All The Claims

1. A staggered parallel three-level DCDC converter, comprising:
at least one input power supply;
N-phase three-level DCDC circuits, N resonant inductors, N resonant capacitors, N transformers, and N rectifier circuits;
a first inductor; and
an output circuit;
wherein one end of an i th resonant inductor is connected to an i th-phase three-level DCDC circuit, and the other end of the i th resonant inductor is connected to an excitation inductor of an i th transformer;
wherein one end of an i th resonant capacitor is connected to the i th-phase three-level DCDC circuit, and the other end of the i th resonant capacitor is connected to the excitation inductor of the i th transformer;
wherein one end of the first inductor is connected to the output circuit, the other end of the first inductor is connected to the N rectifier circuits; or one end of the first inductor is connected to the input power supply, and the other end of the first inductor is connected to the N-phase three-level DCDC circuits;
wherein N is an integer and is greater than or equal to 2; and
wherein i is an integer and 1\u2266i\u2266N.
2. The staggered parallel three-level DCDC converter according to claim 1, wherein:
the i th-phase three-level DCDC circuit comprises: a first voltage dividing unit, a second voltage dividing unit, a first diode, a second diode, a first inverter, a second inverter, a third inverter, and a fourth inverter;
the first voltage dividing unit and the second voltage dividing unit are connected in series;
the first diode and the second diode are connected in series;
the first inverter, the second inverter, the third inverter, and the fourth inverter are in series connected in sequence;
the positive end of the first inverter is connected to one end of the first voltage dividing unit, and the negative end of the first inverter is connected to the cathode of the first diode;
the positive end of the second inverter is connected to the cathode of the first diode, and the negative end of the second inverter is connected to one end of the i th resonant inductor;
the positive end of the third inverter is connected to one end of the i th resonant inductor, and the negative end of the third inverter is connected to the anode of the second diode; and
the positive end of the fourth inverter is connected to the anode of the second diode, and the negative end of the fourth inverter is connected to one end of the second voltage dividing unit.
3. The staggered parallel three-level DCDC converter according to claim 2, wherein the i th-phase three-level DCDC circuit further comprises:
a first drive unit, connected to the first inverter and configured to output a first drive signal to the first inverter;
a second drive unit, connected to the second inverter and configured to output a second drive signal to the second inverter;
a third drive unit, connected to the third inverter and configured to output a third drive signal to the third inverter; and
a fourth drive unit, connected to the fourth inverter and configured to output a fourth drive signal to the fourth inverter;
wherein, the first drive signal and the second drive signal are complementary, the third drive signal and the fourth drive signal are complementary, time for turning off a power switch in the first drive signal is earlier than time for turning off a power switch in the second drive signal, and time for turning off a power switch in the fourth drive signal is earlier than time for turning off a power switch in the third drive signal.
4. The staggered parallel three-level DCDC converter according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of drive signals in each-phase three-level DCDC circuit is staggered by M degrees from each other, and M=3602N.
5. The staggered parallel three-level DCDC converter according to claim 2, wherein: one end of the i th resonant inductor is connected to the i th-phase three-level DCDC circuit, and the other end of the i th resonant inductor is connected to the excitation inductor of the i th transformer;
that one end of the i th resonant capacitor is connected to the i th-phase three-level DCDC circuit and the other end of the i th resonant capacitor is connected to the excitation inductor of the i th transformer comprises:
one end of the i th resonant capacitor being connected to the other end of the excitation inductor of the i th transformer, and the other end of the i th resonant capacitor being connected to the anode of the first diode, the cathode of the second diode, the other end of the first voltage dividing unit, and the other end of the second voltage dividing unit.
6. The staggered parallel three-level DCDC converter according to claim 2, wherein each converter comprises: a power switch, a body diode, and a junction capacitor, wherein the power switch, the body diode, and the junction capacitor are connected in parallel.
7. The staggered parallel three-level DCDC converter according to claim 1, wherein the rectifier circuits are central tap full-wave rectifier circuits or bridge rectifier circuits.
