Abstract: A respiratory access assembly includes a distal plate having a port, which is adapted to be positioned in operable communication with an artificial airway of a patient. The assembly includes a distal plate having a port and a proximal plate which has a first port and a second port. The distal plate is positioned against the proximal plate in a stacked configuration, and each plate is configured to move relative to the other. The assembly has an actuator which is positioned adjacent to at least one plate. The actuator cooperates with both plates to substantially prevent movement of the plates when the port of the distal plate is positioned in an alignment with at least one port of the proximal plate and an object, such as a suction catheter, is positioned through the aligned ports of the plates. The actuator cooperates with at least one plate to permit movement of at least one plate when (a) no object is positioned through aligned ports, and (b) when no ports are aligned.

Abstract: There is provided a suction catheter having a tubular body with a lumen formed therethrough. The catheter has a plurality of spaced elongated apertures positioned near its distal tip. The catheter may have a fourth round opening positioned proximally to the three openings. The catheter has reduced impact force compared to similar suction catheters without the plurality of apertures near the distal tip.

Abstract: An atraumatic suction catheter having a tubular body with a lumen formed therethrough. At a distal end, the catheter has three equally spaced elongated openings positioned near its distal tip. The catheter may have a fourth round opening positioned proximally to the three openings. The catheter has improved suctioning ability of viscous secretions, and reduced impact compared to other suction catheter embodiments.

Abstract: There is provided a port sealing cartridge that allows for insertion of a catheter or other medical device into an endotracheal tube and thence the patient's lungs through an available access port. The port sealing cartridge has a primary and a secondary seal or collar that sequentially provide a pressure seal as a medical device is inserted through them and into the system. An optional tethered dust cover may also be used on the proximal end of the port seal cartridge. The port seal cartridge may desirably be fitted with a quick-connection so that it may be easily removed, disposed of and replaced. The port seal may be used for access to a patient's lungs with a bronchoalveolar catheter, bronchoscope or other medical device for treatment or sampling of the respiratory tract.

Abstract: There is provided a novel fitting having male and female ends and a tapered internal luer-type seal. The male fitting end has a periphery upon which is mounted at least one boss. The female fitting end has a slot into which the boss may be inserted. At the bottom of the slot is a stop to limit the insertion depth of the boss. The male and female ends may then be rotated relative to each other to move the boss into a window on the female end. The window has a frame and the upper frame is angled slightly, corresponding to the boss, which serves to draw the male end farther in to the female end. The window has a side frame that stops the rotational movement of the boss. When the movement of the boss is stopped, the male and female tapers are in substantially leak-free contact. There is also provided a closed suction catheter using the novel fitting, such that the catheter may be easily and quickly removed and replaced.

Abstract: A respiratory access assembly includes a distal plate having one port and cuff and an axially aligned proximal plate including a first port and first cuff and a second port and second cuff. The distal plate is configured to move relative to the proximal plate. The respiratory access assembly includes an actuator, which has a plurality of predetermined positions. When the actuator is positioned in a movement-enabling position, it permits movement of the plates while simultaneously blocking the first port of the proximal plate. When the actuator is positioned in a first locked (open) position, it locks the plates together and aligns the port of the distal plate with the first port of the proximal plate and un-blocks the first port of the proximal plate so that an object, such as a suction catheter, may be positioned through the aligned ports.

Abstract: A method of estimating a change of a variable over a measurement window, including the steps of taking multiple samples of the variable during the measurement window, defining a weight to be associated with each sample, the weight varying as a function of position of the sample within the measurement window, processing the samples taking account of their weight to form an estimate of the change in the variable.

Abstract: A process for independently and concurrently cracking at least two different hydrocarbon feedstocks to olefins. The process is carried out in a furnace for cracking hydrocarbon feed which has at least a first and second independent radiant cracking zone to produce a first cracked product and second cracked product that are separately withdrawn from the furnace.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing and tensioning wire from a coil, the apparatus comprising a frame (1) for attaching to a vehicle, means (19) for mounting at least one coil of wire for rotation, a lever arm member (21) pivotally mounted with respect to the frame and having a guide (27, 29) co-operable with the wire in use, and a play-out path for the wire defined between an abutment (13) of the frame and an abutment (33) carried by the lever arm member, the lever arm having a first operative position in which the respective abutments are spaced apart to allow play-out of the wire around said guide, and the lever arm having a second operative position in which it is moveable pivotably about said pivot point to cause wire to be trapped between the respective abutments.

