Abstract: A high-pressure piston pump with a plurality of pump elements is connected on the intake side to a pump that pumps fuel at low pressure in a regulated quantity. Each pump element is preceded on the intake side by a first and a second check valve in series. The first check valve opens counter to spring force in the intake phase of the pump element and closes in the pumping phase. The second check valve opens counter to spring force and closes, reinforced by spring force, at pressures of the fuel supplied by the pump that are higher than the negative pressure generated in a cylinder chamber of the pump element. The second check valve takes on the metering of the fuel supplied to the pump element; the first check valve blocks off the cylinder chamber counter to the check valve in the pumping phase, whereby the piston pump serves to supply fuel at high pressure in fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, especially in a common rail injection system.

Abstract: A hydraulic motor (1), has an output shaft (3), a block cylinder (6), and high-pressure pistons (7) guided therein, and a block cylinder spring (9) and a valve plate (5). The block cylinder (6) exerts a contact-pressure force on the valve plate (5) by way of the charging pressure of the hydraulic oil in the block cylinder (6) and of the spring force of the block-cylinder spring (9). The contact-pressure force is counter-acted, when the hydraulic motor (1) is at a standstill, by a hydraulic pressure field which is built up on a surface (13) between the block cylinder (6) and the valve plate (5) via a valve device (12).

Abstract: A medical guide wire containment device having a housing for receiving and retaining one or more guide wires. The housing includes one or more isolation chambers, each of which is designed to accept therein at least one guide wire. The isolation chambers include fixed guides to cause the wire to coil up therein with minimal entanglement. The isolation chambers also include a receiving funnel and a port centered in the funnel. The port is configured to allow the healthcare provider to pass the guide wire into the isolation chamber and to draw it out of the isolation chamber. An optional wiping sponge is affixed within the chamber behind the receiving port to wipe the guide wire as it enters and exits the isolation chamber. A wetting solution such as heparinized saline is retained within the housing to keep the guide wire clean and wetted. The housing may include a stabilization base to minimize the possibility of the housing tipping over.

Abstract: A hydraulic compressor arrangement includes hydraulic rams A and B with associated non-return valves. A hydraulic pump, typically electrically operated, provides a pressurized fluid source to operate rams A or B to allow the associated chambers to receive and compress the low pressure gas provided by a valve. The rams A and B alternately compress and allow entry of the gas so as to produce a continuing source of compressed gas by a pipe to a gas storage tank by a quick release coupling. Two stage compression can also be utilized.

Abstract: A heat-dissipating fan structure comprises a frame having a through-hole. An air inlet and an air outlet are respectively defined in two ends of the through-hole. A support section is provided in an end of the through-hole and at least two sets of windings are engaged on the frame. An IC control member is mounted on the frame and electrically connected to the windings. A rotor comprises a shaft and plural blades, and a permanent ring magnet is mounted around the blades. An end of the shaft is rotatably received in the support section of the frame. A repulsive magnetic force is directly created between the permanent ring magnet and the windings of the frame to drive the rotor to turn.

Abstract: A system for delivering an anaesthetic-containing fluid to a desired site in a patient includes a catheter for channeling the fluid into a unitary portal penetrating a body. A pump capable of delivering fluid at a constant flow rate is dimensioned to retain sufficient fluid for at least a one-day delivery and is adapted to permit being affixed to the body to permit portability. A fluid line, such as tubing, transports fluid from the pump to the catheter. A kit further includes an introducer needle dimensioned to permit the catheter to pass therethrough. A method of relieving pain at a surgical site postoperatively over an extended period of time includes the steps of inserting an anaesthetic-containing fluid into a pump interior having a capacity sufficient for at least a two-day delivery.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck type of hot plate is disclosed which permits the temperature of a semiconductor substrate to be measured with good repeatability. In addition to an electrostatic chuck electrode and a heating electrode as provided in conventional hot plates, the inventive hot plate is further provided with two or more temperature measuring probes.

