Abstract: An apparatus and method for terminating atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmias by delivering a voltage pulse to an electrode arrangement that efficiently terminates the tachyarrhythmia. In one embodiment, a voltage pulse is impressed between an electrode located in the coronary sinus and an electrode located lo within the superior vena cava or right atrium which is also coupled to an extravascular electrode. In another embodiment, a voltage pulse is impressed between an electrode located within the right ventricle and electrodes located within the coronary sinus and the superior vena cava that are also coupled to an extravascular electrode.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a device, system and method for determining the characteristics of deep tissue. The novel method includes measuring blood flow rate and oxygenation characteristics of the tissue, and determining oxygen metabolism of the tissue as a function of the measure blood flow rate and measure oxygenation. The blow flow rate characteristics are measured as a function of light fluctuations caused by the tissue, while the oxygenation characteristics are measured as a function of transmission of light through the tissue with respect to the wavelength of light. The tissue may be layered tissue, for example, a portion of a brain. The tissue characteristics may be measured during times of varying levels of exercise intensity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method and system for optimizing the efficiency of an automotive catalytic converter by adjusting the engine air/fuel ratio based on estimates of the actual amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst. The oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst is adjusted by controlling engine spark in response to an estimate of a current amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst and an estimate of the total available oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst. To maintain engine speed in spite of adjustments to the engine spark, the engine air mass is also adjusted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method and system for optimizing the efficiency of an automotive catalytic converter by adjusting the engine air/fuel ratio based on estimates of the actual amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst. An available oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst is determined by establishing an oxidant set point location, i.e., a location in the catalyst about which the system controls the oxidant storage. The oxidant set point is established based on the temperatures of the different potential set point locations and the levels of deterioration of the different potential set point locations, as well as the oxidant storage capacity of the emission control device system.

Abstract: A method for dynamically allocating system resources is provided. The method initiates with identifying a goal associated with a corresponding partition of a resource being configured according to a first configuration. The method includes establishing a mathematical function yielding a value associated with the goal. Once a violation of the goal is detected due to a changing workload, alternative configurations are evaluated to meet the goal under the changing workload. Then, a highest ranked one of the alternative configurations is selected and substituted for the first configuration.

Abstract: A fluid sprayer system using a modulated hydraulic control valve and a positive displacement pump to control the amount of fluid sprayed by the system. The modulated hydraulic control valve may be controlled using pulse width modulation and may be provided with a substantially constant source of hydraulic fluid. The pulse width modulated hydraulic control valve provides the hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic motor as a controlled flow. The controlled flow serves to control the hydraulic motor that controls a positive displacement pump. The position displacement pump is used to control the amount of fluid sprayed by the system. The control system changes the signal to the control valve so as to mitigate pressure changes otherwise caused by said positive displacement pump.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering anti-tachycardia pacing is disclosed. A cardiac rhythm management device, such as an implantable pacemaker having anti-tachycardia pacing capability, delivers anti-tachycardia pacing therapy in accordance with an anti-tachycardia pacing protocol upon detection of a terminable arrhythmia. The anti-tachycardia pacing is delivered as a burst of one or more pacing pulses at a specified coupling interval after a sensed ventricular polarization. By sensing if an evoked potential occurs, the device can determine whether or not the anti-tachycardia pacing burst has captured the ventricle and can adjust the coupling interval and/or other parameters accordingly.

Abstract: A solid electrolytic capacitor with improved ESR before and after mounting on a circuit board is obtained by forming a cathode on a dielectric layer using a conductive polymer, especially an intrinsically conductive polymer. The polymer is then coated with graphetized carbon by dipping in a suspension thereof. After drying, the carbon is infused and coated at least once with a second conductive polymer layer before a conductive paint such as “dipping silver” is applied and the capacitor encapsulated by a transfer molding process. The application of a second conductive polymer layer improves the ESR by filling voids in the carbon layer and improves adhesion of the carbon.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to the use of a biologically compatible composition, containing an effective amount of a metal-independent nitroxide compound which is preferably represented by the formula wherein R1 is —CH3; R2 is —C2H5, —C3H7, —C4H9, —C5H11, —C6H13, —CH2—CH(CH3)2, —CHCH3C2H5, or —(CH2)7—CH3, or wherein R1 and R2 together form spirocyclopentane, spirocyclohexane, spirocycloheptane, spirocyclooctane, 5-cholestane, or norbornane, R3 is —O. or —OH, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, as antioxidants capable of protecting cells, tissues, organs, and whole organisms against the deleterious effects of harmful free radical species generated during oxidative stress.

Abstract: A fluid sprayer system using a modulated hydraulic control valve and a positive displacement pump to control the amount of fluid sprayed by the system. The modulated hydraulic control valve may be controlled using pulse width modulation and may be provided with a substantially constant source of hydraulic fluid. The pulse width modulated hydraulic control valve provides the hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic motor as a controlled flow. The controlled flow serves to control the hydraulic motor that controls a positive displacement pump. The position displacement pump is used to control the amount of fluid sprayed by the system. The control system changes the signal to the control valve so as to mitigate pressure changes otherwise caused by said positive displacement pump.

Abstract: A process for isolating flaw sites in the dielectric of solid electrolytic capacitor comprising immersing a conductive polymer impregnated capacitor in an electrolyte solution, and then alternately subjecting the conductive polymer impregnated capacitor to a high voltage and a low voltage; wherein the high voltage is between about 10 volts and 50 volts, and the low voltage is between about 0 volts and the voltage corresponding to 90% of the anodization voltage for pellets anodized at less than 20 volts, or the voltage at which the current drops to 50% of the peak voltage current for pellets anodized at voltages greater than or equal to 20 volts. The period of time at or above the anodization voltage is relatively short to prevent damaging the dielectric film.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to the use of a biologically compatible composition, containing an effective amount of a metal independent nitroxide compound which is preferably represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is --CH.sub.3 ; R.sub.2 is --C.sub.2 H.sub.5, --C.sub.3 H.sub.7, --C.sub.4 H.sub.9, --C.sub.5 H.sub.11, --C.sub.6 H.sub.13, --CH.sub.2 --CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2, --CHCH.sub.3 C.sub.2 H.sub.5, or --(CH.sub.2).sub.7 --CH.sub.3, or wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together form spirocyclopentane, spirocyclohexane, spirocycloheptane, spirocyclooctane, 5-cholestane, or norbornane, R.sub.3 is --O. or --OH, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, as antioxidants capable of protecting cells, tissues, organs, and whole organisms against the deleterious effects of harmful oxygen-derived species generated during oxidative stress.