Abstract: A high power low RPM direct current electric motor is disclosed whereby the high power output is achieved in one of two ways or both. In the first case, the need for cooling is reduced simultaneously along with an increase in the utilization of the magnetic field present in the motor permanent magnets. This is achieved by wrapping the electromagnet core with windings that are capable of demagnetizing the rotor permanent magnets under stall conditions. Interlocking motor circuitry is provided which prevents the full activation of these motor windings until motor RPM values reach a safe level. This increases motor power while decreasing resistive losses in electromagnet windings. In the second case, the rotary portion consists of a large diameter relatively flat rotor containing permanent magnets and having built in vanes for moving air over the electromagnet stator windings providing forced air cooling.

Abstract: Surgical apparatus and associated methods of use are provided for retracting tissue around an incision. The apparatus includes a member having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface. An adjustable aperture is definable within the inner peripheral surface as the member is adjusted between a compressed condition in which the aperture is substantially closed and an expanded condition in which the aperture is substantially open. The apparatus is positioned within a surgical incision in the compressed condition, and is adjusted to the expanded condition in situ to define an opening within the incision through the aperture whereby a surgical field may be viewed and/or accessed.

Abstract: Data packets from a remote computer are merged together with data packets from a local computer to form a combined stream of data packets. A network interface card connects a computer with a network including a plurality of computers. A remote input of the network interface card receives remote data generated by another computer in the network. A local input of the network interface card receives local data generated by the local computer for delivery to another computer in the network. Local data is stored in a local storage device when remote data is being retransmitted to the network by a processor. When the processor has finished retransmitting the remote data to the network, the processor then transmits the stored local data to the network. Remote data is stored in a remote storage device when local data is being transmitted to the network by the processor. When the processor has finished transmitting the local data to the network, the processor then retransmits the stored remote data to the network.

Abstract: A computer network includes a network hub which connects a plurality of computers together. Data packets generated by the computers are sequentially merged into a stream of data packets which is then broadcast to all of the computers in the network. The network hub includes a plurality of ports, each of which is connected to a respective one of the computers, receiving data packets generated by the computer. The network hub also includes a plurality of storage devices respectively connected to the ports. Each of the storage devices receives and temporarily stores the data packets received by the port. A merging processor is connected to each of the storage devices and sequentially merges data packets temporarily stored by the storage devices into a stream of data packets. The stream of data packets is then broadcast to each of the computers in the network. The network hub may communicate with each of the computers to indicate the capacity status of the storage device.

Abstract: A plurality of computers are sequentially connected to form a chain of computers in a network. Data packets from computers are gathered and sequentially routed through the chain of computers to a last computer in the chain on a packet assembly channel. Data packets routed through the last computer are then broadcast to all the computers in the network on a packet broadcast channel. Each computer in the network is provided with a network interface card to interface with the packet assembly and broadcast channels. A network hub configures the packet assembly and broadcast channels route data packets generated by the computers through the last computer and to broadcast the data packets routed through the last computer to the computers in the network.

Abstract: A high power low RPM direct current electric motor is disclosed whereby the high power output is achieved in one of two ways or both. In the first case, the need for cooling is reduced simultaneously along with an increase in the utilization of the magnetic field present in the motor permanent magnets. This is achieved by wrapping the electromagnet core with windings that are capable of demagnetizing the rotor permanent magnets under stall conditions. Interlocking motor circuitry is provided which prevents the full activation of these motor windings until motor RPM values reach a safe level. This increases motor power while decreasing resistive losses in electromagnet windings. In the second case, the rotary portion consists of a large diameter relatively flat rotor containing permanent magnets and having built in vanes for moving air over the electromagnet stator windings providing forced air cooling.

Abstract: A brassier for reducing breast cancer includes cups for holding the mammary glands. Each of the cups has a slot formed therein for accommodating a papilla. Each slot is longitudinally elongated to accommodate for variances in the longitudinal location of the papilla from woman to woman. By positioning the papilla within the slots, the papillae are not subject to pressure and compression which inflict trauma on the breasts. The brassier for reducing trauma may include cup linings disposed within the cups. Each lining has an opening formed therein for accommodating a papilla. Each lining may also have protective material disposed about the opening to provide protection for the papilla when received within the opening.

Abstract: A multi-purpose surgical implement handle has proximal and distal ends. A gripping section is located toward the proximal end, and an attachment section is located toward the distal end. An adjusting section is interposed between the gripping section and the attachment section. The adjusting section may be bent by a human user at virtually any discrete location along the section. The adjusting section may include an increased-adjustability portion which is easier to bend than other portions of the adjusting section.

Abstract: A system for measuring biological functions of a patient, such as cardiac output, filters noise from a signal provided by a thermistor catheter inserted into the body of the patient. A signal-conditioning cable is disposed between the catheter and an instrument which processes the signal to measure cardiac output. The cable includes circuitry which forms, in combination with a thermistor of the catheter, a low-pass filter for attenuating thermal and high-frequency noise from the signal provided to the instrument. The instrument can more accurately measure cardiac output with the filtered signal than with an unfiltered signal. Although the circuitry which forms the low-pass filter may be combined with the catheter or the instrument, it is preferred to dispose the circuitry in a separate cable to reduce manufacturing costs of the catheter and retrofitting costs of existing instruments.

Abstract: A method is provided for growing plants in an environment having air containing carbon dioxide which is lower in carbon 14 content than under normal ambient conditions. Such plants grown under these conditions have a lower concentration of carbon 14 and therefore their natural radioactivity will be reduced. The process involves controlling of the source of carbon dioxide used by the plants as one derived from carbon compounds of very low carbon 14 content. Such sources include but are not limited to limestone and fossil fuels. Such plant material can be used to make articles traceable to the process, or alternatively certain plants can be grown for human or animal consumption to reduce the overall radioactive body burden of carbon 14.

Abstract: A handle with interchangeable and releasably attachable implements, such as a razor-blade shaving head or a toothbrush head. The handle has a body portion and a head portion. The head portion has retaining structure formed thereon. Each implement has engaging structure formed thereon. The engaging structure of the implement releasably attaches to the retaining structure of the head portion of the handle. The retaining structure may include a pair of recesses oppositely disposed in the head portion. Each of the recesses may have a slot formed in a respective side of the head portion. The engaging structure may include a pair of projections disposed in a spaced relationship on the implement. Each of the projections may including a resilient tab projecting outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A continuous cardiac output monitor a general-purpose monitoring console with local display and communication facilities, and a module removably interfacing with the console to configure the latter for performing continuous cardiac output monitoring. The module includes a switch-mode high efficiency power amplifier for providing electrical heating power at a selected voltage, frequency, and wave form to a heating element of a continuous cardiac output monitoring catheter, which catheter at a distal end portion thereof is immersed in the blood flow of a patient. The catheter effects a temperature transient in the patient's blood flow by the controlled application of electrical resistance heating utilizing electrical power from the power amplifier, and this temperature transient is sensed and used to derive a value for the patient's cardiac output.