Abstract: A tractor for moving within a borehole comprises an elongated tractor body and two propulsion assemblies that are longitudinally movably engaged with the body. The tractor body has annular pistons configured to receive hydraulic thrust to propel the body longitudinally. Each propulsion assembly includes a gripper and one or more propulsion cylinders. The gripper has an actuated position in which the gripper limits relative movement between the gripper and the inner surface of the borehole, and a retracted position in which the gripper permits substantially free relative movement between the gripper and the inner surface of the borehole. Each propulsion cylinder contains one of the pistons. The tractor includes a control assembly having a plurality of valves and hydraulic circuitry which control the sequencing of fluid distribution to the propulsion cylinders, and of the actuation and retraction of the grippers. A throttle valve controls the fluid flowrate to the pistons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for propelling a tool having a body within a passage. The tool includes a gripper including at least a gripper portion which can assume a first position that engages an inner surface of the passage and limits relative movement of the gripper portion relative to the inner surface. The gripper portion can also assume a second position that permits substantially free relative movement between the gripper portion and the inner surface of the passage. The tool includes a propulsion assembly for selectively continuously moving the body of the tool with respect to the gripper portion while the gripper portion is in the first position. This allows the tool to move different types of equipment within the passage. For example, the tool advantageously may be used in drilling processes to provide continuous force to a drill bit. This enables the drilling of extended horizontal boreholes.

Abstract: A flip-flop-based circuit architecture generates a hazard-free asynchronous signal given the SET and RESET sum-of-product (SOP) solutions to an asynchronous process. The flip-flop SET and RESET SOP solutions can be hazardous. Thus, general purpose synchronous optimization tools (which are indifferent to hazards) can be used to derive the optimal SOP solutions. A fixed layer built around the SOP cores eliminates all hazards in the circuit. In one embodiment, the architecture is optimized by eliminating an RS latch and delay lines in the SOP cores. The architecture of the present invention is guaranteed to admit any semi-modular race-free state graph representation of an asynchronous process that satisfies the n-shot requirement. The state graph representations can be examined to determine if alternate, solution-specific, simplified architectures can be employed that further decrease the final area by the elimination of flip-flops or the elimination of a timing delay.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for digitally demodulating QPSK signals includes a first portion in which the digitally sampled data burst is resampled with a plurality of predetermined timing hypotheses. The timing offset is determined according to an analysis of the resampled data. The digitally sampled data burst is then resampled according to the timing estimation. Modulation of the resampled data burst is then removed by twice squaring the complex I/Q pairs. The data with the modulation removed is then subjected to a Chirp-Z Transform to move the data into the frequency domain. The highest spectral power is used to determine the frequency offset. The phase offset is determined and the resampled data burst is derotated and dephased according to the phase offset and the frequency offset.

Abstract: The present invention describes a soluble fusion protein composed of a plurality of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules linked together by a stabilizing structure herein referred to as the “linker,” the MHC molecules being loaded with a specific peptide or peptides. Such fusion proteins can be used as a method for stimulating or inhibiting specific T cell clones expressing T cell receptors (TCR) restricted to the specific MHC-peptide combination. Such fusion proteins can thus be used as delivery systems to stimulate T cell immunity and as a treatment for diseases such as transplant rejection or autoimmunity.

Abstract: The present invention describes a soluble fusion protein composed of a plurality of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules linked together by a stabilizing structure herein referred to as the “linker,” the MHC molecules being loaded with a specific peptide or peptides. Such fusion proteins can be used as a method for stimulating or inhibiting specific T cell clones expressing T cell receptors (TCR) restricted to the specific MHC-peptide combination. Such fusion proteins can thus be used as delivery systems to stimulate T cell immunity and as a treatment for diseases such as transplant rejection or autoimmunity.

