Abstract: A weathering testing system comprises a rack for carrying samples to be tested with the samples having inner-facing surfaces, and a lamp centrally positioned of the samples. Blower means are provided for directing a stream of air through the rack. By this invention, the rack may be relatively rotated with respect to the stream of air to provide added uniformity of blowing conditions to the samples. Also, the lamp may be positioned in an adjustable manner so that it can be placed parallel to the rack for optimum radiation. Also the fitting which holds the lamp may be modified so that the lamp may be installed in only a single rotational position, for increased consistency of light irradiation, which gives more uniform calibration. Likewise, an automatic technique for determining ignition and operating of the lamp is disclosed, where a current sensing system found in prior art units can be dispensed with.

Abstract: A portable antenna is provided for mounting on a motor vehicle's side window and enabling easy and rapid mounting and removal. The portable antenna includes a base member with a current-fed radiator carried by the base member and having a first portion for location on the inside of the side window, a second contiguous portion for overlying the side window and a third portion, contiguous with the second portion, for location outside of the side window with a distal end thereof extending upwardly when in use. A field-canceling conductor is carried by the base portion for location on the inside of the side window. A coaxial cable has its main conductor connected to a proximal end portion of the current-fed radiator and has a ground conductor connected to the field-canceling member. The current-fed radiator is dimensioned so that the second portion thereof is a relatively low impedance area.

Abstract: An improved security and communication system accurately and quickly locates the position of a signaling portable radio frequency transmitter. When a portable transmitter is activated, a first signal, including identification information, is emitted. The first signal is received by any of a number of radio frequency relays, the signal is manipulated and transmitted to a central processing station as a second signal. The central processing station can, by using the second signals received, either from one or a number of relay stations, determine which relay station is closest to the portable transmitter.

Abstract: The light output of a multi-lamp lightfastness testing chamber defining a sample testing area in the chamber may be performed by sequentially turning on and off each lamp by itself, while measuring from the sample testing area the irradiation provided by each lamp, while adjusting the intensity of irradiation for each lamp to a desired level. Thereafter, individual lamp sensors (56) sense the light intensity of each individual lamp. Typically by a feedback circuit, the power to each lamp is adjusted so that the sensed light intensity of each lamp is maintained within predetermined limits corresponding to the irradiation level measured from the sample testing area.

Abstract: A portable telephone comprises a telephone housing, a connection member having a longitudinal axis attached to said housing and communicating outwardly therefrom, an antenna carried on the connection member, and a pivot system associated with the connection member to permit the antenna to swivel in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the outer end of the connection member. Further, a clutch-type system is provided, having first and second bearing faces pressed against each other in sliding, rotary bearing relation for relative movement as the antenna swivels. Finally, a combination of the clutch-type system and the pivot system, allowing for an even greater degree of movement by the antenna, is provided, allowing three dimensional placement of the antenna for optimum reception and transmission of signals.

Abstract: Apparatus for cross-correlation frequency domain fluorometry and/or phosphorimetry in which means are provided for sequentially performing runs of the cross correlation frequency domain fluorometry and/or phosphorimetry at sequentially differing first and second frequencies. The intensities of signal responses of the runs are detected at the respective cross-correlation frequency in each run. The detection of the signal response is prolonged in each run until an integrated signal with a specified standard deviation has been acquired at each of the differing runs. Preferably the sequential runs are automatically executed by a program. Also, the waveforms sensed by deriving the resultant signal response in each run are folded. That is: corresponding segments of the waveforms are superimposed to obtain an average waveform value for each run having an increased signal to noise ratio over the individual waveform segments.

Abstract: A catheter is made by extrusion of flexible plastic to form a tubular basic catheter body with a central channel. A curved end part is formed in one end thereof, with the central channel lying in eccentric relation inwardly toward the inside of the curved part to define a relatively thin catheter wall inwardly of the curve and a relatively thicker catheter wall outwardly of the curve of the curved part. Side holes may be punched into the curved part, with the side holes being of larger size without buckling of the side holes as the curved part of the catheter is straightened out.

Abstract: A medical instrument such as a catheter introducer comprises a housing. The housing includes a valve for receiving and sealing an elongated member which penetrates the valve. The valve comprises an elastomeric partition member.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation catheter comprises a flexible, tubular catheter shaft which carries a dilatation balloon adjacent the distal end. The catheter shaft defines an inflation lumen communicating with the balloon and a guidewire lumen extending at least most of the length of the catheter and extending through the catheter distal end. A longitudinal slit is defined in the catheter shaft between the guidewire lumen and the catheter exterior. This slit longitudinally extends along the majority of the catheter length from a position proximal of the balloon to a position that is at least adjacent the catheter proximal end.

