Abstract: A device (10) for stretching the foreskin of a subject is disclosed. The device has a body (10) having a passage (14) that extends through the body (10) to a distal end (18). The distal end (18) is adapted to receive a balloon (B). Fluid may be introduced through the passage (14) to cause the balloon (B) to expand. A flow regulating member (20) is positioned across the passage (14) to selectively close the passage (14) to fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for treating and delivering medicinal formulations using an inhaler. The composition includes a space filled flocculated suspension having one or more flocculated particles of one or more active agents and a hydrofluoroalkane propellant. A portion of the one or more flocculated particles is templated by the formation of hydrofluoroalkane droplets upon atomization and the templated floc compacts upon the evaporation of the hydrofluoroalkane propellant to form a porous particle for deep lung delivery.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an interactive virtual environment is disclosed. The apparatus comprises means for defining a virtual environment populated by objects, the objects comprising at least avatars and props, objects within the virtual environment may be dynamically attached to and detached from other objects under user control. A prop has associated with it an animation for use when an avatar interacts with the prop, and when the prop is attached to another object the animation remains associated with the prop. When an object is attached to another object, it may inherit the movement of the object to which it is attached.

Abstract: A collapsible access tower has a chassis 10 supporting a pair of road wheels 11 and outriggers 16,17 to impart stability when in use, and a pair of extensible multi-section columns 26,50 carrying a platform 35. A section 27 of one column 26 is rigidly connected to the chassis and another section 33 of that column to the platform 35. The other column is configured as an extendible ladder 50 one section 51 of which is hinged to the chassis 10 and another section 52 of which is hinged to the platform 35. When the platform is in its lowermost setting, the hinged connections of the two sections 51,52 of the ladder 50 are co-axial so that the ladder may be pivoted to a transit setting. A winch arrangement 39 is associated with column 26 to allow raising and lowering of the platform 35.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of tissue engineering and more particularly to a method for generating tissue suitable for use in tissue replacement and/or tissue rejuvenation therapy and/or as a source of cell-derived therapeutic or diagnostic agents including proteins and hormones. Even more particularly, the present invention contemplates the use of cell fusion techniques involving single cell, mini-bulk or macro-bulk cell fusion to generate tissue or cells useful for tissue replacement and/or tissue rejuvenation therapy or a range of organs or areas of the body. The resulting tissue or cells may also secrete or generate a range of cytokines, enzymes, hormones and the like which have improved or more efficacious properties relative to analogous molecules produced from non-fused cells. The present invention further provides an apparatus having aspects controlled by data processing means which facilitates the fusion of a pair of cells.

Abstract: A support structure (1) is provided comprising a plurality of curved surfaces A, B hingedly interconnected along their edges such as to provide effective deployment in two separate stages. Preferably, the structure has only two curved surfaces hingedly interconnected at a single non-planar hinge line. In FIG. 1 (a), the two sheets A, B are coplanar in that they lie in the same horizontal plane, permitting the structure to be in a flat, first stage deployment position. In Figure (b), the structure is fully deployed in a second stage deployment position by bringing sheet A out of plane through some angle in relation to the position of sheet B, resulting in both sheets becoming curved. The structure has utility in various space-based as well as terrestrial reflective and absorbing applications, and bears definite advantage in terms of weight saving, high stiffness and well-defined surface precision.

Abstract: A passive focus device including a support rod, an optical assembly translatably mounted on the support rod, and a sealed drive assembly containing a substance that physically changes in response to a temperature change, wherein the drive assembly is configured to move the optical assembly along the support rod based on a physical change of the substance.

Abstract: A passive focus device including a support rod, an optical assembly translatably mounted on the support rod, and a sealed drive assembly containing a substance that physically changes in response to a temperature change, wherein the drive assembly is configured to move the optical assembly along the support rod based on a physical change of the substance.

Abstract: A current sensor assembly includes a plurality of symmetric current conductors that pass asymmetrically through an opening in a toroidal core having a sensing winding wound on the core. A blade is connected to each end of the conductors. Each of the conductors has the general shape of a “V” as viewed along a central axis passing through the opening in the toroidal core.

