Instantaneous ultrasonic echo measurement of bladder volume with a limited number of ultrasound beam
US Patent 7,749,165
July 6, 2010
An apparatus and methods to quantify the volume of urine in a human bladder with a limited number of acoustic beams is disclosed. In a first version a plurality of narrow ultrasound beams is transmitted in different directions towards the bladder. Returning echoes are converted to digital form and stored in memory. A volume display on the apparatus allows to define the optimal apposition of the transducer assembly. Signal processing software automatically determines the bladder Depth D and Height H and computes the volume of urine. In a second version, a single wide angle ultrasound beam transducer transmits ultrasounds signals at a fundamental frequency to quantify the urine volume. Return signals originating from a depth beyond the usual position of the posterior wall depth of a filled bladder are analyzed for presence of higher harmonic signals, which in turn are related to the presence or absence of urine.
Coagulant-enhanced pre-filtration system
US Patent 7,749,391
July 6, 2010
A system and method is disclosed for pre-treating water to remove substantial amounts of particulates prior to filtration. A coagulant, such as chitosan is mixed with turbid water and adheres to particulate matter to form large clumps. The water/coagulant mixture is placed in a first reservoir elevated above a second reservoir having a strip of porous material, such as polyester felt, positioned with one end in the first reservoir and another end above the second reservoir and preferably below the waterline in the first reservoir. A middle portion of the porous material is elevated above the first and second ends, but at a height relative to the waterline of the first reservoir that is equal or less than the height water will rise in the porous material due to capillary action.
3D ultrasound-based instrument for non-invasive measurement of amniotic fluid volume
US Patent 7,744,534
June 29, 2010
A hand-held 3D ultrasound instrument is disclosed which is used to non-invasively and automatically measure amniotic fluid volume in the uterus requiring a minimum of operator intervention. Using a 2D image-processing algorithm, the instrument gives automatic feedback to the user about where to acquire the 3D image set. The user acquires one or more 3D data sets covering all of the amniotic fluid in the uterus and this data is then processed using an optimized 3D algorithm to output the total amniotic fluid volume corrected for any fetal head brain volume contributions.
Binocular indirect ophthalmoscope fixation light
US Patent 7,744,219
June 29, 2010
A binocular indirect opthalmoscope assembly and fixation light system is disclosed for easily directing the patient’s line of sight in a direction that places the optic nerve and surrounding vessels in the center of the examiner’s view. The fixation system includes two fixation light assemblies that may be mounted onto the binocular indirect opthalmoscope assembly and activated by a motion sensor.
Tandem four-wheel vehicle
US Patent 7,743,864
June 29, 2010
One embodiment of the invention is a multi-purpose vehicle having a frame, a suspension secured to the frame, four wheels tires secured to the suspension, and handlebars for steering the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a straddle mount seat secured to the frame with seating positions for a driver and a passenger of the vehicle. The seating position for the passenger is located rearward on the vehicle relative to the seating position of the driver. The vehicle also has foot and hand positions for the passenger. Optionally, the vehicle includes a backrest and armrests for the passenger.
Stackable container apparatus and methods
US Patent 7,740,138
June 22, 2010
A stackable container assembly includes a lid portion having first raised members projecting outwardly from an upper surface, at least some of the first raised members cooperatively forming first receiving areas, and a base portion coupleable to the lid portion and forming a containment space. The base portion includes second raised members projecting outwardly from a lower surface, at least some of the second raised members cooperatively forming second receiving areas being adapted to fittingly receive first raised members of a like container assembly positioned below the lower surface. And, the first receiving areas are adapted to fittingly receive second raised members of another like container assembly positioned above the upper surface.
Method and system for handling large data sets in a statistical language
US Patent 7,739,311
June 15, 2010
Methods and systems for providing support for large data sets are provided. Example embodiments provide a Big Data Object Library “BDOL,” which defines data structures and routines for handling big data objects using out of memory techniques. In one embodiment, the BDOL defines a bdFrame object which stores the data in binary form in a cache on an external storage medium, such as a file on a disk. The example BDOL provides support for user defined block processing a bdFrames using a pipeline engine. Also, the BDOL provides for Trellis plots, and other charts, of big data objects using hexagonal binning. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
Predicted path selection system and method for hazard coding in selectively constrained aircraft con
US Patent 7,734,411
June 8, 2010
A surveillance system detects potential hazards and alerts the pilot to them. The alerts can be modified to indicate proximity to the predicted path of the aircraft. An autopilot receives instructions from a flight management system (FMS) regarding a planned path and is subject to constraints preempting the planned path. The surveillance system selects which of the planned and a constrained path will be followed for alerting and hazard coding purposes. Means are disclosed to determine when the constrained path will be followed by evaluating the current position of an aircraft, the planned path, and the constraint data.
Mobile saw stand brake system
US Patent 7,731,205
June 8, 2010
A mobile saw stand brake system incorporates a pair of swing-out legs pivotally connected to a saw stand main frame. A first end of the main frame is supported on a pair of rotating wheels. A pair of brake lever arms, each having a brake shoe end and a distal actuating end, are pivotally connected to the main frame. A tension mechanism is interconnected with the pair of swing-out legs so as to actuate the brake lever arms to engage the wheels when the legs are extended in their swing-out position. The brakes are disengaged when the swing-out legs are folded into a stowed position.
Systems and methods for tracking ammunition supply in a magazine
US Patent 7,730,654
June 8, 2010
Systems and methods for tracking ammunition supply in a magazine are disclosed herein. A method for tracking a number of cartridges remaining within a magazine includes tracking an indicator strip coupled to a spring housed within a magazine housing, the magazine housing having the spring coupled at a first end to a follower and at a second end to a foot plate, the spring tangent to the foot plate. The method further includes selectively altering a number of cartridges in the magazine housing and monitoring an indicator window attached to the foot plate and configured to guide the indicator strip, the indicator strip aligned with a reference on the indicator window showing the number of cartridges remaining.
