Abstract: A bi-directional flow catheter for insertion into the body of a patient for the simultaneous introduction into and withdrawal therefrom of fluid. The catheter includes a primary tube having open distal and proximal ends, and a pair of branching tubes, each of which branch from a different side of the primary tube. The primary tube also has an opening in one side thereof to allow introduction of fluid. An elongate trocar/valve member is disposed in the primary tube and is movable longitudinally therein between an insert position and a flow position. One end of the trocar/valve member tapers to a cutting edge which protrudes from the opening in the distal end of the primary tube when the member is in the insert position. The trocar/valve member is formed to prevent communication between the side opening and the opening in the distal end of the primary tube, and to cover the passageways between the primary tube and respective ones of the branching tubes when the member is in the insert position.

Abstract: A portable attachment for tank-type vacuum cleaners is provided which permits pickup of liquids as well as solids with the aspirated air. The attachment comprises a portable container having a removable cover thereon which makes a substantially air-tight connection with the container. A pair of nozzles are provided on the cover for fluid flow communication between the inside and outside of the container. One of the nozzles is adapted to have the suction hose of a tank-type vacuum attached thereto, while a scavenger hose for conveying a mixture of air, dirt particles, and liquid to the container is attached to the other nozzle. Valve means in combination with the first nozzle is spring biased in the closed position so that fluid flow communication between the inside of the container and the suction hose of the vacuum cleaner is established only when the valve means is activated to its open position.

Abstract: A safety socket assembly comprising a non-conductive housing containing a conductive pair of prong sheaths each having a facing aperture on the inside portion thereof and one of the prong sheaths having a slidable contact thereon. A pair of electrical terminals are provided one of which is connectable with its corresponding prong sheath only by means of the slidable contact. A self-locking displaceable peg connected to the slidable contact is situated between the prong sheaths and is locked in position by locking means which extend into the apertures in the prong sheath. The prongs of a plug inserted into the prong sheaths release the locking means allowing the plug to move the peg and slidable contact backwardly until the contact comes into contact with its terminal thereby energizing the socket. Removal of the plug causes the peg and slidable contact to move forwardly to the locking position thereby de-energizing the socket.

Abstract: A fuel supply system is provided for engines which are adapted to operate on gaseous hydrogen fuel and which utilize a fuel tank containing a metal hydride for the storage of hydrogen. The system provides for high pressure operation when the hydride in the fuel tank is fully charged with hydrogen, as well as for operation at low pressures to allow maximum utilization of the hydrogen stored in the hydride. A supply conduit, which can supply the hydrogen needed during normal operation of the engine with minimal pressure drop, connects the storage tank to the fuel intake of the engine. A bypass conduit is provided having one end thereof connected to the supply conduit and its other end reconnected to the supply conduit downstream of the first connection. Valve means are adapted to direct the flow of hydrogen either directly through the supply conduit or to divert the flow of hydrogen from the supply conduit through the bypass conduit and back to the supply conduit downstream from the valve means.

Abstract: A tool for mounting a cartridge case to a drill chuck for rotating the cartridge case about its longitudinal axis for the purpose of cleaning and polishing the cartridge case. The tool comprises a body member having a bore extending axially from one end thereof to the other end, with at least a portion of the bore being internally threaded. One end of the body member is provided with an undercut slot extending from the periphery thereof inwardly to encompass the bore therein. The undercut slot is adapted to receive the flanged end of a universal cartridge case shellholders. A shaft, at least a portion thereof having external threads, is positioned within the bore in the body member so that the threads on the shaft engage the threads of the bore. The shaft is of sufficient length to extend through the bore in the body member from said one end thereof to and beyond the other end so as to project outwardly from the other end.

Abstract: Electrolysis of water is accomplished by positioning a lead dioxide anode and a cathode in spaced relationship to each other, with an electrically conducting medium maintained in contact with the anode and cathode to provide a conduction path therebetween. An electric current is then passed through the conducting medium from the anode to the cathode, thereby generating hydrogen gas at the cathode.

Abstract: A reference electrode having a first tubular member, an elongate electrode element disposed within the tubular member, and a second tubular member disposed within the first tubular member to protrude out one end thereof is sterilized by aspirating through the first tubular member into the second tubular member a solution of HEMA and a salt dissolved in a solvent, evaporating the solvent, exposing the interior and exterior surfaces of the electrode to ethylene oxide gas, aerating the electrode, and immersing the electrode in a solution of said salt until the osmolality of the solution within the electrode and of the solution without the electrode is substantially the same.

Abstract: A cannula suitable for total bypass procedures in arterial and venous cannulation for extracorporeal perfusion of blood. The cannula has a tapered body of sufficient length for peripheral cannulation and openings through the cannula wall appropriately positioned to provide fluid transfer at various anatomical diversion sites within a patient's circulatory system in accordance with flow requirements necessary to maintain proper circulation is disclosed. The cannula structure can be adapted for bidirectional as well as unidirectional flow to maintain circulation in extremities otherwise ignored by single-directional flow cannulation. Reinforcing structure is disclosed for developing the required strength characteristics for the cannula wall, particularly for arterial applications.

Abstract: A blood and body-tissue compatible synthetic polymer having mechanical compliance properties matching that of body tissue, useful in prosthesis as vascular grafts, skin covering, small diameter body duct work, and similar tissue replacement materials. A block copolymer having suitable body and blood compatibility characteristics is dissolved in a solvent, yielding a solution having an approximate relative viscosity between the range of 100 to 1000. A clean mandrel is slowly dipped into the solution and slowly withdrawn, leaving a uniform coating of polymer solution over the forming surface of the mandrel. The coated mandrel is then immersed into a second, nonsolvent solution which is miscible with the first solvent. The resulting transfer of the nonsolvent solution into the polymer network, displacing the first solvent molecules, acts to precipitate the polymer in a physical form containing a uniform dispersion of voids throughout the polymer structure.

