Abstract: An abdominal aortic tourniquet having one-piece member for the bladder and cover portions and whose bladder has a triangular cross-sectional shape when inflated that significantly increases the amount of point pressure such that the intended artery is properly occluded. The one-piece bladder/cover design provides for a reduction in cost of materials and provides for a more compact piece as compared to prior designs. The abdominal aortic tourniquet uses a single piece of weldable and gas impermeable fabric that is configured in a novel manner to create a three-dimensional, pneumatic piston while also serving as storage/transport cover, attachment structure, and major component of the belt member.

Abstract: An abdominal aortic tourniquet having one-piece member for the bladder and cover portions and whose bladder has a triangular cross-sectional shape when inflated that significantly increases the amount of point pressure such that the intended artery is properly occluded. The one-piece bladder/cover design provides for a reduction in cost of materials and provides for a more compact piece as compared to prior designs. The abdominal aortic tourniquet uses a single piece of weldable and gas impermeable fabric that is configured in a novel manner to create a three-dimensional, pneumatic piston while also serving as storage/transport cover, attachment structure, and major component of the belt member.

Abstract: An active control releasable ballast system for dive equipment is disclosed which in one embodiment includes a removable pocket that is secured with a side release buckle within a fixed pocket. The buckle is required to be opened before the weight contained in the pocket can be dropped or given to another individual in or out of the water. Thus, the release of the weights is a conscious and deliberate act.

Abstract: The invention provides for the elimination of error due to bias shift in near infrared instrumentation having a plurality of near infrared sources. It accomplishes this by comparing subsequent Optical Density readings of a calibration standard for each near infrared source with stored calibration standard readings for each near infrared source that were taken when the instrument was initially calibrated, and compensating for any bias shift accordingly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sorting desired pieces of material from undesired material present in mixtures thereof. A piece of material from a mixture of pieces of desired and undesired materials is irradiated with a plurality of wavelengths of near-infrared radiation. The absorptions by the irradiated piece of near-infrared radiation energy is measured at a plurality of wavelengths. The measured absorptions are sequentially compared to a successive series of predetermined different absorption criteria in a predetermined order, which criteria distinguish the desired material from undesired material. If the piece fails any one criterion, it is rejected, whereas if the piece passes all criteria, it is accepted as a desired piece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for near infrared reflectance measurement of non-homogeneous materials. Constituents of a material are quantitatively analyzed by reflectance techniques utilizing a planar surface of the material within a cup-shaped sample holder opaque to near-infrared radiation. A predetermined area of the planar surface is uniformly irradiated with near infrared radiation emitted from a source spaced a predetermined distance away from the planar surface. Near infrared radiation reflected by substantially all of the predetermined surface area is detected with a near infrared radiation detector spaced a predetermined distance away from the planar surface, to provide a signal which is processed to measure an average content of a constituent in the sample material. The source and detector are contained in a probe which is calibrated by inserting the probe into a cavity.

Abstract: A fixed stable standard for near-infrared reflectance measurement is provided by using a sample holder having an IR-quartz window and a measured amount of PTFE powder pressed directly thereagainst so that the PTFE powder has a fixed density providing a permanent reflectance standard protected by the window, and a method of making the standard is also provided.

Abstract: A near-infrared quantitative measurement instrument allows measurement in either reflectance or transmission modes depending upon a sample holder which is loaded in a sample chamber. The instrument has means for detecting in both the reflectance mode and the transmission mode, and the particular sample holder used determines in which mode the measurement is made.

Abstract: Near infrared instrument for measuring constituents such as moisture, protein and oil in materials has a movable sample holder of predetermined thickness depending upon the particular material being measured. The sample holder is moved past a source of near infrared radiation and detector by a mechanical drive.

Abstract: A non-destructive testing instrument useful for measuring of organic constituents of materials utilizes interactance of near infrared radiation from near infrared emitting diodes positioned at one end of a light transmitting cylinder having a length sufficient so that diode point sources provide uniform radiation at the other end of the cylinder, the cylinder being shielded from light. A detector, which may be inside the cylinder, detects the interactance from such radiation to provide a measurement of body fat utilizing a unique formula and unique measuring technique to prevent noise and incorrect measurements.

