Abstract: Sample containers and methods for employing the same in in-vitro nuclear magnetic resonance measurements are provided. The sample containers are made of a material that comprises one or more polymeric materials.

Abstract: A system comprising a wireless earphone set and a client computing device, both of which are communicable with a host server via the Internet. The host server stores configuration parameters for the wireless earphone set that are transmittable to the wireless earphone set via the Internet, and that are configurable by an authenticated user of the client computing device via the host server to generate updated configuration parameters for the wireless earphone set. The updated configuration parameters for the wireless earphone set are transmitted by the host server to the wireless earphone set via the Internet.

Abstract: Nuclear magnetic resonance systems and methods of use thereof are provided. The systems employ implantable radiofrequency coils (105) and optionally implantable magnets (101). The systems can employ weak permanent magnets and/or permanent magnets that provide magnetic fields that are much less homogeneous than in conventional systems. This allows, for example, for inexpensive and simple probeheads for nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry with suitable biosensors. The methods of the present invention allow in-vivo magnetic resonance measurements and, in particular, monitoring of analytes and determination of medical diagnostic information, for example, based on determined magnetic resonance parameters.

Abstract: A system comprising a wireless network adapter and a pair of earphone. The wireless network adapter is external to a digital audio player and configured to connect to the digital audio player via an audio jack of the digital audio player. The wireless network adapter is for encoding analog audio received from the digital audio player into digital format and wirelessly transmitting the digitally-formatted audio. The pair of earphones is in direct wireless communication with the wireless network adapter and are configured to be worn simultaneously by a user. Each earphone in the pair of earphones comprises: (i) a transceiver that is for receiving the digitally-formatted audio from the wireless network adapter via the wireless network, and converting the digitally-formatted audio received via the wireless network to analog audio signals; and (ii) at least one acoustic transducer connected to the transceiver, wherein the at least one acoustic transducer is for outputting the analog audio signals.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing cutlery may include a housing configured to contain a plurality of utensils for dispensing, a dispensing mechanism comprising at least one pair of indexing members configured to separate a utensil from a stack of utensils, and a receptacle configured to receive the utensil separated from the stack of utensils. A dispensing mechanism may alternatively include a plurality of linked members configured to separate a utensil from a stack of utensils.

Abstract: A wireless earphone that comprises a transceiver circuit for receiving streaming audio from a data source over a local ad hoc wireless network. When the data source and the earphone are out of range, they transition automatically to an infrastructure wireless network. If there is no common infrastructure wireless network for both the data source and the speakerphone set, the earphone connects to a host server via an available wireless network.

Abstract: An automatic product dispenser determines if the roll loaded into the dispenser is approved for use with the dispenser. The core of a roll receives a plug that engages a hub within the dispenser. The plug has a feature that alters an electromagnetic field created proximate the hub. The alteration of the electromagnetic field may then be used to determine if the plug, and thus the roll, is usable with the dispenser.

Abstract: The invention relates to detecting coagulation and coagulation-related activities including agglutination and fibrinolysis of samples. More particularly the invention relates to methods and apparatus for monitoring coagulation and/or obtaining a coagulation time of a sample using NMR-based detectors.

Abstract: A system and method for performing hand hygiene compliance. The method includes receiving a notification that an individual has entered a physical location. The notification is received by a node in a wireless mesh network that includes a plurality of nodes corresponding to objects in the physical location. A hand hygiene protocol is identified for the individual. It is determined that the individual has not followed the hand hygiene protocol. The determining is performed by software executing on the nodes in the wireless mesh network and responsive to a previous and a current location of the individual relative to the objects in the physical location. The individual is notified in response to determining that the individual has not followed the hand hygiene protocol.

Abstract: A wireless earphone that comprises a transceiver circuit for receiving streaming audio from a data source over a local ad hoc wireless network. When the data source and the earphone are out of range, they transition automatically to an infrastructure wireless network. If there is no common infrastructure wireless network for both the data source and the speakerphone set, the earphone connects to a host server via an available wireless network.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a process for producing machine readable contextual diagnostic information and use of contextual diagnostic information for generating tangible and useful results. The process provides the highest level of integration of diagnostic information collected in a distributed or centralized system comprising diagnostic devices and a global computer network. More particularly, in certain embodiments, contextual diagnostic information are used in specific diagnostic related applications and business models including ecommerce.

