Abstract: A catheter/guide wire steering mechanism includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and sidewalls which define at least the first lumen. An opening is formed in a sidewall of the catheter, near the distal end thereof in communication with the first lumen. A plug is disposed in the catheter at the distal end thereof and includes a curved surface for deflecting and directing out the opening, the leading end of a guide wire (or other catheter) inserted into the lumen at the proximal end of the catheter. This enables guiding the guide wire laterally from the catheter either into a passageway branching from the main passageway into which the catheter is inserted, or to perforate a sidewall of the main passageway.

Abstract: A body-powered prosthetic arm is mountable on a socket attached to the arm stump of a person. The prosthetic arm includes a base for attachment to the socket, a forearm section having a proximal end and a distal end, a terminal device such as a hook, anthropomorphic hand, etc. attached to the distal end of the forearm section for selectively opening or closing, and an elbow joint for joining the proximal end of the forearm section to the base, the elbow joint being pivotable to enable moving the forearm section upwardly or downwardly. Control straps and cables fitted on the person are responsive to body movements of the person for selectively locking the elbow joint to prevent it from pivoting while allowing the terminal device to open or close or locking the terminal device to prevent it from opening or closing while allowing the elbow joint to pivot.

Abstract: A low-profile multipathway automatic drug delivery system utilizing a battery powered control pad coupled to a disposable drug storage and delivery system and strapped to a patient's limb or torso. A preprogrammed or on-demand drug administration sequence is input to the control pad. When a drug is to be administered, the control pad ignites a high energy density propellant charge in the drug delivery system. Expanding propellant gas exerts pressure on a drug in a second chamber and forces it from the storage reservoir.

Abstract: A catheter guide wire includes an elongate tubular body about which a catheter may be threaded for guidance to a target location in a vasculature passageway of a body. The elongate body includes a proximal end and a distal end, with the distal end being curved. Cuts are formed either by saw-cutting, laser cutting or etching at spaced-apart locations along the length of the body to increase its lateral flexibility, while maintaining its rotational torquability. At least some of the cuts extend through the tubular body to the interior cavity to allow the escape of fluids flowing in the cavity. The distal end of the tubular body includes a sufficient number of cuts to make it more flexible than the remainder of the body.

Abstract: An ambulatory volumetric pump apparatus includes a housing defining a channel therethrough having an inlet for receiving a fluid and an outlet for discharging a fluid, a pump operable to pump fluid through the channel, a motor for operating the pump in response to control signals, and a programmable microprocessor for selectively supplying control signals to the motor to cause the motor to operate. The programmable microprocessor is "programmed" by manually setting rotatable knobs having faces which extend through but are generally flush with the housing exterior surface. The knobs include indicia to provide a visual display of the setting of the knobs and thus of the parameters of operation of the pump. An under-pressure sensor is disposed after the inlet of the channel to detect a suction or vacuum in the channel and to signal the microprocessor if such condition is detected.

Abstract: A catheter deliverable thrombogenic device includes a catheter for threading into a body vasculature passageway to a target location, and a resilient wire element coiled and shaped to occupy a certain volume when unconstrained, and to straighten when inserted lengthwise into and constrained by the catheter, for ultimate discharge therefrom to expand and occupy the target location. The wire element includes a first length of wire, and a second length of wire coiled about the first wire to form a composite pair. The composite pair itself is coiled and shaped to occupy the certain volume when unconstrained, and to straighten when inserted lengthwise into and constrained by the catheter.

Abstract: An interactive target game system for one or more players includes at least one designator, in the form of a pistol, holdable by a player for aiming at a target and operating to simulate shooting at the target. The designator includes a photodetector for detecting an electromagnetic beam when the designator is accurately aimed at a beam source. Also included is at least one target viewable by the player for periodically producing an electromagnetic beam which is directed outwardly of the target. During those times that the target is producing the beam, a visible light signal is produced to alert the player that the target is "active". When the designator is accurately aimed at the target and operated to detect an electromagnetic beam, a visual and/or audible signal is produced by the designator to indicate that a "hit" has occurred.

Abstract: The method for automatic dosing of drugs utilizes a microdelivery device which may be implanted in or otherwise administered to an animal or human. A microdelivery device is configured to have a plurality of compartments, each containing at least one drug so that a plurality of doses of the drug(s) are held within the device. In accordance with the present invention, the microdelivery device selectively actuates the compartments to selectively release doses of the drug(s) to provide an efficacious dosing pattern. One primary function of the present invention is to release two or more pesticides in such a pattern that parasites are effectively controlled while preventing the development of tolerance to the drugs within the parasites. Preferably, the microdelivery device is programmable to effectuate the release of the drug(s) at a desired time to maintain efficacious levels of the drug while minimizing the amount of drug which must be used.

Abstract: An eccentric-motion motor for driving a utilization mechanism includes a stator defining a closed surface pathway, an armature composed of a permanent magnet rollably disposed on the closed surface pathway, a series of electromagnetic elements disposed in the stator along the closed surface pathway, circuitry for successively energizing the electromagnetic elements to cause them to attract and/or repel the armature so that it rolls along the closed surface pathway, and a coupler mechanism for coupling the armature to the utilization mechanism so that as the armature is caused to roll, the utilization mechanism is powered by the operation of the motor.

Abstract: A hybrid catheter guide wire includes an elongate solid body having a tapered distal end over which is disposed a tubular section-about which a catheter may be threaded for guidance to a target location in a vasculature passageway of a body. Cuts are formed either by saw-cutting, laser cutting or etching at spaced-apart locations along at least a portion of the tubular section to increase its lateral flexibility, while maintaining its rotational torquability, and to control the direction and degree of flexure.

