Abstract: A system for delivery of aerosol therapy to spontaneously breathing patients comprises a housing which defines a chamber. The housing has a base, a top and a main body extending between the base and the top. An ambient air inlet is located adjacent to the base and is normally closed by an inlet valve. The housing also has a patient port for receiving a mouthpiece or a face mask. The mouthpiece has an exhaust outlet closed by an exhaust valve. Similarly, the face mask has an exhaust outlet closed by an exhaust valve. Exhaled air is exhausted through the valves and to prevent recirculation through the chamber which would adversely affect dose efficiencies. The housing also has an aerosol port for receiving a vibrating mesh aerosol generating device. The aerosol port is located in a side of the main body of the housing for delivery of aerosol into the chamber between the inlet valve and the patient port.

Abstract: A method of varying the output of a free electron laser (FEL) on very short time scales to produce a slightly broader, but smooth, time-averaged wavelength spectrum. The method includes injecting into an accelerator a sequence of bunch trains at phase offsets from crest. Accelerating the particles to full energy to result in distinct and independently controlled, by the choice of phase offset, phase-energy correlations or chirps on each bunch train. The earlier trains will be more strongly chirped, the later trains less chirped. For an energy recovered linac (ERL), the beam may be recirculated using a transport system with linear and nonlinear momentum compactions M56, which are selected to compress all three bunch trains at the FEL with higher order terms managed.

Abstract: An aerosol generator is positioned adjacent to a patient as an attachment to a trocar. The trocar has an entry port for insufflation gas. Aerosol generated by a vibrating element is entrained in the insufflation gas and the mixture is delivered through the trocar. The aerosol may contain a medicament. The trocar may be a conventional trocar. Such trocars are typically used for a camera. The delivery of the aerosolized medicament can occur at the start of the procedure and be delivered in bolus. At the start of the procedure, the peritoneum is being inflated by means of the flow of insufflator gas. This gas flow will help to entrain the aerosolized medicament to the pneumoperitoneum regions. The surgeon can temporarily remove the camera from the trocar port to facilitate insertion and positioning of the aerosoluzing unit.

Abstract: An aerosol generator is positioned adjacent to a patient as an attachment to a trocar. The trocar has an entry port for insufflation gas. Aerosol generated by a vibrating element is entrained in the insufflation gas and the mixture is delivered through the trocar. The aerosol may contain a medicament. The trocar may be a conventional trocar. Such trocars are typically used for a camera. The delivery of the aerosolized medicament can occur at the start of the procedure and be delivered in bolus. At the start of the procedure, the peritoneum is being inflated by the flow of insufflator gas. This gas flow will help to entrain the aerosolized medicament to the pneumoperitoneum regions. The surgeon can temporarily remove the camera from the trocar port to facilitate insertion and positioning of the aerosolizing unit.

Abstract: A method for applying an energy dither to a charged particle beam in order to vary the wavelength of the charged particle beam. Bunches of charged particle beams are accelerated by cavities that are operated at a harmonic of the bunch repetition rate. One or more secondary radiofrequency accelerator cavities are added near the wiggler after the primary beam transport to apply a fluctuation between individual bunches with a pseudo-random distribution. The secondary radiofrequency accelerator cavities provide fine variations of the beam energy about a nominal operating point. Operating a free electron laser (FEL) with a 1% change in the electron beam energy via the secondary cavity will result in a 2% wavelength variation of the FEL output.

Abstract: A method of varying the output of a free electron laser (FEL) on very short time scales to produce a slightly broader, but smooth, time-averaged wavelength spectrum. The method includes injecting into an accelerator a sequence of bunch trains at phase offsets from crest. Accelerating the particles to full energy to result in distinct and independently controlled, by the choice of phase offset, phase-energy correlations or chirps on each bunch train. The earlier trains will be more strongly chirped, the later trains less chirped. For an energy recovered linac (ERL), the beam may be recirculated using a transport system with linear and nonlinear momentum compactions M56, which are selected to compress all three bunch trains at the FEL with higher order terms managed.

Abstract: A system for delivery of aerosol therapy to spontaneously breathing patients comprises a housing which defines a chamber. The housing has a base, a top and a main body extending between the base and the top. An ambient air inlet is located adjacent to the base and is normally closed by an inlet valve. The housing also has a patient port for receiving a mouthpiece or a face mask. The mouthpiece has an exhaust outlet closed by an exhaust valve. Similarly, the face mask has an exhaust outlet closed by an exhaust valve. Exhaled air is exhausted through the valves and to prevent recirculation through the chamber which would adversely affect dose efficiencies. The housing also has an aerosol port for receiving a vibrating mesh aerosol generating device. The aerosol port is located in a side of the main body of the housing for delivery of aerosol into the chamber between the inlet valve and the patient port.

