Abstract: Disclosed is a gradient proportioning valve for liquid chromatography that includes a plurality of inlet ports configured to receive a plurality of fluids, a manifold connected to each of the plurality of inlet ports configured to mix the plurality of fluids in a controlled manner to provide a fluid composition, the manifold including a plurality of conduits internal to the manifold, each of the plurality of conduits receiving fluid through a respective one of the plurality of inlet ports, an actuation mechanism having a piston located within a bored structure surrounding the piston, the actuation mechanism configured to open and close at least one of the plurality of conduits in a controlled manner where the piston and the bored structure have a tight tolerance configured to create a fluid tight seal, and a common outlet port configured to receive the fluid composition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gradient proportioning valve for liquid chromatography that includes a plurality of inlet ports configured to receive a plurality of fluids, a manifold connected to each of the plurality of inlet ports configured to mix the plurality of fluids in a controlled manner to provide a fluid composition, the manifold including a plurality of fluid conduits internal to the manifold, each of the plurality of fluid conduits receiving fluid through a respective one of the plurality of inlet ports, each of the plurality of fluid conduits operatively communicable to a respective actuation mechanism configured to open and close each of the plurality of fluid conduits in a controlled manner, a common outlet port configured to receive the fluid composition, and a passive fluidic dampening system configured to dampen unwanted fluidic pressure pulses in the manifold where at least one of the plurality of fluid conduits is compliant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gradient proportioning valve for use in liquid chromatography that includes a plurality of inlet ports configured to receive a plurality of fluids, a manifold connected to each of the plurality of inlet ports configured to mix the plurality of fluids in a controlled manner to provide a fluid composition, the manifold including a plurality of conduits internal to the manifold, each of the plurality of conduits receiving fluid through a respective one of the plurality of inlet ports, each of the plurality of conduits operatively communicable to a respective actuation mechanism configured to open and close each of the plurality of conduits in a controlled manner, a common outlet port configured to receive the fluid composition, and an active fluidic dampening system configured to dampen unwanted fluidic pressure pulses in the manifold. Liquid chromatography systems and methods are further disclosed.

Abstract: Described is a check valve having a valve housing, a valve seat, a ball and a spherical loading element. The valve seat is disposed proximate to a first end of the bore. The ball is disposed in the bore and is movable between a closed position in which the ball is received against the valve seat and prevents a flow of fluid through the bore and an open position in which the ball is displaced from the valve seat and allows fluid to flow through the bore. The spherical loading element is disposed in the bore and is movable between the ball and the second end of the bore. The spherical loading element applies a supplemental force to move the ball against the valve seat during closing of the check valve. The check valve provides a low and predictable cracking pressure which does not vary significantly between similarly manufactured valves.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gradient proportioning valve for liquid chromatography that includes a plurality of inlet ports configured to receive a plurality of fluids, a manifold connected to each of the plurality of inlet ports configured to mix the plurality of fluids in a controlled manner to provide a fluid composition, the manifold including a plurality of conduits internal to the manifold, each of the plurality of conduits receiving fluid through a respective one of the plurality of inlet ports, an actuation mechanism having a piston located within a bored structure surrounding the piston, the actuation mechanism configured to open and close at least one of the plurality of conduits in a controlled manner where the piston and the bored structure have a tight tolerance configured to create a fluid tight seal, and a common outlet port configured to receive the fluid composition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gradient proportioning valve for liquid chromatography that includes a plurality of inlet ports configured to receive a plurality of fluids, a manifold connected to each of the plurality of inlet ports configured to mix the plurality of fluids in a controlled manner to provide a fluid composition, the manifold including a plurality of fluid conduits internal to the manifold, each of the plurality of fluid conduits receiving fluid through a respective one of the plurality of inlet ports, each of the plurality of fluid conduits operatively communicable to a respective actuation mechanism configured to open and close each of the plurality of fluid conduits in a controlled manner, a common outlet port configured to receive the fluid composition, and a passive fluidic dampening system configured to dampen unwanted fluidic pressure pulses in the manifold where at least one of the plurality of fluid conduits is compliant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gradient proportioning valve for use in liquid chromatography that includes a plurality of inlet ports configured to receive a plurality of fluids, a manifold connected to each of the plurality of inlet ports configured to mix the plurality of fluids in a controlled manner to provide a fluid composition, the manifold including a plurality of conduits internal to the manifold, each of the plurality of conduits receiving fluid through a respective one of the plurality of inlet ports, each of the plurality of conduits operatively communicable to a respective actuation mechanism configured to open and close each of the plurality of conduits in a controlled manner, a common outlet port configured to receive the fluid composition, and an active fluidic dampening system configured to dampen unwanted fluidic pressure pulses in the manifold. Liquid chromatography systems and methods are further disclosed.

