67results about How to "Improved and simplified" patented technology

A method is presented to address quantitative assessment of visual contrast sensitivity in a subject, where the method comprises the steps of: (1) presenting at least one scene to the subject on a display, the scene comprising a plurality of elements and a background; (2) modulating the contrast of at least one element; (3) receiving feedback from the subject via at least one input device; (4) quantitatively refining the received feedback relative to the scene; (5) adjusting the contrast relative to accuracy of the quantitatively refined feedback; (6) calculating a critical threshold parameter for the subject; and (7) recording a critical threshold parameter onto a tangible computer readable medium. An apparatus for quantitative assessment of visual contrast sensitivity of a subject comprising a display device, an input device, a control device, and a tangible computer readable medium. In its simplest sense, quantitative assessment profile of visual contrast sensitivity by psychophysical responses is generated on a tangible computer readable medium.

Water leak detecting or overflow devices for a toilet may be inserted into or formed integrally with the toilet. The devices include at least one water leak sensor assembly mounted in a position in a toilet tank so as to detect the rise and fall of the water level in the toilet tank and an overflow detector in a toilet bowl. If the water level rises and falls a predetermined number of times, or if water continues to flow to the toilet longer than a measured increment of time, a microprocessor operates a normally-open valve and shuts off flow of water to the toilet tank. The devices also include a second sensor, whereby if a flapper remains open or water reaches a level where it might overflow the bowl or tank and stays there for a predetermined period of time, the microprocessor will also shut off flow to the toilet.

In a method, system and computer program product for administration of different versions of a configuration file for configuration of medical apparatuses in a clinical system, the configuration file can also be locally changed at the apparatus itself and be made centrally available. Together with one configuration file, a set of versions regarding the configuration file is automatically administered while maintaining consistency of the data.

A system for automated adaption of a process parameter of a handling device includes a supervision device configured to selectively monitor at least one process parameter and / or to adapt the at least one process parameter of the handling device in an automated manner based on specifications and / or the environment and / or in a rule-based manner in interaction with a control / regulation device, wherein environment / safety-specific specifications and / or regulations are complied with and / or implemented irrespective of the type of a respective working process, wherein the system is configured to interact with the control / regulation device configured to monitor, control and / or regulate the handling device.

A method is presented to address quantitative assessment of visual motor response in a subject, where the method comprises the steps of: (1) presenting at least one scene to a subject on a display; (2) modulating the contrast of a predetermined section of the scene; (3) moving the predetermined section relative to the scene with the movement being tracked by the subject via at least one input device; (4) measuring a kinematic parameter of the tracked movement; (5) quantitatively refining the tracked movement; (6) determining the relationship between at least one of the scene and the quantitatively refined tracked movement; (7) adjusting the modulated contrast relative to the quantitatively refined tracked movement; (8) calculating a critical threshold parameter for the subject; and (9) recording a critical threshold parameter onto a tangible computer readable medium. An apparatus for quantitative assessment of visual motor response of a subject comprising a display device, an input device, a control device, and a tangible computer readable medium. In its simplest sense, a quantitative assessment profile of visual motor capacity by psychophysical responses is generated on a tangible computer readable medium.

A method for purifying bone-derived osteoinductive proteins including a demineralization process, a protein extraction process, a high molecular weight ultrafiltration process, a low molecular weight ultrafiltration process, and a recovery process. The high and low ultrafiltration processes preferably select proteins having a nominal molecular weight between approximately 8 kilodaltons and approximately 100 kilodaltons. Processes of the present invention may be used to recover osteoinductive proteins from bone demineralization waste streams.

The present invention provides a nozzle capable of multiple atomizing steps of a liquid. In one configuration the nozzle provides atomization of a liquid fluid in a first direction and subsequent post atomization of the same liquid in a second direction to form a counter-flow nozzle. Accordingly, the liquid fluid to be dispensed is atomized in at least two separate stages causing improved atomization and the creation of particulate matter size of the liquid within a specified droplet spectrum. Furthermore, the present invention provides these features through an improved and simplified design providing potential cost savings to the end user due to the more effective operation of the nozzle and more efficient dispensing of fluid agents.

