Abstract: There is disclosed an endotracheal tube which has a minimal cross-sectional profile for easy viewing of anatomical features during intubation. After the tube is placed into the trachea, the tube is adapted to increase the diameter. In this manner the tube diameter may be expanded to allow for decreased Work of Breathing (WOB) for patient, while not having so large a diameter as to cause tracheal discomfort.

Abstract: There is disclosed an endotracheal tube which has a minimal cross-sectional profile for easy viewing of anatomical features during intubation. After the tube is placed into the trachea, the tube is adapted to increase the diameter. In this manner the tube diameter may be expanded to allow for decreased Work of Breathing (WOB) for patient, while not having so large a diameter as to cause tracheal discomfort.

Abstract: The invention is a method for detecting failures in an analyzer for conducting clinical assays. Potential errors that can result in assay failures in an analyzer are identified, as are their potential sources. The probability that an error source so identified will result in a clinically significant error is also determined. Available potential detection measures corresponding to the source of potential errors are identified with a combination of such measures selected and implemented based on their probability of detecting such errors within an acceptable limit with a concomitant low probability of the false detection of an assay failure. Each of the measures selected are functionally independent of others chosen to address the source of the error and are not subject to the same inherent means of failed detection. Applications of the method in a clinical analyzer are also presented.

Abstract: A method for preparing a substrate having an adherent, durable, flexible, and stain resistant layer. The layer is formed by applying a composition that includes (i) the reaction product of a polyester and a polyoxetane having at least one carboxylic acid end group and at least one pendant —CH2—O—(CH2)n-Rf group and (ii) an amino resin curative. The substrate may be printed or embossed or both. The coated substrate has both stain resistant properties and dry erase properties.

Abstract: Methods and systems for acquiring a received impulse signal packet including a plurality of repeating short acquisition code sequences and at least one ratchet code sequence following a last one of the plurality of repeating short acquisition code sequences, the repeating short acquisition code sequences defined by a short acquisition code, the at least one ratchet code sequence defined by a ratchet code, and each ratchet code sequence greater in length than each repeating short acquisition code sequence. The method includes the step of concurrently searching the received impulse signal packet for the short acquisition code sequence in accordance with a frame time offset and each of a plurality of acquisition code offsets. The frame time offset is adjusted after each time the short acquisition code sequence is not found during a search. Tracking of the received impulse signal packet is initiated immediately after the short acquisition code sequence is found.