Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for controlling a tissue-treatment motion by a surgical instrument are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for multi-agent dry fogging. The method includes pressurizing a first agent to a first range of pressure. The first agent includes a sterilant. The method also includes pressurizing a second agent to a second range of pressure. The second agent includes a non-depleting solution for protection against microorganism growth. The method also includes pressurizing a gas to a gas range of pressure. The method also includes atomizing the first agent at a nozzle to mix with the pressurized gas in a first application stage to disperse the first agent in a first dry fog within an ambient environment. The method also includes atomizing the second agent at the nozzle to mix with the pressurized gas in a second application stage to disperse the second agent in a second dry fog within the ambient environment.

Abstract: A method for multi-agent dry fogging. The method includes pressurizing a first agent to a first range of pressure. The first agent includes a sterilant. The method also includes pressurizing a second agent to a second range of pressure. The second agent includes a non-depleting solution for protection against microorganism growth. The method also includes pressurizing a gas to a gas range of pressure. The method also includes atomizing the first agent at a nozzle to mix with the pressurized gas in a first application stage to disperse the first agent in a first dry fog within an ambient environment. The method also includes atomizing the second agent at the nozzle to mix with the pressurized gas in a second application stage to disperse the second agent in a second dry fog within the ambient environment.

Abstract: A method for multi-agent dry fogging. The method includes pressurizing a first agent to a first range of pressure. The first agent includes a sterilant. The method also includes pressurizing a second agent to a second range of pressure. The second agent includes a non-depleting solution for protection against microorganism growth. The method also includes pressurizing a gas to a gas range of pressure. The method also includes atomizing the first agent at a nozzle to mix with the pressurized gas in a first application stage to disperse the first agent in a first dry fog within an ambient environment. The method also includes atomizing the second agent at the nozzle to mix with the pressurized gas in a second application stage to disperse the second agent in a second dry fog within the ambient environment.

Abstract: A method for multi-agent dry fogging. The method includes pressurizing a first agent to a first range of pressure. The first agent includes a sterilant. The method also includes pressurizing a second agent to a second range of pressure. The second agent includes a non-depleting solution for protection against microorganism growth. The method also includes pressurizing a gas to a gas range of pressure. The method also includes atomizing the first agent at a nozzle to mix with the pressurized gas in a first application stage to disperse the first agent in a first dry fog within an ambient environment. The method also includes atomizing the second agent at the nozzle to mix with the pressurized gas in a second application stage to disperse the second agent in a second dry fog within the ambient environment.

Abstract: A method for multi-agent fogging. The method includes pressurizing a first agent to a first range of pressure. The method also includes pressurizing a second agent to a second range of pressure. The method also includes pressurizing a gas to a gas range of pressure. The method also includes atomizing at least one of the first and second agents at a nozzle to mix with the pressurized gas. The method also includes applying the atomized mixture to fog a space.

Abstract: A method for multi-agent fogging. The method includes pressurizing a first agent to a first range of pressure. The method also includes pressurizing a second agent to a second range of pressure. The method also includes pressurizing a gas to a gas range of pressure. The method also includes atomizing at least one of the first and second agents at a nozzle to mix with the pressurized gas. The method also includes applying the atomized mixture to fog a space.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, apparatus and methods for entering data into a flight plan entry field which facilitates the display and editing of aircraft flight-plan data. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for entering multiple waypoint and procedure identifiers at once within a single a flight plan entry field. In another embodiment, the present invention provides for the partial entry of any waypoint or procedure identifiers, and thereafter relating the identifiers with an aircraft's flight management system to anticipate the complete text entry for display. In yet another embodiment, the present invention discloses a method to automatically provide the aircraft operator with selectable prioritized arrival and approach routing identifiers by a single manual selection. In another embodiment, the present invention is a method for providing the aircraft operator with selectable alternate patterns to a new runway.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying a flight plan such that an entire flight plan is viewable through the use of scrolling devices is disclosed. The flight plan display may also include a method and system for collapsing and expanding a flight plan display, have provisions for the conspicuous marking of changes to a flight plan, the use of tabs to switch between various displays of data, and access to a navigation database that allows a user to view information about various navigational aids. The database may also the access to the information about the navigational aids to be prioritized based on proximity to the current position of the aircraft.

