Abstract: A bow resistant semiconductor package includes a semiconductor die, a leadframe and a plastic body. The plastic body includes a molded inner member encapsulating the die, and a molded outer member encapsulating the molded inner member. The inner member rigidities the package, and is dimensioned such that the outer member has substantially equal volumes of molding compound on either side of the leadframe. The equal volumes of molding compound reduce thermo-mechanical stresses generated during cooling of the molding compound, and reduce package bow. With reduced package bow, a planarity of the terminal leads on the package is maintained. Also, stresses on bonded connections between the terminal leads and electrodes on a supporting substrate, such as a printed circuit board or multi chip module substrate are reduced.

Abstract: A bow resistant semiconductor package includes a semiconductor die, a leadframe and a plastic body. The plastic body includes a molded inner member encapsulating the die, and a molded outer member encapsulating the molded inner member. The inner member rigidities the package, and is dimensioned such that the outer member has substantially equal volumes of molding compound on either side of the leadframe. The equal volumes of molding compound reduce thermo-mechanical stresses generated during cooling of the molding compound, and reduce package bow. With reduced package bow, a planarity of the terminal leads on the package is maintained. Also, stresses on bonded connections between the terminal leads and electrodes on a supporting substrate, such as a printed circuit board or multi chip module substrate are reduced.

Abstract: A fuel injection pump system specifically designed to provide a variety of fuels, including aviation kerosene-jet fuel, arctic fuels and diesel fuels to a single cylinder compression ignited engine using a single bore fuel injection pump and governor in a single housing. The fuel injection pump system includes a housing enclosing a fuel injection pump with governor system which is attached directly to the engine casing. thereby using the engine's oil for lubrication of the fuel injection pump. The internally attached governor system enables the engine to idle smoothly at a predetermined speed and also provide high-speed protection by reducing fuel at predetermined RPM settings. A uniquely designed plunger and barrel in the fuel injection pump incorporates an anti-knock helix shaped plunger that changes the idle injection timing for sound attenuation.

Abstract: A fuel injection pump system specifically designed to provide a variety of fuels, including aviation kerosene-jet fuel, arctic fuels and diesel fuels to a single cylinder compression ignited engine using a single bore fuel injection pump and governor in a single housing. The fuel injection pump system includes a housing enclosing a fuel injection pump with governor system which is attached directly to the engine casing thereby using the engine's oil for lubrication of the fuel injection pump. The internally attached governor system enables the engine to idle smoothly at a predetermined speed and also provide high-speed protection by reducing fuel at predetermined RPM settings. A uniquely designed plunger and barrel in the fuel injection pump incorporates an anti-knock helix shaped plunger that changes the idle injection timing for sound attenuation.

Abstract: A urodynamic catheter incorporating at least one balloon adjacent a distal end thereof and associated with a pressure lumen extending to a proximal end to be placed external to the body of a patient and usable with a transducer housing including a pressure transducer and a mechanism for alternatively venting an air column defined by the assembled pressure lumen and transducer housing to the ambient environment and closing the air column and charging it with air while reducing volume of the air column. One embodiment includes two, separately-chargeable balloons and a bladder fill tube, another embodiment includes a single balloon and a fill tube, and yet another embodiment, suitable for use as a reference catheter to measure abdominal pressure, includes only a single balloon and omits the fill tube. A novel catheter architecture and assembly technique are also disclosed, as are methods of using the inventive catheter.

Abstract: A bow resistant semiconductor package includes a semiconductor die, a leadframe and a plastic body. The plastic body includes a molded inner member encapsulating the die, and a molded outer member encapsulating the molded inner member. The inner member rigidities the package, and is dimensioned such that the outer member has substantially equal volumes of molding compound on either side of the leadframe. The equal volumes of molding compound reduce thermo-mechanical stresses generated during cooling of the molding compound, and reduce package bow. With reduced package bow, a planarity of the terminal leads on the package is maintained. Also, stresses on bonded connections between the terminal leads and electrodes on a supporting substrate, such as a printed circuit board or multi chip module substrate are reduced.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for real-time rating, underwriting and policy issuance for the insurance industry. A process according to the present invention, as may be implemented via an appropriate computer environment, will include several steps in providing real-time rating, underwriting and policy issuance. Accordingly, identification information associated with a particular applicant is received. A connection is established with one or more information sources that may have data related to the applicant that may be relevant to the real-time rating and underwriting of an insurance policy for the applicant. A request for relevant data is transmitted over the respective connections. The relevant data is received from the information sources. Based upon the received relevant data, an offer of insurance is generated for the particular applicant. In some embodiments, a dynamic pricing factor may be used in generating the offer.

