Abstract: An assay apparatus employing total internal reflection of excitation radiation at the interface between a replaceable optically conductive rod or fiber and a surrounding liquid phase of lower index of refraction. Immobilized on the surface of the fiber is a component of a complex formed in an immunological-type specific reaction. A fluorophore that can be excited into fluorescence by the excitation radiation is attached to another component of the complex. The rod is coaxially mounted within a tube that is sized with respect to said rod so that a fluid sample may be introduced into said tube.The rod and tubing are supported in a mounting assembly that is attachable to an optical assembly for transmitting excitation radiation into the proximal end of the rod and receiving fluorescent radiation emitted from the proximal end of the rod. Included in the apparatus is a mounting assembly for centering the rod within tube and for biasing the rod in a first direction against an annular seat.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming emulsions, a term used to include microemulsions. The leading edges of a plurality of sheets of an emulsion-forming liquid mixture are forced under pressure to impinge in a low-pressure turbulent zone of the liquid. The apparatus comprises a plurality of nozzles having elongated orifices to eject under pressure sheets of the emulsion-forming liquid and being arranged to effect impingement of the sheets along a common liquid jet interaction front. Inasmuch as the method and apparatus permit the formulation of emulsions without the use of any emulsifiers, there is provided a new class of emulsions, namely those essentially free of any emulsifying agents. The emulsions formed have a wide range of applications.

Abstract: A novel suture anchor installation tool which comprises an elongated member having a first end and a second end and a slot extending from the first end towards the second end, the slot being sized to snugly accommodate the suture anchor's barb, whereby the suture anchor may be attached to the elongated member at the first end of the elongated member by fitting the barb into the slot so that the barb extends upward and outward from the first end of the elongated member, through the slot, with the body of the suture anchor engaging the first end of the installation tool.In use, the suture is first attached to the suture anchor and then the suture anchor is attached to the elongated member in the foregoing manner. Then the first end of the elongated member is pressed into a predrilled hole in the bone, forcing the suture anchor in ahead of it.

Abstract: A suture anchor for anchoring one end of a conventional suture to bone comprising a coupling member, at least one barb made of a resilient elastic material projecting from said coupling member, and structure for use in attaching one end of a suture to said suture anchor. The coupling member and the at least one barb are adapted to securely anchor one end of the suture in bone when the suture is attached to the attachment structure, so that the other end of the suture extending outside the bone can be used to attach objects to the bone. A novel application tool is also provided.

Abstract: A face mask assembly comprises a face mask and a pacifier constructed to be easily attached to the face mask. The pacifier is provided with a novel construction for use with either the face mask for pre-operative and operative procedures, or a shield for pre- and post-operative care.

Abstract: A stapler system for surgical suturing comprising a novel stapler and novel precurved staples designed for use with the stapler. Staples stored on a magazine are implanted by a ram mounted for reciprocal movement on the body of the stapler. The ram is moved to firing position by a handle pivotally mounted to the stapler body. As the handle is pivoted, a flat spring coupled to the ram is biased. When the ram reaches its firing position, the handle slips from engagement with the ram, thus permitting the biased spring to drive the ram downward so as to implant a staple into the incised tissue. The legs of the staple enter the tissue along a curved path. During implantation the staple is bent around an anvil causing the legs of the staple to penetrate the tissue along a curved path. Insertion of the staple legs along this curved path draws adjacent portions of incised tissue together.

Abstract: A fiber drawing process and apparatus in which the fibers are drawn in small increments by passing the fibers in multiple wraps over on rotatably mounted spaced apart spindles having discrete circumferential microterraced surfaces which support the fiber. The terraced surfaces are parallel to the axis of rotation of the spindles and each microterraced surface having a continually increasing radius. The number of microterraces is equal to or less than the number of wraps of the fiber about the spindle. Cylindrical rolls in tandem with the microterraced spindles permit fine adjustments of the draw ratios.

Abstract: An assembly for use in an active suspension system for controlling the orientation of the chassis of a motor vehicle relative to the frame of the vehicle. The assembly comprises an electromagnetic device including a coil and magnetic conductive member movable with respect to the coil along an axis of relative movement between the chassis and frame. The coil creates a force on the magnetically conductive member in response to a current generated by a signal control as a function of acceleration and deceleration forces applied along the axis and the relative positions of the chassis and frame along the axis of relative movement different from predetermined neutral relative positions of said chassis and frame.

Abstract: Device for eliminating interference in a given electrical signal generated by one or several power switches. The device includes an electronic switch interposed on the line of propagation of the signal, a generator of a pulse of programmed duration controlling the operation of the switch, and a delay circuit coupled to receive the switching instruction from the interfering switch or switches for triggering the pulse generator at the moment when the power switching takes place so as to cause the switch or switches to open.

Abstract: An adjustable surgical staple for use in joining together two pieces of human or animal tissue. The staple has a spine and two legs, with the spine being slotted along its length so as to divide the spine into two separate cross members. Bending the cross members towards or away from one another alters the distance between the leg portions of the staple, thereby allowing precise adjustment of the tension of the joinder between the tissues being joined.

