Abstract: A phacoemulsification system and method, and a surgical foot pedal device, system and method. The present invention may include a console comprising a plurality of modes for at least one physically associated surgical instrument, and a foot pedal communicatively associated with said console and suitable for varying ones of the plurality of modes. The foot pedal may include a housing comprising the communicative association, and comprising at least one potentiometer and at least two top switches for the varying of the ones of the plurality of modes, a treadle rotatably mounted within the housing and suitable for depressing the at least one potentiometer, and at least two side switches movably associated with the treadle for the varying of the ones of the plurality of modes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of a container having a bottom and a first sidewall attached to the bottom, wherein a stacking shoulder is formed into the first sidewall by means of a form tool and a mandrel, wherein the form tool reciprocates along its center axis from a remote position to a forming position.

Abstract: An isolated buck converter protects inverter switches during non-zero voltage switching and reduces output ripple current by maintaining operation of an output inductor of the isolated buck converter in a continuous current mode. Continuous current mode operation is maintained by various combinations of: shifting the frequency of operation of the inverter switches of the isolated buck converter as a function of output current of the isolated buck converter; employing pulse density modulation to decrease the off time of the isolated buck converter which will decrease the magnitude of the current ripple; and use a step gap core (i.e., a swinging choke) for the output inductor that saturates to a lower value of inductance for high load current and a higher value of inductance at low load current.

Abstract: A golf swing training apparatus and method of enhancing muscle tone and improving swing form includes a swing device that guides a user's swing along a predetermined path in a selected swing plane to improve form and enhance muscle memory for a preferred swing. A tensioning device enables the user to adjust the resistance to his or her swing, increasing resistance to strengthen muscles used while executing the preferred swing. The apparatus is adjustable for individuals of varying height, size, strength and ability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of a container having a bottom and a first sidewall attached to the bottom, wherein a stacking shoulder is formed into the first sidewall by means of a form tool and a mandrel, wherein the fowl tool reciprocates along its center axis from a remote position to a forming position.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification system and method, and a surgical foot pedal device, system and method. The present invention may include a console comprising a plurality of modes for at least one physically associated surgical instrument, and a foot pedal communicatively associated with said console and suitable for varying ones of the plurality of modes. The foot pedal may include a housing comprising the communicative association, and comprising at least one potentiometer and at least two top switches for the varying of the ones of the plurality of modes, a treadle rotatably mounted within the housing and suitable for depressing the at least one potentiometer, and at least two side switches movably associated with the treadle for the varying of the ones of the plurality of modes.

Abstract: A lighting device such as an electronic ballast or LED driver includes circuitry to detect power converter activity and act accordingly. A power factor correction (PFC) circuit includes an inductor, a power converter switch, and a PFC controller effective to provide driving signals the power converter switch to turn on and off. A power converter activity detection circuit includes a first capacitor coupled between the PFC controller and the power converter switch, a zener diode, and a second capacitor coupled between the first capacitor and ground. An output voltage for the power converter activity detection circuit as referenced from a node between the first capacitor and the second capacitor is representative of activity by the power converter switch, and is provided to a lighting device controller which may accordingly maintain operation of the lighting device where a mains power interruption is only temporary but would otherwise disable the device.

Abstract: A lighting device such as an electronic ballast or LED driver includes a power factor correction (PFC) controller responsive to input power supply signals to generate control signals, a PFC boost converter responsive to said control signals to generate a boosted output voltage, and a fast start circuit with a power supply source and an energy storage device, a magnitude of the input power supply signal corresponding to energy stored in the energy storage device. During a first mode, the fast start circuit responds to a rectified mains input to enable the power supply source and charge the energy storage device. During a second mode, the fast start circuit responds to a magnitude of the power supply signal to disable the power supply source and discharge the energy storage device. The boost converter during the second operating mode maintains controller operation while the power supply source is disabled.