8. The staggered parallel three-level DCDC converter according to claim 7, wherein each of the rectifier circuits is formed by a rectifier diode or a power switch.
9. An ACDC (alternating currentdirect current) converter, comprising:
a power factor rectifier circuit; and
a staggered parallel three-level DCDC (direct currentdirect current) converter which comprises:
at least one input power supply, N-phase three-level DCDC circuits, N resonant inductors, N resonant capacitors, N transformers, N rectifier circuits, a first inductor, and an output circuit;
wherein one end of an i th resonant inductor is connected to an i th-phase three-level DCDC circuit, and the other end of the i th resonant inductor is connected to an excitation inductor of an i th transformer;
wherein one end of an i th resonant capacitor is connected to the i th-phase three-level DCDC circuit, and the other end of the i th resonant capacitor is connected to the excitation inductor of the i th transformer;
wherein one end of the first inductor is connected to the output circuit, the other end of the first inductor is connected to the N rectifier circuits; or one end of the first inductor is connected to the input power supply, and the other end of the first inductor is connected to the N-phase three-level DCDC circuits;
wherein, N is an integer and is greater than or equal to 2, and i is an integer and 1\u2266i\u2266N.
10. The ACDC converter according to claim 9, wherein:
the i th-phase three-level DCDC circuit comprises: a first voltage dividing unit, a second voltage dividing unit, a first diode, a second diode, a first inverter, a second inverter, a third inverter, and a fourth inverter;
the first voltage dividing unit and the second voltage dividing unit are connected in series;
the first diode and the second diode are connected in series;
the first inverter, the second inverter, the third inverter, and the fourth inverter are in series connected in sequence;
the positive end of the first inverter is connected to one end of the first voltage dividing unit, and the negative end of the first inverter is connected to the cathode of the first diode;
the positive end of the second inverter is connected to the cathode of the first diode, and the negative end of the second inverter is connected to one end of the i th resonant inductor;
the positive end of the third inverter is connected to one end of the i th resonant inductor, and the negative end of the third inverter is connected to the anode of the second diode; and
the positive end of the fourth inverter is connected to the anode of the second diode, and the negative end of the fourth inverter is connected to one end of the second voltage dividing unit.
11. The ACDC converter according to claim 10, wherein the i th-phase three-level DCDC circuit further comprises:
a first drive unit, connected to the first inverter and configured to output a first drive signal to the first inverter;
a second drive unit, connected to the second inverter and configured to output a second drive signal to the second inverter;
a third drive unit, connected to the third inverter and configured to output a third drive signal to the third inverter; and
a fourth drive unit, connected to the fourth inverter and configured to output a fourth drive signal to the fourth inverter;
wherein, the first drive signal and the second drive signal are complementary; the third drive signal and the fourth drive signal are complementary; time for turning off a power switch in the first drive signal is earlier than time for turning off a power switch in the second drive signal; and, time for turning off a power switch in the fourth drive signal is earlier than time for turning off a power switch in the third drive signal.
12. The ACDC converter according to claim 11, wherein a plurality of drive signals in each-phase three-level DCDC circuit is staggered by M degrees from each other, and M=3602N.
13. The ACDC converter according to claim 10, wherein:
one end of the i th resonant inductor is connected to the i th-phase three-level DCDC circuit, and the other end of the i th resonant inductor is connected to the excitation inductor of the i th transformer;
that one end of the i th resonant capacitor is connected to the i th-phase three-level DCDC circuit and the other end of the i th resonant capacitor is connected to the excitation inductor of the i th transformer comprises:
tone end of the i th resonant capacitor being connected to the other end of the excitation inductor of the i th transformer, and the other end of the i th resonant capacitor being connected to the anode of the first diode, the cathode of the second diode, the other end of the first voltage dividing unit, and the other end of the second voltage dividing unit.
14. The ACDC converter according to claim 10, wherein each converter comprises: a power switch, a body diode, and a junction capacitor, wherein the power switch, the body diode, and the junction capacitor are connected in parallel.
