All The Claims

1. A fluid delivery system comprising:
at least one fluid source containing a fluid having a therapeutic effect when delivered in a prescribed dosage amount and at a prescribed dosage rate to a patient;
means fluidically coupled with the fluid source for controlling flow of the fluid from the fluid source;
flow sensing means fluidically coupled in series with the fluid source and the flow controlling means, the flow sensing means producing a signal corresponding to the flow rate of the fluid flowing therethrough;
memory means containing data corresponding to the fluid and the prescribed dosage amount and dosage rate thereof;
electronic means in communication with the flow controlling means, the flow sensing means, and the memory means, the electronic means being operable to cause the flow controlling means to regulate flow of the fluid from the fluid source at the prescribed dosage rate and to deliver the prescribed dosage amount from the fluid source based on the signal from the flow sensing means and the data contained by the memory means; and
means for infusing in the patient the fluid caused to flow through the flow controlling means and the flow sensing means by the electronic means.
2. The fluid delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the flow sensing means comprises a sensing element having a first output corresponding to the density of the fluid flowing therethrough and a second output corresponding to the mass flow rate of the fluid flowing therethrough.
3. The fluid delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the flow sensing means comprises:
a freestanding tube portion through which the fluid flows;
means for vibrating the freestanding tube portion at a resonant frequency thereof that varies with the density of the fluid flowing therethrough, the Coriolis effect causing the freestanding tube portion to twist to a degree that varies with the flow rate of the fluid flowing therethrough while the freestanding tube portion is vibrated at resonance; and
means for sensing movement of the freestanding tube portion to sense the resonant frequency and the degree of twist of the freestanding tube portion as the fluid flows therethrough, the signal from the flow sensing means being obtained from a first output corresponding to the resonant frequency of the freestanding tube portion and a second output corresponding to the degree of twist of the freestanding tube portion.
4. The fluid delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the system is a unitary device comprising the fluid source, the fluid, the flow controlling means, the flow sensing means, the memory means, and the electronic means.
5. The fluid delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic means is operable to cause the flow controlling means to stop flow of the fluid from the fluid source based on the data contained by the memory means.
6. The fluid delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the flow sensing means is operable to sense the density of the fluid flowing therethrough, and the electronic means is operable to cause the flow controlling means to stop flow of the fluid from the fluid source by comparing the density of the fluid to the data contained by the memory means.
7. The fluid delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic means is operable to cause the flow controlling means to stop flow of the fluid from the fluid source if the prescribed dosage rate is not met based on the data contained by the memory means and the signal from the flow sensing means.
8. The fluid delivery system according to claim 1, further comprising means for sensing a physiological parameter of the patient and means for communicating a control signal to the electronic means based on the physiological parameter, wherein the electronic means is operable to cause the flow controlling means to initiate and stop flow of the fluid from the fluid source based on the physiological parameter.
9. The fluid delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the data corresponding to the fluid are permanently stored in the memory means.
10. The fluid delivery system according to claim 1, further comprising means for inputting into the memory means the data corresponding to the prescribed dosage amount and dosage rate of the fluid.
11. A fluid delivery method comprising:
providing a fluid delivery system comprising at least one fluid source containing a fluid having a therapeutic effect when delivered in a prescribed dosage amount and at a prescribed dosage rate to a patient, flow controlling means and flow sensing means fluidically coupled in series with the fluid source, memory means containing data corresponding to the fluid and the prescribed dosage amount and dosage rate thereof, and electronic means in communication with the flow controlling means, the flow sensing means, and the memory means;
operating the electronic means to cause the flow controlling means to initiate flow of the fluid from the fluid source, through the flow controlling means and the flow sensing means, and into the patient;
operating the flow sensing means to produce a signal corresponding to the flow rate of the fluid flowing therethrough;
operating the electronic means to cause the flow controlling means to regulate flow of the fluid from the fluid source at the prescribed dosage rate based on the signal from the flow sensing means and the data contained by the memory means; and
operating the electronic means to cause the flow controlling means to stop flow of the fluid from the fluid source after the prescribed dosage amount has been delivered to the patient based on the signal from the flow sensing means and the data contained by the memory means.
12. The fluid delivery method according to claim 11, wherein the flow sensing means comprises a sensing element that produces a first output corresponding to the density of the fluid flowing therethrough and a second output corresponding to the mass flow rate of the fluid flowing therethrough.
