Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is a multichannel receiver. The multichannel receiver includes a first channel circuit of N channel circuits. The first channel circuit includes a band pass (BP) filter and a gain control (GC) feedback circuit configured to adjust a signal provided by the BP filter with respect to a reference voltage.

Abstract: In a Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET), nested weighted round robin queues are employed to selectively provide channel access for traffic according to a priority or Quality of Service (QoS) for data. By nesting queues within other queues, and applying a weighted round robin technique to serve each queue, relatively arbitrary service metrics may be achieved including nodal QoS for class-based traffic, avoidance of queue starvation, and so forth. Prioritized queues may also be provided for preemptive delivery of high priority traffic.

Abstract: In a Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET), Dynamic Data Link Segmentation and Reassembly (SAR) functions perform a large packet to small packet transformation and reassembles packets at a receiving node. The packet size is determined dynamically in response to link quality data for each individual data link. By periodically sharing link quality information with neighbors, the segmentation size and corresponding reassembly can be performed using readily available neighborhood and waveform information.

Abstract: In a Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET), multi-metric information is gathered and applied to a cost-based route calculation. In particular, each node gathers resource metrics from neighboring of nodes, along with data rate and reliability information for data links to and from the node. This information is applied to a costing algorithm such as Dykstra' Open Shortest Path First algorithm to obtain routes through the network. This approach may be adapted with suitable modifications to use with unicast traffic or with a multicast forwarding group.

Abstract: In a Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET), each node calculates a bandwidth output value representative of data output requirements for the node relative to the transmit time slots available to the node. This value is shared with other nodes in the MANET and may be employed to more efficiently allocate channel usage among nodes as traffic demands and network topology change.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method to schedule network communications in a network having nodes connected by links includes sending a bandwidth value of a first node for each link connected to the first node to neighbors of the first node, receiving bandwidth values from the neighbors of the first node; and determining node weight values of the first node and the neighbors of the first node based on the bandwidth values received from the neighbors of the first node and the bandwidth value of the first node. The method also includes sending the node weight values of the first node to the neighbors of the first node, receiving the node weight values from the neighbors of the first node, determining access values for each node based on a fair access technique and determining network scheduling based on the access values and the node weight values.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is a multichannel receiver. The multichannel receiver includes a first channel circuit of N channel circuits. The first channel circuit includes a band pass (BP) filter and a gain control (GC) feedback circuit configured to adjust a signal provided by the BP filter with respect to a reference voltage.

Abstract: A device and method for mapping, diagnosing and treating the intestinal tract is provided using a capsule passing through the intestinal tract. Further, a capsule tracking system is provided for tracking a capsule's location along the length of an intestinal tract as various treatment and/or sensing modalities are employed. In one variation, an acoustic signal is used to determine the location of the capsule. A map of sensed information may be derived from the pass of a capsule. Capsules may be subsequently passed through to treat the intestinal tract at a determined location along its length. One variation uses an electrical stimulation capsule to treat and/or diagnose a condition in the intestinal tract.

Abstract: A device and method for mapping, diagnosing and treating the intestinal tract is provided using a capsule passing through the intestinal tract. Further, a capsule tracking system is provided for tracking a capsule's location along the length of an intestinal tract as various treatment and/or sensing modalities are employed. In one variation, an acoustic signal is used to determine the location of the capsule. A map of sensed information may be derived from the pass of a capsule. Capsules may be subsequently passed through to treat the intestinal tract at a determined location along its length. One variation uses an electrical stimulation capsule to treat and/or diagnose a condition in the intestinal tract.

Abstract: A device and method for mapping, diagnosing and treating the intestinal tract is provided using a capsule passing through the intestinal tract. Further, a capsule tracking system is provided for tracking a capsule's location along the length of an intestinal tract as various treatment and/or sensing modalities are employed. In one variation, an acoustic signal is used to determine the location of the capsule. A map of sensed information may be derived from the pass of a capsule. Capsules may be subsequently passed through to treat the intestinal tract at a determined location along its length. One variation uses an electrical stimulation capsule to treat and/or diagnose a condition in the intestinal tract.

Abstract: A multi-lumen, multi-purpose cardiac catheter which incorporates optical filaments and an optical coupler for use with external apparatus for determining the oxygen concentration in the blood of a patient under critical care conditions, as well as incorporating therein a thermal element useable with a second external apparatus for measurement of continuous cardiac output. A thermal plug provides an interface between a temperature control apparatus and the thermal element to simply and accurately monitor and control the temperature of the thermal element. A temperature monitoring circuit in the thermal plug facilitates temperature measurement at the thermal element. The catheter also includes a thermistor and at least one injectate port for enabling the user to also conduct thermal dilution readings and obtain intermittent measurements of cardiac output. The combination of a thermal dilution catheter with a SV0.sub.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting thermal drift in cardiac output measurements based upon a temperature signal indicative of the change in temperature of blood leaving the heart is disclosed. In a first preferred embodiment of a cardiac output monitoring system (10), the catheter (14) is provided with an electrical resistance heater (22). An electrical current having a sinusoidal waveform with a period of from 30 to 60 seconds is applied to the heater, causing power to be dissipated into the blood within a patient's heart (12). A temperature sensor (24) disposed near a distal end of the catheter produces a signal indicative of the temperature of blood leaving the heart. The temperature signal and the signal corresponding to the electrical power dissipated in the heater (an input signal) are filtered at a frequency .omega.n corresponding to the frequency of the applied electrical current, i.e., the frequency of the input signal.

