Abstract: An abnormality detection device for an internal combustion engine capable of performing abnormality detection with accuracy, and an air/fuel ratio control apparatus for an internal combustion engine capable of performing air/fuel ratio control with accuracy. An estimated value of the amount of intake air at a valve closing time at which an intake value is closed, is computed. The in-cylinder air/fuel ratio in a cylinder is computed by using the estimated value. The obtained in-cylinder air/fuel ratio is used as an input air/fuel ratio to identify a parameter in a primary delay element. Determination as to the existence/nonexistence of an abnormality in a pre-catalyst sensor (A/F sensor) is made on the basis of the obtained parameter.

Abstract: To provide a multi-wire saw that, at the start of cutting of an ingot, prevents a wire from being displaced in grooves of guide rollers due to the wire being lifted. A wire is wound around a plurality of wire guide rollers to be positioned in a feeding direction of an ingot, and in this state, a wire-lifting restraining member that is a body of rotation and restrains the wire from being lifted by being brought into contact with the wire is disposed near the wire guide rollers.

Abstract: The present invention is a slicing method and a wire saw apparatus including winding a wire around a plurality of grooved rollers and pressing the wire against an ingot to be sliced into wafers while supplying a slurry for slicing to the grooved rollers and causing the wire to travel in a reciprocating direction, in which the ingot is sliced with controlling a temperature of the ingot by supplying a slurry for adjusting an ingot temperature to the ingot independently from the slurry for slicing while the slurry for adjusting an ingot temperature is supplied to the ingot only at the exit side of the wire caused to travel in the reciprocating direction. As a result, there is provided a method and a wire saw apparatus in which rapid cooling of an ingot especially in a time close to end of slicing of the ingot can be alleviated, consequently degradation of a nano-topography can be suppressed, and further high-quality wafers having a uniform thickness can be sliced when slicing the ingot by using a wire saw.

Abstract: A flameless portable heater comprising a reducing agent, a promoter and a binding agent formed into a flexible substrate having a desired shape. The reaction is oxygen-based; an alkaline electrolyte. A method of making an oxygen-based flameless portable heater apparatus.

Abstract: An extractor hood includes a housing with a fan disposed therein and an extraction opening for the entry of fumes into the extractor hood on the bottom of the extractor hood. The extractor hood has an air outlet gap on the top of the extractor hood in the edge region of the extractor hood. The air outlet gap is adjacent to a surface that is arched in the direction of the bottom of the extractor hood.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a double burner for gas hot plates with concentric flame crowns, provided with a deflector partition (100) situated in front of the outlet of each axial Venturi mixing chamber (6a) designed to deflect the mixture laterally in the two directions and downwards until it passes through an opposite pair of openings (101) astride each deflector partition (100), through which the mixture reaches the corridors (11) that feed the holes (103) from which the external flames (FE) emanate.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a solar energy collection system that includes an array of collectors to track movements of the sun, each collector having a plurality of reflector panels, a support structure that supports the reflector panels, wherein the support structure supports the reflector panels in a manner that defines a trough, a pair of reflective side walls and a trough aperture suitable for receiving incident sunlight during operation of the collector, a plurality of solar receivers, each solar receiver being positioned generally adjacent an edge of an associated trough and including at least one photovoltaic cell, wherein the reflector panels are arranged to direct incident sunlight towards the solar receivers using a single reflection during operation of the collector, and a tracking mechanism to rotate the collector about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to track movements of the sun and direct incident sunlight along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A solar canopy connector system for attaching a solar power array to a Zee channel, including: an anchor member for affixing to a top portion of a Zee channel and for resting against the bottom portion of two solar power arrays; a planar step section; a riser section; and an angled kick section for hooking an edge portion of a Zee channel.

Abstract: A method for producing hot water and a device especially for carrying out the method are provided. The method utilizes combined heat resources of solar energy and heat pump in the manner of heating water at multiple stages and accumulating energy. The device comprises solar energy collector, heat pump, electrical heater, water tank, and control unit. The device also includes water-heating tanks with multiple stages. A heating means with multiple stages at different temperatures is formed either by the solar energy collector or by the collector and the heat pump. The outputting end of the two or more heating stages constituted by the solar energy collector or by the collector and the heat pump is connected through ducts to the corresponding water-heating tanks. A predetermined amount of produced water heated at multiple stages is respectively stored in the water-heating tanks.

Abstract: A portable stove having combustion chamber for solid fuel, with a fuel inlet and an exhaust outlet; and a chimney stack demountably connected to the exhaust outlet and in fluid communication with the combustion chamber, the chimney stack in its demounted state being wholly stowable within the stove body.

