Abstract: A kidney dialysis machine includes a number of flexible members extending from the machine to corresponding receptacles at a patient station. The flexible members are arranged in a cable bundle at a point intermediate of the machine and the ends of the members. A retaining member is wrapped around the bundle to hold the bundle together. The retaining member is attached to a spring that has one end connected to the retaining member and an opposite end attached to the kidney dialysis machine. The spring holds the bundle off the floor.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus suitable for capturing a image of one or more of a user's facial features is disclosed. The apparatus includes a spherical cold mirror which presents a concave surface to the user and is disposed between the user and the camera. The user is able to conclude that he is close enough to the camera for successful image capture when the reflection he sees in the mirror is the right way up. In a preferred embodiment, markings are provided on the front surface of the mirror to aid the user in placing his eye within a predetermined range of distances from the camera. The imaging apparatus is suitable for use in iris recognition apparatuses and provides a relatively inexpensive alternative to known apparatuses.

Abstract: The invention provides modified proteins and DNAs of the TGF-&bgr; superfamily including modified morphogenic proteins. The proteins of the present invention display altered biological or biochemical attributes. Specifically, the modified proteins are designed through substitutions of amino acids in the finger 2 sub-domain or exchanges of all or part of the finger 2 sub-domain of one TGF-&bgr; superfamily member with the finger 2 sub-domain of another TGF-&bgr; superfamily member.

Abstract: An electrochemical emergency power supply for a cellular telephone otherwise having a main battery. The emergency power supply, once activated, provides the cellular telephone with power for operation of the cellular telephone for at least a predetermined duration. The emergency power supply is an emergency cell that is selectively activated by the cellular telephone user, preferably through the exposure of the emergency cell to ambient air, when needed. The preferred emergency cell is an oxidizing zinc-air electrochemical cell that is held in a hermetically-sealed compartment which is selectively unsealed to activate the emergency power supply.

Abstract: A transvaginal tube adapted for insertion into the vaginal tract of a patient for use during performance of a laparoscopic hysterectomy or other laparoscopic surgery on the patient. The tube has a diameter greater than the patient's cervix opening and has a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end is cut in a plane non-normal to its tubular axis being adapted to define the patient's cervico-vaginal junction. The tube further includes a sealing structure capable of forming a seal at the distal end of the tube during the surgery. The tube is capable of maintaining the pneumoperitoneum when inserted into the vaginal tract of the patient with the seal formed at the distal end of the tube.

Abstract: In a method of using iris recognition to determine whether a person is authorised to pass a security check, the person is first identified by comparing a captured and digitised iris code with iris codes stored in a database of iris codes for authorised persons. Then, the iris code for an identified person is compared with all previously recorded iris codes for that person. If there is an exact match, the identified iris code is deemed irregular since the chances of obtaining an exact match are significantly low. As a result, either further identifying information is requested or access to resources or systems is denied to the person.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus (34) suitable for capturing an image of one or more of a user's facial features is disclosed. The apparatus includes a spherical cold mirror (45) which presents a concave surface to the user and is disposed between the user and the camera (47). The user is able to conclude that he is close enough to the camera (47) for successful image capture when the reflection he sees in the mirror (45) is the right way up. In a preferred embodiment, markings are provided on the front surface of the mirror to aid the user in placing his eye within a predetermined range of distances from the camera (47). The imaging apparatus 34 is suitable for use in iris recognition apparatuses and provides a relatively inexpensive alternative to known apparatuses.

Abstract: A kidney dialysis machine includes a number of flexible members extending from the machine to corresponding receptacles at a patient station. The flexible members are arranged in a cable bundle at a point intermediate of the machine and the ends of the members. A retaining member is wrapped around the bundle to hold the bundle together. The retaining member is attached to a spring that has one end connected to the retaining member and an opposite end attached to the kidney dialysis machine. The spring holds the bundle off the floor.

Abstract: A handheld imaging apparatus (125) for capturing an image of an eye (110) comprises a housing (125) having an eyecup (115) at a rear window (120) to position the eye. The housing (125) provides a lineofsight through the apparatus to a front window (140). An angled, semireflecting mirror (145) in the line of sight directs an image of the eve to a camera (135) for the purposes of image capture. The apparatus also includes a transmitter (160) and a receiver (162) to transmit and receive data relating to iris image information to and from a remote apparatus.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with the minimization of radiological doses during manufacturing processes of fuel assemblies, by employing non-irradiated fuel as a shielding material against the radiological output of re-processed fuel materials. The non-irradiated fuel can be employed in peripheral fuel rods and/or in the end portions of fuel rods with beneficial effects.

