Abstract: An airflow switching valve allowing a single ventilator to sequentially ventilate multiple patients, each patient being ventilated through a respiratory cycle. The airflow switching valve includes an outer housing, an inner housing, and a spring. Each of the outer and inner housings have a plurality of apertures that, when aligned in different positions, direct airflow to different patients. The inner housing rotates within the outer housing into different positions. The rotational movement is guided by a track of the outer housing. Extensions on the inner housing engage the track of the outer housing and translate along the track, thereby directing the movement of the inner housing between varying positions. Movement of the inner housing is initiated by either a spring force caused by the spring of the airflow switching valve or by air pressure caused by an inspiratory breath flowing into the airflow switching valve from the ventilator.

Abstract: An airflow switching valve allowing a single ventilator to sequentially ventilate multiple patients, each patient being ventilated through a respiratory cycle. The airflow switching valve includes an outer housing, an inner housing, and a spring. Each of the outer and inner housings have a plurality of apertures that, when aligned in different positions, direct airflow to different patients. The inner housing rotates within the outer housing into different positions. The rotational movement is guided by a track of the outer housing. Extensions on the inner housing engage the track of the outer housing and translate along the track, thereby directing the movement of the inner housing between varying positions. Movement of the inner housing is initiated by either a spring force caused by the spring of the airflow switching valve or by air pressure caused by an inspiratory breath flowing into the airflow switching valve from the ventilator.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for mitigating foreign material buildup for hearing assistance device components. The present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device transducer barrier layer configured to resist accumulation and passage of foreign materials. In various embodiments, the barrier layer includes a membrane that is coated with oleophobic and hydrophobic materials, wherein the barrier is acoustically transparent but prevents the accumulation and passage of unwanted materials.

Abstract: The present subject matter includes method and apparatus for an insulating layer applied to a battery to effectively increase the insulated separation between the anode and cathode contact surfaces of the battery. This increase in effective separation between anode and cathode decreases the probability that moisture applied to the battery will cause substantial ohmic conductivity between the anode and the cathode. Consequently, fewer batteries will be prematurely depleted or destroyed by moisture and fewer devices holding those batteries will need repair. The present subject matter serves to prevent or eliminate discharge of corrosive battery chemicals due to moisture and operating in wet environments. The life of batteries and devices using the present subject matter is thus extended. Additional method and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Abstract: An inventory of service parts may be managed by assessing a company's capability, optimizing the inventory and implementing a management program based on the assessment and optimization. Optimizing target stock levels for the inventory of parts may be accomplished by calculating an inventory baseline for understanding information about the currently held inventory; developing a service strategy for a set of segments; quantifying a service level for each of the segments; analyzing the segments and their service levels for identifying at least one logistically distinct business; assigning each of the segments to a “best-fit” planning model for indicating each segment's deployment, replenishment, forecasting and review characteristics; identifying a probability distribution function for estimating a demand process of each of the segments; and calculating a target stock level for each segment.

Abstract: A container (10) for shipping items, such as silicon wafers, rigid memory disks, photo masks, liquid crystal displays and flat panel displays, is disclosed. The container has a bottom (20) and a removable top (30). Mounted to the inside of the container are three cushions (50, 51, 52). When the cover (30) is in place, the cushions are centered on support lines (60) which are 120.degree. from each other. When so arranged, the cushions securely hold a plurality of items in a parallel, spaced-apart registration.