Abstract: A drug-infusing device is implanted into a body cavity such as a bladder. The device is implanted in an uninflated, low profile state. After insertion into the body cavity, the device is filled with a substance, such as a drug, and assumes an increased profile. After the device is filled, it is allowed to float freely within the body cavity. Alternatively, the device can be tethered to a wall of the body cavity. The device delivers the drug at a controlled rate over an extended period of time. In order to deliver the drug at a controlled rate, the device preferably has a pressure-responsive valving member. The flow resistance of the valving member is responsive to the pressure at which the drug is stored within the infusing device. The resistance of the valving member decreases as the pressure within the infusing device decreases, thereby providing a resultant controlled flow rate.

Abstract: A biopsy device for acquiring more than one tissue sample comprises an elongated, flexible actuator shaft which is slidable within an outer sleeve. A jaw portion is coupled to the actuator shaft and the outer sleeve in such a manner as to open when the shaft is moved in a first direction relative to the sleeve and close when the shaft is moved in a second direction relative to the sleeve.

Abstract: The invention provides a compound, useful as an optical probe or sensor of the activity of at least one cytochrome P450 enzyme, and methods of using the compound to screen candidate drugs, and candidate drugs identified by these methods. The optical probe of the invention is a compound having the generic structure Y-L-Q, wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of Q as herein defined, saturated C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, unsaturated C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkenyl, unsaturated C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkynyl, substituted saturated C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, substituted unsaturated C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkenyl, substituted unsaturated C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkynyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 cycloalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 cycloalkenyl, substituted saturated C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 cycloalkyl, substituted unsaturated C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 cycloalkenyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl and substituted heteroaryl; L is selected from the group of (--O(substituted ortho-phenyl)CR.sup.2 H).sub.p --, (--O(substituted meta-phenyl)CR.sup.2 H).sub.

Abstract: An articulated medical device as disclosed, incorporated in one embodiment into a biopsy device. The biopsy embodiment comprises an elongated actuator shaft which is slidable within an outer sleeve. A jaw portion coupled to the actuator shaft and the outer sleeve opens when the shaft is moved in a first direction relative to the sleeve and closes when the shaft is moved in a second direction relative to the sleeve.

Abstract: A method of prolonging the lifetime of a thermal-bubble-ink-jet print head. A first pulse is provided to a heater of the print head for generating a first bubble to expel an ink drop. A second pulse is provided to the heater after a delay time for generating a second bubble is generated. The second pulse is not large enough to expel another ink drop.

Abstract: A suturing device allows a physician to remotely seal an incision in a blood vessel or other biological tissue. The device comprises an elongated tubular body having a distal portion which is adapted to be inserted percutaneously through the incision and into the blood vessel. The distal portion has first and second retractable arms which extend from the distal portion of the body and releasably hold a suture within the blood vessel. First and second retractable needles, each of which is configured to catch the suture from a respective arm, are provided along the body proximal to the retractable arms. The arms and the needles are remotely movable by the physician using a handle or other control mechanism provided at a distal portion of the device. In operation, the arms are initially deployed within the blood vessel to hold the ends of the suture beyond the circumference of the tubular body.

Abstract: The stabilizing fin includes an upper vertical stabilizer element, a hollow tubular element, and a lower vertical stabilizer element. The upper vertical stabilizer element has an upper end for attachment to a bottom surface of a water planing device. The hollow tubular element has an upper portion depending from a lower end of the upper vertical stabilizer element. The tubular element has an open front end and an open rear end. The lower vertical stabilizer element has an upper end depending from a lower portion of the hollow tubular element. During use thereof the upper and lower vertical stabilizer elements provide lateral stability and the hollow tubular element provides increased lateral stability and vertical stability for enhanced control by a user. The water planing device maybe, for example, a surfboard or a wind surfing board.

Abstract: A halogen generator produces a halogen sanitizing agent to sanitize water in a spa or other water feature. A coaxial wall fitting desirably couples the halogen generator to the water feature. The halogen generator desirably includes a bipolar electrolytic cell in which a center electrode plate rotates between stationary anode and cathode plates. The bipolar electrode includes a plurality of vanes which motivate water flow between the anode and the cathode. The vanes on the rotating electrode also produce a flow of water through the generator. In this manner, the bipolar electrode functions as a impeller to pump water through the halogen generator. The vanes are positioned between the electrode and cathode, and are sufficiently spaced from the cathode to inhibit scale formation on the cathode. The vanes, however, generally do not contact the cathode when rotating.