Abstract: Small and inexpensive probeheads for use in nuclear magnetic resonance systems, in particular, magnetic resonance relaxometry systems are provided. The design of the magnet-radiofrequency coil configurations within the probeheads is guided by an excitation bandwidth associated with radiofrequency pulses to be applied to a sample.

Abstract: Sample containers and methods for employing the same in in-vitro nuclear magnetic resonance measurements are provided. The sample containers are made of a material that comprises one or more polymeric materials.

Abstract: A method for reducing false detects may include emitting an infrared light beam from a primary emitter to a primary monitor detector, measuring a first voltage value using a primary receive detector and setting a primary smoke alarm flag corresponding to a primary channel if the first voltage value is above a first threshold value. The method may also include measuring a second voltage value using a secondary receive detector, setting a secondary smoke alarm flag corresponding to a secondary channel if the second voltage value is above a second threshold value and setting an alarm indicating a smoke condition if the primary smoke alarm flag and the secondary smoke alarm flag are set.

Abstract: A flat roof drainage system is disclosed which utilizes a low point column head which allows the roof to be drained at the center of a structural member located at the low point of the roof. More specifically, the low point column head is a structural extension of a building column and is adapted to permit the attachment of support beams at the column head as well as the placement of a roof drain at the center of the column head so that the roof drain can be place directly at the lowest area of the roof to eliminate standing water.

Abstract: A processing chamber for depositing and/or removing material onto/from a semiconductor wafer when the wafer is subjected to an electrolyte and in an electric field. A hollow sleeve is utilized to form a containment chamber for holding the electrolyte. A wafer residing on a support is moved vertically upward to engage the sleeve to form an enclosing floor for the containment chamber. One electrode is disposed within the containment chamber while the opposite electrode is comprised of several electrodes distributed around the circumference of the wafer. The electrodes are also protected from the electrolyte when the support is raised and engaged to the sleeve. In one embodiment, the support and the sleeve are stationary during processing, while in another embodiment, both are rotated or oscillated during processing.

Abstract: A contactor for degassing liquids includes a perforated core, a plurality of microporous hollow fibers, and a shell. The fibers surround the core and have two ends. A tube sheet affixes the ends of the fibers. A baffle is located between the tube sheets. The hollow fibers are closed at the baffle. The shell encloses the fibers, tube sheets, and the baffle. The system for degassing liquids includes a source of liquid containing a gas, a source of vacuum, and the contactor.

Abstract: A plating system (10) for plating a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer (116) in an electrolytic tank (12). A fixture wheel (14) is mounted within the electrolytic tank to rotate about a first axis (140). The fixture wheel receives the semiconductor wafer and supplies electrical current to the perimeter edge of the wafer. A fixture wheel drive motor (90) drives rotation of the fixture wheel about the first axis. An anode assembly (18) is mounted in the tank spaced from and facing towards the fixture wheel and received semiconductor wafer. The anode assembly carries first and second anodes (72) which are supplied with electrical current. A second motor (142) causes reciprocation of the anode assembly transversely in front of the rotating fixture wheel for improved uniformity in plating thickness and composition.

Abstract: An apparatus for aiding in welding a pipe structure is provided. The apparatus includes first and second expandable spaced apart seals adapted to be positioned in the pipe structure and on opposed sides of a region subjected to a welding process. Each of the spaced apart seals has a circular exterior surface selectively expandable to contact and form a seal with an interior surface of the piping structure, and a circular inner surface. A light-transmitting tubular shield support extends between the first and second seals and mates with the circular inner surfaces to position the first and second seals in spaced relationship with each other. An optical device has a selectable field of view supported within the interior of the tubular support, and is rotatable about the major axis of the tubular support for producing an image of the portion of the inner surface of the piping structure that is within the field of view of the optical device.

Abstract: A self-tuning mode locked semi-conductor laser automatically adjusts itself to produce short (less than 200 ps and preferably less than 50 ps) stable optical pulses. Tuning is achieved by means of a feedback loop which includes a spectrum analyzer (18) which receives a small amount of the optical output of the laser and monitors the spectral wavelength, spectral width or spectral shape of the output. A controller (19) is connected to said analyzer and produces a control signal based on said spectral information. The control signal causes adjustment of one or more parameters influencing operation of said laser, such as frequency or power of an RF drive signal, level of dc bias, cavity length, for example, in order to produce said short stable pulses.