Abstract: A healthcare facility transport device includes a base with wheels including a powered wheel, a carrying structure, first and second handles, first and second force sensors, and a control system comprising a system processor. The carrying structure is configured to carry at least one of healthcare supplies and a patient. The first and second force sensors are mounted proximate to the first and second handles, respectively, and are configured to output respective first and second force signals in response to sensing movement of the first and second handles, respectively. The control system is configured to determine a magnitude and direction of an updated velocity vector and operate the powered wheel with the updated velocity vector. In various cases the updated velocity vector is based on the force signal values, a first model, a current velocity, and/or a distance between the first and second handles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing network based load balancing of medical image data among two or more image archive systems is disclosed. A network element is employed to interface to a network carrying medical image data that may include tasks to be performed on the data. A network service associated with the network element monitors the current load or the available capacity of each of the image archive systems. When a task is received the network service determines the level of complexity of the task and compares the level of complexity to the current load or available capacity of each of the image archive systems. The network service selects the one of the image archive systems to perform the task that has the lowest current load or highest available capacity relative to the level of complexity of the received task.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seal for use with a pipe and flange assembly. The seal is intended to prevent leakage during axial movement of the pipe relative to a flange.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing network based load balancing of medical image data among two or more image archive systems is disclosed. A network element is employed to interface to a network carrying medical image data that may include tasks to be performed on the data. A network service associated with the network element monitors the current load or the available capacity of each of the image archive systems. When a task is received the network service determines the level of complexity of the task and compares the level of complexity to the current load or available capacity of each of the image archive systems. The network service selects the one of the image archive systems to perform the task that has the lowest current load or highest available capacity relative to the level of complexity of the received task.