Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba

Aksys Gmbh

Reed-chatwood, Inc.

Richard J Faehnrich

Timothy R Fox

Robert Czarnek

Richard A Schewe

Tom L Brose

John A Blasko

A method for detecting the presence of blood in a dialysate solution is disclosed. The method provides for certain measurement of light intensity passing through solutions both before and during the dialysis session. Before dialysis is commenced, measurements are made of the intensity of light passing through a chamber containing a control dialysate solution that is free of blood. The light source is a first condition. The light source's state is changed from a first condition to a second condition different from the first condition. Next, a second measurement of the intensity of light is made. The first and second measurements are stored. During dialysis, the method continues with the following steps: conducting a third measurement of the intensity of light of the light source that passes though the chamber, the chamber containing dialysate solution that may contain the patient's blood, with the light source in the first condition. Next, the state of the light source is changed from the first condition to the second condition. A fourth measurement of the intensity of light passing through the solution is made. A suitable processor calculates an attenuation coefficient indicative of the presence of blood in the dialysate solution during dialysis from the first, second, third and fourth measurements.

Method for detection of leakage of blood

A signal/noise ratio optimization tuning system, which can be used for tuning receiver antennas in Magnetic Resonance Imaging receiver systems, has a switch-controlled noise source means that is weakly coupled to the receiver antenna. The switch-controlled noise source switches a noise source between higher and lower power states at a predetermined frequency. A noise power meter means, which is synchronized to the switch-controlled noise source means, measures outputs of the receiver antenna. The noise power meter means measures the outputs of the receiver antenna when the noise source is switched between higher and lower power states and computes a ratio of the receiver antenna output with the noise source in the higher power state to the receiver antenna output with the noise source in the lower power state to obtain a noise power ratio. The tuning adjustment means is varied to maximize this noise power ratio.

Signal/noise ratio optimization tuning system

A method and apparatus for optically communicating data between a stationary member and a rotating member, wherein a transmitter, disposed on the rotating member, is provided for transmitting an optical beam therefrom at an angle with respect to the rotating member the angle being fixed during transmission of the optical beam, a receiver, disposed on the stationary member, is provided for receiving the optical beam, and a reflector, disposed on the stationary member, is provided for reflecting the optical beam to the receiver at all times when the optical beam is incident on the reflector.

Optical data link for communicating data between a stationary member and

Yarn is guided along a linear path through a light beam which is directed toward a photoelectric detector. Non-uniformities in the surface texture of the yarn cause the intensity of the light received by the detector to fluctuate rapidly as long as the yarn is moving. If the yarn stops moving as a result of breakage, the intensity of the light remains constant, and the detector produces an electrical signal indicative of the breakage.

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Niles, IL, United States of America

Richard J Faehnrich