Abstract: The present invention comprises an arrangement for the remote sensing and recordation of information about a body component. The arrangement includes a stylus held within a support head. The support head has an electrode therein for the detection and recordation of stylus contact with a body component. A plurality of parallelogram linkages articulably support the stylus. The linkages have a first or input end and a second or output end. A motion tracking generator is attached to the output end of linkages. A sensor is arranged to receive and record signals from the tracking generator in a plurality of orthogonal planes, so as to permit the generation and recordation of contours, location and domain of the body component being sensed by the stylus.

Abstract: A medical instrument, such as a cautery device, wherein bleeding is stopped or prevented by clamping the bleeding site with a dedicated forceps and using a highly localized heat source such as a fiber-coupled laser. The laser energy quickly and locally heats up the tip of the forceps cautery device. The tip of the forceps device has minimum thermal mass and is thermally insulated from the body of the forceps. In this present invention, there is no electrical current flowing through or into the tip of the instrument, and can therefore be safely used in any part of the body including around the heart or the brain. When combined with a small semiconductor laser, the device is battery operated, self-contained and hand-held, and can therefore be used in any environment including outdoors.

Abstract: An optical antenna collects, modifies and emits energy at light wavelengths. Linear conductors sized to correspond to the light wavelengths are used. Nonlinear junctions of small dimension are used to rectify an alternating waveform induced upon the conductors by the lightwave electromagnetic energy. The optical antenna and junctions are effective to produce harmonic energy at light wavelengths. The linear conductors may be comprised of carbon nanotubes that are attached to a substrate material, which may then be connected to an electrical port.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an elongated plastic hook assembly for the support of a sign or the like from an anchor secured to an elongated ceiling tile support member. The elongated hook assembly includes an elongated shaft having a first or upper end and a second or lower end with a first connection means arranged at the first or upper end of the elongated shaft and a hook member arranged at the second or lower end of the elongated shaft. The hook member and the elongated shaft have an annular locking segment connectively arranged therebetween. A web extends across the hook member to provide line of support for any further hook assembly saddled thereon, to minimize movement between any hook assemblies so connected.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an embolectomy catheter for the removal of an embolus within a vessel of a patient, including a catheter shaft having a distal end with a diametrically adjustable hinged compartment thereat. The catheter shaft has a proximal end with a handle attached thereon. A longitudinally displaceable cannula is connected to the distal end of the catheter shaft and to a slidable tab in the handle, to permit controlled adjustment of the diametric size of the hinged compartment arranged adjacent the distal end of the catheter when the slidable tab is moved relative to the handle, to allow a physician to open the compartment to any desired size relative to a patient's vessel. The compartment may then be pulled through the vessel via a pull on the handle, to collect any embolus therewithin.

Abstract: The present invention an in vitro fertilization system for the receipt and treatment of an egg comprising a housing having a receiving chamber for the receipt of an egg. The system includes a holding chamber for nesting of the egg within the receiving chamber, and an apparatus for permitting treatment of the egg while the egg is held in the holding chamber. An arrangement is disposed in the housing to permit the egg in the holding chamber to be viewed non-microscopically.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method of rotatively empowering a harmonic drive transmission. The steps of the method include arranging a primary and a secondary cup-shaped flexspline co-axially within a rotatable rigid circular spline, and forming pivotable fingers in the secondary flexspline, biasing radially outwardly the pivotable fingers so as to contact and bias radially outwardly the primary flexspline in a sequential manner. The array of teeth between the primary flexspline and the circular spline engage one another to effect relative rotation therebetween. An array of piezo-electric elements is arranged in contact with the secondary flexspline and an adjacent non-rotating component. An electric current is sequenced through the piezo-electric elements to effect a dimensional change therein, thus to effect the biasing of the primary flexspline by the secondary flexspline.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a novel harmonic drive transmission arrangement having an input member and an output member, and its method of manufcature. The transmission comprises a generally cylindrically-shaped housing including a circular spline gear arranged therein, and a cup-shaped flexspline with an array of radially outwardly directed gear teeth on a first end thereof, engaged with the circular spline teeth. A wave generator is rotatably supported on the input member radially inwardly of the gear on the flexspline. An annular diaphragm is arranged at a second end of the cup-shaped flexspline, and a flange is attached or integral to the diaphragm to permit the cup-shaped flexspline to be securely attached to the output member, the flange having a annular outmost surface thereon.

Abstract: The present invention covers a modular panel assembly for the manufacture of a wall system from a plurality of thin modular wall panels of generally rectilinear configuration joined to one another. Each panel has an upper and a lower corner with a first corner block arranged on at least one of the corners of the modular panel. A tensile rod is pivotably disposed on the first corner block, and a cammed surface is arranged on the first corner block, so as to enable the first corner block to engagingly receive a tensile rod from a further corner block arranged on a further modular wall panel. One tensile rod from either one of two adjacent corner blocks on adjacent modular panels may secure the adjacent panels together in a secure and aligned manner.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for implantation of an embryo by a flexible delivery catheter onto a pre-selected optimum site on the endometrium of a female uterus. The method comprises the steps of securing the embryo onto the endometrium of the uterus with an adhesive carried by a distal end of the flexible catheter, and depositing the embryo in a medium of Hyaluronic Acid prior to its disposition onto the endometrium of the uterus. The method also includes the steps of positioning the flexible delivery catheter within the uterus, under the guidance of a flexible visualization device carried by the catheter, and arranging a plurality of lumens within the catheter to permit the introduction of the adhesive medium through one lumen, and the visualization device through another of the lumens, to permit the delivery site selection.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for the application of a treatment medium to the intrauterine cavity of a female. The method includes the steps of introducing a first pressurizable chamber within a intrauterine cavity of a female; introducing a second pressurizable chamber readily outwardly of the first pressurizable chamber; filling the first pressurizable chamber with a treatment medium; and filling the outer pressurizable chamber with a pressurizable fluid, so as to affect discharge of the treatment medium from the innermost first pressurizable chamber over an extended period of time. The method includes the step of introducing the treatment medium into the first pressurizable chamber through an elongated catheter. The treatment medium may be comprised of a medicament or of spermatozoa for insemination of the female.