Abstract: An aerosol generator is positioned adjacent to a patient as an attachment to a trocar. The trocar has an entry port for insufflation gas. Aerosol generated by a vibrating element is entrained in the insufflation gas and the mixture is delivered through the trocar. The aerosol may contain a medicament. The trocar may be a conventional trocar. Such trocars are typically used for a camera. The delivery of the aerosolized medicament can occur at the start of the procedure and be delivered in bolus. At the start of the procedure, the peritoneum is being inflated by means of the flow of insufflator gas. This gas flow will help to entrain the aerosolized medicament to the pneumoperitoneum regions. The surgeon can temporarily remove the camera from the trocar port to facilitate insertion and positioning of the aerosolizing unit.

Abstract: An aerosol generator is positioned adjacent to a patient as an attachment to a trocar. The trocar has an entry port for insufflation gas. Aerosol generated by a vibrating element is entrained in the insufflation gas and the mixture is delivered through the trocar. The aerosol may contain a medicament. The trocar may be a conventional trocar. Such trocars are typically used for a camera. The delivery of the aerosolized medicament can occur at the start of the procedure and be delivered in bolus. At the start of the procedure, the peritoneum is being inflated by means of the flow of insufflator gas. This gas flow will help to entrain the aerosolized medicament to the pneumoperitoneum regions. The surgeon can temporarily remove the camera from the trocar port to facilitate insertion and positioning of the aerosolizing unit.

Abstract: An aerosol generator is positioned adjacent to a patient as an attachment to a trocar. The trocar has an entry port for insufflation gas. Aerosol generated by a vibrating element is entrained in the insufflation gas and the mixture is delivered through the trocar. The aerosol may contain a medicament. The trocar may be a conventional trocar. Such trocars are typically used for a camera. The delivery of the aerosolized medicament can occur at the start of the procedure and be delivered in bolus. At the start of the procedure, the peritoneum is being inflated by means of the flow of insufflator gas. This gas flow will help to entrain the aerosolized medicament to the pneumoperitoneum regions. The surgeon can temporarily remove the camera from the trocar port to facilitate insertion and positioning of the aerosolizing unit.

Abstract: An aerosol generator is positioned adjacent to a patient as an attachment to a trocar. The trocar has an entry port for insufflation gas. Aerosol generated by a vibrating element is entrained in the insufflation gas and the mixture is delivered through the trocar. The aerosol may contain a medicament. The trocar may be a conventional trocar. Such trocars are typically used for a camera. The delivery of the aerosolized medicament can occur at the start of the procedure and be delivered in bolus. At the start of the procedure, the peritoneum is being inflated by means of the flow of insufflator gas. This gas flow will help to entrain the aerosolized medicament to the pneumoperitoneum regions. The surgeon can temporarily remove the camera from the trocar port to facilitate insertion and positioning of the aerosolizing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in insufflation of a body cavity 5, such as through a trocar 6 is described. One such application is laparoscopic surgery. The device is also suitable for use in any situation involving insufflation of a body cavity such as in arthroscopies, pleural cavity insufflation (for example during thoracoscopy), retroperitoneal insufflations (for example retroperitoneoscopy), during hernia repair, during mediastinoscopy and any other such procedure involving insufflation. The apparatus comprises a reservoir 1 for storing an liquid solution, an aerosol generator 2 for aerosolising the solution, and a controller 3 for controlling operation of the aerosol generator 2. Aerosolised liquid solution (which main contain a pharmaceutical) is entrained with insufflation gas using a T-piece connector or housing 30 having an insufflation gas inlet 31 and an outlet 32.

Abstract: An aerosol generator 200 is positioned adjacent to a patient as an attachment to a trocar 201. The trocar has an entry port 203 for insufflation gas 208. Aerosol 207 generated by a vibrating element 205 is entrained in the insufflation gas and the mixture 209 is delivered through the trocar 201. The aerosol may contain a medicament. The trocar 201 may be a conventional trocar. Such trocars are typically used for a camera. The delivery of the aerosolised medicament can occur at the start of the procedure and be delivered in bolus. At the start of the procedure, the peritoneum is being inflated by means of the flow of insufflator gas. This gas flow will help to entrain the aerosolised medicament to the pneumoperitoneum regions. The surgeon can temporarily remove a camera from the trocar port to facilitate insertion and positioning of the aerosolising unit.

