Abstract: The invention is a retinal prosthesis with an improved configuration mounting necessary components within and surrounding the eye. The present invention better allows for the implantation of electronics within the delicate eye structure. The invention further limits the necessary width of a thin film conductor passing through the sclera by use of a multiplexer external to the sclera and a demultiplexer internal to the sclera.

Abstract: The invention is a retinal prosthesis with an improved configuration mounting necessary components within and surrounding the eye. The present invention better allows for the implantation of electronics within the delicate eye structure. The invention further limits the necessary width of a thin film conductor passing through the sclera by use of a multiplexer external to the sclera and a demultiplexer internal to the sclera.

Abstract: A method for using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to treat neurological structures to achieve a desired therapeutic affect. Depending on the dosage of HIFU applied, it can have a reversible or irreversible effect on neural structures. For example, a relatively high dose of HIFU can be used to permanently block nerve function, to provide a non-invasive alternative to severing a nerve to treat severe spasticity. Relatively lower doses of HIFU can be used to reversible a block nerve function, to alleviate pain, to achieve an anesthetic effect, or to achieve a cosmetic effect. Where sensory nerves are not necessary for voluntary function, but are involved in pain associated with tumors or bone cancer, HIFU can be used to non-invasively destroy such sensory nerves to alleviate pain without drugs. Preferably, ultrasound imaging synchronized to the HIFU therapy is used to provide real-time ultrasound image guided HIFU therapy of neural structures.

Abstract: The invention is a retinal prosthesis with an inductive coil mounted to the side of the eye by means of a strap around the eye. This allows for close coupling to an external coil and movement of the entire implanted portion with movement of the eye ball.

Abstract: High speed data communication standards such as IEEE 802.3ae (also known as XAUI) use four lanes to transmit data half duplex at 10 Gb/s. In order to achieve full duplex, eight lanes need to be used. By introducing echo cancellers into the system, a high speed transceiver can be built with full duplex capability on four lanes, thereby saving 50% of the lane requirements when compared to XAUI while still maintaining a low symbol rate.

Abstract: A finite impulse response filter having tap weight rotation is provided, where each tap has a corresponding coefficient selector. Each coefficient selector includes N coefficients, where N is the number of taps. Each coefficient selector provides one of its corresponding coefficients as an input to a multiplier. Each multiplier also receives an input from a triggered track and hold tap. The tap coefficients are selected according to the time delay since the corresponding track and hold tap was most recently triggered. In this manner, the tendency of multiplier gain nonuniformity to degrade filter operation in the presence of tap weight rotation is reduced. In another embodiment, an offset selector is provided, to reduce the tendency of component offsets to degrade filter operation in the presence of tap weight rotation.

Abstract: A method and system for performing integrated adjustable short-haul/long-haul time domain reflectometry (TDR). A TDR pulse count is set to a predetermined number. Next, a TDR pulse is transmitted through a cable. The width of the TDR pulse is a function of the multiplication of the TDR pulse count with the period of a TDR clock. It is then determined whether the TDR pulse has been reflected back. If the TDR pulse has not been reflected, the TDR pulse count is successively increased to successively increase the width of the transmitted TDR pulse until a reflection is detected—indicating an open in the cable. Furthermore, it eliminates false detections of cable opens. Moreover, the system can be combined into a line interface unit (LIU) integrated circuit such that TDR functionality can be performed automatically without the use of a technician.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method, system, and apparatus to update an adaptive filter real-time based on pre-determined filter configurations. When it is determined that an adaptive filter should be updated, a request is made for an updated filter configuration. An updated filter configuration is provided from a storage device that stores multiple pre-determined filter configurations for various operating conditions.

Abstract: An integrated CRRT method and apparatus incorporates steps and means for compensating for heat loss from blood in an extracorporeal circuit. A blood warmer is designed to engage and hold a disposable blood tube segment to transfer heat at a closely controlled temperature to blood flowing in the disposable blood tube segment. Another significant aspect of the present invention is a blood tube segment for engagement with the blood warmer is located in downstream of a dialyzer and upstream of a venous pressure monitor, an air bubble detector and a venous line clamp. The disposable blood tube segment may be selectively connected when heat loss compensation is required and left disconnected when heat loss compensation is not required.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to performing integrated adjustable short-haul/long-haul time domain reflectometry (TDR). A TDR pulse count is set to a predetermined number. Next, a TDR pulse is transmitted through a cable. The width of the TDR pulse is a function of the multiplication of the TDR pulse count with the period of a TDR clock. It is then determined whether the TDR pulse has been reflected back. If the TDR pulse has not been reflected, the TDR pulse count is successively increased to successively increase the width of the transmitted TDR pulse until a reflection is detected—indicating an open in the cable. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention eliminate false detections of cable opens. Moreover, embodiments of the invention can be combined into a line interface unit (LIU) integrated circuit such that TDR functionality can be performed automatically without the use of a technician.

Abstract: A method for determining weightings of an investment portfolio selected from a range of domestic and international financial investments is illustrated in FIG. 1. The method commences (step 1) with dividing of the range of domestic and international financial investments into a plurality of groups, for example industry based groups. Step 2 of this method involves selecting one of the industry based groups. It is then necessary (step 3) to define a variable referred to in this document as the required_industry_weighting for the selected industry based group. This variable represents the preferred weighting which the investor proposes to give the selected industry group within the investment portfolio. Next (step 4) it is necessary to determine a variable referred to in this document as the available_domestic_weighting for the selected industry based group. In an embodiment a domestic index is used to determine the available_domestic_weighting, for example the ASX/S&P 200 index.

