Cervix-to-rectum measuring device in a radiation applicator for use in the treatment of cervical cancer

A cervix-to-rectum measuring device to be used in the treatment of cervical cancer is described. It includes a handle and a probe pivotably connected to the handle for insertion in the rectum. The measuring device further includes means for coupling the handle to an intrauterine radiation applicator when the latter is positioned in the uterine cervix and the probe is inserted in the rectum to pivot the handle about the probe. A gear is provided which is adapted to pivot with the probe. A pinion pivotably connected to the handle meshes with the gear. A pointer fixed to the pinion is displaced in response to the pivoting of the handle about the probe, and this displacement can be read from a scale on the handle, providing an indication of the cervix-to-rectum distance

Apparatus for detecting a condition of a medication infusion system and providing an informational signal in response thereto

A medication infusion system having a means for providing an informational signal when (1) medication in the reservoir falls below a threshold level; (2) a fluid leak occurs in different portions of the system; and (3) the intended medication pumping does not correlate with the pumping actually affected

Charge control switch responsive to cell casing deflection

A switch structure, adapted for sensing the state-of-charge of a rechargeable cell, includes a contact element which detects cell casing deflection that occurs as a result of an increase in gaseous pressure within the cell when the cell is returned to its fully charged state during a recharging operation

Programmable control means for providing safe and controlled medication infusion

An implantable programmable infusion pump (IPIP) is disclosed and generally includes: a fluid reservoir filled with selected medication; a pump for causing a precise volumetric dosage of medication to be withdrawn from the reservoir and delivered to the appropriate site within the body; and, a control means for actuating the pump in a safe and programmable manner. The control means includes a microprocessor, a permanent memory containing a series of fixed software instructions, and a memory for storing prescription schedules, dosage limits and other data. The microprocessor actuates the pump in accordance with programmable prescription parameters and dosage limits stored in the memory. A communication link allows the control means to be remotely programmed. The control means incorporates a running integral dosage limit and other safety features which prevent an inadvertent or intentional medication overdose. The control means also monitors the pump and fluid handling system and provides an alert if any improper or potentially unsafe operation is detected

Apparatus for detecting at least one predetermined condition and providing an informational signal in response thereto in a medication infusion system

A medication infusion system provides redundant safety and includes condition detecting and informational alarm signal generating apparatus for indicating if (1) a fluid leak occurs in different portions of the system; (2) a programmable input from a patient or physician would result in exceeding a safe dosage limit; (3) the reservoir containing medication has been filled; (4) the intended medication pumping does not correlate with the pumping actually effected; (5) battery voltage is low; (6) the medication reserve is low; and (7) the system has been switched off. The apparatus may provide subcutaneous electrical, thermal, or audible stimulation to the patient and also provides a signal which a physician may monitor. The stimulation may be coded to separately identify each above-listed deviation in nominal system performance. In addition, the number of medication requests are correlated with actual medication dispensing to assure proper operation. An identification scheme is provided which matches the patient with his or her corresponding medication

Autonomous assessment of seabed ripple geometry from bistatic acoustic scattering data

One of the greatest sources of interference in the acoustic scattered fields from seabed targets is bottom scattering. Directional sand ripples in particular produce three-dimensional scattering radiation patterns when insonified that distort measured scattering fields from aspect-dependent targets. These bistatic scattered fields are impacted by the topography of the ripple field, such as anisotropic angle relative to the acoustic source and ripple geometry. This paper describes a method for estimation of sand ripple field parameters with data from Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) sampling of the bistatic scattered acoustic field that results from insonification of the seabed with a fixed acoustic source. Background on sand ripple scattering is first reviewed and simulation results are shown illustrating differences in scattered field results based on various parameters. The Support Vector Machine (SVM) regression methodology used for parameter estimation is then presented. Finally, the results for estimation of anisotropy angle, height and major correlation length are described based on simulation and the conclusions and suggestions for future work are stated

Ex-vivo and early clinical results using a new pullback atherectomy catheter (PAC)

