Abstract: A soft-sided portable receptacle for use in vehicles, or elsewhere, having a leak proof interior liner and structural support. The receptacle having a reinforced upper rim portions to allow for closure of the receptacle using a closure means. The waste receptacle having foldable reinforced side rims to allow for folded or expanded configuration. The soft-sided receptacle having fastener means attached to the exterior of the receptacle intended to fasten an external disposable plastic liner within the interior of the receptacle. The soft-sided portable receptacle may be comprised of a downward facing hook or clip, or alternative fastener mechanisms. The fastener mechanism configured along the exterior perimeter of the receptacle may be removable, rotatable, and permits height adjustment to retain disposable plastic liners of varying sizes. The soft-sided portable waste receptacle may be of varying shapes and sizes, having exterior fastener means attached on opposite sides of the receptacle.

Abstract: A soft-sided portable receptacle for use in vehicles, or elsewhere, having a leak proof interior liner and structural support. The receptacle having a reinforced upper rim portions to allow for closure of the receptacle using a closure means. The waste receptacle having foldable reinforced side rims to allow for folded or expanded configuration. The soft-sided receptacle having fastener means attached to the exterior of the receptacle intended to fasten an external disposable plastic liner within the interior of the receptacle. The soft-sided portable receptacle may be comprised of a downward facing hook or clip, or alternative fastener mechanisms. The fastener mechanism configured along the exterior perimeter of the receptacle may be removable, rotatable, and permits height adjustment to retain disposable plastic liners of varying sizes. The soft-sided portable waste receptacle may be of varying shapes and sizes, having exterior fastener means attached on opposite sides of the receptacle.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide an enclosure for a metal-air battery assembly for an extended wear hearing aid. The enclosure includes a diffusion control element having a dimensional property configured for controlling oxygen and moisture diffusion into the metal-air battery assembly to maintain a minimum battery voltage when the hearing aid is operating and worn in an ear canal of a user over an extended period. In an embodiment, the enclosure can comprise a shell with a base end having an opening therein forming a cavity within the shell and a base cap for covering the opening of the base end. A diffusion element is disposed on the base cap. In an embodiment, the diffusion element comprises a laser drilled precision micro hole having an aspect ratio of least about four and a diameter in the range of about 10 to 15 microns.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide an enclosure for a metal-air battery assembly for an extended wear hearing aid. The enclosure includes a diffusion control element having a dimensional property configured for controlling oxygen and moisture diffusion into the metal-air battery assembly to maintain a minimum battery voltage when the hearing aid is operating and worn in an ear canal of a user over an extended period. In an embodiment, the enclosure can comprise a shell with a base end having an opening therein forming a cavity within the shell and a base cap for covering the opening of the base end. A diffusion element is disposed on the base cap. In an embodiment, the diffusion element comprises a laser drilled precision micro hole having an aspect ratio of least about four and a diameter in the range of about 10 to 15 microns.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide an enclosure for a metal-air battery assembly for an extended wear hearing aid. The enclosure includes a diffusion control element having a dimensional property configured for controlling oxygen and moisture diffusion into the metal-air battery assembly to maintain a minimum battery voltage when the hearing aid is operating and worn in an ear canal of a user over an extended period. In an embodiment, the enclosure can comprise a shell with a base end having an opening therein forming a cavity within the shell and a base cap for covering the opening of the base end. A diffusion element is disposed on the base cap. In an embodiment, the diffusion element comprises a laser drilled precision micro hole having an aspect ratio of least about four and a diameter in the range of about 10 to 15 microns.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide an enclosure for a metal-air battery assembly for an extended wear hearing aid. The enclosure includes a diffusion control element having a dimensional property configured for controlling oxygen and moisture diffusion into the metal-air battery assembly to maintain a minimum battery voltage when the hearing aid is operating and worn in an ear canal of a user over an extended period. In an embodiment, the enclosure can comprise a shell with a base end having an opening therein forming a cavity within the shell and a base cap for covering the opening of the base end. A diffusion element is disposed on the base cap. In an embodiment, the diffusion element comprises a laser drilled precision micro hole having an aspect ratio of least about four and a diameter in the range of about 10 to 15 microns.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide an enclosure for a metal-air battery assembly for an extended wear hearing aid. The enclosure includes a diffusion control element having a dimensional property configured for controlling oxygen and moisture diffusion into the metal-air battery assembly to maintain a minimum battery voltage when the hearing aid is operating and worn in an ear canal of a user over an extended period. In an embodiment, the enclosure can comprise a shell with a base end having an opening therein forming a cavity within the shell and a base cap for covering the opening of the base end. A diffusion element is disposed on the base cap. In an embodiment, the diffusion element comprises a laser drilled precision micro hole having an aspect ratio of least about four and a diameter in the range of about 10 to 15 microns.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a canal hearing device and method in which the device is implemented with a mode of operation that provides acoustic transparency as well as a power-saving function, permitting the user to wear the device in the ear canal during periods of sleep or inactivity without substantial loss of normal unaided response. The transparent mode has an in-situ acoustic transfer function that compensates for the insertion loss caused by the presence of a hearing device in the ear canal. While the device is in this transparent mode, its acoustic transfer function gives the user a perception of unaided hearing, as though the device were removed, when it is actually being worn continuously in the ear canal. Current drain of the device is significantly reduced as the transparent mode serves to shut off or reduce bias currents of at least one circuit element within device circuitry.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide an enclosure for a metal-air battery assembly for an extended wear hearing aid. The enclosure includes a diffusion control element having a dimensional property configured for controlling oxygen and moisture diffusion into the metal-air battery assembly to maintain a minimum battery voltage when the hearing aid is operating and worn in an ear canal of a user over an extended period. In an embodiment, the enclosure can comprise a shell with a base end having an opening therein forming a cavity within the shell and a base cap for covering the opening of the base end. A diffusion element is disposed on the base cap. In an embodiment, the diffusion element comprises a laser drilled precision micro hole having an aspect ratio of least about four and a diameter in the range of about 10 to 15 microns.

Abstract: A miniature battery assembly for canal hearing devices is constructed of a cylindrically elongated metal shell having oval cross section. The elongated oval design offers superior volumetric utilization and energy capacity in the ear canal when compared with conventional button cell designs. In a preferred embodiment, the battery assembly is comprised of an elongated anode can with an inward bottom ledge holding a cathode cup. The anode can is tapered on the top and oval in cross section for fitting optimally in the bony part of the ear canal. The hearing device incorporating the battery assembly is disposable to be discarded upon depletion of the electrical energy of the battery assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a radioactive portion of a wire at one or more positions within the lumen of a guide catheter, such as for intravascular radiotherapy, are disclosed. The method and the apparatus provide for better positioning the radioactive portion in light of bunching of the wire within the lumen during insertion. A computerized controller uses a monitoring device to control an afterloader's insertion and withdrawal of the wire into the guide catheter. The guide catheter includes a sensor at its distal end, the sensor being an electrical contact having conductive surfaces exposed within the lumen and outside the guide catheter. The wire is electrically conductive, and is configured to come into contact with the sensor's conductive surface within the lumen when the wire is fully inserted into the lumen. The monitoring device includes one lead connected to the wire and a second lead connected to the subject's body.