Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, provides methods and systems for controlling slugs using temperature dependent fluorescent dyes. In some embodiments, the present invention uses one or more techniques to enhance the visibility of slugs, enhance a system's ability to differentiate between slugs, and enhance a system's ability to identify the positions of slugs.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for calibrating and using resistance temperature detectors. In one embodiment, the system includes a calibration circuit comprising a resistance temperature detector in a bridge circuit with at least one potentiometer, and a programmable gain amplifier coupled to the bridge circuit. Embodiments of the invention further comprise methods for calibrating the bridge circuit and the programmable gain amplifier for use with the resistance temperature detector and methods for determining the self heating voltage of the bridge circuit.

Abstract: A metered dose inhaler (1) for dispensing aerosol doses comprises an actuation housing (2) adapted to receive a canister (4). The canister (4) is configured to move from a rest position to an activation position in which a valve (7) of the canister (4), positioned at a valve end (8) of the canister (4), is depressed against a bottom portion of the actuation housing such that an aerosol dose is released. The inhaler (1) further comprises a mechanical dose (10) counter comprising an indicator member which is constructed and arrangement to undergo a predetermined count-indicating motion when an aerosol dose is released. Moreover, the inhaler (1) comprises a triggering unit (11) for triggering at least one electrical switch (12) when the canister (4) is moved from the rest position to the activation position whereby an electrical signal is generated. Also part of the inhaler (1) is a processing unit for processing the signal generated by the switch (12) upon being triggered.

Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, provides methods and systems for controlling slugs using temperature dependent fluorescent dyes. In some embodiments, the present invention uses one or more techniques to enhance the visibility of slugs, enhance a system's ability to differentiate between slugs, and enhance a system's ability to identify the positions of slugs.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for control of an integrated thin-film device with a plurality of microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, a microfluidic device is provided that includes a microfluidic chip having a plurality of microfluidic channels and a plurality of multiplexed heater electrodes, wherein the heater electrodes are part of a multiplex circuit including a common lead connecting the heater electrodes to a power supply, each of the heater electrodes being associated with one of the microfluidic channels. The microfluidic device also includes a control system configured to regulate power applied to each heater electrode by varying a duty cycle, the control system being further configured to determine the temperature of each heater electrode by determining the resistance of each heater electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for control of an integrated thin-film device with a plurality of microfluidic channels. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for controlling the temperature of a heater electrode associated with a microfluidic channel of a microfluidic device, wherein power applied to the heater electrode is regulated by varying the duty cycle of a pulse width modulation (PWM). In another aspect, the present invention a controller configured to compute the temperature of the heater electrode during the power-on portion of the duty cycle and the during the power-off portion of the duty cycle and to adjust the duty cycle as necessary to achieve a desired temperature in the heater electrode.

Abstract: Methods for determining structural integrity of a bone within the spine of a patient, the bone having a first aspect and a second aspect, wherein the second aspect separated from the first aspect by a width and located adjacent to a spinal nerve. The methods involve (a) applying an electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone; (b) electrically monitoring a muscle myotome associated with the spinal nerve to detect if an onset neuro-muscular response occurs in response to the application of the electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone; (c) automatically increasing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus to until the onset neuro-muscular response is detected; and (d) communicating to a user via at least one of visual and audible information representing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus which caused the onset neuro-muscular response.

Abstract: A succession of conversations is facilitated between a user of a device and a non-human companion portrayed on the device, to develop a relationship between the user and the nonhuman companion over a time period that spans the successive conversations. The relationship is developed between the user and the non-human companion to cause a change in a state of the user over the time period. A conversation is facilitated by presenting a segment of speech of the non-human companion to the user and detecting a segment of speech of the user, the segments including a portion of the conversation. At the device, information is received from an intelligent agent about a next segment of speech to be presented to the user, as determined by the intelligent agent based on intelligent processes applied to the segment of speech of the user and to the change in state to be caused.