A method is presented to address quantitative assessment of word identification latency of a subject, where the method comprises the steps of: (1) presenting at least one scene, comprising a plurality of letters and a background, to a subject on a display; (2) moving the plurality of letters relative to the scene; (3) receiving feedback from the subject via the input device; (4) quantitatively refining the received feedback; (5) modulating the movement of plurality of letters relative to accuracy of the quantitatively refined feedback; (6) calculating a critical threshold parameter; and (7) recording a critical threshold parameter onto a tangible computer readable medium. An apparatus for quantitative assessment of word identification latency of a subject comprising a display device, an input device, a control device, and a tangible computer readable medium. In its simplest sense, a quantitative assessment profile of word identification latency by psychophysical responses is generated on a tangible computer readable medium.

A method for purifying bone-derived osteogenic proteins including a demineralization process, a protein extraction process, a high molecular weight ultrafiltration process, a low molecular weight ultrafiltration process, and a recovery process. The high and low ultrafiltration processes preferably select proteins having a nominal molecular weight between approximately 8 kilodaltons and approximately 50 kilodaltons. Processes of the present invention may be used to recover osteogenic proteins from bone demineralization waste streams.

Isobutene is prepared by dissociation of MTBE in the gas phase, by a) fractional distillation of an MTBE-containing stream comprising feed MTBE (I) and a recycle stream (VIII) to give an MTBE-containing overhead stream (II) and a bottom stream (III) having a boiling point higher than MTBE, b) catalytic dissociation of the overhead stream (II) obtained in step a) to give a dissociation product (IV), c) separation by distillation of the dissociation product (IV) obtained in step b) into an overhead stream (V) comprising more than 90% by mass of isobutene and a bottom stream (VI) comprising diisobutene, MTBE and more than 50% of the methanol present in the dissociation product (IV), d) fractional distillation of the bottom stream obtained in step c) under conditions under which the methanol is obtained as bottom product (VII) and more than 99% of the MTBE is obtained in the overhead product (VIII), and e) recirculation of the overhead product (VIII) to step a).

A method is presented to address quantitative assessment of facial emotion sensitivity of a subject, where the method comprises the steps of: (1) presenting at least one scene to the subject on a display, the scene comprising a plurality of faces and a background on a display, the plurality of faces comprising a plurality of facial expressions; (2) adjusting at least one facial expression on the scene; (3) receiving feedback from said subject via at least one input device; (4) quantitatively refining the received feedback; (5) modulating the adjusted facial expression relative to the accuracy of the received feedback; (6) (7) transforming the modulated facial expression; (8) calculating a critical threshold parameter; and (9) recording a critical threshold parameter onto a tangible computer readable medium. An apparatus for quantitative assessment of facial emotion sensitivity of a subject comprising a display device, an input device, a control device, and a tangible computer readable medium. In its simplest sense, a quantitative assessment profile of facial emotion sensitivity by psychophysical responses is generated on a tangible computer readable medium.

A method is presented to address quantitative assessment of facial emotion nulling of a subject, where the method comprises the steps of: (1) presenting at least one scene, comprising a single facial expressions and a background, to a subject on a display; (2) adjusting the facial expression on the scene; (3) receiving feedback from the subject via at least one input device; (4) quantitatively refining the received feedback; (5) modulating the adjusted facial expression relative to the accuracy of the quantitatively refined feedback; (6) transforming the modulated facial expression; (7) calculating a critical threshold parameter; and (8) recording a critical threshold parameter onto a tangible computer readable medium. An apparatus for quantitative assessment of facial emotion nulling of a subject comprising a display device, an input device, a control device, and a tangible computer readable medium. In its simplest sense, a quantitative assessment profile of facial emotion nulling by psychophysical responses is generated on a tangible computer readable medium.