Abstract: A golf swing training apparatus and method of enhancing muscle tone and improving swing form includes a swing device that guides a user's swing along a predetermined path in a selected swing plane to improve form and enhance muscle memory for a preferred swing. A tensioning device enables the user to adjust the resistance to his or her swing, increasing resistance to strengthen muscles used while executing the preferred swing. The apparatus is adjustable for individuals of varying height, size, strength and ability.

Abstract: An illuminated door assembly includes a panel having a front side, a rear side, and a through opening and is registered and used with an electrical receptacle of an electrical outlet. The opening, of sufficient size to permit access to the electrical receptacle, permits the plugging of an electrical cord with the electrical receptacle. A door panel is hingedly attached to the panel for rotation between a closed position and an open position. A light source is carried by the panel. The panel and door each include clear faces through which light emitted by the light source is projected outwardly. Electrical prongs, pivotally connected to the panel for rotation between retracted and extended positions, are operatively connected to the light source for providing electrical power to the light source when the electrical prongs are received by an electrical receptacle of the electrical outlet in connection with the assembly.

Abstract: Safety guard apparatus for an electrical outlet having one or more electrical receptacles for restricting access to the receptacles by a young child. The apparatus includes a base plate having one or more openings for registry with the electrical receptacles. The base plate is mounted to the electrical outlet in a similar fashion to a conventional wall plate. One or more cover plates are slidably engaged to the base plate along a path that is generally perpendicular to the base plate into and out of the wall to which the electrical outlet is mounted. In a fully extended position, the one or more cover plates are pivotal to cover the one or more openings to restrict access to the electrical receptacles. A lock system prevents the one or more cover plates from being opened by young child.

Abstract: Safety guard apparatus for an electrical outlet having one or more electrical receptacles for restricting access to the receptacles by a young child. The apparatus includes a base plate having one or more openings for registry with the electrical receptacles. The base plate is mounted to the electrical outlet in a similar fashion to a conventional wall plate. One or more cover plates are slidably engaged to the base plate along a path that is generally perpendicular to the base plate into and out of the wall to which the electrical outlet is mounted. In a fully extended position, the one or more cover plates are pivotal to cover the one or more openings to restrict access to the electrical receptacles. A lock system prevents the one or more cover plates from being opened by young child.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method and apparatus of protecting a lighting element within a parabolic reflective housing. The apparatus involves a lighting element-protective member for use in within a light reflector housing cavity wherein lighting element protrudes into the cavity. A resilient body is provided and is selectively deformable to be frictionally engaged with the inner surface of the reflector housing. An aperture is formed in the resilient body for receiving the lighting element within said aperture. Thus the lighting element is protected within a foam sleeve which abuts the sides of the parabolic reflector for support. Also, method of protecting the lighting element is disclosed comprising the steps of: providing a selectively deformable resilient body; providing an aperture within the resilient body; and inserting the resilient body within the reflector such that the aperture receives and covers the lighting element.

Abstract: A method of providing for a future stream of payments solely to a beneficiary who survives an insured utilizes the current age of the insured to define a premium for providing funding for the potential future liability for such payments until a specific future date.

Abstract: Disclosed is a crystal comprising at least a catalytically active portion of a SET 7/9 histone methyltransferase, and various uses thereof, and ligands for SET 7/9.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method and apparatus of protecting a lighting element within a parabolic reflective housing. The apparatus involves a lighting element-protective member for use in within a light reflector housing cavity wherein lighting element protrudes into the cavity. A resilient body is provided and is selectively deformable to be frictionally engaged with the inner surface of the reflector housing. An aperture is formed in the resilient body for receiving the lighting element within said aperture. Thus the lighting element is protected within a foam sleeve which abuts the sides of the parabolic reflector for support. Also, method of protecting the lighting element is disclosed comprising the steps of: providing a selectively deformable resilient body; providing an aperture within the resilient body; and inserting the resilient body within the reflector such that the aperture receives and covers the lighting element.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, at a processor, an input/output request that designates at least one data block on a storage medium against which the input/output operation is to be executed; and altering a response to the input/output request when a scrub state data table indicates that the at least one data block designated in the input/output request is subject to an open scrub command.