Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the electrical impedance of a tissue sample comprises a probe and a sheath comprising an elongated tubular body having one closed end and one open end providing an internal cavity. The sheath is composed of a material which when contacted with a tissue sample is capable of providing a conductive path through the sheath between the electrodes and the tissue sample. The resistivity of the material forming the sheath when contacted with the tissue sample is greater than the resistivity of the tissue sample. The probe is received within the internal cavity of the sheath. The sheath is impervious to bacteria and viruses.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a probe for measuring the impedance of human or animal body tissue has been placed over a boundary between different tissue types is described. The probe used in the method comprises at least a first (16), a second (22), a third (18) and a fourth (20) electrode arranged such that the third (18) and fourth (20) electrodes are each located substantially the same distance from both the first (16) and second (22) electrodes. The method comprises: driving a current between the first (16) and the second (22) electrodes; measuring a first value of an electrical parameter between the third (18) and the fourth (20) electrode; and determining whether the probe has been placed over a boundary between different tissue types based on the first value. A probe for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a probe for measuring the impedance of human or animal body tissue has been placed over a boundary between different tissue types is described. The probe used in the method comprises at least a first (16), a second (22), a third (18) and a fourth (20) electrode arranged such that the third (18) and fourth (20) electrodes are each located substantially the same distance from both the first (16) and second (22) electrodes. The method comprises: driving a current between the first (16) and the second (22) electrodes; measuring a first value of an electrical parameter between the third (18) and the fourth (20) electrode; and determining whether the probe has been placed over a boundary between different tissue types based on the first value. A probe for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the electrical impedance of a tissue sample comprises a probe and a sheath comprising an elongated tubular body having one closed end and one open end providing an internal cavity. The sheath is composed of a material which when contacted with a tissue sample is capable of providing a conductive path through the sheath between the electrodes and the tissue sample. The resistivity of the material forming the sheath when contacted with the tissue sample is greater than the resistivity of the tissue sample. The probe is received within the internal cavity of the sheath. The sheath is impervious to bacteria and viruses.

Abstract: Temperature regulating system for use in fluid ejection devices, such as inkjet printing devices, are provided. Such temperature regulating systems can include an ink reservoir, a printhead and optionally an intermediate ink container. Exchange of ink between the ink reservoir, or optionally the intermediate ink container, and the printhead regulates the temperature of the printhead and makes the temperature substantially uniform from drop ejector to drop ejector. Optionally, the ink is transported in a fluid communication path that is in contact with a thermally conductive substrate to further dissipate heat. Printing devices comprising such inkjet cartridges are also provided.

Abstract: A method for joining fluid containers and fluid ejectors in a fluid ejecting device are provided. The fluid container includes one or more heat stakes and a substrate includes one or more apertures for receiving the heat stakes and one or more three-dimensional features in the vicinity of the one or more apertures. The fluid ejector and optionally an elastic member are interposed between the fluid container and the substrate. Thermal energy is applied to the one or more heat stakes so that the one or more heat stakes soften to occupy the apertures and three-dimensional features of the substrate and pressure is applied to maintain contact between the fluid container, elastic member, fluid ejector and substrate. The present invention is also directed to substrate including one or more apertures for receiving heat stakes and one or more three-dimensional features in the vicinity of the one or more apertures.

Abstract: A fluid container, such as, for example, an inkjet print head cartridge, architecture uses a relatively large filter that is located below a negative pressure material chamber and a free ink chamber in a side-by-side relationship. The negative pressure material volume relative to a free ink chamber value can me made to be approximately one to one. Both chambers overlie an ink manifold/delivery port and are separated from the delivery port by a filter. Flow impedance of the cartridge is reduced, as a result, in any orientation of the cartridge. The filter may be separated from, or in contact with a negative pressure material. A cartridge lid is provided with a negative pressure material chamber which is suspended into the cartridge. A negative pressure material having a fiber felt construction is provided.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a printer includes an endless loop drive path and guide structure that allows a printhead to operate in either reciprocal or endless loop modes in which the printed traverse both a liner and an arcuate portion of the drive path. This provides a printer architecture in which a printhead may be endlessly driven at a constant speed in one direction to provide multiple print swaths separated spatially. This eliminates the need for decleration/acceleration changes required in reciprocal printer architectures and is capable of increased throughput by defining arcuate turnaround zones that can be traversed by the printhead faster than the time it takes to slow, stop and reverse a conentional reciprocal printhead assembly. This robust printer architecture also allows flexibliity in use of multiple printheads with simultaneous printing, simultanouse both side printing, and duplex capabilities.

Abstract: A refillable fluid container system having a communication channel between the manifold and fluid reservoir that allows air to vent from the manifold to an air accumulation area with in the fluid resevoir.

