Abstract: The disclosure concerns a computer-controlled system for interval thermal therapy; the system including a control unit console configured for placement on a bench-top or similar setup, the console is connected to a hand-held thermal therapy application assembly, either by way of a cable extending between the hand-held assembly and the console, or via a cordless coupling therebetween. The hand-held assembly generally comprises a removeably applicator with a thermally conductive contact surface configured to communicate hot or cold thermal energy, or a combination of hot and cold thermal therapy in various intervals, the contact surface of the hand held assembly is used to contact a patient's body at a desired treatment site for effectuating various physiological treatments or therapies.

Abstract: A hydraulic wrench extension includes an input head connected to an output head via a fluid conduit. The input head is adapted to receive an input torque and convert the input torque into hydraulic fluid pressure. The fluid conduit is adapted to communicate the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the input head to the output head. The output head is adapted to convert the hydraulic fluid pressure into torque for applying to a fastener. The hydraulic wrench extension may comprise an articulating linkage adapted to house the fluid conduit and provide a configurable orientation of the wrench extension for traversing obstacles and accessing difficult-to-reach fasteners.

Abstract: A hydraulic wrench extension includes an input head connected to an output head via a fluid conduit. The input head is adapted to receive an input torque and convert the input torque into hydraulic fluid pressure. The fluid conduit is adapted to communicate the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the input head to the output head. The output head is adapted to convert the hydraulic fluid pressure into torque for applying to a fastener. The hydraulic wrench extension may comprise an articulating linkage adapted to house the fluid conduit and provide a configurable orientation of the wrench extension for traversing obstacles and accessing difficult-to-reach fasteners.

Abstract: A medical luer connection improves liquid mixing thereby reducing areas of low or stagnant flow within the plenum chamber formed between the male and female luer connectors. Stagnation or low flow areas in the plenum can be reduced by imparting a non-axial flow component to the fluid flow as it passes through the plenum. Improvement of the cleaning effectiveness of the luer connection reduces the amount of flushing fluid needed to clean the connection, reduces the residual blood matter at a fixed volume of fluid relative to a standard luer connection, or combinations of the above.

Abstract: A system for producing metal particles using a discrete particle electrolyzer cathode, a discrete particle electrolyzer cathode, and methods for manufacturing the cathode. The cathode has a plurality of active zones on a surface thereof at least partially immersed in a reaction solution. The active zones are spaced from one another by between about 0.1 mm and about 10 mm, and each has a surface area no less than about 0.02 square mm. The cathode is spaced from an anode also at least partially immersed in the reaction solution. A voltage potential is applied between the anode and cathode. Metal particles form on the active zones of the cathode. The particles may be dislodged from the cathode after they have achieved a desired size. The geometry and composition of the active zones are specified to promote the growth of high quality particles suitable for use in metal/air fuel cells. Cathodes may be formed from bundled wire, machined metal, chemical etching, or chemical vapor deposition techniques.

Abstract: Improved fuel cell systems comprise a fuel delivery system having a fluidization apparatus and a fluidization pump for creating an electrolyte flow suitable for fluidizing at least a portion of the fuel particles located within the fluidization apparatus. Due to the presence of the fluidization pump and the fuel delivery pump, the degree of fluidization of the fuel particles can be controlled independently of the overall electrolyte flow rate provided to the cell stacks. In other words, the mass flow rate of fuel particles through the fuel cell can be varied independently from the total flow rate through the fuel cell system. The fluidization of fuel particles can facilitate suitable mixing of fuel particles and electrolyte and can prevent fuel particle agglomeration, which can clog the fuel cell piping system.

Abstract: A method of producing metal particles through electrolysis. A cathode having a plurality of active zones on a surface thereof is at least partially immersed in a reaction solution. The cathode is spaced from an anode also at least partially immersed in the reaction solution. A voltage potential is applied between the anode and cathode. Metal particles form on the active zones of the cathode. In order to promote the formation of good quality particles, a turbulent flow of the solution is maintained past one or more the active zones, and the current density in the active zones is maintained greater than about 5 kA/m2. The particles may be dislodged from the cathode after they have achieved a desired size.

Abstract: A system for producing metal particles using a discrete particle electrolyzer cathode, a discrete particle electrolyzer cathode, and methods for manufacturing the cathode. The cathode has a plurality of active zones on a surface thereof at least partially immersed in a reaction solution. The active zones are spaced from one another by between about 0.1 mm and about 10 mm, and each has a surface area no less than about 0.02 square mm. The cathode is spaced from an anode also at least partially immersed in the reaction solution. A voltage potential is applied between the anode and cathode. Metal particles form on the active zones of the cathode. The particles may be dislodged from the cathode after they have achieved a desired size. The geometry and composition of the active zones are specified to promote the growth of high quality particles suitable for use in metal/air fuel cells. Cathodes may be formed from bundled wire, machined metal, chemical etching, or chemical vapor deposition techniques.

Abstract: A method of and system for flushing one or more cells or components thereof in a particle-based electrochemical power source is provided. Reaction solution is delivered to and withdrawn from the one or more cells when the electrochemical power source is in a standby mode of operation.

Abstract: A self-controlling fuel cell power system comprises a fuel cell subsystem having a plurality of possible operating states and a controller which transitions the subsystem among the states. A related method comprises sensing one or more subsystem parameters, and, responsive thereto, transitioning the subsystem among the operating states.

Abstract: Improved fuel cell systems comprise a fuel delivery system having a fluidization apparatus and a fluidization pump for creating an electrolyte flow suitable for fluidizing at least a portion of the fuel particles located within the fluidization apparatus. Due to the presence of the fluidization pump and the fuel delivery pump, the degree of fluidization of the fuel particles can be controlled independently of the overall electrolyte flow rate provided to the cell stacks. In other words, the mass flow rate of fuel particles through the fuel cell can be varied independently from the total flow rate through the fuel cell system. The fluidization of fuel particles can facilitate suitable mixing of fuel particles and electrolyte and can prevent fuel particle agglomeration, which can clog the fuel cell piping system.

Abstract: Improved electrochemical cell plates comprise a polymer layer and an electrically conductive structure that passes through the polymer layer, which provides electrical conductivity between adjacent cells in an electrochemical cell stack. Since the cell plates are composed of a polymeric layer, the cell plates can be more easily sealed to cell frame of the fuel cell stack. Additionally, the conductive structures of the cell plates provide low electrical resistance pathways for current flow between the anode of one cell and the cathode of an adjacent cell. Furthermore, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the conductive structure can also serve to maintain the spacing between adjacent cells.

Abstract: A method of and system for flushing one or more cells or components thereof in a particle-based electrochemical power source is provided. Reaction solution is delivered to and withdrawn from the one or more cells when the electrochemical power source is in a standby mode of operation.