A method is presented to address quantitative assessment of facial emotion sensitivity of a subject, where the method comprises the steps of: (1) presenting at least one scene to the subject on a display, the scene comprising a plurality of faces and a background on a display, the plurality of faces comprising a plurality of facial expressions; (2) adjusting at least one facial expression on the scene; (3) receiving feedback from said subject via at least one input device; (4) quantitatively refining the received feedback; (5) modulating the adjusted facial expression relative to the accuracy of the received feedback; (6) (7) transforming the modulated facial expression; (8) calculating a critical threshold parameter; and (9) recording a critical threshold parameter onto a tangible computer readable medium. An apparatus for quantitative assessment of facial emotion sensitivity of a subject comprising a display device, an input device, a control device, and a tangible computer readable medium. In its simplest sense, a quantitative assessment profile of facial emotion sensitivity by psychophysical responses is generated on a tangible computer readable medium.

A method is presented to address quantitative assessment of word recognition sensitivity of a subject, where the method comprises the steps of: (1) presenting at least one scene, comprising a plurality of letters and a background, to a subject on a display; (2) moving the plurality of letters relative to the scene; (3) receiving feedback from the subject via at least one; (4) quantitatively refining the received feedback; (5) modulating the saliency of the plurality of letters relative to accuracy of the quantitatively refined feedback; (6) calculating a critical threshold parameter; and (7) recording a critical threshold parameter onto a tangible computer readable medium. An apparatus for quantitative assessment of word recognition sensitivity of a subject comprising a display device, an input device, a control device, and a tangible computer readable medium. In its simplest sense, a quantitative assessment profile of word recognition sensitivity by psychophysical responses is generated on a tangible computer readable medium.

A method is presented to address quantitative assessment of verbal memory of a subject, where the method comprises the steps of: (1) presenting at least one scene to the subject on a display, the scene comprising a plurality of symbols and a background; (2) moving the plurality of symbols relative to the scene, the movement being tracked by the subject via at least one input device; (3) adjusting the saliency of the plurality of symbols relative to the tracked movement; (4) increasing the number of said plurality of symbols; (5) receiving feedback from the subject via said input device; (6) quantitatively refining the received feedback; (7) modulating the movement of the plurality of symbols relative to the accuracy of the quantitatively refined feedback; (8) calculating a critical threshold parameter; and (9) recording a critical threshold parameter onto a tangible computer readable medium. An apparatus for quantitative assessment of verbal recognition memory of a subject comprising a display device, an input device, a control device, and a tangible computer readable medium. In its simplest sense, a quantitative assessment profile of verbal recognition memory by psychophysical responses is generated on a tangible computer readable medium.

An electric machine (40, 40′) has a stator (43) and a rotor (46) and a primary air gap (48) has secondary coils (47c, 47d) separated from the rotor (46) by a secondary air gap (49) so as to induce a slip current in the secondary coils (47c, 47d). The rotor (46, 76) has magnetic brushes (A, B, C, D) or wires (80) which couple flux in through the rotor (46) to the secondary coils (47c, 47d) without inducing a current in the rotor (46) and without coupling a stator rotational energy component to the secondary coils (47c, 47d). The machine can be operated as a motor or a generator in multi-phase or single-phase embodiments. A method of providing a slip energy controller is also disclosed.

A removable device is proposed, which includes a body, a removing handle, a panel, and a snap-fit element. The removing handle has one end pivotally connected to one side of the body and the other end formed with a snap-fit portion. The panel is disposed on the side of the body and is provided with an installation hole and an elastic portion located at the installation hole. The snap-fit element is installed in and partly covers the installation hole, for snap-fit engagement with the snap-fit portion of the removing handle. The snap-fit element includes an extending portion pressing against the elastic portion, such that the elastic portion provides the snap-fit element with the elasticity required to move in relation to the installation hole. Accordingly, the above removable device solves the drawbacks of complicated numerous constituent components of a conventional removable device.

Methods and composition for biofuel processing are provided. For example, in certain aspects methods for using metal compounds to enhance cellulose enzymatic hydrolysis are described. Furthermore, the invention provides integrated processes with fewer lignin removal steps to improve efficiency.

