Abstract: The presence or absence of objects is determined by interrogating or exciting transponders coupled to the objects using pulsed wide band frequency signals. Ambient or background noise is evaluated and a threshold adjusted based on the level of noise. Adjustment may be based on multiple noise measurements or samples. Noise detection may be limited, with emphasis placed on interrogation to increase the signal to noise ratio. Match filtering may be employed. Presence/absence determination may take into account frequency and/or Q value to limit false detections. Appropriate acts may be taken if detected noise is out of defined limits of operation, for example shutting down interrogation and/or providing an appropriate indication.

Abstract: A crosslink is provided for joining two spine rods. The crosslink includes an elongate tie rod and a pair of housings at each end of the tie rod. The housings are preferably identical and have independent fasteners including a spine rod fastener and a tie rod fastener for connecting each housing to one of the spine rods and fixation of the tie rod. The tie rod fasteners include a pair of hemisphere clamps residing within a chamber in the housing which grip the tie rod therebetween to fix the tie rod to the clamp when a set screw applies a clamping force on the hemisphere clamps. The tie rod fastener is adjustable, so that both translation of the tie rod relative to the housings and rotation about three mutually perpendicular axes can be accommodated for orienting of the housings relative to the tie rod precisely where desired.

Abstract: The presence or absence of objects is determined by interrogating or exciting transponders coupled to the objects using pulsed wide band frequency signals. Ambient or background noise is evaluated and a threshold adjusted based on the level of noise. Adjustment may be based on multiple noise measurements or samples. Noise detection may be limited, with emphasis placed on interrogation to increase the signal to noise ratio. Match filtering may be employed. Appropriate acts may be taken if detected noise is out of defined limits of operation, for example shutting down interrogation and/or providing an appropriate indication.

Abstract: A transponder device and/or housing to mark a surgical implement, such as a metallic surgical instrument, is provided that comprises a non-elastic, preferably non-metallic, rigid transponder housing attachable to a portion of the surgical implement. The housing includes a transponder receiving cavity spaced at least 1 millimeter, and preferably at least 2 millimeters, from any portion of the surgical implement when the housing is attached to the surgical implement. The housing may be removably attached to the surgical implement or permanently attached. In use, a transponder is installed in the transponder receiving cavity. A method of detecting a transponder indicating the possible presence of a surgical implement is also provided.

Abstract: A locking system for stopping a shopping cart includes a caster that can be selectively disabled when the cart encounters an electronic barrier. The caster includes a brake that is mounted on the frame of the caster. Also mounted on the frame are two receivers for separately receiving different signals from an electronic barrier. Respective decoders on the frame decipher lock commands in the signals, and a controller selectively activates the brake to prevent further movement of the cart in response to the lock commands. The electronic barrier can include an underground loop antenna and an above-ground RF beacon.

Abstract: A system determines the presence or absence of objects by interrogating or exciting transponders coupled to the objects using pulsed signals over a number of wide band frequency bands with dynamic tuning about a center frequency of each band and less sensitivity to noise fluctuation.

Abstract: In a method for grounding a metal tube (2) sheathed with an electrically non-conducting plastic layer (1), has the plastic layer (1) of the metal tube (2) completely removed at an area of connection (3) the area of connection (3) is connected to the motor vehicle part in an electrically conducting fashion by a conductive covering section (4) is closed in the circumferential direction of the metal tube (2) which covers the area of connection (3) on all sides or more than covers the area of connection (3) on all sides, i.e. in the form of a crimp sleeve or a heat-shrinkable sleeve. It is first pushed onto the metal tube (2) and is then pressed onto the metal tube (2) at least at its ends under radial pressure applied along at least part of the circumference without any gaps. In one form, the tube has a bead in the area where the plastic layer is removed and the bead is in contact with the conductive covering section.