Abstract: A bow resistant semiconductor package includes a semiconductor die, a leadframe and a plastic body. The plastic body includes a molded inner member encapsulating the die, and a molded outer member encapsulating the molded inner member. The inner member rigidities the package, and is dimensioned such that the outer member has substantially equal volumes of molding compound on either side of the leadframe. The equal volumes of molding compound reduce thermo-mechanical stresses generated during cooling of the molding compound, and reduce package bow. With reduced package bow, a planarity of the terminal leads on the package is maintained. Also, stresses on bonded connections between the terminal leads and electrodes on a supporting substrate, such as a printed circuit board or multi chip module substrate are reduced.

Abstract: A vacuum extractor for use in childbirth is described. The vacuum extractor includes a handle and a vacuum cup with a force sensor coupled to the vacuum extractor. The force sensor measures the traction force applied between the vacuum cup and the handle for assisting the birthing attendant in applying an appropriate traction force. The force sensor may also include a slipping mechanism which causes the length of the force sensor to distinctly increase if the applied traction force exceeds a certain level such as twenty pounds. Thus, the birthing attendant may feel the slipping and thus determine that the traction force has exceeded the certain value.

Abstract: A pressure catheter for monitoring changes in pressure within the body is comprised of an outer tube containing a fluid channel and a closed air column having a pressure-compliant member which is deformable upon an increase in pressure. A change in pressure deforms the pressure-compliant member, which modifies the pressure in the air column, and is translated to a pressure sensor, which converts the pressure change data to an electrical signal recognizable by a fetal monitor. The outer tube employs a window extending along at least a portion of the side thereof for viewing of bodily fluids moving through the fluid channel from the body in which the catheter is inserted toward the proximal catheter end. The pressure catheter of the present invention is particularly suitable for intrauterine pressure monitoring during labor. Viewing of amniotic fluid through the window facilitates verification of proper catheter tip placement within the amniotic fluid space.

Abstract: A hand-held fetal vacuum extractor combines a pump and handle into a single hand-held unit. This enables a single operator, such as a doctor, to control vacuum using a vacuum pump, and apply traction to a fetus using a single hand. A handle, having a surface for gripping, is connected to a fetal vacuum cup for being suctioned onto a fetal head. A vacuum pump is connected to the handle and includes an activation surface for activating the vacuum pump. The vacuum pump is fluidly coupled to a the vacuum cup and fetal head. The grip surface of the handle and the activation surface of the pump are in such proximity, during operation, that a single human hand can simultaneously grasp the grip surface and contact the activation surface.

Abstract: The fetal contact cup portion of a fetal vacuum cup has an inside surface which, when applied to a fetal head, defines a fetal contact chamber with the fetal head. One end of a tube is attached to the fetal contact cup such that vacuums within the tube are applied within the fetal contact cup. The other end of the tube can be connected with a vacuum source and with a handle. The tube has a very small average outside diameter compared with conventional fetal vacuum tubes. Thus the fetal vacuum cup is less intrusive during insertion and is more easily maneuverable, especially when the fetus is malpresenting in, for example, the high occipitoposterior or high occipitolateral positions. The average outside diameter of the tube may be, for example, less than 150 mils and has a finger grip that compression fits into a recess defined by the outer surface of the fetal contact cup for a lower profile and easy positioning of the fetal contact cup onto the flexion point of the fetal head.

Abstract: A pressure catheter for monitoring changes in pressure within the body is comprised of an outer hollow tube containing a fluid channel and a closed air column having a pressure-compliant member which is deformable upon an increase in pressure. A change in pressure deforms the pressure-compliant member, which modifies the pressure in the air column, and is translated to a pressure sensor which converts the pressure change data to an electrical signal recognizable by a fetal monitor. The pressure catheter of the present invention is particularly suitable for intrauterine pressure monitoring during labor.