13. The fluid delivery method according to claim 11, wherein the step of operating the flow sensing means comprises:
flowing the fluid through a freestanding tube portion;
vibrating the freestanding tube portion of at a resonant frequency thereof; and
sensing movement of the freestanding tube portion to sense a resonant frequency and a degree of twist of the freestanding tube portion as the fluid flows therethrough, the resonant frequency corresponding to the density of the fluid flowing through the freestanding tube and the degree of twist corresponding to the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the freestanding tube, the signal from the flow sensing means being obtained from a first output corresponding to the resonant frequency of the freestanding tube portion and a second output corresponding to the degree of twist of the freestanding tube portion.
14. The fluid delivery method according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of:
operating the flow sensing means to sense the density of the fluid flowing therethrough; and
operating the electronic means to cause the flow controlling means to stop flow of the fluid from the fluid source by comparing the density of the fluid to the data contained by the memory means.
15. The fluid delivery method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of sensing a physiological parameter of the patient, communicating a control signal to the electronic means based on the physiological parameter, and operating the electronic means to cause the flow controlling means to initiate and stop flow of the fluid from the fluid source based on the physiological parameter.
16. The fluid delivery method according to claim 11, wherein the fluid delivery system is produced and delivered as a unit to a medical care provider.
17. The fluid delivery method according to claim 16, wherein the fluid delivery system is delivered to the medical care provider with the data corresponding to the fluid already stored in the memory means.
18. The fluid delivery method according to claim 16, wherein the fluid delivery system is delivered to the medical care provider with the data corresponding to the prescribed dosage amount and dosage rate of the fluid already stored in the memory means.
19. The fluid delivery method according to claim 16, wherein the data corresponding to the prescribed dosage amount and dosage rate of the fluid are stored in the memory means by the medical care provider.
20. The fluid delivery method according to claim 11, wherein the method is performed to treat at least one disease chosen from the group consisting of diabetes, HIV, AIDS, leukemia, lymphoma, cancer, malaria, congestive heart failure, tuberculosis, hepatitis, bacterial infections, viral infections, postoperative infections, chronic pain, age-related illnesses, nicotine addiction, narcotic addiction, and alcoholism.
21. The fluid delivery method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of securing the fluid delivery system to the patient, and wherein the operating steps are performed while the patient is outside the immediate control of the medical care giver.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. A socket liner for receiving a limb of an amputee, comprising:
a liner adapted to receive a limb of an amputee; and
one or more sensors provided in the liner, the sensors being adapted to monitor data received therein.
2. The socket of claim 1, wherein the sensors are pressure sensors.
3. The socket of claim 1, wherein the sensors are oxygen sensors.
4. The socket of claim 1, wherein the sensors comprise both pressure sensors and oxygen sensors.
5. The socket of claim 1, wherein the liner includes a plurality of grooves for receiving the sensors.
6. The socket of claim 1, wherein the liner includes a plurality of pockets for receiving the sensors.
7. The socket of claim 1, wherein the sensors are strips provided along a surface of the liner.
8. The socket of claim 1, wherein the liner is made from two parts adhered together.
9. The sensor of claim 7, wherein one sensor wraps around a bottom of the inner layer.
10. A liner for receiving a limb of an amputee comprising:
an inner layer and an outer layer;
the inner layer comprising at least one channel;
at least one sensor provided in the at least one channel used to monitor physiological characteristics of the limb; and
the outer layer configured to cover the inner layer.
11. The liner of claim 10 wherein the channel is a pocket.
12. The liner of claim 10 wherein the sensor is an oxygen sensor.
13. The liner of claim 10 wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor.
14. The liner of claim 10 wherein the sensor is a strip.
15. The liner of claim 14, wherein the sensor wraps around a bottom of the inner layer.
16. A socket liner for receiving a limb of an amputee comprising:
a liner for holding a physiological sensor;
a physiological sensor configured to receive data from a limb regarding its physiological characteristics;
the sensor being in communication with a transmitter;
the transmitter configured to send data to a receiver to allow an end user to analyze the physiological characteristics of the limb.
17. The socket of claim 16 wherein:
the liner has an inner and an outer layer;
the inner layer is configured to hold the sensor; and
the outer layer serves to provide an interface between the inner layer and the socket.