Abstract: Disclosed are a fluid extractant, and a process and apparatus for using the extractant to separate an organic liquid from an aqueous mixture. The extractant comprises a first fluid solvent which is a gas in its near-critical or supercritical state and a cosolvent. A preferred first fluid solvent is near-critical liquid carbon dioxide. Preferred cosolvents are 2-ethyl hexanol for ethanol extraction, and hexanoic acid for acetic acid extraction. Organic compounds such as monohydric alcohols, monoacids, ketones, ethers, aldehydes and esters can be recovered from dilute aqueous solutions more economically than possible by prior art processes of distillation.

Abstract: A rotary regenerative heat wheel having a heat exchange matrix comprised of a spirally wound strip of plastic having a coating of dry desiccant affixed thereto. The quantity of desiccant affixed to the strip is selected so that the sensible and latent heat transfer efficiencies of the wheel are relatively high and approximately equal. An apparatus and method are disclosed for applying a desiccant coating to a sheet of plastic.

Abstract: A loudspeaker having means for acoustically impeding excursion of the transducer diaphragm and means for acoustically attenuating the output of acoustic vibrations of frequencies above a preselected frequency. The loudspeaker includes first and second subchambers separated by a dividing wall in which the transducer is mounted. A first port acoustically couples the first subchamber with the second subchamber and a second port acoustically couples the second subchamber with the outside environment surrounding the loudspeaker.

Abstract: A data compression system for encoding and decoding textual data, including an encoder for encoding the data and for a decoder for decoding the encoded data. Both encoder and decoder have dictionaries for storing frequently-appearing strings of characters. Each string is identified by a unique pointer. The input data stream is parsed and matched with strings in the encoder dictionary using a novel matching algorithm. The pointer associated with the matched string is then transmitted to a remote location for storage or decoding. Thereafter, using a novel update algorithm the encoder dictionary is updated to include new strings of data based on the matched string of data. If required, a novel deletion algorithm is employed to remove infrequently used strings of data to provide room for the newly generated strings of data. The strings of data may be arranged using a modified least recently used queue.

Abstract: A method of producing a particulate sterile material insulation or fertilizer, includes the step of comminuting a cellulose feed material such as paper, in a hammer mill so as to produce fine particles and fibres having a large surface area to volume ratio. The particulate material is entrained in an air stream to produce separate particles of the material, and the particulate material freely falls through an ultraviolet radiation flux for a period of time sufficient to substantially completely sterilize the particulate material. The product can be used in animal breeding sheds as floor insulation. The used material with animal droppings can be similarly processed to produce a sterile particulate fertilizer ingredient.

Abstract: A system for controlling the consistency of a material pumped from a reservoir, by introducing an alterant into the material, which system includes a diaphragm-type pump for pumping the material from a reservoir, the pump being driven by a double-acting air cylinder motor controlled by a pilot-operated two-position, four-way air valve having reducing valves connected at its air input ports to create pressure differentials between the input air and the operating air in the cylinder during steady state-operation of the pump. The motor is mounted so as to be relatively movable substantially toward and away from the pump responsively to change in the pressure differentials in the cylinder due to changes in the consistency.

Abstract: A miniature transducer designed for use in a medical imaging system catheter probe is disclosed. The transducer has an electric cavity and coaxial construction for preventing electric fields from being emitted or received by the transducers. The construction of the transducer enables two to be mounted very close to one another on a thin catheter probe, one for transmitting acoustic pulses and the other for sensing echoes in response to the acoustic pulses, for imaging extremely close targets. The transducers can be secured to the catheter probe in such a way as to substantially acoustically isolate one from the other.A method of making the transducer by applying several electrically-conductive and insulating coatings and layers to a core in selected sequence so as to create a transducer having an electrical cavity, coaxial construction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved form of shift block assembly for a cassette tape loading machine. The shift block assembly is of the type that comprises first, second and third shift blocks mounted for sliding and rotating motion on a common axis. Each of the shift blocks has a guideway for aligning tape to be spliced and also is provided with means for applying suction to hold a tape in position in the guideway. The three blocks are disposed in tandem along the common axis, and the first and second shift blocks are used to hold the two leaders, while the third shift block is used to hold the tape to be loaded. Means are provided for shifting each block axially along and additional means are provided for rotating each block relative to the other on the axis.

Abstract: A novel method and machine are provided for processing workpieces at one or more work-stations under vacuum conditions. The machine comprises means for receiving at atmospheric pressure an object to be processed, an inlet lock that is connected to a vacuum manifold, at least one processing station that is at a pressure at least as low as 10.sup.-1 to 10.sup.-6 mm. Hg., means for conveying work-pieces to be processed into and through the input lock to said at least one processing station so that the pressure within the processing chamber is not adversely affected by introduction of workpieces thereto via the input lock, an output lock, and means for transferring workpieces from said at least one processing station into the output lock so that the pressure in said at least one processing station is not adversely affected by such transfer.