Abstract: Devices for controlling the flow of fluid through plastic tubes, such as tubes which are part of a disposable blood donation tubing set are disclosed. The device comprises a clamp adapted for attachment with one or more other clamps to allow for easy flow control through two or more tubing segments.

Abstract: A twisting device having a pair of fiber cakes that are simultaneously hung on a transversely disposed creel, respectively unwind two fiber strands downwardly during the rotation process of the creel. Each of the two fiber strands passes through a strand-cut sensor and then enter a balloon control ring. Through the guide of an oil ring, each of the fiber strands is twisted and then wound around a bobbin driven by a spindle motor. The pair of balloon control rings and the pair of oil rings are simultaneously driven by a ring rail to move upward and downward on the bobbin.

Abstract: A method of building systematically a multi-dimensional (n, D, L) circular trellis coded modulation (CTCM) encoder with properties of optimal energy efficiency, strong tail biting and maximum minimum distance (dmin) of trellis paths is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for write compensation for optimizing the performance of a data storage or communication channel are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises determining channel sensitivity to modifications in write signal parameters, detecting systematic errors in a read signal recovered from data written with a first set of write parameters, and adjusting the write signal parameters by an amount determined from the channel sensitivity such that the systematic errors are reduced when data are written with the adjusted write parameters.

Abstract: A biological suspension processing system is disclosed that may include a suspension treatment device for treating one or more components of a biological suspension, a first fluid flow path for introducing a suspension into the treatment device and a second fluid flow path for withdrawing a constituent of the suspension from the device. At least on microelectromechanical (MEM) sensor communicates with one of the fluid flow paths for sensing a selected characteristic of the fluid therewith. The MEM sensor may be located elsewhere, such as on a container or bag and communicate with the interior for sensing a characteristic of the fluid contained therein. A wide variety of characteristics may be sensed, such as flow rate, pH, cell type, cell antigenicity, DNA, viral or bacterial presence, cholesterol, hematocrit, cell concentration, cell count, partial pressure, pathogen presence, or viscosity.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a twisting device having enhanced productivity. A pair of fiber cakes are simultaneously hung on a transversely hung creel. The pair of fiber cakes respectively unloosen two fiber strands downwards during the rotation process of the creel. Each of the two fiber strands passes through a strand-cut sensor and then enters a balloon control ring. Through the guide of an oil ring, each of the fiber strands is twisted and then wound around a bobbin driven by a spindle motor. The pair of balloon control rings and the pair of oil rings are simultaneously driven by a ring rail to move upwards and downwards on the bobbin. Therefore, a pair of fiber strands and a pair of bobbins can use the same creel, thereby doubling the productivity per unit time per unit ground area.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for compensating for intersymbol interference on an optical disc. The method includes measuring an intersymbol linear transfer function. The intersymbol linear transfer function substantially describes a linear portion of the effect of intersymbol interference on an optically detected read signal from an optical disc. A partial response target frequency response is divided by the intersymbol linear transfer function to obtain a linear equalization filter response. A read signal from the optical disc is convolved with the linear equalization filter response. This results in the read signal being equalized and containing a controlled partial-response target intersymbol interference. There is also disclosed a method of compensating utilizing a decision feedback equalizer where the target frequency response is either a partial-response or a zero-forcing response.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for reading a multilevel signal from an optical disc. The method includes reading a raw analog data signal from a disc using an optical detector and adjusting the amplitude of the raw analog data signal. A timing signal is recovered from the amplitude adjusted analog data signal and correction is made for amplitude modulation of the raw analog data signal by processing the raw analog data signal and the timing signal.

Abstract: A bearing supports a rotating element. The bearing comprises an inner annular body and an outer annular body about the inner annular body. A bearing surface, which is located between the inner annular body and the outer annular body, supports the outer annular body for rotation about the inner annular body. A cage supports the bearing surface during rotation of the outer annular body about the inner annular body. The cage includes a material that imparts increased flexural modulus that resists deformation during rotation.

Abstract: A steam sterilizable monolayer medical tubing comprising a blend of a melt strength enhancing agent of a homopolymer or copolymer of polypropylene having free-end long chain branches of propylene units, a melt flow index of greater than 10 and in an amount of 1-10% by weight and a second component selected from the group of (i) a selectively hydrogenated block copolymer of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and a conjugated diene and (ii) a selectively hydrogenated block copolymer of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and a conjugated diene to which has been grafted, an alpha, beta-olenfically unsaturated monocarboxylic or dicarboxylic acid reagent.

