Abstract:
An apparatus for optimizing a patient's insulin dosage regimen over time, comprising: at least a first computer-readable memory for storing data inputs corresponding at least to one or more components in a patient's present insulin dosage regimen and the patient's blood- glucose-level measurements determined at a plurality of times; a processor operatively connected to the at least first computer-readable memory, the processor programmed at least to determine from the data inputs corresponding to the patient's blood-glucose-level measurements determined at a plurality of times whether and by how much to vary at least one of the one or more components of the patient's present insulin dosage regimen in order to maintain the patient's future blood-glucose-level measurements within a predefined range; and a display operative to display information corresponding to at least the patient's present insulin dosage regimen.
Abstract:
A method for reducing the risk of neurological injury to a neonatal human child includes the steps of: (I) monitoring in a pregnant patient during labor at least a first set of parameters indicative of a present level of risk for neurological injury to the child as a fetus; (II) during the period between a cervical dilatation of 10cm in the patient and delivery of the child and/or during at least the first 5 minutes following delivery of the child, determining a present level of risk for neurological injury to the child based on the at least first set of parameters at a given point in time during labor that is between a cervical dilatation of 10cm in the patient and delivery of the child, and wherein the determined present level of risk corresponds to one of a plurality of predetermined levels of predicted risk for neurological injury to the child as a neonate; and (III) commencing monitoring the child for one or more postnatal parameters indicative of neurological injury or its onset within the first 5 minutes following delivery of the child, and/or performing one or more measures for treating the child for neurological injury or its onset within the first 60 minutes following delivery of the child.
Abstract:
A method for decontaminating a biologically contaminated fluid, comprising the steps of: providing a substrate comprising an open-cell foam at least substantially coated with a solution consisting essentially of an organo-functional silane-based quarter-nary ammonium salt at a concentration of between approximately 0.10 percent to approximately 3.7 percent in water; at least substantially drying said solution on said substrate; placing said coated substrate in a container; introducing into said container a fluid to be decontaminated; and agitating the container for a period of time sufficient to substantially biologically decontaminate said fluid.
Abstract:
A system facilitating access to a vehicle when the main battery is incapable of supplying sufficient power for actuating the vehicle's power locks. The system comprises an access device for identifying an authorized user of the vehicle; means positioned in the vehicle for authenticating the remote access device; means positioned in the vehicle for placing the power locks in one of a locked or an unlocked state following authentication of the remote access device by the authenticating means; means positioned in the vehicle for transferring power from an external power supply to the authenticating means and to the means for placing the power locks in a locked or an unlocked state; and an external power supply connectable to the power transferring means to supply power for powering the authenticating means and the means for placing the power locks in a locked or an unlocked state to thereby effect authentication of the remote access device and unlocking/locking the vehicle.
Abstract:
A magnetic field switch, comprising: A housing defining an interior space containing (a) a first permanent magnet, (b) a Hall Effect sensor, and (c) a switch device connected to the Hall Effect sensor and having a switching status varying in accordance with magnetic induction at the Hall Effect sensor; and a push-button reciprocally movably associated with the housing, the push-button including a second permanent magnet associated therewith, the push-button having a neutral position and an applied position. The first and second permanent magnets are spaced apart with the Hall Effect sensor and the switch device disposed therebetween. The first and second magnets have poles of the same polarity facing one another. The first and second permanent magnets each generate a magnetic field, the opposing magnetic fields meeting at a boundary region in the space between the first and second permanent magnets. In the neutral position of the push-button, the boundary region is positioned immediately above the Hall Effect sensor. In the applied position of the push-button, the boundary region passes through and activates the Hall Effect sensor.
Abstract:
A vehicle door latch assembly includes a latch lever connectable to a latch mechanism, a latch rod coupled to the latch lever, and a door handle operative to effect movement of the latch rod to unlatch the latch mechanism via actuation of the latch lever. The latch rod is configured so as to attenuate vertical motion of the latch rod in response to a sufficient force associated with a side-impact event. In one embodiment, the latch rod has a first member operatively connected to the door handle, and a second member pivotally connected to the first member. The second member is coupled to the latch lever, and the-second member is pivotally movable with the latch lever laterally in a direction away from the first member in response to a sufficient force associated with a side-impact event.
Abstract:
A cam slider and punch apparatus, comprising: a lower cam; an extension member comprising a main body portion having a length extending along a longitudinal axis between opposite first and second ends, the extension member being movably mountable on the lower cam proximate the first end, and terminating proximate the second end in a mounting face for supporting a work tool; and an upper cam having a length extending along a longitudinal axis between opposite first and second ends, the upper cam being movably mounted on the extension member. The lower cam, upper cam and extension member comprise co-acting inclined surfaces whereby movement of the extension member is effected by relative movement between the upper cam and the lower cam. The upper cam includes at least first and second guides movably mounted on the extension member proximate at least the first and second ends of the extension member, the at least first and second guides being disposed proximate at least the first and second ends of the upper cam. The at least first and second guides are disposed in planes that are each oriented non-perpendicular relative to the longitudinal axis of the extension member.
Abstract:
A method of operating a channel induction furnace to process a feed material and obtain therefrom at least one of a molten metal product, a vapor phase metal product and a slag product The method involves the use a variety of feed materials that contribute to the molten metal product and/or the vapor phase metal product and/or the slag product and /or function as a binder for briquetting or pelletizing the feed material
Abstract:
A surgical retractor tool includes an atraumatic device, and anchor, and a connector coupled at a first end to the atraumatic device and coupled at a second, opposite end to the anchor. The atraumatic device is transformable between a transition configuration, in which the atraumatic device is characterized by a substantially linear shape, and a deployed configuration, in which the atraumatic device is characterized by a non-linear shape. The non-linear shape is configured to releasably engage a first anatomical portion of a patient. The anchor is configured to be releasably secured to a second anatomical portion of the patient. In the transition configuration, the surgical retractor tool is characterized by a substantially linear shape defined along a longitudinal axis extending from an end of the anchor to an end of the atraumatic device.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for reducing the risk of neurological injury to a human fetus during labor and before are disclosed, which include the steps of: (1) identifying during labor the risk of neurological injury to a fetus by, conducting an analysis of fetal blood to determine at least a first base excess (BE) value for the fetus; (2) determining a multiple of the median for the BE value at the first period in time, wherein a risk of neurological injury to the fetus is indicated when the BE value is a predefined multiple of a median BE value; and (3) treating the fetus for which the risk of neurological injury is, by intervening in labor to reduce or eliminate the risk of neurological injury to the fetus through any conventional therapeutic measures.