Abstract: A cushion member for a user interface device is provided. The cushion member is structured to provide a load distribution functionality responsive to the cushion member being donned by the user, wherein at least a portion of the cushion member has a local stiffness of less than or equal to 100 kPa/mm responsive to a stress increase on the cushion member of 1 kPa-15 kPa.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rubbery or elastomeric polymer material taking up more than 5% by weight of water and at most 500% by weight of water after immersion in demineralized water at room temperature for a sufficient time to reach saturation, comprising: (a) repeating units from one or more hydrophobic organic monomers, and (b) repeating units from one or more monomers (a) being modified with one or more hydrophilic side groups. The rubbery or elastomeric polymer material may be in the form of a sheet, a foam, a coating adapted for adhesion to a substrate, or a fiber. This invention also relates to processes, polymerizable compositions, and foaming compositions for producing such rubbery or elastomeric polymer materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing specimens for microscopy including equipment for providing two or more of each of the following specimen processing activities under continuous vacuum conditions: plasma cleaning the specimen, ion beam or reactive ion beam etching the specimen, plasma etching the specimen and coating the specimen with a conductive material. Also, an apparatus and method for detecting a position of a surface of the specimen in a processing chamber, wherein the detected position is used to automatically move the specimen to appropriate locations for subsequent processing.

Abstract: An improved patient interface assembly and pressure support system integrate a pressure sensor and a valve into the patient interface assembly and employs closed loop control between the sensor and the valve in order to limit delay between the time at which a condition indicative of abnormal breathing or flow load during normal breathing is experienced by a patient and the time at which altered pressure support is received by the patient.

Abstract: A method of evaluating potential for discomfort of a patient (2) caused by an object (4) on the patient. The method includes acquiring (6) a first thermal image (20;40) of the patient, and wearing the object for a predetermined time. The object is removed and a plurality of thermal images (16, 24, 26, 28, 30, 44, 46, 48, 50) of the patient are acquired at predetermined times. The potential for a pressure sore or discomfort is evaluated (12) based upon at least one of the time (17) needed for one of the plurality of thermal images of the patient to return to the first thermal image, size (18) of a number of areas of an epidermis having a temperature change (19) between acquiring the first thermal image and acquiring a first one of the thermal images, and the temperature change.

Abstract: A cooling enclosure for a valve includes an elongated housing body having a pair of housing portions and a pair of removable end plates, the pair of housing portions separable along at least one longitudinally-extending seam. Fastener devices are provided for securing the pair of housing portions engaged along the at least one longitudinal extending seam. One or more apertures are provided for accommodating a like number of valve fittings, and cooling air inlet and outlet openings are also provided in the housing body for supplying and removing cooling air to the housing body.

Abstract: A method and system for performing invasive procedures includes a surgical robot which is controlled by a guidance system that uses time of flight calculations from RF transmitters embedded in the robot, surgical instrument, and patient anatomy. Sensors around the room detect RF transmissions emitted by the RF transmitters and drive the robot according to a preprogrammed trajectory entered into the guidance system.

Abstract: A patient interface device (10) that includes a patient sealing element (12) and a tubing assembly (14) fluidly coupled to the patient sealing element for delivering a breathing gas to the patient sealing element. The tubing assembly is adapted to be worn on a head of a user and includes at least one rigid or semi-rigid straight segment (20) fluidly coupled to at least one flexible bellows segment (18). The tubing assembly may be provided within a headgear component (16) used to attach the patient interface device to the patient's head.

Abstract: A magnesium treatment for removing water-soluble impurities in a process for making crystalline sodium carbonate, bicarbonate, or sulfite. A waste comprising such impurities is treated with a magnesium compound to form water-insoluble matter which is removed to form a purified solution. The treatment may be performed on a solution which contains the waste and optionally dissolved calcined trona. The purified solution may be used as a feedstock to form crystalline soda ash, and/or used as a reactant to produce crystalline sodium sulfite or bicarbonate via reaction with SO2 or CO2. In preferred embodiments, the waste may comprise a purge or weak liquor, a reclaimed solid, or combinations thereof. The water-soluble impurities may be silicates and/or foam-causing impurities, and the waste may contain sodium bicarbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, and/or one or more sodium carbonate hydrates, such as decahydrate.

Abstract: A multiwavelength transmitter comprises several laser sources (1) each configured to generate light of a different wavelength and a first array waveguide grating (2) arranged to direct light from each of the laser sources (1) into a first waveguide. The transmitter further comprises several electroabsorption modulators (7) each arranged to modulate light at one of the wavelengths with a respective data signal and a second array waveguide grating (6) arranged to direct each of said different wavelengths of light from the first waveguide to a respective one of the modulators (7). The optical modulators (7) are reflective optical modulators and the second array waveguide grating (6) is arranged to direct the modulated light reflected from each of the optical modulators (7) back into the first waveguide. An optical circulator (5) is provided in the first waveguide to couple modulated light from the second array waveguide grating (6) into an output waveguide.

