Abstract: A method and device for wireless directional beam-forming transmission. The method for wireless directional beam-forming transmission between a first device and a second device comprises conducting one or more omni-directional transmissions between the first device and a third device; conducting one or more omni-directional transmissions between the second device and the third device; and determining directional information for directional beam forming transmissions between the first and second devices based on the omni-directional transmissions.

Abstract: A method of merging two or more beacon groups (BGs), each BG comprising one or more wireless devices, the method comprising, determining a leader BG based on merging information broadcast by two or more devices of different BGs, said devices being within radio range of each other; and merging the two or more BGs into the leader BG; wherein the merging information of each device comprises an extension indication, the extension indication being positive if another device of a same BG as said each device is out of radio range of said each device, and negative otherwise.

Abstract: A multiple wireless networks structure comprising a plurality of beacon groups each comprising one or more devices communicating via an associated wireless network utilizing a superframe structure; wherein each device of each beacon group allocates a local control period and one or more neighbor control periods in each superframe; wherein the neighbor control periods in each beacon group cover all one or more control periods of other beacon groups detected by one or more of the devices in said each beacon group to an extent as said control periods do not overlap with the local control period in said each beacon group.

Abstract: A system for performing vascular surgery includes a first retractor blade and a second retractor blade and a fulcrum device. The first retractor blade includes a first grasping bar, and the second retractor blade comprises a second grasping bar. The first retractor blade and the second retractor blade are adapted to engage opposing edges of a subcostal incision in a patient. The fulcrum device includes a first fulcrum slot and a second fulcrum slot formed through opposing edges of the fulcrum device. The first fulcrum slot is adapted to receive the first grasping bar and the second fulcrum slot is adapted to receive the second grasping bar, such that the fulcrum device is adapted to apply leverage from the first retractor blade and the second retractor blade to spread the edges of the incision and to allow access to a chest cavity of the patient.

Abstract: In radio communication, especially in a centralized network, a commonly faced problem is the issue of the coexistence between a plurality of networks and different networks use different network timing parameters with no synchronization to one another. Thus, a device of one network usually has a difficulty in communication with a device of another network whether or not both are in a radio communication range. This results in causing unwanted mutual interference because when two or more networks operate in the same operation space, a device belonging to a certain network has a difficulty in letting a device belonging to another network know about the existence of the device belonging to the certain network.

Abstract: An adaptive beacon coordination method in a communication network using signal formats mutually incompatible. A coordination device broadcasts a first beacon in a first signal format and a second beacon in a second signal format in a superframe. The first and second beacons are used to send medium access information to a client device having the first signal format and a client device having the second signal format, respectively. When there are three or more signal formats in a network, the coordination device can broadcast three or more beacons. The number of beacons can be adapted to various superframes according to the functions of all the client devices in the network. If all the client devices support a signal format, the coordination device broadcasts only a single beacon in the signal format. After a predetermined number of superframes, the coordination device again starts to broadcast beacons so that new client devices having different respective signal formats can join the network.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing bulkhead apparatus includes high-strength roll formed tubular bars, and a bar-supporting sheet to distribute stress from product shifting in large shipping containers during transport. Parts are re-useable and can be quickly installed into the shipping container at selected locations such as near the container's doors. The bars can be swept and/or have deformed/configured ends shaped to engage channel features in side walls of the large shipping container. The bars may define spaced tubes and a tie rod for added strength. For example, the bars can be steel having 120 KSI to 220 KSI tensile strength, and have a cross-section 2-3 inches in depth and 4-6 inches in height, a length of 94 long, and a longitudinal sweep of 6 inches curvature. A flexitank can be positioned in the shipping container and supported by a combination of the bulkhead.

Abstract: A method for automatically fixing sutures to secure a valve sleeve including an annular cuff and a replacement heart valve to an annulus formed in a patient's heart, includes the steps of removing an existing heart valve thereby forming an annulus in the patient's heart, and placing a first cylinder having a first end and a second end and an interior surface and an exterior surface and comprising first securing means formed on the exterior surface adjacent to the second end of the first cylinder, in which the first cylinder includes a valve sleeve having an annular cuff, such that the annular cuff surrounds the exterior surface adjacent to the first end of the first cylinder. Moreover, the method includes creating a blood-tight seal between the cuff of the valve sleeve and the annulus, and securing the plurality of sutures between the first cylinder and the second cylinder.

