Abstract: A system and method for a BP monitoring cuff that has an integrated acoustic sensor used to acquire Korotkoff sounds during partial occlusion of the arterial vessel.

Abstract: An energy storage component for use with an implantable intravascular medical device that maximizes the useful volume available in the implantable intravascular medical device by providing a bore in a capacitor or battery that allows connections between various segments of the implantable intravascular medical device to be connected with one another.

Abstract: A QFN package with improved joint solder thickness for improved second level attachment fatigue life. The copper leadframe of a QFN chip carrier is provided with rounded protrusions in both the chip attach pad region and the surrounding lead regions before second level attachment. The rounded stand-off protrusions are formed from the copper itself of the copper of the leadframe. This may be achieved by punching dimples into one surface of the copper plate of the leadframe before plating to form protrusions on the opposing surface. This method of forming the rounded protrusions simplifies the process of forming stand-offs. The protrusions provide a structure that increases wetting area and allows the use of a larger quantity of solder for increased solder joint thickness and better die paddle solder joint area coverage. As a result of the increased solder joint thickness, second level fatigue life is significantly improved.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for controlling sputter coating deposition to at least one surface of at least one substrate. The device includes a magnetic structure having a plurality of electrically isolated and magnetically coupled magnetic pole piece structures. A plurality of magnetic concentric rings is mounted behind at least one target surface. A central upright common magnetic core connects the plurality of magnetic pole piece structures. A plurality of upright pole pieces arranged parallel to each other is attached to each of the magnetic pole piece structures and arranged at midpoints of the plurality of magnetic concentric rings. The magnetic structure includes a plurality of electromagnetic coils wound over the plurality of magnetic pole piece structures arranged to form sets of coils. The sets of coils can be energized in forward or reverse mode thereby impacting the target at a greater angle resulting in higher angle particle ejection.

Abstract: A drive unit to control the peak pressure of air for the inflation of a left ventricular assist system is disclosed. The control of the peak pressure can address the problem of the “kick” experienced by patients when the peak inflation pressure reaches approximately 200 mm Hg. The peak pressure of the air released for the inflation cycle of the system is reduced either by the reduction of the inner diameter of the interconnect line running from the compression tank to the valve manifold or the use of a multi-valve manifold with independently controlled valves and an electronic controller to selectively open and close the valves of the manifold. Either technique, whether used alone or in combination, reduces the peak pressure of the air released for the inflation cycle to below the levels associated with the “kick,” while still meeting the operating specifications to properly inflate and deflate the system's blood pump.

Abstract: An improved power transfer mechanism for use on a human-powered machine, adapted to be drivingly connected to a power take-off device of said machines, includes: a housing adapted in use, to be disposed within a frame of said human-powered machine; at least one crankshaft adapted to be disposed within said housing; respective left-side and right-side crank arms each adapted to be drivingly associated with an end of said at least one crankshaft; and drive transfer means adapted to co-operate with said at least one crankshaft and each associated crank arm, the arrangement being such that a first member of the group comprising and left-side and right-side crank arms and said power take-off device is adapted to be attached to said at least one crankshaft, such that each of the second and third of said members is adapted to be rotatable relative to said first of said members, and each other, only to a limited and controlled degree, whilst not be movable axially or in a longitudinal direction relative to said at le

Abstract: A predictive indicator tool for predicting the risk of a manufacturing process producing products having defects. Manufacturing sub-processes are identified for the process and s a series of 12 questions is applied to each sub-process. The questions are generated using Six Sigma statistical techniques. The questions are scored and an associated algorithm is applied to produce a quantitative score is indicative of risk. The quantitative risk score is compared to an alert level.

Abstract: An audio loudspeaker having an induction motor whose yoke components are formed of powdered iron or other material which is highly magnetically permeable and highly electrically resistive. The oscillating magnetic flux caused by the alternating current applied to the primary coil induces eddy currents in the shorted turn secondary coil but not in the yoke components. This reduces heating of the yoke components, reduces flux modulation, and reduces wasted power.

Abstract: A pump has an elongated shell with a generally elliptical shape, an outer convex surface and an inner concave surface. A peripheral side edge located between the inner and outer surfaces terminates in a bead edge. A flexible airtight membrane has a membrane edge bonded to the outer shell surface adjacent to the bead edge. Preforming the membrane edge looped with a maximum linear span of curvature that is greater than a maximal transverse linear extent of the bead edge, membrane operational wear during inflation and deflation cycles is reduced in the region around the bead edge. A process of forming a blood pump with a membrane preform is also provided.

Abstract: An alkaline battery includes a cathode, an anode, a separator between the anode and the cathode, and an alkaline electrolyte contacting the anode and the cathode. The separator includes a first generally cylindrical body. The first generally cylindrical body includes a first wall section, a second wall section, and a first folded section. The first folded section is radially outwardly disposed from the first wall section.

