Abstract: A system and method for measuring a subject's blood pressure is provided. The system includes a sphygmomanometer cuff configured to apply a pressure to a blood vessel region so as to restrict the flow of blood through a blood vessel of the region; at least one transducer configured to transmit a signal toward the region and to detect a return signal indicative of a velocity of blood flow through the blood vessel; and an apparatus having a processor configured to determine a systolic blood pressure of the subject. The processor is configured to determine whether the return signal corresponds to a first Korotkoff sound of the blood flow through the blood vessel, reduce pressure applied via the sphygmomanometer cuff if the return signal does not correspond to the first Korotkoff sound, and determine pressure applied via the sphygmomanometer cuff when the return signal corresponds to the first Korotkoff sound.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes generating a request for header data, the request is sent to a first processor. The method also includes receiving a response from the first processor that is indicative of video data for a virtual frame to be communicated. A multiplex table is generated based on the response. The method also includes evaluating a multiplex entry in the multiplex table for synchronization with a line number, and requesting the first processor to send at least a portion of the virtual frame after the synchronization. The method further includes communicating a packet, which includes a payload associated with the virtual frame and a packet header that includes multiplex data associated with the multiplex entry.

Abstract: Systems and methods for real time data processing using a switching network and multiple digital signal processors (DSPs). In an embodiment, the system includes a first digital signal processor having a video port interface, a first interface disposed between the video port interface of the first digital signal processor and a switching network, a second digital signal processor having a video port interface, and a second interface disposed between the video port interface of the second digital processor and the switching network. The first interface is configured to parse a VSYNC line of a video frame that is output from the first digital signal processor via its video port interface to generate a multiplexing table based upon which scan lines of the video frame are broken up into packets compatible with the switching network such that the packets can be transmitted over the switching network and be received by the second interface and the second digital signal processor via its video port interface.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes generating a request for header data, the request is sent to a first processor. The method also includes receiving a response from the first processor that is indicative of video data for a virtual frame to be communicated. A multiplex table is generated based on the response. The method also includes evaluating a multiplex entry in the multiplex table for synchronization with a line number, and requesting the first processor to send at least a portion of the virtual frame after the synchronization. The method further includes communicating a packet, which includes a payload associated with the virtual frame and a packet header that includes multiplex data associated with the multiplex entry.

Abstract: Systems and methods for real time data processing using a switching network and multiple digital signal processors (DSPs). In an embodiment, the system includes a first digital signal processor having a video port interface, a first interface disposed between the video port interface of the first digital signal processor and a switching network, a second digital signal processor having a video port interface, and a second interface disposed between the video port interface of the second digital processor and the switching network. The first interface is configured to parse a VSYNC line of a video frame that is output from the first digital signal processor via its video port interface to generate a multiplexing table based upon which scan lines of the video frame are broken up into packets compatible with the switching network such that the packets can be transmitted over the switching network and be received by the second interface and the second digital signal processor via its video port interface.

Abstract: Compounds that include silicon-containing groups, and optionally urethane groups, urea groups, or combinations thereof (i.e., polyurethanes, polyureas, or polyurethane-ureas), as well as materials and methods for making such compounds.

Abstract: Compounds that include silicon-containing groups, and optionally urethane groups, urea groups, or combinations thereof (i.e., polyurethanes, polyureas, or polyurethane-ureas), as well as materials and methods for making such compounds.

Abstract: Compounds that include silicon-containing groups, and optionally urethane groups, urea groups, or combinations thereof (i.e., polyurethanes, polyureas, or polyurethane-ureas), as well as materials and methods for making such compounds.

Abstract: An x-ray detector, useful in x-ray imaging systems constructed from a single piece of silicon and a photon sensing crystal, and comprises a plurality of detector elements, each of the plurality of detector elements comprising a plurality of detector sub-elements. A plurality of x-ray detectors are arranged in a multi-dimensional array, each array of detectors tiered with respect to the next array of detectors. A compact electronics circuitry is also provided. The compact electronics circuitry is contained in each of the plurality of detector sub-elements. The compact electronics circuitry comprises a photon sensor, an amplifier, a discriminator and a digital-to-analog converter. Finally, a method for generating x-ray transmissiveness information is also provided.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is provided which comprises a fixed tissue incorporating an amount of an albumin-binding dye effective to form a coating of endogenous albumin on said device when the device is in contact with a physiological fluid containing albumin. These albumin-binding dyes have been found to significantly reduce calcification when incorporated in tissue heart valves. A method of increasing the albumin-binding ability of an implantable medical device is also provided.