15. The ACDC converter according to claim 9, wherein the rectifier circuits are central tap full-wave rectifier circuits or bridge rectifier circuits.
16. The ACDC converter according to claim 15, wherein each of the rectifier circuits is formed by a rectifier diode or a power switch.

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. Apparatus for carrying out medical procedures on a patient comprising:
a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus including a magnet for generating a magnetic field of sufficient intensity to carry out a magnetic resonance imaging procedure on the patient;
a plurality of additional components for use in carrying out at least one additional procedure on the patient;
wherein the field of the magnet extends to an area outside of the magnet with sufficient intensity to cause movement of ferro-magnetic material within the area;
the magnet andor the plurality of additional components being mounted for relative movement such that the magnetic resonance imaging procedure is carried out with the plurality of additional components in a remote location from the magnet and the at least one additional procedure is carried out with the magnet in a remote location from the plurality of additional components;
a control system for controlling the relative movement of the magnet and the plurality of additional components;
a plurality of magnetic field sensors each mounted on a respective one of the plurality of additional components for measuring the magnetic field at the location of the component;
the magnetic field sensors being arranged for communication of signals to the control system;
the control system being arranged to change operation of the relative movement of the magnet andor the components in response to receipt of a signal from one or more of the sensors.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each sensor measures the magnetic field strength in 3 perpendicular dimensions.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the magnetic field sensors are mounted on mobile and stationary objects such as booms, a surgical table, microscopes, instrument trays, kick buckets, foot pedals.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the magnetic field sensors communicate by wireless communication from the sensors to the control system.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control system includes an audiovisual display.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control system includes a real-time asset tracking system for the components.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control system is arranged to initiate movement of components from a potentially unsafe position to a pre-defined safe-position.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control system includes object avoidance mechanisms in order to avoid collision with persons and other objects in the room.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control system is arranged to estimate position of the magnet from the sensed field strengths from the set of sensors.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the control system is arranged to use information on the estimated position of the magnet to anticipate collisions and initiate avoidance mechanisms.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control system is arranged to include a known position of the sensor on the object and a physical model of the object extension so as to provide a decision based on the current orientation of the object and the sensed field strength.
12. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein there are provided objects in the area which do not have magnetic field sensors attached to them but have positions communicated to the control system.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the objects are fixed.
14. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the objects have their position measured or inferred by other means, such as a camera system.
15. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control system is arranged to achieve an optimal configuration of the components for imaging.
16. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control system is arranged to shut off RF noisy equipment before imaging.
17. Apparatus for carrying out medical procedures on a patient comprising:
a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus including a magnet for generating a magnetic field of sufficient intensity to carry out a magnetic resonance imaging procedure on the patient;
a plurality of additional components for use in carrying out at least one additional procedure on the patient;
wherein the field of the magnet extends to an area outside of the magnet with sufficient intensity to cause movement of ferro-magnetic material within the area;
the magnet being mounted for movement relative to the patient from a first position for the magnetic resonance imaging procedure on the patient to a second remote position for carrying out the additional procedure on the patient;
a control system for controlling the movement of the magnet;
and a plurality of magnetic field sensors each mounted on a respective one of the plurality of additional components for measuring the magnetic field at the location of the component;
the magnetic field sensors being arranged for communication of signals to the control system.
18. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the control system is arranged to stop movement of the magnet.
19. Apparatus for carrying out medical procedures on a patient comprising:
a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus including a magnet for generating a magnetic field of sufficient intensity to carry out a magnetic resonance imaging procedure on the patient;
a plurality of additional components for use in carrying out at least one additional procedure on the patient;
wherein the field of the magnet extends to an area outside of the magnet with sufficient intensity to cause movement of ferro-magnetic material within the area;
the magnet andor the plurality of additional components being mounted for relative movement such that the magnetic resonance imaging procedure is carried out with the plurality of additional components in a remote location from the magnet and the at least one additional procedure is carried out with the magnet in a remote location from the plurality of additional components;
a control system for controlling the relative movement of the magnet and the plurality of additional components;
a plurality of magnetic field sensors each mounted on a respective one of the plurality of additional components for measuring the magnetic field at the location of the component;
the magnetic field sensors being arranged for communication of signals to the control system;
wherein the control system is arranged to estimate relative positions of the components relative to the magnet from the sensed field strengths from the set of sensors.

