Abstract: A portable suction device is rechargeable, lightweight, and compatible with disposable medical catheters. The unit can be operated with one hand, while a user may attend to the patient with the other hand. The suction device may feed into a sterile collection vessel, which can be replaceable, cleanable and/or reusable. A rechargeable battery pack for power may be located in the base of the unit. A vacuum pump may supply negative air flow to draw fluids out of a patient. An inline one-way filter located between the catheter and the vessel may prevent bacteria and other possible contaminants from traveling up-line to the patient. The unit may be designed specifically for use by tracheotomy patients and their caregivers.

Abstract: An integrated circuit comprises a control input providing a connection to a capacitor. A delay circuit generates a delayed enable signal responsive to a provided enable signal. A second circuit performs a control function. A switching circuit responsive to the delayed enable signal connects the control input to the delay circuit in a first mode of operation and connects the control input to the second circuit in a second mode of operation.

Abstract: A portable suction device is rechargeable, lightweight, and compatible with disposable medical catheters. The unit can be operated with one hand, while a user may attend to the patient with the other hand. The suction device may feed into a sterile collection vessel, which can be replaceable, cleanable and/or reusable. A rechargeable battery pack for power may be located in the base of the unit. A vacuum pump may supply negative air flow to draw fluids out of a patient. An inline one-way filter located between the catheter and the vessel may prevent bacteria and other possible contaminants from traveling up-line to the patient. The unit may be designed specifically for use by tracheotomy patients and their caregivers.

Abstract: A circuit for generating an output voltage to a top node of a plurality of LED strings. The circuit includes an inductor having a load current flowing therethrough and a switching transistor responsive to a switching control signal. An integrator generates a compensation voltage responsive to a voltage at a bottom node of the LED string and a reference voltage. Circuitry for combining an offset with the compensation voltage is responsive to the compensation voltage and the load current through the inductor. The offset is generated only during a step load change of the load current and substantially reduces voltage transients from the compensation voltage and the output voltage. A summation circuit sums the compensation voltage including the offset with at least the voltage at the bottom node of the LED string to generate a first control signal. A latch generates the switching control signal responsive to the first control signal and a leading edge blanking signal.

Abstract: An LED driver controller comprises a voltage regulator for controlling an output voltage to a top of a plurality of LED strings responsive to at least a reference voltage. A plurality of first circuitries each associated with a node at a bottom of each of the plurality of LED strings compares a voltage at the bottom of each of the plurality of LED strings with a high reference voltage and a low reference voltage. Control logic generates a first control signal when the voltage at the bottom of each node of the plurality of LED strings exceeds the high reference voltage and generates a second control signal when the voltage at least one of node of the plurality of LED strings falls below the low reference voltage. Second circuitry responsive to the first control signal and the second control signal generates the reference voltage.

Abstract: A circuit for generating an output voltage to a top node of a plurality of LED strings. The circuit includes an inductor having a load current flowing therethrough and a switching transistor responsive to a switching control signal. An integrator generates a compensation voltage responsive to a voltage at a bottom node of the LED string and a reference voltage. Circuitry for combining an offset with the compensation voltage is responsive to the compensation voltage and the load current through the inductor. The offset is generated only during a step load change of the load current and substantially reduces voltage transients from the compensation voltage and the output voltage. A summation circuit sums the compensation voltage including the offset with at least the voltage at the bottom node of the LED string to generate a first control signal. A latch generates the switching control signal responsive to the first control signal and a leading edge blanking signal.

Abstract: An LED driver controller comprises a voltage regulator for controlling an output voltage to a top of a plurality of LED strings responsive to at least a reference voltage. A plurality of first circuitries each associated with a node at a bottom of each of the plurality of LED strings compares a voltage at the bottom of each of the plurality of LED strings with a high reference voltage and a low reference voltage. Control logic generates a first control signal when the voltage at the bottom of each node of the plurality of LED strings exceeds the high reference voltage and generates a second control signal when the voltage at least one of node of the plurality of LED strings falls below the low reference voltage. Second circuitry responsive to the first control signal and the second control signal generates the reference voltage.

