Abstract: A waist belt for load bearing applications, comprising a downward facing conically shaped sacral plane fitter segment having a first and second ends, the sacral plane fitter segment being configured so as to rest on the sacral region of the lower back of a wearer, a first sub-iliac crest segment issuing from the first end of the sacral plane fitter segment and a second sub-iliac crest segment issuing from the second end of the sacral plane fitter segment the first and second sub-iliac crest segments being configured so as to rest on the sub-iliac regions of the pelvic bone and a first abdominal relief cut segment issuing from the first sub-iliac crest segment and a second abdominal relief cut segment issuing from the second sub-iliac crest segment, the first and second abdominal relief cut segments being configured so as to curl under the abdomen.

Abstract: An ear canal flushing device includes a main body with a cavity for storing a liquid and a temperature sensor for indicating when the liquid is within a selected temperature range that will not adversely affect the patient when the liquid contacts the tympanic membrane. A nozzle is removably attachable to the main body where the nozzle includes a distal portion adapted for insertion into the ear canal and an internal nozzle lumen in fluid communication with the opening in the main body. The nozzle also includes at least one discharge port in fluid communication with the internal nozzle lumen wherein when pressure is applied to the main body a volume of the cavity decreases and liquid is forced out of the at least one discharge port such that the ear canal can be rinsed.

Abstract: A port for providing access to a surgical site in a patient's body includes a plurality of segments that when positioned substantially adjacent to each other form a substantially uninterrupted outer perimeter and an internal access portal to the surgical site The port also includes a locking mechanism for retaining the plurality of segments substantially adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A programming system in which entertainment and information programming is transmitted, received and stored in real time by a multitude of receivers. The stored programming subsequently may be retrieved by a user in non-real time at the user's convenience. This programming system is particularly adaptable for use with receivers located in moveable vehicles wherein, however, the mobile receivers must have access to the transmitted information, that is, to a transmitter, regardless of the extent of the vehicle's journey. To this end, one or more transmitters located within respective service areas transmit identical programming information along with respective transmitter location codes over different frequency channels, wherein each code also defines a transmitter priority of effective radiated power.

Abstract: An entertainment service consists of program material which is encoded, supplied and stored in receivers for later retrieval at the convenience of a subscriber or user. A number of unique options are available and include a format for the presentation of audio/video commercials and other message materials without interfering with the delivery of the program materials within which the message materials are to be inserted. Message materials may be targeted at specific program subscriber groups and specific program categories. The entertainment materials are electronically supplied in a unique format of the program and message materials selectively interspersed with program break flags and message flags. The flags identify and provide preselected access to the materials previously determined by the subscriber's service.

Abstract: The data rate of speech and non-speech audio is selectively reduced by respective compression techniques based upon the information content of the type of signal. A composite audio information signal formed of speech and non-speech audio is applied to both a voice encoder and a wide-band audio compression encoder. An audio-type detection circuit examines the speech spectrum as well as the entire frequency spectrum and dynamic range of the audio information and generates a selection signal indicating whether the signal is speech or non-speech audio. A composite encoded audio signal is produced by intermingling the outputs of the encoders in response to the selection signal. The composite encoded audio signal and an identification signal indicative of the audio signal type are transmitted to respective receivers at the reduced data rates for storage, and subsequent decoding and retrieval by a listener as an audible signal in response to the transmitted identification signal.

Abstract: A hemostatic sealing assembly comprises a valve housing and a two-stage hemostatic gasket. The gasket is disposed in an enlarged recess within a shell component of the housing and held in place by a terminal plug. The front and rear faces of the gasket are conically tapered as are the mating surfaces and the housing shell and terminal plug, respectively. In this way, the gasket can be radially compressed to provide a desired degree of both sliding seal and static seal.

Abstract: An aperture correction system employing a tapped delay line includes an integral detection/gating circuit, whereby the combination generates an improved video detail signal by removing the objectionable noise and low amplitude components which are emphasized during the aperture correction process, while retaining the original shape of the high frequency video detail transitions as enhanced by the aperture correction process. The objectionable noise cancellation is provided by selectively gating the aperture correction signal via the detection/gating circuit in response to a selected gating waveform provided from the video detail signal itself. The detection/gating circuit may be selectively disabled to cause severe attenuation of the waveform at selected low and high frequencies outside the passband of the system.