Abstract: Lignocellulosic biomass materials are fractionated by dissolving at least a portion of the lignocellulosic material in an ionic liquid and separating the resulting mixture into a cellulose-enriched fraction and/or a lignin-enriched fraction. The cellulose-enriched fraction contains about 10 percentage points more glucose than the weight percent glucose contained in the original lignocellulosic biomass material. In certain embodiments, the lignin-enriched fraction includes a lignin content that is 5 percentage points greater than the weight percent lignin present in the original lignocellulosic material. The techniques used to isolate the cellulose-enriched fractions and/or the lignin-enriched fractions from the ionic liquid mixture do not employ environmentally unfriendly solvents.

Abstract: A process for converting wet cellulosic biomass to at least one sugar, such as glucose. The process comprises treating the wet cellulosic biomass with a strong acid at a temperature no greater than 40° C., wherein the acid is present in an amount of at least 10 moles per mole of monomeric sugar present in the wet cellulosic biomass. The acid then is neutralized partially, and the cellulose is hydrolyzed to the at least one sugar at a temperature of at least 60° C. Such process provides improved yields of sugar from cellulose.

Abstract: A method may include dispensing a dose of an inhalable compound according to a dosing instruction set; and maintaining a hands-free article for dispensing the inhalable compound in an operable dispensing position.

Abstract: Systems comprising a pressurized delivery device and a formulation of cyclosporine coupled to an exhalation filter or trap that is capable of preventing cyclosporine from escaping into the local environment are provided. An apparatus for use in the system comprises either an exhalation filter and a pressurized delivery device, wherein the exhalation filter is capable of providing high filter efficiency and maintaining low filter resistance after usage with the formulation, or a trap which provides a means for expired gas to be released into a solvent chamber containing a solvent with a high affinity for cyclosporine. These systems may be used to treat patients with pulmonary disorders, organ transplant patients such as lung transplant patients, and other immune-related disorders.

Abstract: A respiratory triple swivel manifold is provided which has a base port, which is coupled to a central body. The central body has two laterally-positioned arms, and each arm has a lateral port. Each base port and each lateral port has an inner sleeve which is movable relative to its port. The manifold also has a proximal port coupled to the central body, which may or may not have a rotatable inner sleeve. At least one of the arms and its respective lateral port is positioned at an angle in a range of greater than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees relative to the central body. Desirably, the base port, the central body and its arms and their respective ports form a Y-shape. The proximal port may intersect the Y-shaped manifold. The base port includes a ramp to direct an object moved through one port into a passageway of the manifold and through the base port to an endotracheal tube without folding, twisting or bunching of any portion of the object within the manifold.

Abstract: Intubation is a potentially dangerous invasive procedure with many plausible errors, such as over-inflation of a cuff and insertion of an intubation tube in the wrong lumen, potentially resulting in a patient's internal bleeding, suffocation, or even death. An intubation aide according to example embodiments of the present invention allows intubation of a patient, while eliminating potential injury to the patient, increasing accuracy and reliability of the placement of the intubation tube, and drastically decreasing procedural time. Within moments of insertion of the device into a patient, the medical caregiver knows, with complete certainty, the location of the intubation device without applying traditional time-consuming tasks. Embodiments also provide patient safety, if intubated for a prolonged periods, by regulating an inflation pressure of the cuff. The intubation aide can also be used for training purposes and is ideal for intubation in hospital and field settings.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are described that include accepting an indication of a bioactive agent-dispensing inhalation device and presenting an indication of an artificial sensory experience at least partially based on accepting an indication of a bioactive agent-dispensing inhalation device.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are described that include accepting an indication of a bioactive agent-dispensing inhalation device and presenting an indication of an artificial sensory experience at least partially based on accepting an indication of a bioactive agent-dispensing inhalation device.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are described that include accepting an indication of at least one health-related condition and presenting an indication of at least one artificial sensory experience and an indication of at least one inhalation therapy at least partially based on the accepting at least one indication of a health-related condition.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are described that include accepting at least one indication of use of an inhalation device configured to dispense a bioactive agent to an individual and presenting at least one artificial sensory experience to monitor at least one desired effect of the bioactive agent on the individual.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are described that include monitoring at least one health attribute of an individual during an artificial sensory experience, associating a characteristic of the artificial sensory experience with the at least one health attribute of the individual, and modifying at least one of an inhalation device-dispensed bioactive agent or the artificial sensory experience at least partially based on associating a characteristic of the artificial sensory experience with the at least one health attribute of the individual.

