Abstract: This application relates to improvements in environments for microbial testing. Exemplary embodiments provide a uniquely configured tray containing an environment conditioning material, such as an oxygen scavenger material, for use with a cassette assembly. Furthermore, some embodiments provide a cutting mechanism that allows the tray to be reliably breached, thereby exposing the material inside to the environment. Some embodiments can cut open the material with specially-configured cutter teeth, which can easily be deployed by twisting or pushing two halves of the cassette assembly.

Abstract: This application relates to improvements in environments for microbial testing. Exemplary embodiments provide a uniquely configured tray containing an environment conditioning material, such as an oxygen scavenger material, for use with a cassette assembly. Furthermore, some embodiments provide a cutting mechanism that allows the tray to be reliably breached, thereby exposing the material inside to the environment. Some embodiments can cut open the material with specially-configured cutter teeth, which can easily be deployed by twisting or pushing two halves of the cassette assembly.

Abstract: A secondary header for an active implantable medical device (AIMD) incorporates a secondary header plug configured for mating insertion into an AIMD ISO DF4 or IS4 connector cavity, a secondary header ISO DF4 or IS4 connector cavity, and at least one replacement lead connector cavity. The secondary header plug has four electrical contacts which correspond to four electrical contacts of the AIMD connector cavity. The secondary header connector cavity has less than four electrical contacts conductively coupled to the secondary header plug electrical contacts. The replacement lead connector cavity has at least one electrical contact conductively coupled to at least one electrical contact of the secondary header plug. An intermediate conformal section between the secondary header plug and a housing for the secondary header connector cavity places the secondary header connector cavity housing adjacent to an exterior surface of the AIMD.

Abstract: A secondary header for an active implantable medical device (AIMD) incorporates a secondary header plug configured for mating insertion into an AIMD ISO DF4 or IS4 connector cavity, a secondary header ISO DF4 or IS4 connector cavity, and at least one replacement lead connector cavity. The secondary header plug has four electrical contacts which correspond to four electrical contacts of the AIMD connector cavity. The secondary header connector cavity has less than four electrical contacts conductively coupled to the secondary header plug electrical contacts. The replacement lead connector cavity has at least one electrical contact conductively coupled to at least one electrical contact of the secondary header plug. An intermediate conformal section between the secondary header plug and a housing for the secondary header connector cavity places the secondary header connector cavity housing adjacent to an exterior surface of the AIMD.

Abstract: A non-hermetically sealed and biocompatible multi-turn RFID loop antenna is electrically connected to a RFID chip which is enclosed within its own hermetically sealed miniature container. The hermetic seal can be very small and the loop antenna can be relatively large, wherein the entire package is both highly reliable, resistant to body fluids and completely biocompatible. The RFID structure can be implanted in a patient and later communicate with an RFID interrogator to provide information relating to the patient and/or implantable medical devices.

Abstract: A keyless entry system for an automobile is described. The keyless entry system comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that has been programmed to selectively unlock an automobile when the RFID tag is within a predetermined distance and, optionally, to lock the automobile when the RFID is outside the predetermined distance. An interrogator housed on or within the automobile comprises an actuatable RF signal generator for transmitting an electromagnetic signal and a time-out circuit. Regardless whether the programmed RFID tag is detected, or not, the RF signal generator transmits a first electromagnetic signal having a first limited total continuous transmit time, followed by an interim period of a defined length where the time-out circuit renders the interrogator incapable of transmitting the electromagnetic signal, followed by the RF signal generator transmitting a second electromagnetic signal having a second limited total continuous transmit time.

Abstract: A system is provided for identifying implanted medical devices, leads and systems, as well as objects in close proximity to a patient having an implanted active medical device, using a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag having retrievable information relating to the AIMD, lead system and/or patient. An RFID tag communicator includes a circuit for limiting the total continuous transmit time of an interrogation signal, and a time-out circuit for delaying a second and any subsequent interrogation of the RFID tag.

Abstract: An implantable radio frequency identification (RFID) tag includes a hermetically sealed biocompatible container, an RFID microelectronics chip is disposed within the container, and a biocompatible antenna extends from the RFID microelectronic chip and exteriorly of the container. In an exemplary embodiment the container comprises a housing for an active implantable medical device (AIMD). In another exemplary embodiment the RFID tag is associated with an AIMD. The AIMD may comprise a lead system. The RFID tag may be disposed within a non-hermetically sealed portion of the AIMD, such a header block, and may include information pertaining to the AIMD. Another exemplary embodiment may include a sensor conductively coupled to the RFID microelectronics chip. The sensor may be disposed exterior of or within the container. The sensor measures properties and activities of the human body and the RFID tag is capable of transmitting said measured properties in real time.

Abstract: A system is provided for identifying implanted medical devices, leads and systems, as well as objects in close proximity to a patient having an implanted active medical device, using a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag having retrievable information relating to the AIMD, lead system and/or patient. An RFID tag communicator includes a circuit for limiting the total continuous transmit time of an interrogation signal, and a time-out circuit for delaying a second and any subsequent interrogation of the RFID tag.

