Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an imaging system.

Abstract: An elevator door interlock incorporates cast parts thereby drastically reducing the number of parts required for assembly. Other elements are also incorporated to further reduce complexity in manufacturing, servicing, and configuration.

Abstract: An epicardial lead assembly includes a thoracoscopic epicardial lead including an electrode, a guiding applicator, and, optionally, an introducer. The epicardial lead includes therapy delivering leads such as, but not limited to, pacing leads, and combination pacing-defibrillation leads.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making angled vias in an integrated circuit package substrate includes providing an integrated circuit package substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface. A first position is selected for a first via opening on the upper surface of the package substrate, and a second position is selected for a second via opening on the lower surface of the package substrate. A selected non-vertical angle is determined for forming an angled via through the first position and the second position. The angled via is formed through the first position and the second position at the selected non-vertical angle.

Abstract: A voltage regulator operable as a voltage follower while a fusible link is closed and in a regulated voltage mode when the fusible link becomes open. The voltage regulator can be formed on monolithic semiconductor chips. Patterned thin films including aluminum and nickel-iron, and aluminum and polycrystalline silicon, comprise the fusible link. With the fusible link closed, the voltage regulator output is an analog of positive polarity variable voltage levels at the regulator input. Systems powered by the voltage regulator are allowed to be programmed until system programming requiring variable voltage levels is complete. Afterwards, a negative polarity voltage is applied to the regulator input causing a large current to pass through the fusible link once the system programming is completed. Current thereby causes the fusible link to become opened and enables the voltage regulator to begin operating at a regulated voltage in response to positive voltage input.

Abstract: Sensor systems and methods are disclosed, including first and second sensing elements element co-located on a leadframe structure with respect to a particular target. In general, target-specific sensing applications can be determined by varying the distance between the first and second sensing elements on the leadframe structure with respect to a common datum point thereof in order to provide speed and direction detection data from the first and second sensing elements with respect to the particular target.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a disease of a patient. The method includes collecting data of at least one cardio-respiratory function of the patient over time, eliminating artifacts from the collected data to create a new data record, constructing a phase-space from the new data record, and constructing a hypercube covering the phase-space. The method further includes calculating threshold criteria for quantifying dispersion characteristics of an attractor of the phase-space and determining the patient's tendency towards the disease based on the threshold criteria.

Abstract: A seating unit includes a base having a housing and support arms extending laterally on each side of the housing. A back frame is pivoted to the support arms on each side, and a slide slidably engages the housing. A seat-supporting structure includes a crossbar pivotally attached to the slide member at a first pivot location and side frame sections extending rearwardly from ends of the crossbar that are pivotally attached to the lower arms of the back at a second pivot location spaced horizontally from the first pivot locations to define a three-point support for a seat above the housing. A spring is operably coupled to the slide to bias the back and seat toward upright positions.

Abstract: A waste container is received in a photographic processing machine along with a chemical supply container. The supply container is oriented at an angle to horizontal. Ports are provided into the containers with an associated snap cap oriented such that the neck extends vertically when received in the processing machine. A shipping cassette system includes two stacked upper and lower cassettes, each having a plurality of vertical walls that laterally surround an interior volume. A processing machine includes a cap opening bar and a mounting mechanism with a pivot point aligning the bar with the caps of a chemical delivery container assembly along a side of the caps opposite to the side along which the hinges are aligned such that rotation of the cap opening bar about the pivot point simultaneously opens the fluid supply ports by rotating the caps about their hinges.

