Abstract: An inertial barrier system comprises inertial barriers formed of two modules, each of them being differently sized and being adapted to stack one upon the other. An interlocking geometry on each of the mating ends of modules assists in obtaining a secure stacking arrangement. One of the two modules functions as a container, facing upwardly so that its volumetric capacity is available for filling by a particulate ballasting material. The lower module functions only as a pedestal for the support of the upper module. The upper module is advantageously fillable to different predetermined levels, so that the apparatus, comprising the joined lower and upper modules, is capable of functioning as differently weighted barrier systems.

Abstract: An active control device is disclosed comprising an array of actively controlled oscillating air jets disposed on an aircraft structure. In a preferred embodiment, the device senses parameters associated with incipient unsteady aerodynamic excitation, such as free stream gusts, shed wakes in rotor and turbomachinery flows, or oscillatory motion of trailing edge control surfaces such as ailerons. These parameters are provided as input signals to a processor. Based on the input signals, the processor generates output signals that are used to operate the air jet array in a manner counteractive to the unsteady forcing. The air jet array can be used on numerous aircraft structures, including rotor blades, wings, engine inlets, engine exhausts, blunt surfaces and nozzles.

Abstract: Molded ribs are provided for use in connection with traffic channeling devices, such as drums, which employ external ballasting collars, such as molded rings or truck tire rings. The ribs are disposed at spaced intervals near the bottom of the external wall of the drum, for improving contact between the drum wall and the internal diameter of the ballasting collar, in order to eliminate undesirable separation of the drum and collar during ordinary use, and to prevent inadvertent rotation of the drum relative to the collar.

Abstract: A bone anchor insertion device comprises a handle, a nosepiece connected to a distal end of the handle, a bone anchor connected to the nosepiece, and an actuator disposed on the handle for deploying the bone anchor, which suture is also fixed to a portion of soft tissue to be attached to a portion of bone. A suture ratchet or tensioning mechanism is disposed in the handle for tensioning suture which is associated with the bone anchor. This mechanism permits precise tensioning, while also permitting one-handed operation, thereby allowing the practitioner to use his or her other hand for other activities, such as camera operation or the like.

Abstract: A suturing instrument for placing mattress stitches in soft tissue, such as a rotator cuff, includes an elongate shaft with both a stationary jaw and a movable jaw disposed at the distal end thereof. The shaft is coupled to a handle grip at the proximal end, which is configured to manipulate the jaws into open and closed positions. The jaws are configured to allow for atraumatic grasping of soft tissues. The stationary jaw may include a molded tip that holds and positions opposite ends of a single strand of suture material. The serrated upper jaw is configured to grasp and immobilize the tissue to be sutured. Hooked needles are movably positioned to pierce the grasped and immobilized tissues, and to engage and retrieve the opposite ends of the single strand of suture material. The handle is released to open the moveable jaw, whereupon the instrument may be withdrawn, trailing the suture, and leaving a mattress stitch in the grasped tissue.

Abstract: A device for attaching connective tissue to bone has a longitudinal axis and comprises an annular toggle member and a body member disposed distally of the toggle member, such that there is an axial space between the toggle member and the body member. The toggle member is movable between an undeployed position wherein the toggle member has a smaller profile in a direction transverse to the axis and a deployed position wherein the toggle member has a larger profile in the direction transverse to the axis. When installed in a desired procedural site, in suitable bone, suturing material extends axially through a center aperture in the annular toggle member, without being secured to or contacting the toggle member. This approach permits a suture attachment which lies entirely beneath the cortical bone surface, and which further permit the attachment of suture to the bone anchor without the necessity for tying knots, which is particularly arduous and technically demanding in the case of arthroscopic procedures.

Abstract: A composition and method that provides a chemically grafted coating onto a substrate. The composition comprises an acrylate and a grafting initiator. The acrylate may be a waterborne urethane acrylate. The composition may also comprise resistance agents, adhesion agents, UV curing photoinitiators, defoaming agent, and/or deglossing agents. The substrate may be any wood or plastic, but works well with heat shrinkable polyolefin tubing. The composition may also be quick curing such that the coating from the composition may be cured under a D bulb and an H bulb at a rate of 100-160 feet/minute. The coating on the substrate resists delamination and wear. The coating may have indicia printed on the coating, the indicia being composed from ink or other printable materials.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding human thyrotropin receptor and related methods are disclosed. The nucleic acids may have nucleotides deleted and/or replaced to modify the amino acid sequence of human thyrotropin receptor.

Abstract: A thermal insulation system includes two separate components for providing protection against both thermal and radiative conduction of energy, is easily installed, capable of easily fitting multiple substrate diameters, space-saving and lightweight, and durable. The system comprises an inner layer of heat shrink foam and an outer layer of reflective material. In the preferred embodiment, the outer layer of reflective material is heat shrink metalized material which has been recovered using known techniques onto the inner layer of heat shrink insulative material. One application for this system is for the insulation of vehicle brake fluid lines.

Abstract: A novel chemiluminescent compound is provided. In one embodiment, the novel compound is employed in an assay to detect analytes. The assay to detect analytes includes the steps of binding the novel compound to the analyte and detecting the novel compound.