Abstract: An assembly for delivering a supply of liquid fuel and a supply of purge air to a gas turbine engine, the assembly comprising: an annular dual-flow check valve for controlling the flow through concentric channels that have a common outlet, the annular dual-flow check valve comprising: an outer body and an inner body that define the concentric channels, which include an outer channel and an inner channel formed therein; a spring activated annular poppet that resides in the outer channel and has a range of motion in the axial direction; and an opening through the inner body that connects the outer channel to the inner channel; wherein the axial movement of the annular poppet is regulated by the pressure of the flow upstream of the annular poppet in the outer channel; and the axial range of motion of the annular poppet includes at least two axial positions.

Abstract: A sleep management related vending kiosk is provided that includes a main housing, a processing unit provided within the main housing, a vending apparatus provided at least partially within the main housing, the vending apparatus storing a plurality of respiratory patient interface device products and being structured to selectively vend the respiratory patient interface device products under control of the processing unit. In a further embodiment, a facial scanning module is provided at least partially within the main housing, including a scanning device for scanning a face of a patient. The processing unit is programmed to recommend and cause the vending apparatus to vend one of the respiratory patient interface device products based on the scanning of the face of the patient.

Abstract: A patient interface device that includes a mask shell and a cushion assembly. The cushion assembly includes a seal cushion and a support cushion. The seal cushion contacts a first area of a patient's face to form a seal therewith. The support cushion defines a second area over a face of such a patient when the patient interface device is being worn. The second area overlaps at least a portion of the first area.

Abstract: An airway pressure support system (2) that includes a pressure generating device (4) structured to produce a flow of gas and a component (8) such as a patient interface device (8) structured to be selectively coupled to the pressure generating device (4), wherein the pressure generating device (4) and the component (8) are structured to enable the component (8) to be to wirelessly identified by the pressure generating device (4) only when the component (8) is coupled to the pressure generating device (4). Also, a method of identifying a component (8) in an airway pressure support system (2) that includes steps of coupling the component (8) to a pressure generating device (4) of the airway pressure support system (2) and enabling the component (8) to be to wirelessly identified by the pressure generating device (4) only when the component (8) is coupled to the pressure generating device.

Abstract: A method of evaluating potential for discomfort of a patient (2) caused by an object (4) on the patient. The method includes acquiring (6) a first thermal image (20;40) of the patient, and wearing the object for a predetermined time. The object is removed and a plurality of thermal images (16, 24, 26, 28, 30, 44, 46, 48, 50) of the patient are acquired at predetermined times. The potential for a pressure sore or discomfort is evaluated (12) based upon at least one of the time (17) needed for one of the plurality of thermal images of the patient to return to the first thermal image, size (18) of a number of areas of an epidermis having a temperature change (19) between acquiring the first thermal image and acquiring a first one of the thermal images, and the temperature change.

Abstract: A patient interface device includes a main frame having a central support portion and first and second arms extending from the central support portion. A cushion component is coupled to the central support portion. A first cheek support element is coupled to the first arm. The first cheek support element includes a first cheek support portion that engages the face and is selectively moveable relative to the first arm to adjust the linear distance between the first cheek support portion and the cushion component. A second cheek support element is coupled to the second arm. The second cheek support element includes a second cheek support portion structured to engage the patient's face and is selectively moveable relative to the second arm to adjust the linear distance between the second cheek support portion and the cushion component.

Abstract: A patient interface device includes a main frame and a headgear. The main frame includes a central support portion for supporting a cushion component and first and second arms extending from the central support portion. The headgear includes a support portion, and first and second straps extending therefrom. The first strap has a first pocket and the second strap has a second pocket, wherein the first arm is received and moveable within the first pocket along a longitudinal axis of the first strap and the second arm is received and moveable within the second pocket along a longitudinal axis of the second strap. The headgear also includes first and second fastening mechanisms for securing the headgear to the main frame, holding the first arm in a selected position within the first pocket and holding the second arm in a selected position within the second pocket.

Abstract: A method and system for performing invasive procedures includes a surgical robot which is controlled by a guidance system that uses time of flight calculations from RF transmitters embedded in the robot, surgical instrument, and patient anatomy. Sensors around the room detect RF transmissions emitted by the RF transmitters and drive the robot according to a preprogrammed trajectory entered into the guidance system.

Abstract: A method and system for performing invasive procedures includes a surgical robot which is controlled by a guidance system that uses time of flight calculations from RF transmitters embedded in the robot, surgical instrument, and patient anatomy. Sensors around the room detect RF transmissions emitted by the RF transmitters and drive the robot according to a preprogrammed trajectory entered into the guidance system.

Abstract: A method for removing impurities from a waste solid to provide at least a portion of a suitable crystallizer feed to a process for making crystalline sodium carbonate, bicarbonate, and/or other derivatives. The method comprises: contacting the waste solid with a leach solution to dissolve at least one impurity and dissolving the resulting leached residue. Leaching may include heap percolation. The leach solution may comprise a crystallizer purge liquor, a process waste effluent, a mine water, or mixtures thereof. The method may further comprise adding a magnesium compound to the resulting leached residue during or after its dissolution to remove another impurity. The waste solid preferably comprises a pond solid containing such impurities. The pond solid may be recovered from a pond receiving crystallizer purge liquor(s) and/or other process waste effluent(s). The pond solid may contain sodium carbonate, any hydrate thereof, sodium bicarbonate, and/or sodium sesquicarbonate.