Abstract: An ocular drug delivery device includes a reservoir which holds medicine and is locatable outside the eye during drug delivery to a patient, and a conduit having one end coupled to the reservoir and a free end which is positionable within the fornix of the eye of a patient. Through gravity and/or capillary action, the medicine flows from the reservoir through the conduit and into the eye. The rate of delivery of the medicine to the eye may be adjusted according to the size and material of the conduit. According to a first embodiment, the reservoir is preferably made of an absorbent material and is provided with an impermeable backing which acts as a barrier between the medicine and facial skin of the patient. Preferably the backing has an edge to prevent medicine from rolling off the reservoir surface. The backing may also be provided with an adhesive for removably coupling the reservoir to the facial skin of the patient, particularly to an area adjacent the eye.

Abstract: A collagen forceps includes two elongate members coupled at a proximal live hinge. Each elongate member is provided with a knurled finger pad ergonomically contoured to stably receive a finger or thumb of a physician, and a manipulation tip having an interior collagen rod gripping surface. The gripping surfaces each include an angulated or curved surface provided with ridges and shaped to engage the collagen rod axially with the elongate members. Preferably each manipulation tip is also provided with a silicon boot. In addition, the instrument is also provided with a projection having a dilation/insertion tip. The collagen forceps of the invention enables a more controlled implantation of collagen rods through the punctal opening and into the naso-lacrimal duct. The contoured finger pads provide a physician with a more comfortable and more controllable instrument.

Abstract: A spa fixture assembly includes a resilient grommet, a fixture body (e.g., a jet valve body), and a fixture cartridge (e.g., a combined jet valve and cover). The grommet has a body having an inner surface and an outer surface and a lip, with the inner surface preferably tapering away from the lip. The fixture body has a water entry port, an air conduit, a lip, and a threaded insert holder. The fixture cartridge includes a body having external threads, a front peripheral cover, and an insert (e.g., a jet valve). The grommet is inserted from either the front or back of a tub through a hole drilled in a tub wall until the lip of the grommet seats flush with the tub wall. The fixture body is inserted through the grommet (towards the tapered end of the grommet) from the back of tub until the lip of the fixture body seats against the lip of the grommet and is thereby interference fit within the grommet. The fixture cartridge is thread into the fixture body from the front of tub (i.e.

Abstract: A leak noise correlator apparatus comprises first and second data logging units having acoustic transducers connected to them for application to a fluid-carrying pipe either side of a suspected leak. One data logging unit is arranged to communicate an initialising signal to the other unit to synchronise the substantially simultaneous acquisition of signals by the two units. This initialising signal is communicated by an infra-red link when the two units are brought together prior to installation at their respective sites on the pipe. Subsequent cross-correlation of the acquired data records determines the location of the leak.

Abstract: A self-timed high speed data communications system includes an N-bit wide data path and a three-bit wide event path. Six states of the event path are used to indicate when data is on the data path for reading and when the data path is available for transmission of data. In a presently preferred embodiment, the event path has three stable states and three meta-stable states. The initial state of the event path is a first stable state. When a user places data on the data path, the event path assumes a first meta-stable state. After the data is read by all users, the event path assumes a second stable state. Further transmission and reception of data cycles the event path through alternating meta-stable and stable states. The event path is preferably zero dominant (one recessive) and stable states are indicated when only one of the three bits are asserted by all users.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the dyeing raw cotton fibers in a continuous wet process includes cleaning raw cotton fibers, aligning and forming a cotton batt, and then providing the cotton batt to a continuous wet process dye system. The continuous wet process system includes a dye applicator, a steamer, a first rinser, an oxidizing applicator, a second rinser, and a finish rinser. The batt is conveyed at ambient temperature and pressure along a series of conveyor belts through the system, first being immersed in the dye solution in the dye applicator. The dye solution is an aqueous solution of dye, alkali, penetrant, and a solubilizer. After a short immersion in the dye solution, the batt is conveyed to a set of squeeze rollers which squeeze excess dye solution from the cotton. The cotton is then moved through a steamer to fix the dye, through a first rinser, and then through a second set of squeeze rollers to remove water. The oxidation process which occurs in the oxidizing applicator further fixes the dye.