Abstract: A device for improving the posture of a user when the user is engaged in certain activities, such as swinging a golf club, comprises an elongated rigid member having a securement element or strap extending therefrom. The rigid member has a length extending along the back of the user and the strap is adapted to secure the elongated rigid member to the user. The length of the rigid member is sufficient that a lower end of the rigid member is disposed at or below the waist of the user and an upper end of the rigid member is disposed behind the head of the user. Importantly, the head of the user is unattached to the rigid member, so that the user's body is free to flex and rotate in the performance of the certain activity. The device is designed to provide tactile stimulation to help improve motor learning responses, thereby increasing the possibility for behavior modification with respect to the assumption of appropriate postures during the desired activity.

Abstract: A motion compensated integration system and process for scanning a field and producing images of one or more densely filled wavebands has a moveable platform, an optical sensor, and optical sensor line-of-sight measuring device, and a processor. The optical sensor is mounted to the moveable platform and is made up of a telescope that is in functional relationship with a focal plane array. The focal plane array comprises one or more sets of detectors capable of receiving one or more wavebands and producing focal plane array data of the wavebands, respectively. The optical sensor line-of-sight measuring device is capable of producing optical sensor line-of-sight movement data. The processor is capable of receiving the focal plane array data and the optical sensor line-of-sight movement data and producing output images representing the wavebands, respectively. The system and process may normalize the data to account for border regions of the stabilized arrays.

Abstract: A data entry and processing system providing for simple two stroke entry of numerous auxiliary alpha-numeric data in addition to the single stroke entry of numeric data, using conventional data entry keys. The key array includes a set of radial direction indicator keys that are used with the conventional keys to select and enter a given alpha-numeric data item. An LCD display, a pre-programed micro-processor and other electronic components are included to display the data entries, as well as to convert entered data signals to the necessary DTMF tones for telecommunication or ASCII codes for computer data entries. The system is simple for use by ordinary users, and all electronic components are standard, minuscule in size, small in number, low in power need and low in cost. It is particularly adaptable for miniaturized device application.

Abstract: Large diameter dome tanks made of a plurality of plates friction stir welded together to form a blank and spun and/or stretched into form. The dome tanks may be for holding liquid rocket fuel. Methods of forming include friction stir welding two or more flat blanks together and spinning the combined workpiece into a hemisphere. The blanks may be sufficiently thick to enable stretching as well as spinning. Aluminum alloys may be used, and filler material may be included in thee friction stir welds to reduce grain growth and problems associated therewith in the spinning process.

Abstract: A vertical panel system comprises a vertical panel having a panel with opposing first and second panel surfaces and a base edge. The system further comprises a base having a slot for engaging the base edge of the panel. An aperture is disposed in the panel in proximity to the base edge, which is of sufficient size to receive a foot of a user, for assisting in the engagement of the panel and the base. The base for the vertical panel system comprises a center zone fabricated of vulcanized rubber, and an outer zone fabricated of recycled rubber. The slot is disposed in the center zone. Thus, the combination solves a need to be environmentally responsible and cost effective by recycling rubber which would otherwise fill our landfills, yet provides increased durability by using virgin vulcanized rubber in the zone of the base which includes the engagement slot.

Abstract: A bone anchor and methods for using same to secure connective tissue, such as tendons, to bone are disclosed which permit a suture attachment that lies entirely beneath the cortical bone surface. The bone anchor of the invention incorporates a deformable body that creates an increased anchor body diameter after it is inserted into the cancellous bone and deployed beneath the cortical surface of the bone. The increased body diameter, by virtue of its intrinsic geometry, creates both axial and rotational fixation of the bone anchor or suture fixation point.

Abstract: A fire-fighting turret or monitor includes a curved pipe formed in three successive sections separated by swivelable joints. The first joint swivels about the axis of the first section; the second joint swivels about an axis disposed at an acute angle to the first axis; and the third section includes a corresponding bend so that the exit from the third section can be pointed anywhere within substantially a hemisphere.

Abstract: A bone anchor device for attaching connective tissue to bone comprises an anchor body, a plurality of suture retaining apertures disposed in the anchor body, and deployable structure for securing the anchor body in bone. A longitudinal axis is disposed along a center of the anchor body, wherein the plurality of suture retaining apertures are spaced axially relative to one another. Additionally, in preferred embodiments, at least two of the plurality of suture retaining apertures are transversely offset from one another relative to the longitudinal axis, in staggered relation. Preferably, the deployable structure comprises a pair of deployable flaps. The anchor body comprises a substantially planar surface in which the plurality of suture retaining apertures are disposed. In its presently preferred embodiment, the anchor body comprises opposing substantially flat surfaces, wherein the plurality of suture retaining apertures extend through the entire anchor body.

Abstract: An inertial barrier system comprises inertial barriers formed of two modules, each of them being differently sized and being adapted to stack one upon the other. An interlocking geometry on each of the mating ends of modules assists in obtaining a secure stacking arrangement. One of the two modules functions as a container, facing upwardly so that its volumetric capacity is available for filling by a particulate ballasting material. The lower module functions only as a pedestal for the support of the upper module. The upper module is advantageously fillable to different predetermined levels, so that the apparatus, comprising the joined lower and upper modules, is capable of functioning as differently weighted barrier systems.

Abstract: A plastic cover is provided for covering and enclosing the tray of a child's high chair, while the tray is disposed over the arms. The cover preferably comprises a water resistant material forming an enclosure, which has an open end and an interior which is accessible through the open end. The tray is disposed within the interior of the enclosure. Use of the plastic tray cover prevents soiling of the tray, simplifying significantly the clean-up process. After use, the cover is removed from the tray and easily washed, or discarded.