Abstract: A system for utilizing the available bit rate in a constrained variable bit rate channel is described. The system receives one or more encoded information streams, each having a variable bit rate. Rate control circuitry controls the rate of transmission of the encoded information streams so that the variable bit rate of the streams is transformed into a constrained variable bit rate, in which the variable bit rate is limited to a predetermined maximum value. A multiplexer multiplexes the encoded information streams for transmission over a channel. The channel may comprise a 6 MHz television channel. The multiplexer also multiplexes the encoded information streams with a secondary information stream for transmission over the channel. For purposes of multiplexer selection of information streams, the secondary information stream is assigned a lower priority than the encoded information streams.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding a serial number into a program event. The encoder embeds the serial number into the program event so that it is imperceptible to the user when the program event is played to the user. The embedded serial number is unique to the user so that any storage medium storing the program event can be traced back to the user. This encoding technique is especially useful in interactive systems where a server at the head end receives subscriber identification numbers along with subscriber requests for program events. Thus, in response to a subscriber request for a program event, the server can generate a serial number unique to the user. The serial number can include a time and date stamp, and a cyclic redundancy check code. In an interactive system, the encoder may be located in a set-top terminal, which receives the serial number from the server in the head end.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel method for addressing processing units in a network where some of the processing units are connected to a shared communications medium. In an embodiment of the present invention, the network comprises a head end, a plurality of modulators connected and addressable by the head end, and a plurality of set-top processors. The set-top processors are partitioned into subsets where each subset is assigned to a modulator. The modulator takes information streams from the head end and multicasts the streams to its assigned subset. In one embodiment, the information streams comprise packets that have address fields for facilitating delivery from the head end to a receiving set-top processor. One address field enables the routing of the packet from the head end to the modulator assigned to the receiving set-top processor.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is an ATM switch comprising a switch fabric, a controller, a buffer, a plurality of input line cards and a plurality of output line cards. The input line cards comprise input connectors and output connectors, with the number of input line card input connectors exceeding the number of input line card output connectors, and the output line cards comprising output connectors and input connectors, with the number of output line card output connectors exceeding the number of output line card input connectors. In another embodiment, the invention is an ATM switch comprising a switch fabric, a controller, a buffer, a plurality of input line cards and a plurality of output line cards, with the input line cards comprising input connectors but no output connectors and the line output line cards comprising output connectors but no input connectors. The invention is also drawn to a line card having either an input switch interface or an output switch interface.

Abstract: A scalable communications network employing shared logical nodes and a related method are provided. The network includes one or more sources for providing program streams. The program streams may comprise a number of frequency-division multiplexed program streams generated by media servers in an interactive network. Each such source is coupled to a corresponding logical node, which receives a corresponding set of program streams. One or more subscribers are allocated to a logical node according to an expected peak subscriber usage constraint. This constraint is met by allocating subscribers to a node so that an expected maximum number of simultaneously active subscribers within the node substantially avoids exceeding the number of program streams provided by the source corresponding to the node. Each logical node includes at least one physical node. Each physical node includes at least one subscriber.

Abstract: A heat exchanger of the finned tube type in which the tubing is formed in a single, continuous length which is bent into a zigzagged or serpentine shape and then inserted through elongated slots formed in a series of fin plates. The invention provides for the production of heat exchangers in which the spacing between tube passes through the heat exchanger, and so the flow pattern of the refrigerant, may be varied to meet the design considerations of the particular heat exchanger application.

Abstract: A heat exchanger formed of a continuous serpentine tube having parallel tube runs interconnected by reverse bends. The exchanger is folded so as to form the generally bi-planar configuration resulting in two rows of tube wherein the tubes of the tube rows are canted in opposite directions. Canting the tubes in opposite directions permits a freer flow of air over the tubes, thus increasing the efficiency of the evaporator while lowering the operating costs.

Abstract: A series of relatively lightweight, short, articulately interconnected cars is disclosed for transporting trailers or other cargo containers on a railway. The interior cars of the series include a center sill which constitutes a narrow width underframe and a length substantially equal to the length of a car, a pair of end sills connected perpendicularly to the center sill at opposite ends thereof and having a width extending beyond each side of the center sill, support members interconnecting the ends of the end sills with the center sill, and male and female portions of an articulated connector respectively attached to each end of a car. End cars have one end, constructed similarly, but are provided with conventional semi-automatic couplings on the other end in place of a portion of the articulated connector. The articulated connectors are mounted on a single conventional railway truck which spans the adjacent ends of interconnected cars and further supports the support members.