Abstract: This invention provides methods for detecting the presence of human malignant cells in a sample of tumor cells; determining whether a tumor present in a human subject is malignant; obtaining an enriched population of live human malignant cells; determining the amount of intact luteinizing hormone in a sample; determining the ovulatory stage of a subject; determining the amount of intact follicle stimulating hormone in a sample; determining the ovulatory stage of a subject; determining the amount of intact human chorionic gonadotropin in a sample; determining whether a subject is pregnant; determining the ovulatory stage of a subject; determining the amount of free &agr; subunit of human luteinizing hormone in a sample; determining whether a subject has a malignant tumor; determining the amount of nicked human chorionic gonadotropin in a sample; and determining the likelihood of a fetus's being afflicted with Down's syndrome.

Abstract: A needle (1) and needle probe are provided. The needle (1) has a conducting inner core (12) separated for a conducting outer cannula (14) by an insulating element (16). A first end of the needle is for insertion into a patient, whereas the second end (6) is adapted for electrical connection to the remainder of the instrument. The second end (6) is formed in a substantially conical or substantially pyramidal shape. The inner core (12) at the second end contacts a contact plate (45) of a spring contact probe (22) to provide one electrical contact. To provide the other electrical contact, the outer cannula (16) at the second end is connected to an inner wall (18) which contacts spring fingers (51) mounted around the spring contact probe (22).

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymeric blend suitable for adhesive bonding to polar polymeric materials comprising an ultra-low density polyethylene in an amount by weight within the range of 99.999%-90.0%; and an additive selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene(5)oleylamine, bis(2-hydroxyethyl)soyaamine, bis(2-hydroxyethyl)oleylamine, and polyoxyethylene(5)octadecylamine, the additive in an amount by weight within the range of 0.001%-10%.

Abstract: This invention provides an antibody which specifically binds to hLH.beta.cf without cross-reacting with hLH, hLH.beta. or hCG.beta.cf. In an embodiment, the monoclonal antibody is designated B505. In a further embodiment, the hybridoma cell line producing the monoclonal antibody B 505 is designated ATCC Accession No.12000. This invention provides different uses of the antibodies. Finally, this invention provides a method for determining the amount of hLH.beta.cf or hLH.beta.cf-related molecule in a sample.

Abstract: With shrinking dimensions, and closely spaced runners, capacitive coupling between bitlines in dual port SRAMS becomes an important design issue. Techniques for reducing that coupling are described. A shielding runner placed between the read and write bitlines and tied to V.sub.DD or V.sub.SS substantially reduces unwanted crosstalk. Word lines can be similarly isolated.

Abstract: A brushless DC motor controller including a track and hold circuit responsive to the voltage at the motor centertap terminal and the voltage across at least one motor winding in order to determine the position of the rotor by detecting zero crossings of the back EMF of the unenergized winding in a manner having reduced susceptibility to noise. In one embodiment, the output of the track and hold circuit is interpolated to reduce the effects of pulse width modulation noise on rotor position detection. The drive signals controlling a plurality of electronically controlled switches which effect energization of the windings are chopped in order to control the speed of the motor. In one embodiment, the switch connected to a positive voltage is chopped when the sensed back EMF is positive and the switch connected to the negative voltage is chopped when the sensed back EMF is negative.

Abstract: The specification describes interconnection layouts for chip-on-chip packages using solder bump interchip connections as vias between a single level metal interconnection pattern on the lower support IC chip and another single level interconnection pattern on the upper IC chip. This arrangement allows for the formation of air isolated crossovers of features on either chip.

Abstract: A power factor correction controller is disclosed which extracts RMS information from a rectified AC input line voltage signal using a sample and hold analog to digital conversion approach. The controller then processes a digital word representing the RMS information through the application of a programmable mathematical function. The result is converted to analog form and provided as an input to an analog multiplier. The controller also monitors the output load power of an isolated boost converter circuit and linearly reduces the overlap delay time of a MOSFET transition switch when the load power decreases.

Abstract: A circuit breaker IC adapted for controlling an external NMOS switch coupled between a supply voltage and a load referenced to ground, with the circuit breaker being isolated from ground. With this arrangement, the voltage across the circuit breaker is limited, thereby permitting use of a low voltage integrated circuit fabrication process. The circuit breaker includes a sensor for sensing load current through the switch and providing an output signal indicative of the load current, a charge pump providing a supply voltage and an amplifier responsive to the sensor output signal and to the charge pump supply voltage for providing a drive signal to control the switch.

Abstract: A container for ink for a writing instrument including a reservoir for containing ink, an ink feed for connection to a writing tip of a writing instrument for conveying ink from the reservoir to the writing tip, and a valve between the reservoir and the ink feed. The valve is subjected on one side to pressure in the ink feed and is subjected on another side to atmospheric pressure. The valve opens when pressure in the ink feed falls sufficiently below the atmospheric pressure acting on the valve, thereby allowing ink to flow from the reservoir to the ink feed.

