Abstract: A stent deployment device (1) over which a stent (2) is securable for the purpose of delivery into an operative position in a human body is provided. The device comprises a plurality of elongate wings (16), each of which has a length consistent with the length of a stent to be deployed using the deployment device, the wings being arranged circumferentially about a central body (10) which extends from, and is operable through, a catheter (14). The wings are movable between a radially withdrawn delivery position and expanded positions in which they are displaced radially outwards of the body. A flow path (105) is defined internally of the wings in the expanded positions thereof and a temporary valve (68) is provided in such flow path to permit the flow of blood though the flow path predominantly in one direction. An inflatable annular balloon (80) is preferably provided over the wings to cause final expansion of the stent.

Abstract: This invention provides devices and methods for insertion of a catheter into a vessel. The devices include coaxial slidably mounted needle, dilator and catheter components. The methods include piercing a vessel with the needle component, dilating the pierced hole with the dilator component, retraction of the needle component, insertion of the catheter and withdrawal of the dilator.

Abstract: Techniques are described for incorporating distribution network analysis in the demand response scheduling process. In one example, a method includes receiving demand response (DR) request from a DR initiator, transmitting the DR request to an aggregator, for each customer, receiving customer location information and a customer DR value from the aggregator, aggregating DR at a distribution transformer in a distribution system, determining if there are any violations in the distribution system, determining an aggregated DR value for each electric node affected by the DR request, and transmitting each determined DR value to the DR initiator.

Abstract: An apparatus, circuit and method for operating a solenoid-actuated electromechanical door latching mechanism that includes a capacitor to meet the power surge requirements needed to move a door latching mechanism. A power supply at one end of a transmission line is coupled with a capacitor adjacent the solenoid at the other end of the transmission line to reduce the need for a larger capacity power, heavy gauge transmission lines and increases the distance at which a power supply may be located from a door latching device.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions, methods, devices and kits relating to the infusion of a catheter lock solution into an indwelling catheter. Inventive compositions, methods, devices and kits aid in diminishing the effects of microbial infection in catheters and occlusion of the catheters. A lock solution provided by the invention includes citrate and a paraben. The solution preferably has a density suitable for retention of the solution in a catheter during the lock period. Another lock solution provided by the invention includes citrate, a paraben and a photo-oxidant, such as, for example, methylene blue.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions, methods, devices and kits relating to the infusion of a catheter lock solution into an indwelling catheter. Inventive compositions, methods, devices and kits aid in diminishing the effects of microbial infection in catheters and occlusion of the catheters. A lock solution provided by the invention includes citrate and a paraben. The solution preferably has a density suitable for retention of the solution in a catheter during the lock period. Another lock solution provided by the invention includes citrate, a paraben and a photo-oxidant, such as, for example, methylene blue.

Abstract: An electrically-operable strike for locking and unlocking doors. The strike is mounted on a face plate which in turn is mounted on a door jamb. The face plate is provided with mounting apertures which receive adjustment inserts each having an offset aperture for a mounting screw for mounting the strike on the face plate. The face plate also has a tongue extending distally from a lip and a break-off portion at the distal end of the tongue. The strike is first mounted with the offset apertures in a distal position. If the strike does not function properly due to preload, the strike is remounted with the offset apertures in a proximal position and the break-off portion is removed.

Abstract: Use of a control unit with PCI bus and SCSI bus with program equipment for the electronic semiconductor disk of a computing system. The electronic semiconductor disk includes a processor and semiconductor memory, selected from a group comprising dynamic memory, synchronous dynamic memory, static memory and flash type memory. A computing system with electronic semiconductor disk with processor, where this processor is connected by a PCI bus to a PCI adapter, which is linked through the PCI bus to a semiconductor memory, connected by the local bus to a processor. The PCI adapter comprises a unit of the programmable SCSI control unit, connected both to the interface of the PCI bus for communicating with the electronic semiconductor disk, and to the interface of the SCSI bus for communicating with the external computing system with the SCSI control unit.

Abstract: This invention provides devices and methods for insertion of a catheter into a vessel. The devices include coaxial slidably mounted needle, dilator and catheter components. The methods include piercing a vessel with the needle component, dilating the pierced hole with the dilator component, retraction of the needle component, insertion of the catheter and withdrawal of the dilator.

Abstract: A method of two-way authentication between a user and a known host using a non-disclosing password entry system generates a matrix of characters having a random characteristic with random characteristics being selected from a set of custom symbols, pictures or patterns (rather than alpha-numeric characters) that only the user recognizes. When the user sets up an account with the known host, a subset of these characteristics is predetermined for use specifically by the user. One or more of these may additionally be used in the user's PIN or password for easy memorization, allowing the user to first authenticate the log-in screen before the user enters the PIN for user authentication to the known host. Alternatively, randomized alpha-numeric characters may be used, but with a predefined grouping or subset of the characters in a predefined position on the initial character matrix presentation.