Abstract: A method of designing a packaged circuit, including a substrate and a circuit. The circuit is designed with a plurality of standardized functional blocks. Each of the functional blocks has a known function and a known contact pattern. The circuit is designed by selecting desired functional blocks according to functions desired for the circuit. The substrate is designed with a plurality of standardized functional blocks. Each of the functional blocks has a known contact pattern, a known signal trace routing layer pattern, a known ground plane layer pattern, and a known power plane layer pattern. A given one of the substrate functional blocks is associated with a given one of the circuit functional blocks. The substrate is designed by selecting substrate functional blocks associated with the desired ones of the circuit functional blocks.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for interacting light with particles, including but not limited to biological matter such as cells, in unique and highly useful ways. Optophoresis consists of subjecting particles to various optical forces, especially optical gradient forces, and more particularly moving optical gradient forces, so as to obtain useful results. In biology, this technology represents a practical approach to probing the inner workings of a living cell, preferably without any dyes, labels or other markers. In one aspect, a particle may be characterized by determining its optophoretic constant or signature. For example, a diseased cell has a different optophoretic constant from a healthy cell, thereby providing information, or the basis for sorting. In the event of physical sorting, various forces may be used for separation, including fluidic forces, such as through the use of laminar flow, or optical forces, or mechanical forces, such as through adhesion.

Abstract: An image data area extracting system includes: a threshold value setting unit configured to set a threshold value for three dimensional image data of an object; an area managing unit configured to extract a threshold value area from the three dimensional image data based at least in part on the threshold value; a three dimensional projection image display unit configured to display an image, the image being constructed from the three dimensional image data; a starting point designating unit configured to designate a starting point for a connected area to be deleted from the image; and an extract connected area deleting unit configured to remove the connected area from the image.

Abstract: Techniques for utilizing a bonding agent that allows a solder reflow process to occur at a lower reflow temperature. One area of use includes semiconductor device manufacturing processes. The bonding agent is placed between a solder ball and a contact surface. The bonding agent has a melting temperature that is lower than that of the solder ball. Reflow is then performed at a relative low temperature that is high enough for reflowing the bonding agent, yet at the same time, lower than what would be necessary to reflow the solder material. Since, the electrical system is not subjected to the high temperatures necessary for reflowing the solder material, the electronic system experiences less high-temperature related damage.

Abstract: Various catheters and catheter systems, along with methods for using such are described. In some cases, the catheters and catheter systems exhibit a tapered distal end, with the taper formed integral to a catheter sheath and/or through the interaction of two catheter sheaths.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for relative marking of catheter sheaths are disclosed. One particular embodiment of the present invention provides a relatively marked catheter system. The system includes an inner sheath and an outer sheath. Each of the inner sheath and outer sheath have both distal and proximal ends. At least one mark is placed on each of the outer sheath and the inner sheath, and alignment of the marks on the inner and outer sheaths indicates a location of the inner sheath distal end to the outer sheath distal end.

Abstract: A compact golf accessory which may function as a cigar holder, golf club rest or golf ball retriever. The golf accessory is conveniently carried in a golf bag.

Abstract: A peel-away sheath for a catheter includes at least one weakened area in a non-longitudinal pattern, such as a helical pattern, along the length of the sheath. One embodiment of a catheter sheath includes a tube having at least one pull wire integrally located within its wall. Another embodiment of a catheter sheath includes a tube having at least one integral lumen within its wall. The integral lumen may house a filling material. One embodiment of a catheter may include a first sheath which is positioned within a second sheath, with each of the first and second sheaths having at least one weakened area along its length. A reinforcing guide for a guide catheter includes a tube having a lumen with a diameter at least as large as the guide catheter diameter. The reinforcing guide includes a gap with a width which is less than the guide catheter diameter.

Abstract: A seating unit includes a base, a seat, a back, and a control operably supporting the seat and the back on the base for movement between upright and recline positions. The control includes a spring providing a biasing supporting force to the back during recline, and further includes a booster mechanism for increasing the supporting force, and still further includes a stop member and a selector device for activating and deactivating the booster mechanism. The selector device is easily movable with a low effort that is independent from friction generated by internal components of the booster mechanism. The stop member is linearly slidably mounted atop a control housing for selectively engaging the booster mechanism and the link for movement between a disengaged position, a booster-engaged position, a partial-recline position, and a recline-prevented position.

Abstract: A method or system for computing and/or setting optimal cardiac resynchronization pacing parameters is presented. Among the parameters which may be optimized in this manner are an atrio-ventricular delay interval, an inter-atrial interval and a biventricular offset interval.

Abstract: A photographic article. According to one embodiment, the photographic article comprises: a first image area comprising a photographic film negative of an image; and a second image area, different than the first image area, comprising a positive image of the image.