Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying and controlling parameters for a programmable living tissue stimulator system. Visual indicators corresponding to control parameters or signals for the tissue stimulator system are divided into a predetermined number of groups. One of these groups containing a parameter to be selected for the tissue stimulator system is selected, the selected group being identified by a visually identifiable indication. A parameter within that group is then selected for transmission to an implanted memory means which controls an implanted tissue stimulator. In a specific embodiment, a matrix of visual indicators consisting of R rows and S columns is provided, each visual indicator corresponding to a specific control signal. A means is provided whereby at least one visual indicator contained in a selected R row will blink on and off, the blinking indicators identifying control signals to be selected for the implanted memory means.

Abstract: Apparatus for improving the accuracy of shooting a basketball, including a target such as a brightly-colored ball and apparatus extending below the basketball hoop for holding the target at the center of the hoop, the holding apparatus permitting the target to be easily deflected to allow a basketball to fall through the hoop.

Abstract: Apparatus for aligning a printed circuit board (PCB) relative to a datum line defined between two pins fixed to a supporting member. One pin is cylindrically shaped and the other is shaped in the form of a frustum of a cone. Two aligning holes are provided on the PCB spaced apart by a distance slightly different from the spacing between the pins so that with one hole over the cylindrical pin, the edge of the other hole rests on the sloped side of the other pin. As the PCB is pressed against the supporting member between the two pins by securing means, the PCB is sprung, and the stored force of the sprung PCB presses the edges of the PCB holes against the pins for precise alignment relative to the datum line between the two pins.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for withdrawing liquid samples from vials and injecting them into a chromatographic column or other analyzing device, which minimizes wastage, cross contamination, and dilution of the samples, and which can be automated with a minimum of complexity. The apparatus includes a sample loop for receiving a sample, and then delivering the sample by means of an injector valve into the flow stream of a chromatographic column, wherein an outer end of the loop is detachably connected to the valve by a loop end seal. The outer loop end can be lifted from the loop end seal and dipped into a vial, and a syringe connected via the valve to the inner loop end can be operated to draw sample liquid into the loop. The outer loop end then can be lifted from the vial and reinserted into the loop end seal, and upon operation of the valve the outer loop end is connected into the flow stream that is injected into the column to carry the sample to the column.

Abstract: A circuit board apparatus of the type which has multiple connection regions that can each make a solder connection to the lead of a component and a weld connection to a wire, which minimizes the possibility of damage to the region during wire welding and which facilitates repair. Each connection region of the printed circuit board includes at least two plated-through holes plated by a solderable material such as copper which also interconnects the holes, and a pin of weldable but solder-rejecting material such as stainless steel which lies in one of the holes and is in press fit contact with the walls of the hole. Component leads can be soldered into the pinless holes as by wave soldering techniques, without coating the pins with solder, and wires can be welded to the pins by stitch wire techniques. The pins permit wire welds to be made thereto without requiring large weld currents to pass through the thin plating layer of the board, and also facilitate repair of a damaged weld by replacement of the pin.

Abstract: A battery life extender for use in an implantable tissue stimulator. The tissue stimulator comprises a battery which powers a volatile memory, control circuits and a pulse output circuit all of which are connected in parallel across the battery. The invention provides a means for controlling current through the output circuit as a function of a difference voltage between the battery output voltage and a reference voltage. The reference voltage and battery voltage comprise inputs to a differential amplifier which in turn provides an output control voltage which controls a field-effect transistor (FET) connected in series with the output circuit and battery. As this control voltage rises, current through the field-effect transistor is reduced, thereby reducing the amplitude of the pulses from the output circuit and the current drain from the battery.

Abstract: An implantable body transducer having a self-contained calibration means. An exemplary embodiment comprises an implantable body pressure measuring transducer utilizing an L-C oscillator having a resonant circuit comprising a fixed L and a variable C, the variable C having a fixed capacitive electrode and a movable capacitive electrode in the form of a stiff pressure responsive diaphragm, the output frequency of the oscillator being a function of the pressure sensed by the diaphragm. The transducer incorporates a self-contained calibration means which contains predetermined calibration data with respect to the variable C. The predetermined calibration data is stored in a plurality of PROM storage elements which are sequentially addressed in accordance with the output of a counter, the PROM storage elements providing a serial bit stream which can be used to pulse-code modulate the L-C resonant circuit output.

Abstract: Circuit means for use in a moving head type magnetic disk drive for unloading the heads under emergency conditions, such as power loss, to avoid loss of data and head or disk damage. The circuit means include a dynamic brake circuit which responds to an emergency condition to electrically short a positioner coil to thereby reduce the head support structure radial velocity to substantially zero. After a short delay, a velocity control circuit is activated, first in a low current mode to move the support structure at a controlled velocity toward the disk outer edge and then in a high current mode to enable the support structure to climb an unload ramp to move the heads axially away from the disk surface. The dynamic brake and velocity control circuits are powered by a capacitor which is charged during normal operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for repairing sprocket holes on strip material, such as motion picture film, with pressure adhesive tape having holes is provided with improved guide means for feeding material through a sprocket wheel mounted on a shaft at a repair station, an improved means for pressure bonding repair tape on material at the sprocket wheel, an improved sprocket design, and a cutting knife (attached to a knob which can be pushed in on the shaft against the force of a spring and which is used to turn the sprocket wheel) aligned with a slot in the sprocket wheel to cut the repair tape after repairs have been made, but only when the knife and a slot in the sprocket wheel are in a position where a pin in the knob that passes through the sprocket wheel can also pass through a hole in a wall that supports the shaft so the knife will cut only the repair tape, and not the tape and the material. A second embodiment uses a motor to turn the sprocket shaft, and a friction clutch at the end of the shaft to engage the knob.

