Abstract: A hoseless CPAP system having a hoseless CPAP mask including a housing, a sealing portion extending from a back of the housing and configured to fit over a nose and mouth of a user, a fan unit provided in the housing to force air through the sealing portion to be breathed by the user, a battery provided in the housing and configured to power the fan unit, and one or more electrical contacts provided on the housing to provide charging power to the battery; and a charging base including a receiving portion configured to hold the CPAP mask therein, and one or more electrical contacts provided in the receiving portion and configured to contact the one or more electrical contacts on the CPAP mask housing to provide charging power to the battery.

Abstract: A method of transitioning stimulation energy (e.g., electrical stimulation pulses) between a plurality of electrodes implanted within a patient is provided. The method comprises selecting a plurality of stimulation output values (e.g., electrical current amplitude values) for each of the electrodes. The method further comprises selecting a plurality of different modification values for at least one of the electrodes, respectively multiplying the stimulation output values and the modification values to determine modified stimulation output values for the electrode(s), which may optionally be stored in a steering table, and incrementally transitioning the stimulation energy to or from the electrode(s) in accordance with the modified stimulation output values. The modified stimulation output values are stored in a steering table. The modification values may be selected in a manner that maintains paresthesia when transitioning the stimulation energy between the electrodes.

Abstract: A method for transitioning electrical energy in steps between electrodes implanted within a patient to stimulate tissue (e.g., spinal cord tissue) is provided. The method comprises determining a maximum comfortable step size, determining a minimum step size, selecting one or more step sizes between the maximum comfortable step size and the minimize step size, and transitioning the electrical energy between the electrodes using the selected one or more step sizes.

Abstract: A system and method for rapidly switching stimulation parameters of a Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system increases the number of stimulation parameter sets that may be tested during a fitting procedure, or alternatively, reduces the time required for the fitting procedure. The switching method comprises selecting a new stimulation parameter set, and setting the initial stimulation levels to levels at or just below an estimated perception threshold of the patient. The estimated perception level is based on previous stimulation results. The stimulation level is then increased to determine a minimum stimulation level for effective stimulation, and/or an optimal stimulation level, and/or a maximum stimulation level, based on patient perception.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing first and second imaging processes contemporaneously, in particular where one of the processes is detecting fires based on images of the flames. The apparatus includes an image sensor for producing a video image, a frame grabber for capturing first frames and second frames, a processor for processing the data within the frames, and an output device. The apparatus may also include an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the image settings of the image sensor between settings suitable for flame imaging and non-flame imaging, and a control mechanism for controlling the image settings of the image sensor. In the method at least two first frames are obtained, and a plurality of second frames are obtained. The first and second frames are used for first and second processes. The first and second processes are contemporaneous, so that they are carried out within the same time period without interfering with one another.

Abstract: To detect flames burning carbon-free hydrogen-bearing fuels, first, second, and third sensors sense first, second and third regions of an infrared water emission band, and generate first, second, and third signals. A processor generates an alarm when the sensors indicate flame. The first region low cut-off wavelength may be lower than the second region low cut-off wavelength. The third region high cut-off wavelength may be higher than the second region high cut-off wavelength. The combined regions may include nearly the entire water emission band. The processor may discriminate distances to flames using the sensor signals. A fourth sensor may sense moisture concentration, and the processor may discriminate distances based thereon. The regions may be defined such that for a fire, all three regions receive substantial energy, with second region to first region energy ratio less than 1:1 and a second region to third region energy ratio less than 1:1.

Abstract: A flexible bar handler that comprises a mobile carriage; a lift boom assembly rotatably attached to rotate around a vertical axis of the carriage to swing a distal end of the boom assembly back and forth and pivotally attached to pivot around a horizontal axis of the carriage to raise and lower the distal end of the boom assembly; and a lift bracket comprising an elongated rail with receptor-shaped cross section to lengthwise accommodate a bar, the lift bracket being attached at a point on its length at the distal end of the longitudinal boom assembly opposed to a counter weight attached at an opposite proximal end of the boom assembly, wherein the lift bracket is pivotally attached to a horizontal pin at the point to permit the lift bracket to tilt to one side or the other so as to raise and lower the lift bracket ends.

