Abstract: A method of treating a tumor, comprising creating an elevated concentration of free radicals in said tumor and creating a magnetic field that traverses said tumor and that inhibits the recombination of said free radicals in said tumor, thereby increasing the rate of apoptosis of cancerous cells. A magnetic field of 0.1 mTesla to 10 mTesla is generally used for this purpose.

Abstract: A method of producing a bio-probe that begins with the step of providing a tapering core of substantially rigid material. The core is then coated with dielectric material and this dielectric material is coated with a first layer of conductive material. The conductive material is then divided into longitudinal traces, extending from the base into proximity to said tip. The conductive material is then coated with a second layer of dielectric material. Finally, portions of the second layer of dielectric material are removed to form apertures to the conductive material, thereby forming electrodes.

Abstract: A method of producing a biocompatible microporous membrane comprising the steps of providing a biocompatible membrane and using an energy beam to form a set of pores having a minor axis of less than 15 ?m through the biocompatible membrane. One embodiment includes the steps of producing a first layer of material, defining a first set of pores; producing a second layer of material, defining a second set of pores and wherein the second set of pores is defined so as to cooperatively engage the first set of pores; and aligning and joining the first layer of material to the second layer of material to form a laminated membrane, having through-passageways formed by the first set of pores at least partially aligned with the second set of pores.

Abstract: An extruder, and a method of using the same, that provides instantaneous inspection of the extrudate. The invention incorporates the use of video monitors electrically connected to video cameras, to provide magnification observation of the extrudate, and may use associated mirrors to observe the extrudate along multiple views as it exits the die.

Abstract: A micro-extruder, comprising a funnel shaped tip piece defining a front aperture, through which wire is drawn, and a front rim, around which extrudate flows, and which has an outer diameter of less than 3.8 mm (150 mils). In addition, a structurally unitary cross-head body has a front aperture and a protruding rim about this front aperture. The funnel shaped tip piece protrudes through the front aperture. Also, a die having a surface that defines an aperture is adapted and positioned to abut the protruding rim and to form a seal against the protruding rim, so that no extrudate may leak out between the surface defining an aperture and the protruding rim.

Abstract: A cardiac implant electric cable, comprising a conductive lead adapted to supply power to a cardiac implant and a coaxial lead adapted to provide an expanded information conduit to and from said cardiac implant. Also, a bioelectrical stimulus implant cable may comprise a set of fibrils, each of which has a diameter of less than 30 &mgr;m and which are configured together longitudinally. The set of fibrils is electrically isolated by insulative material.

Abstract: A hitch mounted cycle rack that includes a mounting bar, adapted to be fitted into a receptive motor vehicle hitch and a horizontal support member, supported by the mounting bar and being substantially perpendicular to the mounting bar and substantially horizontal when the mounting bar is fitted into a receptive motor vehicle hitch. A substantially vertical hinge is supported on the horizontal support member, at a position displaced laterally from the mounting bar by about 0.8 meters. A cycle support assembly is mounted on the horizontal support member by way of the substantially vertical hinge. Accordingly, when the hitch mounted cycle rack is mounted on the rear of an automobile, the hinge permits the cycle support assembly to be swung away from the rear of the automobile, exposing it and permitting access to it.

Abstract: A laminated multi-electrode biocompatible implant, comprising a first layer of flexible, biocompatible dielectric material having a first, exposed surface. A second layer of flexible biocompatible dielectric material, is adhered to the first layer. Further, a third layer of flexible biocompatible dielectric material is adhered to the second layer. Additionally, a first conductive trace is interposed between the first layer and the second layer and a second conductive trace interposed between said second layer and said third layer. Finally, a first conductor, which breaches said first layer, conductively connects the first conductive trace to the exposed surface of the first layer, thereby forming a first electrode and a second conductor, which breaches the first layer and the second layer, conductively connects the second conductive trace to the exposed surface of the first layer, thereby forming a second electrode.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ribbon cable, comprising providing a set of insulated wires and aligning said insulated wires in a predetermined arrangement. The insulated wires are warmed sufficiently for said insulation to be become soft and adhesive, are pressed together so that they adhere to one another and allowed to cool, to form a ribbon cable.

Abstract: A method of disposing materials such as pet waste. First, an assembly is provided that has a container; a fitting for accepting and retaining a garden hose; a pressure nozzle for receiving water from the fitting and expressing the water under pressure; and a nozzle-retaining apparatus oriented so that the water expressed is directed into the container at an angle adapted to produce a churning motion within the container. Biodegradable material is placed into the container and the insertive coupler of a standard garden hose is attached into the fitting. Finally the faucet is turned on to cause water to flow through the hose and out the nozzle, thereby watering and stirring and fragmenting the biodegradable material while the operator remains at a distance far enough away from the container to avoid the unpleasant odor that is emitted from the container by virtue of the watering and stirring and fragmenting.