Abstract: A method may include dispensing a dose of an inhalable compound according to a dosing instruction set; and maintaining a hands-free article for dispensing the inhalable compound in an operable dispensing position.

Abstract: A system includes an anesthetic agent container. The system also includes an adapter including a spout with a first end and a second end mounted on the container. The spout has a flow path extending between the first end and the second end, and a valve is disposed in the flow path, the valve being rotatable between a first position wherein flow is prevented through the adapter and a second position wherein flow is allowed through the adapter.

Abstract: An indicating device suitable for indicating the number of dosages of a substance that have been dispensed from or remain in a container includes at least one first indicator member incrementally moveable to a plurality of positions and a second indicator member moveable in response to a predetermined number of movements of the at least one first indicator member. The at least one first indicator member includes primary dosage indicia adapted to indicate the number of dosages of substance that have been dispensed from or remain in the container. The second indicator member includes secondary dosage indicia adapted to indicate that less than a minimum predetermined number of dosages of substance remain in the container. In one preferred embodiment, the primary dosage indicia are configured as numerical indicia and the secondary dosage indicia are configured as color indicia.

Abstract: Nasal formulations of metoclopramide, which remain stable and/or colorless upon storage over a period of time, are provided. Also provided are methods of treating disorders treatable with metoclopramide, comprising administering the nasal solutions to patients in need thereof.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are described that include accepting an indication of at least one health-related condition and presenting an indication of at least one artificial sensory experience and an indication of at least one inhalation therapy at least partially based on the accepting at least one indication of a health-related condition.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are described that include detecting in an exhalant at least one indication of bioactive agent use by an individual and altering at least one artificial sensory experience at least partly based on the at least one indication of bioactive agent use by an individual.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are described that include accepting at least one indication of use of an inhalation device configured to dispense a bioactive agent to an individual and presenting at Least one artificial sensory experience to monitor at Least one side effect of the bioactive agent on the individual.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are described that include measuring at least one effect of an inhalation device-dispensed bioactive agent and artificial sensory experience on an individual and modifying at least one of the inhalation device-dispensed bioactive agent or the artificial sensory experience at least partially based on the at least one effect.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are described that include measuring at least one effect of an inhalation device-dispensed bioactive agent and artificial sensory experience on an individual and modifying at least one of the inhalation device-dispensed bioactive agent or the artificial sensory experience at least partially based on the at least one effect.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are described that include accepting an indication of a schedule for administration of an inhalation device-dispensed bioactive agent to an individual and presenting an indication of an artificial sensory experience at least partly based on the accepting an indication of the schedule for administration of the inhalation device-dispensed bioactive agent to the individual.

Abstract: A method may include dispensing a dose of an inhalable compound according to a dosing instruction set; and maintaining a hands-free article for dispensing the inhalable compound in an operable dispensing position.

Abstract: A method may include dispensing a dose of an inhalable compound according to a dosing instruction set; and maintaining a hands-free article for dispensing the inhalable compound in an operable dispensing position.

Abstract: A method may include dispensing a dose of an inhalable compound according to a dosing instruction set; and maintaining a hands-free article for dispensing the inhalable compound in an operable dispensing position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inhalation-activatable device for administration of medicament in powder form to the respiratory system of a patient.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a portable self contained ventilating appliance, including an interface device coupled to at least one of an oral cavity or nasal cavity of a user, a ventilation device physically extending from the interface and configured to deliver pressurized air to the user through the interface, and a sensor monitoring system coupled to the interface and the ventilation device and configured to monitor the user.

Abstract: A method of humidifying a gas that includes supplying a gas to a surface of a humidification material that readily absorbs moisture and readily releases moisture when exposed to a dry environment and generating turbulence in the gas as it passes over the surface of the humidification material.

Abstract: A device, system and method is provided for dispersing an aerosol formulation comprising a medicament. The device may be useful in administering inhaleable vaccines and the like. The device designed for low cost and applicability to a multitude of patient populations. The device has a spacer (10) is suitable for use with a wide range of aerosolized formulations, particularly powders. The spacer (10) may be an expandable volume spacer (10). The spacer (10) may also be used with other inhalation aids (80). The spacer (10) may include a multi-purpose outlet (40) for use with different groups within the target patient population.

Abstract: A CPAP device and method are provided. The CPAP device includes an inspiratory reservoir, a positive pressure air source, and a pressurizing device. The inspiratory reservoir is fluidically connectable with at least one breathing orifice of a user. The positive pressure air source is fluidically connectable to the inspiratory reservoir. The pressurizing device is movable from a first position to a second position by releasing stored potential energy. During movement to the second position the pressurizing device applies a generally constant pressure to gas contained in the inspiratory reservoir. The pressurizing device is both movable towards the first position and augmentable in stored potential energy by pressure from exhalation air from the user.