Abstract: An umbilical cord cutting and clamping device includes two clamps abutted in a side-by-side relation and a blade connected to an arm of one of the clamps and positioned between the two clamps. Both clamps have an upper arm and a lower arm, and a hinge coupling the proximal ends of the upper and lower arms. The clamps are held in relative position by frictional engagement and by a latch means which is automatically disengaged when the clamps are moved into a closed position. Both the upper and lower arms include clamping surfaces for clamping the umbilical cord. The proximal end of one of the clamping surfaces is provide with a retention tab which retains the umbilical cord between the clamping surfaces; i.e., the tab prevents the cord from migrating proximally off the clamping surfaces and into the hinge area.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus includes a base supporting a cantilevered elastic member bearing a load platform. The interior of the elastic member is hollowed and is provided with first and second piezoelectric transducers mounted on respective opposed posts. The transducers are arranged substantially parallel to each other with a small gap between them and are coupled to an amplifier to form a "delay line" and a positive feedback loop, i.e. a natural oscillator.

Abstract: The signals received by the three cameras of any color video system are determined by the reflectance properties of the objects in the scene and the spectral distribution function of the illuminant. Since the information of interest to the observer is determined by the scene and not by the illuminant i.e. what kind of objects, characterized by their reflectance properties, are in the scene, not how they are illuminated, it is desirable to correct the signals from the scene for the illuminant before the information is displayed on the CRT. According to the invention, a color video system employs the achromatic variable .xi., where .xi., 0.ltoreq..xi..ltoreq.1, and preferably also the chromatic variables .eta., .zeta.

Abstract: A medical communication system for monitoring an ambulatory home-care patient is provided. The system includes a two-way pager worn by the patient and a computer storing the treatment plan of the patient. The computer initiates the transmission of inquiries to the pager worn by the patient and records responses transmitted by the patient back to the computerized system. The computerized system can contact the patient anywhere within a local service area. The patient responds to one or more inquiries from the system by pressing appropriate buttons on the two-way pager which are sent back to the computer. The responses are recorded by the computer. If the computer does not receive a response from the patient or if the responses do not fall within compliance guidelines, an automated phone call is initiated requesting the same information. If the patient responds to the automated phone call, the responses are recorded by the computer.

Abstract: An asynchronous data transfer and source traffic control system includes a bus master and a plurality of bus users coupled to a bidirectional data bus. The bus master provides two clock signals to each bus user, a system clock and a frame clock. The frame clock designates the start of a frame. A frame format preferably includes fifteen or sixteen system clock cycles, the first of which is designated the request field and the last of which includes a grant field. One or more other cycles may be assigned control and/or routing information and the remainder of the cycles comprise a data field of fixed length. During the request field, any number of bus users may request access which is received by the bus master. During the grant field, the bus master grants access to a selected bus user for the entire data portion of the next frame. Which user is granted access to the next frame is determined according to an arbitration algorithm in the bus master which may be unknown to the bus users.

Abstract: A wade fishing gaiter is made of a neoprene foam material which is approximately 0.25 to 0.375 inches thick. The material is cut and stitched to form a gaiter which is dimensioned lengthwise to cover the front of the leg from above the knee to the ankle and the back of the leg from below the knee joint to the ankle. The gaiter is dimensioned widthwise to fit snugly over the bare leg thereby providing muscle support. The gaiters according to the invention are intended to be worn over bare legs and used in conjunction with diving boots for foot protection. The dimensions and materials used to construct the gaiters provide for comfort and muscle support as well as good protection against underwater hazards such as oysters, coral and stinging fish. The gaiters are also light weight and do not inhibit movement of the angler's legs. In cold weather, the gaiters are advantageously used in conjunction with waders and protect the legs from blisters normally caused by waders.

Abstract: A modified test tube is provided which can sit on any flat surface unaided by a test tube rack. The modified test tube includes a tubular containment portion and tubular neck portion. The containment portion has a bottom surface preferably provided with a plurality of legs and a closed end. The neck portion is angled approximately 45.degree. relative to the flattened surface and has a mouth which opens parallel to the flattened bottom surface. The legs enable the test tube to sit prone on any flat surface by itself, unaided by a rack, and the bent neck portion prevents the contents from spilling from the test tube. This design enables the contents within the test tube to be easily monitored without moving the test tube. A test tube rack is further provided for storing the test tubes. The test tube rack is generally a rectangular member having a plurality of cavities, spaced such that each does not intersect another.

