Abstract: A system and method for automatically aligning the threads of a lead screw with the threads of a screw drive mechanism, the screw drive mechanism operating to translate the rotational motion of the lead screw into linear motion to expel the contents of a mounted syringe. The system comprises a driver position sensor for determining the position of the screw drive mechanism along the lead screw and a processor for receiving position signals from the driver position sensor, for determining a requisite rotation of the lead screw to ensure alignment of the two sets of threads, and for effectuating the requisite rotation of the lead screw to achieve that alignment. An automatic calibration routine is included that checks for variances in calibration of the system and if found, updates a conversion factor to restore accuracy. Various sensors are used to monitor the operation of components.

Abstract: A method and device for rapidly predicting the temperature of an object through a sensor reading of the object's temperature by using a processor comprising finite impulse response (FIR) filters to determine the average value, the first derivative, and the second derivative of the sensed temperature based upon a predetermined number of temperature samples, apply a respective weighting factor to each of the average value, the first derivative, and the second derivative respectively, and calculate a temperature estimate by combining the weighted average value, the first derivative, and second derivative together with an offset factor.

Abstract: A system and method for rapidly preheating the probe of a thermometer to a temperature closer to the temperature of a patient to be measured. The system comprises a probe heater, a probe temperature sensor, a power source, and a processor for controlling the delivery of energy from the power source to the heater. The processor adds an offset to the drive level to the heater which is dependent on the ambient temperature and the power source voltage to achieve more rapid heater response. The processor maintains control over the drive level applied to the heater in accordance with the temperature sensor so that at all times a closed loop system is provided.

Abstract: A system and method for rapidly preheating the probe of a thermometer to a temperature closer to the temperature of a patient to be measured. The system comprises a probe heater, a probe temperature sensor, a power source, and a processor for controlling the delivery of energy from the power source to the heater. The processor adds an offset to the drive level to the heater which is dependent on the ambient temperature and the power source voltage to achieve more rapid heater response. The processor maintains control over the drive level applied to the heater in accordance with the temperature sensor so that at all times a closed loop system is provided.

Abstract: A multiple application switching platform includes a switch having a distributed open architecture and incorporating redundancy for enhanced fault tolerance. The switch includes at least one shelf having a midplane (1) containing message buses and TDM data buses (A and B). Shelves may be interconnected to form a group wherein various circuit cards are connected to each shelf midplane. The circuit cards (4, 5 and 6) perform call processing wherein each card within a group accessing a data bus is pre-assigned a unique set of time slots for each data bus within which that card may transmit onto that data bus. Each circuit card further includes an identification number that enables each card an opportunity to transmit onto a message bus (A and B). The circuit cards (4, 5 and 6) include line or trunk switch cards that function as an independent switch to interface line or trunks to a shelf midplane.

Abstract: A system and method for rapidly preheating the probe of a thermometer to a temperature closer to the temperature of a patient to be measured. The system comprises a probe heater, a probe temperature sensor, a power source, and a processor for controlling the delivery of energy from the power source to the heater. The processor adds an offset to the drive level to the heater which is dependent on the ambient temperature and the power source voltage to achieve more rapid heater response. The processor maintains control over the drive level applied to the heater in accordance with the temperature sensor so that at all times a closed loop system is provided.

Abstract: A method and device for rapidly predicting the temperature of an object through a sensor reading of the object's temperature by using a processor comprising finite impulse response (FIR) filters to determine the average value, the first derivative, and the second derivative of the sensed temperature based upon a predetermined number of temperature samples, apply a respective weighting factor to each of the average value, the first derivative, and the second derivative respectively, and calculate a temperature estimate by combining the weighted average value, the first derivative, and second derivative together with an offset factor.

Abstract: A method and device for rapidly predicting the temperature of an object through a sensor reading of the object's temperature by using a processor comprising finite impulse response (FIR) filters to determine the average value, the first derivative, and the second derivative of the sensed temperature based upon a predetermined number of temperature samples, apply a respective weighting factor to each of the average value, the first derivative, and the second derivative respectively, and calculate a temperature estimate by combining the weighted average value, the first derivative, and second derivative together with an offset factor.