Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward implantable medical devices, systems, and methods for cardiac assistance.

Abstract: A switching assembly configured to use different sensing technologies to detect a button press and to thereby determine when the switch is malfunctioning. The switch assembly may include an actuator that is configured to selectively open or close an electric circuit, and may also include a sensor responsive to the position of the actuator. A logic circuit may be included that is configured to compare input from the sensor with input from the circuit the switch is electrically connected to so as to determine whether the switch assembly is operating properly. The logic circuit may generate a signal indicating the operational status of the switch and may optionally provide this signal to a fault detection circuit. The actuator, sensor, and logic circuit may also be mounted within a common housing thus providing a single installation package.

Abstract: A switch assembly configured to determine when input received from a switch is caused by proper actuation of the switch and should be accepted, or is caused instead by a fault in the switch or in the intervening circuitry and should be ignored and/or reported. The switch assembly optionally includes a logic circuit that is electrically connected to the switch. The logic circuit may provide power to the switch, for example, as a time varying signal, which may then be presented to the logic circuit as input when the switch is properly actuated. The logic circuit may then compare the input from the switch with the signal sent to the switch to determine if a fault is present, or if the switch is operating properly.

Abstract: A switch assembly configured to determine when input received from a switch is caused by proper actuation of the switch and should be accepted, or is caused instead by a fault in the switch or in the intervening circuitry and should be ignored and/or reported. The switch assembly optionally includes a logic circuit that is electrically connected to the switch. The logic circuit may provide power to the switch, for example, as a time varying signal, which may then be presented to the logic circuit as input when the switch is properly actuated. The logic circuit may then compare the input from the switch with the signal sent to the switch to determine if a fault is present, or if the switch is operating properly.

Abstract: A switching assembly configured to use different sensing technologies to detect a button press and to thereby determine when the switch is malfunctioning. The switch assembly may include an actuator that is configured to selectively open or close an electric circuit, and may also include a sensor responsive to the position of the actuator. A logic circuit may be included that is configured to compare input from the sensor with input from the circuit the switch is electrically connected to so as to determine whether the switch assembly is operating properly. The logic circuit may generate a signal indicating the operational status of the switch and may optionally provide this signal to a fault detection circuit. The actuator, sensor, and logic circuit may also be mounted within a common housing thus providing a single installation package.

Abstract: A switch assembly configured to determine when input received from a switch is caused by proper actuation of the switch and should be accepted, or is caused instead by a fault in the switch or in the intervening circuitry and should be ignored and/or reported. The switch assembly optionally includes a logic circuit that is electrically connected to the switch. The logic circuit may provide power to the switch, for example, as a time varying signal, which may then be presented to the logic circuit as input when the switch is properly actuated. The logic circuit may then compare the input from the switch with the signal sent to the switch to determine if a fault is present, or if the switch is operating properly.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for reducing vibration and noise from capacitor devices. The device includes a circuit board, and first and second capacitor structures. The second capacitor structure has substantially the same properties as the first and is coupled to the opposite face of a supporting structure substantially opposite of the first capacitor structure. The first and second capacitor structures can receive substantially the same excitation signals, can be electrically connected in parallel or in series. The first and second capacitor structures can be discrete capacitors, capacitor layers, stacks or arrays of multiple capacitor devices, or other capacitor structures. Stacks of multiple capacitor devices can be arranged symmetrically about the supporting structure. Arrays of multiple capacitor devices can be arranged with offsetting capacitors on the opposite face of the supporting structure substantially opposite one another.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for reducing vibration and noise from capacitor devices. The device includes a circuit board, and first and second capacitor structures. The second capacitor structure has substantially the same properties as the first and is coupled to the opposite face of a supporting structure substantially opposite of the first capacitor structure. The first and second capacitor structures can receive substantially the same excitation signals, can be electrically connected in parallel or in series. The first and second capacitor structures can be discrete capacitors, capacitor layers, stacks or arrays of multiple capacitor devices, or other capacitor structures. Stacks of multiple capacitor devices can be arranged symmetrically about the supporting structure. Arrays of multiple capacitor devices can be arranged with offsetting capacitors on the opposite face of the supporting structure substantially opposite one another.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for reducing vibration and noise from capacitor devices. The device includes a circuit board, and first and second capacitor structures. The second capacitor structure has substantially the same properties as the first and is coupled to the opposite face of a supporting structure substantially opposite of the first capacitor structure. The first and second capacitor structures can receive substantially the same excitation signals, can be electrically connected in parallel or in series. The first and second capacitor structures can be discrete capacitors, capacitor layers, stacks or arrays of multiple capacitor devices, or other capacitor structures. Stacks of multiple capacitor devices can be arranged symmetrically about the supporting structure. Arrays of multiple capacitor devices can be arranged with offsetting capacitors on the opposite face of the supporting structure substantially opposite one another.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for reducing vibration and noise from capacitor devices. The device includes a circuit board, and first and second capacitor structures. The second capacitor structure has substantially the same properties as the first and is coupled to the opposite face of a supporting structure substantially opposite of the first capacitor structure. The first and second capacitor structures can receive substantially the same excitation signals, can be electrically connected in parallel or in series. The first and second capacitor structures can be discrete capacitors, capacitor layers, stacks or arrays of multiple capacitor devices, or other capacitor structures. Stacks of multiple capacitor devices can be arranged symmetrically about the supporting structure. Arrays of multiple capacitor devices can be arranged with offsetting capacitors on the opposite face of the supporting structure substantially opposite one another.

