Abstract: In a monitoring system using optical fibers, an area to be monitored is divided into zones where each zone has fibers which create a change in a signal transmitted by the fiber in response to an event to be monitored. The fibers all communicate to a common monitoring system having a channel for each zone. The fiber of a second one of the zones communicates to the respective channel of the common monitoring system through a fiber passing through a first one of the zones so that the fiber and thus the second channel is also responsive to an event in the first zone zones. The invention provides a method of distinguishing between the separate zones where events have occurred by a Boolean analysis of the signals in the different channels.

Abstract: A stock solution for making pelleted livestock feed or pet food, comprising: a) 20-50 wt %. of an organic acid selected from the group consisting of formic, acetic, propionic, butyric and mixtures thereof, b) 15-30 wt. % of ethoxylated castor oil surfactant having an HLB from 4 to 18 and a molar ratio of 1 molecule of castor oil to 40-60 molecules of ethylene oxide, c) 0-20 wt. % of propylene glycol, d) 0-50 wt. % of water, and a pelleted feed made therewith.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having an elongated shaft having a shaft distal end and a shaft proximal end. An end effector is coupled to the shaft distal end and includes opposed jaws. A housing is included in one of the jaws, the housing having a housing proximal end, a housing distal end, an upper surface, a distal garage having lateral surfaces that extend above the upper surface, and a plurality of staple openings extending through the upper surface. A knife member is supported within the housing for movement distally. The knife member is moveable into a predetermined parked position such that a first portion of the cutting blade displaces below the upper surface and a second portion remains displaced above the upper surface. There is enough lateral clearance in the predetermined parked position between the lateral faces and the second portion to accommodate a dislodged staple.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having an elongated shaft having a shaft distal end and a shaft proximal end. An end effector is coupled to the shaft distal end and includes opposed jaws. A housing is included in one of the jaws, the housing having a housing proximal end, a housing distal end, an upper surface, a distal garage having lateral surfaces that extend above the upper surface, and a plurality of staple openings extending through the upper surface. A knife member is supported within the housing for movement distally. The knife member is moveable into a predetermined parked position such that a first portion of the cutting blade displaces below the upper surface and a second portion remains displaced above the upper surface. There is enough lateral clearance in the predetermined parked position between the lateral faces and the second portion to accommodate a dislodged staple.

Abstract: A stock solution for making pelleted livestock feed or pet food, comprising: a) 20-50 wt %. of an organic acid selected from the group consisting of formic, acetic, propionic, butyric and mixtures thereof, b) 15-30 wt. % of ethoxylated castor oil surfactant having an HLB from 4 to 18 and a molar ratio of 1 molecule of castor oil to 40-60 molecules of ethylene oxide, c) 0-20 wt. % of propylene glycol, d) 0-50 wt. % of water, and a pelleted feed made therewith.

Abstract: A manufactured construction board is formed from a composition that may include magnesium oxide, magnesium chloride, a binding agent (e.g., perlite), wood shavings, recycled board scraps, and water. The construction board further includes fiberglass and polyester paper sheets on opposite sides of the construction board. A method of fabricating the construction board is also disclosed to include mixing magnesium chloride with water to form a solution, mixing the solution with magnesium oxide, perlite and a binding agent to form a paste, and pouring the paste onto a mold to form a construction board. The paste is poured onto a mold which is then passed through a series of rollers to spread out the paste evenly across the mold and to form the paste into the desired thickness. The resulting construction board is fire and water resistant and much more durable than conventional sheetrock.

Abstract: A method and system for improving the physical skills of a user performing a given activity. In the method and system, processed images of the user during the performance of the activity are gathered and displayed to the user in real-time using a viewer. Images are generated of an idealized instructional performance of the activity. The generated images are simultaneously displayed with the gathered and processed images, and may be customized to the physical characteristics of the user.

Abstract: The invention comprises a crankshaft damper having an integral pulse ring. The crankshaft damper comprises an inner hub and outer pulley with an elastomeric connecting member between each. The elastomeric ring dampens a crankshaft vibration. The integral pulse ring is manufactured as part of the inner hub by flow forming a sheet metal blank.

Abstract: The invention comprises a crankshaft damper having an integral pulse ring. The crankshaft damper comprises an inner hub and outer pulley with an elastomeric connecting member between each. The elastomeric ring dampens a crankshaft vibration. The integral pulse ring is manufactured as part of the inner hub by flow forming a sheet metal blank.

Abstract: A microphone capsule for an in-the-ear hearing aid is disclosed. The capsule can include a top plate having first and second spaced openings defining front and rear sound inlets, and a directional microphone cartridge enclosing a diaphragm. The diaphragm is oriented generally perpendicular to the top plate and divides the directional microphone cartridge housing into a front chamber and a rear chamber. A front sound passage communicates between the front sound inlet and the front chamber, and a rear sound passage communicates between the rear sound inlet and the rear chamber. Front and rear acoustic damping resistors are associated with the front and rear sound passages. The acoustic resistor pair provides a selected time delay, such as about 4 microseconds, between the front and rear sound passages. The use of two acoustic resistors instead of one levels the frequency response, compared to the frequency response provided by a rear acoustic damping resistor alone.

