Abstract: A hemostasis valve for use in introducing an over-the-wire medical lead into a patient's vascular system comprises a housing with a passageway, the passageway including an elastomeric pierceable seal member interposed therein and a resilient, annular tip surrounding a distal end of the housing where the tip has a central opening that is sized to receive a tubular connector terminal at the proximal end of the medical lead for dripping the end of the lead and sealing the lead's tubular connector terminal in the passageway of the housing.

Abstract: A respiratory monitor apparatus comprises, in combination, a flexible mask fabricated from a stretchable fabric, such as spandex, that is designed to support a pneumotach flow measuring instrument in a way that does not require the instrument to be placed in the wearer's mouth, yet still remaining in fluid communication with the wearer's mouth and with little or no dead-space or leakage between the mask member and the wearer's face.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a motor vehicle includes an air spring suspension system for effectively isolating the occupant of the vehicle's seat from shock, vibration and inertial forces directed along both a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. A stationary base plate member is attached to the floor of the vehicle and it supports a pivot linkage assembly joining the stationary base member to a movable base member. An air spring is disposed between the stationary base member and the movable base member to displace the movable base member in a generally vertical direction to an extent allowed by the linkage assembly. Supported atop the movable base member is a seat slide assembly that permits fore and aft adjustment of seat position within the vehicle. A vehicle seat mount is affixed to the pair of slide members and includes shock absorbing springs that are disposed between the slide members and the vehicle seat mount for cushioning inertial forces due to acceleration and braking.

Abstract: Ectopic beat activity detection of the human heart is monitored by time interval measurements of depolarizations in the heart. The intervals between beats are categorized as being long beats, short beats or normal beats. Then the sequence of categories of beats is analyzed to determine the types of ectopic beats occurring and to count such occurrences and display such information to a health care provider to help monitor, diagnose and treat patients. For patients with pacemakers installed the information can be used to adjust pacemaker settings. The information may also be used to alert the health care providers to dangerous patterns indicating serious conditions which need immediate treatment.

Abstract: Nozzle attached to the boom of agricultural sprayers each include an improved air eduction system and discharge slot eliminating the need to change the angle of the boom and nozzle to ensure a comprehensive spray pattern irrespective of boom height and improved penetration of the material sprayed into and under the crop canopy.

Abstract: An adapter for interfacing a pyro/piezo sensor to a polysomnograph machine comprises a differential input amplifier coupled to receive the raw transducer signals from a PVDF film transducer to provide a requisite gain while rejecting common mode noise. The resulting amplified signal is filtered to separate the pyro signal from the piezo signal and the piezo signal is further applied to half-wave rectifier stages that function to remove baseline noise from the piezo signal before its being applied to a microphone channel of an existing PSG machine.

Abstract: A freeway interchange traffic rerouting control system allows individual ones of the gates and signs to be operated from a workstation connected via the Internet to a web server and communications server that control spread spectrum radio transceivers. A system operator logs onto the Internet, proceeds to the interchange URL where a control panel and video screen appear. Signals may be sent from the workstation to a web server to operate the gates and to turn on advanced warning signs. Video feeds from strategically located cameras allow for viewing traffic activity at the intersection at the remote workstation. Provision is also made for detecting instances of violations whereby an alarm is given and the video detailing the violation is captured for analysis.

Abstract: An improved guide catheter provides a distal tip with one or more members that assist a surgeon with locating and inserting the guide catheter through the ostium in the wall of the right atrium that leads to the coronary sinus of the heart. The guide catheter is used to implant a cardiac lead so that its electrodes are positioned in the vasculature associated with the left side of the heart.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a medical device and medical devices which can be formed in accordance with the method. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of a) providing a metal fabric formed of a plurality of strands formed of a metal which can be heat treated to substantially set a desired shape; b) deforming the metal fabric to generally conform to a surface of a molding element; c) heat treating the metal fabric in contact with the surface of the molding element to substantially set the shape of the fabric in its deformed state; and d) removing the metal fabric from contact with the molding element. The resulting metal fabric will define a medical device which can be collapsed for passage through a catheter or the like for deployment in a channel of a patient's body.