Abstract: An alkaline cell with improved separator. The separator is formed of two sheets. The two sheets are wound into a tube shape and the bottom edge of the wound separator is folded and heat sealed. The facing surfaces of the two sheets forming the separator body are not glued or bonded together. The two separator sheets may overlap laterally so that a portion of each sheet forms a different portion of the separator outside surface. Alternatively, the separator may be formed of two sheets wherein the first sheet forms an outer layer which completely covers the second sheet. One sheet is preferably composed of a blend of polyvinylalcohol fibers and rayon fibers and the other sheet composed of polyvinylalcohol fibers and wood pulp fibers.

Abstract: An implantable aortic blood pump includes a rigid body having wall extending along a long axis and defining an inflation port portion with an inflation aperture therethrough. The aperture is fluid communication with an inner surface of the body and on a fluid supply, the body is preferably independent of an external brace or an external stiffener, yet still has a cantilevered deformation of less than 8 millimeters in response to a 200 gram weight suspended from a front body edge. A deflecting structure of a membrane deflects in response to fluid pressure so as to pump blood when the pump is secured to a subject aorta.

Abstract: A QFN package with improved joint solder thickness for improved second level attachment fatigue life. The copper leadframe of a QFN chip carrier is provided with rounded protrusions in both the chip attach pad region and the surrounding lead regions before second level attachment. The rounded stand-off protrusions are formed from the copper itself of the copper of the leadframe. This may be achieved by punching dimples into one surface of the copper plate of the leadframe before plating to form protrusions on the opposing surface. This method of forming the rounded protrusions simplifies the process of forming stand-offs. The protrusions provide a structure that increases wetting area and allows the use of a larger quantity of solder for increased solder joint thickness and better die paddle solder joint area coverage. As a result of the increased solder joint thickness, second level fatigue life is significantly improved.

Abstract: A QFN package with improved joint solder thickness for improved second level attachment fatigue life. The copper leadframe of a QFN chip carrier is provided with rounded protrusions in both the chip attach pad region and the surrounding lead regions before second level attachment. The rounded stand-off protrusions are formed from the copper itself of the copper of the leadframe. This may be achieved by punching dimples into one surface of the copper plate of the leadframe before plating to form protrusions on the opposing surface. This method of forming the rounded protrusions simplifies the process of forming stand-offs. The protrusions provide a structure that increases wetting area and allows the use of a larger quantity of solder for increased solder joint thickness and better die paddle solder joint area coverage. As a result of the increased solder joint thickness, second level fatigue life is significantly improved.

Abstract: An audio loudspeaker having an induction motor whose yoke components are formed of powdered iron or other material which is highly magnetically permeable and highly electrically resistive. The oscillating magnetic flux caused by the alternating current applied to the primary coil induces eddy currents in the shorted turn secondary coil but not in the yoke components. This reduces heating of the yoke components, reduces flux modulation, and reduces wasted power.

Abstract: A QFN package with improved joint solder thickness for improved second level attachment fatigue life. The copper leadframe of a QFN chip carrier is provided with rounded protrusions in both the chip attach pad region and the surrounding lead regions before second level attachment. The rounded stand-off protrusions are formed from the copper itself of the copper of the leadframe. This may be achieved by punching dimples into one surface of the copper plate of the leadframe before plating to form protrusions on the opposing surface. This method of forming the rounded protrusions simplifies the process of forming stand-offs. The protrusions provide a structure that increases wetting area and allows the use of a larger quantity of solder for increased solder joint thickness and better die paddle solder joint area coverage. As a result of the increased solder joint thickness, second level fatigue life is significantly improved.

Abstract: An electromagnetic transducer such as an audio loudspeaker, whose diaphragm assembly and motor both have a highly elongated shape in which the long dimension is at least 3× greater than the short dimension. The diaphragm may be obround, and the motor's magnetic air gap may comprise a pair of elongated, parallel, linear gaps. A novel “boxcar” device is used to hold the bobbin and voice coil in an obround shape, maintaining the parallel, linear shape of their elongated sides. The lower suspension may be disposed only at the ends of the motor, enabling the narrowest possible configuration.

Abstract: An electromagnetic transducer such as an audio loudspeaker, whose diaphragm assembly and motor both have a highly elongated shape in which the long dimension is at least 3× greater than the short dimension. The diaphragm may be obround, and the motor's magnetic air gap may comprise a pair of elongated, parallel, linear gaps. A novel “boxcar” device is used to hold the bobbin and voice coil in an obround shape, maintaining the parallel, linear shape of their elongated sides. The lower suspension may be disposed only at the ends of the motor, enabling the narrowest possible configuration.

Abstract: An alkaline battery includes a cathode, an anode, a separator between the anode and the cathode, and an alkaline electrolyte contacting the anode and the cathode. The separator includes a first generally cylindrical body. The first generally cylindrical body includes a first wall section, a second wall section, and a first folded section. The first folded section is radially outwardly disposed from the first wall section.

Abstract: A method and structure for forming a reliable metallurgical bond during the implementation of a wire bonding process on leadframe-based integrated arrangement, which improves the stress-resistance of a metallurgical bond during and subsequent to a wire bonding process wherein the leadframes of integrated circuit packages utilize a metal plating on recessed regions of the leadframe base or substrate material to which the wires are bonded.