Abstract: A multi-lumen, multi-purpose cardiac catheter which incorporates optical filaments and an optical coupler for use with external apparatus for determining the oxygen concentration in the blood of a patient under critical care conditions, as well as incorporating therein a thermal element useable with a second external apparatus for measurement of continuous cardiac output. The thermal element is disposed at a necked down portion of the catheter at the distal end thereof, with at least one of the lumens of the catheter substantially compressed at the necked down portion thereof. The catheter also includes a thermistor and at least one injectate port for enabling the user to also conduct thermal dilution readings and obtain intermittent measurements of cardiac output. The combination of a thermal dilution catheter with a SVO.sub.

Abstract: A method of using a heated catheter for monitoring cardiac output. Displaced from a distal end of a heated catheter (30) is a resistive heater (39) that heats blood flowing within a heart muscle (10). The resistive heater is mounted on the catheter so that when the catheter is inserted into the heart, the resistive heater is disposed in the right ventricle. A temperature sensor (34) is disposed downstream of the resistive heater, in or proximate the pulmonary artery during use. The temperature of the resistive heater is monitored using the temperature sensor to prevent the temperature from exceeding a predetermined level. A differential amplifier (40, 70) provides an electrical current to the resistive heater that varies as a function of the difference between the temperature of the resistive heater, measured by a temperature sensor (35), and a predetermined temperature. In another embodiment of the invention, a resistive heater (90) has a resistance that varies with temperature.

Abstract: A multi-lumen, multi-purpose cardiac catheter which incorporates optical filaments and an optical coupler for use with external apparatus for determining the oxygen concentration in the blood of a patient under critical care conditions, as well as incorporating therein a heater coil useable with a second external apparatus for measurement of continuous cardiac output. The catheter also includes a thermistor and at least one injectate port for enabling the user to also conduct thermal dilution readings and obtain intermittent measurements of cardiac output. The combination of a thermal dilution catheter with a SVO.sub.2 catheter and a continuous cardiac output catheter gives the multi-purpose catheter above described substantial versatility as well as providing the user with a versatile cardiac catheter device which enables him to conduct multiple evaluations of disparate blood-related parameters which require the use of separate apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting thermal drift in cardiac output measurements based upon a temperature signal indicative of the change in temperature of blood leaving the heart is disclosed. In a first preferred embodiment of a cardiac output monitoring system(10), the catheter(14) is provided with an electrical resistance heater (22). An electrical current having a sinusoidal waveform with a period of from 30 to 60 seconds is applied to the heater, causing power to be dissipated into the blood within a patient's heart (12). A temperature sensor (24) disposed near a distal end of the catheter produces a signal indicative of the temperature of blood leaving the heart. The temperature signal and the signal corresponding to the electrical power dissipated in the heater (an input signal) are filtered at a frequency .omega. corresponding to the frequency of the applied electrical current, i.e., the frequency of the input signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to topical aromatic releasing compositions substantially free from petrolatum and containing one or more volatile aromatic compounds selected from the group consisting of menthol, camphor and eucalyptus oil and mixtures thereof. In further embodiments, these compositions contain one or more topical actives, and are also useful for providing relief from symptoms associated with respiratory disorders.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously monitoring cardiac output based upon the phase shift between an input signal and a temperature signal indicative of the change in temperature of blood leaving the heart. In a first preferred embodiment of a cardiac output monitoring system (10), a catheter (14) is provided with an electrical resistance heater (22). An electrical current having a sinusoidal wave form with a period of from 30 to 60 seconds is applied to the heater, causing power to be dissipated into the blood within a patient's heart (12). A temperature sensor (24) disposed near a distal end of the catheter produces a signal indicative of the temperature of blood leaving the heart. The temperature signal and the signal corresponding to the electrical power dissipated in the heater (an input signal) are filtered at a frequency .omega. corresponding to the frequency of the applied electrical current, i.e., the frequency of the input signal.

Abstract: A heated catheter for monitoring cardiac output. Displaced from a distal end of a heated catheter (30) is a resistive heater (32) that heats blood flowing within a heart muscle (10). The resistive heater is mounted on the catheter so that when the catheter is inserted into the heart, the resistive heater is disposed in the right ventricle. A temperature sensor (34) is disposed downstream of the resistive heater, in or proximate the pulmonary artery during use. A differential amplifier (40, 70) provides an electrical current to the resistive heater that varies as a function of the difference between the temperature of the resistive heater, measured by a temperature sensor (35), and a predetermined temperature. In another embodiment of the invention, a resistive heater (90) has a resistance that varies with temperature. The resistive heater comprises one arm of a bridge circuit (85).

Abstract: A method for compensating the determination of cardiac output for a baseline blood temperature drift, or other long-term noise. The method is applicable to the continuous monitoring of cardiac output, which is carried out by modifying the temperature of blood within a heart (12) using a periodically varying electrical current that is applied to a heater (22) disposed on the outer surface of a catheter (14) inserted within the heart. A temperature sensor (24) disposed near a distal end (18) of the catheter monitors the temperature of blood leaving the heart, producing a blood temperature signal that periodically varies in a manner corresponding to the input signal. Alternatively, the temperature of blood within the heart can be modified by heat exchange with a fluid circulated within a heat exchanger (16) on the catheter, so that heat is transferred between the fluid and blood.