Abstract: A system for handling erose materials including a tank for holding a liquid, and a tumbler mounted in the tank with at least an upper portion extending above the liquid level. The tumbler has a perforated or screen wall to allow materials of a selected size to pass through and fall toward the bottom of the tank. As the remaining materials pass along the tumbler, some will be broken down to the desired screen size by the tumbling action, and these too will pass through the tumbler wall and fall toward the tank bottom. The unselected materials will continue to be treated by tumbling until they pass out of the tumbler. A first conveyor mounted in the tank collects and conveys screened materials out of the tank. A second conveyor mounted in the tank collects and conveys unscreened materials that pass through the output end of the tumbler out of the tank.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a new interface architecture which reduces the number of software components required to interface a variety of requester types coupled to a server with a variety of communications programs coupled to an on-line transaction processing system. The new interface architecture isolate attributes of the requesters and the communication programs into individual software components so that all software code associated with each requester type is included within a corresponding requester software module, and all software code associated with each communications program is included within a corresponding communications software module. Each new requester type added requires the addition of only one requester software module, and each new communications program added requires the addition of only one communications software module, thus reducing the overall number of software modules required to interface the variety of requester types to the variety of communications programs.

Abstract: A shelving unit with adjustable brackets for enhanced mounting flexibility in a wide variety of refrigerated display cases. Bracket supports are carried longitudinally by a shelf having opposing ends. The bracket supports have opposing channels positioned at least at the opposing ends of the shelf. A shelf support bracket is provided for slidably engaging the opposing channels of the bracket support and being positioned longitudinally along the shelf corresponding to the spacing of vertical standards affixed within a refrigeration case.

Abstract: A multi-piece piano cover which can include a lid cover, a rim cover, and a keyboard cover. The cover is adapted to protect a grand piano while the piano is in use and when the piano is not in use. The piano lid can be opened and the keys may be played while the protective cover is in place. The lid cover is adapted to cover the lid upper surface and can be fit to the lid be receiving the lid front in a lid cover pocket portion and by securing the cover to the lid edges using elastic. The rim cover is adapted to drape over the piano rim while the piano lid is either open or closed. The rim cover can be secured to the piano with straps extending across the piano.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically configuring a number of application programs that are resident on a number of computer platforms so that each of the application programs can communicate with the others via the interconnection therebetween.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing clock drivers within a hierarchical circuit design, wherein the clock drivers are concentrated in locations where they are actually needed rather than uniformly distributed throughout the circuit design. In an exemplary embodiment, the actual clock loads within a selected hierarchical region are determined, and a sufficient number of clock drivers are added as children objects to the selected hierarchical region. Since many placement tools may place the children objects within an outer boundary of the corresponding parent object, the clock drivers, as children objects of the selected hierarchical region, may be placed within the outer boundary of the selected hierarchical region. Accordingly, the clock drivers may be concentrated in the locations where actually needed.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting comfortable fitting of a prosthetic appliance over an amputee's limb stump which has an irregular surface. The apparatus includes a liner surrounding the stump. The liner is, in turn, at least indirectly, connected to the artificial limb. A vacuum pump is provided, the pump serving to draw vacuum at an interface of the stump and an inner wall of the liner, and a plurality of pressure-sensitive transducers are disposed about the stump at locations spaced from each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for fault isolating errors in memory elements. A test "Signature" word is obtained by successively manipulating all of the words in a memory block. A first embodiment uses serial processing and a second embodiment uses parallel processing. In either process, prior to test, a derived signature is provided, which is the same as the resulting test signature for each block if no error is detected, and which are stored in test order prior to testing. In either embodiment, after each test signature word is obtained from a block of data, the test signature word is compared bit for bit with the corresponding derived Signature word, and if the two are not identical, an error is indicated. Any block addresses which contain errors are marked in a Fault Address RAM which can be read by external equipment to avoid the use of the faulty blocks.

