Abstract: A rigid back member of an automatic mechanical chest compression device is secured to a torso support platform. The torso support platform includes a main support strap immediately below where the rigid back member is secured to the torso support platform, and an upper support strap above where the rigid back member is secured to the torso support platform. The torso support platform tapers towards the top at approximately where a patient's shoulders are located when properly secured to the torso support platform. Additional straps may also be utilized, for example, shoulder straps extend over the shoulders of the patient and are secured to the torso support platform at a point below the patient's armpits, or straps that extend from the tapered section and secure to the automatic mechanical chest compression device.

Abstract: A rigid back member of an automatic mechanical chest compression device is secured to a torso support platform. The torso support platform includes a main support strap immediately below where the rigid back member is secured to the torso support platform, and an upper support strap above where the rigid back member is secured to the torso support platform. The torso support platform tapers towards the top at approximately where a patient's shoulders are located when properly secured to the torso support platform. Additional straps may also be utilized, for example, shoulder straps extend over the shoulders of the patient and are secured to the torso support platform at a point below the patient's armpits, or straps that extend from the tapered section and secure to the automatic mechanical chest compression device.

Abstract: A vacuum splint for maintaining a person in an immobilized state includes a flexible airtight casing upon which a patient is placed. The casing has an internal chamber that contains a large number of beads. Valves are provided to develop a vacuum within the chamber to convert the casing from a relatively soft, flexible state to a rigid, evacuated state. A semi-rigid member spans the length of the vacuum splint that resists longitudinal compression when air is evacuated from the chamber. The semi-rigid member also retains sufficient longitudinal and lateral flexibility such that it allows the vacuum splint to be molded to various patient positions and folded or rolled up when not in an evacuated state. The head end of the vacuum splint includes two protrusions that extend upward. When in an evacuated state, these protrusions extend over either side of a patient's head thereby providing support and protection.

Abstract: A vacuum splint for maintaining a person in an immobilized state includes a flexible airtight casing upon which a patient is placed. The casing has an internal chamber that contains a large number of beads. Valves are provided to develop a vacuum within the chamber to convert the casing from a relatively soft, flexible state to a rigid, evacuated state. A semi-rigid member spans the length of the vacuum splint that resists longitudinal compression when air is evacuated from the chamber. The semi-rigid member also retains sufficient longitudinal and lateral flexibility such that it allows the vacuum splint to be molded to various patient positions and folded or rolled up when not in an evacuated state. The head end of the vacuum splint includes two protrusions that extend upward. When in an evacuated state, these protrusions extend over either side of a patient's head thereby providing support and protection.

Abstract: A method for aiming a projectile weapon may utilize an aiming device having a primary aiming mark adapted to be sighted-in at a first selected range and one or more secondary aiming marks spaced below the primary aiming mark, and includes identifying, from at least two different groups of projectiles, a projectile group corresponding to a selected projectile. An aiming adjustment for the projectile weapon is determined and effected based on the range to the target and the nominal ballistic characteristics of the identified projectile group corresponding to the selected projectile. Other methods of aiming include identifying one projectile group from two or more predetermined projectile groups based on a selected projectile. Each predetermined projectile group preferably includes two or more different projectiles, preferably of different calibers, and a projectile having ballistic characteristics that are approximately median for each such projectile group.

Abstract: Systems and methods of printing to a tangible medium provide for reducing ink penetration via the controlled selection of halftone patterns. One method includes steps of printing to the tangible medium (e.g., via a multicolor ink supply such as CMYK) using a plurality of initial halftone patterns, measuring ink absorption of the tangible medium in response to printing to the tangible medium, and determining a subset of the plurality of initial halftone patterns based on the absorption measurement. The method also includes printing a print job to the tangible medium based on the subset of the plurality of initial halftone patterns. For example, a print controller may be reprogrammed with the subset of the plurality of initial halftone patterns to print a print job to reduce the amount of ink applied to the tangible medium.

Abstract: An improved photoimaged nozzle plate for a micro-fluid ejection head, a micro-fluid ejection head containing the nozzle plate, and methods for making a micro-fluid ejection head. The improved nozzle plate is provided by a photoresist nozzle plate layer applied to a thick film layer on a semiconductor substrate containing fluid ejector actuators. The photoresist nozzle plate layer has a plurality of nozzle holes therein. Each of the nozzle holes are formed in the nozzle plate layer from an exit surface of the nozzle plate layer to an entrance surface of the nozzle plate layer. Each of the nozzle holes has a reentrant hole profile with a wall angle greater than about 4° up to about 30° measured from an axis orthogonal to a plane defined by the exit surface of the nozzle plate layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods of printing to a tangible medium provide for reducing ink penetration via the controlled selection of halftone patterns. One method includes steps of printing to the tangible medium (e.g., via a multicolor ink supply such as CMYK) using a plurality of initial halftone patterns, measuring ink absorption of the tangible medium in response to printing to the tangible medium, and determining a subset of the plurality of initial halftone patterns based on the absorption measurement. The method also includes printing a print job to the tangible medium based on the subset of the plurality of initial halftone patterns. For example, a print controller may be reprogrammed with the subset of the plurality of initial halftone patterns to print a print job to reduce the amount of ink applied to the tangible medium.

Abstract: A laryngoscope blade in accordance with one embodiment includes a blade portion including a tab extension, the tab extension including a tab extension slot for receiving a portion of a laryngoscope handle; and a heel coupled to the tab extension by means of a fastener, the heel including a heel slot that aligns with the tab extension slot and also receives the portion of the laryngoscope handle, wherein the heel is colored to indicate a size of the blade portion of the laryngoscope blade.

