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.

Abstract: Ohmic contacts are formed on an n-type gallium arsenide semiconductor by applying a layer of nickel to a contact surface of the semiconductor, bombarding the nickel layer with a beam of germanium ions to drive nickel and germanium atoms into the contact area of the semiconductor, annealing the semiconductor by means of lamp annealing techniques, and then forming a layer of gold to at least a portion of the irradiated nickel layer to facilitate connection of an electrical conductor thereto. Tellerium may be used in place of germanium for n-type semiconductors. For p-type gallium arsenide semiconductors, ohmic contacts may be formed by bombarding a nickel layer with either zinc or copper ions.

Abstract: In a projectile scoring system including a transmitter for illuminating the projectile and a plurality of spaced apart sensors providing signals indicative of the time of arrival of the reflected energy at each of the sensors, timing apparatus including counters activated by the sensor signals and deactivated simultaneously at a predetermined later time. The differences between the counts being utilized in a computer to calculate the position of the projectile relative to the sensors.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and controlling the operation of a plurality of fluid dispensers, such as gasoline pumps or the like in a self-service gasoline station is disclosed. The system includes an operating console that may be located in a station building and has electronic displays, dispenser selecting push buttons and a keyboard including numeric and functional switches, all of which an operator can use to control the operation of the system. A mode select switch permits operation of the system in various modes, selected ones of which permit an operator to obtain various period totals of both volume and cost, to control normal postpay or prepay dispensing transactions, check inventory as well as set or reset the cost per volumetric unit, among other operations. The system can include electronic displays at the gasoline pump and permit price setting of the fluid product from the console.

Abstract: A digital diagnostic system employs signature analysis for locating faults at the system, module, or circuit component level in electronic equipment. Predetermined correct signatures and diagnostic decision tree information for a particular device under test are stored in system memory. The diagnostic system exercises the device under test to generate signatures which are obtained at various predetermined test points and electronically compared with a stored signature. From the diagnostic decision tree information, a troubleshooting sequence is automatically established which leads directly to a faulty module or component. In-circuit microprocessor emulation may be utilized to generate one or more of the signature signals.

Abstract: A waveform measuring and display instrument includes a random access data memory bank consisting of four similar data memory parts, which can be configured or organized as one single memory section, two individual half sections, or four individual sections. Each part has an input port coupled by a multiplexer to any one of a plurality of waveform data acquisition plug-in units. During data acquisition, a controller includes a direction memory which sets the multiplexer to establish a connection of the signal inputs to the memory parts. The direction memory is written by the processor in accordance with the setting of a user operated control means for selection of the memory configuration. A CRT display unit is connected to a display port for reading the data memory. A logical address is employed by processor and display unit for any given memory section to identify the desired logical memory location starting from a logical zero reference. The data memory unit includes an offset register for each part.