Abstract: A vascular catheter comprises an elongated, flexible tubular catheter body. In accordance with this invention, a relatively rigid tunnel member is carried laterally on the catheter body outside of the catheter body. The tunnel member defines an open, non-collapsible, longitudinal passageway for blood flow outside of the catheter body when the vascular catheter is inserted in a blood vessel of a patient.

Abstract: Water treatment apparatus having a raw water inlet and a treated water outlet and at least a first and second water treatment tank plus conduit means for passing water from the inlet to the outlet through the first and second tanks in parallel flow relation. The tanks are automatically regenerated in sequential, alternating intermittent manner in response to predetermined criteria. The tank being regenerated is connected to prevent flow from said tank through the outlet, while the tank not being regenerated is connected to provide flow through the outlet. Accordingly, continuous water treatment, with alternating, intermittent regeneration of the tanks, may be provided.

Abstract: A pressure-actuated valve for sealing a flow conduit. The valve comprises a housing, and a tubular resilient valve carried within the housing. The tubular valve defines a lumen extending through the housing. Means are provided for varying the pressure in the space within the housing but outside of the tubular valve. Thus, the tubular valve can be urged to collapse inwardly by specific pressure applied.

Abstract: A catheter defines a flexible tubular body and a tubular tip carrier at the distal end of the body. At last the majority of the tubular body defines a first bore portion having a first meter. The catheter defines side holes adjacent the distal end, with the catheter defining a second bore portion distal to the side holes having a second diameter which is less than the first diameter. The catheter also defines an intermediate, tubular portion between the first and second bore portions, the intermediate portion having a third bore diameter that is less than the first diameter and greater than the second diameter. The intermediate portion also defines a thicker catheter wall than the catheter wall defining the first bore portion.

Abstract: A flow collector/distributor for a water treatment tank comprises a housing proportioned to communicate through a wall of the water treatment tank to provide flow communication between the tank interior and the tank exterior. The collector/distributor defines an inner end to project inwardly from the tank wall and an outward end to face outwardly from the tank wall. A plurality of slots are defined in the tubular housing, positioned to communicate with the tank interior when the collector/distributor is seated in the tank wall. The slots are of a width which is narrow enough to permit water flow therethrough while substantially preventing passage therethrough of water treatment material present within the tank.

Abstract: A catheter introducer comprises a tubular sheath for inserting and guiding a catheter into living tissue. In accordance with this invention, the sheath is typically made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, with a result that the catheter introducer sheath is highly flexible and non-kinking, but it also exhibits relatively high hoop strength so that burrs, notching, and kinking can be avoided as the catheter introducer is advanced through tissue while surrounding a dilator unit, to achieve advantages not found in prior art analogs.

Abstract: Multiple lumen tubing is extruded by first extruding an inner tube of molten plastic about a metallic, bore-forming mandrel wire, followed by extruding about the inner tube an outer tube of molten plastic having a lumen formed by air mandrel means, with the inner and outer tubes being bonded together. This may be accomplished by means of a mandrel which is positioned in an extrusion die, with the mandrel defining a distal end portion positioned and shaped to form a lumen in the tubing, and an air flow passage extending through the mandrel to provide an air mandrel to the newly formed lumen to prevent its collapse. The distal end portion of the mandrel may be carried by an intermediate neck portion which has at least one transverse dimension that is less than the corresponding transverse dimension of the distal end portion.

Abstract: A catheter defines a flexible, tubular body in which the tubular body carries a tubular reinforcing sleeve made of strands. By this invention the catheter defines at least one side hole which communicates through the tubular body and tubular reinforcing sleeve. Greater resistance against collapse is thus provided to the section of the catheter which defines the side hole or preferably side holes.

Abstract: An antenna is provided having a base for connection to a vehicle, a radiator whip, and an electrical connector for connecting the radiator whip to the base. The electrical connector comprises a first member defining an opening and a second member defining another opening. The openings defined by the first and second members are in alignment when the electrical connector is in its first position. When the electrical connector is in a second position, the openings are in misalignment. The openings are of a size that is adapted to receive the radiator whip. Manually operable means are provided for rotating the electrical connector about the radiator whip from the first position in which the radiator whip may be removed from the electrical connector to a second position in which the radiator whip is locked with respect to the electrical connector.

Abstract: A water treatment system is provided including a service step, a regenerating step and a rinse step. The service step includes introducing water to be treated into the inlet, through a treatment medium and out the outlet to a service location. If a prolonged period of idleness is determined automatically, a rinse step is automatically provided by which an amount of water to be treated is introduced into the inlet, through the treatment medium and out of the outlet to drain.

