Abstract: A tool suspension arm provides isolation to a user from torque produced by a hand tool while allowing substantial freedom in positioning the hand tool relative to a workpiece. The arm has a housing defining an axially extensive cavity open at one end. An axially extensive rod is received by the axially extensive cavity through the open end for longitudinal movement relative to the housing. The axially extensive rod is splined and is closed in the axially extensive cavity of the housing by a splined hub insert inserted over the axially extensive rod into the open end of the axially extensive cavity. Cooperation between the splined surfaces largely eliminates play between the rod and housing and rotationally locks rod and housing preventing reactive twisting movement of the tool in use.

Abstract: A transcutaneous cardiac pacing system has one or more cutaneous electrodes suitable for attachment to a human patient and a transcutaneous pacing system coupled to supply pacing pulses to the patient via the cutaneous electrodes. The pacing pulses are effective to stimulate cardiac activity in the patient. The transcutaneous cardiac pacing system also includes a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation system coupled to supply nerve stimulation pulses to the patient via the same electrodes. The nerve stimulation pulses are effective to mitigate any discomfort that the patient might experience from the transcutaneous pacing pulses. The system thereby provides effective and tolerable emergency cardiac pacing without introduction of intravenous drugs or sedation of the patient.

Abstract: A bone contouring tool for removing bony tissue surrounding an implanted dental implant and having an elongated shank with a blade and a pilot pin disposed at one end. The pilot pin extends downwardly from the blade and provides guidance during removal of the bony tissue.

Abstract: A driver for a power transistor (a MOSFET or IGBT) uses a transformer to isolate the power supply from the control signal, but uses very low power components on the isolated side to allow use of a physically small transformer. The control signal is one of two frequencies, and the isolated side of the driver includes a circuit for detecting which of the two frequencies is present. One frequency is preferably twice as much as the other. The output of the frequency detection circuit switches between low and high states depending on the frequency present, and the output of this circuit is connected to the input of a transistor driver circuit which charges the gate of the power transistor.

Abstract: A voltage controlled audio attenuator, of particular benefit in audio limiters, is created by configuring a nearly-balanced four-resistor bridge such that at least one of the branch resistors is implemented as a magnetoresistive element, located in a variable magnetic field, typically generated by a coil energized by current from an electronic driver which is made controllable from a DC control voltage, which is thus enabled to control the attenuation of the bridge. A suitable feedback processing circuit, receiving input from the bridge output and producing the DC control voltage in a predetermined dynamic relationship, forms the feedback branch of an automatic loop, thus the voltage-controlled attenuator is utilized as a key element of an audio limiter.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a gradient coil for an MR imaging system having an open magnet. The method includes forming a structure from thin conductive material such as copper, the structure generally comprising a section of a cylinder and a section of an annulus joined to an edge of the cylinder section as a flange. During a first cutting operation, a plurality of first groove segments are cut through the material, each of the first groove segments lying in one of a plurality of cutting zones selectively positioned around the structure, a strip of material positioned between two adjacent groove segments comprising a coil turn segment. The coil turn segments of a cutting zone are rigidly joined to one another and to a support frame comprising the outer edge of the structure by suitable means. Thereafter, a second cutting operation is performed, whereby a plurality of second groove segments are cut through the material to completely form the gradient coil.

Abstract: A system and method for testing an electronic circuit is disclosed. The system includes a circuit board test platform having multiple electronic test capabilities and multiple hardware resources, and a pay-per-use module that is coupled to the circuit board test platform. The pay-per-use module is adapted for monitoring use of the multiple electronic test capabilities and the hardware resources of the circuit board test platform, and for debiting a number of usage credits from a usage credit pool based on the use of the multiple electronic test capabilities and the tester hardware resources.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge contact (70) comprises a proximal portion (72), a distal portion (74), and substantially flat outside (76) and inside surfaces (78) extending therebetween. Retention dimples (80) are disposed in spaced-apart relation on the proximal portion (72) of the outside surface (76). The retention dimples (80) are adapted to engage a corresponding cavity (100) in an insulative connector housing (15). An arm (82) extends away from proximal portion (72) of the electrostatic discharge contact (70). The arm (82) includes a rounded distal end (86) that is adapted to electrically engage a portion of a board mount (130) that is already assembled to the electrical connector (10).

Abstract: An actuator mechanism (25) comprising: a latch arm holder (26) with an interior (27) adapted to encircle an electrical connector (1), latch arms (28) pivotally mounted on the holder (26), engaging ends (29) of the latch arms (28) adapted to engage with, and to pivot and disengage from, another, mating electrical connector (30), an actuator (33), actuating ends (32) of the latch arms (28) facing toward the actuator (33), the actuator (33) being slidable along the holder (26) and against the actuating ends (32) to pivot the latch arms (28) and the engaging ends (32).

