Abstract: A method of immersing an electrode in an electroplating solution while under vacuum, to substantially eliminate air and/or other gas from microscopic holes, cavities or indentations in the electrode. A method of electroplating an electrode in an electroplating solution including the application of a vacuum to the electrode while it is immersed in the electroplating solution to thereby substantially eliminate air and/or other gas from microscopic holes, cavities or indentations in the electrode. The electroplating liquid may be applied to only one side of the electrode (“the wet side”) in which case, sufficient time is allowed to pass for the immersion liquid to fill the microscopic through-holes, cavities or indentations in the electrode. An enhancement of this mode is to force liquid through the microscopic holes from the wet side. A highly penetrating solvent may be used as an immersion liquid.

Abstract: A patient interface includes a frame, a cushion having a non-face-contacting portion connected to the frame and a face-contacting portion adapted to engage the patient's face in use, the face-contacting portion including a side wall and a flexible membrane extending from the side wall, and a reinforcing member provided to at least a portion of the side wall of the cushion. The reinforcing member includes a cut-out so that the reinforcing member provides reinforcement to selected regions of the cushion.

Abstract: A specialty nozzle is provided having a pattern adjustment valve that may be adjusted to irrigate a substantially rectangular irrigation area. The nozzle may be further adjusted to irrigate two different substantially rectangular irrigation areas. The nozzle functions as a three-in-one left strip nozzle, right strip nozzle, and side strip nozzle. The arcuate length may be adjusted by pressing down and rotating a deflector to directly actuate the valve. The nozzle may also include a radius adjustment valve that may be adjusted by actuation of an outer wall of the nozzle. Rotation of the outer wall causes a flow control member to move axially to or away from an inlet.

Abstract: A patient interface includes a frame, a cushion, and a reinforcing member. The cushion has a non-face-contacting portion connected to the frame and a face-contacting portion adapted to engage the patient's face in use. The face-contacting portion includes a side wall and a flexible membrane extending from the side wall. The reinforcing member is provided to at least a portion of an interior and/or exterior surface of the side wall of the cushion. The reinforcing member provides reinforcement to the side wall of the cushion to at least limit lateral expansion of the cushion in use. The reinforcing member may have a stiffness that is selectively varied along its length.

Abstract: Techniques for sutureless vascular anastomosis are described, including an incision seal including a base configured to partially house an outer surface of a main vessel, the base being formed using a material that is configured to be penetrated by a barb disposed on a connector the main vessel being secured to the base when the base is at least partially pierced by the barb, an upper lumen configured to guide a graft vessel, and a housing opening configured to receive the graft vessel.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to drive an analog signal into a sensory tissue. The apparatus includes an analog-to-digital converter converting an original analog signal to a digital signal at an analog-to-digital converter sample rate. The apparatus includes a digital transceiver communicating wirelessly with the analog-to-digital converter to receive the digital signal. The apparatus includes a digital data buffer receiving the digital signal from the digital transceiver. The apparatus includes a digital-to-analog converter communicating with the digital data buffer and converting the digital signal into a reconstructed analog signal at a digital-to-analog converter sample rate faster than the analog-to-digital converter sample rate, the analog signal comprising a plurality of intensity values. The apparatus includes a pixel clock matching the digital-to-analog converter sample rate. The apparatus includes a bio-interface array comprising a plurality of electrodes and operably proximate to the sensory tissue.

Abstract: A vent arrangement is provided to a mask or associated conduit to discharge exhaled gas from the mask to atmosphere. The vent arrangement is structured to diffuse the exhaust vent flow to produce less air jetting, thereby increasing the comfort of the patient and their bed partner. For example, the vent arrangement may include one or more grill components and/or media constructed and arranged to diffuse vent flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for confirming attributes of media loaded in a media tray in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include determining which media tray of one or more media trays is being loaded with media using one or more media tray sensors, displaying a graphical representation of the media tray being loaded to a user on a user interface, prompting the user to enter and confirm attributes of the media being loaded into the media tray through the user interface, determining if confirmation has been received from the user interface, wherein if it is determined that the confirmation has been received from the user interface, storing the confirmed attributes for the determined media tray in a memory, and processing print jobs using the stored media tray attributes.