Abstract: An endoscopic clip applier is adapted to retain a plurality of polymeric latching clips in an elongate assembly, and includes a jaw assembly for applying a polymeric latching clip. The jaw assembly extends from the distal end of the elongate assembly. A clip feeding member is moveable between a proximal position and a distal position to advance clips in the clip applier and to feed a clip from the distal end of the elongate assembly to the jaw assembly. Additionally, a jaw actuating member is moveable between a proximal position and a distal position, and includes cam surfaces for closing the jaw assembly. The actuator assembly actuates the clip feeding member to advance clips in the clip-containing elongate assembly and into the jaw assembly and subsequently advances the jaw actuating member to close the jaw assembly.

Abstract: A microphone capsule for an in-the-ear hearing aid is disclosed. The capsule can include a top plate having first and second spaced openings defining front and rear sound inlets, and a directional microphone cartridge enclosing a diaphragm. The diaphragm is oriented generally perpendicular to the top plate and divides the directional microphone cartridge housing into a front chamber and a rear chamber. A front sound passage communicates between the front sound inlet and the front chamber, and a rear sound passage communicates between the rear sound inlet and the rear chamber. Front and rear acoustic damping resistors are associated with the front and rear sound passages. The acoustic resistor pair provides a selected time delay, such as about 4 microseconds, between the front and rear sound passages. The use of two acoustic resistors instead of one levels the frequency response, compared to the frequency fesponse provided by a rear acoustic damping resistor alone.

Abstract: A microphone capsule for an in-the-ear hearing aid is disclosed. The capsule can include a top plate having first and second spaced openings defining front and rear sound inlets, and a directional microphone cartridge enclosing a diaphragm. The diaphragm is oriented generally perpendicular to the top plate and divides the directional microphone cartridge housing into a front chamber and a rear chamber. A front sound passage communicates between the front sound inlet and the front chamber, and a rear sound passage communicates between the rear sound inlet and the rear chamber. Front and rear acoustic damping resistors are associated with the front and rear sound passages. The acoustic resistor pair provides a selected time delay, such as about 4 microseconds, between the front and rear sound passages. The use of two acoustic resistors instead of one levels the frequency response, compared to the frequency response provided by a rear acoustic damping resistor alone.

Abstract: A method and system for improving the physical skills of a user performing a given activity. In the method and system, processed images of the user during the performance of the activity are gathered and displayed to the user in real-time using a viewer. Images are generated of an idealized instructional performance of the activity. The generated images are simultaneously displayed with the gathered and processed images, and may be customized to the physical characteristics of the user.

Abstract: The invention comprises a crankshaft damper having an integral pulse ring. The crankshaft damper comprises an inner hub and outer pulley with an elastomeric connecting member between each. The elastomeric ring dampens a crankshaft vibration. The integral pulse ring is manufactured as part of the inner hub by flow forming a sheet metal blank.

Abstract: An endoscopic clip applier is adapted to retain a plurality of asymmetric ligating clips in a clip channel contained within a shaft assembly, and includes a jaw assembly for applying an asymmetric clip. The jaw assembly is connected to the distal end of the clip channel, and a handle assembly is connected to a proximal end of the clip channel. A feeder bar is mounted adjacent the clip channel, and is moveable between a proximal position and a distal position to advance clips in the clip applier and to feed a clip from the clip channel to the jaw assembly. Additionally, the shaft assembly is moveable between a proximal position and a distal position, and includes cam surfaces for closing the jaw assembly when the shaft assembly is moved in a distal direction. A trigger on the handle assembly actuates the feeder bar to advance clips in the clip channel and advances the shaft assembly to close the jaw assembly.

Abstract: A microphone capsule for an in-the-ear hearing aid is disclosed. The capsule can include a top plate having first and second spaced openings defining front and rear sound inlets, and a directional microphone cartridge enclosing a diaphragm. The diaphragm is oriented generally perpendicular to the top plate and divides the directional microphone cartridge housing into a front chamber and a rear chamber. A front sound passage communicates between the front sound inlet and the front chamber, and a rear sound passage communicates between the rear sound inlet and the rear chamber. Front and rear acoustic damping resistors are associated with the front and rear sound passages. The acoustic resistor pair provides a selected time delay, such as about 4 microseconds, between the front and rear sound passages. The use of two acoustic resistors instead of one levels the frequency response, compared to the frequency response provided by a rear acoustic damping resistor alone.

Abstract: A lingual dental matrix tensioner comprising two posts maintained parallel by two parallel rods through the posts at a right angle to the post axes One rod is threaded and has an end knob for adjusting the spacing between the posts, the other rod is a guide rod. Both ends of a matrix band are clamped to one post and the doubled matrix is guided through one of several slots in the other to form a retainer loop at any location. Rotating the threaded rod to separate the posts reduces the size of the loop.

Abstract: A microphone capsule for an in-the-ear hearing aid is disclosed. The capsule can include a top plate having first and second spaced openings defining front and rear sound inlets, and a directional microphone cartridge enclosing a diaphragm. The diaphragm is oriented generally perpendicular to the top plate and divides the directional microphone cartridge housing into a front chamber and a rear chamber. A front sound passage communicates between the front sound inlet and the front chamber, and a rear sound passage communicates between the rear sound inlet and the rear chamber. Front and rear acoustic damping resistors are associated with the front and rear sound passages. The acoustic resistor pair provides a selected time delay, such as about 4 microseconds, between the front and rear sound passages. The use of two acoustic resistors instead of one levels the frequency response, compared to the frequency response provided by a rear acoustic damping resistor alone.