Abstract: A combiner/memory system interconnects a plurality of computer systems using for example the new HIPPI standard link. The combiner system includes it's own internal storage for rapid shared access to all connected computer systems. The combiner/memory system includes a smart switch for reading header information, arbitrating messsages and connecting computers to each other or to the internal shared storage. The system also includes a mechanism for synchronization of cooperating processes.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (1) comprises, a first electrical connector (2), electrical contacts (7) in the first electrical connector extending to a mating face (6) of the connector (2), alignment posts (12) and first ground contacts (10) along the alignment posts (12), both of which project beyond the mating face (6); and another, mating electrical connector (3) provided with post receiving cavities (11) with second ground contacts (10) in the cavities (11) engaging the first ground contacts (10) along the posts (12).

Abstract: An NMR imaging system includes an apparatus for producing a magnetic field gradient within an imaging volume into which the object being imaged is placed. The relatively linear region of the magnetic field gradient is adjusted depending upon the size of the object. The apparatus comprises a source of a gradient signal and four saddle coils positioned in quadrant of a sheet that is wrapped around a cylindrical form. Each saddle coil has a spiral shaped conductive pattern on which are located a primary termination point and a pair of secondary termination points. A switch mechanism connects the four saddle coils in series with the source of a gradient signal, so that voltage from the gradient signal is applied between the primary termination point and a selected secondary termination point of each saddle coil. A control signal applied to the switch mechanism indicates selected secondary termination point and the signal varies according to the size of the object.

Abstract: A local gradient coil adapted for use with stereotaxic devices includes an opening in the coil form positioned to minimize the disruption to the gradient fields and a bearing for moving the form with respect to the stereotaxic frame so that the opening may be limited in area and yet provide essentially unrestricted access to the patient. The windings in the neighborhood of the opening may be diverted by modifying the stream function of the windings in a manner to minimize the effect of the opening on the gradient field.

Abstract: System speed boundary tests are made on nets interconnecting field programmable logic without any external testing equipment or special printed circuit board layout for such a test. Only a single net interconnecting all field programmable logic in a ring is employed. The tests are made for opens and shorts and localize faults to a particular net. Nets interconnecting field programmable logic are tested utilizing the information stored in the circuit design file and the reprogrammability of the field programmable logic to construct a circuit that is then implemented in the field programmable logic and tests all interconnecting nets.

Abstract: A compact local gradient coil is combined with a local RF coil to provide lower powered, higher strength gradient fields and faster gradient response as is useful in magnetic resonance imaging. Interference between the RF coil and gradient coil is minimized by placement of the gradient coil external to the RF coil and by gradient coils that are axially symmetric and/or have conductors substantially orthogonal to the RF coil conductors. Acoustic noise in these smaller, stronger coils is reduced with ports cut into the coil forms.

Abstract: Substrate handling apparatus includes a trigger handle which forms a trigger-like mechanism with a handle grip. The trigger handle is interconnected with activation means such that application of pressure on the trigger handle activates the activation means.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hardwareless panel retention system in which an electrically conductive panel has opposed major surfaces with a mating connector aperture extending therebetween. The panel has opposed edges formed into a pair of channels. A connector having a housing with contacts secured therein is secured to the panel. A shield secured to the connector housing has a flange along opposed edges for receipt in respective opposed channels of the panel to secure the connector to the panel.

Abstract: A method of using biological processes as a pretreatment step in combined biological and mechanical paper pulping process is described. The process uses a species of fungus, Ceriporiopsis subvermispora, which has not previously been used for this purpose. It has been found that even with a non-optimized system, and with the stationary holding of the wood chips during fungal incubation, that significant savings in energy usage in the pulping process can be achieved compared to conventional mechanical pulping while simultaneously achieving increased strength characteristics in the paper.

Abstract: A circular cross section dielectric housing (4) of a circular DIN shielded electrical connector (2, 2') for mounting in a vertical position on a circuit board, is provided on its bottom face (16) with angular orienting lugs (54). An outer shield (10) which defines a circular seat for the dielectric housing (4) has a bottom wall (106) defining a hole (108) for receiving contact tails (44) on electrical terminals (12) in the housing (4). The bottom wall (106) of the shield (110) has notches (122, 124) therein for receiving the orienting lugs (54). The angular orientation of the housing (4) with respect to the shield (10) can be selected by aligning each lug (54) with a chosen notch (122, 124) in the bottom wall (106) of the shield when assembling the housing (4) to the shield (10).