Prefastened absorbent articles (20) may include a singular fastening mechanism that includes an oversized fastener (60), to provide stability between the front waist region and the back waist region and to maintain the prefastened configuration. The prefastened absorbent articles can include a multiple property fastener (60) that has at least one engagement zone (65) and at least one non-abrasive zone (67).

A method is presented to address quantitative assessment of letter identification latency of a subject, where the method comprises the steps of: (1) presenting at least one scene to a subject on a display, the scene comprising a plurality of letters and a background; (2) moving the plurality of letters relative to the scene, the movement being tracked by the subject via at least one input device; (3) receiving feedback from the subject via the input device; (4) quantitatively refining the received feedback; (5) modulating the movement of plurality of letters relative to accuracy of the received feedback; (6) calculating a critical threshold parameter; and (7) recording a critical threshold parameter onto a tangible computer readable medium. An apparatus for quantitative assessment of letter identification latency of a subject comprising a display device, an input device, a control device, and a tangible computer readable medium. In its simplest sense, quantitative assessment profile of letter identification latency by psychophysical responses is generated on a tangible computer readable medium.

A method is presented to address quantitative assessment of functional impairment in a subject, where the method comprises the steps of: (1) presenting a plurality of tests to a subject on a display, the plurality of tests comprising a series of scenes, the scene comprising at least one stimulus, wherein the scene may be associated with visual, auditory, and tactile stimulus arrays; (2) modulating at least one spatial characteristic of at least one stimulus; (3) receiving feedback from the subject via at least one input device; (4) quantitatively refining the scene relative to the received feedback; (5) calculating the relationship between at least one of the scene, the stimulus, and the quantitatively refined scene; (6) adjusting the scene relative to the calculated relationship; (7) determining equilibrated scene parameter of the subject; (8) recording the equilibrated scene parameter onto a tangible computer readable medium; (9) generating at least one diagnosis to the functional impairment associated with the equilibrated scene parameter; (10) recommending at least one treatment to the subject. An apparatus for quantitative assessment of functional impairment in a subject comprising an input device, a display device, a control device, and a tangible computer readable medium. A quantitative assessment profile of functional impairment by continuous modulation of specific perceptual domains on a stimulus and generating psychophysical responses on a tangible computer readable medium.

A method is presented to address quantitative assessment of word recognition sensitivity of a subject, where the method comprises the steps of: (1) presenting at least one scene to a subject on a display, the scene comprising a plurality of letters and a background; (2) distorting the scene; (3) moving plurality of letters relative to the scene, the movement being tracked by the subject via at least one input device; (4) receiving feedback from the subject via the input device; (5) quantitatively refining the received feedback; (6) modulating the movement of plurality of letters relative to accuracy of the received feedback; (7) calculating a critical threshold parameter; and (8) recording a critical threshold parameter onto a tangible computer readable medium. An apparatus for quantitative assessment of word recognition sensitivity of a subject comprising a display device, an input device, a control device, and a tangible computer readable medium. In its simplest sense, quantitative assessment profile of word recognition sensitivity by psychophysical responses is generated on a tangible computer readable medium.

A ratchet wrench includes a wrench head having a pawl compartment formed between a notch and a chamber of the wrench head, a drive member mounted in the chamber of the wrench head and having a ratchet gear, a pawl slidably received in the pawl compartment of the wrench head for engaging with the ratchet gear and for controlling the driving direction of the drive member by the wrench head, a handle having a pivotal coupling member mounted in the notch of the wrench head, and an actuating member attached to the pivotal coupling member and engaged with the pawl for moving the pawl to either side of the pawl compartment of the wrench head in order to determine the driving direction of the drive member by the wrench head.

