Abstract: A spacer formation cell usable in configuration of a window assembly, wherein the cell includes a plurality of stages through which a spacer work piece is routed, and the stages include a holding stage, a cutting stage, a bending stage, and a connecting stage. The stages can be arranged in interlinked configuration, enabling spacers to be fabricated in a direct and time-efficient manner. The stages can be interlinked to form a framework, forming an exterior enclosure for the stages of the cell, and enabling at least of the majority of the cell's operations to be readily overseen by an operator from single vantage points around the cell. The configuration of the formation cell enables a wide variety of spacer types and/or sizes to be readily processed, with such processing to be readily alternated.

Abstract: A spacer formation cell usable in configuration of a window assembly, wherein the cell includes a plurality of stages through which a spacer work piece is routed, and the stages include a holding stage, a cutting stage, a bending stage, and a connecting stage. The stages can be arranged in interlinked configuration, enabling spacers to be fabricated in a direct and time-efficient manner. The stages can be interlinked to form a framework, forming an exterior enclosure for the stages of the cell, and enabling at least of the majority of the cell's operations to be readily overseen by an operator from single vantage points around the cell. The configuration of the formation cell enables a wide variety of spacer types and/or sizes to be readily processed, with such processing to be readily alternated.

Abstract: Headache treatment methods are described and include providing an energy delivery device; locating a secondary or higher-order branch of a postganglionic nerve that provides innervation for a patient's head, by identifying a target region of the patient's head that includes the nerve branch; positioning, within the target region, a portion of the energy delivery device; and applying, from the positioned portion of the energy delivery device to the target region, an amount of energy effective to result in a stimulation activity of the nerve branch; and, after observing the stimulated nerve branch activity, delivering, from the energy delivery device to the nerve branch, energy in an amount effective to reduce a headache severity in the patient.

Abstract: A head and neck protector for use by a race car or other driver includes a yoke which is mounted on the shoulders of the driver, and a helmet which is mounted on a portion of the yoke extending around the sides and back of the driver's neck. The helmet is securely latched to the yoke to prevent rotation of the helmet relative to the yoke. The interior volume of the helmet is sufficiently large that the driver can freely move his or her head without corresponding movement of the helmet.

Abstract: Headache treatment methods are described and include providing an energy delivery device; locating a secondary or higher-order branch of a postganglionic nerve that provides innervation for a patient's head, by identifying a target region of the patient's head that includes the nerve branch; positioning, within the target region, a portion of the energy delivery device; and applying, from the positioned portion of the energy delivery device to the target region, an amount of energy effective to result in a stimulation activity of the nerve branch; and, after observing the stimulated nerve branch activity, delivering, from the energy delivery device to the nerve branch, energy in an amount effective to reduce a headache severity in the patient.

Abstract: A head and neck protector for use by a race car or other driver includes a yoke which is mounted on the shoulders of the driver, and a helmet which is mounted on a portion of the yoke extending around the sides and back of the driver's neck. The helmet is securely latched to the yoke to prevent rotation of the helmet relative to the yoke. The interior volume of the helmet is sufficiently large that the driver can freely move his or her head without corresponding movement of the helmet.

Abstract: A method of managing a system of minimally invasive surgery. The management method includes providing a practitioner with a minimally invasive surgery system including a controller. One or more use parameters is stored to memory associated with the controller. In addition, an electrosurgical probe having its own memory is provided to mate with the remaining elements of the system. Complementary use parameters are stored in the memory of the probe. The management method also includes communicating and comparing the use parameters of the controller with the complementary use parameters of the probe and managing the use of the electrosurgical probe according to the use parameters.