Abstract: An aircraft cockpit heater in the form of a floor mat is disclosed. The heating element of the heater is designed so that no portion of the heating element will heat to a temperature above a predetermined threshold, said threshold well below the temperature at which combustion can occur.

Abstract: A printed circuit assembly for use in an implantable medical device comprises a plurality of panels having active and passive circuit components on one major surface thereof, the plurality of panels being interconnected with flexible flat cable segments allowing the assembly to be folded so as to place the individual panels carrying the circuit components in a stacked relationship. By providing conductive layers on predetermined surfaces of the panels, shielding is provided to inhibit noise generating circuitry from contaminating wanted signals passing between the components and the plural panels.

Abstract: A method for registering students in courses and generating, collecting, processing and reporting student performance is provided. The process involves the use of a database including information related to institutions, the courses they offer and their faculty to register students for courses periodically inputting student performance data into the database and using the database to analyze the data and provide periodic reports related to student performance.

Abstract: An intravascular flow restrictor comprises a braided tubular structure designed to be placed in the main pulmonary artery for limiting blood pressure in the lungs. The braided structure is designed to be collapsed for placement in a delivery catheter but when ejected from the delivery catheter, assumes a substantially larger diameter disk shaped device having one or more longitudinal channels or passways therethrough.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable machining lathe for machining a pipe or similar workpiece. The lathe includes two semicircular members having a stationary section and a rotatable section. The two semicircular members are cooperatively connected by a hinge system on one end, and steel splice plates on the other. The hinge has a top bracket and bottom bracket on the stationary section of each member, and a male hinge and female hinge on the rotatable section of each member. The male and female hinges are cooperatively connected so that when the hinge is closed the two semicircular members form a complete annulus.

Abstract: A machine tool for re-surfacing gasket seats surrounding elliptical openings in oval manways includes a housing of an oval configuration that is adapted to be mounted in the opening of the manway to be machined. A motor and a tool slide assembly are secured to the motor mount in such a fashion that the tool slide assembly is confined to travel in an oval orbit along a second major surface of the housing. A cam actuated feed screw is appropriately disposed to engage a tripper bar disposed in the path of travel to effect radial displacement of a tool holder and tool bit. A cam locking and unlocking control lever cooperates with the cam and is disposed such that an operator located outside of the vessel on which the manway is disposed can readily control the machining operation.

Abstract: A hydraulically powered self-propelled stripping machine having an electric motor for providing oscillating motion to a cutting head member. The electric motor driving a hydraulic pump for pumping hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic motor for driving the wheels of the hydraulically powered self propelled stripping machine. The hydraulic system having forward and reverse as well as speed control valves for controlling the direction and speed of the hydraulically powered wheels or for stopping. The hydraulically powered self-propelled stripping machine also having a hydraulic pressure safety valve for protecting the machine and the objects it engages from damage.

Abstract: A conveyor belt for transporting articles having a plurality of apertures therein such that a vacuum applied to the apertures aids in forcing articles to stay on the conveyor belt while the articles are being translated. The conveyor is particularly useful for moving sheet articles such as a sheet feeder removing sheet articles from the bottom of a stack of sheet articles in a sheet feeder. The vacuum adds to the frictional force of the article on the conveyor belt and increases the productivity of the sheet feeder by reducing jams and increasing the frictional contact of the sheet article on the conveyor belt by removing chaff and other material form the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management device incorporates a programmable Watchdog timer that permits more stringent time constraints to be placed upon the execution of software/firmware strings during a design phase when a deterministic model is being created. Thus, when performing real-time system engineering analysis on the model, potential imperfections in the deterministic model can be captured and resolved, resulting in a more reliable CRMD that is less likely to electronically reset once implanted in a patient.