Abstract: A safety indicator monitors environment conditions detrimental to humans e.g., hazardous gases, air pollutants, low oxygen, radiation levels of EMF or RF and microwave, temperature, humidity and air pressure retaining a three month history to upload to a PC via infra red data interface or phone link. Contaminants are analyzed and compared to stored profiles to determine its classification and notify user of an adversity by stored voice messages from, via alarm tones and associated flashing LED, via vibrator for silent operation or via LCD. Environmental radiation sources are monitored and auto-scaled. Instantaneous radiation exposure level and exposure duration data are stored for later readout as a detector and dosimeter. Scans for EMF allow detection with auto scaling of radiation levels and exposure durations are stored for subsequent readout. Electronic bugs can be found with a high sensitivity EMF range setting.

Abstract: A stabilizing apparatus and method that replaces the existing shock absorber of a road vehicle that works to resist the initiation of body roll during cornering. It seeks to counter act the forces being generated by the vehicle suspension springs that exacerbate the rollover propensity of vehicles during certain steering maneuvers.

Abstract: An apparatus for drainage of a wound or surgical site of a human or animal fits anatomically, passes from inside the wound or surgical site percutaneously or covering an open wound surface and extends externally for accumulation of fluids. A plurality of fibers each with an internal end, middle and an external end is elongate with a thickness and a length wherein its thickness is substantially less than its length for flexibility. The fibers form a loose bundle with gathered external ends and with internal ends unrestrained for spreading divergently inside the wound or surgical site. A collector is positioned in fluid communication with the gathered external ends for accumulating bodily fluid guided along and amongst the fibers from the internal ends along the middle and to the external ends during drainage. Vacuum connects to draw fluid from the collector. A method has steps of providing fibers with the internal ends unrestrained, the external ends gathered in a collector to accumulate drained fluid.

Abstract: A gas pressure adjustable aluminum shock absorber to pressurize oil therein mounts between a vehicle and an axle and includes a threaded aluminum shock body tube, a bore therein an aluminum body mounting loop with an internal female thread to couple in threaded engagement with the threaded aluminum shock body tube for fluid tight connection, an aluminum shaft in the bore extends outwardly, and a damper piston is concentrically atop the aluminum shaft for sliding sealing engagement with the bore. Adjustable flow orifices through the damper piston restrains piston and shaft reciprocation therein and co-acting with hydraulic fluid therein and thereabout. An aluminum seal head internally threaded with an internal female to couple in threaded engagement with the threaded aluminum shock body tube for fluid tight connection and seals in the aluminum seal head to engage the aluminum shaft.

Abstract: A stabilizing apparatus and method that replaces the existing shock absorber of a road vehicle that works to resist the initiation of body roll during cornering. It seeks to counter act the forces being generated by the vehicle suspension springs that exacerbate the rollover propensity of vehicles during certain steering maneuvers.

Abstract: A casino card game using a deck of cards having a number of value cards and a number of subsets of cards. A first subset constitutes value cards which have value in the play of the game to provide winning combinations according to the game rules. A second subset are wild cards that assume the value of another value card in a players hand. A third subset of cards are player specific cards which when matching an identifier separately associated with the player, assumes special meaning in the players hand. A fourth subset termed worthless cards which have no value and occupies space in the hand. A fifth subset are losing cards which causes a hand to immediately lose. A sixth subset is termed contingent cards which causes the player to receive additional payoff when the player has a winning combination of value cards. A last subset are win cards which causes the hand to immediately win.

Abstract: A casino game and method therefor is described having a gaming device having a play board. The play board has disposed thereon a plurality of groups wherein each of the plurality of groups has at least one like-kind element, one or a plurality of wild elements, one or a plurality of lose elements, and one or a plurality of separate wager elements. A wagering table is provided. The wagering table has separate wager areas for wagering on the occurrence made group or the occurrence of at least one separate wagering element. A device randomly selects during each play of the game an element from a like-kind elements, the wild elements, the separate wagering elements, and lose elements for displaying one of the elements on the play board during each round of play. The device continues to randomly select a next element until all of the like-kind elements in any one group are completed.

Abstract: The balloon catheter comprises a shaft with an elongated dilatation balloon mounted in the vicinity of the distal end thereof. Member for preventing expansion of balloon segments are mounted on shaft proximally of the balloon and comprise an armature enclosed in a sleeve moveable over a proximal portion of the balloon.