Abstract: A system to detect objects tagged with transponders used in-vivo or proximate a surgical site. The system includes a wand housing, at least one antenna carried by the wand housing, a fuse coupled to the at least one antenna and selectively operable to permanently disable the at least one antenna, and a disable circuit configured to selectively blow the fuse to permanently disable the at least one antenna responsive to a lapse of a defined amount of usage. A pouch holds a transponder and is physically coupleable to objects such as surgical sponges or gauze.

Abstract: A hose connector adapted to have a polymeric hose fitted on the outer periphery of the hose connector. The hose connector comprises a metal tubing and a sealing element. The sealing element includes a ring portion and a resilient member portion attached to the ring portion.

Abstract: A printer and a method are provided for determining a type of print medium in a printer. The method comprises the steps of: obtaining a first set of reflectance data from a first side of the print medium; obtaining a second set of reflectance data from a second side of the print medium; comparing the first set of reflectance data to the second set of reflectance data; and categorizing the print medium as being in one of a plurality of print medium categories based upon the comparison of the first set of reflectance data and second set of reflection data.

Abstract: A hose connector adapted to have a polymeric hose fitted on the outer periphery of the hose connector. The hose connector comprises a metal tubing and a sealing element. The sealing element includes a ring portion and a resilient member portion attached to the ring portion.

Abstract: A quick connector coupling for forming a joint in a fluid/vapor line system. The coupling comprises a female housing, a connector body, a male member and a retainer. The female housing has a bore extending from an end of the female housing and a radially enlarged section. The connector body has slots formed therethrough and a through bore extending from an end of the connector body. A portion of the connector body is located radially outward of said radially enlarged section of the female housing. The male member extends through the ends of the connector body and female housing and into the female housing bore. The male member has a tubular surface and an annular upset. The upset has a diameter greater than the diameter of the tubular surface. The retainer is coupled to the connector body. The retainer includes a cross member and two spaced legs extending from the cross member and through the slots. The legs are in abutting relationship with the male member upset.

Abstract: In a method for grounding a metal tube (2) sheathed with an electrically non-conducting plastic layer (1), has the plastic layer (1) of the metal tube (2) completely removed at an area of connection (3) the area of connection (3) is connected to the motor vehicle part in an electrically conducting fashion by a conductive covering section (4) is closed in the circumferential direction of the metal tube (2) which covers the area of connection (3) on all sides or more than covers the area of connection (3) on all sides, i.e. in the form of a crimp sleeve or a heat-shrinkable sleeve. It is first pushed onto the metal tube (2) and is then pressed onto the metal tube (2) at least at its ends under radial pressure applied along at least part of the circumference without any gaps. In one form, the tube has a bead in the area where the plastic layer is removed and the bead is in contact with the conductive covering section.

Abstract: An infusion device with a disposable administration set which is inexpensive to manufacture. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the disposable administration set has a plurality of elongated cam followers connected to a plate assembly, wherein the cam followers are displaced in a predetermined sequence and forced against a delivery tube by cam means driven by rotary drive means. The disposable administration set is injection molded as a single integral piece. The disposable administration set includes adjustment spacers disposed between the plate assembly and the cam followers which adjust the distance between them to keep the device accurate. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the cam assembly is configured to provide fluid delivery at a consistent and uniform rate. The device may also incude a pressure sensing pin positioned on the cam assembly which contacts the tubing during the pumping cycle.

Abstract: An infusion device with a disposable administration set which is inexpensive to manufacture. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the disposable administration set has a plurality of elongated cam followers connected to a plate assembly, wherein the cam followers are displaced in a predetermined sequence and forced against a delivery tube by cam means driven by rotary drive means. The disposable administration set is injection molded as a single integral piece. The disposable administration set includes adjustment spacers disposed between the plate assembly and the cam followers which adjust the distance between them to keep the device accurate. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the cam means are configured to provide fluid delivery at a consistent and uniform rate. The device may also incude a pressure sensing pin positioned on the cam assembly which contacts the tubing during the pumping cycle.