Abstract: A hemostasis valve comprises a housing defining a passage therethrough adapted to receive an elongated member such as a catheter in hemostatically sealed condition. An elastic gasket valve is carried in the housing having slit means capable of permitting the elongated member to extend through the housing and the gasket member in hemostatically sealed condition. By this invention the gasket member defines a pair of opposed sides with a first slit extending inwardly of the gasket member from one of the opposed sides. A second slit extends inwardly of the gasket member from the other of the opposed sides. Both of the slits are of a shape defining a plurality of radii extending from a common origin. The first and second slits extend inwardly at a depth to engage but not to intersect each other, and the radii of the first slit each define an angle of at least 10.degree. to each of the radii of the second slit at points of engagement. By this, an improved hemostasis valve is provided.

Abstract: An electrode system is provided for an implantable cardiac defibrillator. The electrode system includes a first endocardial lead having at least one electrode and a second epicardial or extrapericardial lead with an electrode that has a flexible configuration such that it is able to be straightened or compressed into an introducer but will expand when released from the introducer to provide a substantially larger surface area simulating the surface area of a patch electrode.

Abstract: A flexible catheter comprises at least one resilient, tubular layer in telescoping relation with a tubular sheath made of helically disposed crossing strands. At least one of the strands has a width that substantially exceeds its height, preferably having a width that is 4 to 8 times greater than its height. Some of the strands are circular in cross-section. The Catheter also includes at least one permanently emplaced reinforcing filament carried generally parallel to the axis of the catheter, to increase the longitudinal stiffness of at least a portion of the catheter.

Abstract: A tank lining system comprises a tank having a wall defining a first opening. A flexible sheet lining abuts the interior surface of the wall and defines a second opening that is aligned with the first opening of the tank wall. A first collar surrounds the first opening and is attached to the tank, while a second collar surrounds the second opening and is attached to the flexible sheet. Means are provided for retaining the first and second collars together with a seal of the junction area between them.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis catheter comprises a distal tubular section and a proximal tubular section, connected together by a nonintegral tubular connector so that the respective sections are connected together in sealed flow relation. Such a catheter may be surgically implanted in the peritoneal cavity, extending to the chest of the patient with an end thereof protruding from the chest. The respective ends of the catheter section may be connected to each other through the tubular connector as the tubular sections are surgically implanted, and typically after such implantation is substantially complete.

Abstract: A flexible plastic catheter defines a flexible, distal tip. In accordance with this invention, the distal tip comprises a plastic formulation containing sufficient radiopaque agent to be substantially more radiopaque and preferably softer than portions of the catheter proximal to the tip. Thus, the distal tip area of the catheter can be flexible to avoid possible tissue damage as the catheter is advanced, but is still readily visible by x-ray. At the same time, the majority of the catheter may be of normal flexibility and strength.

Abstract: An antenna cable connector system is provided comprising a coaxial cable having a main central conductor, a coaxial dielectric, a coaxial braid conductor, and an outer insulative jacket. A connector having a conductive tube at its distal end receives the main central conductor. A main body portion is provided for receiving the coaxial dielectric. A sleeve is located proximal to the main body portion for surrounding the outer insulative jacket. An antenna box is provided having means for receiving the connector with a push-in fit. The receiving means includes a conductive member having an opening for receiving the conductive tube. A set screw carried within a lateral passage defined by the antenna box locks the connector to the antenna box.

Abstract: A catheter, such as an angiographic catheter, comprises a flexible, tubular, catheter body which is attached at one end to a strain relief member. A coupling element or hub is carried at the same end of the catheter, with the strain relief member typically extending over a predetermined distance in secured relation with the coupling element. In accordance with this invention, at least a portion of the strain relief member protruding outside of said coupling element has a profiled outer surface to facilitate axial rotation of the catheter with the fingers. The profiled surface may comprise longitudinal ridges, or it may comprise a knurled surface, for example.

Abstract: An angiographic catheter which comprises a relatively stiff, tubular, basic catheter body and a less-stiff, tubular, end part connected to one end of the basic body. The end part has a curved form which comprises at least first and second tubular portions, each defining part of the curved form. The first and second tubular portions comprise materials of different stiffness, with the tubular portions being connected to one another in end-to-end relation. Preferably, a straight segment of a first tubular portion is connected in end-to-end relation with the basic catheter body, which catheter body preferably carries a fibrous, tubular reinforcing sheath. Preferably, the stiffness of the material of the tubular portions decreases in the direction extending from the basic body towards the one end.

Abstract: Male animals may be chemically castrated by injecting both testes and/or both spermatic cords with a castratingly effective amount of a protease enzyme such as a chymopapain-rich enzyme preparation.

Abstract: A system for treating a portion of water passing through a pressurized water conduit. The system comprises water treatment means such as a reverse osmosis module. An upstream branch line communicates between the pressurized water conduit and the inlet of the water treatment means. Another branch line is provided for connection with pressurized water conduit at a location downstream from the upstream branch line, and communicating with a water outlet of the treatment means. A flow restrictor is provided, positioned in the pressurized water conduit between the conduit connection locations of the respective branch lines. Thus, water can flow through the upstream branch line from the conduit to the water treatment means, and water can flow from the treatment means through the other downstream branch line back to the conduit when water is flowing through the pressurized water conduit.