Abstract: A multi-parametric vital signs monitoring device configured for use as an ambulatory and a bedside monitor wherein the device can be patient-wearable and is battery powered. The monitoring device can be used with a charging cradle to provide power to the device in lieu of the battery as a power source for bedside applications, in which the cradle further serves as an intermediary device to enable a data link with a PC or other peripheral device. The monitoring device can include a wireless radio to enable bi-directional transfer of patient-related data to a separate remote station.

Abstract: A multi-parametric vital signs monitoring device configured for use as an ambulatory and a bedside monitor wherein the device can be patient-wearable and is battery powered. The monitoring device can be used with a charging cradle to provide power to the device in lieu of the battery as a power source for bedside applications, in which the cradle further serves as an intermediary device to enable a data link with a PC or other peripheral device. The monitoring device can include a wireless radio to enable bi-directional transfer of patient-related data to a separate remote station.

Abstract: A multi-parametric vital signs monitoring device configured for use as an ambulatory and a bedside monitor wherein the device can be patient-wearable and is battery powered. The monitoring device can be used with a charging cradle to provide power to the device in lieu of the battery as a power source for bedside applications, in which the cradle further serves as an intermediary device to enable a data link with a PC or other peripheral device. The monitoring device can include a wireless radio to enable bi-directional transfer of patient-related data to a separate remote station.

Abstract: A phase shifter operable at microwave or millimeter-wave frequencies includes a dielectric substrate with a bottom surface having a conductive ground plane layer and a conductive patterned layer formed on a top surface to define a conductor pattern. A series of active tuning elements is mounted on the top surface and cascaded along a propagation direction in a spaced arrangement along a longitudinal extent. A housing structure includes a bottom housing structure with a planar conductive bottom surface for contacting the ground plane layer, and a top housing structure fabricated with a channel which extend along the longitudinal extent and provide clearance for the active tuning elements. A bias circuit is connected to the respective series of active tuning elements.

Abstract: A phase shifter operable at microwave or millimeter-wave frequencies includes a dielectric substrate with a bottom surface having a conductive ground plane layer and a conductive patterned layer formed on a top surface to define a conductor pattern. A series of active tuning elements is mounted on the top surface and cascaded along a propagation direction in a spaced arrangement along a longitudinal extent. A housing structure includes a bottom housing structure with a planar conductive bottom surface for contacting the ground plane layer, and a top housing structure fabricated with a channel which extend along the longitudinal extent and provide clearance for the active tuning elements. A bias circuit is connected to the respective series of active tuning elements.

Abstract: A method for tracking health-related spending for validation of disability benefits claims includes receiving, by a Medicare Secondary Payer statute-compliance company, from an authorization server, an identification of an approved transaction initiated by a recipient of insurance settlement funds to acquire at least one of a healthcare-related service and a healthcare-related good by a provider, the recipient authorized to receive the at least one of the healthcare-related service and the healthcare-related good from the provider. The method includes tracking, by the Medicare Secondary Payer statute-compliance company, healthcare-related expenditures by the recipient. The method includes generating, by the Medicare Secondary Payer statute-compliance company, a statement of approved transactions. The method includes transmitting, by the Medicare Secondary Payer statute-compliance company, to a disability benefit provider, the statement of approved transactions.

Abstract: A method for tracking health-related spending for validation of disability benefits claims includes receiving, by a Medicare Secondary Payer statute-compliance company, from an authorization server, an identification of an approved transaction initiated by a recipient of insurance settlement funds to acquire at least one of a healthcare-related service and a healthcare-related good by a provider, the recipient authorized to receive the at least one of the healthcare-related service and the healthcare-related good from the provider. The method includes tracking, by the Medicare Secondary Payer statute-compliance company, healthcare-related expenditures by the recipient. The method includes generating, by the Medicare Secondary Payer statute-compliance company, a statement of approved transactions. The method includes transmitting, by the Medicare Secondary Payer statute-compliance company, to a disability benefit provider, the statement of approved transactions.

Abstract: A method for tracking health-related spending for validation of disability benefits claims includes receiving, by a Medicare Secondary Payer statute-compliance company, from an authorization server, an identification of an approved transaction initiated by a recipient of insurance settlement funds to acquire at least one of a healthcare-related service and a healthcare-related good by a provider, the recipient authorized to receive the at least one of the healthcare-related service and the healthcare-related good from the provider. The method includes tracking, by the Medicare Secondary Payer statute-compliance company, healthcare-related expenditures by the recipient. The method includes generating, by the Medicare Secondary Payer statute-compliance company, a statement of approved transactions. The method includes transmitting, by the Medicare Secondary Payer statute-compliance company, to a disability benefit provider, the statement of approved transactions.

Abstract: A multi-parametric vital signs monitoring device configured for use as an ambulatory and a bedside monitor wherein the device can be patient-wearable and is battery powered. The monitoring device can be used with a charging cradle to provide power to the device in lieu of the battery as a power source for bedside applications, in which the cradle further serves as an intermediary device to enable a data link with a PC or other peripheral device. The monitoring device can include a wireless radio to enable bi-directional transfer of patient-related data to a separate remote station.