Abstract: An electrosurgical probe including a probe body which defines a longitudinal probe axis. The electrosurgical probe also includes a first and second conductive electrode, each disposed along the probe axis. The surface area of the first conductive electrode is greater of the surface area of the second conductive electrode. The ratio of the surface area of the first conductive electrode to the surface area of the second conductive electrode may be adjustable. Another aspect of the present invention is an electrosurgical probe having a probe body which defines a single longitudinal probe axis. The electrosurgical probe of this aspect of the invention further includes more than two electrodes operatively disposed at separate and distinct positions along the axis of the probe body. The electrodes may be selectively connected to one of or a combination of a stimulation energy source, an ablation energy source or a ground for either energy source.

Abstract: A communications system (1) includes a plurality of nodes (2). Each node (2) has receiving means for receiving a signal transmitted by wireless transmitting means; transmitting means for wireless transmission of a signal; and, means for determining if a signal received by said node (2) includes information for another node (2) and causing a signal including said information to be transmitted by said transmitting means to another node (2) if said received signal includes information for another node (2). Each node (2) has one or more substantially unidirectional point-to-point wireless transmission links (3). At least some of the nodes (2) have plural substantially unidirectional point-to-point wireless transmission links (3). Each of said links (3) is to one other node (2) only. The links (3) are arranged such that at least some of the nodes (2) are not linked only to the nearest neighbor node(s) (2).

Abstract: A communications system (1) includes a plurality of nodes (2). Each node (2) has receiving means for receiving a signal transmitted by wireless transmitting means; transmitting means for wireless transmission of a signal; and, means for determining if a signal received by said node (2) includes information for another node (2) and causing a signal including said information to be transmitted by said transmitting means to another node (2) if said received signal includes information for another node (2). Each node (2) has one or more substantially unidirectional point-to-point wireless transmission links (3). At least some of the nodes (2) have plural substantially unidirectional point-to-point wireless transmission links (3). Each of said links (3) is to one other node only (2). Each node (2) is arranged such that transmission or reception of a signal at any particular frequency by a node (2) takes place on only one link (3) at a time.

Abstract: A communications system (1) includes a plurality of nodes (2). Each node (2) has receiving means for receiving via an antenna (13) a signal transmitted by wireless transmitting means; transmitting means for wireless transmission of a signal via an antenna (13); and, means for determining if a signal received by said node (2) includes information for another node (2) and causing a signal including said information to be transmitted by said transmitting means to another node (2) if said received signal includes information for another node (2). Each node (2) has one or more substantially unidirectional point-to-point wireless transmission links (3). At least some of the nodes (2) have plural substantially unidirectional point-to-point wireless transmission links (3) which share at least one of a receiver (10) of the receiving means and a transmitter (11) of the transmitting means. Each of the links (3) is to one other node (2) only.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition including a therapeutic does of an active ingredient susceptible of either intentional or accidental misuse by over-utilization and a sub-therapeutic dose of a compound in an amount sufficient to elicit an undesirable response if the recommended therapeutic dose of the active ingredient is exceeded. A multiple dose pharmaceutical dosage form including an effective amount of an active ingredient for a patient in need of treatment thereof and a urine indicator capable of changing the color of the patient's urine when a desired dosage of the active ingredient is exceeded by ingestion of multiple doses in excess of a desired treatment regimen.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition including a therapeutic dose of an active ingredient susceptible of either intentional or accidental misuse by over-utilization and a sub-therapeutic dose of a compound in an amount sufficient to elicit an undesirable response if the recommended therapeutic dose of the active ingredient is exceeded.

Abstract: A surgical system and the associated methods for use in Minimally Invasive Surgical procedures for use in the short- and long-term termination of signals through nerves. Such a procedure is an improvement over the current state-of-the-art because of the use of a tightly coupled single-needle bi-polar probe. The proximity of both electrodes, to the nerve or tissue targeted for the treatment, is such that it reduces the losses experienced with external electrodes (e.g. plates or probes). Further, the probe has features associated with locating the probe and dispensing or sampling far above the probes currently available. The resulting improvements provide a quantum leap in technology for the associated medical industries and a base line for these procedures in the future.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods that reduce quadra-phase shift key (QPSK) modulator assembly size, cost and complexity via employing microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) technology. The systems and methods provide MMICs that include positive-intrinsic-negative (PIN) diodes as phase shifters (e.g., binary, reflective, hybrid and switched filter) that mitigate the tight thermal control, complex drive electronics and calibration routines associated with conventional ferrite phase shifters. The systems and methods can be employed in connection with antenna auto-tracking system such as those associated with satellites, aircrafts and spacecrafts. Employing MMIC technology provides for chips that can be consistently fabricated for extremely high frequency (EHF) operation, and that can increase system performance via mitigating parasitic reactance.

