Abstract: A pump for pumping fluid includes a tube platen, a plunger, a bias member, inlet and outlet valves, an actuator mechanism, a position sensor, and a processor. The plunger is configured for actuation toward and away from the infusion-tube when the tube platen is disposed opposite to the plunger. The tube platen can hold an intravenous infusion tube. The bias member is configured to urge the plunger toward the tube platen.

Abstract: Methods are provided herein for assembling at least two nucleic acids using a sequence specific nuclease agent (e.g., a gRNA-Cas complex) to create end sequences having complementarity and subsequently assembling the overlapping complementary sequences. The nuclease agent (e.g., a gRNA-Cas complex) can create double strand breaks in dsDNA in order to create overlapping end sequences or can create nicks on each strand to produce complementary overhanging end sequences. Assembly using the method described herein can assemble any nucleic acids having overlapping sequences or can use a joiner oligo to assemble sequences without complementary ends.

Abstract: A jig lure assembly (10) including a fishing leader line (12), a vertical attachment portion (18), and a horizontal shank portion (20). The horizontal shank portion (20) is positioned in a substantially perpendicular manner with respect to the vertical attachment portion (18). In addition, the jig lure assembly (10) has a curved hook portion (22) extending longitudinally from an end of the horizontal shank portion (20). Furthermore, the jig lure assembly (10) includes a generally spherical weight (28) enclosing at least a portion of the vertical attachment portion (18) and the horizontal shank portion (20) such that the vertical attachment portion (18) extends upwardly through the weight (28). A bead stopper (44) is fixedly mounted to the leader line (12).

Abstract: A portable assistive listening system for enhancing sound for hearing impaired individuals includes a functional hearing aid and a separate handheld digital signal processing (DSP) device. The focus of the embodiments is directed to the handheld DSP device and a method of processing audio signals. The DSP device includes a programmable digital signal processor, a UWB transceiver for communicating with the hearing aid and/or other wireless audio sources, an LCD display, and a user input device (keypad). The handheld device is user programmable to apply different sound processing algorithms for processing sound signals received from the hearing aid and/or other audio source. The handheld device is capable of receiving audio signals from multiple sources, and gives the user control over selection of incoming sound sources and selective processing of audio.

Abstract: A portable assistive listening system for enhancing sound for hearing impaired individuals includes a functional hearing aid and a separate handheld digital signal processing (DSP) device. The invention focuses on a handheld DSP device that provides a visual cue to the user representing the source of an intermittent incoming sound. It is known that it is easier to distinguish and recognize sounds when the user has knowledge of the sound source. The system provides for various wired and/or wireless audio inputs from, for example, a television, a wireless microphone on a person, a doorbell, a telephone, a smoke alarm, etc. The wireless audio sources are linked to the DSP and can be identified as a particular type of source. For example, the telephone input is associated with a graphical image of a telephone, and the smoke alarm is associated with a graphical image of a smoke alarm.

Abstract: A portable assistive listening system for enhancing sound for hearing impaired individuals includes a hearing aid and a separate handheld digital signal processing device. The hearing aid includes a microphone, a digital signal processor, a speaker, a power source, an ultra-wide band (UWB) transceiver, and a control system configured and arranged to monitor a status of the power source and a status of the UWB transceiver, to receive an input signal from the microphone, to selectively route the input signal for processing responsive to the status of the power source and of the UWB transceiver, and to deliver an output signal to the speaker. The handheld digital signal processing apparatus includes a UWB transceiver, and a digital audio signal processor configured and arranged to receive the input signal from the earpiece control system, to process the input signal to enhance the input signal and to output the enhanced signal to the hearing aid control system.

Abstract: A portable assistive listening system for enhancing sound for hearing impaired individuals includes a fully functional hearing aid and a separate handheld digital signal processing (DSP) device. The focus of the present invention is directed to the handheld DSP device and a unique method of processing incoming audio signals. The DSP device includes a programmable digital signal processor, a UWB transceiver for communicating with the hearing aid and/or other wireless audio sources, an LCD display, and a user input device (keypad). The handheld device is user programmable to apply different sound enhancement algorithms for enhancing sound signals received from the hearing aid and/or other audio source. The handheld device is capable of receiving audio signals from multiple sources, and gives the user control over selection of incoming sound sources and selective enhancement of sound.

