Abstract: A defibrillator (1) comprising electrodes (3), a connection (5) for electrically connecting the electrodes together, a defibrillation circuit (9) connected to the electrodes, and an electrode test system (7), comprising a test initiation device operable to generate a test initiating signal, a test signal generator (15) operable to generate a dc voltage test signal, a test signal switch (17) connected to the electrodes and, on receipt of the test initiating signal, operable to connect the electrodes to the test signal generator for passing the dc voltage test signal to the electrodes, and a test processing device (19) connected to the test signal switch to receive a dc voltage electrode return signal and process the electrode return signal to determine a pass test result or a fail test result for the electrodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for testing defibrillator electrode conductivity. Connection for electrically connecting electrodes and defibrillation signal generator connected to the electrodes. Patient impedance measurement system comprising patient signal generator and patient signal receiver. A defibrillator controller connected to defibrillation signal generator and patient impedance measurement system.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a printed circuit board (PCB) including a ground plane and having first and second opposing surfaces. The electronic device may also include a radio frequency (RF) directional coupler carried by the first surface of the PCB and including a housing and circuitry therein defining an input port, an output port, and first and second monitoring ports. A first monitoring circuit may be carried by the first surface of the PCB and connected to the first monitoring port. The electronic device may also include a via conductor connected to the second monitoring port and extending through the PCB to the second surface thereof. A second monitoring circuit may also be carried by the second surface of the PCB and connected to the via conductor.

Abstract: An electronically controlled valve includes a valve member moveable between a first position and a second position. A valve member moving mechanism is operable to receive energy from a fluid-working machine crankshaft, or other rotating shaft, and to provide a valve member moving force to urge the valve member from the first position to the second position using the received energy. Thus, the energy used for movement of the valve against a pressure gradient is derived from the crankshaft. Energy received from the crankshaft can be stored and used subsequently to urge the valve member from the first position, allowing the valve to function despite timing differences between the availability of energy from the crankshaft and the requirement for energy to move the valve member.

Abstract: An electronically controlled valve for regulating the supply of fluid between a working chamber of a fluid working machine and a manifold, which valve includes a pilot valve and a pilot valve elastic member charged in use by the movement of the armature towards the electromagnet during closure of the valve to provide a return force urging the pilot valve sealing member away from the pilot valve seat. The valve is especially useful as the low pressure valve of a fluid working motor.

Abstract: An electronically controlled valve includes a travelling member with a sealing member and operable between a closed position in which the sealing member forms a seal with a valve seat, and an open position. The valve further has a decelerating mechanism operable to slow the movement of the armature during closure of the valve. The sealing member and armature are decoupled and thereby moveable relative to each other such that the armature can continue to move and decelerate due to the action of the damping mechanism after the sealing member has impacted the valve seat. The peak deceleration force on the armature is thereby reduced, increasing the lifetime of the valve or the maximum rate at which it can be closed without damage.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a printed circuit board (PCB) including a ground plane and having first and second opposing surfaces. The electronic device may also include a radio frequency (RF) directional coupler carried by the first surface of the PCB and including a housing and circuitry therein defining an input port, an output port, and first and second monitoring ports. A first monitoring circuit may be carried by the first surface of the PCB and connected to the first monitoring port. The electronic device may also include a via conductor connected to the second monitoring port and extending through the PCB to the second surface thereof. A second monitoring circuit may also be carried by the second surface of the PCB and connected to the via conductor.

Abstract: A method of preparing stable, transparent photocatalytic titanium dioxide sots is disclosed which involves thermal treatment of a suspension of amorphous titanium dioxide in the presence of certain alpha-hydroxy acids. The sots comprise titanium dioxide particles in the anatase form having a crystallite size less than about 10 nm and exhibit excellent stability and transparency at basic, neutral, and acid pH.

Abstract: A method of preparing stable, transparent photocatalytic titanium dioxide sots is disclosed which involves thermal treatment of a suspension of amorphous titanium dioxide in the presence of certain alpha-hydroxy acids. The sots comprise titanium dioxide particles in the anatase form having a crystallite size less than about 10 nm and exhibit excellent stability and transparency at basic, neutral, and acid pH.

Abstract: A method of preparing stable, transparent photocatalytic titanium dioxide sots is disclosed which involves thermal treatment of a suspension of amorphous titanium dioxide in the presence of certain alpha-hydroxy acids. The sots comprise titanium dioxide particles in the anatase form having a crystallite size less than about 10 nm and exhibit excellent stability and transparency at basic, neutral, and acid pH.