Abstract: A communications system (1) has a plurality of nodes (2). Each node (2) has a receiver (10) for receiving a signal transmitted by wireless transmitting means and a transmitter (11) for wireless transmission of a signal. Each code (2) further has means for determining if a signal received by said node (2) includes information for another node and causing a signal including said information to be transmitted by said transmitting means to another node if said signal includes information for anode node. Each node (2) has a substantially unidirectional point-to-point wireless transmission link (3) to at least one other node. The communications system (1) has high spectral efficiency compared to a broadcast cellular system and allows high data transfer rates to be achieved.

Abstract: A communications system (1) includes a plurality of nodes (2). Each node (2) has receiving means for receiving a signal transmitted by wireless transmitting means; transmitting means for wireless transmission of a signal; and, means for determining if a signal received by said node (2) includes information for another node (2) and causing a signal including said information to be transmitted by said transmitting means to another node (2) if said received signal includes information for another node (2). Each node (2) has one or more substantially unidirectional point-to-point wireless transmission links (3). At least some of the nodes (2) have plural substantially unidirectional point-to-point wireless transmission links (3). Each of said links (3) is to one other node only (2). Each node (2) is arranged such that transmission or reception of a signal at any particular frequency by a node (2) takes place on only one link (3) at a time.

Abstract: A communications system (1) includes a plurality of nodes (2). Each node (2) has receiving means for receiving a signal transmitted by wireless transmitting means; transmitting means for wireless transmission of a signal; and, means for determining if a signal received by said node (2) includes information for another node (2) and causing a signal including said information to be transmitted by said transmitting means to another node (2) if said received signal includes information for another node (2). Each node (2) has a substantially unidirectional point-to-point wireless transmission link (3) with at least one other node (2) such that each node (2) can transmit a signal to at least one other node (2). At least some of the nodes (2) have plural substantially unidirectional point-to-point wireless transmission links (3). Each link (3) between respective pairs of nodes (2) is associated with a distinct time slot.

Abstract: A communications system (1) includes a plurality of nodes (2). Each node (2) has receiving means for receiving a signal transmitted by wireless transmitting means; transmitting means for wireless transmission of a signal; and, means for determining if a signal received by said node (2) includes information for another node (2) and causing a signal including said information to be transmitted by said transmitting means to another node (2) if said received signal includes information for another node (2). Each node (2) has one or more substantially unidirectional point-to-point wireless transmission links (3). At least some of the nodes (2) have plural substantially unidirectional point-to-point wireless transmission links (3). Each of said links (3) is to one other node (2) only. The links (3) are arranged such that at least some of the nodes (2) are not linked only to the nearest neighbor node(s) (2).

Abstract: A communications system (1) includes a plurality of nodes (2). Each node (2) has receiving means for receiving via an antenna (13) a signal transmitted by wireless transmitting means; transmitting means for wireless transmission of a signal via an antenna (13); and, means for determining if a signal received by said node (2) includes information for another node (2) and causing a signal including said information to be transmitted by said transmitting means to another node (2) if said received signal includes information for another node (2). Each node (2) has one or more substantially unidirectional point-to-point wireless transmission links (3). At least some of the nodes (2) have plural substantially unidirectional point-to-point wireless transmission links (3) which share at least one of a receiver (10) of the receiving means and a transmitter (11) of the transmitting means. Each of the links (3) is to one other node (2) only.