Digitalitzat per Artypla

Multistatic acoustic characterization of seabed targets

Author Posting. © Acoustical Society of America, 2017. This article is posted here by permission of Acoustical Society of America for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 142 (2017): 1587–1596, doi:10.1121/1.5002887.One application for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) is detecting and classifying hazardous objects on the seabed. An acoustic approach to this problem has been studied in which an acoustic source insonifies seabed target while receiving AUVs with passive sensing payloads discriminate targets based on features of the three dimensional scattered fields. The OASES-SCATT simulator was used to study how scattering data collected by mobile receivers around targets insonified by mobile sources might be used for sphere and cylinder target characterization in terms of shape, composition, and size. The impact of target geometry on these multistatic scattering fields is explored, and a discrimination approach developed in which the source and receiver circle the target with the same radial speed. The frequency components of the multistatic scattering data at different bistatic angles are used to form models for target characteristics. Data are then classified using these models. Classification accuracies were greater than 98% for shape and composition. Regression for target volume showed potential, with 90% chance of errors less than 15%. The significance of this approach is to make classification using low-cost vehicles plausible from scattering amplitudes and the relative angles between the target, source, and receiver vehicles.This work was supported by Battelle

Gestaltungsakteure im Übergang von der Schule in die Arbeitswelt: Zur Rolle von Gewerkschaften im regionalen Übergangsmanagement

Probleme der jungen Generation beim Einstieg in das Erwerbsleben und die unzureichende 'Versorgung' der Jugendlichen mit Ausbildungsplätzen stehen seit einigen Jahren im Mittelpunkt der bildungspolitischen Debatten. Angesichts dieser Entwicklungen stehen auch Arbeitnehmerorganisationen vor der Herausforderung, sich bildungspolitisch neu zu positionieren.Ziel der vorliegenden Kurzstudie war es, den Handlungsrahmen der Gewerkschaften als Gestaltungsakteur im regionalen Übergangsmanagement auszuloten bzw. ihn abzustecken.Zum einen wurde im Rahmen der Studie eine Systematisierung von ausgewählten bildungspolitischen Förderprogrammen (auf Bundesebene sowie in Nordrhein-Westfalen) vorgenommen und danach gefragt, welche Rolle und Funktion der gewerkschaftlichen Seite innerhalb einzelner Programme zukommt bzw. zugeschrieben wird. Zum anderen wurden exemplarisch qualitative Expertengespräche mit gewerkschaftlichen Akteuren in einigen Regionen Nordrhein-Westfalens geführt.Auf der Basis der Analysen wurden Forschungsfragestellungen für weitere vertiefende, empirische Untersuchungen entwickelt

Standing in the Way of the FTAIA: Exceptional Applications of Illinois Brick

In 1982, Congress enacted the Foreign Antitrust Trade Improvements Act (FTAIA) to resolve uncertainties about the international reach and effect of U.S. antitrust laws. Unfortunately, the FTAIA has provided more questions than answers. It has been ten years since the Supreme Court most recently interpreted the FTAIA, and crucial questions and circuit splits abound. One of these questions is how to understand the convergence of the direct purchaser rule (frequently referred to as the Illinois Brick doctrine) and the FTAIA. Under the direct purchaser rule, only those who purchase directly from antitrust violators are typically permitted to sue under section 4 of the Clayton Act for treble damages. There are several court-created exceptions to this rule that allow indirect purchasers to sue under section 4. This Note addresses the open question of whether courts should apply these exceptions in the FTAIA context. The Seventh Circuit recently discussed this question in Motorola Mobility LLC v. AU Optronics Corp., implying that courts should not recognize Illinois Brick’s exceptions in the FTAIA context. This Note argues for a different interpretation of the case—one that supports the effective deterrence of antitrust violations while vindicating the need to compensate American consumers who are foreseeably, substantially, and directly damaged by foreign anticompetitive conduct. Based on an analysis of the purpose of the Illinois Brick doctrine and the text of the FTAIA, this Note concludes that when an exception to Illinois Brick would permit indirect purchasers to sue in the domestic context, U.S. courts should also allow indirect purchasers to sue under the FTAIA