Abstract: A method of purifying and storing hydrogen or otherwise separating hydrogen gas from a gaseous mixture containing hydrogen is disclosed. A mixture of hydrogen and other gaseous components is applied under pressure to a hydride container holding a hydride forming material adapted to adsorb at least hydrogen from the gaseous mixture. Cooling of the hydride forming material facilitates adsorption of hydrogen and other gases from the gas mixture. By selectively heating the hydride forming material, following the adsorption step, hydrogen and the other adsorbed gases are selectively released and can, thus, be separated from each other. If hydrogen is the only gaseous component of the gas mixture which is adsorbed during the adsorption step, then substantially pure hydrogen is obtained by heating the hydrogen-loaded hydride material sufficiently to release the purified hydrogen therefrom.

Abstract: A protective helmet of the type which substantially completely surrounds the wearer's head to provide maximum protection from otherwise hazardous conditions encountered during sand blasting, steam or high pressure water jet cleaning, welding, and other operations requiring protection from dust, fumes, gases, and other dangerous environmental conditions is disclosed, wherein improved air distributing means is provided within the helmet to achieve improved air circulation at a reduced noise level which is not obnoxious or harmful to the wearer. In addition, the air supply hose is provided which enters the helmet from the downwardly facing open end thereof, so that the hose does not project from the sides or top of the helmet. The air supply hose is, further, conveniently anchored to a belt around the wearer's waist. An apron or skirt can be removably attached to the perimeter of the downwardly facing opening of the helmet to hang down from the helmet over the shoulders and upper torso of the wearer.

Abstract: Protein sources are subjected to hydrolysis by the action of specific proteases under neutral conditions and are then reacted with water soluble bivalent metal salts in an aqueous alkaline media to form metal proteinates which are then buffered thereby forming biologically acceptable metal proteinates which are protected from adverse acid or alkaline destruction.

Abstract: A combination of (1) metal proteinates consisting of chelation products of an essential bivalent metal with at least two ligands which are protein hydrolysates consisting of polypeptides, peptides and naturally occurring amino acids and (2) a plant growth hormone consisting of auxins, cytokinins and gibberellin(s) singularly or in combination.

Abstract: A combination of metal proteinates with triacontanol and one or more plant hormones selected from the group consisting of auxins, cytokinins, brassins, kinins, and gibberellins form synergistic compositions wherein plant growth is stimulated and the absorption of essential metals is significantly increased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sock having a flap protruding from its rear or heel area, which flap can be fastened to the outside of the rear or heel area of a shoe to prevent the sock from riding, slipping or otherwise working into the heel cavity of the shoe as the person wearing the sock and shoe moves about.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine designed to operate with hydrogen fuel, comprises means for mixing water in the form of droplets, spray, or mist with gaseous hydrogen. The water-containing hydrogen gas is then introduced along with air in proportion for practical internal combustion and efficient power output to the cylinders or combustion chambers of the engine for combustion. In one embodiment of the invention, water vapor is condensed from the exhaust gases from the engine, and the condensed water is used as the source of water to be mixed with hydrogen fuel so as to provide a continuing, self-supporting system. The resulting exhaust emissions from the engine are very low in oxides of nitrogen, and, in addition, engine backfiring is eliminated while the efficiency and power output of the engine is improved.

Abstract: A method for improving the stability of amino acid-metal complexes or chelates and enhancing the uptake of these complexes into biological tissues. This method comprises forming the metal complexes with amino acids or hydrolyzed proteins and incorporating into them a buffer system which controls the pH of the complex and its surrounding media. This uptake is accomplished by the system of amino acid active transport into the blood stream from which the complex is then carried throughout the entire body.

Abstract: A dry-state bioelectrode having a self-sealing receptacle for receiving electrolyte and/or medicament fluid contents. The receptacle is attached at its opening to a sheet-like flexible base member having an opening in common with the receptacle opening, the bottom of the base member being adapted for fixation at a skin surface. A portion of the skin surface is exposed to the fluid contents of the receptacle through the common opening. An injection site communicates through the wall of the receptacle and provides controlled access for filling. Upon completion of filling, the receptacle self seals, retaining the fluid contents therein for application of iontophoresis treatment or other procedures requiring use of a potential gradient. An electrode plate is supported at an interior surface of the receptacle for supplying the desired electric potential.

Abstract: A hydride storage and heat exchanger system includes a container having a generally circular cross-section for holding a hydride material, apparatus for introducing hydrogen gas into and receiving hydrogen gas from the container, and apparatus for conveying a heat exchange medium into contact with the container to enable exchange of heat between the hydride material and the medium. The conveying apparatus is adapted to apply the heat exchange medium to the container in such a manner that any material disposed at a certain radial distance and cross-section in the container will be substantially the same distance from the heat exchange medium as any other hydride material disposed at that same radial distance and cross-section in the container. The container may be generally cylindrical or frusto-conical in shape and the conveying apparatus may be either a housing surrounding the container, a conduit extending through the container, or both.

Abstract: A multiple use cart comprising a hollow horizontal flat deck having tapered vertical apertures open at both ends interconnecting the top and bottom portions of the deck. The apertures may be in longitudinal and transverse alignment or otherwise arranged. Mounted to the bottom of the deck are a set of swivelable front wheels and a set of fixed rear wheels. Handle means are secured to the deck. Any combinations of tubular carrying means tapered at the bottom to fit into any desired number of apertures may be utilized depending upon the particular use of the cart.