Abstract: This apparatus is for testing valves, particularly those adapted for controlling incontinence. Microprocessor computer equipment and programs use specialized test programs and interface equipment to permit the operator to control, display and record a sequence of valve tests using screens, icons and keyboard entries. The tests are either directly computer controlled or computer directed. A manual mode permits the user to enter a specific valve test pressure versus time profile, while an automatic mode permits the user to have the profiles tests repeated automatically by the computer. Both modes provide liquid at controlled pressure to the valve under test and determines the valve's corresponding liquid output rates.

Abstract: A dilation balloon is provided for an intravascular catheter having an elongated shaft with a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an inflation lumen extending therethrough. In one aspect of the invention, the dilation balloon includes a balloon member having a chamber therein in fluid communication with the inflation lumen. The balloon member defines a portion of a guide wire lumen which coextends with a portion of the balloon member for receiving a guide wire. In another aspect of the invention, a balloon is connected to the distal portion of the catheter shaft and a guide wire lumen is spaced exteriorly from the shaft and coextends with a portion of the balloon. In yet another aspect of the invention, a process for making a dilation balloon includes the step of providing a longitudinal member having a first elongated lumen and a second elongated lumen.

Abstract: Guide catheter incorporating a braidless construction having increased performance characteristics for catheterization procedures. The guide catheter may include a tracking wire, inner or outer guide for positioning the guide catheter within the patient's vascular system.

Abstract: Guide catheter exchange device and method of exchanging a guide catheter. The guide catheter exchange device includes a magnetically responsive segment located on a proximal end for maintaining a previously placed guide wire in position across a stenosis, while performing a guide catheter exchange procedure. The guide catheter exchange device allows a guide catheter exchange procedure to be performed by a solo physician.

Abstract: An intravascular balloon catheter including a proximal tubular member, preferably a proximal hypotube. The distal end of the proximal hypotube is connected to a transition tube which extends distally. The transition tube has a side port at a point intermediate to which the proximal end of a distal catheter shaft section is connected. The distal catheter shaft section extends distally through an inflatable balloon and forms a lumen extending from the port on the transition tube to the distal end of the catheter for slidably receiving a guide wire therein. The transition tube has a distal end which terminates proximally of the proximal end of the balloon. To provide for fluid communication between the transition tube and the interior of the balloon, inflation holes are provided in the distal catheter shaft section proximal to the distal end of the transition tube and within the balloon.

Abstract: A disposable pad for cleaning a toilet including a mitt-like pad having a cavity to receive a hand, wherein the hand is shielded from contact with the toilet seat. A cleaning pad is fixedly attached and in planar contact with the lower surface of the mitt-like pad and has a cleaning agent absorbed therein. A flap is operatively affixed to the lower surface of the mitt-like pad proximate the cleaning pad and is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the cleaning pad is exposed for cleaning the toilet seat and in the second position, the flap covers the cleaning pad to expose a surface which enables drying of the toilet seat prior to use.

Abstract: This invention is a method and device for quickly removing thrombus from the vascular system, particularly from a saphenous vein graft which can have highly organized thrombus over its entire length. Thrombus is pulled into a chamber at the distal end of the thrombus extraction device as a result of negative pressure, a severing mechanism severs the portion of the thrombus that is in the chamber, and fluid under pressure is supplied to transport and dilute the blood and thrombus, which renders the thrombus more manageable and reduces the blood loss to the patient.

Abstract: A guide wire, and a method for the manufacture thereof, having an unsmooth surface along a segment thereof. According to one aspect of the invention, the unsmooth surface is provided by a sleeve member disposed about a distal portion of a core member. The sleeve member is formed from an extruded polymer and has an unsmooth exterior surface.

Abstract: A reactor and method for the treatment of matter by plasma action. A plurality of electrode structures are positioned to define a reaction zone associated with the inter-electrode space. The inter-electrode space is conditioned (as by preionizing) and a series of discrete electrical discharges are produced throughout the reaction zone. In a preferred embodiment, the reaction zone is subjected to a sequence of discrete electrical discharges in a time interval less than the residence time of material to be treated within the reaction zone.