Abstract: A software program, for use on a computing device such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) device, is provided to a health care provider (HCP). The software program configures the computing device with means for inputting profile information regarding patients and means for comparing the patient profile information against a database containing information regarding one or more drug studies performed on patients having similar medical histories and/or symptoms. The patient information is compared against the database, and, where appropriate, the healthcare provider is made aware that the patient associated with the patient profile could benefit from being prescribed to take the drug or drugs on which the study is based, and/or at a particular dose indicated by the study.

Abstract: A doll having the likeness of a person or animal, wherein the doll form includes a body and head in the general shape of a human or animal is provided. The head includes a facial portion comprised of a first support having a receiving surface for receiving a face member. The face member is made of a second support having a transfer surface for transfer of facial features having the likeness of a particular person or animal. The first and second supports are compatible such that the face member is attached and secured to the receiving surface. The face member can be easily removed and changed with another face member having different facial features. Other exchangeable accessories, including hair and clothing, are used to customize the doll to become anyone so desired. The doll may also contain a voice recording mechanism to correlate to the voice of the individual whose facial features are on the face member. In an alternate embodiment the doll form is a hand or finger puppet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapid distribution of information whereby information gathered from an ongoing conference is incorporated into a single, electronic file. The file may be an interpretable data file, or a personal digital assistant (PDA)-executable application file created to include both the information sought to be distributed, and viewer software for displaying the information via a PDA device. The application file may be created from an easily-created document through a GUI-driven software application for gathering information from a user, manipulating data, and interacting with commercially available code development software, which typically requires a high level of user experience or training, to automate the otherwise complex application development process. The application file may include a checksum to prevent distribution and/or display of altered information. The file is distributed at the conference via wireless transmission to attendees' PDA devices via a beaming station.

Abstract: A doll having the likeness of a person or animal, wherein the doll form includes a body and head in the general shape of a human or animal is provided. The head includes a facial portion comprised of a first support having a receiving surface for receiving a face member. The face member is made of a second support having a transfer surface for transfer of facial features having the likeness of a particular person or animal. The first and second supports are compatible such that the face member is attached and secured to the receiving surface. The face member can be easily removed and changed with another face member having different facial features. Other exchangeable accessories, including hair and clothing, are used to customize the doll to become anyone so desired. The doll may also contain a voice recording mechanism to correlate to the voice of the individual whose facial features are on the face member. In an alternate embodiment the doll form is a hand or finger puppet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronic administration of an exercise regimen. The exercise regimen is prepared electronically by a therapist via a therapist interface displayed by an electronic device such as a PDA. The exercise regimen is customizable for the patient. Related exercise information may be retrieved and delivered to the patient in addition to the exercise regimen by wireless transmission to the patient's electronic device, such as a PDA, for viewing via a patient interface. The patient interface's display of information may be customized to present images and instructions specific to the exercises selected by the therapist and to display the name of the therapist and/or therapist contact information to allow for resolution of questions/concerns. Additionally, reminder messages may be provided to the patient to prompt performance of the exercises in accordance with the therapist-specified schedule. The therapist and patient devices may be configured to display selected advertising indicia.

Abstract: A system and method for producing software code is provided. In particular, a new software design methodology is provided that is based on axiomatic design theory. In one aspect, axiomatic design theory is adapted for use in designing object-oriented software programs. This methodology overcomes the shortcomings of various software design strategies including extensive software development and debugging time and the need for extensive maintenance. Because traditional software design strategies are not heuristic and do not provide basic principles for the development of good software systems, bad design habits produce poor quality software. A design framework using axiomatic design for software overcomes many of the shortcomings of current software design techniques: high maintenance costs, limited reusability, the need for extensive debugging and testing, poor documentation, and limited extensibility of the software, all of which result in high development cost of software.

Abstract: A recognition system includes a speech recognition processing unit for processing input speech signals to indicate similarity to predetermined patterns to be recognized. The recognition processing unit is arranged to repeatedly partition the input speech signal into a pattern-containing portion and, preceding and following the pattern-containing portions, noise or silence portions, and to identify a pattern corresponding to the pattern containing portion. An output supplies a recognition signal indicating recognition of one of the patterns. A pause detector detects the noise or silence portion which follows the pattern-containing portion. In response to its detection, a signal identifying the pattern currently corresponding to the pattern portion is supplied to the output. Also provided are similarly operating rejection portions.