Abstract: An integrated CRRT method and apparatus incorporates steps and means for compensating for heat loss from blood in an extracorporeal circuit. A blood warmer is designed to engage and hold a disposable blood tube segment to transfer heat at a closely controlled temperature to blood flowing in the disposable blood tube segment. Another significant aspect of the present invention is a blood tube segment for engagement with the blood warmer is located in downstream of a dialyzer and upstream of a venous pressure monitor, an air bubble detector and a venous line clamp. The disposable blood tube segment may be selectively connected when heat loss compensation is required and left disconnected when heat loss compensation is not required.

Abstract: An integrated CRRT method and apparatus incorporates steps and means for compensating for heat loss from blood in an extracorporeal circuit. A blood warmer is designed to engage and hold a disposable blood tube segment to transfer heat at a closely controlled temperature to blood flowing in the disposable blood tube segment. Another significant aspect of the present invention is a blood tube segment for engagement with the blood warmer is located in downstream of a dialyzer and upstream of a venous pressure monitor, an air bubble detector and a venous line clamp. The disposable blood tube segment may be selectively connected when heat loss compensation is required and left disconnected when heat loss compensation is not required.

Abstract: A thick film resistive heating element having a thick film resistive track applied to the surface of an electrically insulative substrate. An encapsulating insulating layer is applied over the track to protect it while an area of the element is left uncovered by the encapsulating layer so as to define a window. A portion of a temperature sensitive control device is then placed in direct contact with the track and/or the electrically insulative substrate through the window. The window in the element is located in that area of the element which will be uncovered by the liquid prior to the rest of the element as the liquid boils away or is evacatuated from the vessel.

Abstract: N-Phenyl-2-cyano-3-hydroxycrotonamide derivatives and their use as pharmaceuticals having an immunomodulatory property.The use of N-phenyl-2-cyano-3-hydroxycrotonamide derivatives of the formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)-alkyl, R.sup.2 is CN, CX.sub.3, WCX.sub.3, W(CH.sub.2).sub.n CX.sub.3, NO.sub.2, (CH.sub.2).sub.n CX.sub.3, or halogen, in which X is halogen, W is an oxygen or sulfur atom and n is an integer from 1 to 3, R.sup.3 is (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)-alkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.6)-cycloalkyl, CN or --CO--R.sup.4, in which R.sup.4 is (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)-alkyl or (C.sub.3 -C.sub.6)-cycloalkyl, and/or their physiologically tolerable salts, for the treatment of rheumatic diseases, autoimmune diseases, and of rejection reactions of the organ recipient to the transplanted organ, is described.

Abstract: The use of N-phenyl-2-cyano-3-hydroxycrotonamide derivatives of the formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)-alkyl, R.sup.2 is CN, CX.sub.3, WCX.sub.3, W(CH.sub.2).sub.n CX.sub.3, NO.sub.2, (CH.sub.2).sub.n CX.sub.3, or halogen, in which X is halogen, W is an oxygen or sulfur atom and n is an integer from 1 to 3, R.sup.3 is (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)-alkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.6)-cycloalkyl, CN or --CO--R.sup.4, in which R.sup.4 is (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)-alkyl or (C.sub.3 -C.sub.6)-cycloalkyl, and/or their physiologically tolerable salts, for the treatment of rheumatic diseases, auto-immune diseases, and of rejection reactions of the organ recipient to the transplanted organ, is described.

Abstract: A defect detection system is especially applicable to string type potatoes for removing the black spots and includes removing or sorting out potatoes with black spots. It includes a pair of line scanning cameras focused on opposite sides of a vertical on a common line, spaced above the conveyor belt to the height of the potato. Such opposite sight lines provide for effective sensing of leading or trailing edges of the potato. To provide for effective cutting, the cutting blade units have offset blades to allow overlap and a spacing so that areas of uncertainty created by the two cameras are eliminated. To minimize down-time of the system, the vision, light, power and punch modules are separately removable. Moreover, they are located on a cantilevered base above the moving belt. This cantilevering in conjunction with pivoted supports allows for a seamless belt and easy removal of that belt.

Abstract: A defect detection system is especially applicable to string type potatoes for removing the black spots and includes removing or sorting out potatoes with black spots. It includes a pair of line scanning cameras focused on opposite sides of a vertical on a common line, spaced above the conveyor belt to the height of the potato. Such opposite sight lines provide for effective sensing of leading or trailing edges of the potato. To provide for effective cutting, the cutting blade units have offset blades to allow overlap and a spacing so that areas of uncertainty created by the two cameras are eliminated. To minimize down-time of the system, the vision light, power and punch modules are separately removable. Moreover, they are located on a cantilevered base above the moving belt. This cantilevering in conjunction with pivoted supports allows for a seamless belt and easy removal of that belt.

Abstract: A combination fuel holder and draft channel device for use in a fireplace or wood burning stove. The fuel holder in this combination is made from 1/8 inch steel plate and its size, as well as the size of the draft channel, may vary according to the size of the fireplace or stove in which it is to be used. The fuel holder consists of a base plate that lays flat on the bottom of the firebox of the fireplace or stove. Two vertical posts, each 3/4 inches wide and 6 inches high are welded on the forward edge of the base plate, each 2 inches from the center. These posts hold the wood fuel, resting on the base plate, in a compact and manageable pile for controllable combustion. The draft channel is placed between the posts and is held in position by them. The posts add versatility to the holder because pieces of 1 inch conduit pipe can be cut in lengths desired and slipped over the posts to provide added holding capacity. The draft channel is made from the same steel plate as the fuel holder.