Abstract: A refrigeration device includes an enclosed housing and a framework in the housing supporting an endless conveyor for movement in a helical path between inlet and outlet openings formed in the housing. Items of prepared food are provided to the housing at the inlet, then frozen as they are serially conveyed toward the outlet. The conveyor support framework includes pairs of radially inward and radially outward uprights, with elongate rods arranged radially and in a helical path between pairs of the uprights. Two flexible steel bands, provided with spaced apart apertures to slidably accommodate the rods, are installed upon the rods in concentric helixes. Low friction strips are installed with the bands and support the conveyor with respect to the bands.

Abstract: An underwater acoustical transducer includes an annular, spring steel band supporting a diaphragm of a woven fabric held taut by the band. A flexible piezoelectric transducing element is attached with respect to the band, typically in contiguous relation to a portion of the fabric overlying the radially outward surface of the band. The transducing element can include an electrically conductive core surrounded by flexible piezoelectric material, or alternatively, a substantially flat strip of flexible piezoelectric material.

Abstract: A pulmonary diagnostic apparatus includes a personal computer including a memory for storing expected values, each representing a predicted normal level for a pulmonary function. A parameter limit file stores abnormality limits, each related to one of the expected values. A configuration file contains a plurality of degree of severity labels and numerical breakpoints between severity degrees. Finally, a statement data file contains a plurality of textual statements concerning lung functions and diseases or conditions. The three files are operatively associated with the computer. Lung function measuring equipment also is connected to the computer, whereby measured values are compared with the expected values. Based on the comparison, the computer generates an output identifying certain measured values as abnormal, and the degree of abnormality. Also, appropriate statements from the statement data file are generated as output, based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A pressure cooker for use in microwave ovens includes a microwave permeable bowl shaped container, a microwave permeable dome cover, and a steel locking ring permanently attached to the cover for maintaining the container and cover in fluid-tight seal during use. A safety valve, formed of flexible tubing, encounters a projection of the container and is deformed into a closed configuration responsive to movement of the cover, relative to the container, toward a locking position. A pressure regulator valve, consisting of a metal core surrounded by an elastically deformable casing, is positioned over a pressure control opening in the cover to maintain a selected operating pressure level in the pressure cooker. A pressure indicator and relief assembly, contained in a pressure release opening through the cover, indicates positive pressure in the chamber and is ejected in the event of an abnormally high pressure inside the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cylindrical balloon mounted near the distal tip of a percutaneous transluminal laser angioplasty catheter. Proximal and distal neck sections of the balloon are sealed to the catheter tubing, and a balloon inflation lumen originating at the tubing proximal end is open to the balloon interior. An elongate cylindrical body of the balloon is joined to the distal neck by a substantially transverse distal wall. As the balloon dilates in response to fluid under pressure supplied to the lumen, the distal wall tends to position the distal neck and distal end of the catheter tubing in centered, coaxial relation to the balloon body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reliably detecting the P-wave component in a surface electrocardiograph. An adaptive Least Means Square filter is implemented in a programmed computer and the computer receives as its inputs a digitized version of the ECG waves picked up from two discrete locations on a subject's chest wall. The LMS adaptive filter functions to accommodate the energy component of the QRS complex thereby leaving the P-wave as the paramount signal component in the filter's "error" output.

Abstract: A control circuit for a portable radio or like entertainment device which allows it to play only so long as the user's heart rate lies within a range commensurate with safe, effective exercise activity. EKG signals are picked up by suitably placed electrodes, amplified, filtered, shaped and applied in one arrangement to a programmable microprocessor and in another arrangement to a linear circuit phase lock loop and window comparator. In each instance, a determination is made as to whether the user's heart rate is between a lower limit of effective exercise and an upper limit of safe exercise. When the heart rate is outside the limit, the entertainment device is rendered inoperative, thus providing an incentive to tailor the level of exertion so that the heart rate will lie within the desired range.

Abstract: A signal processing circuit for hearing aids includes a broadband peak detector for generating a control voltage based upon the sound pressure level of an incoming acoustical signal over its entire frequency spectrum. The control signal is used to determine the cut-off frequency of a voltage controlled adaptive high-pass filter. An amplified electrical signal, corresponding to the acoustical signal, also is provided to the high-pass filter. In setting the cut-off frequency, the control voltage causes the high-pass filter to selectively suppress the low frequency portion of the signal, generating a modified signal in which the noise component is reduced.

Abstract: A device for aiding aspiration of meconium-stained fluids from infants at birth is disclosed. The device includes a unique endotracheal tube having a guide wire imbedded in its walls, a collection chamber in communication with said endotracheal tube, and a second tube having a bacterial/viral filter and a mouthpiece associated therewith which is used to evacuate the collection chamber and draw fluids through the endotracheal tube.

