The front end (S) and rear end (K) of a belt-shaped member (18) having a predetermined length are grasped by front end grasping means (62) and rear end grasping means (90), respectively, movable in synchronism with and independently from each other when required. The front and rear end grasping means are moved in synchronism with each other until the front end (S) of the belt-shaped member arrives...

Equipment for heat welding or sealing of plastic components, esp. sealing seams on a container-like package(10) made from plastic film comprises a heated sealing tool, esp. a sealing bar(32), whose sealing face(33) is covered by an interchangeable or movable cover(34) made of an anti-adhesion material, esp. 'Teflon' (RTM). Eqpt. for mfg. packaging consisting of an outer shell(11) of plastic film w...

A control system for an automatic transmission having a running status detector for detecting the running status of a vehicle to include an input torque from the engine; a running resistance estimator for estimating a running resistance on the basis of the running status of the vehicle; and shift characteristic changer for changing shift characteristics in accordance with the running resistance of...

Blood processing systems and methods create dynamic vortex flow conditions (130) within a processing chamber (40) by conveying blood into a separation path that extends circumferentially about the rotational axis along an entry path that extends generally parallel to the rotational axis. The vortex flow conditions perfuse blood into the separation path for separation into component parts. The syst...

A chamber for rotation about a rotational axis to separate blood components includes first and second spaced apart side walls forming a separation zone. Blood conveyed into the separation zone separates into a first region of cellular components (96), a second region of plasma (98), and an interface region (58) between the first and second regions. An outlet conveys the second region of plasma fro...

A holder (36) secures to the rotating processing chamber (18) of a centrifuge tubing (44) that conveys fluid to or from the chamber (18). The holder (36) is part of a carrier (38) that is connected by a pin (54) to a support (50) on the processing chamber (18). The support (50) has walls defining a cavity. The carrier (38) swings about the pin (54) on the support (50) between an opened position fr...

An extracorporeal blood processing system is disclosed which includes a variety of novel components and which may be operated in accordance with a variety of novel methodologies. For instance, the system includes a graphical operator interface which directs the operator through various aspects of the apheresis procedure. Moreover, the system also includes a variety of features relating to loading ...

Novel lipid-nucleic acid particulate complexes which are useful for in vitro or in vivo gene transfer are described. The particles can be formed using either detergent dialysis methods or methods which utilize organic solvents. Upon removal of a solubilizing component (i.e, detergent or an organic solvent) the lipid-nucleic acid complexes form particles wherein the nucleic acid is serum-stable and...

A multi-signature fire detection method and apparatus, utilizing first (1) a nd second (2) detectors for detecting first and second signatures. The first (1 ) detector outputs a first signal (A) indicative of the first detected fire signature, and the second detector (2) outputs a second signal (B) indicativ e a second detected fire signature. A signal processor (3) is provided for combining the f...

A non-intrusive method and apparatus for determining the center of gravity of a package, while the package is moving. A multi-segment conveyor is used having segments at different slopes relative to each other, along with sensors used to approximate the time it takes a box to "tilt" from one conveyor segment to the other. Also disclosed is the use of a herringbone conveyor in conjunction with a pl...

A non-intrusive method and apparatus for determining the center of gravity of a package, while the package is moving. A multi-segment conveyor is used having segments at different slopes relative to each other, along with sensors used to approximate the time it takes a box to "tilt" from one conveyor segment to the other. Also disclosed is the use of a herringbone conveyor in conjunction with a pl...

Apparatus is disclosed for determining at least two outside dimensions of a rectangular package travelling at a known velocity, the package including first and second substantially parallel sides extending the length of the package. The apparatus comprises conveyor means (12), first and second side sensor means (21 and 22), and calculating means (100). The conveyor means (12) moves the package at ...

Rough machining of a glass-ceramic material article such as a radome (20) is accomplished using a high-power Nd:YAG laser (60, 64). The radome (20) is rotated about its longitudinal axis (28), and the point of application of the laser beam (62) is translated generally parallel to the longitudinal axis (28) over either the inside (32) or outside (30) surface of the radome (20). The Nd:YAG laser (60...

Body lumens such as blood vessels are selectively occluded by mechanically collapsing the blood vessel and subsequently applying energy or other occlusive conditions within or adjacent the collapsed region. For example, vessel collapsing mechanisms can include spreadable opposed elements (24), reciprocating jaw mechanisms having penetrating elements (112), and devices for applying negative pressur...

This invention is an electrode catheter comprising a tubular body (11) with a distal section (13) having a flexible tubular portion, wherein the flexible tubular distal section (13) is covered by at least one spirally wrapped flat ribbon electrode (15). Each spirally wrapped flat ribbon electrode (15) has an associated lead wire (25) that can be connected to a source of energy of ablation or conne...

This invention is systems and methods to heat or ablate body or ablation energy to a tissue region. The systems and methods measure a first temperature using a temperature sensing element associated with the electrode (16). The systems and methods also measure a second temperature using a temperature sensing element associated with the electrode (16). The systems and methods process at least one o...

The present invention comprises a stable hydrocolloid composition in which a hydrocolloid, preferably welan gum, is uniformly dispersed in a superplasticizer such as sulfonated naphthalene, sulfonated melamine, modified lignosulfate, their derivatives and mixtures thereof. This is then dispersed in a rheological control agent which is a microbially-produced cellulose fiber composition. The composi...

A method of fabricating metal matrix composites (MMCs) having high thermal conductivity coupled with coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) values which approximates the CTE of ceramics and semiconductor materials typically used in electronic packaging. The method comprises preparing a formed agglomeration of powder particles (preform); partially sintering the preform; placing the partially sinter...

An apparatus for determining the position and/or orientation of a transducing head (50) positioned on one side of and close to a rotating transparent-core magnetic storage disk (20). Light is introduced into the disk to establish total internal reflection therein. A detector (52) disposed on the other side of the disk opposite the head detects the intensity of light on the interior region of the d...