Abstract: An apparatus for conditioning gas for use in a medical procedure comprises a housing defining a chamber having an entry port and an exit port. The housing contains at least a humidification means comprising a container for liquid. A humidity sensor may be disposed within the chamber that senses the humidity of the gas exiting the chamber. A monitoring circuit is connected to the humidity sensor that detects when the chamber requires a recharge of liquid, and generates a recharge signal indicative thereof. A charging port on the housing provides access into the chamber to recharge the chamber with water. Alternatively, a backup container of liquid is provided to continuously supply liquid to the humidification means. A heating element and temperature sensor are also disposed within the chamber. A control circuit further regulates the temperature of the gas exiting the chamber.

Abstract: A shielded medical device implanted in a biological organism. The device has a magnetic shield, and the magnetic shield contains a layer of nanomagnetic material; such layer has a morphological density of at least 98 percent. The nanomagnetic material in such layer has a saturation magnetization of from about 1 to about 36,000 Gauss, a coercive force of from about 0.01 to about 5,000 Oersteds, a a relative magnetic permeability of from about 1 to about 500,000, and an average particle size of less than about 100 nanometers.

Abstract: A modular ozone generator includes an ultraviolet (UV) lamp within a chamber for converting some of the oxygen molecules in air to ozone molecules. The air is introduced through an inlet at a high point of the chamber and discharged through an outlet at a low point of the chamber to increase the proportion of ozone molecules relative to the oxygen molecules discharged due to the higher density ozone molecules migrating downwardly. The introduced air is conveyed through a diffuser to provide multiple streams of air flowing about the lamp to enhance irradiation of the oxygen molecules and form ozone molecules. A second or more ozone generator modules are beneath the first ozone generator module with an interlocking mechanism to align the outlet of an upper ozone generator with the inlet of a lower ozone generator module. The number of cascaded ozone generator modules forming a vertical stack is a function of the concentration (and amount) of ozone molecules sought to be generated.

Abstract: Direct order entry is enabled through the use of a hand-held independent computer that coordinates the entry and transmission of data between a data entry enterprise and a data receiving enterprise. Software and data can be delivered to a data center that can transmit the software and data the hand-held computer. Data can be directly entered into the hand-held computer in an off-line mode and subsequently transmitted to the data center in an on-line mode. The hand-held computer provides full freedom of movement in the off-line mode and precise data transmission in the on-line mode, thereby reducing or eliminating data entry error.

Abstract: A high magnetic susceptibility nanomagnetic material that may be attached to recognition molecules and other therapeutic biological materials so as to be targeted to specific biologic tissues, thereby enabling the presence of the targeted tissue to be detected under magnetic resonance imaging with much greater sensitivity. Also a stent coated with such nanomagnetic material to enable artifact free imaging of such stent under magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract: A system and/or process for increasing the isobutane to olefin ratio in an alkylation process/system is disclosed. The system and/or process includes provisions for charging a portion of the settler effluent as a feed to at least one reaction zone downflow from the first reaction zone of a multi-zone alkylation reactor along with a portion of the olefin feed to the multi-zone alkylation reactor.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a composition of matter comprised of about 90% by weight of particles smaller than about 100 nanometers comprised of magnetic atoms. These nanomagnetic particles have a first magnetic moment between about 2 to about 3,000 emu per cubic centimeter, and a magnetic durability such that after about 6 months the magnetic moment does not vary by more than 5%. The nanomagnetic material, when used with implantable medical devices, upon exposure to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiation, reduces the eddy currents, improves the imageability, cancels the positive susceptibility, improves the magnetic field about such devices, and may be used to modify the magnetic susceptibility of such devices.

Abstract: An assembly for shielding an implanted medical device from the effects of high-frequency radiation and for emitting magnetic resonance signals during magnetic resonance imaging. The assembly includes an implanted medical device and a magnetic shield comprised of nanomagnetic material disposed between the medical device and the high-frequency radiation. In one embodiment, the magnetic resonance signals are detected by a receiver, which is thus able to locate the implanted medical device within a biological organism.

Abstract: A plurality of coated layers is disposed on an implanted device. The materials and electrical parameters of the coated layers are chosen and the geometry of the coated layers is arranged so that incident electromagnetic radiation induces currents in the coated layers that have a predetermined phase and amplitude relationship with the current induced in the implanted device.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically altering an image having pixels is disclosed. An image is segmented into regions and various features of the regions are extracted and used to calculate a confidence factor, or belief value, that a particular region is a main subject of the image. The belief values are assembled into a belief map that is used to define how pixel values are to be altered. Various color and appearance values of the pixel are altered in a predetermined way to emphasize the main subject of the image. The emphasis is applied in a binary fashion or as in a gradient of values. Either the main subject can be emphasized, or the secondary or background subjects can be de-emphasized. The system can be implement on a variety of computer systems.