Abstract: A non-disclosing password entry method is achieved by displaying an ordered arrangement or matrix of characters such that an authorized user's password is predetermined from a subset of these characters. The characters in the display are associated with a randomly ordered set of patterns or colors as, for example, the character background in the display. Additionally there is provided a means for selecting each type of pattern or color. Rather than entering the password directly, the authorized user is authenticated by noting the background pattern or color associated with the first character of the password and then selecting that pattern or color. The process is repeated with each password character in sequence until all the characters have been selected. The authorized user is authenticated by verifying that the selected backgrounds are correct for each of the characters of the password.

Abstract: A system for detecting communication signals between two processing devices may include an interposer unit that comprises an active signal conditioning module to condition and convey portions of signals (e.g., 5 GHz or above) to a receiver, such as a measurement instrument. In an illustrative example, the interposer unit may convey high speed signals between a device under test (DUT) and a motherboard designed to operate with the DUT. A measurement instrument, such as a protocol analyzer, for example, may monitor signals on the interposer unit through a flexible transmission line (e.g., flex circuit) extending between the measurement instrument and the interposer unit. In various embodiments, active signal conditioning on the flexible transmission line may substantially mitigate degradation of the portion of the signals conveyed from the interposer unit to the instrument.

Abstract: A device configuration development system uses a common configuration and management database for the development of configuration and management data. A device management system for set of devices is provided from the common and management data for the management and configuration of a set of devices. Each device in the set of devices is also provided with a subset of management and configuration data related to the device.

Abstract: A pivotable suspension element includes a support member having a part-spherical bearing surface clamp element and a body portion, the body portion having an integral formation of a slot to receive a part of a component to which the pivotable suspension element may be secured; a locator formation for the clamp element whereby, in use, the clamp element may be operated to clamp a flange in the slot; a part-spherical seat, and a through-passage extending through the body from the part-spherical seat, wherein the curvature of the part-spherical seat of the body portion corresponds substantially with that of the bearing surface of the support member and wherein the cross-sectional size of the through-passage increases in a direction away from the part-spherical seat.

Abstract: A method of selecting key-frames (230) from a video sequence (210, 215) by comparing each frame in the video sequence with respect to its preceding and subsequent key-frames for redundancy where the comparison involves region and motion analysis. The video sequence is optionally pre-processed to detect graphic overlay. The key-frame set is optionally post-processed (250) to optimize the resulting set for face or other object recognition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selecting and recording multi-directional communication packet traffic in a compact manner in realtime while maintaining relative time between the selected packets passing in one direction and the selected packets passing in another direction. The apparatus includes a protocol interface, a block datapath, a record resource, and a trace merge memory. The protocol interface receives X and Y channel packets with interspersed idle times, segments the packets into time-aligned X and Y blocks, and eliminates idle times. The block datapath merges the X and Y blocks, then filters unneeded X and Y channel packets by purging the X and Y blocks from those packets. The record resource compares patterns for identifying the unneeded packets and trigger events. The trace merge memory records the time-aligned filtered merged block stream in a compact form for later analysis.

Abstract: A counter-balance weight for a modular safety rail comprises a substantially solid body which defines a passage to receive an end of an elongate spacer member, a recess region to house a retainer of a kind selectively securable to the elongate spacer member, an access opening for access to the retainer, and a retainer abutment to inhibit movement of the retainer in an axial direction which is parallel with the length direction of the elongate member.

Abstract: A surface mounted electric strike which can be installed on a door jamb without cutting the door jamb. The strike employs a simplified locking mechanism whereby two latches are releasably engaged by a single yoke. An electrical solenoid actuates a cam which directly actuates the yoke. The strike can operate in a fail safe mode or a fail secure mode.

Abstract: This invention relates to an infusion device for a catheter lock solution, to a method of enhancing the patency of catheters in animals and to a catheter lock solution. The device includes a syringe (34) containing a lock solution comprising a citrate salt. The method for enhancing the patency of catheters includes infusing a lumen (14, 16) of an indwelling catheter (10) with a lock solution comprising a citrate salt. In one aspect of the invention, the catheter lock solution includes a citrate salt and a viscosifying agent. The lock solution is prepared to have sufficient viscosity and density to remain in the lumen for a desired amount of time.

Abstract: A pivotable suspension element includes a support member having a part-spherical bearing surface clamp element and a body portion, the body portion having an integral formation of a slot to receive a part of a component to which the pivotable suspension element may be secured; a locator formation for the clamp element whereby, in use, the clamp element may be operated to clamp a flange in the slot; a part-spherical seat, and a through-passage extending through the body from the part-spherical seat, wherein the curvature of the part-spherical seat of the body portion corresponds substantially with that of the bearing surface of the support member and wherein the cross-sectional size of the through-passage increases in a direction away from the part-spherical seat.