Abstract: Cardiac output, blood oxygen saturation, and oxygen consumption are measured using only two lumens of a catheter that has no interlumen crossover. Therefore this construction avoids costly techniques for modifying the catheter, as well as leakage risk at crossover points. Cardiac output is measured by thermodilution, and venous blood oxygen by optical scattering measurements through optic fibers; oxygen consumption is then claculable from the cardiac output and venous oxygen saturation--and independently measured arterial saturation. Cold-bolus injection uses on lumen. The thermal-sensor leads (electrical or otherwise) and optic fibers share the other lumen, through which they are drawn together: this method of installation effects yet a further economy by saving an expensive labor step, and tends to prevent the leads and fibers from damaging one another.

Abstract: An instantaneous adjustment device for a doctoring blade assembly operatively linked to a cylinder in a printing press is provided which includes, interposed to the piston rod of a cylinder-piston unit actuated by compressed air and the oscillating holder assembly accommodating the doctoring blade, a mechanical means, such as a spring for storing up a force, and/or a means effective to periodically transfer an impact force to the doctoring blade oscillating holder.

Abstract: An energy-recycling scissors lift includes a platform, base and a pair of scissors linkages, each having a first and second scissors legs. One end of each second scissors leg is pivotally attached to the base and the other end translations along the platform. One end of each first scissors leg is pivotally attached to the platform and the other end translates along the base. A bridge structure connects each of the second scissors legs together. A sealed gas cylinder, attached to the base and the bridge structure, moves the platform to an extended position above the base. Energy is stored in the sealed gas cylinder as the platform and supported object descends to a retracted position. A compensating device is attached to the scissors lift to compensate for the overforce caused by the sealed gas cylinder. One form of the compensating device adjusts the position of the sealed gas cylinder to vary the force exerted on the platform. Other compensating devices are equalizing springs and spring reels.

Abstract: A milling and drilling head for a machine tool has an input shaft housed in a stationary case also incorporating a control means drivingly connected to a ring gear which is fast with a moving case portion accommodating at least one tool holding spindle driven off the master spindle of the machine tool and being set at an angle to the X-axis thereof.

Abstract: A case hinges to the side of the movie camera next to the ground glass. One end of a viewfinder tube mounts pivotally to the case; the other supports an ocular. Light from the inverted image on the ground glass passes, at a right angle to the camera side, into the case. An Amici prism in the case reerects the image and reflects the light rearward to a beam splitter. The splitter passes part of the light rearward to a 45.degree./90.degree. prism and then upward through a lens and iris to a video port and neutral-density filter. The beam splitter deflects the rest of the light outward, at a right angle to the camera side, into the finder tube. There another 45.degree./90.degree. prism (that rotates with the tube) deflects the light rearward in the tube to a lens that reimages the scene at the ocular. The movie camera can thus be tilted while the tube and ocular are at constant height, but prism rotation twists the image about the optical path.

Abstract: These small, inexpensive ornaments and novelties emit music and other sounds (such as simulated voice) when exposed to light, and can be placed out-of-doors in a garden. Being light-powered, they can operate for an essentially indefinite time, even though unattended.Each such ornament or novelty consists of a thematically configured body and a three-element working module sealed in a watertight can. It has no input keyboard or other terminal, and no display panel or other electronic or visual data output, except the audio output.Elements are (1) a circuit, preprogrammed to produce electronic oscillations corresponding to a tune or other sounds preestablished at manufacture, (2) a speaker receiving the oscillations and emitting the sounds, and (3) a solar panel powering the circuit. The speaker shuts off if light is inadequate for completely correct operation, and otherwise is amplitude modulated by the light level.

Abstract: A catcher for use in liquid and abrasive-laden liquid jet cutting apparatus that includes a separate fluid-filled chamber for reducing noise. The catcher also provides for increasing the speed of return flow to reduce the length of fluid required to absorb the kinetic energy of a jet.

Abstract: The arch support device is in the form of a removable shoe insert which is a substantially rigid thin unitary member truncated at both ends to fit between the heel and ball of the foot without underlying either one. A central arch portion is supported from a peripheral base means and is cantilevered for positioning above the shoe shank to present a concave support arm in the transverse direction and a convex support arm in the longitudinal direction. The arch support device extends substantially the full breadth of the plantar surface of the foot to be interposed between the midfoot and shoe insole.

Abstract: An inflatable elongate pessary fits into and longitudinally distends the patient's vagina and with it the urethra. An indentation near the proximal end of the pessary receives the patient's servix so that the pessary can extend into and distend the most proximal region behind the cervix. Preferably a lateral enlargement near the distal end of the pessary aids in supporting the pessary above the levator ani sling. The pessary moves the bladder neck and the proximal portion of the urethra toward normal positions above the abdominal wall. The pessary includes a flexible airtight chamber, and a valve and fitting that are operable from outside the vagina while the pessary is inside. The fitting is accessible from the outside for attachment of a source of compressed gas, while the pessary is in the vagina.