Abstract: A protective cover for preventing entry of particulate matter into a delivery hose of a respiratory device includes a filter member having a peripheral edge portion. The filter member is composed of a filter material having a mesh size capable of preventing the particulate matter to pass therethrough. The protective cover further includes a support member having an inner edge portion and an outer edge portion. The inner edge portion of the support member is attached to the peripheral edge of the filter member, such that, the support member circumferentially surrounds the filter member. Furthermore, the protective cover includes a securing member attached to the outer edge portion of the support member, such that, the securing member circumferentially surrounds the support member. The securing member is capable of gripping an end portion of the delivery hose of the respiratory device.

Abstract: A sponge-type and cone shape invention, acting as particle filters and mounting on the inside of the nose cavity of a person or that of an animal. specially design for people or animals with problems related to airborne particles like dust,pollen and other elements, that can affect the respiratory system negatively, or if used as a two part unit invention to serve the purpose of the use of ointments and other medicated substances. the invention been a sponge type nose filters easy to breath through and easy to discharge.

Abstract: A respiratory mask includes a mask frame, a cushion and a retaining element. The retaining element is embedded within the cushion and is configured to secure the cushion to the mask frame. Forehead pads can be positioned in the mask frame and be adjustable independent of one another and with respect to the mask frame.

Abstract: A self-centering tube for providing an air passageway through an opening in a tracheal wall of a patient includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and a curve along a length of the shaft. At least the distal end and the curve are sized for passage through the opening into an interior space of the trachea of the patient. The proximal end of the shaft has a greater rigidity than the distal end. The tube includes an inflatable cuff at the distal end. Upon inflation, the cuff forms a seal between the shaft and an interior wall of the trachea, thereby permitting at least the low rigidity distal end of the shaft to self-center within the trachea.

Abstract: A respiratory manifold is provided which has a base port that is coupled to a central body. The central body has at least one laterally-positioned arm having a port. The base port includes a bridge to guide an object moved through one port into the body of the manifold and through the base port to a tracheal tube without folding, twisting, bunching or buckling of any portion of the object within the manifold.

Abstract: A fixing plaster (10) for fixing tubes, hoses or catheters, in particular a tube-fixing plaster (10) for fixing endotracheal tubes in particularly user-friendly form.

Abstract: It is intended to prevent a pelvic organ from slipping out of the body by pushing up the organ having slipped out or just before slipping out. A device for preventing and treating pelvic organ prolapse characterized by comprising a convex push-up member which is made of a flexible material showing a pressing force toward a pelvic organ prolapse site of a wearer and in which the surface to be in contact with the pelvic organ is coated with a coating sheet, or a concave member which is made of a flexible material receiving the pelvic organ prolapse site and in which the surface to be in contact with the pelvic organ is coated with a coating sheet, and a means of holding the convex push-up member or the concave member for tightly pressing the convex push-up member or the concave member to the pelvic organ prolapse site of the wearer as described above.

Abstract: The invention describes methods and apparatus for creating permanent occlusion of body lumens such as the fallopian tubes. The methods and apparatus use non-surgical approaches to deliver permanent implants which create acute occlusion of desired body lumens which resolve to permanent occlusions of the lumens.

Abstract: Apparatus for lifting and supporting the lower leg and foot of a seated patient comprising a heel or an ankle support adapted to fit beneath the patient's heel or ankle, lifting means for raising said support, and in which the support is releasable from the lifting means.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implant for a palate, in particular a human palate. The implant comprises a proximal portion, a distal portion and a middle portion. The proximal portion is dimensioned in such a way that it can be fixed to a hard palate. The distal portion is arranged at an angle in relation to the proximal portion and is dimensioned in such a way that it can be accommodated completely in a soft palate. The middle portion extends between the proximal portion and the distal portion. In a sectional plane extending through the proximal portion and the distal portion, the curvature of the middle portion at each of its points is greater than the curvature of the proximal portion at each of its points and greater than the curvature of the distal portion at each of its points.

Abstract: A sterile adaptor, a sterile drape with the integrated sterile adaptor, and a telerobotic surgical system including the sterile drape with a drape interface are provided. The adaptor, drape, and system allow for draping portions of a telerobotic surgical system to maintain a sterile barrier between the sterile surgical field and the non-sterile robotic system while also providing an interface for transferring mechanical and electrical energy and signals between a robotic arm and a surgical instrument in the sterile field.