Abstract: A distributed wireless medium access control protocol is disclosed. According to the disclosed wireless medium access control protocol the medium access time is partitioned into equal sized slots, and a predetermined number of the slots forming a superframe. The protocol defines beaconing devices and passive devices. Each beaconing device designates one of the slots in the superframe as its beacon medium access slot, and broadcasts during that beacon medium access slot a beacon frame to other devices in wireless range of that beaconing device. A beacon frame collision detection and resolution procedure, and a procedure for reserving access time for communication between devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of wireless medium access for establishing a decentralized wireless network, the method comprising broadcasting of beacon frames by each of a plurality of devices; listening, at each device, for beacon frames of other devices; identifying, at each device, other devices who's beacon frames have been heard; and forming the decentralised wireless network as at least two dynamic networks, each dynamic network being centred around one of the devices and having said other devices who's beacon frames have been heard by said one device as network members.

Abstract: A coupler includes a saddle, a channel, a tissue clamp, and a flange. The channel has a first end of substantially elliptical cross-section connected to the saddle and a second end of substantially circular cross-section. The tissue clamp is positioned around the channel. The flange is formed adjacent to the second end of the channel. A conduit coupling device is formed by securing flanges of two couplers together with a clamping ring.

Abstract: A method and device for wireless directional beam-forming transmission. The method for wireless directional beam-forming transmission between a first device and a second device comprises conducting one or more omni-directional transmissions between the first device and a third device; conducting one or more omni-directional transmissions between the second device and the third device; and determining directional information for directional beam forming transmissions between the first and second devices based on the omni-directional transmissions.

Abstract: A method of merging two or more beacon groups (BGs), each BG comprising one or more wireless devices, the method comprising, determining a leader BG based on merging information broadcast by two or more devices of different BGs, said devices being within radio range of each other, and merging the two or more BGs into the leader BG; wherein the merging information of each device comprises an extension indication, the extension indication being positive if another device of a same BG as said each device is out of radio range of said each device, and negative otherwise.

Abstract: A multiple wireless networks structure comprising a plurality of beacon groups each comprising one or more devices communicating via an associated wireless network utilising a superframe structure; wherein each device of each beacon group allocates a local control period and one or more neighbor control periods in each superframe; wherein the neighbor control periods in each beacon group cover all one or more control periods of other beacon groups detected by one or more of the devices in said each beacon group to an extent as said control periods do not overlap with the local control period in said each beacon group.

Abstract: A collapsible wheelchair assembly includes left and right frame sections that are separably fastened using a slide tube assembly. The slide tube assembly is fastened to the frame section with locking pins that can be manually removed without tools. The design allows the right and left frame sections to be completely separated for transport and storage.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a strainer based upon a four-way, two-position rotary cylindrical plug valve having a hollow plug. The normal entry port for the sealing plug of the plug valve is a circular radial hole passing from the exterior of the plug into the interior cavity of the plug. The normal exit port for the sealing plug is a regular array of small holes across from and coaxial with the normal entry hole. The ports for the valve body are in two pairs positioned at 90° from each other, with the axes of the ports lying in the same transverse plane as the ports of the valve plug.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically fixing sutures used in the surgical replacement of a heart valve, including a first cylinder having a first end and a second end and an interior surface and an exterior surface, and first means for securing fixing suture formed on the exterior surface adjacent to the second end of the first cylinder. The apparatus also includes a second cylinder having second means for securing fixing suture formed on an interior surface of the second cylinder, such that the second means corresponds to and fixedly engages the first means for securing fixing suture, and the first means and the second means secure fixing sutures therebetween.

Abstract: A method for automatically fixing sutures to secure a valve sleeve including an annular cuff and a replacement heart valve to an annulus formed in a patient's heart, includes the steps of removing an existing heart valve thereby forming an annulus in the patient's heart, and placing a first cylinder having a first end and a second end and an interior surface and an exterior surface and comprising first securing means formed on the exterior surface adjacent to the second end of the first cylinder, in which the first cylinder includes a valve sleeve having an annular cuff, such that the annular cuff surrounds the exterior surface adjacent to the first end of the first cylinder.

Abstract: A method for accessing data files with an in-vehicle control system from a remote source over a communication link. The communication link is established between an in-vehicle control system and the remote source. The method includes: establishing the communication link between the in-vehicle control system and the remote source to facilitate retrieving the data files from the remote source to the in-vehicle control system; retrieving at least one of the data files from the remote source over the communication link, wherein each of the data files may include text and numeric data; identifying the text and numeric data of each of the data files; generating a phonemic representation of the text and numeric data of the data files; and storing the data file retrieved from a remote source in a memory device.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically fixing sutures used in the surgical replacement of a heart valve, includes a first cylinder having a first end and a second end and an interior surface and an exterior surface. An annular lip is formed on the exterior surface adjacent to the second end of the first cylinder. The apparatus further includes a second cylinder having second securing means formed on an interior surface of the second cylinder, such that the second securing means corresponds to and are adapted to fixedly engage the first securing means.