Abstract: In the quantitative analysis of a sample by computing constituents from optical absorptivity data at different wavelengths, optical absorptivity data values for selected nominal wavelengths are obtained by curvilinear interpolation from measured optical absorptivity data values obtained by use of narrow band width filters. The computed optical data values are utilized to compute percentage constituents by means of algorithms which may include one or more first or second derivatives.

Abstract: An instrument for automatically and accurately determining the "test weight" of grain, utilizes a confined column having a constant cross sectional area with means for sequentially dumping a plurality of batches of grain from the column and weighing the batches as dumped, combined with means for detecting the height of the grain in the column before or after each dump and feeding the information as to the height and weight to a microprocessor to determine the weight per unit volume utilizing linear regression equations. The instrument also includes an infrared spectroscopic detection device for determining moisture, protein, and oil content.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically determining the test weight per bushel of grain utilizes the principal components of the standard approved test, namely a stoppered bottom hopper, a measured quart kettle and a stroker. The operation of the stoppered bottom and the stroker is automatic by virtue on being mounted on a reciprocating slide. The test kettle is pivotally mounted for dumping by a drive motor, and the entire dumping drive motor arrangement and support is mounted on a load cell for weighing the measured grain in the test kettle. The operations are automatically controlled in sequence, first taring the load cell, then unstopping the hopper bottom, next stroking the test kettle, then reading the load cell and last dumping the test kettle to prepare for the next test weighing.

Abstract: A near infrared quantitative analysis instrument provides for correction of wide temperature variations in unground cereal grain sample and the ambient by providing thermistors to measure the temperature of the sample and the ambient and utilizing the measurements as additional variables in multiple regression equations.

Abstract: A near infrared quantitative analysis instrument provides for correction of wide temperature variations in unground cereal grain sample by providing a thermistor to measure the temperature of the sample and utilizing this measurement as an additional variable in multiple regression equations.

Abstract: An instrument for quantitative analysis using a matrix of radiation emitting diodes has means for assuring that a sample receives substantially uniform radiation from each diode. In the preferred embodiment a lens is used to direct the radiation beams to a focal plane where there is a matte surface diffuser backed with an aperture to provide relatively uniform radiant energy field through the aperture to a sample chamber. With this arrangement the same energy distribution contacts the test samples from each of the radiation sources.

Abstract: An apparatus for near infrared quantitative analysis with an infrared emitting diode (IRED) source utilizes narrow bandpass filters and silicon detectors to provide highly accurate and inexpensive measurement. A narrow bandpass filter in the light path of the IRED passes wavelengths outside the half power bandwidth points of the IRED. A silicon detector together with a sensitive amplifier is used to accurately measure linearly up to six decades of light sensitivity at desired wavelengths.

Abstract: A counterweight assembly is provided to enhance heads up surface positioning of a person. The assembly includes a weight/ballast member strategically disposed on a cylinder/tank worn by a diver during a dive. The weight member can be attached by several different embodiments. Preferably, the weight member is attached such that the diver cannot release or adjust the weight member while he or she is diving. The weight member rotates the person to ensure heads up surface positioning in the event the person becomes incapacitated. Also provided are several other water safety and survival devices.

Abstract: A counterweight assembly is provided to enhance heads up surface positioning of a person. The assembly includes a weight/ballast member strategically disposed on a cylinder/tank worn by a diver during a dive. The weight member can be attached by several different embodiments. Preferably, the weight member is attached such that the diver cannot release or adjust the weight member while he or she is diving. The weight member rotates the person to ensure heads up surface positioning in the event the person becomes incapacitated. Also provided are several other water safety and survival devices. Also disclosed is a combined ballast and signaling device preferably neutralized by attachment to an eccentrically buoyant personal flotation device.