Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter comprises a method and system for producing cleaning and/or sanitizing solutions using a replaceable cartridge system. Particularly, the consumables needed to electrochemically or chemically produce the cleaning and/or sanitizing solutions can be supplied in a cartridge in a quantity measured to last for the chosen design life of the cartridge. Alternatively, the cartridge can comprise cleaning and/or sanitizing precursors that can be pre-prepared and supplied in a highly concentrated form.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooking food, such as meat, protein, vegetable, or soup is disclosed. In one embodiment, the food items are supplied in a flexible polymer package that can withstand the temperature needed to cook the item. The cooking apparatus has two cooking surfaces in the form of heated platens, which may be arranged in a vertical orientation. These platens come together to simultaneously contact both sides of the food item. The cooking apparatus further includes a controller, configured to prepare the food using various control system algorithms. The apparatus cooks the food item from both sides to affect rapid and even cooking. It uses a combination of temperature, time, food thickness, platen force and a cooking code that is unique for each food type. The control system algorithm uses some or all of these parameters to determine precisely when the food item is cooked correctly.

Abstract: An apparatus for compensating for fluid contraction in a hydraulic powered telescoping boom may include a monitor determining the elevation angle of the telescoping boom, a supply of hydraulic fluid, and a fluid control responsive to the monitor. The fluid control provides the hydraulic fluid from the supply to a hydraulic cylinder controlling extension of the telescoping boom when the elevation angle exceeds a predetermined threshold angle to compensate for thermal contraction of hydraulic fluid and thus prevent uncommanded boom retraction. A method in accordance with the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bed comprises a mattress supported on a support surface. The mattress has first and second inflatable cells for supporting a patient.

Abstract: A modular electric motor. The modular motor includes a plurality of mechanically and electrically coupleable stator sections and mechanically coupleable housing sections. At least one stator section has conductors extending longitudinally therethrough for generating a magnetic field to impart rotative motion in a rotor. A given motor may be assembled to a variety of desired lengths by mechanically and electrically coupling the appropriate number of motor sections. This facilitates construction of a desired horsepower motor for a given application.

Abstract: A bed comprises a mattress supported on a support surface. The mattress has first and second inflatable cells for supporting a patient.

Abstract: A bed comprises a mattress supported on a support surface. The mattress has first and second inflatable cells for supporting a patient.

Abstract: A bed comprises a mattress supported on a support surface. The mattress has first and second inflatable cells for supporting a patient.

Abstract: A bed configured to support a patient having a weight comprises a frame, a patient support, and a plurality of sensors coupled between the frame and the patient support. Each of the plurality of sensors is configured to generate an analog signal in response to a portion of the weight of the patient on the patient support. The bed also comprises a circuit coupled to the plurality of sensors to receive the analog signals therefrom. The circuit includes a plurality of analog-to-digital converters, each analog-to-digital converter being coupled to one of the sensors to generate a separate digital signal for each of the plurality of sensors, and a processor coupled to the plurality of analog-to-digital converters to determine the weight of the patient on the patient support.

Abstract: A bed configured to support a patient having a weight comprises a frame, a patient support, and a plurality of sensors coupled between the frame and the patient support. Each of the plurality of sensors is configured to generate an analog signal in response to a portion of the weight of the patient on the patient support. The bed also comprises a circuit coupled to the plurality of sensors to receive the analog signals therefrom. The circuit includes a plurality of analog-to-digital converters, each analog-to-digital converter being coupled to one of the sensors to generate a separate digital signal for each of the plurality of sensors, and a processor coupled to the plurality of analog-to-digital converters to determine the weight of the patient on the patient support.

Abstract: A patient care bed with a patient weighing system having a first frame having a series of support units attached at designated locations and a second frame supported by the support units. The support units each having a load cell which senses a part of the weight supported by a second frame.

Abstract: A bed for supporting a patient having a seat panel and a back panel coupled together by a joint assembly that allows the panels to rotate about an axis coincident with the patient's hip joint.

Abstract: A bed comprises an inflatable mattress supported on a platform of articulable links by a support system mounted on a weigh frame. The weigh frame is supported on a base frame supported relative to a floor. A pneumatic system includes a platform-mounted blower directing air through passageways in the articulable links. An exhaust passageway parallels the pressure passageway for exhausting opposite the blower. Air flow into and out of air cells in the mattress are controlled by valves coupling the pressurized air chamber and exhaust chamber to cell ports. A connector assembly is used to couple the cells to the platform, to adjacent cells, and to tubes connected to other cells. An alternative pneumatic system includes fans distributed on the platform in association with sets of mattress cells. A footboard assembly is formed as two gates that swing out from the foot of the bed. Each gate has a storable tray that is positionable on either side of the gate.

