Abstract: A system to ensure compliance with data security standards includes a security appliance to perform multiple security functions, with the security appliance including an initial configuration. The system further includes a display unit to provide information of compliance performance of the system on a secure basis. The system also includes a control unit to monitor compliance performance in real-time and to implement additional procedures required based on the monitored compliance to ensure compliance with data security standards.

Abstract: A system to ensure compliance with data security standards. The system including a security appliance to perform multiple security functions, the security appliance in communication with a plurality of network devices, the security appliance identifying each network device from the plurality of network devices as being included in one of a first zone containing confidential data and a second zone not containing confidential data. The system including a display unit to provide information of compliance performance of the system on a secure basis. The system further including a control unit to monitor compliance performance in real-time to ensure that each network device included in the first zone containing the confidential data is compliant with data security standards regardless of the compliance of each network device included in the second zone with the data security standards.

Abstract: A system to ensure compliance with data security standards for merchants that store, process, and transmit secure data, includes a security appliance having a global unit to monitor the functions of the security appliance, a logging unit to log data from network devices at the merchant's site and from other security appliance units, an integrity unit to construct maps of file systems of the network devices and to compare the constructed maps with previously constructed maps to detect differences between them, and a scanning unit to periodically scan the network to detect unrecognized devices on the network. The system further includes a display unit to provide compliance information on a secure basis, a back-end unit to automate and manage compliance-related tasks and data security events, and a control unit to monitor compliance performance in real-time and to implement required procedures to ensure compliance with data security standards.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated electrode connector and impedance indicator apparatus comprising of an electrode connector, an impedance indicator means; and a light-transmitting housing. The impedance indicator may be located in a recess in the housing. Preferably the impedance indicator means is an LED. Preferably the impedance indicator emits light when the impedance is outside of an operational range. The apparatus is suited for applications such as indicating the status of EEG electrodes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a test signal generator capable of producing an impedance test signal comprising of a sine wave having a known frequency. The test signal generator may include a crystal oscillator, a counter, and a lookup table. The lookup table output is applied to a digital to analog converter and is then low pass filtered using a conventional analog filter to produce a sine wave of a known frequency and voltage amplitude. The test signal flows through the electrode and combines with an electrophysiological signal to form a combined signal. A signal processor is used to isolate the combined signal into the test signal component and the electrophysiological component. The signal processor digitally low pass filters the combined signal and the output of the low pass filter is the electrophysiological signal. The signal processor then digitally bandpass filters the combined signal using a filter with a center frequency which is the same as the test frequency.

Abstract: The present invention includes an asymmetric inductive band that preferably has a conductor affixed from a first edge of a conductor substrate and looped across said substrate. A first and a second section of the conductor preferably is formed having “hairpin-like” features at some or all intermediate endpoints, or pivot locations, at discrete points along the length thereof. In addition, the first and the second section are arranged in an asymmetric relation to each other and, in general, each, of the hairpin-like features do not preferably directly oppose another of said features. The hairpins are preferably connected by a sawtooth shaped conductor that also contributes to the change in self-inductance when stretched, in addition to the apex, or hairpin, shape of the conductor.

Abstract: The subject invention overcomes the problem of electrical interference in signals taken during an MRI procedure by using a long cable and a unity gain buffer amplifier near the patient, with a low output impedance to drive the cable and thus greatly reduce the capacitively coupled interference. Passive low pass filtering is incorporated prior to the buffer amplifier to attenuate high frequency interference from the MRI system. Since the buffer amplifier requires no digital signals and does not emit high frequency signals, it does not interfere with the MRI system.

Abstract: A system to ensure compliance with data security standards for merchants that store, process, and transmit secure data, includes a security appliance having a global unit to monitor the functions of the security appliance, a logging unit to log data from network devices at the merchant's site and from other security appliance units, an integrity unit to construct maps of file systems of the network devices and to compare the constructed maps with previously constructed maps to detect differences between them, and a scanning unit to periodically scan the network to detect unrecognized devices on the network. The system further includes a display unit to provide compliance information on a secure basis, a back-end unit to automate and manage compliance-related tasks and data security events, and a control unit to monitor compliance performance in real-time and to implement required procedures to ensure compliance with data security standards.

Abstract: A method system, and apparatus for virtual modeling of biological tissue yields virtual multicellular individuals that exhibit adaptive emergent functionality in response to environmental stimuli. Virtual environmental parameters and cells with genomes are generated, and modified by genetic operations. Cells are developed into generations of multicellular individuals, which are evaluated and selected via evolutionary search according to fitness criteria, and individuals exhibiting adaptive emergent functionality, such as self-repair, are developed and identified.

Abstract: Systems and methods for making and using endoscopes comprising one or more fluid lenses. An endoscope or bore-scope for various highly accurate imaging, visual inspection and measurement applications is equipped with an adaptive lens operated based on the electrowetting or electro-capillarity phenomenon. The adaptive lens is digitally controlled and is able to provide auto-focusing and optical zooming functions while remaining in a stationary position relative to a distal end section of the endoscope. Endoscopes equipped with these adaptive lenses provide a simpler, more compact design and a faster response while providing high quality images. Several functions needed in a variety of endoscopic imaging, inspection and measurement applications are further enhanced through the addition of a number of improvements of the adaptive lens itself and of the systems incorporating the adaptive lens.