Abstract: A current sensor assembly includes a plurality of symmetric current conductors that pass asymmetrically through the sensor assembly. A blade is connected to each end of the conductors. The conductors have a diagonal symmetry and have the general shape of a “V” as viewed from the top of the sensor assembly. The conductors pass through an opening located at the center of the current sensor.

Abstract: Dryer-activated fabric softening articles having improved spun-bonded polyester substrates having improved feel characteristics and increased thickness as compared to conventional polyester substrates and/or feel characteristics that are not significantly different from conventional rayon substrates, after use in an automatic clothes dryer, said articles comprising: at least about 5% fabric conditioning composition comprising fabric conditioning active; and a polyester non-woven fabric substrate prepared from a polyester fiber having a denier of from greater than 4 to about 8; having a basis weight of from about 0.51 oz/yd.sup.2 to about 0.56 oz/yd.sup.2 ; a thickness of from about 0.16 mm to about 0.22 mm; belt fuzz of from about 1.8 to about 4.2; jet fuzz of from about 3.0 to about 5.0; a modulus of elasticity in machine direction and cross direction, of from about 1.5 to 4.

Abstract: Dryer-activated fabric softening articles having improved spun-bonded polyester substrates having improved feel characteristics and increased thickness as compared to conventional polyester substrates and/or feel characteristics that are not significantly different from conventional rayon substrates, after use in an automatic clothes dryer, said articles comprising:(A) at least about 5% fabric conditioning composition comprising fabric conditioning active; and(B) a polyester non-woven fabric substrate prepared from a polyester fiber having a denier of from 5 to about 8, preferably from 5 to about 7, and more preferably about 6, said substrate having a basis weight of from about 0.53 oz/yd.sup.2 to about 0.59 oz/yd.sup.2, a thickness of from about 0.16 mm to about 0.23 mm, and, preferably, a tear strength of at least about 3 lbs/in.sup.2, preferably from about 4 to about 7 lbs/in.sup.2 in the cross direction and from about 3.1 to about 6 lbs/in.sup.

Abstract: A heater controller for an atomic frequency standard provides accurate and stable temperature control for an assembly, such as a lamp assembly, by regulating a current flow through a heating device so as to maintain a substantially constant heating power output during start-up and by reducing the DC temperature errors of the system during normal operation. The heater controller includes an integrating amplifier which generates an amplified temperature signal based on the temperature of the lamp assembly. The heater controller further includes a device for receiving the amplified signal from the integrating amplifier and establishing a control voltage having an upper limit based on a voltage of the heater power supply.

Abstract: An improved efficiency flow enhancement method and system is provided for a duct system downstream of blading in a turbomachine, the system comprising the blading, a duct leading from the blading, two or more passages defined at least in part by partitions which take flow from within the duct, or from across its outlet, or from within four duct widths downstream of its outlet, the partitions defining at least partially separated flow passages intended for flows leaving the expanding duct of generally different mechanical energy, one or more zones of significant pressure drop for the flows of higher energy, one or more passages of comparatively less pressure drop for the passages with flows of lower mechanical energy, one or more zones where the flows are rejoined, and an outlet.

Abstract: An improved efficiency flow enhancement method and system is provided for a duct system downstream of blading in a turbomachine, the system comprising the blading, a duct leading from the blading, two or more passages defined at least in part by partitions which take flow from within the duct, or from across its outlet, or from within four duct widths downstream of its outlet, the partitions defining at least partially separated flow passages intended for flows leaving the expanding duct of generally different mechanical energy, one or more zones of significant pressure drop for the flows of higher energy, one or more passages of comparatively less pressure drop for the passages with flows of lower mechanical energy, one or more zones where the flows are rejoined, and an outlet.

Abstract: An improved efficiency flow enhancement method and system is provided for a duct system downstream of blading in a turbomachine, the system comprising the blading, a duct leading from the blading, two or more passages defined at least in part by partitions which take flow from within the duct, or from across its outlet, or from within four duct widths downstream of its outlet, the partitions defining at least partially separated flow passages intended for flows leaving the expanding duct of generally different mechanical energy, one or more zones of significant pressure drop for the flows of higher energy, one or more passages of comparatively less pressure drop for the passages with flows of lower mechanical energy, one or more zones where the flows are rejoined, and an outlet.