Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer is provided for implanting an electrical stimulation lead to enable electrical stimulation of nerve tissue. The introducer includes an outer sheath and an inner penetrator. The outer sheath may accommodate insertion of the electrical stimulation lead and may be inserted into a human body near the nerve tissue. The inner penetrator is removably housed within the outer sheath and includes an inner channel configured to accommodate a guide wire, a tip end having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the guide wire, a body region having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the outer sheath, and one or more transition regions substantially connecting the tip end with the body region. At least a portion of the transition regions of the inner penetrator may flex to substantially follow flexures in the guide wire during advancement of the inner penetrator.

Abstract: A dilution control device and method of operating the same. The dilution control device can include a structure for dispensing concentrate and diluent fluid in a desired dilution ratio utilizing volumetric dosing. In some embodiments, diluent fluid drives a wheel or compresses a pliable concentrate bag in order to dispense concentrate in the desired ratio with the diluent fluid. In some embodiments, one or more floats can be used to drive a pump or actuate a valve to dispense concentrate at a particular rate proportional with the flow rate of the diluent fluid. In some embodiments, a rocker is responsive to the flow of diluent fluid to pump concentrate. In some embodiments, the dilution control device can be operable to automatically modulate the dispense rate of concentrate when the diluent fluid flow rate is varied in order to maintain a predetermined dilution ratio.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating piezoelectric switches are disclosed. A piezoelectric switching system includes a first actuator, a second actuator, and a bias voltage source. The first actuator has a first body electrode, a first gate electrode, and a first contact region. The second actuator has a second body electrode, a second gate electrode, and a second contact region. The first and second contact regions are separated by a gap. The bias voltage source applies a bias voltage to the body electrodes. The bias voltage is lower in magnitude than an actuation voltage for the switch. The gate electrodes receive a switching voltage. The switching voltage causes at least one of the first and second actuators to bend, thereby closing the gap such that the second contact region electrically contacts the first contact region. The difference between the switching voltage and the bias voltage exceeds the actuation voltage of the switch.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser and method of operating the same. The fluid dispenser can include a wheel driven by diluent passing along a flow path in the fluid dispenser. The wheel can be connected to a pump to pump fluid from a reservoir for dispense into the diluent. In some embodiments, the ratio of wheel rotations to pump cycles is selected to provide a desired and repeatable dilution ratio of concentrated fluid to diluent. The fluid dispenser can be portable and/or disposable, and in some embodiments is adapted for installation on an upper rim of a reservoir wall. Also, the fluid dispenser can be provided with a baffle limiting the velocity and impact of incoming diluent to the wheel driving the pump, thereby improving dosing accuracy of the dispenser in some embodiments.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer is provided for implanting an electrical stimulation lead to enable electrical stimulation of nerve tissue. The introducer includes an outer sheath and an inner penetrator. The outer sheath may accommodate insertion of the electrical stimulation lead and may be inserted into a human body near the nerve tissue. The inner penetrator is removably housed within the outer sheath and includes an inner channel configured to accommodate a guide wire, a tip end having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the guide wire, a body region having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the outer sheath, and one or more transition regions substantially connecting the tip end with the body region. At least a portion of the transition regions of the inner penetrator may flex to substantially follow flexures in the guide wire during advancement of the inner penetrator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer is provided for implanting a paddle style electrical stimulation lead to enable electrical stimulation of nerve tissue. The introducer includes an outer sheath and an inner penetrator. The outer sheath may accommodate insertion of the paddle style electrical stimulation lead. The inner penetrator is removably housed within the outer sheath and includes an inner channel configured to accommodate a guide wire, a tip end having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the guide wire, a body region having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the outer sheath, and one or more transition regions substantially connecting the tip end with the body region. At least a portion of the transition regions of the inner penetrator may flex to substantially follow flexures in the guide wire during advancement of the inner penetrator.

Abstract: A sound attenuating system is provided for pneumatically powered surgical instruments. In one aspect, the exhaust hose is formed of at least two dissimilar materials to impede the transmission of vibrations or audible noise. In an alternative form, the exhaust hose has proximal and distal portions of dissimilar internal diameters.

Abstract: A method of forming the active region of an optoelectronic device incorporating semiconductor quantum dots whose ground state emission occurs at wavelengths beyond 1350 nm at a temperature of substantially 293 K is provided by forming a first layer of quantum dots covered by a spacer layer with strained areas extending there through. The spacer layer then forms a template upon which quantum dots of an active layer may be formed with a surface with a surface density and formation that is influenced by the underlying first layer of quantum dots. This allows a choice of growth parameters more favourable to the formation of quantum dots in the active layer emitting at long wavelengths with a narrow inhomogeneous broadening. As an example, the active layer of quantum dots may be formed at a lower temperature than the first layer of quantum dots.

Abstract: A sound attenuating system is provided for pneumatically powered surgical instruments. In one aspect, the exhaust hose is formed of at least two dissimilar materials to impede the transmission of vibrations or audible noise. In an alternative form, the exhaust hose has proximal and distal portions of dissimilar internal diameters.

Abstract: A support rack for a plastic container having a content in excess of 1.5 gallons of liquid. Two or more support members extend from a wire body section, for engagement with apertures in the plastic container. A connecting section extends between the support members of first sides thereof, and supporting sections extend from second sides thereof for connection to a suspending support member. In one embodiment the support members are U-shaped and in another embodiment they are finger members. The support rack can be connected to the suspending support member in a stationary or swivel manner or can be part of a rolling cart.

Abstract: A support rack for a plastic container having a content in excess of 1.5 gallons of liquid. Two or more support members extend from a wire body section, for engagement with apertures in the plastic container. A connecting section extends between the support members of first sides thereof, and supporting sections extend from second sides thereof for connection to a suspending support member. In one embodiment the support members are U-shaped and in another embodiment they are finger members. The support rack can be connected to the suspending support member in a stationary or swivel manner or can be part of a rolling cart.

Abstract: The bellows in the stroke control valve of a variable stroke axial piston wobble plate refrigerant compressor is partially filled with an anti-freeze solution and continuously exposed to both suction pressure and crankcase pressure. This has the effect of reducing the piston stroke at high compressor speeds while increasing suction pressure to maintain some air conditioning performance.