Abstract: A balloon catheter, preferably of the float-advancement type, defines a balloon carried adjacent the catheter distal end and a first catheter lumen communicating between the balloon at a proximal catheter location. By this invention, second and third, separate catheter lumens extend between proximal and distal catheter locations and are open at each end. The second and third catheter lumens are each proportioned to receive a catheter advancement guidewire to permit installation of a pair of the guidewires at desired body locations. Preferably, the second and third lumens define distal open ends which are longitudinally spaced from each other.

Abstract: A cordless antenna is provided for mounting on a motor vehicle's window. The cordless antenna has an outside radiator carried by an outer RF transfer member and an inside radiator carried by an inner RF transfer member. The inside radiator is pivotally connected by means of a movable clutch to the inner RF transfer member, enabling the inside antenna to extend downwardly and in the general direction of an antenna on a portable telephone used by a person within the vehicle.

Abstract: A balloon catheter comprises a catheter shaft which typically defines a first inflation lumen and a first, inflatable balloon mounted on the shaft in communication with the first inflation lumen. By this invention a second inflation lumen is typically provided, spaced from the first lumen and defined by the catheter shaft. A second balloon is mounted on the shaft in communication with the second inflation lumen. The second balloon defines apertures which are sized to permit liquid flow outwardly through the balloon. Thus, medication may be delivered in a controlled manner. Alternatively, the second balloon for medication administration may be the only balloon present on the catheter.

Abstract: A rolling ball game such as pinball comprises a playfield plus means for launching rolling balls onto the playfield. By this invention, the launching means comprises a station where a ball at rest is positioned for said launching, spring-operated manual plunger means for launching the ball from the station, and an electrically operated arm for launching the ball from the same station. Thus, the same ball can be launched by two alternative means, one of which is manually controlled, but the other of which can be automatically controlled in response to events of the game.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for combined cardiac pacing and defibrillating with an implanted pacer/defibrillator having sensing and pacing leads connected to the atrium and the ventricle. P-waves and R-waves are sensed, and a V-V timer and a V-A timer are reset if an R-wave is sensed. If an R-wave is sensed during the V-V timer interval, a pacing stimulus to the ventricle is inhibited. If a P-wave is sensed during the V-A timer interval, a pacing stimulus to the atrium is inhibited. If an R-wave is sensed during the V-V timer interval, arrhythmia therapy is provided if an arrhythmia is determined to be present. If the sensed ventricular rate is greater than a selected tachycardia rate but is less than a selected fibrillation rate, than a determination is made whether the sensed atrial rate is greater than a selected fibrillation rate, and if so, the V-V and V-A timers are reset, but if the sensed atrial rate is not greater than a selected fibrillation rate, then arrhythmia therapy is provided.

Abstract: A "pop bumper" for a pinball game which carries a depressible flange for contact with a rolling ball. By this invention a vertically moveable pin engaging the flange is provided. The pin is positioned to move in linear manner between a first vertical position when the flange is depressed and a second vertical position when the flange is not depressed. A spring is provided to urge the vertically movable pin toward one of the vertical positions, typically the second vertical position. A switch is actuated between open and closed positions as the pin moves between the first and second vertical positions. Various functions may be actuated by the switch. For example a ball thruster may be provided to thrust the ball away from the bumper when the vertically moveable pin is moved to typically the first vertical position in which the flange is depressed.

Abstract: A flexible plastic catheter defines a flexible, distal tip. In accordance with this invention, the distal tip comprises a plastic formulation containing sufficient radiopaque agent to be substantially more radiopaque and preferably softer than portions of the catheter proximal to the tip. Thus, the distal tip area of the catheter can be flexible to avoid possible tissue damage as the catheter is advanced, but is still readily visible by x-ray. At the same time, the majority of the catheter may be of normal flexibility and strength.

Abstract: A faucet-mounted filter in which a housing is positioned in flow transmitting relation with the water flow line. A microporous, hollow fiber filter bundle is positioned to sealingly occlude water flow through the housing so that all water flow through the housing must pass through porous walls of the hollow fibers of the filter. The pores of the hollow fiber walls are no larger than 0.22 micron, as measured by the particles that the pores pass. Thus the filter is capable of microbial filtering.

Abstract: An antenna is disclosed which is particularly suitable for use with a cellular mobile phone. The antenna may be mounted on the rear window of a vehicle, and it includes a current fed one-quarter wavelength radiator adapted for mounting on one side of the window. An electrically conductive inner transfer member is mounted on the inside of the window in alignment with the radiator and a pair of spaced field-cancelling conductors are attached to the inside of the window and are spaced from the inner transfer member. The central conductor of an RF coaxial cable is coupled to the inner transfer member and the surrounding ground conductor of the coaxial cable is coupled to the field-cancelling conductors. In one embodiment, the one-quarter wavelength radiator comprises a pair of parallel, spaced radiator elements. RF energy is transferred through the vehicle window and the drilling of a hole for coupling the radiator to the coaxial cable is unnecessary.