Abstract: An aspheric soft intraocular lens, having an optical power surface, which may have multiple radii portions or aspherical portions, as well as spherical portions, intended to replace the crystalline lens of a patient's eye, in particular after a cataract extraction. Such an aspheric soft lens is molded in a coined mold. A pair of core pins, positioned within the mold cavity during the lens forming process, will produce a pair of haptic-mounting holes within the lens. As the lenses are subsequently tumbled to remove flash, indentations will form adjacent to the haptic-mounting holes. These indentations allow for tangential attachment of the haptic to the lens which, in turn, enables maximum flexibility without exceeding the width of the optic.

Abstract: An arrangement for an engine positioned in a cowling of an outboard motor and having an output shaft arranged to drive a water propulsion device of the motor is disclosed. The engine has a first end and a second end and a centerline passing through the ends, at least one combustion chamber, an intake system positioned along a first side of the engine for delivering air to the combustion chamber, a lubricating system including an oil filter for delivering lubricant to the engine and an ignition system including an ignition coil for charging an ignition element corresponding to the combustion chamber. The ignition coil and oil filter are positioned along a second side of the engine opposite the intake system and arranged to reduce the transfer of heat from the filter to the coil, with the oil filter having an outermost portion which is positioned outwardly of the engine between the centerline and a second line which extends parallel to the centerline and passes through an outermost portion of the ignition coil.

Abstract: A single leg support crutch provides improved stability and balance to a user, who suffers from foot, ankle or lower leg injury, in order to enhance ambulatory movement of the user during recuperation. The leg support crutch comprises a unitary leg cradle that conforms generally to a user's thigh, knee and lower leg, and a plurality of fasteners that comfortably secure the leg support crutch to the user's leg while in a bended position. A support strut is releasably attached to the cradle and is positioned to support the weight of the user when standing or walking. A releasable coupling attaches the strut to the cradle at one of a plurality of locations. The multiple locations of the strut on the cradle allow the position of the strut to be adjusted in order to properly align the axis of the strut with the location of the user's femur in the cradle. As a result, the weight of the user is transferred more efficiently to the strut to improve the user's comfort when standing or walking.

Abstract: A treatment system for liquid or liquid and solid effluent. The system is enclosed within a pipe, duct (10) or trench and comprises one or more sloping filter beds (12, 13, 14) with a population of effluent decomposing organisms such as earthworms and mothflies, and an overlying air space. The aqueous media effluent inlet (11) is located above the uppermost filter bed at an upper end and the solid waste input inlet (31), when included, is located downstream of the aqueous media inlet so that the aqueous media flows through and around the solid waste material. A filtrate outlet (28) is located downstream of the flow through the system and manual or conveyor means are provided for solids removal.

Abstract: A speaker enclosure having a substantially seamless rigid outer skin, a middle sound absorbing layer, and a substantially seamless flexible inner skin. The speaker enclosure is comprised of two basic parts, a box section and a baffle section where each of these sections include the rigid outer skin, the middle sound absorbing layer and the seamless flexible inner skin and are made according to the same method. The outer skin is formed from multiple layers of resin impregnated carbon fiber, the middle sound absorbing layer includes pieces of honeycomb material and the inner layer is formed from multiple layers of resin impregnated fiberglass. The layers of material are arranged in a substantially seamless manner into a mold and then cured by vacuum bagging and heating thereby producing a strong, lightweight speaker enclosure made of materials which dampen the transmission of errant sound waves in the enclosure and thereby minimize distortion of the sound signal produced by the speaker.

Abstract: A "V"-type engine having two banks of cylinders with a valley therebetween, an intake air manifold extending between the banks, and a supercharger for charging the air delivered to the engine is disclosed. The supercharger is positioned in the valley formed between the two banks of cylinders and below the intake air manifold. The supercharger has an air inlet and an air outlet, the air outlet extending upwardly to the intake air manifold.