Abstract: A personal identification apparatus for providing information characteristic of an eye includes a housing with an entrance window through which a user looks at a target object. An image capture device within the housing operates to provide an image signed representing features of the eye and responsive to non-visible light reflected from the eye. In addition to the illumination source for the non-visible light reflected from the eye the apparatus also includes an optical element substantially transparent to the non-visible light and which has a first region less transparent to visible light from the target object than a second region. The arrangement of the apparatus is such that the image capture device views the eye through the second region of the optical element and the eye views the target object through the first region of the optical element.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a security check are disclosed. Many conventional security checks require the recording or transmission of a user data sets associated with respective authorized users. A problem arises with these systems if the user data set becomes known by unauthorized persons. In order to address this problem the present invention proposes the recording or transmission of only part of the user data set in insecure sections of the system. For example, a security check preventing unauthorized remote access to a shared computer (20) is provided by capturing a user data set representing a user's iris, operating the user's personal computer (10) to select only a portion of the captured data set requested by the shared computer (20) and transmitting the portion along a telecommunications line (16).

Abstract: Apparatus for inhibiting elongate flexible elements such as wire cable and the like from entangling the axle assembly (1) of a vehicle wheel (2) comprises a guard member (40 securable to the vehicle axle assembly (1) between the wheel (2) and the body of the vehicle (3). The guard member (4) has a radially outer portion (9) which in use lies adjacent the wheel rim (2b) so as to substantially prevent elongate flexible elements from passing between the guard member (4) and the wheel (2). The outer portion (9) of the guard member (4) may be provided with at least one cutting edge (10) for cutting elongate flexible elements which are pulled thereover by rotation of the vehicle wheel 2. A further member (5) may be provided which in use extends between the vehicle body (3) and the guard member (4) so as to inhibit elongate flexible elements from passing between the vehicle body (3) and the guard member (4) and entangling the axle assembly (1).

Abstract: A method of preparing an impregnated leather composite is provided. A low density leather sheet is impregnated with an aqueous ionic dispersion of a polyurethane polymer. The polyurethane polymer which is impregnated in the leather sheet is ionically coagulated from the dispersion. The impregnate is dried to form an impregnated leather composition.

Abstract: A resin impregnated fibrous web is comprised of a needled fibrous batt and a polymeric resin distributed throughout the batt. The density of the impregnated web is uniform throughout with the bulk density of the web being less than the actual density of the web whereby the web is porous. The impregnated web has filaments which are both coated and uncoated with the polymeric resin. A method of forming the impregnated fibrous web is also disclosed.

Abstract: An aqueous polyurethane composition capable of thermal coagulation is disclosed. The polyurethane composition is comprised of an aqueous polyurethane dispersion having anionic groups covalently bonded to the polymer chain and solubilized by the addition of a cationic compound which forms a salt with the anionic group. The composition also includes a compound which, when heated in an aqueous solution, generates acid which causes displacement of the cationic compound from the covalently bonded anionic groups. A method of forming a composite sheet material is also disclosed. The composite sheet material is formed by impregnating a porous sheet material with the polyurethane composition and heating the impregnant to generate acid causing coagulation of the polyurethane dispersion in the porous sheet material. The impregnant is dried to form a composite sheet material.

Abstract: A simulated leather sheet material is comprised of a polymer impregnated fibrous mass with a grain layer forming one surface and a split layer forming the opposing surface. The grain layer has an actual density equal to its bulk density and the split layer has a bulk density less than its actual density. The sheet material has a density decreasing from the grain layer to the split layer.

Abstract: An aqueous polyurethane composition capable of thermal coagulation is disclosed. The polyurethane composition is comprised of an aqueous polyurethane dispersion having anionic groups covalently bonded to the polymer chain and solubilized by the addition of a cationic compound which forms a salt with the anionic group. The composition also includes a compound which, when heated in an aqueous solution, generates acid which causes displacement of the cationic compound from the covalently bonded anionic groups.A method of forming a composite sheet material is also disclosed. The composite sheet material is formed by impregnating a porous sheet material with the polyurethane composition and heating the impregnant to generate acid causing coagulation of the polyurethane dispersion in the porous sheet material. The impregnant is dried to form a composite sheet material.