Abstract: A method and a CPAP apparatus for characterizing a plurality of different mask systems, e.g., masks and hoses, are provided. The CPAP apparatus can be calibrated for different mask systems and hoses by including sensors configured to measure flow and pressure at a flow generator of the CPAP apparatus. When the flow generator is fitted to a new mask system, or any changes are made to an existing mask system, mask or patient interface and/or hose, a method for calibrating the flow generator for the new mask system, mask and/or hose is provided.

Abstract: A method and a CPAP apparatus (10) for characterizing a plurality of different mask systems (14), e.g., masks and hoses, are provided. The CPAP apparatus (10) can be calibrated for different mask systems (14) and hoses (16) by including sensors (13,15) configured to measure flow and pressure at a flow generator (12) of the CPAP apparatus (10). When the flow generator (12) is fitted to a new mask system (14), or any changes are made to an existing mask system (14), mask or patient interface (34) and/or hose (16), a method of calibrating the flow generator (12) for the new mask system (14), mask (34) and/or hose (16) is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for supplying breathable gas is disclosed. The apparatus (10) includes a main housing (12), a sub-housing (14), having a gas flow path (28) between a gas inlet (16) and a gas outlet (18), a motive power source (22) within the main housing (12) and an impeller (30) within the sub-housing (14) in fluid communication between the gas inlet (16) and the gas outlet (18). The impeller (30) is adapted to releaseably engage the motive power source (22) external the gas flow path (28) and the sub-housing (14) is releasably connectable to said main housing.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for supplying breathable gas is disclosed. The apparatus (10) includes a main housing (12), a sub-housing (14), having a gas flow path (28) between a gas inlet (16) and a gas outlet (18), a motive power source (22) within the main housing (12) and an impeller (30) within the sub-housing (14) in fluid communication between the gas inlet (16) and the gas outlet (18). The impeller (30) is adapted to releaseably engage the motive power source (22) external the gas flow path (28) and the sub-housing (14) is releasably connectable to said main housing. Also disclosed is a method of cleaning, sterilising or disinfecting the gas flow path (28) of the breathable gas supply apparatus (10). The method of cleaning comprising the steps of removing the sub-housing (14) from the main housing (12) cleaning, sterilising, disinfecting or replacing the sub-housing (14) and connecting the sub-housing (14) to the main housing (12).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the supply of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation by motor-driven blowers, and having fast acceleration between treatment pressures, are described. A blower (12) supplies treatment pressure of air or breathable gas to a patient mask (16) via a conduit (14) at a first pressure and at a second, higher pressure. The blower (12) receives its power from a power supply (22) and cascaded motor controller (20). The power supply (22) has the capacity to supply sufficient power for the first pressure to be achieved. A static capacitor (24), that is charged by the power supply (22), provides the energy to the blower (12) to achieve the second pressure, during which period the power supply (22) is effectively shut down.

Abstract: The present invention provides animal models for neurodegenerative diseases, in particular, for example, Alzheimer's Disease, which rely on introduction into the brain of a biologically active fragment of acetylcholinesterase of sequence AEFHRWSSYMVHWK (SEQ. ID no.1), or an active variant thereof, to produce brain lesions.

Abstract: The pressure of breathable gas exiting a flow generator is controlled by adjusting the efficiency of the flow generator. In one embodiment, a baffle plate of a control element can restrict the open entry area of a motor driven turbine of the flow generator. In another embodiment, the degree of opening of the mouth of the flow generator inlet is automatically adjustable in response to the needs of the user, hence creating a pneumatic impedance, and which simultaneously controls, in the same manner, the impedance of the outlet of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the amount of tension distributed to a patient receiving traction including a gripping structure having a switching sensor to sense action commands from the patient, a control consul communicated with the switching sensor so as to receive action commands from the switching sensor and process the action commands so as to create processed commands, and a traction device for applying tension to the patient, the traction device includes a tensioning device communicated with the control consul so as to receive processed commands from the control consul, wherein the tensioning device controls the traction device so as to engage or disengage the traction device.

Abstract: A touch system using a plurality of infrared (“IR”) transmitters and receivers, and a method of determining with increased resolution the location of a touch between the IR transmitters and receivers using on-axis and off-axis detection are disclosed. The inventive touch system and method use, in conjunction with the on-axis and off-axis detection, a coarse and fine sweep of the transmitters and receivers to increase the resolution of identified touch location. The method of determining a touch location involves selection and activation of particular off-axis infrared transmitter and receiver pairs determined from a triangulation interdependence between the x and y coordinates. The increased resolution of the identified touch location is achievable using the inventive system and method without the need for an increased number of IR transmitters and receivers and without the need for higher speed processing capability.

Abstract: A touch system using a plurality of infrared (“IR”) transmitters and receivers, and a method of determining with increased resolution the location of a touch between the IR transmitters and receivers using on-axis and off-axis detection are disclosed. The inventive touch system and method use, in conjunction with the on-axis and off-axis detection, a coarse and fine sweep of the transmitters and receivers to increase the resolution of identified touch location. The method of determining a touch location involves selection and activation of particular off-axis infrared transmitter and receiver pairs determined from a triangulation interdependence between the x and y coordinates. The increased resolution of the identified touch location is achievable using the inventive system and method without the need for an increased number of IR transmitters and receivers and without the need for higher speed processing capability.