Abstract: This invention relates primarily to a new apparatus that can be used to electrically and/or physically connect computer components. More particularly, the present invention is directed to apparatus which can be used to quickly and easily connect a small portable computer to peripheral equipment such as a modem, mass storage device, printer, display or the like.

Abstract: A system for interchangeably mounting tools on a robotic arm includes a clamping assembly having a core attached to and extending longitudinally from the arm, and two opposed clamping members mounted for transverse sliding on the core. A tool support member is held in the clamping assembly, when it is closed, by guide pins extended transversely from the clamping members engaged with legs of the tool support member. The support member and clamping members have conduit portions that form continuous fluid conduits and electrical paths when the support member is secured in the clamping assembly. A collet housing is supported relative to the tool support member by a linear extension device, a compliant wrist, and an overload protect wrist, which together allow limited longitudinal, transverse and angular displacement of the collet housing relative to the arm.

Abstract: A catheter assembly especially designed for the performance of atherectomy procedures which includes a guide catheter having an inflatable balloon disposed on the distal end portion thereof, the guide catheter being dimensioned to receive in its lumen an elongated drive tube having an annular cutting tip affixed to the distal end thereof. A rotational drive mechanism is coupled to the drive tube at its proximal end for rotating same. Provision is also made in the drive mechanism for introducing fluid through the lumen of the guide catheter for inflating its balloon and for drawing a vacuum on the lumen of the drive tube for aspirating the treatment site. In use, the guide catheter with the drive tube and cutter head retracted is advanced up to the occlusion and then, the balloon is inflated to lock the distal end in place. Next, the cutter is rotated at high speed and advanced into the occlusion, while blood and any loose particulate matter is aspirated.

Abstract: Air ionization control apparatus comprising a plurality of emitter lines suspended in the atmosphere above a work space, each line comprising a plurality of ion emitting stations spaced therealong and emitting positive and negative ions into the atmosphere with an elongated electrical conductor averaging bar. insulatedly mounted in the atmoshere among said stations for receiving an induced charge representative of the average level of ionization of the atmosphere. An electrical charge sensing means connected to the averaging bar is employed to provide a signal indicative of the average level of ionization present in the room environment.

Abstract: An apparatus used to separate solid-phase materials from rinse water containing soluable constituents dissolved from rock or ore bodies by percolation of water therethrough is described. The apparatus includes an upper funnel and a bottom receptacle as well as a central passage member disposed therebetween. The upper funnel includes a perforated bottom and a central standpipe. The bottom receptacle includes a pair of vacuum tubes. The central member includes a plurality of filter members. When in use, filtration through some or all of the filters can be aided by applying a suction to the vacuum tubes.

Abstract: A manifold connector, sheath connector and housing connector are provided for independently connecting a fiber enclosing sheath and (laser enhanced) fiber optic catheter housing to a transluminal balloon catheter manifold. The housing connector includes a locking plate enclosure, and a planar locking plate contained in the enclosure to reciprocate between open and locking positions, and spring biased into the locking position. The sheath connector includes an elongate cylindrical body attached to the distal end of the sheath, a disc extended radially outward of the body, and a sleeve extended forwardly of the disc perimeter and coaxial with the body. Two elongate levers also are mounted to the disc perimeter, and normally are aligned with the sleeve. A detent extends radially inward from the distal end of each lever.

Abstract: A transluminal balloon laser catheter has an inflatable distal tip formed by an elongated balloon sealed at the distal end of a length of catheter tubing, and inflatable to an operating configuration in which the balloon effectively extends the distal end of an optical fiber lumen through the catheter tubing. One embodiment of the balloon is formed with a substantially planar distal face, transverse with respect to the extension of the balloon. In an alternative embodiment, the distal face of the balloon is formed as a truncated cone, converging proximally from a radially outward longitudinal balloon section to a radially inward longitudinal balloon section whereby the distal tip of an optical fiber, even when advanced distally of the optical fiber lumen, is proximal with respect to the most distal portion of the balloon.

Abstract: A gypsum board sanding device which is adapted to be coupled to a vacuum cleaner for significantly reducing the dust problem created when sanding the joint cement. A sanding paddle is provided which is adapted to support a sheet of sandpaper, the paddle having a plurality of pedestals defining air passages between the non-abrasive side of the sandpaper and the base from which the pedestals project. A hollow tubular handle is joined to the paddle with the interior opening of the handle communicating with a hole formed through the thickness dimension of the paddle. Means are provided for fastening a conventional vacuum cleaner to the handle whereby dust and other debris generated during the sanding operation is drawn from the periphery of the sanding paddle into a dust collection reservoir.