18. The socket of claim 17, wherein the sensor wraps around a bottom of the inner layer.
19. A garment for receiving a limb of an amputee comprising:
a receiving portion adapted to receive the limb and to hold a plurality of sensors;
the sensors adapted to receive physiological data from the limb;
the garment configured to transmit the physiological data to an end user to monitor the health of the limb.
20. A method for monitoring the physiological characteristics of a limb comprising:
providing a liner having at least one physiological sensor therein; and
monitoring physiological characteristics of the limb using data accumulated from the sensor.

1. A ruminant feed composition, comprising:
a granulated core comprising L-lysine sulfate, the granulated core having a granular size of about 0.3 mm to about 3.0 mm;
two or more layers of a coating material surrounding the core, the coating material comprising a vegetable oil that is at least partially hydrogenated, the vegetable oil being selected from the group consisting of palm oil, soybean oil, rape seed oil, cottonseed, and castor oil; and
a modifying agent present in an amount of from about 0.5 wt % to about 10 wt % of a final product weight, the modifying agent being selected from the group consisting of stearic acid, oleic acid, lecithin, and palm oil;
wherein:
the coating material has a melting temperature in a range of from about 50\xb0 C. to about 80\xb0 C.;
the weight % ratio of core material to coating material is from 50:50 to 90:10; and
the composition exhibits a rumen bypass rate of at least 50% and an intestinal digestibility rate of at least 70%.
2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the vegetable oil is soybean oil.
3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the melting temperature of the coating material is in a range of from about 70\xb0 C. to about 80\xb0 C.
4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the weight % ratio of core material to coating material is from 50:50 to about 70:30.
5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the granular size of the granulated core is from about 0.3 mm to about 1.6 mm.
6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the vegetable oil is fully hydrogenated.
7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the core is surrounding by 4 or more layers of the coating material.
8. The composition of claim 1, wherein the weight % ratio of core material to coating material is about 60:40.
9. The composition of claim 1, wherein the rumen bypass rate is at least 75% and the intestinal digestibility rate is in a range of from 90 to 95%.
10. The composition of claim 1, wherein:
the melting temperature of the coating material is in a range of from about 70\xb0 C. to about 80\xb0 C.;
the modifying agent consists of oleic acid andor steric acid;
the granular size of the granulated core is from about 0.3 mm to about 1.6 mm;
the weight % ratio of core material to coating material is about 60:40; and
the rumen bypass rate is at least 75% and the intestinal digestibility rate is in a range of from 90 to 95%.
11. A method of supplementing the diet of a ruminant with lysine, the method comprising:
providing the ruminant with a ruminant feed composition comprising:
a granulated core comprising L-lysine sulfate, the granulated core having a granular size of about 0.3 mm to about 3.0 mm;
two or more layers of a coating material surrounding the core, the coating material comprising a vegetable oil that is at least partially hydrogenated, the vegetable oil being selected from the group consisting of palm oil, soybean oil, rape seed oil, cottonseed, and castor oil; and
a modifying agent present in an amount of from about 0.5 wt % to about 10 wt % of a final product weight, the modifying agent being selected from the group consisting of stearic acid, oleic acid, lecithin, and palm oil;

wherein:
the coating material has a melting temperature in a range of from about 50\xb0 C. to about 80\xb0 C.;
the weight % ratio of core material to coating material is from 50:50 to 90:10; and
the composition exhibits a rumen bypass rate of at least 50% and an intestinal digestibility rate of at least 70%.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the vegetable oil is soybean oil.
13. The composition of claim 11, wherein the melting temperature of the coating material is in a range of from about 70\xb0 C. to about 80\xb0 C.
14. The composition of claim 11, wherein the weight % ratio of core material to coating material is from 50:50 to about 70:30.
15. The composition of claim 11, wherein the granular size of the granulated core is from about 0.3 mm to about 1.6 mm.
16. The composition of claim 11, wherein the vegetable oil is fully hydrogenated.
17. The composition of claim 11, wherein the core is surrounding by 4 or more layers of the coating material.
18. The composition of claim 11, wherein the weight % ratio of core material to coating material is about 60:40.
19. The composition of claim 11, wherein the rumen bypass rate is at least 75% and the intestinal digestibility rate is in a range of from 90 to 95%.
