Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material generally includes a first bonding module, a second bonding module positioned in close proximity to the first bonding module, and a pinching device. The first bonding module and the second bonding module are adapted to bond at least one elastic strand of the elastic nonwoven material. The pinching device is adapted to limit a snap-back potential of the at least one elastic strand if the at least one elastic strand becomes severed during bonding.

Abstract: A position sensor includes a rotor configured to be coupled to the rotatable element for rotation therewith, a non-rotationally mounted stator, a magnet non-rotationally disposed adjacent to the stator and spaced apart from the rotor, a first magnetic sensor non-rotationally mounted between the stator and the rotor, and a second magnetic sensor non-rotationally mounted between the stator and the rotor. The rotor is constructed at least partially of a magnetically permeable material and including a first rotor pole. The stator is spaced apart from the rotor and includes a first stator pole and a second stator pole, which are spaced radially apart from each other. The first magnetic sensor is disposed adjacent the first stator pole and radially offset from the second stator pole, and the second magnetic sensor is disposed adjacent the second main pole and radially offset from the first stator pole.

Abstract: A position sensor for sensing whether a rotatable element is in at least a first rotational position or a second rotational position is provided. A rotor is configured to be coupled to the rotatable element for rotation therewith, and is constructed at least partially of a magnetically permeable material and includes a first rotor pole. A stator is non-rotationally mounted, is constructed at least partially of a magnetically permeable material, is spaced apart from the rotor, and comprises a first main pole and a first stealer pole. The first main pole and the first stealer pole are spaced radially apart from each other. A magnet is non-rotationally disposed adjacent to the stator and is spaced apart from the rotor. A first magnetic sensor is non-rotationally mounted between the stator and the rotor, is disposed adjacent the first main pole, and is radially offset from the first stealer pole.

Abstract: A position sensor for sensing whether a rotatable element is in at least a first rotational position or a second rotational position is provided. A rotor is configured to be coupled to the rotatable element for rotation therewith, and is constructed at least partially of a magnetically permeable material and includes a first rotor pole. A stator is non-rotationally mounted, is constructed at least partially of a magnetically permeable material, is spaced apart from the rotor, and comprises a first main pole and a first stealer pole. The first main pole and the first stealer pole are spaced radially apart from each other. A magnet is non-rotationally disposed adjacent to the stator and is spaced apart from the rotor. A first magnetic sensor is non-rotationally mounted between the stator and the rotor, is disposed adjacent the first main pole, and is radially offset from the first stealer pole.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for dynamically correlating neurological and cardiovascular parameters and for diagnosing and treating patients using the same.

Abstract: A distributed, web-services based storage system. A system may include a web services interface configured to receive, according to a web services protocol, a given client request for access to a given data object, the request including a key value corresponding to the object. The system may also include storage nodes configured to store replicas of the objects, where each replica is accessible via a respective unique locator value, and a keymap instance configured to store a respective keymap entry for each object. For the given object, the respective keymap entry includes the key value and each locator value corresponding to replicas of the object. A coordinator may receive the given client request from the web services interface, responsively access the keymap instance to identify locator values corresponding to the key value and, for a particular locator value, retrieve a corresponding replica from a corresponding storage node.

Abstract: A method, system and device for visually spatial caller identification includes a caller identification visual alerting device configured to capture current caller identification information from an incoming call. A stored caller identification list stores a plurality of entries of reference caller identification information and a corresponding respective plurality of entries of spatial visual indicator patterns. The reference caller identification information is matched with the current caller identification information. The caller identification visual alerting device further includes a spatial visual indicator configured to activate a plurality of illuminatable elements according to one of the plurality of spatial visual indicator patterns.

Abstract: A putter club head has a longitudinal body and a means of attaching a shaft thereto. The body may be solid, hollow, or partially hollow or solid. If hollow or partially hollow, the body may have a weighted mass therein. Such a weighted mass may be located towards a front section of the club head near a ball striking surface. The means to attach a shaft is located in the rear section of said body in proximity to the distal end of the rear section of said body. The shaft may curve and bend so that it is oriented near the center of the body and towards a golfer addressing a golf ball.