Abstract: A product puller for moving products or items within a shelving or other storage unit. The product puller includes a sheet having a surface for supporting one or more products thereon, a product backstop, and a means for moving the product puller in a desired direction. For example, the product puller finds use in moving a product located thereon forward or backward relative to a front edge of a shelf or storage unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to melting plate candles which employ heat conductive elements to distribute heat from a burning flame at a wick to a support plate for a solid fuel and to the body of said solid fuel, so as to more rapidly liquefy the solid fuel, such as paraffin wax, and to more uniformly and intensely heat such fuels to increase the efficiency of consumption thereof and to more rapidly release volatile materials contained within said fuels. The heat conductive support plate is configured so as to have a capillary pedestal upon the surface thereof, which magnetically engages a wick holder comprising a preferably consumable wick and heat conductive fins which conduct heat from a flame upon said wick to said support plate, said magnetic engagement of said wick holder preventing accidental removal thereof from said pedestal. The fuel may be provided in various forms, configured to cooperatively engage said wick holder and support plate, and may comprise various volatile materials.

Abstract: A candle assembly includes a melting plate having a capillary pedestal, a wick holder that fits over the capillary pedestal, a wick that is carried by the wick holder, and a fuel element that fits over the wick and wick holder and rests on the melting plate. The fuel element includes a duct therethrough for receiving the wick holder. The fuel element is adapted to prevent improper insertion of the wick holder into the duct. The duct is adapted to facilitate successful initial ignition and sustained burn of the wick by having a width that is selected to ensure that melted fuel material engages the wick when dripping down the duct. A capillary well disposed between the wick holder and the capillary pedestal may be adapted to promote a successful relight after an initial burn of the candle assembly. A candle holder, such as including the melting plate supported by a base, may be adapted to promote laminar air flow thereacross during a burn in a substantially calm atmospheric environment.

Abstract: An apparatus for conditioning gas for use in a medical procedure, such as endoscopy, the gas being received into the apparatus from a gas source. The apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber having an entry port and an exit port. A humidification means comprising at least one water-retainer layer is disposed within the chamber in the path of travel of the gas for humidifying the gas as it passes through the chamber. A humidity sensor is disposed within the chamber that senses the humidity of the gas exiting the chamber. A monitoring circuit is connected to the humidity sensor that detects when the chamber requires a recharge of liquid based on the humidity of the gas in the chamber, and generates a recharge signal indicative thereof. A charging port on the housing provides access into the chamber to recharge the chamber with water. A heating element and temperature sensor are also disposed within the chamber. A control circuit further regulates the temperature of the gas exiting the chamber.

Abstract: A coherent radiation imaging system that produces digital images with a reduced amount of speckle. Radiation from a long coherence length source is used to form an image of a sample. The output coherent wave is temporally divided into a plurality of wavelets. The spatial phase of each wavelet is then modulated a known and different amount. Each phase modulated wavelet illuminates the sample and is perturbed by its interaction with the sample. A spatial phase map of each perturbed wavelet is then created and converted to a sample image with an image reconstruction program. The plurality of sample images thus formed is statistically averaged to form a final averaged image. The high frequency speckle that is not optically resolvable tends to average to zero with continual statistical averaging, leaving only the optically resolvable lower frequency phase information.

Abstract: A wire form includes a conductor having a distal end and a proximal end. The conductor is coiled and has a predetermined spacing between adjacent coils. The predetermined spacing provides a parasitic capacitance and an inductance. The parasitic capacitance and inductance have a resonance frequency tuned to about an excitation signal's frequency of a magnetic-resonance imaging scanner.

Abstract: A medical assembly includes a multi-wire lead having a plurality of coiling loops. The multi-wire lead has a gap region and a non-gap region. The gap region has adjacent coiling loops of the multi-wire lead with gaps therebetween so as to form different impedance in the gap region than impedance in the non-gap region. The non-gap region has adjacent coiling loops of the multi-wire lead with no gaps therebetween. The gaps may provide inter-loop capacitance. The multi-wire lead may have a plurality of gap regions, each gap region having a non-gap region therebetween.

Abstract: Methods and tools for quickly and accurately performing complex customer benefit modeling for an electronic components assembly system are disclosed. In one embodiment, predefined user interfaces allow a consultant, customers, salespersons, or line designers to input a line configuration by selecting from a list predefined objects that represent specific line components. In addition, the user inputs other line configuration data specific to the line being configured. The information contained in the user interface is extracted for use a discrete event simulator. Templates for simulation objects may be created in advance and populated with data from the input interface. A simulation is built and run. Simulation results may be exported to an output means, which may allow for custom generated reports. The reporting means may include a means for allowing customer specific information and data to be inputted.

Abstract: A lead includes a conductor having a distal end and a proximal end and a resonant circuit connected to the conductor. The resonant circuit has a resonance frequency approximately equal to an excitation signal's frequency of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner or a resonance frequency not tuned to an excitation signal's frequency of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner so as to reduce the current flow through a tissue area, thereby reducing tissue damage. The resonant circuit may be included in an adapter that provides an electrical bridge between a lead a medical device such as an electrode, sensor, or signal generator. The resonant circuit may also be included directly in the housing of a medical device.

Abstract: A lead includes a conductor having a distal end and a proximal end and a resonant circuit connected to the conductor. The resonant circuit has a resonance frequency approximately equal to an excitation signal's frequency of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner or a resonance frequency not tuned to an excitation signal's frequency of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner so as to reduce the current flow through a tissue area, thereby reducing tissue damage. The resonant circuit may be included in an adapter that provides an electrical bridge between a lead a medical device such as an electrode, sensor, or signal generator. The resonant circuit may also be included directly in the housing of a medical device.