Abstract: An antenna array employing continuous transverse stubs as radiating elements is described, which includes an upper conductive plate structure comprising a set of continuous transverse stubs, and a lower conductive plate structure disposed in a spaced relationship relative to the upper plate structure. The upper plate structure and the lower plate structure define an overmoded waveguide medium for propagation of electromagnetic energy. For each of the stubs, one or more transverse device array phase shifters are disposed therein.

Abstract: A transverse device array phase shifter includes an overmoded waveguide structure having a top conductive broad wall surface, a bottom conductive broad wall surface and opposed first and second conductive side wall surfaces. At least one transverse device array circuit is positioned in the waveguide circuit. Each circuit comprises a generally planar dielectric substrate having a microwave circuit defined thereon, and a plurality of spaced discrete phase shifter elements. The substrate is disposed within the waveguide structure generally transverse to the side wall surfaces. A bias circuit applies a voltage to reverse bias the phase shifter elements. The transverse device array phase shifter circuit causes a change in phase of microwave or millimeter-wave energy propagating through the waveguide structure.

Abstract: A transverse device array phase shifter includes an overmoded waveguide structure having a top conductive broad wall surface, a bottom conductive broad wall surface and opposed first and second conductive side wall surfaces. At least one transverse device array circuit is positioned in the waveguide circuit. Each circuit comprises a generally planar dielectric substrate having a microwave circuit defined thereon, and a plurality of spaced discrete phase shifter elements. The substrate is disposed within the waveguide structure generally transverse to the side wall surfaces. A bias circuit applies a voltage to reverse bias the phase shifter elements. The transverse device array phase shifter circuit causes a change in phase of microwave or millimeter-wave energy propagating through the waveguide structure.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a device and method for feeding a cut loose-leaf material such as, for example tobacco, from a weight scale; dropping the tobacco into a hopper; compressing the tobacco into the desired size, shape, and density; and packaging the loose-leaf tobacco product. Packaging is accomplished by wrapping an inner foil and overwrap label around an arbor on a rotating arbor wheel. The package is constructed in various stages as the arbor wheel rotates to various positions. The inner foil is fed and wrapped around the arbor without extending the foil below the body of the package so that the foil does not form a bottom end. The foil extends above the body of the package and is folded to form a top end. An outer label having a sufficient length to extend past the top and bottom of the arbor is overwrapped about the foil innerwrap. The overwrap label extending past the bottom of the arbor is folded and glued over the foil innerwrap to form a top end to the package.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a device and method for feeding a cut loose-leaf material such as, for example tobacco, from a weight scale; dropping the tobacco into a hopper; compressing the tobacco into the desired size, shape, and density; and packaging the loose-leaf tobacco product. Packaging is accomplished by wrapping an inner foil and overwrap label around an arbor on a rotating arbor wheel. The package is constructed in various stages as the arbor wheel rotates to various positions. The inner foil is fed and wrapped around the arbor without extending the foil below the body of the package so that the foil does not form a bottom end. The foil extends above the body of the package and is folded to form a top end. An outer label having a sufficient length to extend past the top and bottom of the arbor is overwrapped about the foil innerwrap. The overwrap label extending past the bottom of the arbor is folded and glued over the foil innerwrap to form a top end to the package.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to verify proper operation of and to adjust a particulate emission detector in a system including a dust collector bag house. A by-pass apparatus is provided around the dust collector bag house which includes a conduit downstream of the inlet to said dust collector bag house and an outlet in fluid communication with a fluid outlet conduit extending from said dust collector bag house.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting and eliminating cigarettes having loose filter tips whereby the tobacco rod end of a filter cigarette is held in place and a pre-set separating force is exerted on the filter to see if the filter is secured properly to the tobacco rod; and, if not, the filter and tobacco rod are rejected. A rotatable, splitable drum assembly is provided with a first and second vacuum source and the rotatable, splitable drum assembly is splitable into first and second segments. The drum is provided with longitudinally extending grooves therein which continually extend onto the first and second segments. Each groove is sized to receive a filter tip cigarette therein and each groove is also in vacuum communication with the first and second vacuum source. The first segment of the drum is coupled with the tobacco rod end of a filter tip cigarette by the first vacuum and the second segment of the drum is coupled with the filter of the filter tip cigarette by the second vacuum.

Abstract: A packaging and conveying system for packaging a bundle of cigarettes or other smoking articles into a pre-formed pack. The system includes conveying means for conveying closed empty packs to a turret wheel having a plurality of slots wherein each slot is sized to receive an empty closed pack. Means are provided to remove the packs from the turret wheel at preselected locations in alignment with means to open the pack. The open packs are then conveyed to a bundle inserting station wherein a bundle of cigarettes are inserted into the packs. From the bundle inserting station, the packs are conveyed to a package closure means and then conveyed away to storage or further packing for shipment.

Abstract: A dispenser device for removing planar panels from a hopper is provided with a panel engagement drum located at the discharge of the hopper which includes friction surfaces at spaced apart locations around the perimeter for sequentially engaging subsequent bottom-most panels in the hopper and extracting them from the hopper as the drum continuously rotates. A positioner is engagable with disengagable from the bottom-most panel at the hopper discharge end to position the bottom-most spacer at a location to be engaged by the friction surfaces of the drum. A stop is operatively responsive with the positioner for engagement with the penultimate one of the panels for preventing the penultimate one of the panels from moving to the location of the positioner during the time period the positioner is in its panel disengaged position.