Abstract: An implantable infection shield and system for drug delivery in vascular tissue includes a relatively non-biodegradable porous linked fibrous biomaterial which controls and directs cell growth and angiogenesis from adjacent vascular tissue into the implant. Infection shield embodiments stimulate cell growth and angiogenesis from adjacent vascular tissue which effectively blocks passage of pathogenic microorganisms along percutaneously implanted objects. In embodiments for drug delivery, a reservoir of the same biomaterial may contain either (1) a cell culture system enclosed within a porous sealable interior chamber or (2) a biodegradable matrix in which one or more drugs are dispersed. After implantation of a reservoir of the first embodiment in an organism, cultured cells obtain food and oxygen via diffusion in tissue fluid through the porous walls of the interior chamber, while metabolic products, including drugs, diffuse away from the cell culture in an analogous manner.

Abstract: A method and system for the remote control of devices having a secure self learn capability. The system includes an encoder and a decoder, the encoder encoding variable information including a user key using a non-linear algorithm to produce an encoded value transmitted to the decoder, the decoder decoding the value using the same algorithm. In a learning mode a new encoder is to be added to the system. The new encoder produces an encoded value using a key generation seed. The decoder, upon receiving the encoded key generation seed, produces a decoding key based upon the decoded key generation seed. The decoding key is stored in the decoder memory allowing valid recognition of the new encoder in a secure manner.

Abstract: An improved, cost-effective, insulated flexible pipeline that is insulated with a bituminous composition.

Abstract: An extrusion die for extruding biodegradable material, the extrusion die including: a mandrel; an outer member positioned near the mandrel; an extrusion orifice between the mandrel and the outer member; a member in communication with at least one defining member of the extrusion orifice, wherein the member is capable of producing relative movement between the outer member and the mandrel, wherein the relative movement has a component transverse to an extrusion direction of biodegradable material through the extrusion orifice; a flow control device which controls flow of biodegradable material through the extrusion die; and a positioning device which positions the outer member and the mandrel relative to each other.

Abstract: A combination inductive coil and integrated circuit semiconductor chip is provided in a single lead frame package. The lead frame is preferably made of a copper alloy and has a flat configuration. The chip is electrically connected to end portions of the inductive coil thus permitting the inductive coil to function as an antenna for the chip.

Abstract: An improved, cost effective, insulated pipeline suitable for use in water or below grade, that is insulated with a bituminous composition unmodified or modified with filler, extenders or other materials or structures to improve the dimensional stability of the bituminous composition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for removing a selected semiconductor chip from a semiconductor wafer. The selected semiconductor chip is elevated by the use of an X--Y--Z assembly by having a rounded tip portion of a round probe member assembly that is part of the X--Y--Z assembly contact a back portion of a flexible, transparent backing layer beneath the selected semiconductor chip so that removal of the semiconductor chip can be completed by using a vacuum type pencil.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of controlling a power state of a computer, the computer being connected to a monitor having a power control button. The computer is connected to the monitor over a video cable, and activation of the power control button is communicated to the computer over a wire in the video cable. In response to the activation signal, a system management interrupt is generated to invoke an SMI handler to change the power state of the computer. The power states of the computer include an ON state, an intermediate power state (such as Sleep state), and a suspend state (such as Soft-Off state).

Abstract: A method or device for computing material requirements which calculates various parts and materials necessary for products to be produced when a production plan is input, in order to reduce the processing time for a material requirements computation. In order to establish the object, the method or device of computing material requirements is provided, which can perform a parallel process without using conventional low level codes. Parts computing means are respectively assigned to items. When the lower parts computing means receives the computation result of the upper parts computing means, it independently executes the computing process if the computation result is sufficient for the parts computation.

Abstract: A train of clockwork with perpetual Julian date, characterized in that it comprises an adjusting device for causing a date indicator (2) to carry out adjusting steps, for automatically taking into account months with 28, 29, or 30 days, said adjusting device comprising a rotating cam (26) driven at least one step every twenty-four hours, said cam (26) having an outline (28) for controlling a sensor (30) bringing about: the oscillating motion of a mobile element (32) provided with a click spring system (34), for moving forward the date indicator (2) by the required supplementary step(s), and the forward movement of said cam (26) for causing it to make the number of steps equal to the number of adjusting steps of said indicator (2) for carrying out one complete round every year.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are provided for scanning documents, and creating holographic and panoramic images. The apparatus provides two sets of prisms, one set of which is made of electro-optical material. The prisms are arranged in alternating rows to form a sheet. The prism sheet can be laid flat or rolled into a cylinder. A sequencer is used to activate individual electro-optical prisms so that the image is reflected into the sheet. A second prism is used to reflect the image into an image receptor such as a camera. By sequentially activating the electro-optical prisms, successive image portions of an object or objects can be presented to the image receptor. If the image receptor accepts digital input, the sequential images can be post-processed in a microprocessor to create a holographic or panoramic image. Similarly, images of documents can also be scanned and the images received can be digitized for processing, storage and/or transmission.