Abstract: A method of producing an electrode brain probe assembly, using a flexible substrate comprising a polymeric layer bearing a conductive material coating. Photolithography and electroplating are used to form a set of contacts and conductors on the polymeric layer of the flexible substrate. Also, the flexible substrate is shaped to have a distal end and to be at least 5 mm long, but less than 5 mm wide and less than 1 mm thick.

Abstract: A method for selectively blocking a remote purchase request based on previous remote purchase requests. The method starts with receiving and storing, in a memory subsystem, information from purchase request information sets including, for each purchase request information set, an origin, a card number and an item. Also, a current remote purchase request information set including an origin, a credit card number and an item is received and stored. The current remote purchase request information set is compared with the stored information sets and the current remote purchase request is blocked if the comparison meets any one of a predetermined set of criteria wherein at least one criterion includes a condition that the purchase request origin of the current purchase request match a purchase request origin of a purchase request information set stored in the memory subsystem, for which the card number is different.

Abstract: An insertion device that includes an insertable portion adapted to be inserted into and retained in an animal body and an ex vivo portion that is adapted to be worn while the insertable portion remains inserted. The device further includes a trocar that is adapted to insert the insertable portion into the animal body. In addition, a cavity in the ex vivo portion is adapted to accept and retain the trocar after the insertable portion is inserted and a force application device is adapted to withdraw the trocar from the animal body and place it in the cavity.

Abstract: A bodily implanted charge injection assembly for effecting a voltage difference between a specific body location and surrounding tissue. This assembly comprises a charge injection device that includes a first electrode assembly and a housing defining an interior space substantially enclosing the first electrode assembly and further defining a first opening placed near the specific location. The housing is filled with electrolytic solution. Also, a second electrode assembly is placed in contact with both the electrolytic fluid and the surrounding tissue. In addition, a physical gate assembly is adapted to selectively and controllably occlude the interior space so that either the first opening or the second electrode assembly may be occluded from the first electrode assembly. The physical gate assembly is controlled to drive current through the opening and alternately to refresh the first electrode assembly with current from the second electrode assembly.

Abstract: A method of applying a protective strip to an edge of a wood product piece. The process uses a set of aligned rollers and a belt apparatus that includes a pair of rollers having a shoe positioned between them and a belt fitted about the rollers and the shoe. The distance from the belt to the first set of aligned rollers is substantially equal to the width of the wood product piece. The wood product piece is placed between the first set of aligned rollers and the belt apparatus and resin is applied to the edge the wood product piece. The wood products piece is then squeezed between the first set of aligned rollers and the belt apparatus. At least a subset of the rollers are driven to move the wood products piece along the belt apparatus, thereby causing the resin to be squeezed into the edge of the wood products piece. Finally, the resin is cured.

Abstract: A method of creating an elevated concentration of free radicals having augmented lifetimes within a tumor, that includes creating an elevated concentration of free radicals in the tumor and creating a magnetic field that traverses the tumor and that inhibits the recombination of the free radicals in the tumor. A magnetic field of 0.1 mTesla to 10 mTesla is generally used for this purpose.

Abstract: A bio-implant having a length and a proximal and a distal end. The bio-implant has at least two lamina of dielectric material joined together, thereby defining a boundary and also defining a side surface that is intersected by this boundary. In addition, at least one set of conductors is interposed between the two lamina and extend lengthwise from the proximal end toward the distal end, each one of the set of conductors being terminated adjacent to the side surface to form a set of conductor terminations. Further, a set of electrode contact points are constructed on the side surface, with each electrode contact point contacting one of said conductor terminations.

Abstract: A method of constructing a multilayer electric apparatus, comprising the steps of first providing a set of dielectric layers and forming a set of conductive features and at least one fiducial marking, in mutual reference to each other, on a first one of the dielectric layers. Next, the dielectric layers are joined together to form a stack, such that the first of the dielectric layers is interposed depthwise between others of the dielectric layers and the at least one fiducial marking is distinctly observable from outside of the stack. Finally, a via is drilled from the exterior of the stack to one of the conductive features of the first dielectric layer, referencing the drilling to the fiducial marking.

Abstract: A method of constructing an electric apparatus, comprising the following steps. First, a set of dielectric layers is provided. Next, a set of conductive features and at least one fiducial marking are formed on a first one of the dielectric layers, in mutual reference to each other so that their relative positions are known to a first tolerance. Then, a set of pin holes is formed in each dielectric layer, each pin hole formed in relation to the fiducial marking for its dielectric layer and all of the sets of pin holes having a mutually identical placement. Finally the dielectric layers are arranged onto a pin fixture having a set of pins that match the mutually identical placement of the pin holes.

Abstract: A system for storing a set of disks, each disk having a first major surface and a second major surface opposed to the first major surface and defining a uniform central aperture. The system comprises a set of spacers, any one of which is adapted to cooperatively engage any of the others. A first one of the spacers is placed on the first major disk surface in a first position and orientation and a second one of the spacers engages with the first spacer by being placed on the second major disk surface in a position and orientation coincident with the first position and orientation except for being spaced apart from it by the thickness of the disk. In this configuration, the first one of the spacers is retained on the first major surface and the second one of the spacers is retained on the second major surface.