Abstract: An applicator and associated method for applying a microbial sealant system and methods for controlling the polymerization of a microbial sealant, the applicator having a housing; a first reservoir element associated with the housing, the first reservoir element containing a polymerization control liquid; a first applicator element adapted to apply a substantially uniform layer polymerization control liquid to the skin; and a second reservoir element integrated with the housing and containing a liquid composed of cyanoacrylate pre-polymers that having polymerization characteristics influenced by the polymerization control liquid, the second reservoir being in fluid communication with a second applicator element adapted to apply a substantially uniform layer of the cyanoacrylate pre-polymers over the layer of polymerization control liquid.

Abstract: A remote operator and a mobile terminal initiate contact with a remote control proxy server. These components may be behind a firewall. If a mobile terminal does not have a then-extant session with the remote control proxy server, the remote operator and/or the remote control proxy server may send an SMS message to the mobile terminal and/or a device associated with the mobile terminal, which SMS message causes the mobile terminal to initiate a session with the remote control proxy server. After the mobile terminal and the remote operator are both connected to the remote control proxy server, the remote control proxy server passes communications between the mobile terminal and the remote operator without modification. The remote operator may control the mobile device keyboard, screen and may pass arguments to parameters associated with the operation of the device or its applications.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing and tensioning wire from a coil, the apparatus comprising a frame (1) for attaching to a vehicle, means (19) for mounting at least one coil of wire for rotation, a lever arm member (21) pivotally mounted with respect to the frame and having a guide (27, 29) co-operable with the wire in use, and a play-out path for the wire defined between an abutment (13) of the frame and an abutment (33) carried by the lever arm member, the lever arm having a first operative position in which the respective abutments are spaced apart to allow play-out of the wire around said guide, and the lever arm having a second operative position in which it is moveable pivotably about said pivot point to cause wire to be trapped between the respective abutments.

Abstract: A method of estimating a change of a variable over a measurement window, comprising the steps of taking multiple samples of the variable during the measurement window, defining a weight to be associated with each sample, the weight varying as a function of position of the sample within the measurement window, processing the samples taking account of their weight to form an estimate of the change in the variable.

Abstract: An improved furnace which provides for multizone, separate and independent cracking is provided.

Abstract: A seaming system for forming a seam is disclosed, wherein the seam consists of at least two opposed sections of high-modulus, high-tenacity, low-elongation fabric sections joined by a tape. The system comprises a seamer head, and a seamer base that includes a topography configured to impart a predetermined pressure gradient to the adhesive layer, tape, and fabric sections of the seam. The resultant seam has a cross-section or thickness profile that generally corresponds to that of the applied pressure gradient. As such, the constructed seam more efficiently distributes stress imparted from any applied load.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a display, and a method for making the display, comprising a substrate, an inactive area comprising at least one conductive layer, an active area comprising an electrically modulated imaging layer comprising an electrically modulated imaging material, and at least one graded contrast enhancing matrix layer wherein the graded contrast enhancing matrix layer comprises a light absorbing material, wherein the graded contrast enhancing matrix layer has a refractive index, wherein the imaginary part of the refractive index increases with distance from the substrate, and the change in the imaginary part of the refractive index through the thickness of the graded contrast enhancing matrix layer is greater than 0.2, wherein the graded contrast enhancing matrix layer registers with at least a portion of the inactive area and extends into said active area.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of electro-optical modulating displays, for example, electrophoretic displays, and more particularly to a display having an array of stacked cells. In particular, the invention discloses the use of a electrical field isolation layer between the stacked arrays of microcells, , or alternative means, for reducing or eliminating cross-talk between the microcells in vertically adjacent layers of the stacked display.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to securely administering computerized tests over a network, such as, for example, the Internet. A method and system are provided for the delivery of computerized tests via the Internet with unique security features which reduce or eliminate the need for constant human observation of examinees and dedicated testing centers. The system makes test creation, publication, registration and delivery tools accessible to users via the Internet. Security features include real-time analysis of examinee test-response data and test event data for indications test-taker misconduct, authentication of examinee identity using biometric information, observation of examinee activity using real-time Internet-based audio and video data, and continuous or alert-based human proctoring and intervention via the Internet.

Abstract: An interface module for use in a process monitoring and control system has an Ethernet port, a controller, and at least one segment I/O module. The Ethernet port is adapted to send and receive signals in an Ethernet protocol over a cable comprising a plurality of wires and to receive a voltage potential from at least one pair of the plurality of wires. The controller is coupled to the Ethernet port and powered from the received voltage potential. The at least one segment I/O module is coupled to the controller and is adapted to couple to an associated field device segment with at least one attached field device. The at least one segment I/O module is adapted to interact with the at least one attached field device on the associated field device segment.

Abstract: A transmitter for use in a process control system for monitoring an industrial process includes a housing having a top and a bottom and a height extending therebetween. A parallelogram display is mounted to the housing. Sides of the parallelogram display are arranged at angles relative to the height of the housing.