Abstract: A gear shift conversion kit and method for converting a foot-operated shift mechanism and a hand-operated clutch mechanism on a motorcycle to a hand-operated shift mechanism and a foot-operated clutch mechanism. Novel components which are contained in the gear shift conversion kit include a foot pedal arm, a cable receiver adjustment block, and a shifter arm.

Abstract: A dual porosity PTFE tube including an inner surface of expanded PTFE material having a first porosity and an outer surface of expanded PTFE material having a porosity different from that of the inner surface. The preferred method includes the step of forming inner and outer preformed tubular billets of PTFE resin particles mixed with a lubricant; the outer billet is adapted to closely fit around and concentric to the inner billet. Porosity of the inner and outer surfaces is varied by changing, in the respective billets, the lubrication level and/or the PTFE resin characteristic average particle size. The inner billet is placed inside the outer billet, and the two are extruded together, thereby melding the two billets. The extrudate is then longitudinally expanded and sintered. The inner surface of the resulting PTFE tube exhibits a different porosity than the outer surface of the tube; the porosities of the inner and outer surfaces are both within a range of about 0.10-200 .mu..

Abstract: A microporous polytetrafluoroethylene ("PTFE") endovascular graft which has a reinforcing structure integrally bound to the graft which permits radial expansion of the graft and stabilizes the graft against longitudinal compression upon application of an axial force thereto and against axial foreshortening upon radial expansion of the graft. The graft is particularly useful as a covering for an endovascular stent.

Abstract: The inventive method is a method for synchronizing computerized video images with an audio output. The audio output may be in the form of an audio track stored on a compact disk. The synchronization method uses a timing index which corresponds to the audio track on the compact disk. The computer repeatedly reads the audio timing index and compares it to a data table of known video timing codes. Each time the compact disk timing index is read and determined to be greater than or equal to the current value from the data table the next video image is shown.

Abstract: A microporous reinforced expanded PTFE vascular graft in which the reinforcing structure is substantially identical in porosity to the body of the graft. The graft is characterized by a microporous expanded PTFE tubular graft wall and integral and monolithic expanded PTFE rib structures with a porosity or density substantially identical to that of the tubular graft wall.

Abstract: An extended solid bulk composition carbon nitride (C.sub.3 N.sub.4) having an atomic ratio of carbon to nitrogen in the range of 3:4 to 3.2:4 as a bulk solid, produced by thermal decomposition and chemical vapor deposition of precursors having formula (I):C.sub.3 N.sub.3 XX'N(MR.sub.3)(M'R'.sub.3) (I)wherein C3N3 is a cyclic 1,3,5-triazine group, X is a halogen selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine, X' is a halogen selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine, M is a group IV metal, M' is a group IV metal, R is an alkyl substituent, and R' is an alkyl substituent, producing a decomposition gas decomposition gas having formula II:XMR.sub.

Abstract: A barricade to prevent a door from being opened and entry gained by an unauthorized or unwanted person. The doorway security barricade apparatus removably attaches to a door frame and includes a bar which extends across the doorway, bar brackets which attach to the bar, mounting brackets which are attached to the wall and the door frame and receive the bar brackets to mount the security apparatus across the door, and an assembly coupled to the bar which allows a user to apply a positive pressure to the door and restrict movement of the door latch or deadbolt within the door jamb, prevent opening of the door, and restrain against extraordinary external forces applied against an exterior surface of the door.

Abstract: A pull-up table device with a generally C-shaped configuration. The base has a cut out recess for receiving and surrounding a sofa leg so that the assembly can be pulled up and the desk surface positioned over the sofa without the base impinging upon a sofa leg. The upright member may include, but is not required to include, a drawer or shelving assembly which allows for storage of items. Similarly, the upper desk surface may include, but is not required to include, a hinged top which may open to access a recess therein, or may include a sliding drawer housed between an upper and lower surface of a box-like member forming the upper portion of the pull-up table device.

