Abstract: A power system includes a field effect transistor (FET) with a first terminal, a gate terminal, and a third terminal. A Zener diode is connected in series between the first terminal of the FET and the gate terminal of the FET. The Zener diode is oriented to allow current through the Zener diode only if its voltage difference is at or over the Zener voltage of the Zener diode. A capacitor is connected in parallel with the Zener diode. The capacitor is configured to raise gate drive current of the FET during a rising edge of a lightning transient and thereby reduce voltage drop across the FET faster than the Zener diode can do on its own.

Abstract: Circuit board assemblies include a circuit board portion having a recess formed therein, an electrically and thermally conductive insert, shaped to fit in the recess formed in the circuit board portion, an electrically and thermally conductive layer adapted and configured to interface with an external chassis, and a thermally conductive electrically insulative portion interposed between the electrically and thermally conductive insert and the electrically and thermally conductive layer, adapted and configured to conduct heat from the electrically and thermally conductive insert to the electrically and thermally conductive layer without conducting electricity.

Abstract: A power system includes a field effect transistor (FET) with a first terminal, a gate terminal, and a third terminal. A Zener diode is connected in series between the first terminal of the FET and the gate terminal of the FET. The Zener diode is oriented to allow current through the Zener diode only if its voltage difference is at or over the Zener voltage of the Zener diode. A capacitor is connected in parallel with the Zener diode. The capacitor is configured to raise gate drive current of the FET during a rising edge of a lightning transient and thereby reduce voltage drop across the FET faster than the Zener diode can do on its own.

Abstract: Circuit board assemblies include a circuit board portion having a recess formed therein, an electrically and thermally conductive insert, shaped to fit in the recess formed in the circuit board portion, an electrically and thermally conductive layer adapted and configured to interface with an external chassis, and a thermally conductive electrically insulative portion interposed between the electrically and thermally conductive insert and the electrically and thermally conductive layer, adapted and configured to conduct heat from the electrically and thermally conductive insert to the electrically and thermally conductive layer without conducting electricity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for offering mandatorily convertible securities (e.g., DECS) with associated forward purchase contracts and call options. Each mandatorily convertible security combines a forward purchase contract, a mandatory portable remarketable security, and a call option to form a single investment unit. The call option provides additional capital to the issuer of the investment unit and profits to the remarketing agent handling the mandatory portable remarketable security.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for offering mandatorily convertible securities (e.g., DECS) with associated forward purchase contracts and call options. Each mandatorily convertible security combines a forward purchase contract, a mandatory portable remarketable security, and a call option to form a single investment unit. The call option provides additional capital to the issuer of the investment unit and profits to the remarketing agent handling the mandatory portable remarketable security.

Abstract: A Queue Manager (QM) system and method are provided for communicating control messages between processors. The method accepts control messages from a source processor addressed to a destination processor. The control messages are loaded in a first-in first-out (FIFO) queue associated with the destination processor. Then, the method serially supplies loaded control messages to the destination processor from the queue. The messages may be accepted from a plurality of source processors addressed to the same destination processor. The control messages are added to the queue in the order in which they are received. In one aspect, a plurality of parallel FIFO queues may be established that are associated with the same destination processor. Then, the method differentiates the control messages into the parallel FIFO queues and supplies control messages from the parallel FIFO queues in an order responsive to criteria such as queue ranking, weighting, or shaping.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing free flow through an infusion set utilizes an occluder disposed within the infusion set to selectively prevent flow therethrough. The occluder may be responsive to a pressure differential within the infusion set or may respond to compression of the infusion set. The occluder may also be configured to allow flow when the infusion set adjacent the occluder is moved sideways relative to the occluder or maintained at an angle relative to the occluder. When a pair of occluders are used in sequence, an in-line pump may be formed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing free flow through an infusion set utilizes an occluder disposed within the infusion set to selectively prevent flow therethrough. The occluder may be responsive to a pressure differential within the infusion set or may respond to compression of the infusion set. The occluder may also be configured to allow flow when the infusion set adjacent the occluder is moved sideways relative to the occluder or maintained at an angle relative to the occluder. When a pair of occluders are used in sequence, an in-line pump may be formed.

