Abstract: An image processing method is described for the hierarchical storage and display of high resolution digital images in a multiuse environment. The method makes reduced resolution versions of the original image available for quick display on video monitors while providing access to the full resolution image for photographic quality hardcopies. This multiresolution method also provides for the efficient storage of this data via a hybrid coding scheme based on residuals. Several embodiments of this approach are described.

Abstract: A method and a system for compressing a delta modulation coded bit string by logically adding together, in mod 2 fashion, adjacent string bits to generate a transformed bit string which is then runlength encoded to provide a compressed bit string. A second embodiment of the invention uses an alternate bit complementation transform which is based on complementing every alterate bit of the bit string to provide a transformed bit string which is then runlength encoded to provide a compressed bit string. Decoding is accomplished by inversing the encoding methods.

Abstract: In a differential pulse code modulation scheme incorporating a differential pulse code modulation encoder and decoder a reconstructed value constrainer is interposed in the signal path feeding the traditional predictor circuits. The reconstructed value constrainer selectively limits the values that a reconstructed signal may assume in order to provide the predictor circuits with values that are system realizable prior to processing.

Abstract: A medical instrument such as a defibrillator that includes first and second hand-held electrodes for applying an electric shock to a patient, wherein the two electrodes are respectively adapted for right and left-handed use. Each electrode comprises an elongated member (62) adapted for gripping by the fingers of an operator's hand, an actuator (26) positioned adjacent one end of the elongated member, and blocking means (52) positioned adjacent one side of the elongated member. The blocking means is adapted to hinder an operator from gripping the elongated member with one of the operator's hands while simultaneously positioning the thumb of that hand adjacent the actuator. The electrode is therefore adapted for either left-handed or right-handed use. The blocking means may comprise one sidewall (52) of a cup-shaped depression (50), and the elongated member may comprise a handle (62) spanning the cup-shaped depression in a direction parallel to the sidewall.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting first and second physiological instrument components. The first component has an exterior first surface, and the second component has an exterior second surface. The apparatus comprises means forming a plurality of mutually parallel blades extending outward at the first surface at an acute angle with respect to a direction normal to the first surface, and means forming a plurality of mutually parallel slots extending inwardly at the second surface at the acute angle with respect to a direction normal to the second surface. The slots are sized and spaced to receive the blades to thereby connect the components. Latch means are provided for selectively latching one of the blades in its corresponding slot, and for preventing unlatching of the components when only one of the components is supported. In a preferred embodiment, the acute angle is approximately 75.degree..

Abstract: A defibrillator adapted for use with accessory cassettes. In one embodiment, the defibrillator comprises a body, a pair of electrodes, means for mounting the electrodes to the body, means for mounting an accessory device to the body, and contact means for electrically connecting the electrode elements to the accessory device when the electrodes and accessory device are mounted to the body. The defibrillator may also include a test load, and the contact means may be adapted to electrically connect the test load to the electrode elements when the accessory device is not mounted to the body and to break the electrical connection between the test load and the electrode elements when the accessory device is mounted to the body. In one embodiment, the accessory device comprises an adapter for connecting an accessory electrode set to the defibrillator.

Abstract: An improvement in a method of welding the shanks of successive nails to a pair of wires to form a series of wire connected nails suitable for packaging and use in a power driven fastener driving device which includes the steps of connecting a pair of electrodes with a source of electrical current characterized by repetitive cycles and effecting repetitive nail-to-wire cycles each of which includes an initial movement of (1) the shank of an unattached nail (2) a pair of wires extending transversely thereacross and (3) the electrodes from a position of initial contact into a welding station wherein pressurized contact between the electrodes, the nail shank and the wires is maintained and a final movement out of the welding station to a final release position of the electrodes with respect to the welded together nail shank and wires.

Abstract: Microorganisms in a specimen are detected, identified, and enumerated by introducing the specimen into a sampling cartridge and diluting the specimen with a known volume of water within the cartridge. The cartridge has a manifold and several cassettes attached to the manifold. Each cassette contains a serpentine flow channel having a series of filters therein and a detection cell located downstream from each filter. The flow channel in each cassette also contains a culture medium which is freeze dried and is highly selective in the sense that it promotes the growth of one type of microorganism, but not others. The mixture of the specimen and water flows from the manifold into the flow channel of each cassette where it rehydrates the culture medium therein and further flows through the filters. Each filter removes a known proportion of the microorganisms from the mixture of specimen, water and medium, thereby effecting a serial dilution.

Abstract: Medical specimens suspected of containing harmful microorganisms are diluted in saline solution and the dilution so formed is vacuum loaded into a cuvette or card containing viewing walls having dried selective culture media therein. The dilution rehydrates the culture media, each of which is selective in the sense that its optical characteristics will change when the organism to which it is specific metabolizes within it. A plurality of the cards are loaded into a tray, and the tray is placed on a rotatable carrousel of a card holder unit along with other trays. The carrousel is indexed at periodic intervals, and each time that it is indexed a different tray moves to a reading position facing a card reader unit. The carrousel has a center stack from which heated air is discharged such that it passes along both major surface areas of the cards in the tray, thus maintaining the cards at a temperature suitable for incubating microorganisms in them.