Abstract: A robotically controlled five degree-of-freedom x-ray gantry positioning apparatus, which is connected to a mobile cart, ceiling, floor, wall, or patient table, is being disclosed. The positioning system can be attached to a cantilevered o-shaped or c-shaped gantry. The positioning system can precisely translate the attached gantry in the three orthogonal axes X-Y-Z and orient the gantry about the X-axis and Y-axis while keeping the center of the gantry fixed, (see FIG. 1). The positioning apparatus provides both iso-centric and non iso-centric “Tilt” and “Wag” rotations of the gantry around the X-axis and Y-axis respectively. The iso-centric “Wag” rotation is a multi-axis combination of two translations and one rotation. Additionally, a field of view larger than that provided by the detector is provided in pure AP (anterior/posterior) and lateral detector positions through additional combinations of multi-axis coordinated motion.

Abstract: A chromatographic medium comprises thioether ligands bound to a solid cross-linked polymer matrix. The polymer is an organic polymer and the medium is hydrophilic. A method of manufacturing the media is also described. The media are useful in the chromatographic separation of components from solution, and in particular for the interseparation of platinum group metals.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for an aircraft in which cabin air is recirculated and mixed with cold air from an air conditioning machine which includes at least an expansion turbine over which warm pressurised air is expanded and cooled, and wherein the system includes a heat exchanger in which a heat load from hot cabin air and/or a hot avionics system is exchanged with the warm pressurised air prior to the pressurised air being expanded by the expansion turbine.

Abstract: A method of preserving or gracefully concluding wireless calls that are dropped when service is interrupted in a wireless communication system (100) (e.g., due to poor RF coverage). When a mobile unit (108) encounters a service interruption during a call, an announcement (208) is played inviting remaining participating unit(s) to hold. After a predetermined waiting time (210, 216), if service is not re-established to the mobile unit, the remaining unit(s) are invited (218) to leave a message (e.g., voice mail) for the mobile unit and connected (220) to a messaging system (126). After message(s) are concluded, the call is ended (226) or optionally, lo continued (206) if there is more than one remaining unit. If service is recovered before the waiting time expires, a service recovery announcement is provided (214) to the remaining unit(s) and the call continues (206).

Abstract: A process for the chromatographic interseparation of rhodium in admixture with at least one base metal from a feed solution comprising complexes of these metals. The process comprises contacting the solution with at least one chromatographic medium, and eluting one or more fractions such that at least one fraction comprises rhodium complex substantially free from base metal contamination. The at least one chromatography medium comprises a support functionalised with substituted amine groups which further comprise at least one hydrophilic group. Other platinum group metals can also be separated, both from one another and from base metals.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for conditioning a supply of hot pressurised air for use in an environment the system including a primary heat exchanger in which heat in the hot pressurised air supply is exchanged with a cooling fluid, a compressor to compress the supply of pressurised air cooled in the primary heat exchanger, a secondary heat exchanger in which heat in the compressed air supply is exchanged with a cooling fluid, and an expansion device for expanding and cooling the compressed air supply cooled in the secondary heat exchanger, mixing apparatus for mixing the expanded and cold supply air with recirculating air from the environment, a by-pass flow path for compressed cooled supply air from the secondary heat exchanger to the environment, and a secondary supply flow path for the hot pressurised air to the secondary heat exchanger, a first valve in a primary supply flow path to the primary heat exchanger, a second valve in the secondary supply flow path to the secondary heat exchanger, a third valve i

Abstract: A medical apparatus for dispensing a biologically active liquid includes a trocar-cannula complex configured to be inserted through selected tissue of a patient and including a cannula and an elongated trocar having a closed converging tip at a distal end thereof and a fluid delivery channel. The cannula includes a working channel through which medical instruments may be advanced. A fluid delivery device may be removably coupled to the cannula. The fluid delivery device includes an inner portion adapted to receive the biologically active liquid, an outer surface adapted to contact the tissue of the patient, and at least one pathway from the inner portion to the outer surface for delivering the biologically active liquid from the inner portion to the outer surface when the outer surface is in contact with the tissue.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for an aircraft in which cabin air is recirculated and mixed with cold air from an air conditioning machine which includes at least one expansion turbine over which warm pressurized air is expanded and cooled, and wherein the system includes a heat exchanger in which a heat load from hot cabin air is exchanged with the warm pressurized air prior to the pressurized air being expanded by the expansion turbine, further including a condenser heat exchanger in which recirculating cabin air is used to cool and promote water removal from the warm pressurized air before it is expanded by the expansion turbine.

Abstract: A device and method for repairing spinal discs in which the nucleus has been damaged. A central section of the nucleus is cored out using a device which ablates the tissue using RF energy. A nucleus implant comprising a shape memory material is placed in the central section of the disc through a cannula, which implant is activated by body heat to expand and fill the central section, such that the implant emulates the functions and strength of the disc's natural nucleus.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a method for integrating processes with a multi-faceted human centered interface is provided. The interface is facilitated to implement a hands free, voice driven environment to control processes and applications. A natural language model is used to parse voice initiated commands and data, and to route those voice initiated inputs to the required applications or processes. The use of an intelligent context based parser allows the system to intelligently determine what processes are required to complete a task which is initiated using natural language. A single window environment provides an interface which is comfortable to the user by preventing the occurrence of distracting windows from appearing. The single window has a plurality of facets which allow distinct viewing areas. Each facet has an independent process routing its outputs thereto. As other processes are activated, each facet can reshape itself to bring a new process into one of the viewing areas.

