Abstract: A power supply and control system for a motor vehicle incorporating a plasma-assisted reactor for treatment of exhaust emissions and including a power source for supplying first and second output voltages.

Abstract: A reactor chamber forms part of an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. Within the chamber are electrodes between which there is disposed a bed of active material through which, in use, the exhaust gases pass. In the presence of an electrical discharge, driven by an electrical voltage applied across the electrodes, the active material has a catalytic action in the reduction of nitrogenous oxides in the exhaust and also acts to remove hydrocarbons from the exhaust gases.

Abstract: The space between parallel electrode plates (12, 13) of the reactor is dimensioned to make it possible to produce plasma at reasonable applied potential within the gas passages (15) of a monolithic substrate, such as a wallflow filter, in a slice (11) positioned between the electrode plates (12, 13).

Abstract: A method and system for extracting cardiac parameters from a plethysmographic signal is described wherein the plethysmographic signal is passed through a first filter to remove non-cardiac components of the signal. A second filter averages a plurality of cardiac cycles and cardiac parameters are extracted from the averaged cardiac signal.

Abstract: A reactor (100) for the plasma assisted processing of a gaseous medium, including a cylindrical bed (106) of active material (107) contained between two concentric electrodes (108, 109), both of which are earthed and with a third cylindrical electrode (111) concentric with the other electrodes positioned within the bed of active material (107) and connected to a high voltage input terminal (112).

Abstract: A plasma assisted reactor for the removal of carbonaceous combustion products or for simultaneous removal of carbonaceous combustion products and nitrogen oxides from the exhaust emissions from an internal combustion engine, wherein the reactor includes a gas permeable bed made at least primarily of an active material having the general formula A1-xA1xB1-yB1yO3 or MxM11-xVO3 or M4V2O7.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing medical treatments is disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus according the present invention comprises a mattress, a mattress support, cast shoes, a footboard support, a drive for causing the reciprocating movement, and a box frame to contain and support the reciprocating movement platform. In another aspect, an apparatus according to the present invention comprises a sling device connected to a drive causing the reciprocating movement, and a box frame to contain and support the reciprocating movement platform.

Abstract: A reactor for the plasma-assisted processing of gaseous media comprising a reactor chamber including a gas permeable bed of active material, a power source for applying across the bed of active material a potential sufficient to establish a plasma in a gaseous medium flowing through the bed of active material and a chamber having an inlet stub and an outlet stub for constraining the gaseous medium to flow through the bed of active material, wherein the bed of active material comprises a matrix of beads of a dielectric material having an assembly of regular arrays of beads in each of which adjacent beads are connected to a high voltage input terminal or an electrical ground.

Abstract: A reactor for the plasma processing of gaseous media, especially internal combustion engine exhaust, has a bed made of a body of ceramic material a series of gas permeable electrodes embedded within the bed. The electrodes are distributed to provide a predetermined electric field distribution within the bed.

Abstract: A method and system for extracting cardiac parameters from a plethysmographic signal is described wherein the plethysmographic signal is passed through a first filter to remove non-cardiac components of the signal. A second filter averages a plurality of cardiac cycles and cardiac parameters are extracted from the averaged cardiac signal.

Abstract: A reactor (100) for the plasma assisted treatment of effluent gases such as exhaust from internal combustion engines, and effluent gases from industrial processes and incineration. The reactor includes a stage for the plasma-assisted processing of noxious components in the effluent, such as carbonaceous combustion products from internal combustion engines. A diverter valve (119) is provided for bypassing at least that stage should it become blocked, for example by untreated carbonaceous combustion products. In a particular form of the reactor the treatment stages are modular in form.

Abstract: A reactor for the plasma assisted processing of gaseous media, including a cylindrical reactor bed of gas permeable dielectric material contained between two co-axial electrodes, wherein the inner electrode has associated with it a number of radially projecting vanes or disks made of a dielectric material having a permittivity greater than that of the reactor bed material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of ambulatory and non-invasive monitoring of a plurality of physiological parameters of a monitored individual. The invention includes a physiological monitoring apparatus with an improved monitoring apparel worn by a monitored individual, the apparel having attached sensors for monitoring parameters reflecting pulmonary function, or parameters reflecting cardiac function, or parameters reflecting the function of other organ systems, and the apparel being designed and tailored to be comfortable during the individual's normal daily activities. The apparel is preferably also suitable for athletic activities. The sensors preferably include one or more ECG leads and one of more inductive plethysmographic sensor with conductive loops positioned closely to the individual to preferably monitor at least basic cardiac parameters, basic pulmonary parameters, or both.

Abstract: A reactor for non-thermal plasma assisted treatment of a gaseous medium incorporates at least one electrically conducting mesh filter element positioned so that gaseous medium passes therethrough. At least one dielectric barrier layer provides for a dielectric barrier type discharge, when an electrical power supply is connected to the electrodes to generate the plasma.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of ambulatory and non-invasive monitoring of a plurality of physiological parameters of a monitored individual. The invention includes a physiological monitoring apparatus with an improved monitoring apparel worn by a monitored individual, the apparel having attached sensors for monitoring parameters reflecting pulmonary function, or parameters reflecting cardiac function, or parameters reflecting the function of other organ systems, and the apparel being designed and tailored to be comfortable during the individual's normal daily activities. The apparel is preferably also suitable for athletic activities. The sensors preferably include one or more ECG leads and one of more inductive plethysmographic sensor with conductive loops positioned closely to the individual to preferably monitor at least basic cardiac parameters, basic pulmonary parameters, or both.

Abstract: A reactor particularly for the plasma treatment of internal combustion engine exhaust gases, in which a power supply and reactor bed are connected directly and enclosed in an earthed metal chamber which both isolates the high voltage power supply and acts as a Faraday cage preventing the emission of electromagnetic radiation from the power supply or plasma.

Abstract: A reactor for the plasma processing of gaseous media, especially internal combustion engine exhaust, has a bed made of a body of ceramic material and electrodes. At least one electrode terminates within the bed at a distance from earthed supporting structure to avoid or reduce the risk of tracking or arcing between the electrode and the supporting structure.

Abstract: Methods of medical treatment and diagnosis using mediators released by endothelial cells stimulated by external addition of pulses to the circulation are disclosed. The external pulses produce circumferential shear stress in body fluid channels that subsequently stimulates the endothelial cells to produce mediators that become available for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. The preferred means of adding external pulses is the mechanical inducement of periodic acceleration of the body or parts of the body by a reciprocating motion platform.

Abstract: A method for calibrating non-invasive breathing monitors with sensors placed on the rib-cage and abdomen of a subject includes determining an initial scaling factor and an optimal multiplicative factor for the readings of the rib-cage and abdomen sensors using one of a least squares, linear regression, or multi-linear regression techniques. A current scaling factor is determined on a periodic basis using qualitative device calibration techniques. The current scaling factor is used to monitor breathing and diagnose obstructive apneas. Furthermore, the optimal multiplicative and the current scaling factor are used to determine the current tidal volume.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of ambulatory and non-invasive monitoring of a plurality of physiological parameters of a monitored individual. The invention includes a physiological monitoring apparatus with an improved monitoring apparel worn by a monitored individual, the apparel having attached sensors for monitoring parameters reflecting pulmonary function, or parameters reflecting cardiac function, or parameters reflecting the function of other organ systems, and the apparel being designed and tailored to be comfortable during the individual's normal daily activities. The apparel is preferably also suitable for athletic activities. The sensors preferably include one or more ECG leads and one of more inductive plethysmographic sensor with conductive loops positioned closely to the individual to preferably monitor at least basic cardiac parameters, basic pulmonary parameters, or both.