Abstract: An antimicrobial material incorporated with a molecular halogen is provided. The antimicrobial material includes a plastic material and a molecular halogen entrapped within the plastic material. A directional release material is also provided in the present application. The directional release material allows for the control of the rate and site of halogen release. Still further, method of impregnating a plastic material are also provided.

Abstract: The invention resides in a computer-aided design system for defining physical placement and floor-planning of electronic circuits on a given substrate. Improve utilization of substrate area is achieved by arranging circuits into structural (e.g., data-path) and non-structural (e.g., non-data-path) zones for effectively segregated chip or board lay-out. Software is provided to receive a netlist file and determine therefrom which components are categorizable within structural portion. Furthermore, software is provided to produce a lay-out file which defines physical placement of the prototype design, wherein structural components are inter-placed with related control components, for example, to provide sliced-structure placement of a semiconductor chip.

Abstract: A system and a method for administering a solution (12) from a container (10) to a patient (35) are provided. The container (10) is divided into a solution side (16) and a drain side (18) separated by a tear line (20). The solution side (16) and the drain side (18) are in fluid communication with one another and with a port (28) that connects to the patient (35). The container (10) is separable at the tear line (20) such that contents of a peritoneum cavity of the patient (35) may be drained into the drain side (18) of the container (10). Then, the solution (12) from the solution side (16) of the container (10) may be drained from the container (10) into the patient (35).

Abstract: A system and a method for administering a solution (12) from a container (10) to a patient (35) are provided. The container (10) is divided into a solution side (16) and a drain side (18) separated by a tear line (20). The solution side (16) and the drain side (18) are in fluid communication with one another and with a port (28) that connects to the patient (35). The container (10) is separable at the tear line (20) such that contents of a peritoneum cavity of the patient (35) may be drained into the drain side (18) of the container (10). Then, the solution (12) from the solution side (16) of the container (10) may be drained from the container (10) into the patient (35).

Abstract: A parenteral fluid delivery bag having a line set formed integral with the bag, the line set being peelably releasable from the remainder of the bag so as to assume a deployed position adapted to enter into fluid communication with a patient. In an alternate embodiment, a plurality of bags connected by an integrally formed wye-junction are adapted for delivery to a patient and retrieval of fluid from a patient.

Abstract: A radio frequency transmitter includes a video signal input terminal, an audio signal input terminal, a variable frequency modulation degree circuit, a band pass filter, a sound intensity regulation circuit, a voltage controlled oscillator, a modulation mixer, and an amplifying circuit. The transmitter is arranged to eliminate high frequency abnormalities, prevent interference of audio signals with video signals, stabilize the audio frequency response of the transmitter, and improve circuit stability.

Abstract: A flexible fluid junction that links three or more fluid ducts is provided. The junction includes a pair of flexible webs with at least three tubes or fluid ducts disposed between the flexible webs. The outer periphery of the webs is sealed together and around the tubes to define a chamber. An end of each tube terminates inside the chamber so that fluid may flow from each tube through the chamber. Still further, a method of manufacturing a flexible fluid junction and a method of using a flexible fluid junction are also provided.

Abstract: A connector assembly and disinfectant system is provided for any system requiring a connection, such as during a peritoneal dialysis procedure. The connector assembly includes a transfer set connector and a disposable connector. The transfer set connector and disposable connector each include a member that join to create a fluid path. The disposable connector contains a housing that includes a ring partially saturated with disinfectant for bathing the transfer set member near the opening of the fluid path when a connection is made. The ring forms an opening through which the transfer set member passes. At disconnection, the transfer set member passes through a section of the ring having wiping properties to wipe the member dry.

Abstract: An improved system and method for providing sterile connections. To this end, a device is provided comprising a body, a chamber defined, at least in part, by a portion of the body, the chamber including an interior having a solid sterilizing agent that can sublimate at ambient conditions, and a member that defines., in part, the chamber and is so constructed and arranged to allow the solid sterilizing agent to release in a rate controlled manner through the member.

Abstract: A method for controlling the plasma etch bias of a patterned layer formed through plasma etching of a blanket layer formed beneath a patterned photoresist layer. There is first formed upon a semiconductor substrate a blanket layer. Formed upon the blanket layer is a patterned photoresist layer. The patterned photoresist layer is then treated through a pre-treatment method to form with a controlled degradation and a controlled flow a hardened patterned photoresist layer from the patterned photoresist layer. The hardened patterned photoresist layer is hardened against a further flow in a subsequent plasma etch method which is employed in etching the patterned layer from the blanket layer while employing the hardened patterned photoresist layer as an etch mask. Finally, the blanket layer is etched through the subsequent plasma etch method to form the patterned layer while employing the hardened patterned photoresist layer as the etch mask.