Abstract: A cardio-pulmonary compression system includes a compression device (110), a supporting mechanism (120) coupled to the compression device and a feedback sensor (104) configured to measure interactions between a patient and the compression device. A control unit (112) is configured to receive input from the feedback sensor and adjust operating parameters of the compression system to meet a target parameter during operation of the compression device.

Abstract: A cardio-pulmonary compression board includes a board (10) configured for a patient. A leg (20) is pivotally connected to the board, and the leg includes a free end portion having a mechanical feature (35) configured to be received in a compression device to adjustably secure the compression device at a distance from the board in an operational position. A locking mechanism (32, 42) is configured to releasably maintain the leg in the operational position, which is transverse to a plane of the board.

Abstract: A cardio-pulmonary compression device includes a motor (11) having a rotating portion, and a ball nut (12) mounted on the rotating portion and configured to rotate with the rotating portion. A ball screw (13) is received in the ball nut such that rotation on the ball nut advances and/or retracts the ball screw in accordance with a direction of the motor. A pad assembly (15) is coupled to an end portion of the ball screw such that longitudinal motion of the ball screw imparts a compression cycle to a patient.

Abstract: A cardio-pulmonary compression device includes a motor (11) having a rotating portion, and a ball nut (12) mounted on the rotating portion and configured to rotate with the rotating portion. A ball screw (13) is received in the ball nut such that rotation on the ball nut advances and/or retracts the ball screw in accordance with a direction of the motor. A pad assembly (15) is coupled to an end portion of the ball screw such that longitudinal motion of the ball screw imparts a compression cycle to a patient.

Abstract: A cardio-pulmonary compression system includes a compression device (110), a supporting mechanism (120) coupled to the compression device and a feedback sensor (104) configured to measure interactions between a patient and the compression device. A control unit (112) is configured to receive input from the feedback sensor and adjust operating parameters of the compression system to meet a target parameter during operation of the compression device.

Abstract: A cardio-pulmonary compression board includes a board (10) configured for a patient. A leg (20) is pivotally connected to the board, and the leg includes a free end portion having a mechanical feature (35) configured to be received in a compression device to adjustably secure the compression device at a distance from the board in an operational position. A locking mechanism (32, 42) is configured to releasably maintain the leg in the operational position, which is transverse to a plane of the board.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a flight controller constructed to control a parafoil in flight from a starting location to a target location is provided. The flight controller includes an interface constructed to connect to one or more actuators and one or more wind sensors, a memory, a processor coupled to the memory, the interface, and a flight manager component executable by the processor. The flight manager component is configured to identify the target location and the starting location, receive wind data, determine a relationship between a ground reference frame (GRF) and a wind fixed frame (WFF) based on the wind data, generate a trajectory between the starting location and the target location in the WFF, determine a desired heading based on the trajectory and the relationship between the GRF and the WFF, and generate an actuator control signal based on the desired heading to adjust a heading of the parafoil.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a flight controller constructed to control a parafoil in flight from a starting location to a target location is provided. The flight controller includes an interface constructed to connect to one or more actuators and one or more wind sensors, a memory, a processor coupled to the memory, the interface, and a flight manager component executable by the processor. The flight manager component is configured to identify the target location and the starting location, receive wind data, determine a relationship between a ground reference frame (GRF) and a wind fixed frame (WFF) based on the wind data, generate a trajectory between the starting location and the target location in the WFF, determine a desired heading based on the trajectory and the relationship between the GRF and the WFF, and generate an actuator control signal based on the desired heading to adjust a heading of the parafoil.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical CPR device (10, 11) for applying cardiopulmonary compressions to a chest of a patient employs a chest compressor (20), one or more straps (40) and a compression controller (30). Chest compressor (20) is self-supportable upon the chest of the patient and includes assembly an electric motor (50), a mechanical transmission (60), a linear actuator (70) and a plunger (80) mounted within a housing (100) wherein the linear actuator (70) converts rotational motion generated by the electric motor (50) and the mechanical transmission (60) into linear motion of the plunger (80) for applying a compressive force (21) to the chest of the patient. Strap(s) (40) wrap around the patient and is(are) coupled to chest compressor (20). Compression controller (30) is external to the chest compressor (20) and applies power and controls signals to the electric motor (50).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing polling is presented. Polling servers include the intelligence and as such may control polling clients. What is polled, when it is polled and how it is polled is controlled by the polling server and may be dynamically changed and any time. As such, the polling server may dynamically reconfigure the polling process for a polling client. In one embodiment, the polling server directs and controls the polling client(s) in a manner that effects load-balancing in a network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for distributing data among media servers in a network. Methods implemented in accordance with the teachings of the present invention facilitate load balancing across the network. In one embodiment, a client-side load-balancing method is presented. In a second embodiment, a server-side load-balancing method is presented.