20. A method of making a ruminant feed composition, the method comprising:
obtaining a core comprising L-lysine sulfate having a granular size of about 0.3 mm to about 3.0 mm;
coating the core with a continuous layer of a coating material comprising:
a liquid vegetable oil that is at least partially hydrogenated, the vegetable oil being selected from the group consisting of palm oil, soybean oil, rape seed oil, cottonseed, and castor oil, the coating material having a melting temperature in a range of from about 50\xb0 C. to about 80\xb0 C.; and

a modifying agent present in an amount of from about 0.5 wt % to about 10 wt % of a final product weight, the modifying agent being selected from the group consisting of stearic acid, oleic acid, lecithin, and palm oil;
allowing the layer of coating material to solidify to obtain a coated core; and
coating the coated core with one or more additional layers of the coating material, wherein each layer of the coating material is allowed to solidify before adding a next layer of coating material;
wherein:
the weight % ratio of core material to coating material is from 50:50 to 90:10; and
the composition exhibits a rumen bypass rate of at least 50% and an intestinal digestibility rate of at least 70%.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A light fixture for mounting to the underside of a furniture element, said light fixture comprising:
a housing including a first side and a second side opposed to and approximately parallel with said first side, said first side having a first spring latch at one end of said first side and said second side having a second spring latch at one end of said second side; and
a light source carried by said housing.
2. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein said first side includes a first hook at an opposite end of said first side.
3. The light fixture of claim 2, wherein said second side includes a second hook at an opposite end of said second side.
4. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein said first spring latch includes a first portion which extends from said one end of said first side, and said second spring latch includes a second portion which extends from said one end of said second side.
5. The light fixture of claim 4 wherein said first portion is resiliently deformable inwardly of said first side, and said second portion is resiliently deformable inwardly of said second side.
6. The light fixture of claim 5, wherein said first portion includes a first bend outward of said first side, said second portion includes a second bend outward of said second side.
7. The light fixture of claim 5, wherein said first portion includes a first bend inward of said first side, said second portion includes a second bend inward of said second side.
8. The light fixture of claim 7, wherein said first side includes a first stop, said first spring latch is pivotable relative to said first side, said first spring latch engages said first stop when said first spring latch is in a shipping position.
9. A furniture assembly, comprising:
a furniture element including an underside; and
a light fixture mounted to said underside of said furniture element, said light fixture including:
a housing including a first side and a second side opposed to and approximately parallel with said first side, said first side having a first spring latch at one end of said first side and said second side having a second spring latch at one end of said second side; and
a light source carried by said housing.
10. The furniture assembly of claim 9, wherein said first side includes a first hook at an opposite end of said first side.
11. The furniture assembly of claim 10, wherein said second side includes a second hook at an opposite end of said second side.
12. The furniture assembly of claim 9, wherein said first spring latch includes a first portion which extends from said one end of said first side, and said second spring latch includes a second portion which extends from said one end of said second side.
13. The furniture assembly of claim 12, wherein said first portion is resiliently deformable inwardly of said first side, and said second portion is resiliently deformable inwardly of said second side.
14. The furniture assembly of claim 13 wherein said first portion includes a first bend outward of said first side, said second portion includes a second bend outward of said second side.
15. The furniture assembly of claim 13, wherein said first portion includes a first bend inward of said first side, said second portion includes a second bend inward of said second side.
16. The furniture assembly of claim 15, wherein said first side includes a first stop, said first spring latch is pivotable relative to said first side, said first spring latch engages said first stop when said first spring latch is in a shipping position.
17. The furniture assembly of claim 9, wherein said furniture element is one of a modular furniture element, a shelf, cabinet and an entertainment center.
18. A method of assembling a light fixture to a furniture assembly, comprising the steps of:
providing a furniture element including an underside with at least one ledge; providing a light fixture including: a housing including a first side and a second side opposed to and approximately parallel with said first side, said first side having a first spring latch at one end of said first side and said second side having a second spring latch at one end of said second side, and a light source carried by said housing, said first side including a first hook at an opposite end of said first side, said second side including a second hook at an opposite end of said second side;
hooking said first hook and said second hook to said furniture element;
rotating said light fixture toward said underside;
resiliently deforming inwardly both said first spring latch and said second spring latch;
releasing both said first spring latch and said second spring latch; and
resting both said first spring and said second spring latch on a respective said at least one ledge.