1. A dispenser for use as a part of a skin formulation applicator assembly, comprising:
a dispenser housing;
a reservoir positioned within the housing containing a skin formulation for treatment of a skin condition;
an outlet nozzle assembly through which a skin formulation from the reservoir exits for delivery;
a valve pump assembly connecting the reservoir to the nozzle; and
an actuator member by which the user can move a skin formulation present in the reservoir through the nozzle, wherein the diameter of an outlet port of the nozzle has a value which permits the skin formulation to be conveniently moved, without undue effort, by user action on the actuator, while limiting evaporation of the fluid sufficiently to maintain effectiveness of the formulation, wherein the outlet port opening is within the range of 0.035 inches to 0.05 inches.
2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the outlet port opening is approximately 0.04 inches.
3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the outlet port opening to the length of the outlet port portion of the nozzle is within the range of 1:3 to 1:6.
4. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein the ratio is 1:4.8.
5. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the nozzle has an outlet end with an outside diameter within the range of 0.05 to 0.20 inches.
6. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein the diameter is approximately 0.125 inches.
7. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the nozzle has an extending portion which protrudes from the housing, and wherein the length of the extending portion is within the range of 0.30 inches to 0.475 inches.
8. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the length of the extending portion is approximately 0.435 inches.
9. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an end member having a cavity therein to receive a tip member portion of an infuser portion of the applicator assembly.
10. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispenser includes an interior surface portion between the end member and an adjacent end of the dispenser which mates tightly with an upper edge portion of an infuser portion of the applicator assembly, aligning the disperser with the infuser portion, so that magnetic attraction elements on the dispenser and the infuser portion can tend to prevent the dispenser from separating from the infuser portion.
11. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the exterior surface of the nozzle is configured to just fit within an opening in the upper surface of an infuser portion of the applicator assembly, providing a reliable mating between the dispenser portion and the infuser portion and an indication that the dispensing portion is an authorized part of the applicator assembly.
12. A dispenser for use as part of a skin formulation applicator assembly, comprising:
a dispenser housing which includes a lower end member which is positioned slightly inboard of a lower edge of the dispenser housing;
a reservoir positioned within the housing containing a skin formulation; and
a delivery assembly, including a nozzle, for delivering the skin formulation from the reservoir to the nozzle portion by a user operating an actuating mechanism, wherein the nozzle includes a portion which extends beyond the end member, the extending portion configured to just fit into a mating opening in an infuser portion of the applicator assembly, providing an assurance that the dispenser is authorized for use in the applicator assembly.
13. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein the lower end member further includes a cavity to receive a tip member part of the infuser portion when the dispenser is mated with the infuser.
14. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein an interior surface of the dispenser inboard of the lower edge thereof is configured to mate tightly with an upper edge portion of the infuser, aligning the dispenser with the infuser portion, so that magnetic attraction members on the dispenser and the infuser portion can tend to prevent the dispenser and the infuser portion from separating.
15. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein the lower edge of the dispenser has a wavy configuration which mates with a corresponding wavy configuration of the upper edge of the infuser.

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. An orthopedic support comprising:
a sheet of flexible material configured to extend about and conform to a portion of a wearer’s anatomy;
at least one strap attached to the sheet of material;
at least one fastener tab secured to a free end of a respective strap; and
a fastening material attached to a respective fastener tab and configured to attach to at least one of the strap and sheet of material so as to secure the sheet of material about the portion of the wearer’s anatomy,
wherein a portion of the at least one fastener tab and associated fastening material overlap one another and a remaining portion of the fastener tab and associated fastening material attach to opposite surfaces of the free end of the at least one strap.