Abstract: A lance is provided for puncturing skin and producing a sample of blood. The lance comprises a spring having a first end and a second end disposed between a needle and a base wherein the first end of spring is coupled to the base and the second end of the spring is coupled to the needle.

Abstract: The variable stiffness electrically conductive catheter shaft includes one or more electrically conductive members, and at least one coaxial layer of heat shrink polymer disposed over the one or more electrically conductive members of a length shorter than the one or more electrically conductive members, to provide variations in stiffness along the length of the shaft. The variable stiffness electrically conductive catheter shaft preferably includes a plurality of coaxial layers of heat shrink polymer encapsulating the one or more electrically conductive members, extending from the proximal end of the one or more electrically conductive members toward the distal end, the plurality of coaxial layers having different lengths to provide the electrically conductive catheter shaft with varying stiffness over the length of the electrically conductive catheter shaft.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically controlling the quantitative delivery of, and then recording the occurrence of the administration of medicines to animals is disclosed and claimed. An intelligent syringe receives and automatically implements an instruction relating to a preferred quantity of medicine to be delivered to a specific animal, based on the measured weight of the animal. Upon actuation of the intelligent syringe, a first signal containing information relating to the actuation of the intelligent syringe, and the resulting injection of the animal is transmitted to a data repository. An EID is attached to the animal to provide a tamper-resistant electronic identification of the animal, and a receiver is utilized for receiving the first signal from the intelligent syringe and the electronic identification of the animal. Thereafter, a computer database maintains the information contained in the first signal for selective access and analysis.

Abstract: A suction muffler for a compressor employed in a home appliance having a refrigeration cycle reduces noise produced by the compressor. The suction muffler includes a muffler body and a refrigerant suction pipe. The muffler body defines a resonance chamber and is coupled to a refrigerant supply pipe. The refrigerant suction pipe connects the resonance chamber to a compressor cylinder. The refrigerant suction pipe has at least one hole formed in its cylindrical wall. The muffler further includes a guiding portion in the resonance chamber to direct refrigerant from the supply pipe to the at least one hole in the refrigerant suction pipe and to direct noise exiting an upper end of the refrigerant suction pipe away from the refrigerant supply pipe. The suction muffler shortens the refrigerant flow path and lengthens the noise transmission path, thereby reducing the level of noise emitted while increasing efficiency of the compressor.

Abstract: Guide catheters which can be used in percutaneous myocardial revascularization (PMR) to deliver therapeutic catheters to difficult to reach heart chamber wall regions. Some guide catheters include distal regions which can be bent under control from the proximal region of the catheter. One steerable guide catheter has a flexible distal region, a more proximal, less flexible intermediate region, a first lumen for receiving a therapeutic catheter, and an elongate manipulation member slidably disposed in a second, blind lumen. The elongate manipulation member can be secured off-center near the distal end of the flexible distal region. The distal region can be bent by retracting the manipulation member and straightened by pushing the manipulation member. Controllably bendable guide catheters according to the present invention can be nested inside other, similar guide catheters. The invention also includes means for resisting free rotation of guide catheters relative to other adjacent catheters or tubes.

Abstract: A method for drying grain in a bin is provided. The method includes gathering temperature and moisture data from various points in and around the bin. The data are integrated with a quantitative algorithm of direct differential vapor pressure analysis. The grain is then conditioned in response to results obtained from the quantitative algorithm of differential vapor pressure analysis.

Abstract: A membrane seal for a multi-part fluid pump housing discharging windshield washer fluid from reservoir includes a one-piece, rigid carrier and a resilient seal member molded onto the rigid member to seal two pump housing parts. Resilient material also over molded over at least one flow aperture in the carrier to form a check valve to control fluid flow between an inlet and an outlet of the pump housing. Resilient material also is molded over another aperture in the carrier to form a pump motor shaft seal. In a construction method, the resilient material forming the peripheral seal, the check valve and the pump motor shaft seal is over molded in a single process step over the carrier.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and kits for performing lung volume reduction in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other conditions using and comprising minimally invasive instruments introduced through the mouth (endotracheally) to isolate a target lung tissue segment from other regions of the lung and reduce lung volume. Isolation is achieved by deploying an obstructive device in a lung passageway leading to the target lung tissue segment. Once the obstructive device is anchored in place, the segment can be aspirated through the device. This may be achieved by a number of methods, including coupling an aspiration catheter to an inlet port on the obstruction device and aspirating through the port. Or, providing the port with a valve which allows outflow of gas from the isolated lung tissue segment during expiration of the respiratory cycle but prevents inflow of air during inspiration. In addition, a number of other methods may be used.