Abstract: An integrated circuit controller for a switching power converter implementing feed-forward and synchronization features. The controller IC has pins which permit dual functionality. The feed-forward feature is implemented with a supply voltage from an unregulated auxiliary winding which additionally powers the controller. The synchronization feature is implemented by coupling an external synchronization signal to a feedback pin of the controller IC to which a feedback signal from the output of the converter is also coupled.

Abstract: The game apparatus comprises a pack of cards, each having printed thereon a respective pictogram. The pictogram carries two letters and two blank markers indicating wild letters. The pictogram is repeated four times on the card, one on each side of the rectangular card. The players form words according to the pictogram. The apparatus also includes a number spinner, for indicating the number of letters in the words the players have to form; and includes a strike-bell whereby a player can indicate that he has thought of a suitable word. The cards are marked with difficulty stripes, indicating the number of words from a dictionary list that fit the particular pictogram.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a memory cell with a floating gate and a method for charging the floating gate using channel-initiated secondary electron injection (CISEI). In the device of the present invention, a positive bias voltage of about 1.1 volts to about 3.3 volts is applied between the drain and the source when introducing charge onto the floating gate. A negative bias voltage of about -0.5 volts or more negative is applied to the substrate and the source. The drain substrate bias induces a sufficient amount of secondary hot electrons to be formed with a sufficient amount of energy to overcome the energy barrier between the substrate and the floating gate to charge the floating gate.

Abstract: A battery charger/monitor circuit for charging and/or monitoring a plurality of series-connected cells, including a voltage sensor for sensing the voltage across each of the cells to provide a high cell voltage signal proportional to the highest voltage across any of the cells and a low cell voltage signal proportional to the lowest voltage across any of the cells. The circuit is operable in a monitor mode or a charge mode. In the monitor mode, the cells are disconnected from a load if the low cell voltage signal decreases to a first predetermined level. The circuit includes a controller which provides a control signal in response to the high cell voltage signal, the low cell voltage signal and a current sense signal, for controlling the charging of the cells.

Abstract: A synchronous step-down DC to DC converter includes a bootstrap capacitor monitored by a controller for maintaining a desired bootstrap voltage to drive a high side NMOS switch. The controller temporarily increases the duty cycle of the low side NMOS switch when the bootstrap voltage decreases below a predetermined level to maintain a minimum level of charge on the bootstrap capacitor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a contoured neck pillow. The invention consists of a central pad of polyurethane foam having a compression of about seven pounds, which is relatively softer and more elastic than a surrounding ring of polyurethane foam having a compression of about fifteen to twenty pounds. Two convoluted foam sections enclose the ring and pad, and are in turn encased within a protective cover.

Abstract: A switching regulator having improved dynamic response to load variations includes a load compensation circuit coupled to the output terminal. The load compensation circuit supplies current to a load coupled to the output terminal when the output voltage is less than a first predetermined level and/or diverts current away from the load when the output voltage is greater than a second predetermined level. The load compensation circuit operates in this manner until the output voltage is between the first and second predetermined levels. The load compensation circuit responds faster to load variations than the switching regulator to accommodate sudden changes in the load demand.

Abstract: A circulating (kill) valve for hot, high pressure wells includes a valve assembly to be positioned in an open-ended tubular-shaped side-pocket housing of a mandrel connected into a well tubing string. The valve assembly includes an open-ended cylindrical valve body provided with an interior sealing seat and spaced-apart side openings. A valve element is arranged within the valve body and is urged by unbalanced pressures to the open or closed position depending on the direction of the pressure imbalance. In the closed position a sealing surface on the exterior of the valve element engages and seals with the lower interior sealing seat of the valve body. A ported access to the inner well string pressure permits that pressure to urge the valve element to the closed position. Such pressure may be overcome by pressure imbalance when fluid pressure exterior of the tubing string forces the valve element upwardly from its seat.

Abstract: A rotor blade configuration is disclosed which greatly reduces noise generated by the low pressure compressor, or fan, of a turbofan engine. The leading edge of the blade is swept forwardly from its hub up to a point of sweep reversal and then swept rearwardly to the tip of the blade. The slope of the curved leading edge line relative to the direction of airflow is gradually decreased from the hub to the tip to maintain the velocity component, of air relative to the blade leading edge, subsonic, while the relative velocity of the air to the blade is above a critical value and supersonic. This substantially eliminates noise producing, standing shock waves along the blade leading edges. Also described are methods for determining the configuration of such blades to obtain these ends with a minimum increase in blade weight and a minimum blade bending and blade attachment stresses.

Abstract: A light collection apparatus in a machine for detecting the presence of extraneous matter and/or cracks in translucent containers of the type in which a spot beam of light is projected through the container to generate an electrical inspection signal corresponding to the amount of light passing through the container to a light collection apparatus. The light collection apparatus incorporates fiber optic elements so arranged with exposed ends in spaced relation on a platform as to provide an accurate and controllable method of collection.