Abstract: A flexible bar handler comprises a mobile carriage; a lift boom comprising a longitudinal shaft rotatably attached to rotate around a vertical axis of the carriage to swing an end of the shaft back and forth and pivotally attached to pivot around a horizontal axis of the carriage to raise and lower the end of the shaft; and a lift bracket comprising an elongated rail with receptor-shaped cross section to lengthwise accommodate a bar, the lift bracket being attached at a point on its length at a terminal end of the longitudinal shaft opposed to a counter weight attached at an opposite terminal end of the shaft, wherein the lift bracket is pivotally attached to a horizontal pin at the point to permit the lift bracket to tilt to one side or the other so as to raise and lower the lift bracket ends.

Abstract: A flexible bar handler that comprises a mobile carriage; a lift boom assembly rotatably attached to rotate around a vertical axis of the carriage to swing a distal end of the boom assembly back and forth and pivotally attached to pivot around a horizontal axis of the carriage to raise and lower the distal end of the boom assembly; and a lift bracket comprising an elongated rail with receptor-shaped cross section to lengthwise accommodate a bar, the lift bracket being attached at a point on its length at the distal end of the longitudinal boom assembly opposed to a counter weight attached at an opposite proximal end of the boom assembly, wherein the lift bracket is pivotally attached to a horizontal pin at the point to permit the lift bracket to tilt to one side or the other so as to raise and lower the lift bracket ends.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing first and second imaging processes contemporaneously, in particular where one of the processes is detecting fires based on images of the flames. The apparatus includes an image sensor for producing a video image, a frame grabber for capturing first frames and second frames, a processor for processing the data within the frames, and an output device. The apparatus may also include an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the image settings of the image sensor between settings suitable for flame imaging and non-flame imaging, and a control mechanism for controlling the image settings of the image sensor. In the method at least two first frames are obtained, and a plurality of second frames are obtained. The first and second frames are used for first and second processes. The first and second processes are contemporaneous, so that they are carried out within the same time period without interfering with one another.

Abstract: An optical fire detector employs two or more sensors operating a different spectral bands. The spectral bands are selected to have approximately coincident cut-off wavelengths in order to make the detector's ability to positively identify a fire more uniform over its field of view. The use of three overlapping spectral bands provides the detector with enhanced detection capabilities for large, hot fires that behave like black body radiators.

Abstract: A ruggedized gas detector having two or more perforated concentric cylinders and having a concentric screen inside the innermost cylinder. A pair of perforated tubes are positioned inside the perforated screen, and an infrared light source is placed adjacent one end of one of the tubes and an infrared sensor is placed adjacent the other tube. A pair of inclined mirrors are positioned adjacent the respective other ends of the two tubes, and an optical light path is created from the IR source through a first tube, reflected by the mirrors to a return optical path through the second tube and ultimately to the IR sensor.

Abstract: A flame sensor comprises a cell (10) containing an infra-red absorptive fluid such as carbon dioxide gas. Heating caused by absorption of the infra-red radiation is detected by measuring a resulting temperature or pressure change.

Abstract: A system for detecting randomly occurring signals, particularly signals representative of a fire condition, having a radiation detector for receiving the signals, peak detector circuits for identifying the peak values of the received signals, peak duration signals for determining the time between adjacent peak signals, and a collection buffer for accumulating values representative of successive peak durations. The peak duration times are compared and evaluated to determine whether regularly occurring patterns of the received signals exist, or whether the received signals are randomly occurring, and an output signal is generated whenever the comparison indicates that the received signals are random in nature.

Abstract: An underwater diving plane towed by a boat and ridden by a diver includes a longitudinal diver support member which supports the diver in the prone position, a lateral wing support member with contoured wings attached at the ends thereof and evenly spaced from the center thereof, a pivotal attachment fitting for attaching the front end of the diver support member to the center of the lateral wing support member and one or more control arms that are rigidly attached to the lateral wing support member and that extend therefrom below the diver support member so as to be within easy reach of the diver carried thereon in the prone position, whereby the diver may rotate the lateral wing support member within the pivotal attachment fitting on its lateral axis with respect to the diver support member, thereby controlling the diving angle of the diving plane as it is towed through the water by a tow line attached to the pivotal fitting.