Abstract: A capacitor array for a Successive Approximation Register (SAR) based Analog to Digital (A/D) converter. The capacitor array is a capacitive ladder comprising a plurality of capacitive branches. Each capacitive branch is individually coupled to a separate bit of a driver circuit. Each of the plurality of capacitive branches drives an approximately same capacitive value while generating a binary weighted output voltage.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and device for generating shock waves by spark discharge between electrodes which are intermittently fed with electric current in a fluid medium such as water. The shock waves are focused on the object to be shattered in a body. According to the invention, conductive, semiconductive or polarisable particles (15) are introduced into the fluid medium (14) between the electrodes (3, 4) and retained there owing to the fact that the medium (14) and the particles (15) it contains are accommodated in a casing (11) around the electrodes (3, 4), said casing (11) being permeable to the shock waves. A voltage breakdown in the form of a spark discharge is attained even in cases in which the distance between the electrodes has increased beyond an otherwise critical extent.

Abstract: The invention concerns a peristaltic pump comprising a rotor (109) provided with three turning rollers (110), means for driving the rotor, a support piece with a rounded portion arranged substantially concentric to the rotor and against which the rollers, when operating, come to compress a flexible pipe connected to a reservoir of liquid to push it outwards and means for turning said rotor by external means to air bleed the pipe. The rotor (109) is made of two concentric superposed parts the first (115) of which is coupled with drive means and the second (122, 123) bears the rollers. The rotor further comprises engaging-disengaging means (118, 120) whereby: when operating normally, its two parts co-operate for its rotation by its drive means; when it is rotated by external means, said parts are automatically disengaged. The invention is useful for subcutaneous or intravenous injection of medicinal solutions.

Abstract: Encoder and decoder microchips suitable for use in remote control devices. The encoder microchip performs an encoding function on an identification number embedded in the said microchip and a combination of a unit number and a stepping counter value, so as to generate a transmission value which is only decodable by a related decoding function having access to the same identification number. The decoder microchip decodes the transmission value into a decoded unit number and a decoded counter value and means for comparing the decoded counter value with a decoder counter value range. The encoder and decoder microchips are provided with means for changing, e.g. in a preferred mode incrementing, the counter values by a number greater than one after a period of time, subsequent to the encoder microchip being activated or the decoder microchip receiving a transmission value.

Abstract: There are provided a plurality of information recording surfaces to be reproduced on one side of an optical disc to be reproduced, and when accessing control of an optical pickup over a plurality of recording layers is performed, first, a beam focal point of the optical pickup is moved using a moving device to the recording layer on which target information is recorded to thereby perform switching processing of information recording layers during reproduction, after which accessing control of the optical pickup is performed using control processing circuit similar to the access between the same recording layers, and with respect to the pausing operation, in a layer in which information is recorded from the inner circumference to the outer circumference, one track jumping is repeated toward the inner circumference, while in a layer in which information is recorded from the outer circumference to the inner circumference, one track jumping is repeated toward the outer circumference.

Abstract: A surgical forceps adapted to grip tissue, blood vessels and walls of organs without causing injury thereto, and to further grasp suture needles without causing damage to the forceps. The surgical forceps is made of a light weight but strong material formed into two opposed branch arms joined at a proximate end and having springingly open opposing tips at a distal end. An alignment pin is attached to one of the branch arms and is located toward the distal end thereof. An alignment hole in the other branch arm is opposite the alignment pin and is comprised of a bushing made of a low friction material such as various types of plastics, NYLON.TM., TEFLON.TM. and the like. The alignment pin and bushing hole are located as close to the distal ends of the branch arms as physically practical. The alignment pin and bushing hole cooperate together in preventing the distal opposing tips from overlapping (misalignment).