Abstract: A heat dissipation fan structure includes a base plate provided with an air outlet which is provided with a bottom plate. The bottom plate is provided with a drive circuit control member. The base plate is provided with a plurality of poles of an even number. Each pole is wound with a coil. An insulating layer is mounted between the pole and the coil. Poles having the same polarity are connected by the same connecting wire. An impeller is pivoted and rotated on the bottom plate. The impeller has a plurality of blades that may drive air to flow. A magnet ring is mounted on peripheral edges of the blades of the impeller, and may be induced with the poles wound with coils.

Abstract: A fixed lens of an optical objective lens system is fixedly retained on a support member which is provided in a rigid tip end section of an endoscopic insertion instrument, along with a movable lens or lenses which are movable toward and away from the fixed lens in the direction of optical axis of the objective lens system. A drive means for the movable lenses is coupled with the support member, while an image sensor means is located at the focus of the objective lens system. A guide means which guides the support member of an optical assembly in the direction of the optical axis is connected to the image sensor means. The support member is slid along the guide means to adjust the optical objective lens system into an in-focus position with respect to the image sensor means. After adjusting the position of the optical objective lens system, the support member is fixed to the guide means by the use of an optical assembly fixation means.

Abstract: A suction chamber and a discharge chamber are defined in a front housing member. A crank chamber is defined between a cylinder block and a rear housing member. A drive shaft passes through the suction chamber and extends from a front end of a housing. The drive shaft is supported by the housing. A shaft sealing assembly for sealing the drive shaft is located in the suction chamber. In the cylinder block and a valve plate, a bleed passage is formed for connecting the crank chamber with the suction chamber. The bleed passage is inclined downward toward the suction chamber. The outlet of the bleed passage is above the shaft sealing assembly. In the suction chamber, a reservoir, which stores lubricating oil supplied through the bleed passage, is surrounds a lower part of the shaft sealing assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of implantable infusion pumps are provided that use a process of converting a first substance to a second gaseous substance (e.g. by electrolysis) to provide a motivating force to expel a desired fluid (e.g. drug or medication) from the pump into the body of a patient. An expandable sack may be provided around a gas producing electrolytic cell, such that as the gas expands it displaces a portion of the volume originally allocated to the desired fluid, and thereby forces the fluid from the pump. Pumps may be provided with a double septum to allow refilling of the desired fluid while simultaneously allowing removal of the generated gas from the system while using a single needle. Recharging of pump batteries may occur by direct electrical conduction through one or more needles and/or by r.f. energy transfer. Programming of the pump may occur by way of conductive paths provided by one or more needles or by means of r.f. transfer.

Abstract: A hose siphon for cleaning sand, dirt and other particulate impurities from tanks or vessels. The hose siphon typically includes an aspirator conduit for receiving the pressurized water and a main conduit for receiving the pressurized water from the aspirator conduit. The main conduit includes a suction end for fluid communication with the tank or vessel and a discharge end for discharging the pressurized water from the main conduit. As the pressurized water flows through the aspirator conduit and into the main conduit, sand filtering medium and trapped impurities are aspirated from the vessel into the suction end of the main conduit, and discharged from the discharge end of the main conduit with the pressurized water. A water discharge hose is provided in fluid communication with the aspirator conduit for distributing a portion of the pressurized water to the tank or vessel and maintaining a suspension or slurry of the sand medium and particulate impurities in the tank or vessel.