Abstract: A clinical analyzer for determining the presence or amount of an analyte in a sample includes at least one reagent supply and at least one reaction containment device for containing a volume of sample and a volume of said at least one reagent from said at least one reagent supply. A wash-free delivery system introduces reagent into at least one reaction containment device without requiring washing of delivery components.

Abstract: A closure for a container includes: (a) an inner cylindrical wall having first and second ends and defining a space; (b) an outer cylindrical wall opposite the inner cylindrical wall and having the first and second ends to form an outer surface of the closure; (c) a first end wall extending across said first end, wherein the first end wall comprises a recess extending a least partially into the space, and a first set of threads disposed on the recess. An apparatus usable on a diagnostic analyzer container and includes: a threaded rotatable spindle adapted for threading into a closure having a threaded depression and for applying a rotational force to remove the closure; and a clutch having an element adapted to engage the closure and apply a rotational to the closure.

Abstract: A metering tip for use in a clinical analytical apparatus includes a tapered body having at least one interior stepped areas. Each of the stepped areas include a sharp diametrical edge for latching a fluid meniscus being dispensed from the tip and for reducing fluid oscillation during metering.

Abstract: An apparatus for tensioning the cable or bail of a ski-touring binding, a tensioning lever for such apparatus, and a replacement component for the lever are provided. The apparatus provides different tension for walking and for skiing. The lever includes a handle and a pivot for rotational engagement of the lever on the cable or bail. The pivot is located between the handle and a plurality of boot heel holders. The holders are configured such that at least one holder will contact the ski boot heel at a different distance relative to the pivot than another of the holders. The replacement component is removably fixed to the lever and is configured to provide a heel holder surface and to retain a bail or cable in rotational engagement with the lever.

Abstract: Evaporation control for a fluid supply, such as used in a clinical analyzer, can be provided by utilizing a straw-like insert which is disposed into a fluid-containing bottle. The straw provides an increased diffusion length or “stagnant” zone. The bottle can also be configured to effectively reduce evaporation in a similar manner by providing a narrowed diameter prior to the fluid retaining portion of the bottle and by increasing the distance between the top of the bottle and the top of the fluid surface.

Abstract: A system for detecting and analyzing patient sample quality and/or analytes, while the sample is in the metering tip used to aspirate the sample liquid from an original patient sample container, and also to dispense the liquid onto a slide test element. Spectrophotometric analysis may be done on the sample liquid while it is still in the tip which has been converted into a cuvette. One technique for such analysis is by scanning the cuvette for transmittance in a light-tight enclosure. Near-infrared and adjacent visible radiation may be used, and the absorption spectra of the liquid detected and analyzed. A possible aspect of the present invention relates to enhancing throughput of an analyzer by conducting a sample quality measurement in a process that is parallel to the main analyzer timing cycle.

Abstract: A system for detecting and analyzing patient sample quality and/or analytes, while the sample is in the metering tip used to aspirate the sample liquid from an original patient sample container, and also to dispense the liquid onto a slide test element. Spectrophotometric analysis may be done on the sample liquid while it is still in the tip which has been converted into a cuvette. One technique for such analysis is by scanning the cuvette for transmittance in a light-tight enclosure. Near-infrared and adjacent visible radiation may be used, and the absorption spectra of the liquid detected and analyzed. A possible aspect of the present invention relates to enhancing throughput of an analyzer by conducting a sample quality measurement in a process that is parallel to the main analyzer timing cycle.

Abstract: A metering tip for use in a clinical analytical apparatus includes a tapered body having at least one interior stepped areas. Each of the stepped areas include a sharp diametrical edge for latching a fluid meniscus being dispensed from the tip and for reducing fluid oscillation during metering.

Abstract: A support for a movable ribbon cable has a length and a first end and a second end. The support includes a member having a length and a first end and a second end thereof. The first end of the member is fixed at the movable device and the second end of the member is fixed at a point. The length of the member is substantially parallel with the length of the ribbon cable and the length of the member is movable in a substantially parallel manner with the length of the ribbon cable.

Abstract: Evaporation control for a fluid supply, such as used in a clinical analyzer, can be provided by utilizing a straw-like insert which is disposed into a fluid-containing bottle. The straw provides an increased diffusion length or “stagnant” zone. The bottle can also be configured to effectively reduce evaporation in a similar manner by providing a narrowed diameter prior to the fluid retaining portion of the bottle and by increasing the distance between the top of the bottle and the top of the fluid surface.