Abstract: A succession of conversations are facilitated between a user of a device and a non-human companion portrayed on the device, to develop a relationship between the user and the non-human companion over a time period that spans the successive conversations. The relationship is developed between the user and the non-human companion to cause a change in a state of the user over the time period. A conversation is facilitated by presenting a segment of speech of the non-human companion to the user and detecting a segment of speech of the user, the segments including a portion of the conversation. At the device, information is received from an intelligent agent about a next segment of speech to be presented to the user, as determined by the intelligent agent based on intelligent processes applied to the segment of speech of the user and to the change in state to be caused.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for control of an integrated thin-film device with a plurality of microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, a microfluidic device is provided that includes a microfluidic chip having a plurality of microfluidic channels and a plurality of multiplexed heater electrodes, wherein the heater electrodes are part of a multiplex circuit including a common lead connecting the heater electrodes to a power supply, each of the heater electrodes being associated with one of the microfluidic channels. The microfluidic device also includes a control system configured to regulate power applied to each heater electrode by varying a duty cycle, the control system being further configured to determine the temperature each heater electrode by determining the resistance of each heater electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for control of an integrated thin-film device with a plurality of microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, a microfluidic device is provided that includes a microfluidic chip having a plurality of microfluidic channels and a plurality of multiplexed heater electrodes, wherein the heater electrodes are part of a multiplex circuit including a common lead connecting the heater electrodes to a power supply, each of the heater electrodes being associated with one of the microfluidic channels. The microfluidic device also includes a control system configured to regulate power applied to each heater electrode by varying a duty cycle, the control system being further configured to determine the temperature each heater electrode by determining the resistance of each heater electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for control of an integrated thin-film device with a plurality of microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, a microfluidic device is provided that includes a microfluidic chip having a plurality of microfluidic channels and a plurality of multiplexed heater electrodes, wherein the heater electrodes are part of a multiplex circuit including a common lead connecting the heater electrodes to a power supply, each of the heater electrodes being associated with one of the microfluidic channels. The microfluidic device also includes a control system configured to regulate power applied to each heater electrode by varying a duty cycle, the control system being further configured to determine the temperature each heater electrode by determining the resistance of each heater electrode.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a systems and methods for the real-time amplification and analysis of a sample of DNA.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for control of an integrated thin-film device with a plurality of microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, a microfluidic device is provided that includes a microfluidic chip having a plurality of microfluidic channels and a plurality of multiplexed heater electrodes, wherein the heater electrodes are part of a multiplex circuit including a common lead connecting the heater electrodes to a power supply, each of the heater electrodes being associated with one of the microfluidic channels. The microfluidic device also includes a control system configured to regulate power applied to each heater electrode by varying a duty cycle, the control system being further configured to determine the temperature of each heater electrode by determining the resistance of each heater electrode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring and benchmarking dealer service retention values, and generating improvement guidance. The method facilitates analyzing and improving dealer service retention. A method provides a more granular measure for actual service retention value focusing on key performance categories and provides a benchmarked service retention value that controls for environmental factors outside of the dealer's control. The method enhances efforts of dealers to improve their service retention through comparing the dealer's actual service retention value to the benchmarked service retention value, prioritizing the performance categories by an amount of room for improvement in service retention, quantifying impact of controllable factors on an optimized service retention value, and prioritizing controllable factors by amounts by which of the factors would most efficiently increase the optimized service retention value per dollar invested for each particular dealer.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for control of an integrated thin-film device with a plurality of microfluidic channels. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for controlling the temperature of a heater electrode associated with a microfluidic channel of a microfluidic device, wherein power applied to the heater electrode is regulated by varying the duty cycle of a pulse width modulation (PWM). In another aspect, the present invention a controller configured to compute the temperature of the heater electrode during the power-on portion of the duty cycle and the during the power-off portion of the duty cycle and to adjust the duty cycle as necessary to achieve a desired temperature in the heater electrode.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging probe includes a housing (202) having a long axis and an elongate tubular shaft (214) including an internal cavity and first and second end portions (218, 220). The shaft extends along the long axis and is rotatably supported in the housing for rotation relative to the housing through an angular range including one hundred and eighty degrees to a predetermined maximum angle. The probe further includes a transducer array (222), including a plurality of transducer elements along the long axis, affixed to the first end portion (218) of the shaft. The probe further includes an electrical connector (228) fixedly mounted in the housing. The probe further includes an physical electrical pathway (226) having first and second ends and extending along and in the internal cavity of the shaft, wherein a first end of the pathway is connected to transducer array and a second end of the pathway is connected to the electrical connector.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a systems and methods for the real-time amplification and analysis of a sample of DNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for the real time processing of nucleic acid during polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and thermal melt applications. According to an aspect of the invention, a system for the rapid serial processing of multiple nucleic acid assays is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes, but is not limited to: a microfluidic cartridge having microfluidic (flow-through) channels, a fluorescence imaging system, a temperature measurement and control system; a pressure measurement and control system for applying variable pneumatic pressures to the microfluidic cartridge; a storage device for holding multiple reagents (e.g., a well-plate); a liquid handling system comprising at least one robotic pipettor for aspirating, mixing, and dispensing reagent mixtures to the microfluidic cartridge; systems for data storage, processing, and output; and a system controller to coordinate the various devices and functions.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for control of an integrated thin-film device with a plurality of microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, a microfluidic device is provided that includes a microfluidic chip having a plurality of microfluidic channels and a plurality of multiplexed heater electrodes, wherein the heater electrodes are part of a multiplex circuit including a common lead connecting the heater electrodes to a power supply, each of the heater electrodes being associated with one of the microfluidic channels. The microfluidic device also includes a control system configured to regulate power applied to each heater electrode by varying a duty cycle, the control system being further configured to determine the temperature of each heater electrode by determining the resistance of each heater electrode.