Abstract: The callback mobile subscriber station is capable of receiving a numeric page when the callback mobile subscriber station is located in an area where regular cellular telephone service is unavailable, by receiving data on a low frequency channel that is capable of service in the subscriber's present location. The subscriber can then initiate a callback call to the calling party when they are in an active service area by simply activating the callback function on the callback mobile subscriber station. The callback mobile subscriber station stores the calling party's telephone number and automatically places a call to that number when the callback feature is activated. Alternatively, the subscriber can use a land-line based telephone to return the missed incoming call, even though there is no cellular service in their present location.

Abstract: A system for identifying at least one selected mobile communication apparatus proximal with an identification locus includes: (a) a mobile communication base facility in communication with a plurality of mobile communication apparatuses that include the selected mobile communication apparatus; (b) at least one location-indicating device emitting a location-indicating code and is installed in each of the selected mobile communication apparatus; the location-indicating code relates a geographic location and an individual identification of a respective selected mobile communication device; and (c) at least one supported unit in communication with the mobile communication base facility. At least one of the mobile communication base facility and the supported unit have on-line access to an information store and a locator.

Abstract: A method of preserving or gracefully concluding wireless calls that are dropped when service is interrupted in a wireless communication system (100) (e.g., due to poor RF coverage). When a mobile unit (108) encounters a service interruption during a call, an announcement (208) is played inviting remaining participating unit(s) to hold. After a predetermined waiting time (210, 216), if service is not re-established to the mobile unit, the remaining unit(s) are invited (218) to leave a message (e.g., voice mail) for the mobile unit and connected (220) to a messaging system (126). After message(s) are concluded, the call is ended (226) or optionally, lo continued (206) if there is more than one remaining unit. If service is recovered before the waiting time expires, a service recovery announcement is provided (214) to the remaining unit(s) and the call continues (206).

Abstract: An air conditioning system (10) for an aircraft in which cabin (44, 45) air is recirculated and mixed with cold air from an air conditioning machine which includes at least an expansion turbine (41) over which warm pressurised air is expanded and cooled, and wherein the system (10) includes a heat exchanger (38; 38a, 38b) in which a heat load from hot cabin (44, 45) air and/or a hot avionics system (68) is exchanged with the warm pressurised air prior to the pressurised air being expanded by the expansion turbine (41).

Abstract: An air conditioning system for an aircraft in which cabin air is recirculated and mixed with cold air from an air conditioning machine which includes at least one expansion turbine over which warm pressurised air is expanded and cooled, and wherein the system includes a heat exchanger in which a heat load from hot cabin air is exchanged with the warm pressurised air prior to the pressurised air being expanded by the expansion turbine, further including a condenser heat exchanger in which recirculating cabin air is used to cool and promote water removal from the warm pressurised air before it is expanded by the expansion turbine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a distance measuring device for measuring athlete throws in a throwing event at a track and field meet. The device is setup in a position outside a throwing circle and a landing area for the event being measured and is aimed at a target placed at a landing position of a thrown object. The present invention also relates to a method of using a distance measuring device to measure athlete throws in a throwing event at a track and field meet from a position outside of a throwing area and a landing area for a event being measured by aiming the device at a target placed at the landing position of a thrown object. The present invention further relates to a method of using a laser distance measuring device to determine the height of a cross bar in a leaping event at a track and field meet.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus (12) for use on a vehicle includes a heat exchanger (13) in wich heat is removed from a heat load (11) by a coolant, characterised in that the cooling apparatus (12) also includes a first (15-28) and second (31-37) coolant supply means, the first coolant supply means (15-28) being adapted to receive a first coolant and supply the first coolant to the heat exchanger (13), the first coolant being available normal vehicle operation, and the second coolant supply means (31-37) being adapted to receive a second coolant and supply the second coolant to the heat exchanger (13), the second coolant being supplied by a fluid supply means (36), which is unavailable during normal vehicle operation.

Abstract: A system for managing response to a need at a site includes: (a) a control facility that can effect wireless data communication and voice communication; and (b) a plurality of response units that can effect wireless data communication and voice communication. The control facility effects an initial contact with a selected response unit using wireless data communication. The selected response unit communicates a response signal to the initial contact using wireless data communication. The response signal includes characteristic data relating to the selected responding unit that includes information relating to situs of the selected responding unit. The method includes steps of: (a) providing a managing facility and responding units; (b) effecting initial contact among the managing facility and selected responding units using wireless data communication; and (c) communicating a responsive signal by a responding unit to the managing facility using wireless data communication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining Directory Assistance, and/or driving directions based on a limited geographical area defined by the present location of a wireless user, or a wire-line user, or a location specified by either of these users. A section of a location oriented database associated with that location is searched for names or categories of customers meeting the criteria offered by the caller. If an appropriate destination can be found, a telephone number is supplied and a connection is established, or driving directions are provided for going from the present location of the caller to the destination location. Advantageously, driving directions may be obtained even when the called party's name is very common, and the caller does not know the address, even if the caller is in an unfamiliar area.

Abstract: The system for enhanced caller identification delivery extends the capabilities of existing caller ID systems by providing delivery of the caller ID data, received from the calling party's Local Exchange, to the called subscriber whether the called subscriber is located at their assigned telephone line or at another location. This system also provides the optional capability for the calling party to provide a brief message for transmission to the called subscriber along with the traditional caller ID data.