Abstract: The endoprosthesis is inserted under tension in a recess of a flexible inner catheter and secured by means of a tube-shaped outer catheter. To release the endoprosthesis into a vessel, the outer catheter is pushed back over the recess. The recess is formed by a connector piece that connects a tip to a piece of tubing of the inner catheter. The inner catheter can be designed with a smaller outer diameter in the region of the recess than was previously the case with at least the same flexibility and resistance to buckling.

Abstract: A constant power control circuit for an electrosurgical generator and a method for maintaining the electrical power output of an electrosurgical generator at a generally constant value throughout a given tissue impedance range are disclosed. The constant power control circuit and the method recognize and use the unique and simple linear characteristics associated with certain electrosurgical generator designs to monitor and control the electrical power output without having to calculate or monitor the actual output power. The constant power control circuit includes a current sampling circuit, a linear conversion circuit, and a feedback correction circuit.

Abstract: A valve and irrigator used with a suction tube has an elongate funnel with an axis through an enlarged entrance and an opposed extended exit duct of a flexible elastomer. A flow passage through the elongate funnel connects the entrance to the exit permitting fluid communication. A web across and near the enlarged entrance sealingly separates that from the exit. The web and the elongate funnel are made of silicone elastomer and are adhesively adhered to together. A portal in the web passes therethrough along the axis and is circular in shape to surround in fluid tight engagement the suction tube. A lid, proximally of the web on the enlarged entrance, has an inlet for irrigation and a pass through for the tube; the lid closes the enlarged entrance forming a chamber between the web and the lid. A slit within the web, near the portal and spaced from the axis is in the form of a closed mouth composed of a pair of sealing lips.

Abstract: A control system and method for the operation of neurosurgical bipolar electrodes for application to the tissue and bodily fluids of a patient provides a source of high frequency energy connected to bipolar electrodes. Contacting surfaces are on the bipolar electrodes of highly electrically conductive material with resistance per unit area substantially less than the impedance of the tissue and bodily fluids. A current transducer attached to the source of high frequency energy responds to the RMS current applied through the tissue and bodily fluids between the contact surfaces as a measure relative to the instantaneous values of the RMS current. A current transducer attached to the source of high frequency energy responds to the RMS current through a capacitor applied across the contact surfaces to provide a signal correlated to the instantaneous values of the RMS voltage between the contacts and across the tissue and bodily fluids.

Abstract: A partially coated electrosurgical electrode has a portion of a medical grade metallic material as a substrate for energy application. Conductive of sites of metallic material or alloys thereof pass energy through peaks that define valleys nearby. A partial coating in the valleys has a low surface free energy. A treated surface across the peaks and generally over the filled valleys is relatively smooth for non stick characteristics during application of electrosurgery to tissue and bodily fluids. Openings in the treated surface through the partial coating are at the peaks of conductive sites to expose the metallic material or alloys thereof. The partial coating is a fluorinated polymer. The treated surface is a relatively even level that is not flat. The metallic material substrate is an alloy of stainless steel or nickel chrome. A mechanically deformed surface finish, plasma or vapor deposition on the substrate forms the conductive sites.

Abstract: A method of making a return pad for an electrosurgical system comprises the following steps. A first step includes die cutting an electrically conductive foil on a backing using a rotary press to create a foil blank. A second step includes peeling the conductive foil from around the blank, and leaving the blank on its backing. A third step includes layering electrically conductive gel together with the die cut foil to form a layered sheet. A fourth step includes blanking the return pad from the layered sheet using a rotary die. The rotary die has cutting edges and a die packing material adjacent to at least a portion of the edges. The die packing material compresses the gel prior to cutting. The compression is preferably sufficient to cause elastic deformation in the gel so that the gel retracts after being cut. The retraction of the gel leaves a border around the edge of the pad. The border region helps prevent the possibility of the gel coming into electrical contact with an unintended object.

Abstract: A design and method of manufacture is disclosed for an electrosurgical electrode with a silicone coating. The coating resists the buildup of eschar. The silicone material is thick enough in the flat area of the blade to withstand the electrosurgical voltage without breakdown. The electrosurgical current path is primarily through the blade edges and tip. The flat of the blade remains insulated under most conditions. The relatively thick coating also provides high tear strength and added durability. The composition of the electrode coatings may include silicone elastomers in the form of adhesives, dispersions, or liquid rubbers. The coating composition may also contain adhesion promoters, heat stabilizers, plasticizers, release enhancers, crosslinking agents, and colorants. Several methods of manufacture are illustrated by way of examples.