Abstract: A method of preparing stable, transparent photocatalytic titanium dioxide sols is disclosed which involves thermal treatment of a suspension of amorphous titanium dioxide in the presence of certain alpha-hydroxy acids. The sots comprise titanium dioxide particles in the anatase form having a crystallite size less than about 10 nm and exhibit excellent stability and transparency at basic, neutral, and acid pH.

Abstract: An improved composition capable of forming a translucent coating on a construction material surface comprising at least: a) photocatalytic titanium dioxide particles having at least a de-NOx activity; b) a silicon based-material in which said particles are dispersed, wherein said silicon based material includes at least one polysiloxane; and c) particles having a de-HNO3 activity selected from calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method of preparing stable, transparent photocatalytic titanium dioxide sots is disclosed which involves thermal treatment of a suspension of amorphous titanium dioxide in the presence of certain alpha-hydroxy acids. The sots comprise titanium dioxide particles in the anatase form having a crystallite size less than about 10 nm and exhibit excellent stability and transparency at basic, neutral, and acid pH.

Abstract: An optical analysis disc includes grooves defining corresponding laser-readable tracks and trigger marks that identify respective target regions on the disc. The trigger marks are implemented as a radial interruption of the grooves to thereby produce an increased reflection of a laser beam. There is also provided an optical analysis disc system including a trigger mechanism having a trigger detector adapted to detect interruptions in grooves of an optical analysis disc. A related method for triggering through interrupted grooves of an optical analysis disc includes detecting interruption in the grooves, generating an electrical reflection signal corresponding to the interruptions detected, and elaborating said reflection signal, so that to generate a trigger signal.

Abstract: An optical analysis disc includes grooves defining corresponding laser-readable tracks and trigger marks that identify respective target regions on the disc. The trigger marks are implemented as a radial interruption of the grooves to thereby produce an increased reflection of a laser beam. There is also provided an optical analysis disc system including a trigger mechanism having a trigger detector adapted to detect interruptions in grooves of an optical analysis disc. A related method for triggering through interrupted grooves of an optical analysis disc includes detecting interruption in the grooves, generating an electrical reflection signal corresponding to the interruptions detected, and elaborating said reflection signal, so that to generate a trigger signal.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a coating composition for the formation of an inorganic layer on the surface of a substrate, comprising at least an efficient amount of photocatalytic titanium dioxide particles, an opacifying agent, particles of an inorganic binder, an organic binder, and a solvent, wherein said organic binder and photocatalytic titanium dioxide particles are present in a weight ratio, photocatalytic titanium dioxide/organic binder ranging from 0.1 to 6.

Abstract: The presente invention concerns a NOx removing composition for use as a translucent coating on construction material surface, comprising at least: a) photocatalytic titanium dioxide particles having at least a de-NOx activity, b) particles having a de-HNO3 activity, and c) a silicon based-material in which said particles are dispersed, wherein said photocatalytic particles have a crystalline size ranging from 1 to 50 nm and particles of a) and b) being present in an amount lower than 20% by weight of the total weight of said composition.

Abstract: An optical disc system includes a photo detector circuit of an optical disc drive and a signal processing system. The photo detector circuit is configured to generate at least one information-carrying signal from an optical disc assembly. The signal processing system is coupled to the photo detector circuit to obtain from the at least one information-carrying signal both operational information used to operate the optical disc system and data indicative of presence and/or characteristics of an investigational feature associated with the optical disc assembly. Methods and discs for imaging a biological or medical investigational feature are also provided.

Abstract: An optical disc drive for reading encoded information, such as on a CD, CD-R, or DVD, is modified to read biological or chemical investigational features from a disc. The modifications can include software changes or the addition of hardware desirably without the need to modify the disc drive electronics.

Abstract: This invention relates to clinical diagnostic assays, related optical bio-discs, and a disc-reading apparatus. The invention is directed to methods and apparatuses for performing immunohematology assays using an optical bio-disc analysis system. The invention is further directed to an optical bio-disc for performing an immunohematologic assay including a substrate having encoded information associated therewith. The encoded information may be readable by a disc drive assembly to control rotation of the disc. The disc may also include at least one target zone or capture zone associated with the substrate. The target zone is disposed at a predetermined location relative to a center of the substrate. The disc further includes a plurality of capture antibodies immobilized within the target zone, a flow channel, fluidic circuit, or analysis chamber associated with the target zone, and an input site in fluid communication with the analysis chamber.