Abstract: A blood pressure measurement apparatus for use in association with a blood pressure measuring cuff includes a housing having an upper shell and a lower shell defining an interior chamber and a replaceable module disposed within the interior chamber. The replaceable module houses a pump for inflating the blood pressure measuring cuff and a vent valve for venting the blood pressure measuring cuff. A cuff pressure sensor is provided within the interior chamber, either within or externally of the replaceable module. A control circuit for controlling the pump and the vent valve is provided on a circuit board disposed externally of the replaceable module. A power pack may be provided within the replaceable module for supplying electric power to the pump, the valve, the control circuit and other components within the interior chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods for making and using handheld data readers comprising one or more fluid lenses. One or more fluid lenses are provided to allow a handheld data reader to perform such operations as reading indicia, including such additional operations as zooming, reorienting a viewing direction, focusing, adjusting an optical axis, and correcting for the effects of motion such as hand jitter. The fluid lens or lenses can be operated for example by applying electrical signals to fluid lenses comprising a plurality of fluids including at least one that is conductive and at least one that is non-conductive.

Abstract: A bleed flow valve for venting air from a blood pressure cuff includes a valve body having an axially extending central bore. The central bore has a transition section, a fluid inlet port opening into the central bore upstream of the transition section and a fluid outlet port opening into the central bore downstream of the transition section. A piston is disposed within the central bore of the valve body and is axially translatable within the central bore of the valve body. An annular orifice is defined between an outer circumferential surface on the piston and the transition section of the central bore. The bleed valve is self-compensating as the pressure within the cuff decreases in that the piston self adjusts axially within the central bore to adjust the area of the annular orifice so as to maintain a relatively constant cuff pressure change rate throughout the deflation process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rapid and easy to use diagnostic tool that a point-of-care practitioner can use to specifically identify the cause of a disease, such as the upper respiratory infection (URI) pharyngitis. Such a disease has multiple potential causative pathogens and has a number of combined clinical manifestations. The diagnostic tool is rapid in order to provide the busy point-of-care practitioner with an assay result within a time that does not affect patient flow. The time usually available to such a practitioner is optimally less than 10 minutes, so that an assay that detects multiple pathogens rapidly is regarded as one that does so in less than 10 minutes. The diagnostic tool can be operated with minimal training and within the confines of said practitioner's environment. The diagnostic tool has specificity and sensitivity above those of the prior art devices. The tool is self-contained, which thereby helps to control the spread of infection and eases the burden of disposal of used equipment.

Abstract: A system of networked computers and peripherals and document delivery software which provides a user with a familiar simple user interface to deliver documents to a variety of different destinations. Each document generation device participating in the system is provided with a unified print driver which translates an electronic document into a non-specific or printer independent printer language file and appends to this file a job ticket containing any other rendering characteristics which may not be supported by the printer independent language. This entire file is then transmitted to the system server which analyzes the file, including the rendering characteristics; determines the best output device(s); appends output device specific commands to the general printer language file; and transmits this file to the device(s) for final output.

Abstract: A method of improving the operation a dehydrogenation reactor system having a dehydrogenation reactor defining a dehydrogenation reaction zone and containing a first volume of a dehydrogenation catalyst. The method comprises removing from the dehydrogenation reactor at least a portion of the first volume of the dehydrogenation catalyst; placing in the dehydrogenation reactor having removed therefrom the at least a portion of the first volume a second volume of a high stability dehydrogenation catalyst to thereby provide a second dehydrogenation reactor system; operating the second dehydrogenation reactor system under a dehydrogenation reaction condition; and controlling the dehydrogenation reaction condition so as to provide a desired deactivation rate of the high stability dehydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rapid and easy to use diagnostic tool that a point-of-care practitioner can use to specifically identify the cause of a disease, such as the upper respiratory infection (URI) pharyngitis. Such a disease has multiple potential causative pathogens and has a number of combined clinical manifestations. The diagnostic tool is rapid in order to provide the busy point-of-care practitioner with an assay result within a time that does not affect patient flow. The time usually available to such a practitioner is optimally less than 10 minutes, so that an assay that detects multiple pathogens rapidly is regarded as one that does so in less than 10 minutes. The diagnostic tool can be operated with minimal training and within the confines of said practitioner's environment. The diagnostic tool has specificity and sensitivity above those of the prior art devices. The tool is self-contained, which thereby helps to control the spread of infection and eases the burden of disposal of used equipment.

Abstract: The subject invention overcomes the problem of electrical interference in signals taken during an MRI procedure by using a long cable and a unity gain buffer amplifier near the patient, with a low output impedance to drive the cable and thus greatly reduce the capacitively coupled interference. Passive low pass filtering is incorporated prior to the buffer amplifier to attenuate high frequency interference from the MRI system. Since the buffer amplifier requires no digital signals and does not emit high frequency signals, it does not interfere with the MRI system.

Abstract: An epoxy potting compound holds a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag in a recessed hole of an assembly. Sidewalls of the recessed hole have a characteristic which securely holds the epoxy potting compound. In various embodiments the sidewalls can be undercut at an angle or can be surface treated such as by knurling to hold the RFID tag and epoxy potting compound more securely in the harsh environment of a meat hook. A mounting clip with fingers and an aperture can instead be used to securely hold the RFID tag onto a meat hook assembly. Flanges on opposing sides of this mounting clip are shaped to conform to sides of a main body of the meat hook. An aperture in an upper flange makes room for the axle of its pulley wheel.