continuous-time, continuously variable signal. An exemplary converter preferably includes: (1) multiple oversampling converters, each processing a different frequency band, operated in parallel; (2) multirate (i.e., polyphase) delta-sigma modulators (preferably second-order or higher); (3) multi-bit quantizers; (4) multi-bit-to-variable-level signal converters, such as resistor ladder networks or current source networks; (5) adaptive non-linear, bit-mapping to compensate for mismatches in the multi-bit-to-variable-level signal converters (e.g., by mimicking such mismatches and then shifting the resulting noise to a frequently range where it will be filtered out by a corresponding bandpass (reconstruction) filter); (6) multi-band (e.g.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for room activity communication. In one embodiment, a tray sensing device detects the presence of a tray in a given location and forwards the information to a room controller. The tray can be a conventional tray for supporting food articles or can be supported or integral with a food cart. The system also includes a door lock/tag controller for monitoring door lock and door tag information. Information from the tray sensing device, door lock/tag controller is communicated to a room controller. The room controller of each room can include a wireless network to the tray controller and/or door lock/tag controller. The room controller can also monitor information of the room such as, for example, temperature, humidity and light intensity information, and receive information regarding room activities, such as, for example, room service ordering and status, housekeeping, minibar, phone messages and checkout routine.

Abstract: A data center equipment location system includes both hardware and software to provide for location, monitoring, security and identification of servers and other equipment in equipment racks. The system provides a wired alternative to the wireless RFID tag system by using electronic ID tags connected to each piece of equipment, each electronic ID tag connected directly by wires to a equipment rack controller on the equipment rack. The equipment rack controllers then link over a local area network to a central control computer. The central control computer provides an operator interface, and runs a software application program that communicates with the equipment rack controllers. The software application program of the central control computer stores IDs of the equipment rack controllers and each of its connected electronic ID tags in a database.

Abstract: A low-cost training and synthetic visualization system and method directed to improving an individual's airborne performance in general aviation, skydiving, and other aerial applications. The system is comprised of a self-contained mobile sensor and data storage device for recording the travel path, orientation, and forces acting upon an object as it moves through space, a desktop graphics software program for creating a playback of the recorded data on a three-dimensional representation of the environment through which the object moved, a means of linking the sensor and data storage device to the software program for the purpose of exchanging information, and a centralized data storage and retrieval system designed to accept, assimilate and redistribute the recorded data.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing open-ended objects such as pharmaceutical vials includes: a housing having an internal cavity configured to house open-ended objects, the housing including a guide and a floor; a pick-up unit mounted to the housing, the pick-up unit including an endless member and at least one pick-up member attached to the endless member; and a drive unit. The endless member engages the drive unit and the guide for movement relative thereto. As the drive unit drives the endless member, the at least one pick-up member travels on a pick-up path, at least a portion of which is within the housing.

Abstract: An air management system that allows safe and convenient forms of interval training exercise to be performed on pneumatically elevating rebound exercise equipment. The system includes at least one air intake valve and bleed valve. By providing repeatable degrees of difficulty for both air intake and air release from the extendable air springs employed for the exercise, competitive athletes and their coaches can design, employ, repeat, and compare individualized medium- or high-intensity interval protocols for optimal cardiovascular training programs.

Abstract: A dynamic vertebral stabilization device for constraining motion of adjacent vertebrae is provided. The bone stabilization device comprises a first plate having a vertebral mating surface for positioning against a vertebrae, wherein the first plate defines a recess. The device further comprises a second plate having a vertebral mating surface for positioning against an adjacent vertebrae. The second plate includes a projection configured to travel in the recess of the first plate. The vertebral mating surface of the first plate is non-coplanar with respect to the vertebral mating surface of the second plate.

Abstract: The invention provides a medical device having a thermostat for temperature measurement, irrigation/aspiration ports for fluid exchange and application of therapeutic modalities, a pressure manometer for pressure measurement, and an external system for control of temperature, pressure, and flow rate. When applied to the eye, eyelid and orbit, this device can be used in hypothermia or hyperthermia applications, the control of intraocular pressure (IOP), and the application of treatment modalities. Methods of using the device in treating patients suffering from central retinal artery occlusion, anterior optic nerve disease, pathology of the choroid and retina including the macula, inflammation of the eye including the vitreous and anterior segment, glaucoma, inflammation and/or infections of the anterior and/or posterior segment of the eye, treatment before/during/after surgery of the eye, and the application of treatment modalities including iontophoresis through a semi-permeable membrane are described.

Abstract: An optical-fiber-network (OFN) radio-frequency identification (RFID) system for deploying and/or maintaining and/or provisioning service and/or locating faults in an OFN. The system includes a plurality of OFN components, and at least one RFID tag that includes RFID tag data that has at least one property of the OFN component associated with the RFID tag. The RFID tag data is written to and read from the RFID tags using one or more mobile RFID readers either prior to, during or after deploying the OFN components. An OFN-component-data database unit is used to store and process the RFID tag data and is automatically updated by the one or more mobile RFID readers. This allows for different maps of the OFN to be made, such as an inventory map and a maintenance map, and for the maps to be automatically updated. The OFN-RFID system allows for mobile automated operations and management of OFN components by service personnel, and provides for faster and more accurate OFN system deployment and maintenance.

Abstract: A surgical tool includes a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The surgical tool has a fastener engagement tip having a spring extension extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the surgical tool. The spring extension is resiliently flexible and deflectable between a first arrangement, in which the spring extension is in a relaxed state, and a second arrangement, in which the spring extension is deflected to facilitate insertion of the fastener engagement tip into a fastener slot.