Abstract: A food handling conveyor apparatus includes a sound detection system for detecting the presence of a foreign object, such as a stone, among food product being conveyed. The apparatus includes a generally elongated vibratory conveyor bed along which food products are conveyed, with at least one discharge gate positioned at one end of the conveyor bed. An actuator is operatively connected to the discharge gate for effecting movement thereof between closed and open positions. A sound detection system of the apparatus, preferably including one or more directional microphones, is positioned in operative association with the conveyor bed and functions to differentiate between the sound of food product being conveyed, and the sound of a foreign object. The sound detection system is operatively connected with the actuator for the discharge gate, and effects opening of the discharge gate in timed relationship to detection of a foreign object so that the object is moved out of the food product stream.

Abstract: A pressure catheter for monitoring changes in pressure within the body is comprised of an outer tube containing a fluid channel and a closed air column having a pressure-compliant member which is deformable upon an increase in pressure. A change in pressure deforms the pressure-compliant member, which modifies the pressure in the air column, and is translated to a pressure sensor, which converts the pressure change data to an electrical signal recognizable by a fetal monitor. The outer tube employs a window extending along at least a portion of the side thereof for viewing of bodily fluids moving through the fluid channel from the body in which the catheter is inserted toward the proximal catheter end. The pressure catheter of the present invention is particularly suitable for intrauterine pressure monitoring during labor. Viewing of amniotic fluid through the window facilitates verification of proper catheter tip placement within the amniotic fluid space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a device, wherein said method and device includes a plurality of thermoelectric coolers with independent temperature feedback control loops monitors and controls the temperature of a device. One thermoelectric cooler coupled to the package of the device maintains a desired temperature of the package by utilizing a first independent control loop. A second thermoelectric cooler coupled to the device maintains a desired temperature of the device by utilizing a second independent control loop. The operating temperature of the package of the device is maintained as the temperature of the environment varies.

Abstract: A disposable uterine manipulator including a pivotable tip support at the distal end of an elongated insertion rod for carrying a manipulator tip assembly, the tip support being rotatable by a manual drive at the proximal end of the insertion rod via a drive linkage to effectuate a range of rotation of the tip support of at least greater than 90.degree. anteversion and at least greater than 30.degree. retroversion. The manual drive may be an articulated linkage, a belt drive, or an axle drive. Several designs for a manipulator tip assembly including a balloon and a dye injection passage are also disclosed.

Abstract: A disposable uterine manipulator including a pivotable tip support at the distal end of an elongated insertion rod for carrying a manipulator tip assembly, the tip support being rotatable by a manual drive at the proximal end of the insertion rod via a drive linkage to effectuate a range of rotation of the tip support of at least greater than 90.degree. anteversion and at least greater than 30.degree. retroversion. The manual drive may be an articulated linkage, a belt drive, or an axle drive. Several designs for a manipulator tip assembly including a balloon and a dye injection passage are also disclosed.

Abstract: In order to correct for misregistration of solder pads in multilayer board (MLB) panels and determine drill target locations through vertical stacks of the solder pads, a fixture is prepared with fixture holes arranged in a pattern that corresponds with the locations of fiducial pads that are located on the MLB panel. The fixture has tooling pins that engage with tooling holes in the MLB panel to hold the MLB panel in an absolute position relative to the fixture. An x-ray inspection system views the superimposed image of a selected fixture hole and a corresponding fiducial pad that is visible within the boundary of the fixture hole. A software routine is then used to compute the offset between the fixture hole and the fiducial pad. The process is then repeated for the remaining sample of fixture holes and fiducial pads. The results are then fitted and then sent to a drilling machine to determine a position for the drilled holes in the MLB panel that compensates for the misregistration of the solder pads.

Abstract: A vehicle foot pedal actuator device is adapted for both depressing a vehicle foot pedal and returning the pedal to its normal position. The actuator device includes a variable length extension assembly adapted to be connected between the vehicle driver's seat and the pedal to be actuated. A drive arrangement is adapted for extending and retracting the extension assembly, and a control system having a moveable remote control unit is adapted for controlling the operation of the actuator from various positions around the vehicle where maintenance and repair work may be performed. The extension assembly preferably includes an elongated extension housing tube adapted to receive an elongated extension member that may be extended and retracted in a telescoping fashion to vary the length of the assembly.