Abstract: A caster is provided which makes use of a wheel that has discrete notches and that is rotatably mounted to a housing, a locking pin that is movably mounted to the housing to engage (or to disengage from) any one of the notches, and an actuator for use by a user in moving the locking pin into engagement (or disengagement). The housing also has a distinct notch into which the locking pin moves when it engages any of the wheel notches, so that locking force is borne by the housing rather than by the actuator. The notches are preferably defined in an internal surface of the wheel. Advantageously two identical wheels are used in opposition, for optimum strength and appearance.

Abstract: The invention produces visual sensations by applying low voltages through conductive electrodes to the outside of a person's head, for transmission by natural mechanisms to the nervous system--to entertain or inform a sighted person, or to help a blind person to locate nearby objects.As to entertainment, the apparatus generates various waveshapes, and an operator directs one or more to the electrodes. The operator also manually varies waveshape parameters such as frequency, amplitude, duty cycle and dc bias--or controls them with automatic sweep devices at selected sweep rates. Various wavetrains are combined at the electrodes or in the person's head for more-elaborate effects. The electrode wavetrains or necessary control signals are also recorded for playback.As to information, the apparatus produces coded patterns or even rough analogs of normal visual scenes.

Abstract: An improved inflation pressure regulator is disclosed of the type which automatically releases pressure above a predetermined maximum during inflation of a vehicular tire. The regulator, which is particularly suitable for use with low capacity tires and for use with high capacity air pumps, comprises a generally tubular housing adapted to be coupled between a vehicular tire and a source of compressed air. A substantially friction-free flexing seal arrangement within the housing couples the air source to an exhaust aperture and bypasses the tire when the pressure within the tire reaches a predetermined level. The use of a flexing seal substantially reduces seal wear and thus reduces seal leaks and minimizes variations in the regulator rating over the life of the regulator.

Abstract: A two-stage gas launcher is disclosed wherein a low molecular weight gas such as hydrogen or helium is compressed to a high pressure within the bore of the launcher by a low mass, propellant-driven piston. A releasably restrained projectile is abruptly released so as to be launched from the bore at a high velocity by the pressure of the compressed low molecular weight gas.

Abstract: This toy propels itself along the surface of a pool of water or along an extremely steep, irregular nonwater surface. A battery powers a motor, which drives the vehicle's four wheels and a steerable water jet. The wheels carry pronounced peripheral cleats for propulsion along both a water surface and a very steep, irregular nonwater surface. The hollow wheels, several times overscale, contribute significantly to overall buoyancy. The water-jet impeller aids propulsion along a water surface and can be rotated horizontally to direct the vehicle in circles of variable diameter. The motor shaft is aligned with the direction of vehicle travel and extends both forwardly and rearwardly from the motor to drive a symmetrical geartrain for nonwater-surface propulsion: fixed on each shaft end is a pinion that drives a spur gear, which in turn drives a worm, that in its turn drives a worm gear keyed to an axle. The worm gear drives the axle, which drives the wheels and tires.

Abstract: An energy-dissipating receptacle is disclosed for use with fluid jet cutting systems. The receptacle includes a volume of suspensoids which circulate within the cavity to at least substantially dissipate the kinetic energy of the fluid jet, together with means for automatically maintaining an effective volume of suspensoids in the cavity as the suspensoid volume is decreased by the wearing action of the fluid jet impingement.The effective volume of suspensoids are preferably maintained by means of a filler tube having a discharge end positioned within the receptacle to effectively regulate the suspensoid volume.By including means for maintaining an effective volume of suspensoids during the cutting process, the receptacle may be fabricated with compact dimensions for enhanced maneuverability when coupled to a fluid jet nozzle for coordinated movement therewith.

Abstract: A seat swivel apparatus includes a first mounting plate rotatively mounted to a second mounting plate. Each of the first and second mounting plates has a circular recess formed therein to define a pair of bearing races which hold bearing means such as a plurality ball bearings. The first and second mounting plates are held together utilizing fastening means that include a Belleville spring to provide a continuous and substantially constant biasing force on the plates to maintain them in proper rolling contact with the ball bearings. Each of the races include two arcuate sidewall portions and a connecting portion between the sidewall portions, the connecting portions being substantially flat to help prevent the bearings from tightening within the races.

Abstract: This device holds an optical aid such as a pair of binoculars at a user's eyes, without the support of the user's arms and hands. The user applies only small upward or downward pilot force to a point on the device well below the optical aid. To change or maintain the vertical position of the optical aid the user need not even raise the hands above the chest. The device is mechanically articulated so that, guided only by the pilot force which is simply upward or downward, the optical aid can track and follow the user's head and eyes in both position and angle as the user shifts his view up and down between the horizon and the zenith. The device is attached to or worn by the user, while springs or counterbalancing support the weight from the user's torso, to free the user's arms and hands.

Abstract: An athletic glove having a laminated cushion partially covering the underside of the hand. Two leather-like sheets are attached together with a thicker cushion layer sandwiched therebetween. The cushion layer is sized and shaped to completely cover the central portion of the palm of the hand and to partially cover the ball of the thumb, the heel of the hand, and the interdigital pads opposite the basal finger knuckles without extending all the way to the basal thumb crease line, the wrist crease line, and the basal finger crease lines in order to provide protection without interfering with the flexing of the hand, thumb and fingers. One of the leather-like sheets has an enlarged cross-sectional area and serves as an external cover member for snugly overlying the entire underside of the hand.