2. The orthopedic support according to claim 1, wherein the sheet of flexible material is configured to at least partially enclose an arm of the wearer so that the sheet of material extends around a wrist of the wearer.
3. The orthopedic support according to claim 1, further comprising at least one integral strap extending laterally from a lateral edge and a distal edge of the sheet of material, and at least one integral strap extending laterally from an opposite lateral edge and a proximal edge of the sheet of material, wherein each integral strap is configured to extend over an opposite lateral edge.
4. The orthopedic support according to claim 3, wherein each integral strap comprises a fastener tab attached to fastening material that is configured to attach to the sheet of material.
5. The orthopedic support according to claim 1, further comprising a longitudinal strap attached to the sheet of material and configured to extend over a lateral edge and circumferentially about a portion of the wearer’s anatomy.
6. The orthopedic support according to claim 5, wherein the longitudinal strap comprises a fastener tab attached to fastening material that is configured to attach to an outer surface of the longitudinal strap.
7. The orthopedic support according to claim 1, further comprising at least one strap guide secured to an outer surface of the sheet of material, wherein the strap guide is configured to slidably receive the at least one strap therein and guide the strap about the sheet of material.
8. The orthopedic support according to claim 7, further comprising a pair of strap guides injection molded to the outer surface of the sheet of material.
9. The orthopedic support according to claim 1, further comprising at least one pass attached within the sheet of material, wherein the pass is configured to slidably receive the at least one strap and guide the strap through the sheet of material.
10. The orthopedic support according to claim 9, wherein the at least one pass is injection molded about its outer periphery through a thickness of the sheet of material.
11. The orthopedic support according to claim 1, further comprising at least one strap ring attached to a lateral edge of the sheet of material and configured to slidably receive the at least one strap therein, wherein the at least one strap extending through the strap ring is configured to loop back over itself to tension the strap.
12. The orthopedic support according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fastener tab comprises a polymeric material.
13. The orthopedic support according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fastener tab comprises a prong extending therefrom that is configured to engage the free end of the at least one strap.
14. The orthopedic support according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fastener tab and fastening element comprise an outwardly flaring base, and wherein each base is configured to attach to opposite surfaces of the free end of a respective strap.
15. A method for assembling an orthopedic support comprising:
providing a sheet of flexible material comprising at least one strap configured to be positioned about a portion of a wearer’s anatomy;
attaching at least one fastener tab to a fastening material such that a portion of the fastener tab and fastening material overlap with one another; and
attaching a remaining portion of the at least one fastener tab and associated fastening material to opposite surfaces of a free end of a respective strap, wherein the fastening material is configured to attach to at least one of the strap and sheet of material to secure the sheet of material about the portion of the wearer’s anatomy.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein attaching comprises attaching the at least one fastener tab and associated fastening material to a respective strap with at least one of radiofrequency welding, injection molding, and adhesives.
17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising attaching at least one strap guide to an outer surface of the sheet of material, wherein the strap guide is configured to slidably receive the at least one strap therein and guide the strap about the sheet of material.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein attaching the at least one strap guide to the sheet of material comprises injection molding a pair of strap guides to the outer surface of the sheet of material.
19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising attaching at least one pass within the sheet of material, wherein the pass is configured to slidably receive the at least one strap and guide the strap through the sheet of material.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein attaching the at least one pass comprises injection molding the pass about its outer periphery through a thickness of the sheet of material.
21. The method according to claim 15, further comprising attaching at least one strap ring to a lateral edge of the sheet of material, wherein the strap ring is configured to slidably receive the at least one strap therein.
22. The method according to claim 15, further comprising forming the at least one fastener tab with a polymeric material.
23. The method according to claim 22, wherein forming the at least one fastener tab comprises forming the at least one fastener tab with an injection molding process.
24. The method according to claim 22, wherein forming the at least one fastener tab comprises integrally forming at least one prong with a respective fastener tab.
25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising engaging the free end of the at least one strap with the at least one prong.