Abstract: A T-shaped member is pivotally mounted to a support plate, and has first and second shape memory wires attached at first ends thereof to opposing portions of the T-shape. Second opposing free ends of the shape memory wires are secured to the support plate. Electrical current is conducted alternately through the first and second shape memory wires to cause the wires to contract in alternating tandem, to thereby cause the T-shaped member to move between first and second positions. Pivotal movement of the T-shaped member can be used to actuate and/or reactivate a switch device.

Abstract: An eccentric-motion motor for driving a utilization mechanism includes a stator defining a closed surface pathway, an armature composed of a permanent magnet rollably disposed on the closed surface pathway, a series of electromagnetic elements disposed in the stator along the closed surface pathway, circuitry for successively energizing the electromagnetic elements to cause them to attract and/or repel the armature so that it rolls along the closed surface pathway, and a coupler mechanism for coupling the armature to the utilization mechanism so that as the armature is caused to roll, the utilization mechanism is powered by the operation of the motor.

Abstract: An eccentric-motion motor for driving a utilization mechanism includes a stator defining a closed surface pathway, an armature composed of a permanent magnet rollably disposed on the closed surface pathway, a series of electromagnetic elements disposed in the stator along the closed surface pathway, circuitry for successively energizing the electromagnetic elements to cause them to attract and/or repel the armature so that it rolls along the closed surface pathway, and a coupler mechanism for coupling the armature to the utilization mechanism so that as the armature is caused to roll, the utilization mechanism is powered by the operation of the motor.

Abstract: An eccentric-motion motor for driving a utilization mechanism includes a stator defining a closed surface pathway, an armature composed of a permanent magnet rollably disposed on the closed surface pathway, a series of electromagnetic elements disposed in the stator along the closed surface pathway, circuitry for successively energizing the electromagnetic elements to cause them to attract and/or repel the armature so that it rolls along the closed surface pathway, and a coupler mechanism for coupling the armature to the utilization mechanism so that as the armature is caused to roll, the utilization mechanism is powered by the operation of the motor.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device for delivering fluid from a fluid reservoir to a patient. The device includes an inlet channel in communication with a fluid reservoir and a dosing chamber, and an outlet channel disposed in communication with the dosing chamber. A reciprocating dosing actuator is moveable in a reciprocating motion between first and second positions for alternately (i) transporting a dose of fluid conveyed by the inlet channel into the intermediate dosing chamber, and (ii) ejecting the dose from the dosing chamber through the outlet channel to the patient, respectively.

Abstract: An eccentric-motion motor for driving a utilization mechanism includes a stator defining a closed surface pathway, an armature composed of a permanent magnet rollably disposed on the closed surface pathway, a series of electromagnetic elements disposed in the stator along the closed surface pathway, circuitry for successively energizing the electromagnetic elements to cause them to attract and/or repel the armature so that it rolls along the closed surface pathway, and a coupler mechanism for coupling the armature to the utilization mechanism so that as the armature is caused to roll, the utilization mechanism is powered by the operation of the motor.

Abstract: An eccentric-motion motor for driving a utilization mechanism includes a stator defining a closed surface pathway, an armature composed of a permanent magnet rollably disposed on the closed surface pathway, a series of electromagnetic elements disposed in the stator along the closed surface pathway, circuitry for successively energizing the electromagnetic elements to cause them to attract and/or repel the armature so that it rolls along the closed surface pathway, and a coupler mechanism for coupling the armature to the utilization mechanism so that as the armature is caused to roll, the utilization mechanism is powered by the operation of the motor.

Abstract: A robotic grasping manipulator includes a support base, a pair of fingers disposed on the base which extend forwardly a certain distance therefrom, and a two-degree of freedom elongate thumb. The thumb is pivotally attached at a proximal end to the base to extend generally forwardly therefrom, and terminates in a distal end tip which may be moved vertically and laterally with respect to the fingers to thereby enable holding objects between one or both fingers and the thumb. The fingers are moveable in a plane toward or away from each other, and include tip sections which are pivotable downwardly in a direction generally normal to the plane of movement of the fingers. A unique linkage apparatus intercouples the fingers with the base such that a non-pivotal, back-and-forth-moving piston rod can be used to move the fingers. The fingers contain gripping structure including rigid, pointed protuberances interleaved with flexible, blunt protuberances which are longer than the rigid protuberances.

Abstract: An eccentric-motion motor for driving a utilization mechanism includes a stator defining a closed surface pathway, an armature composed of a permanent magnet rollably disposed on the closed surface pathway, a series of electromagnetic elements disposed in the stator along the closed surface pathway, circuitry for successively energizing the electromagnetic elements to cause them to attract and/or repel the armature so that it rolls along the closed surface pathway, and a coupler mechanism for coupling the armature to the utilization mechanism so that as the armature is caused to roll, the utilization mechanism is powered by the operation of the motor.

Abstract: An eccentric-motion motor for driving a utilization mechanism includes a stator defining a closed surface pathway, an armature composed of a permanent magnet rollably disposed on the closed surface pathway, a series of electromagnetic elements disposed in the stator along the closed surface pathway, circuitry for successively energizing the electromagnetic elements to cause them to attract and/or repel the armature so that it rolls along the closed surface pathway, and a coupler mechanism for coupling the armature to the utilization mechanism so that as the armature is caused to roll, the utilization mechanism is powered by the operation of the motor.