Abstract: A patient interface includes a frame, a cushion, and a reinforcing member. The cushion has a non-face-contacting portion connected to the frame and a face-contacting portion adapted to engage the patient's face in use. The face-contacting portion includes a side wall and a flexible membrane extending from the side wall. The reinforcing member is provided to at least a portion of an interior and/or exterior surface of the side wall of the cushion. The reinforcing member provides reinforcement to the side wall of the cushion to at least limit lateral expansion of the cushion in use. The reinforcing member may have a stiffness that is selectively varied along its length.

Abstract: A patient interface includes a frame, a cushion, and a reinforcing member. The cushion has a non-face-contacting portion connected to the frame and a face-contacting portion adapted to engage the patient's face in use. The face-contacting portion includes a side wall and a flexible membrane extending from the side wall. The reinforcing member is provided to at least a portion of an interior and/or exterior surface of the side wall of the cushion. The reinforcing member provides reinforcement to the side wall of the cushion to at least limit lateral expansion of the cushion in use. The reinforcing member may have a stiffness that is selectively varied along its length.

Abstract: An interfacing structure for a mask system includes a cushion component adapted to contact the patient's face in use and a cushion-to-frame component provided to the cushion component. The cushion-to-frame component is structured to secure the cushion component to a mask frame of the mask system. The cushion-to-frame component includes a cushion side adapted to interface with the cushion component and a frame side adapted to interface with the mask frame. The cushion side includes a platform to engage and support the cushion component. The platform provides an engagement surface to engage the cushion component and inner and outer flanges provided to opposing ends of the platform to guide, support and/or retain the cushion component on the platform.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for providing a low voltage high density multi-bit storage flash memory. A dual bit memory cell of the invention comprises a substrate having a common source, a first drain and first channel, and a second drain and a second channel. A common control gate is located above the source. A first floating gate and a second floating gate are located on opposite sides of the control gate. Each floating gate is formed with a sharp tip adjacent to the control gate and an upper curved surface that follows a contour of the surface of the control gate. The sharp tips of the floating gates efficiently discharge electrons into the control gate when the memory cell is erased. The curved surfaces increase capacitor coupling between the control gate and the floating gates.

Abstract: A CPAP system includes a PAP device (5) structured to generate a supply of pressurized air, a patient interface (15) adapted to engage with the patient's face to provide a seal, an air delivery conduit (102,104) provided between the PAP device and the patient interface to deliver the supply of pressurized air along a gas delivery path from the PAP device to the patient interface, and a muffler (100) provided along the gas delivery path downstream of the PAP device.

Abstract: An air delivery system for providing a supply of air from a source of air at positive pressure to an interfacing structure located at the entrance to the airways of a patient includes a manifold adapted to connect with the supply of positive air pressure and at least one tube connected to the manifold and adapted to deliver the supply of air to the interfacing structure. Each tube is structured to allow movement between an open phase in which the tube allows the passage of air and a collapsed phase in which the tube is collapsed. Each tube is structured such that weight of a typical patient's head against bedding apparel is sufficient to collapse the tube from the open phase to the collapsed phase.

Abstract: Techniques for sutureless vascular anastomosis are described, including an incision seal including a base configured to partially house an outer surface of a main vessel, the base being formed using a material that is configured to be penetrated by a barb disposed on a connector the main vessel being secured to the base when the base is at least partially pierced by the barb, an upper lumen configured to guide a graft vessel, and a housing opening configured to receive the graft vessel.

Abstract: Techniques for sutureless vascular anastomosis are described, including an incision seal including a base configured to partially house an outer surface of a main vessel, the base being formed using a material that is configured to be penetrated by a barb disposed on a connector the main vessel being secured to the base when the base is at least partially pierced by the barb, an upper lumen configured to guide a graft vessel, and a housing opening configured to receive the graft vessel.

Abstract: Techniques for sutureless vascular anastomosis are described, including a connector configured to provide fluid communication between a graft vessel and a main vessel, the connector having tines disposed circumferentially about an outer surface of the connector, a front wing coupled to the base, the front wing having a tine configured to engage an inner surface of the main vessel, and having a hinge coupling the front wing to the connector, and a rear wing coupled to the base, the rear wing having another tine configured to engage the inner surface of the main vessel, and having another hinge coupling the rear wing to the connector.

Abstract: A system is described for performing vascular anastomosis without the use of sutures. The system includes a connector comprised of memory material and an incision seal. The connector has one end configured to securely engage a graft vessel and another end with wings and barbs. The wings are configured to securely engage an inner wall of a main vessel and the barbs are configured to lock with the incision seal. Once locked, the incision seal and the connector apply a clamping force that secures the graft vessel with the main vessel.