Abstract: A non-hermetically sealed and biocompatible multi-turn RFID loop antenna is electrically connected to a RFID chip which is enclosed within its own hermetically sealed miniature container. The hermetic seal can be very small and the loop antenna can be relatively large, wherein the entire package is both highly reliable, resistant to body fluids and completely biocompatible. The RFID structure can be implanted in a patient and later communicate with an RFID interrogator to provide information relating to the patient and/or implantable medical devices.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for image registration and display of relevant information. The method includes identifying one or more anatomical parts in an acquired image, mapping the acquired image to a reference image based on the one or more anatomical parts, storing anatomy information in relation to the acquired image, and displaying the acquired image based on the anatomy information. The method may also include controlling the displaying of the acquired image based on a voice command related to the anatomy information. Anatomy information may be displayed with the acquired image. Anatomy information may include clinical information, reference information, disease process information, a related image, and/or drug interaction information, for example. The acquired image may be displayed according to a display setting, such as a window level setting and/or other display setting, based on the anatomy information.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for image registration and display of relevant information. The method includes identifying one or more anatomical parts in an acquired image, mapping the acquired image to a reference image based on the one or more anatomical parts, storing anatomy information in relation to the acquired image, and displaying the acquired image based on the anatomy information. The method may also include controlling the displaying of the acquired image based on a voice command related to the anatomy information. Anatomy information may be displayed with the acquired image. Anatomy information may include clinical information, reference information, disease process information, a related image, and/or drug interaction information, for example. The acquired image may be displayed according to a display setting, such as a window level setting and/or other display setting, based on the anatomy information.

Abstract: Site-won spoil from an excavation which is a predominantly non-granular cohesive material can be converted into a material suitable for immediate use as a backfill material by a process of mechanically mixing the spoil with between 0 and 30% by weight or volume of added granular material and between 1 and 10% by weight or volume of a powder material comprising 1–5% lime or with the addition of 1–5% cement and/or 1–5% pulverized fly ash. The process works well with clay soils and the range of suitable spoil can be extended by adding cement to the powder material. The proportions in the mixture are chosen in dependence on the clay and moisture content of the spoil. A machine which can be set to mix the ingredients and water in the correct proportions on site is also described.

Abstract: A portable drill support having a force transfer assembly that comprises a pair of parallel linear segments joined in a hinged manner that allows the relative position of the segments to be varied while still maintaining their parallel relationship. The segments are joined by a pivoting swing hinge member and a pivoting handle member, the handle member being the leveraging arm used to apply force to the drill. The force assembly is joined to either an extension assembly, preferably composed of detachable extension segments, or a forward bracing assembly that comprises a hook member. Preferably the drill mount, the extension assembly and the forward bracing assembly are connected by mechanical interlocking means that allow the apparatus to be disassembled.

Abstract: A method and system for linking position location information between two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) software applications for viewing diagnostic medical images. The position location information is integrated between 2D and 3D viewing paradigms. This integration provides bidirectional communication between the 2D and 3D viewing paradigm systems. The 3D cursor allows for immediate synchronized navigation through different image sets such as 3D magnetic resonance (MR) images and 2D computed tomography (CT) images while they are being simultaneously viewed on the two different viewing applications.

Abstract: A machine for combining powder material with cohesive site-won spoil has an input hopper (4) which provides a preliminary breaking up step. Some lime is added from a lime feeder (6) as the material is transported to a pan mixer (8). During transport a rotavator (30) acts on the cohesive material so that finely divided material enters the mixing means (8). Further powder ingredients can be added to the components in the pan mixer (8) by means of a powder ingredient supply system (10).

Abstract: A security barrier made up of a specially constructed bulkhead and a novel security door hingedly mounted within the security bulkhead that provides substantial protection against assault by potential aggressors. The security barrier can be used in various types of sensitive areas, but is particularly well-suited for use in commercial aircraft to separate the passenger compartment from the pilot's compartment and thereby protect the pilots compartment from assault by terrorists and other armed aggressors. The bulkhead is made up of a plurality of sealably interconnected armor protected panels that effectively thwart access to the pilots compartment via the bulkhead. The security door is of a laminate construction that is hingedly mounted within the security bulkhead and uniquely comprises a movable portion movable from a first position to a second position upon the detection of a pressure differential between the passenger compartment and the pilot's compartment.

Abstract: Sensors, systems and methods for measuring magnetic field strengths in both AC and DC magnetic fields by using CMR material in tunable, radio-frequency LC oscillators are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved braking roller apparatus for preventing unintended movement of cargo containers within cargo compartments of the character found in cargo transport vehicles such as cargo aircraft. The improved braking roller apparatus includes highly novel, internal friction producing elements that smoothly and effectively resist rotation of a pair of cooperating rotors which are driven by a uniquely configured ULD engaging outer housing. The rotors and the cooperating friction elements in turn cooperate with a one way roller clutch assembly in a manner to positively impede rotation of the cargo container engaging outer housing in a first direction which allowing its free, unrestricted rotation in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A secondary header for an active implantable medical device (AIMD) incorporates a secondary header plug configured for mating insertion into an AIMD ISO DF4 or IS4 connector cavity, a secondary header ISO DF4 or IS4 connector cavity, and at least one replacement lead connector cavity. The secondary header plug has four electrical contacts which correspond to four electrical contacts of the AIMD connector cavity. The secondary header connector cavity has less than four electrical contacts conductively coupled to the secondary header plug electrical contacts. The replacement lead connector cavity has at least one electrical contact conductively coupled to at least one electrical contact of the secondary header plug. An intermediate conformal section between the secondary header plug and a housing for the secondary header connector cavity places the secondary header connector cavity housing adjacent to an exterior surface of the AIMD.