Abstract: A filler device which can be mounted in the fuel tank of a motorcycle to enable complete filling of the tank, when a fuel dispenser is utilized which has a vapor recovery seal that must be pressed against the outside of the tank so that the fuel nozzle must project several inches into the tank. The filler device includes walls forming a chamber with an open upper end for receiving the fuel-dispensing nozzle, an open lower end for flowing the fuel into the tank, and a seal assembly which can seal to the end of the nozzle to prevent fuel from entering the chamber and activating the shut off sensor on the nozzle when the tank is partially filled. When the tank is substantially full, fuel can flow through a drain opening near the top of the chamber to fill it and activate the nozzle shut off sensor. When the nozzle is withdrawn from the tank, the seal retracts to a location near the top of the tank, to permit substantially complete filling, or "topping out" of a more than half-full tank.

Abstract: A means for controlling special musical effects in synchronism with picking a string of a stringed musical instrument by a pick. More specifically, the disclosure describes a means whereby a signal generated as a result of a pick breaking contact with a string of the stringed instrument initiates a special musical effect. The special musical effect may alter the output of a pick-up generated by vibration of the strings, or may be independent of string vibration and merely initiated by the pick breaking contact with the string. Also, disclosed is a pick having a conductive portion and a nonconductive portion so that picking a string by the conductive portion initiates a special musical effect and picking the string by the nonconductive portion results in the instrument operating in a conventional manner without the special musical effect.

Abstract: A seating system which can be adapted to the particular body size and required spatial orientation of a disabled person to hold him securely and in an orthopedically correct required position, and which can be fitted to any patient in a manner that minimizes the amount of custom craft work and cost. The seat includes a frame having three shells, including a lower seat back shell that can pivot and shift relative to the seat bottom shell and the upper back shell. A cushion system which includes a group of individual cushions can be rapidly installed on the shells to closely fit the individual. The shells can be independently adjusted to control the general contour of the thighs, back, hips and shoulders. Different cushions can be chosen to closely control the patient's orientation and to snugly but comfortably fit him into the adjusted frame.

Abstract: A controller which can be set to operate a group of sprinkler control valves, which can be easily set and tested for proper automatic operation, and which can operate a sprinkler system in a variety of ways. The controller includes a clock, a series of dividers for dividing down the frequency of the clock, and a group of controls that can be operated to begin sprinking cycles at predetermined times and close the sprinking control valves after predetermined durations. A selector control can be utilized to effectively increase the frequency of the clock, as by bypassing a divider stage, to operate the system at a very rapid rate, which is useful in testing the system for automatic operation after it is set and for repetitive short duration sprinkling cycles. The controller has a cascade input that enables the beginning of a cycle of operation by an external signal, to permit repeated cycling of the system, and to synchronize a group of controllers.

Abstract: An implanted heart and tissue stimulator is provided which is externally programmable so that stimulating signals generated thereby can be changed to meet the changing requirements of the user. Provision is made for verifying and screening control parameter words which are transmitted from an external controller so that only correct parameters will be stored for use by the implanted stimulator. Provision for read out of stimulating signals and of the tissue response thereto is also provided.

Abstract: A linear actuator which can apply high forces is described, which includes a reciprocating rod having a threaded portion engaged by a nut that is directly coupled to the rotor of an electric motor. The nut is connected to the rotor in a manner that minimizes loading on the rotor, by the use of a coupling that transmits torque to the nut but permits it to shift axially and radially with respect to the rotor. The nut has a threaded hydrostatic bearing for engaging the threaded rod portion, with an oilcarrying groove in the nut being interrupted.

Abstract: A screen assembly includes a rectangular mesh sheet with several parallel security strands of insulated conductive wire extending between opposite sides of the sheet. Insulated cross wires lie on a face of the mesh near the opposite sides thereof, are joined by welding or soldering to points on the security strands, and are cut at selected locations to provide a sinuous electrical path through the screen. A spline of insulative material extends around the border of the mesh sheet and encapsulates the locations where the cross wire is joined to the security strands, the spline including upper and lower spline portions lying on opposite faces of the mesh and sealed together through the mesh. A frame for holding the screen includes a pair of frame halves that snap together, with the lower half having an undercut slot that receives a flange at the periphery of the spline, the lower frame half also having a stop surface opposite the undercut slot which abuts the inner edge of the spline.

Abstract: A battery monitoring means for an implantable living tissue stimulator system in which various battery voltages are telemetered to an external receiving means, these voltages being related to the internal impedance of the implanted battery. More specifically, a battery loading circuit is provided which incorporates a switch means for loading the battery in accordance with a predetermined sequence. In a specific embodiment, first and second resistors are sequentially connected across the battery. The battery output voltage is telemetered to an external receiving means during this sequential connection. By knowing the values of the two resistors, the internal impedance of the battery can be calculated, this impedance being related to the remaining life of the implanted battery.

Abstract: A sandal useful especially in wet areas and also where there is soft ground such as at the beach. The sandal has opposite side edges that slope in a downward-outward direction, to provide a wider foot print that minimizes sideward twisting on soft ground, to avoid splashing of water onto the wearer, and to avoid disintegration of the side portions of soft rubber sandal material. The bottom surface of the sandal slopes upward at the rear and front to further avoid splashing of water onto the wearer. The lower surface of the sandal has a herringbone pattern, with each ridge interrupted by narrow cross projections that help avoid slipping due to hydroplaning.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a borehole or other restricted space to bore a side hole into the strata surrounding the borehole, including a flexible shaft with a drill at its end, and two trains of sheathing members that can be progressively locked together into a rigid structure around the flexible shaft as it is directed sidewardly into the strata.