Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a mechanical apparatus to convey a workpiece through a fluidized bed dryer. In particular, the invention relates to a single or multiple stage vibrating fluidized drag conveyor having spaced apart conveyor paddles attached to a continuous chain or a similar device, and driven by a variable frequency motor drive. The invention is of particular applicability in the case of low-density workpieces where chaotic motion of air may disrupt or reverse the orderly flow of workpieces through the dryer.

Abstract: A micro-device and system for monitoring cervical tissue includes micro-circuitry for simulating electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and a system for monitoring the physiological condition of the cervical tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for long term, continuous, monitoring of pregnant mammals particularly to detect the onset of labor. For The example, the method enables communication of data representing impedance through tissue of a cervix of a pregnant mammal an external module for display and monitoring of the collected data by a clinician.

Abstract: A housing for receiving a fluid conduit has an internal annular shoulder. A cylindrical first cartridge is positioned in the housing and has an internal annular groove and an outer annular groove. An O-ring in the internal annular groove provides a seal with a fluid conduit. A second O-ring is positioned within the outer annular groove to provide a seal between the first cartridge and the housing. A gripping ring is positioned adjacent and in contact with the first cartridge and has inwardly projecting annularly spaced tines for gripping and holding a fluid conduit inserted into the housing. A second cylindrical cartridge is positioned adjacent the gripping ring on a side opposite the first cartridge. The housing includes a lip at one end to engage the second cartridge for holding the first and second cartridges and the gripping ring against the annular shoulder in the housing.

Abstract: A surgical oscillating saw blade comprises a drive transmission proximal end, a planer midsection defining an upper and lower surface and a distal cutting edge carrying a plurality of teeth. The teeth are triangularly shaped to define a base, adjacent edges and an apex or tip. The teeth are configured by being bent inwardly or outwardly so that a minimum of tooth and blade surface is in contact with bone during a cutting procedure. The teeth are bent sufficiently to provide a kerf that is greater than the thickness of the blade.

Abstract: A housing for receiving a fluid conduit has an internal annular shoulder. A cylindrical first cartridge is positioned in the housing and has an internal annular groove an outer annular groove. An O-ring in the internal annular groove provides a seal with a fluid conduit. A second O-ring is positioned within the outer annular groove to provide a seal between the first cartridge and the housing. A gripping ring is positioned adjacent and in contact with the first cartridge and has inwardly projecting annularly spaced tines for gripping and holding a fluid conduit inserted into the housing. A second cylindrical cartridge is positioned adjacent the gripping ring on a side opposite the first cartridge. The housing includes a lip at one end to engage the second cartridge for holding the first and second cartridges and the gripping ring against the annular shoulder in the housing.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for long term, continuous, monitoring of pregnant mammals particularly to detect the onset of preterm labor. For example, the system enables communication between sensors and a collection unit for transmittal to a remote unit for display and monitoring of the collected data by a clinician while the individual is ambulatory and not in the presence of the clinician.

Abstract: A method and system of an embodiment may include receiving at least a portion of a call recording request at a voice response unit, identifying a call received at the voice response unit as a call matching one or more parameters of the call recording request, and utilizing available digital signal processing resources of the voice response unit to record one or more specified portions of the call.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conduit that provides a bypass around an occlusion or stenosis in a coronary artery. The conduit is a tube adapted to be positioned in the heart wall to provide a passage for blood to flow between a heart chamber and a coronary artery, at a site distal to the occlusion or stenosis. The conduit has a section of blood vessel attached to its interior lumen which preferably includes at least one naturally occurring one-way valve positioned therein. The valve prevents the backflow of blood from the coronary artery into the heart chamber.

Abstract: A service execution environment for an advanced interactive voice response (IVR) service node. The service execution environment functions within a next generation service node (NGSN) IVR platform in a telecommunications network. The environment uses individual service-independent building blocks (SIBBs) that allow the creation of customer applications with simple references to the individual primitive SIBBs or composite SIBBs, with branching available. Functional calls to a sequence of SIBBs along with customer specific data stored in a database comprise a complete customer application. When a call is received by an IVR service node, the application is executed by calling the SIBBs to apply certain treatments to the call. The use of the SIBBs allows increased efficiency in the network because calls can be routed to any NGSN node. Each NGSN needs no customization to perform a particular customer application.

Abstract: A system includes a standards inventory database to store at least one control model, the at least one control model including at least one control objective and one or more controls, wherein each of the one or more controls is related to at least one asset of an organization, a tests datastore to store one or more control tests to be applied to the at least one asset of the organization, each of the one or more controls being associated with at least one of the one or more control tests, and a server including a testing tool to evaluate each of the one or more controls using the at least one of the one or more control tests associated with each of the one or more controls and to assign a status to the one or more control tests, and a metrics engine to track performance metrics of each of the one or more controls based on the status of the one or more control tests to provide trends in compliance with the one or more controls.

Abstract: A conduit is provided to provide a bypass around a blockage in the coronary artery. The conduit is adapted to be positioned in the myocardium or heart wall to provide a passage for blood to flow between a chamber of the heart such as the left ventricle and the coronary artery, distal to the blockage. The stent is self-expanding or uses a balloon to expand the stent in the heart wall. Various attachment means are provided to anchor the stent and prevent its migration.

Abstract: An automatic transfer switch includes first and second magnetically latched relays that respectively connect first and second voltage sources to a critical load. The first and second relays are magnetically latched in their respective opened or closed positions by a permanent magnet so that no holding current is supplied to the relays after switching is completed. As such, no holding current is required for either relay in the non-transferred or the transferred state of the automatic transfer switch, which reduces heat generated by the relays which can lead to relay failure. A switching method uses the automatic transfer switch to switch voltage sources without requiring relay holding currents in either the non-transferred or transferred state. A method of reducing contact bounce is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides novel affinity labels for Ser proteases of formula: L-A-X—NH—CH(R?)C(?O)CH2Cl??(I) wherein L, A, X, and R? have any of the values defined in the specification, or salts thereof, as well as compositions comprising such compounds or salts. The composition of the amino acid side-chain (R?) along with the amino acid or amino acid sequence (peptide) of the X component of formula I, affect the target selectivity of the labeled affinity ligand. Utilization of cell permeable, enzyme selective, labeled affinity ligands, provides a precise mechanism for evaluating the current and future status of cell populations.

Abstract: An automated synthesizer is disclosed in which the reaction wells are moved by a carrier into alignment with stationary fluid delivery stations that are in communication with a source of reactants and/or wash solutions. In an alternate embodiment the delivery stations are moved into alignment with stationary reaction wells. A method for synthesizing chemical compounds employing the synthesizer is disclosed.

Abstract: An automated synthesizer is disclosed in which the reaction wells are moved by a carousel into alignment with stationary nozzles that are in communication with the source of reactants and/or washing solutions. By moving the wells rather than moving the nozzles for the delivery of reagents and washing solutions, the amount of time required to introduce reagent is substantially reduced.