Abstract: A Queue Manager (QM) system and method are provided for communicating control messages between processors. The method accepts control messages from a source processor addressed to a destination processor. The control messages are loaded in a first-in first-out (FIFO) queue associated with the destination processor. Then, the method serially supplies loaded control messages to the destination processor from the queue. The messages may be accepted from a plurality of source processors addressed to the same destination processor. The control messages are added to the queue in the order in which they are received. In one aspect, a plurality of parallel FIFO queues may be established that are associated with the same destination processor. Then, the method differentiates the control messages into the parallel FIFO queues and supplies control messages from the parallel FIFO queues in an order responsive to criteria such as queue ranking, weighting, or shaping.

Abstract: A disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit employed during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery performs gas exchange, heat transfer, and microemboli filtering functions in a way as to conserve volume, to reduce setup and change out times, to eliminate a venous blood reservoir, and to substantially reduce blood-air interface. Blood from the patient or prime solution is routed through an air removal device that is equipped with air sensors for detection of air. An active air removal controller removes detected air from blood in the air removal device. A disposable circuit support module is used to mount the components of the disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit in close proximity and in a desirable spatial relationship to optimize priming and use of the disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit. A reusable circuit holder supports the disposable circuit support module in relation to a prime solution source, the active air removal controller and other components.

Abstract: A disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit employed during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery performs gas exchange, heat transfer, and microemboli filtering functions in a way as to conserve volume, to reduce setup and change out times, to eliminate a blood reservoir, and to substantially reduce blood-air interface. Blood from the patient or prime solution is routed through an air removal device that is equipped with air sensors for detection of air. An active air removal controller removes detected air from blood in the air removal device. A disposable circuit support module is used to mount the components of the disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit in close proximity and in a desirable spatial relationship to optimize priming and use of the disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit. A reusable circuit holder supports the disposable circuit support module in relation to a prime solution source, the active air removal controller and other components.

Abstract: A disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit employed during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery performs gas exchange, heat transfer, and microemboli filtering functions in a way as to conserve volume, to reduce setup and change out times, to eliminate a venous blood reservoir, and to substantially reduce blood-air interface. Blood from the patient or prime solution is routed through an air removal device that is equipped with air sensors for detection of air. An active air removal controller removes detected air from blood in the air removal device. A disposable circuit support module is used to mount the components of the disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit in close proximity and in a desirable spatial relationship to optimize priming and use of the disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit. A reusable circuit holder supports the disposable circuit support module in relation to a prime solution source, the active air removal controller and other components.

Abstract: A technique facilitates the flow of traffic along highways by placing sensor devices within vehicles traveling along a highway. A sensor device within a first vehicle is able to detect whether the vehicle immediately ahead is increasing or decreasing the distance back to the first vehicle. The driver of the first vehicle is notified of the increasing or decreasing distances through simple indicators that enable the driver to take corrective action more appropriately than otherwise possible. The sensor device and indicators reduce driver overreaction that can result in standing wave traffic patterns, traffic congestion, wasted fuel and wasted time. Additionally, the system can be designed to integrate information from multiple users to enable coordination of movement among motor vehicles to improve overall traffic speed in a given line.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing free flow through an infusion set utilizes an occluder disposed within the infusion set to selectively prevent flow therethrough. The occluder may be responsive to a pressure differential within the infusion set or may respond to compression of the infusion set. The occluder may also be configured to allow flow when the infusion set adjacent the occluder is moved sideways relative to the occluder or maintained at an angle relative to the occluder. When a pair of occluders are used in sequence, an in-line pump may be formed.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood circuit for use with a venous return line and an arterial line coupled to a patient. The extracorporeal blood circuit can include a venous air removal device coupled to the venous return line. The venous air removal device can perform an active air removal function. The extracorporeal blood circuit can include a sensor that determines a blood level in the venous air removal device, a purge line coupled to the venous air removal device, and a controller connected to the sensor. The controller can cause the venous air removal device to perform the active air removal function through the purge line when the blood level is less than a threshold. The extracorporeal blood circuit can further include a pump coupled to the venous air removal device, an oxygenator coupled to the pump, and a blood filter coupled to the oxygenator and the arterial line.