Abstract: The water purification filter is coupled intermediate any conventional shower head feed pipe and shower head. The filtration device is toroidal with a serpentine flow path. The filtration device envelopes the feed pipe which enables the shower head to remain within substantially the same location as before the insertion of the filter. To purify the shower water, the filter contains a filter media coupled between two filter screens.

Abstract: A surgical system and method for destroying unwanted internal structures including a cryosurgery probe or probes, an ultrasonic or MRI robe and a computer system is described. The ultrasonic or MRI probe provides data signals that are processed by the computer system to provide an image of the structures involved in the freezing procedure. The cryosurgery probes can be inserted in the body and activated manually or by the computer system to provide freezing capable of destroying internal tissue. By calibrating the effects of the cryosurgery probe or probes as a function of power and duration, the surgical procedure can be controlled by including overlaying images of the regions already affected by the cryosurgery probe or probes on the images previously provided by the ultrasonic or MRI probe. This image reconstruction can be performed in real time providing immediate feedback to the attending physician. The computer system can also monitor system parameters such a freezing power and duration.

Abstract: A stent-graft delivery system which includes a catheter, an expandable balloon having non-tapered ends positioned near the distal end of the catheter, a stent circumferentially positioned around a center of the balloon, and a graft circumferentially positioned around the stent. The balloon configuration comprising non-tapered ends may be achieved by 1) preforming the balloon to the desired geometry which comprises substantially non-tapered ends; 2) positioning a non-compliant sheath over each of the ends of an existing balloon having tapered ends, or 3) invertedly attaching the first and second ends of a compliant tubular member to the catheter to form the desired balloon configuration. The desired balloon configuration is a balloon geometry which uniformly conforms to the geometry of the stent-graft assembly. A method for introducing the stent-graft delivery system into a blood vessel are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for expanding polymer films such as PTFE films includes gripping the unexpanded film about its periphery with a number of symmetrically disposed gripping members each equidistant from the center of the film. The gripping members are simultaneously rotated through an arc away from the center of the film, as by pivotally securing each gripping member to the end of an associated expansion arm and rotating the end of each expansion arm away from the center of the film while maintaining the gripping members equidistant from the center of the film. The expansion arms are uniformly rotated by a geared shaft powered by a drive mechanism that extends through the wall of an oven for coupling to an external motor. Also disclosed is an expanded PTFE film made in accordance with such process.

Abstract: A personal electronic ultraviolet dosimeter for measuring exposure to short wavelength electromagnetic radiation. The dosimeter is for personal use to determine cumulative exposure to radiation. Exposure dosage is determined through the photodissolution of a metal-containing film into a chalcogenide glass upon illumination or exposure. This process of photodissolution of a metal-containing film into a chalcogenide glass changes the electrical resistance of the metal-containing film. To determine exposure, the increase in the electrical resistance of the exposed metal-containing film may be measured and in turn related to dosage.

Abstract: A joint implant is presented having an elongated cylindrical member with an annular spacer which accommodates the diameter of the cylindrical member by fitting loosely over the cylindrical member. The ends of the elongated cylindrical member are designed for insertion into the intramedullary canals of adjacent bones while the annular spacer is designed to cushion the joint and maintain proper spacing between the bones.

Abstract: An apparatus for expanding polymer films such as PTFE films includes gripping the unexpanded film about its periphery with a number of symmetrically disposed gripping members each equidistant from the center of the film. The gripping members are simultaneously rotated through an arc away from the center of the film, as by pivotally securing each gripping member to the end of an associated expansion arm and rotating the end of each expansion arm away from the center of the film while maintaining the gripping members equidistant from the center of the film. The expansion arms are uniformly rotated by a geared shaft powered by a drive mechanism that extends through the wall of an oven for coupling to an external motor. Also disclosed is an expanded PTFE film made in accordance with such process.

Abstract: A chemical switch device and method of sensing the presence of a chemical constituent in an ambient environment, the chemical switch device comprising a film which irreversibly reacts upon exposure to specific chemical components in the environment under the conditions of measurement. The reactions can lead to large changes in the physical and chemical properties of the film which are measurable electrically, optically or by other methods.