Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for slow wave sleep improvement. The method includes recording a biosignal from a skin area of a patient using an electrode system. The slow wave stage of NREM sleep is detected by analyzing an oscillation rate of the biosignal. If the slow wave stage is detected, threshold electrocutaneous stimulation is applied to improve the quality of sleep. The described embodiment relates to an apparatus for slow wave sleep improvement comprising an electrode system, a measuring unit, a therapy unit and a processor. The processor is coupled to the measurement unit for receiving the biosignal corresponding to the electrodermal activity. The processor proceses the biosignal to determine the slow wave sleep stage and activates the therapy unit to deliver threshold electrocutaneous therapy to the patient with the purpose of improving the slow wave sleep stage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for slow wave sleep improvement. The method includes recording a biosignal from a skin area of a patient using an electrode system. The slow wave stage of NREM sleep is detected by analyzing an oscillation rate of the biosignal. If the slow wave stage is detected, threshold electrocutaneous stimulation is applied to improve the quality of sleep. The described embodiment relates to an apparatus for slow wave sleep improvement comprising an electrode system, a measuring unit, a therapy unit and a processor. The processor is coupled to the measurement unit for receiving the biosignal corresponding to the electrodermal activity. The processor proceses the biosignal to determine the slow wave sleep stage and activates the therapy unit to deliver threshold electrocuteneous therapy to the patient with the purpose of improving the slow wave sleep stage.

Abstract: A portable gas dynamic cold spray gun eliminates many of the inherent limitations of the prior art by minimizing a scatter of operating parameters and improving its efficiency. According to one feature of the present invention, the powder flow rate is continuously measured so that the powder flow rate and/or the flow rate of the pressurized gas can be adjusted accordingly in order to control the deposition efficiency of the spray gun.

Abstract: A dense coating deposition process by powder spraying is disclosed. A compressed gas is expanded through a supersonic nozzle and powder containing a mixture of at least one material selected from the group consisting of metals and metal alloys and at least one ceramic material is introduced into the gas flow slightly downstream of the throat of the nozzle. The coating is formed by the powder impacting and metallurgically bonding to the substrate and can be applied in multiple layers. The coating can suffice as a finished surface, corrosion protectant, leak sealer, and material build up application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making carbon-encapsulated ultrafine metal particles, in which metal powder intended for encapsulation is injected at a rate up to 25 grams per minutes into a plasma arc so that the metal powder is vaporized. The vaporized metal powder is then mixed with an active gas flow, which consists of hydrocarbons, filled in the surrounding area of the plasma arc, and thereby the vaporized metal powder and the active gas interact continuously producing carbon encapsulated ultrafine metal particles that are remarkably predictable in particle size, distribution of sizes and atomic composition.

Abstract: An ultrafine particle copper, tin, nickel, zinc lubricant with a surface area of from 5 to 70 m.sup.2 /g and a particle size of from about 0.01 to about 0.5 .mu.m. The powder dispersed in a carrier to form a dispersion stabilized by Brownian movement.