Abstract: An integrated circuit comprises a control input providing a connection to a capacitor. A delay circuit generates a delayed enable signal responsive to a provided enable signal. A second circuit performs a control function. A switching circuit responsive to the delayed enable signal connects the control input to the delay circuit in a first mode of operation and connects the control input to the second circuit in a second mode of operation.

Abstract: An isolating power supply for electrical equipment comprises a transformer having an input for a mains alternating current (AC) power supply, a rectifier by which the output of the transformer can be rectified, and a primary energy storage device for electrically smoothing the output of the rectifier. A switching device is provided which is electrically connected to the output of the primary energy storage device and which can be switched between a conducting state and a non-conducting state, and a secondary energy storage device is also provided which is electrically connected to the switching device. In use, when the switching device is in a non-conducting state, the primary energy storage device stores the output from the rectifier and the secondary energy storage device is electrically isolated from the primary energy storage device and supplies an electrical output to associated electrical equipment.

Abstract: A method of forming plastics sheets, comprises the steps of supporting a die (or substrate 12) between plastics sheets 36 in an enclosure, heating the plastics sheets 36 by infra-red heating element 28, evacuating air from the enclosure, and urging the plastics sheets 36 into contact with opposite faces of the die (or substrate 12) while maintaining a vacuum or a substantial vacuum between the plastics sheets 36. Apparatus for performing this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An isolating power supply for electrical equipment comprises a transformer having an input for a mains alternating current (AC) power supply, a rectifier by which the output of the transformer can be rectified, and a primary energy storage device for electrically smoothing the output of the rectifier. A switching device is provided which is electrically connected to the output of the primary energy storage device and which can be switched between a conducting state and a non-conducting state, and a secondary energy storage device is also provided which is electrically connected to the switching device. In use, when the switching device is in a non-conducting state, the primary energy storage device stores the output from the rectifier and the secondary energy storage device is electrically isolated from the primary energy storage device and supplies an electrical output to associated electrical equipment.

Abstract: The method includes the step of applying a heat shrinkable plastics sleeve to at least that part of the object most vulnerable to decay. A meltable sealing solution, typically a bituminous substance, is provided between the heat shrinkable plastics sleeve and the object. The sleeve is heated so as to melt the sealing solution sufficiently for it to bond intimately to the wooden object and pressure is applied to the plastics sleeve. The sleeve may be extruded and the sealing solution may be applied to the internal surface of the sleeve as it is extruded. Pressure can be applied to the sleeve using pressure pads, which may be heated, or by a jet of hot air.

Abstract: A method in which a flexible outer barrier layer is applied to at least that part of the object most vulnerable to decay, a bituminous substance is provided between the outer barrier layer and the object, and the barrier layer is heated so as to melt the bituminous substance sufficiently for it to bond intimately to the wooden object. The barrier layer may be a heat shrinkable plastic film and may be a sleeve which is heat shrunk onto the object. The invention is particularly useful for protecting vulnerable parts of elongate wooden objects, such as fence posts or poles, from decay.

Abstract: A circuit for generating an output voltage to a top node of a plurality of LED strings. The circuit includes an inductor having a load current flowing therethrough and a switching transistor responsive to a switching control signal. An integrator generates a compensation voltage responsive to a voltage at a bottom node of the LED string and a reference voltage. Circuitry for combining an a correction offset with the compensation voltage is responsive to the compensation voltage and the load current through the inductor. The offset is generated only during a step load change of the load current and substantially reduces voltage transients from the compensation voltage and the output voltage. A summation circuit sums the compensation voltage including the correction offset with at least the voltage at the bottom node of the LED string to generate a first control signal. A latch generates the switching control signal responsive to the first control signal and a leading edge blanking signal.