Abstract: A hybrid rocket system and motor includes an oxidant tank communicating with a combustion chamber containing a solid fuel grain. The passage from the oxidant tank to the combustion chamber is obstructed by a fill tube which fills the oxidant tank with oxidant and pressurizes it. Once the tank is full, the fill tube is displaced from the tank-chamber passage to deliver oxidant to the grain and initiate the combustion process. The motor may be an integral part of the rocket, or it may be a modular, expendable or exchangeable cartridge-type device inserted into a reusable body.

Abstract: A process for providing an endoscopic scissors blade with the necessary roughness to receive a ceramic coating, without first requiring that the blade surfaces be roughened by gritblasting, includes obtaining an investment mold with an interior textured surface. The investment mold is textured by first texturing an injection mold cavity by etching, gritblasting, or electric-discharge machining the inside surface of the injection mold cavity to produce a desired roughness. A blade pattern (wax) is then formed in the injection mold with a resulting textured surface, and using the textured blade pattern, the investment mold with the textured interior cavity is generated. When metal is injected into the investment mold using a lost wax process, the resulting cast blades will have the necessary roughness for permitting a ceramic to be bonded thereto without the need for any additional roughening. Thus, the so-formed blades are coated with a ceramic material.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for allocating shared memory utilizing linked lists are provided which are particularly useful in telecommunications applications such as ATM. A management RAM contained within a VLSI circuit is provided for controlling the flow of data into and out of a shared memory (data RAM), and stores information regarding a number of link lists and a free link list in the shared memory, and a block pointer to unused RAM locations. A head pointer, tail pointer, block counter and empty flag are stored for each data link list. The head and tail pointers each include a block pointer and a position counter. The block counter contains the number of blocks used in the particular queue. The empty flag indicates whether the queue is empty. The free link list includes a head pointer, a block counter, and an empty flag. Each memory page of the shared data RAM receiving the incoming data includes locations for storing data.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fuel pump, and more particularly to a fuel pump for delivering high pressure fuel to a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine. A fuel pump is provided comprising coupling means (30) mechanically coupling a first pump plunger (1) to a second drive means (14) and a second pump plunger (11) to a first drive means (4) whereby, when the first pump plunger (1) is driven by the first drive means (4) from bottom dead center to top dead center, the second pump plunger (11) is driven by the coupling means (30) from top dead center to bottom dead center, and as the second pump plunger (11) is driven from bottom dead center to top dead center by the second drive means (14), the first pump plunger (1) is driven from top dead center to bottom dead enter by the coupling means (30).

Abstract: A vertical band saw machine in which a carriage assembly is mounted for pivoting on a base by rotational pivot points. Pivoting of the carriage assembly enables the band saw machine to make miter cuts to a workpiece. The head frame of the band saw machine travels on a guide on the carriage assembly and moves only in the direction of the plane of cut. A vise assembly is preferably attached to the carriage assembly and pivots with the carriage assembly for keeping the vise assembly close to the line of cut at all times, regardless of carriage assembly orientation. A driving wheel and driven wheel are attached to the head frame and may be tilted with respect to the head frame.

Abstract: Metallic articles having heat transfer channels are produced by solidification of molten metallic material about pre-formed channel defining members such that a solidified metallic deposit having heat transfer channels is formed. The channel defining members may be in the form of either solid elements (which are subsequently removed to leave the channels), or conduit elements (which may remain permanently embedded in the article). Moulds, dies, cores and other tools for use in moulding or casting of plastics and metals are particularly suitably formed by the process, the heat transfer channels being used for cooling of the respective articles during use. The molten metallic material is preferably deposited by spray forming utilizing one or more sprays of molten metallic material.

Abstract: An electronic weighing device includes a lower electrically conductive plate, an upper electrically conductive plate, a load cell coupled to central portions of the upper and lower plates such that the load cell responds to weight on the upper plate, and a flexible, conductive band coupling the periphery of the upper plate to the periphery of the lower plate. An electronic circuit is coupled to the load cell. The circuit is provided on a board which is mounted on the lower plate close to its center. A pair of bores are provided in the lower plate extending from the circuit board to an edge of the lower plate. A pair of non-conductive rods are coupled to potentiometer on the circuit board. The non-conductive rods extend through the bores from the circuit board to the peripheral edge of the lower plate. The lower plate is provided with a shielded electrical socket which is coupled by shielded cable to the circuit board. A conductive cover is provided over the upper plate, the load cell, and the band.