Abstract: The present invention has been developed primarily for a flow diverting valve used in controlling the pressure and flow rate, and measuring the flow rate, of a breathable gas supplied to the airways of a patient by a breathable gas supply apparatus during, for example, nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and ventilatory assistance treatments such as non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV).

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying breathable gas wherein the apparatus includes a main housing, a sub-housing having a gas flow path between a gas inlet and a gas outlet, a power source within the main housing and an impeller within the sub-housing in fluid communication between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. The impeller is adapted to releasably engage the motive power source external the gas flow path and the sub-housing is releasably connectable to said main housing. Also disclosed is a method of cleaning, sterilising or disinfecting the gas flow path of the breathable gas supply apparatus. The method includes removing the sub-housing from the main housing, cleaning, sterilising, disinfecting or replacing the sub-housing and connecting the sub-housing to the main housing.

Abstract: A control member is rotatable to alter a control flow area of a primary flow path of a valve, with the control flow area being of a rectangular shape having a side defined by a wall of a valve interior, a side defined by a wall of a control member exterior, a bottom defined by a floor of the valve interior and a top defined by a roof of the valve interior. The control member exterior is so configured that rotation of the control member alters a distance between the control member exterior and the wall of the valve interior to alter the control flow area of the primary flow path, with the amount of rotation of the control member between two predetermined end positions and the alteration in the control flow area of the primary flow path being substantially linearly proportional.

Abstract: A mounting body (10) for mounting a flow generator assembly (13) within an external housing. The body (10) is formed from a compliant material and is adapted to be fixed with respect to the housing. The body (10) also includes a recess of substantially complementary shape to the flow generator assembly (13) to receive and locate same. Also disclosed is an apparatus for providing breathable gas to a patient. The apparatus includes an external apparatus housing, the flow generator assembly (13) and the mounting body (10).

Abstract: The pressure of breathable gas exiting a flow generator (10) is controlled by adjusting the efficiency of the flow generator. In one embodiment, a baffle plate (44) of a control element (40) can restrict the open entry area of a motor (16) driven turbine (18) of the flow generator. In another form, the degree of opening of the mouth of the flow generator inlet (20), and hence the pneumatic impedance, can be controlled, as in a similar manner can the impedance outlet (22).

Abstract: A data processing system comprises a host computer connected for the transfer of data to and from a plurality of data storage devices arranged in a string, the host computer including communication means comprising first and second ports connecting to first and second communication links, the first and second communication links being connected respectively to first and second data storage devices of said string. A bypassing means is provided between the first and second ports of the host system and the first and second data storage devices, the bypassing means being comprised of an independent bypass circuit on each of the first and second communication links between each of the first and second ports and the first and second data storage devices, the bypassing means being operable to bypass the host computer by connecting the first and second devices only when both of said independent bypass circuits detect a lack of data transfer on their respective links.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward immunologic- and nucleic acid-based methodologies for the detection of non-pathogenic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) strains in the body fluids of HIV-infected individuals. A blood donor infected with HIV-1 and a cohort of six blood or blood product recipients infected from this donor were studied. These patients, who remained free of HIV-1-related disease and displayed stable and normal CD4 lymphocyte counts 10 to 14 years after infection, were termed long-term nonprogressors (LTNPs). The molecular characterization of HIV-1 sequences obtained from either virus isolates or patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of LTNPs identified similar deletions in the nef gene and in the region of overlap of nef and the U3 region of the long terminal repeat (LTR). These deletions corresponded to amino acids 166-206, or nucleotides 9281 to 9437, of the HIV-1.sub.NL43 nef/LTR region.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward non-pathogenic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) strains containing deletions in the nef gene and U3 region of the long terminal repeat (LTR). A blood donor infected with HIV-1 and a cohort of six blood or blood product recipients infected from this donor were identified. These individuals, who remained free of HIV-1-related disease with stable and normal CD4.sup.+ lymphocyte counts 10 to 14 years after infection, were termed long-term nonprogressors (LTNPs). The molecular characterization of HIV-1 sequences obtained from either virus isolates or patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of LTNPs identified similar deletions in the nef gene and in the region of overlap of nef and the U3 region of the LTR. Full-length sequencing of one isolate genome and amplification of selected HIV-1 genome regions from other cohort members revealed no other abnormalities of obvious functional significance.

Abstract: A system and method for handling audio input/output data translates audio message in a first format from an audio application resident in a virtual machine to an audio voice in a second format which may have no exact match for the original audio message. The invention is used for audio applications which directly write to a particular hardware register of a particular audio card to communicate with an audio card which operates according to completely different principles. The translating program intercepts the audio message written in the first format including a first plurality of audio parameters, compares the audio parameters to those corresponding to a table of audio voices and selects the audio voice which corresponds to a match of the audio parameters in the audio message. If there is no exact match in the table, a variety of techniques are provided to calculate the closest or at least an acceptable audio voice for the original audio message.

Abstract: Tube working apparatus is provided comprising a mandrel having a die thereon over which a tube to be worked can be positioned. The die is adapted to cooperate with a tool externally of the tube to work the tube. Feed means is provided for effecting relative movement between the mandrel and the tube whereby the tube is progressively withdrawn from the mandrel as working proceeds.