A ball hitch coupler for use with a towing vehicle having a ball hitch. The ball hitch coupler provides an improved and simplified structure designed to make assembly and coupling to the ball hitch easy, while not compromising coupler strength or security. The ball hitch coupler comprises a coupler housing having a ball hitch cavity, a locking passageway also located in the coupler housing, and a locking rod having a keyed section. The locking rod operates as a restraining mechanism to hold the ball hitch within the ball hitch cavity, thereby resulting in a secure coupling of the ball hitch with the ball hitch coupler. In addition, the locking rod, in conjunction with the locking passageway, also serves as a theft protection feature by operating as an inherent lock-key mechanism.

A method is presented to address quantitative assessment of social interactions nulling testing of a subject, where the method comprises the steps of: (1) presenting at least one scene to the subject on a display, the scene comprising a plurality of body images and a background; (2) receiving feedback from the subject via at least one input device; (3) quantitatively refining the received feedback; (4) modulating the adjusted body image relative to the accuracy of the received feedback; (5) calculating a critical threshold parameter for the subject; (6) recording a critical threshold parameter onto a tangible computer readable medium. An apparatus for quantitative assessment of social interactions nulling testing of a subject comprising a display device, an input device, a control device, and a tangible computer readable medium. In its simplest sense, a quantitative assessment profile of social interactions nulling testing by psychophysical responses is generated on a tangible computer readable medium.

A 2-piece disposable lid assembly for a drinking cup enables unhindered drinking while inhibiting splashing and spilling. The assembly includes a dispensing well formed in a drinking spout, and a flat insert supported by a plurality of baffles within the spout so as to form a horizontal channel through which beverage flows in a circuitous path around the baffles and into the dispensing well. A plurality of vent holes can allow air to enter the cup as beverage is consumed. Vent holes located near the dispensing well can be blocked during drinking when the cup is full and the beverage is hot, but unblocked as the beverage cools and is consumed. Embodiments of the lid can also be used separately as a low-cost, 1-piece lid that reduces splashing. The flat insert is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and installation of the insert in the lid can be automated.

A method is presented to address quantitative assessment of visual form discrimination in a subject, where the method comprises the steps of: (1) presenting at least one scene to a subject on a display, said scene comprising a plurality of elements and a background; (2) distorting at least one geometric characteristic of at least one; (3) modulating the contrast level of the predetermined section of the scene; (4) moving the predetermined section relative to the scene, the movement being tracked by said subject via at least one input device; (5) receiving feedback from the subject via the input device; (6) quantitatively refining the received feedback relative to the scene; (7) adjusting at least one distorted geometric characteristic relative to the accuracy of the quantitatively refined feedback; (8) calculating the critical threshold parameter for the subject; and (9) recording the critical threshold parameter onto a tangible computer readable medium. An apparatus for quantitative assessment of visual form discrimination of a subject comprising a display device, an input device, a control device, and a tangible computer readable medium. In its simplest sense, a quantitative assessment profile of visual form discrimination by psychophysical responses is generated on a tangible computer readable medium.

Waste oily water is dewatered by expelling water through ceramic ultra filtration membranes of a cross-flow filter, located in a circulation ring, which is routinely cleaned in situ. The ring has two auxiliary reservoirs, with removable sight glasses, between which reservoirs the cleaning fluid is see-sawed during cleaning cycles, the reversing chemical flow being controlled by float switches. Heating for cleaning purposes is by way of closed-loop high-rate ring circulation. Frequent automated cleaning by a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) maintains high flux rates with sustainable large volume annual throughput in the range of 1 to 2 million litres per year per square meter of filter membrane surface area. The system is fail-safe and environmentally friendly.

An electric machine (40, 40′) has a stator (43) and a rotor (46) and a primary air gap (48) has secondary coils (47c, 47d) separated from the rotor (46) by a secondary air gap (49) so as to induce a slip current in the secondary coils (47c, 47d). The rotor (46, 76) has magnetic brushes (A, B, C, D) or wires (80) which couple flux in through the rotor (46) to the secondary coils (47c, 47d) without inducing a current in the rotor (46) and without coupling a stator rotational energy component to the secondary coils (47c, 47d). The machine can be operated as a motor or a generator in multi-phase or single-phase embodiments. A method of providing a slip energy controller is also disclosed.