Abstract: Various inventive features are disclosed for efficiently generating regulation-compliant audible alerts, including but not limited to 520 Hz square wave alert/alarm signals, using an audio speaker. One such feature involves the use of a non-linear amplifier in combination with a voltage boost regulator to efficiently drive the audio speaker. Another feature involves speaker enclosure designs that effectively boost the output of the audio speaker, particularly at relatively low frequencies. These and other features may be used individually or combination in a given alarm-generation device or system to enable regulation-compliant audible alerts to be generated using conventional batteries, such as AA alkaline batteries. Various examples of efficiently generated regulation-compliant audible alerts and further enhancing such audible alerts by utilizing speaker enclosure designs are provided.

Abstract: A signal processing system and associated methods are disclosed for reliably detecting audible alert signals, such as Temporal-3 (or Code-3) and Temporal-4 (or Code-4) alert signals generated by commercially available smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide detectors. The system and methods are capable of detecting audible alert signals of different intensities in the presence of dynamic background environment (e.g., television programming, music, noise, and the like). The system and methods are capable of detecting audible alert signals generated by far away smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide detectors. The signal processing system and methods may, in some embodiments, be incorporated into a bedside or other unit that generates a supplemental alert signal capable of alerting individuals who might not otherwise respond to the alarm condition, such as individuals who are asleep, children, hearing impaired, or intoxicated.

Abstract: An autoclavable instrument, such as an autoclavable laryngoscope, is provided which includes fiber optics illuminating means and is especially adapted for medical and/or dental applications. The illuminating means includes an elongated sintered glass rod formed from an oriented fiber optics bundle comprising a plurality of glass fibers. The elongated glass rod may include curved or bent portions so as to conform to the contours of the instrument. A method is also provided for making an instrument as described above.