Abstract: An implantable biosensor assembly and system includes an enzymatic sensor probe from which subcutaneous and interstitial glucose levels may be inferred. The assembly may be associated by direct percutaneous connection with electronics, such as for signal amplification, sensor polarization, and data download, manipulation, display, and storage. The biosensor comprises a miniature probe characterized by lateral flexibility and tensile strength and has a large electrode surface area for increased sensitivity. Irritation of tissues surrounding the probe is minimized due to ease of flexibility and small cross section of the sensor. Foreign body reaction is diminished due to a microscopically rough porous probe surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treatment of end stage renal decline and failure through peritoneal dialysis enabling ambulatory transfer of dialysate to and from the peritoneum of a renal patient, this in synthesis and coordination with normal physiological rhythms of the patient. The system remains unobtrusive and less restrictive of patient ambulation and orientation. The present invention includes expendables disposability of which facilitates safe reuse of more expensive portions and is sufficiently simple for use in a home care environment. It may be designed to incorporate real-time, interactive or remote monitoring and regulation and visual or audible indication of system pressures, chemical balances and other important variables.

Abstract: Oscillations in longitudinal magnetization as a spin system recovers from a 180.degree. inversion pulse in the presence of off-resonance spin-locking pulse are eliminated by tipping the magnetization prior to spin-locking by an amount .theta. and tipping it back by an amount -.theta. after spin-locking. A one-shot measurement of off-resonance relaxation constant T.sub.1.rho. employs the .+-..theta. pulses to improve accuracy and a T.sub.1.rho. enhanced imaging sequence employs the .+-..theta. pulses to reduce artifacts.

Abstract: A dual echo magnetic resonance imaging system produces two registered images of a patient in which the images have different contrast relationships between different tissue types. A two dimensional feature space histogram of the two images is produced and a separate centroid is located in the feature space histogram for each one of a pair of tissue types. A Cartesian coordinate system is defined in the feature space so that one axis of the system passes through the two centroids. Vector decomposition is employed to project each image element data point in the feature space onto a point on the one axis. The fractional quantity of each tissue type present in the image element is determined based upon the Euclidean distances from that axis point to the respective centroids. The fractional quantity is calculated for each element in the original images to form a pair of tissue images. The elements of a tissue image are processed to measure the amount of that tissue type in the imaged portion of the patient.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing an enhanced radiographic image from a developed radiograph. The apparatus includes a support structure for supporting the radiograph in a stacked relationship with the radiographic film, a light source positioned in close proximity to the radiograph for directing a beam of light at the radiograph to sweep generally in a line from one side to the other, and an elongate light sensor aligned with the line of travel of the light beam to sense and signal the intensity of the light passing through the radiograph and film. A controller responds to the signals produced by the light sensor by producing light control signals which are applied to the light source to vary the intensity and/or the scanning speed of the light beam. As the scanning takes place, the support structure moves transversely of the line of travel of the light beam so that the radiograph is scanned by light substantially over its length and width.

Abstract: A slit collimation system includes a signal absorptive plate assembly having a narrow slit located between a source of x-ray radiation and an object such as a patient undergoing a diagnostic imaging procedure. An image intensifier tube is located on the other side of the object and is optically coupled to an imaging device such as a television camera. The camera generates an image of the slit as well as x-ray scatter in succeeding TV frames as the slit is scanned, i.e. moved linearly over the object. Each TV frame is digitized and fed into a recursive loop including a digital memory adapted to store a complete TV frame which is comprised of an array of pixels. Pixel intensity values of successive frames are logically combined so that the video information in the shadow of the slit is accepted while the remainder of the video information which includes scatter and noise is rejected resulting in an x-ray image which is free of scatter.

Abstract: A first x-ray film is made of an object which is of the type where the image on the film has underexposed portions with low optical contrast. An optical mask film is made from the first x-ray film by transferring the image of the object from the first x-ray film onto a photographically positive print film with duplicating means and an optical blurring means to produce an optically blurred positive image reflective of the object with exposed portions related to the underexposed portions of the first x-ray film. A second x-ray film is made of the object with the optical mask film positioned and registered with respect to the second x-ray film and with respect to the image reflective of the object to be formed on the second x-ray film by the x-ray means, to produce an optically masked image reflective of the object with the underexposed portions of the first x-ray film on the second x-ray film more exposed and with higher optical contrast with respect to the first x-ray film.