Abstract: A portable assistive listening system for enhancing sound for hearing impaired individuals includes a fully functional hearing aid and a separate handheld digital signal processing (DSP) device. The focus of the present invention is directed to the handheld DSP device. The DSP device includes a programmable digital signal processor, a UWB transceiver for communicating with the hearing aid and/or other wireless audio sources, an LCD display, a user input device (keypad) and at least one memory device for storing programming settings and data. Specifically, the invention focuses on a memory buffer within the DSP device, and configuration of the device to buffer an incoming audio signal, to enhance the audio for replay, and to replay that audio. The device is further configured to convert the audio signal to text for display on the handheld DSP device. The device enhances the audio and then buffers the enhanced audio stream prior to output.

Abstract: A portable assistive listening system for enhancing sound for hearing impaired individuals includes a fully functional hearing aid and a separate handheld digital signal processing (DSP) device. The focus of the present invention is directed to the handheld DSP device and a unique method of processing incoming audio signals. The DSP device includes a programmable digital signal processor, a UWB transceiver for communicating with the hearing aid and/or other wireless audio sources, an LCD display, and a user input device (keypad). The handheld device is user programmable to apply different audio processing algorithms for processing sound signals received from the hearing aid and/or other audio source. The handheld device is capable of receiving audio signals from multiple sources, and gives the user control over selection of incoming sound sources and selective processing of sound.

Abstract: A portable assistive listening system for enhancing sound for hearing impaired individuals includes a fully functional hearing aid and a separate handheld digital signal processing (DSP) device. The focus of the present invention is directed to the handheld DSP device. The DSP device includes a programmable digital signal processor, a UWB transceiver for communicating with the hearing aid and/or other wireless audio sources, an LCD display, and a user input device (keypad). The handheld device is user programmable to apply different processing algorithms for processing sound signals received from the hearing aid or other audio source. The handheld device is capable of receiving audio signals from multiple sources, and gives the user control over selection of incoming sources and selective processing of sound.

Abstract: A portable assistive listening system for enhancing sound for hearing impaired individuals includes a fully functional hearing aid and a separate handheld digital signal processing (DSP) device. The focus of the present invention is directed to the handheld DSP device and a unique method of processing incoming audio signals. The DSP device includes a programmable digital signal processor, a UWB transceiver for communicating with the hearing aid and/or other wireless audio sources, an LCD display, and a user input device (keypad). The handheld device is user programmable to apply different sound enhancement algorithms for enhancing sound signals received from the hearing aid and/or other audio source. The handheld device is capable of receiving audio signals from multiple sources, and gives the user control over selection of incoming sound sources and selective enhancement of sound.

Abstract: A mold for use in a reaction injection molding method and system to make a reinforced polymeric article having reduced surface defects includes a novel gating system. The mold includes a pair of mold sections which define a closed, article-forming cavity, an injection aperture, and an after-mixer which helps to form a plurality of flow paths which extend downstream from the injection aperture toward the article-forming cavity to further mix a curable, multi-component, reaction fluid mixture including a filler. The flow paths are also at least partially defined by an elongated film gate and an elongated runner which extends along and is in fluid communication with the film gate along substantially the entire length of the film gate. The runner has a closed end and an open end into which a fluid mixture for the article flows for distribution by the runner into the film gate.

Abstract: A method and system of manufacturing an air bag cover assembly utilizing infrared radiation is disclosed. The assembly includes a front panel, a back plate, a switch and infrared-absorbing material. Initially, the front panel and the back plate are positioned so that inner surfaces of the front panel and the back plate define a switch pocket therebetween. Then the switch is positioned in the switch pocket. Thereafter, infrared radiation is directed at the infrared-absorbing material for a time sufficient to heat the infrared-absorbing material to a desired temperature. The amount of heat applied to the infrared-absorbing material by the infrared radiation is controlled by a controller. Finally, the heated material cools to fixedly secures the back plate to the front panel. The heated material may be forced to flow prior to cooling.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of identifying one or more nucleic acids in a sample. The nucleic acids, for example, expressed genes in a cell, can be identified by contacting the nucleic acids with oligonucleotides having detector tags, and selector tags to form tagged oligonucleotides. Each nucleic acid can be uniquely identified by mass-spectrophotometric analysis of the detector tag.