Abstract: A refillable fluid reservoir for a fluid ejection head, including a fluid reservoir having top, bottom and side walls defining an interior volume for having fluid; a venting port provided on one of the reservoir walls; and a fluid inlet port provided on one of the reservoir walls, the venting port and the fluid inlet port being located at substantially the same vertical level to increase volumetric efficiency and reduce staining.

Abstract: A refill junction for a fluid container including an exterior surface; a retaining clip having an outer face and an inner face, at least one of the exterior surface and the inner face including at least one capillary.

Abstract: A refillable fluid container system having a pressure control architecture in which persistent air bubbles are released from a capillary or foam fluid reservoir and are directed from an optical level sensing system in a liquid fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A mechanism for sealing a cover to a container for storing ink in an inkjet cartridge is provided. The mechanism includes a container for storing ink, a cover and a gasket. The cover fits over the container and the gasket is interposed between an inside edge of the cover and an outside edge of the container. Inkjet cartridges and printing apparatuses employing such mechanisms are also provided.

Abstract: A controller for a fluid ejecting system having a refillable container includes an ejection count initializing circuit, routine or application, a count incrementing circuit, routine or application, at least one fluid level indicator, and a fluid quantity circuit, routine or application for determining an expended quantity of fluid, a fluid reserve capacity circuit, routine or application for determining a fluid reserve capacity in the container, an ejection job determining circuit, routine or application for determining a fluid job requirement, a reserve comparing circuit, routine or application to compare the fluid reserve capacity and the fluid job requirement, and a refill condition determining circuit, routine or application to determine that the container is to be refilled. Counts for a ejection amount and a reserve capacity are incremented in response to a specific amount of fluid being ejected from the container.

Abstract: A fluid ejection container system provides a first container that contains the fluid, the first container being evacuated to negative gauge pressure when being filled with the fluid, a second container having a capillary medium that contains the fluid, a passage between the first and second containers communicating the fluid at a level wherein the passage is wetted with the fluid, a ventilation port to communicate air between an interior region in the fluid ejection system and ambient, at least one spill over region to communicate the fluid with the second container, and a plurality of channels to communicate at least the air between the interior region and the second container; wherein the at least one spill over region has sufficient volume to contain a quantity of the fluid that migrates out of the second container. The fluid ejection container system also provides a lid for sealing the first and second containers from the ambient, wherein the channels are disposed on the lid.

Abstract: A system, method and structures for dissipating heat away from a thermal fluid ejector modules through a thermally-conductive carriage molded from a polymer to the ambient air surrounding the structure upon which the thermally-conductive fluid ejector carriage translates. The heat is transferred via conduction and convection from the thermally-conductive fluid ejector carriage across a thin volume of air trapped between a thermally-conductive carriage rod guide, enclosed on each end by thermally-conductive carriage rod guide bearings, and the thermal contact of the thermally-conductive carriage rod guide bearings with the surface of at least one thermally-conductive carriage guide rod which the thermally-conductive fluid ejector carriage translates.

Abstract: A print cartridge includes a manifold that is molded from a polymer including at least one thermally conductive filler material, and a fluid ejector die module attached to the maniold. A method of manufacturing a print cartridge includes molding a manifold at least partially from a polymer including thermally conductive fillers, forming a fluid ejector die module, and attaching the manifold to the fluid ejector die.

Abstract: A method for differentiating tissue types, which is suitable as a method for obtaining data to enable a cancer screening process, comprises applying an alternating electric current to an area of tissue across a range of frequencies. The tissue impedance is measured at each frequency and the results fitted to a Cole equation. It has been found that the method is good at distinguishing between tissues having different size nuclei, or different ratios of nuclear to cytoplasm volume. This is related to the resistance (S) to electrical current flow through cytoplasm. Results may be improved by combining S with a value (R) for the resistance offered to electrical current through pathways between the cells. The method may be used in vivo or in vitro.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for monitoring respiratory condition by impedance pneumography.An electrical signal is applied at a plurality of frequencies to a human subject by way of a first pair of spaced electrodes applied to the trunk of the body, whilst the resulting electrical signal is monitored at the plurality of frequencies at different points on the body by way of a second pair of spaced electrodes. From the resulting electrical signal a measure of the impedance of a part of the body at the plurality of frequencies is obtained, and a difference signal representing the impedance change with frequency is calculated. The difference signal is normalized with respect to a signal representative of the impedance measure itself at one or more frequencies, thereby suppressing the effect of those impedance signal components--such as movement artifact--whose frequency dependent change is substantially proportional to the impedance signal value.

Abstract: A method of investigation of a body including applying interrogatory electrical signals at different frequencies to the body. First signals are obtained representing first electrical impedance measurements at the different frequencies. Second signals are obtained representing subsequent second electrical impedance measurements at the different frequencies after a change in the internal state of the body. Characteristics of part of the body are selectively determined in response to the first and second signals at the different frequencies. The invention has application in electrical impedance tomography techniques where the different frequency behavior of different parts of the body associated with temporal changes can be used to improve organ resolution and tissue differentiation.