Abstract:
Surgical sponges and other articles are provided with machine-readable information which provides a serial number or other unique identification of the sponge. In addition, the machine-readable information will provide the type of article and/or a characteristic visual motif associated with the article. That way, by scanning in the machine-readable information from the sponges or other articles prior to a procedure, the computer or other digital processor can determine which articles may be missing after the procedure and alert the surgical team as to the type and/or characteristic visual motif of the missing article.
Abstract:
A delta-sigma converter has coarse and fine ADCs, wherein an integrated error signal is coupled to the coarse ADC whose output drives a DAC to create feedback that achieves loop balance. The coarse ADC provides the most significant bits of the result. The integrated error signal is also applied to a fine ADC whose output bits are not incorporated into the feedback, but which are combined with those of the coarse ADC and the combination applied to a filter that averages the hunting that represents loop balance. A DC feed forward circuit shunts the integrator with a replica of the applied input signal to apply it to the coarse ADC through a summer, allowing its output to be just the integrated error signal without including the applied input. If continuous integration is used, an AC feed forward circuit provides a compensatory voltage that is removed from the integrator output (or alternatively, is added to its input) and that corrects for a frequency dependent error.
Abstract:
An ankle support, particularly for in-line skates, which includes a base support that wraps about the users heel and a spaced upper support which wraps about the user's leg. The upper and base supports are fixedly joined by a plurality of struts. At least one stop secured to either the upper support or the struts abuts a stop on the base support to provide a hard stop for maximum braking.
Abstract:
A three-wheeled vehicle having a front body member carrying front wheel seat, hand pedals and leg supports pivotally connected to a rear body member carrying the rear wheels and handlebar. The front body member includes a seat for the operator and pedals to be operated by the rider's hands. The seat, pedals, front wheel and leg supports are maintained in a fixed relationship whereby pivoting of the front frame portion simultaneously pivots the seat, pedals, drive line and front wheel to maintain said fixed relationship while turning and supplying power to the front wheel. A stabilizing dampener between front and rear frame sections provides smooth steering and inhibits undesired, inadvertent, side to side movement of the rider's body and thereby repetitive back and forth turning of the vehicle.