Abstract: A mold for use in a reaction injection molding method and system to make a reinforced polymeric article having reduced surface defects includes a novel gating system. The mold includes a pair of mold sections which define a closed, article-forming cavity, an injection aperture, and an after-mixer which helps to form a plurality of flow paths which extend downstream from the injection aperture toward the article-forming cavity to further mix a curable, multi-component, reaction fluid mixture including a filler. The flow paths are also at least partially defined by an elongated film gate and an elongated runner which extends along and is in fluid communication with the film gate along substantially the entire length of the film gate. The runner has a closed end and an open end into which a fluid mixture for the article flows for distribution by the runner into the film gate.

Abstract: A method of making a molded plastic component having enhanced surface finish uses a mold having at least one metal base, a mold cavity, and at least one self-lubricating surface layer which defines the plastic component within the mold cavity. The self-lubricating surface layer includes a porous metallic skin integrally connected to and extending from an interior surface of the at least one metal base and lubricating particles disposed on the skin and in pores of the skin. The lubricating particles are bonded together to form a sealed surface of the at least one self-lubricating surface layer such that the molded plastic component has the enhanced surface finish. The metallic skin includes a plurality of spaced, sinusoidally-shaped projections of autocatalytic nickel alloy. The lubricating particles are preferably submicron-sized particles of low friction fluoropolymers. The mold may be an injection mold, a compression mold, a blow mold or a vacuum mold.

Abstract: A molded plastic component having enhanced surface finish is molded within a mold having at least one metal base, a mold cavity, and at least one self-lubricating surface layer which defines the plastic component within the mold cavity. The self-lubricating surface layer includes a porous metallic skin integrally connected to and extending from an interior surface of the at least one metal base and lubricating particles disposed on the skin and in pores of the skin. The lubricating particles are bonded together to form a sealed surface of the at least one self-lubricating surface layer such that the molded plastic component has the enhanced surface finish. The metallic skin includes a plurality of spaced, sinusoidally-shaped projections of autocatalytic nickel alloy. The lubricating particles are preferably submicron-sized particles of low friction fluoropolymers. The mold may be an injection mold, a compression mold, a blow mold or a vacuum mold.

Abstract: A method and system for bonding plastic parts together utilizing a heat-activated adhesive and at least one infrared lamp are disclosed. The system preferably includes first and second infrared lamps for emitting infrared radiation. A first base section supports a first infrared lamp adjacent the first plastic part and a second base section supports the second infrared lamp adjacent the second plastic part. The system also includes a controller coupled to the first and second infrared lamps for controlling power supplied to the first and second infrared lamps so that the first infrared lamp emits infrared radiation which propagates through the first plastic part and is absorbed by the adhesive and the second infrared lamp emits infrared radiation which propagates through the second plastic part and is absorbed by the adhesive for a time sufficient to heat the adhesive to a desired temperature at which the adhesive is activated.

Abstract: A method and system of manufacturing an air bag cover assembly utilizing infrared radiation is disclosed. The assembly includes a front panel, a back plate, a switch and infrared-absorbing material. Initially, the front panel and the back plate are positioned so that inner surfaces of the front panel and the back plate define a switch pocket therebetween. Then the switch is positioned in the switch pocket. Thereafter, infrared radiation is directed at the infrared-absorbing material for a time sufficient to heat the infrared-absorbing material to a desired temperature. The amount of heat applied to the infrared-absorbing material by the infrared radiation is controlled by a controller. Finally, the heated material cools to fixedly secures the back plate to the front panel. The heated material may be forced to flow prior to cooling.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of identifying one or more nucleic acids in a sample. The nucleic acids, for example, expressed genes in a cell, can be identified by contacting the nucleic acids with oligonucleotides having detector tags, and selector tags to form tagged oligonucleotides. Each nucleic acid can be uniquely identified by mass-spectrophotometric analysis of the detector tag.