Abstract: The present invention covers a method for the emplacement of an embryo against an endometrium wall of a uterus. The method comprises the steps of: placing the embryo onto a balloon; inserting the balloon into a uterus; inflating the balloon in the uterus, so as to expand the balloon and the embryo thereon against the endometrium for implantation in the uterus. The invention also includes an apparatus for the emplacement of that embryo against an endometrium wall of a uterus. The apparatus includes a balloon having an outer surface for the receipt of an embryo thereon, a hollow inserter tube having a proximal and a distal end, and an optical fiber viewing device movably arranged within the hollow inserter tube. The balloon is arranged on the distal end of the inserter tube. A cavity is arranged adjacent the distal end of the inserter tube, for receipt of a portion of the balloon during insertion of the balloon on the inserter tube into a uterus.

Abstract: The invention comprises a swing platform assembly for the safe securement and accommodation of a pair of user's feet, regardless of the size of the user, to permit the user to stand on the swing platform assembly for recreational swinging. The assembly comprises a planar panel of generally rectilinear configuration having an upper surface, a lower surface, a forward and a rearward edge, and a pair of side edges. A pair of support lines are arranged through an opening adjacent each of the side edges to permit the platform assembly to be supported off of the ground. A pair of elongated, generally parallel, multi-size foot-accommodating recesses are molded into the upper surface of planar panel, to allow any size foot to be maintained securely therein while swinging standing, without slippage of a user's foot from the swing assembly.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a quick-change tool system for a collet in alignment with a spindle of a milling machine. The collet comprises an elongated member having a first end of generally conical configuration with a bore arranged longitudinally therein. The collet has a second end for securement to a spindle in the machine. The quick charge tool system comprises a tightenable securement coupling for securing a tool in the collet and also for aligning the collet and a tool within the spindle. Subsequent requirement for re-adjustment of the "Z" axis coordinates of the tool within the collet and with respect to the spindle is eliminated.

Abstract: A method of mixing of plurality of compounds on a single screw extrusion machine comprises the steps of attaching a barrel of a dynamic mixer apparatus onto the down stream end of a barrel of the extrusion machine, arranging a support shaft in the dynamic mixer apparatus to rotatively carry a plurality of rotors and stators within the dynamic mixer barrel, machining at least one introduction port through the dynamic mixer barrel at a position radially adjacent a rotor and attaching a satellite extrusion mixer to the introduction port so that additives may be introduced at a desired location best suited for the additive. Additionally, the introduction port may used as a withdrawal port to take samples of the mix. Alternately, the rotor of the dynamic mixer may be positioned to present a shaft with a rotor of opposite hand to provide a flow retarding characteristic.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved marine winch drum having a plurality of grooves of a specific geometry formed in the spool of the drum to increase the holding power of the drum with respect to the line received thereon and to minimize damage to the line wrapped around the drum.

Abstract: The invention comprises a plasticating machine for the working and forcing of plastic material into a mold, said machine including an elongated housing having a first or proximal end and a second or distal end, an elongated screw shaft with a screw flight therearound, the screw shaft being rotatably supported in the elongated housing, for the working of plastic between the screw shaft and the elongated housing with at least one delivery conduit generally longitudinally arranged through the screw shaft, from a proximal end to a distal tip end thereof. The conduit may be arranged to be movable with respect to the screw shaft to permit delivery of a medium through the screw shaft to any plastic being driven from the machine. The medium may be any single or combination of components selected from the group comprising vapor, liquid, gas, powder or solid, to control the machine or treat any plastic being driven therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a layering apparatus for the disposition of multiple fluids in sequence, into a receptacle, in a series of separate layers. The apparatus includes a tubular shaped column having an open upper end and a lower end having a base plate arranged thereacross. The base plate is arranged at an angle of between about 35.degree. to 60.degree. with respect to the longitudinal axis of the column. An annular flange is arranged about the upper end of the column to permit the column to be supported by an upper edge of a receptacle in which the column is disposed. An opening is arranged in the column adjacent the base plate, to permit the even, controlled drainage of fluid into a receptacle after receipt of that fluid in the upper end of the column.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a tool to permit the support and lifting of a planar sign member to a ceiling so as to attach that sign to a ceiling support rail. The tool comprises an elongated pole having a first or lower end and a second or upper end and a frame assembly attached to the upper end of the pole. A pair of spaced apart yokes are mounted on the top side of the frame assembly. Each yoke is arranged to directionally align and hold a ceiling anchor thereon, from which anchor, sign support hooks hang, to permit a sign to be hung from the anchor upon the anchors being secured to a ceiling rail by the tool extending thereagainst.

Abstract: A phasing differential gear assembly is arranged in a housing, for the speed adjustment of an output shaft which shaft may be utilized to control tension in a web on a drum being driven by the output shaft. A driven input shaft having a second end imparts a first rotational speed to a co-axially arranged first end of the output shaft. A first external toothed gear is arranged on the first end of the input shaft, and a second external gear is disposed between the second end of the input shaft and the first end of the output shaft. A third external toothed gear is disposed on the first end of the output shaft. A first flexible gear is arranged radially outwardly of the first and second external gears, and a second flexible gear is arranged radially outwardly of the second and third external gears. A first wave generator is arranged radially outwardly of the first flexible gear, and a second wave generator is arranged radially outwardly of the second flexible gear.