Abstract: A reticle of a projectile weapon aiming system such as a riflescope includes a primary aiming mark adapted to be sighted-in at a first selected range and further includes a plurality of secondary aiming marks spaced apart below the primary aiming mark. The secondary aiming marks are positioned to compensate for ballistic drop at preselected incremental ranges beyond the first selected range, for a selected group of ammunition having similar ballistic characteristics. Angles subtended by adjacent aiming marks of the reticle can be adjusted by changing the optical power of the riflescope, to thereby compensate for ballistic characteristics of different ammunition. In some embodiments, the reticle includes a set of windage aiming marks spaced apart along at least one secondary horizontal axis intersecting a selected one of the secondary aiming marks, to facilitate compensation for the effect of crosswinds on the trajectory of the projectile.

Abstract: A method of making a micro-fluid ejection head structure for a micro-fluid ejection device. The method includes applying a removable mandrel material to a semiconductor substrate wafer containing fluid ejection actuators on a device surface thereof. The mandrel material is shaped to provide fluid chamber and fluid channel locations on the substrate wafer. A micro machinable material is applied to the shaped mandrel and the device surface of the wafer to provide a nozzle plate and flow feature layer on the shaped mandrel and wafer. A plurality of nozzle holes are formed in the nozzle plate and flow feature layer. The shaped mandrel material is then removed from the device surface of the substrate wafer to provide fluid chambers and fluid channels in the nozzle plate and flow feature layer.

Abstract: A reticle of a projectile weapon aiming system such as a riflescope includes a primary aiming mark adapted to be sighted-in at a first selected range and further includes a plurality of secondary aiming marks spaced apart below the primary aiming mark. The secondary aiming marks are positioned to compensate for ballistic drop at preselected incremental ranges beyond the first selected range, for a selected group of ammunition having similar ballistic characteristics. Angles subtended by adjacent aiming marks of the reticle can be adjusted by changing the optical power of the riflescope, to thereby compensate for ballistic characteristics of different ammunition. In some embodiments, the reticle includes a set of windage aiming marks spaced apart along at least one secondary horizontal axis intersecting a selected one of the secondary aiming marks, to facilitate compensation for the effect of crosswinds on the trajectory of the projectile.

Abstract: A reticle of a projectile weapon aiming system such as a riflescope includes a primary aiming mark adapted to be sighted-in at a first selected range and further includes a plurality of secondary aiming marks spaced apart below the primary aiming mark. The secondary aiming marks are positioned to compensate for ballistic drop at preselected incremental ranges beyond the first selected range, for a selected group of ammunition having similar ballistic characteristics. Angles subtended by adjacent aiming marks of the reticle can be adjusted by changing the optical power of the riflescope, to thereby compensate for ballistic characteristics of different ammunition. In some embodiments, the reticle includes a set of windage aiming marks spaced apart along at least one secondary horizontal axis intersecting a selected one of the secondary aiming marks, to facilitate compensation for the effect of crosswinds on the trajectory of the projectile.

Abstract: A method of making a micro-fluid ejection head structure and structures made by the method. The method includes planarizing a heated substrate component of a micro-fluid ejection head structure by applying a clamping voltage to an electrostatic chuck sufficient to hold the substrate component in a planarized orientation. A polymeric nozzle layer is laminated to the heated substrate component in a manner sufficient to provide a planarized nozzle layer on the substrate component.

Abstract: An improved photoimaged nozzle plate for a micro-fluid ejection head, a micro-fluid ejection head containing the nozzle plate, and methods for making a micro-fluid ejection head. The improved nozzle plate is provided by a photoresist nozzle plate layer applied to a thick film layer on a semiconductor substrate containing fluid ejector actuators. The photoresist nozzle plate layer has a plurality of nozzle holes therein. Each of the nozzle holes are formed in the nozzle plate layer from an exit surface of the nozzle plate layer to an entrance surface of the nozzle plate layer. Each of the nozzle holes has a reentrant hole profile with a wall angle greater than about 4° up to about 30° measured from an axis orthogonal to a plane defined by the exit surface of the nozzle plate layer.

Abstract: An improved photoimaged nozzle plate for a micro-fluid ejection head, a micro-fluid ejection head containing the nozzle plate, and methods for making a micro-fluid ejection head. The improved nozzle plate is provided by a photoresist nozzle plate layer applied to a thick film layer on a semiconductor substrate containing fluid ejector actuators. The photoresist nozzle plate layer has a plurality of nozzle holes therein. Each of the nozzle holes are formed in the nozzle plate layer from an exit surface of the nozzle plate layer to an entrance surface of the nozzle plate layer. Each of the nozzle holes has a reentrant hole profile with a wall angle greater than about 4° up to about 30° measured from an axis orthogonal to a plane defined by the exit surface of the nozzle plate layer.

Abstract: A method of making a micro-fluid ejection head structure for a micro-fluid ejection device. The method includes applying a removable mandrel material to a semiconductor substrate wafer containing fluid ejection actuators on a device surface thereof. The mandrel material is shaped to provide fluid chamber and fluid channel locations on the substrate wafer. A micro machinable material is applied to the shaped mandrel and the device surface of the wafer to provide a nozzle plate and flow feature layer on the shaped mandrel and wafer. A plurality of nozzle holes are formed in the nozzle plate and flow feature layer. The shaped mandrel material is then removed from the device surface of the substrate wafer to provide fluid chambers and fluid channels in the nozzle plate and flow feature layer.