Abstract: In accordance with this invention, an endoscope is provided which has an imaging tissue or stone removal basket for removal of unwanted tissue or stone from an operative site, such as a body passageway or cavity. The endoscope includes an elongated tube, having a distal end and a proximal end. An elongated basket having a circular distal end with a central opening therein and a proximal end which is attached to the periphery of the distal end of the tube is provided. The basket is formed as a plurality of spaced flexible members which normally bow outwardly between the distal end and the proximal end of the basket. An optic fiber bundle is slidably received within the tube and is of smaller diameter than the tube. Structure is provided for selectively adjusting the optic fiber bundle along the tube so that the distal end of the bundle is selectively located from a position within the circular distal end of the basket to a position at the distal end of the tube.

Abstract: A rechargeable flashlight for automotive use having a universal connector for drawing power from any type of cigarette lighter receptacle. The universal connector includes a ring-shaped portion which establishes a friction connection with the positive feed portions of the cigarette lighter receptacles, and a cylindrical portion for establishing a friction fit with the cylindrical inner housing of the receptacles to establish contact with the negative feed or ground. The rechargeable flashlight and the universal connector can be integral in a single body, the body housing a rechargeable battery, lens/lamp assembly and spare bulbs. A magnetic foot is hingedly attached to the flashlight body for permitting the flashlight to be mounted on any magnetically responsive material and providing a directable flashlight beam. Alternatively, the universal connector can be separate and provide current to any desired electrical appliance.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for bending channel-shaped panels includes a crimping assembly having a stationary bottom die, movable top die and a drive that moves the top die past the bottom die to form a continuous crease in both the bottom and side walls to bend the panel to a selected angle. A pair of the crimping assemblies side by side form a double bend for pitched roof panels. Each crimping assembly has a guide for the top die which includes end members with slots defining cam surfaces at the ends of the bottom die and lever members with cam pins pivotally mounted to the ends of each top die. Hydraulic cylinders engage the lever members to move the cam pins against the cam surfaces to perform a straight line movement of the top die past the bottom die to perform a transverse continuous crease in the base wall and side walls of the panel and the ends of the panel are turned about the crease for performing a bend of a selected angle in the panel.

Abstract: A boulder rolling down a slope is caught with an energy absorbing device to dissipate a portion of its kinetic energy and to redirect the boulder downwardly into the ground to absorb the rest of the kinetic energy and to stop it. This is accomplished by temporary deformation of joints in the energy absorbing device to dissipate the kinetic energy and redirect the boulder downwardly into the ground. The energy absorbing device will return substantially to its undeformed state for intercepting additional boulders which may roll down the slope.

Abstract: A movable wall system for athletic courts makes the same court suitable for both racquetball, handball and squash play. The system disclosed includes a movable wall assembly between the front wall and back support structure at the back. Extensible and retractable side linkage assemblies connect between the movable wall assembly and back support structure that will stabilize the wall during movement. Side rollers and bottom rollers on the wall assembly facilitate sliding movement. Slide bolt catches hold the wall against movement in either the retracted or extended positions and latching mechanisms hold the wall assembly to the back wall in the retracted position.

Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical ligation and electrosurgical coagulation device has an elongated handle sized to be received in a trochar and having a central passageway extending therethrough. A first channel is provided in the handle along one side of the passageway and is generally parallel thereto. A second channel is provided in the handle which is generally parallel to the passageway and spaced from the first channel. A suture extends through the central channel passageway and has a loop with a slip knot on the distal end thereof and a pull on the proximal end thereof, so that by pulling on the pull the loop can be drawn tightly about a tissue to be ligated. An electrosurgical wire is slidably received in the first channel and has an electrically insulated body extending through the first channel with an exposed wire hook formed at the distal end thereof for grasping the tissue to pull it through the suture loop.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring power density in an energized volume of water using either a measurement of voltage gradient or current density for use in determining optimal electrical power parameters for electrofishing, in-water electroshocking, electrical barrier control and the like. Specific probes for either measurement are disclosed. A calculator or programmed microprocessor receives measurements of current density or voltage gradient and water conductivity at a selected location within an energized liquid body and performs the mathematical operations necessary to calculate power density. Values on a graph of water conductivity, current density, voltage density and power density are used to determine how much electrical power to apply to a specific organism in a specific volume of liquid.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention a disposable trochar for use as a gas insufflation needle is provided for insertion through the abdominal wall of a patient and into a body cavity. It has an outer sheath with a tubular body, a distal open end and a proximate open end. The distal end may have means which is expandable after the trochar has been inserted into the body cavity to minimize dislocation of the outer sheath during use. A cannula is removably received within in the sheath which has a sharp distal end extendable beyond the distal end of the sheath and an enlarged head at the proximate end of the cannula. The head has a flat land which is engageable with the proximate end of the sheath to limit the extension of the distal end of the cannula beyond the distal end of the sheath. A rod is mounted within the cannula for longitudinal movement between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: A method of programming a vehicle simulator to provide an operator of the simulator with exertional and vibrational responses substantially the same as the driver of an actual vehicle would experience when driving the vehicle has been provided. The simulator comprises a frame supporting a vehicle seat from which the operator operates a gear shift, an accelerator pedal, brake pedal, clutch pedal and steering wheel. Inflatable pods are provided under each corner of the simulator to simulate road conditions and turning of the vehicle by selectively deflating them. Each of these controls selectively provides one or more signals to a programmed logic controller (PLC) which provides suitable signals to devices for controlling movement of the simulator to closely simulate movement of a vehicle under similar circumstances. The simulator can be used to determine the tolerance level of a person to the exertional and vibrational levels of a simulated vehicle over a given time period.

Abstract: A bowling lane dressing apparatus for use on a bowling alley has a carriage with a lane buffer roller. A transfer roller in rolling engagement with the lane buffer roller and in fluid communication with a plurality of reservoirs, each containing lane dressing fluid for transferring fluid from each reservoir by a wick therein to the lane buffing roller. Each reservoir is pivotally mounted for independent movement to bring its wick into or out of engagement with the transfer roller. A variable speed drive is connected to the transfer roller for rotating it at variable speeds to vary the rate of transfer of fluid from each reservoir to the lane buffer roller. If desired, the transfer roller can be separated into independently rotatable roller segments, each of which can be driven by separate variable speed motors. The roller segments and the wick of the reservoir associated with that roller segment may be of substantially equal widths.

Abstract: A simple yet highly useful cervical videoscope has been provided which can easily be used by the doctor to examine the cervix and vagina for cancerous lesions or other abnormalities. Also, because of the small size of the video camera unit there is sufficient space between the video camera unit and the blades of the speculum for inserting forceps and other instruments that may need to be used. By using the cervical videoscope in combination with a monochromator the physician can step the wavelength of light from one end of the light spectrum to the other until he observes florescence which identifies abnormal cells. Thereupon, he can destroy the cells by use of a laser beam. When he observes that no more florescence,is occurring, then he can discontinue the operation of the laser, knowing that the lesion has been completely eradicated. Also, a channel for drawing a suction to remove smoke created by the destruction of the lesion can be provided.

Abstract: A random number generator is shown with a two phase operation, the two phases operating to increase the measured randomness of the numbers generated at very little additional cost. The first phase of operation uses conventional techniques to generate an intermediate random number. This intermediate random number is then used by the second phase to generate two potential final random numbers. One of these is picked to be the resultant random number based on whether a specified bit of the intermediate random number is set.