Abstract: A fuse holder (2) for use in electrical apparatus includes a tubular body (6) having outer and inner ends (10, 16). A first electrical contact element (22) and a mounting flange (8) are secured to the inner and outer ends, preferably using resilient retaining rings (53, 68) engaging circular grooves (52, 20; 62, 20) formed in the opposed surfaces. A tubular second electrical contact element (32) is secured within the tubular body and preferably has a flexible electrical terminal strap (24) which extends out through an opening (23) formed in the tubular body. Fluid-tight seals are provided between the inner surface (14) of the tubular body and the outer surfaces (46, 58, 30) of the first and second electrical contact elements and the mounting flange assembly by using pairs of O-rings (38, 50 and 70); an adhesive (39) is also used to secure these elements to the body.

Abstract: A fuse holder (2) for use in electrical apparatus includes a tubular body (6) having outer and inner ends (10, 16). A first electrical contact element (22) and a mounting flange (8) are secured to the inner and outer ends, preferably using resilient retaining rings (53, 68) engaging circular grooves (52, 20; 62, 20) formed in the opposed surfaces. A tubular second electrical contact element (32) is secured within the tubular body and preferably has a flexible electrical terminal strap (24) which extends out through an opening (23) formed in the tubular body. Fluid-tight seals are provided between the inner surface (14) of the tubular body and the outer surfaces (46, 58, 30) of the first and second electrical contact elements and the mounting flange assembly by using pairs of O-rings (38, 50 and 70); an adhesive (39) is also used to secure these elements to the body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for regulating the growth of living tissue are provided. The apparatus includes a deformable magnetic field generator and a magnetic field detector for producing a controlled, fluctuating, directionally oriented magnetic field parallel to a predetermined axis projecting through the target tissue. The deformable magnetic field generator includes a pair of field coils embedded in a flexible material which allows the field coils to be plastically deformed to fit the contour of a body region such as a patient's limb. The field detector samples the magnetic flux density along the predetermined access and provides a signal to a microprocessor which determines the average value of the flux density. The applied magnetic field is oscillated at predetermined frequencies to maintain a preselected ratio of frequency to average flux density.

Abstract: Insulation tubing (66) having adjustable dimensions is disclosed. The insulation tubing has an outer tubular wall that defines a central opening for receiving the core (4) and windings (8) of a partially assembled toroidal transformer. The wall is formed by preformed sections (44, 62) of electrical insulating material (10-20). The preformed sections have overlapping surfaces that are slidably positioned relative to one another. In this way, the extent of the surfaces that overlap can be changed to alter the size of the opening such that conductive windings (8) of various sizes and configurations can be accommodated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for regulating tissue growth in vivo are provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic field generator and a magnetic field detector for producing a controlled, fluctuating, directionally oriented magnetic field parallel to a predetermined axis projecting through the target tissue. The field detector samples the magnetic flux density along the predetermined access and provides a signal to a microprocessor which determines the average value of the flux density. The applied magnetic field is oscillated at predetermined frequencies to maintain a preselected ratio of frequency to average flux density. This ratio is maintained by adjusting the frequency of the fluctuating magnetic field and/or by adjusting the intensity of the applied magnetic field as the composite magnetic flux density changes in response to changes in the local magnetic field to which the target tissue is subjected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for therapeutically treating stroke is provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic field generator for producing a controlled, fluctuating, directionally oriented magnetic field parallel to a predetermined axis projecting through the patient's cerebral tissue. In one aspect, a field detector measures the magnetic flux density along the predetermined axis. The applied magnetic field may comprise a full-wave rectified signal oscillated at predetermined frequencies to maintain a preselected ratio of frequency to the effective flux density, where the ratio maintains tissue viability and reduces edema by controlling ion electrolyte balance. This ratio is maintained by adjusting the frequency of the fluctuating magnetic field and/or by adjusting the intensity of the applied magnetic field after nulling out the local magnetic field at that region containing the target cerebral tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for therapeutically treating cancer is provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic field generator for producing a controlled, fluctuating, directionally oriented magnetic field parallel to a predetermined axis projecting through a malignant neoplasm. In one aspect, a field detector measures the magnetic flux density along the predetermined axis. The applied magnetic field may comprise a full-wave rectified signal oscillated at predetermined frequencies to maintain a preselected ratio of frequency to the effective flux density, where the ratio regulates the growth characteristics of cancer cells of the neoplasm. This ratio is maintained by adjusting the frequency of the fluctuating magnetic field and/or by adjusting the intensity of the applied magnetic field after nulling out the local magnetic field at that region containing the neoplasm.