Abstract: Material samples may be tested for weathering by a method which comprises securing the samples to a rack which rotates about a central radiation source, and exposing the samples to irradiation from the source at a first intensity of at least about 1.5 SUNS, while rotating the rack at a rate of at least about 6 rpm. Alternatively, a lower radiation intensity may be provided from the same apparatus, using a lower rotation rate. The method may also comprise a step of varying the inductance of a circuit supplying power to the central radiation source as one changes the intensity of the irradiation, to enhance the constancy of spectral distribution of the irradiation at the different intensities.

Abstract: The invention relates to a balloon for a catheter. The manufacturing of the balloon comprises providing of mold which has a mold cavity corresponding to an intended expanded form of the balloon member; placing opposite ends of a tube-like semimanufacture (parison) into securing elements for the purpose of securing their opposite end sections in the mold cavity; heating the semimanufacture; and generating a pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the semimanufacture to expand the balloon member against the walls of the mold cavity. In the molding, the end sections of the semimanufacture are twisted about an angle in relation to each other so that helical ridges are formed in balloon transition sections.

Abstract: A golf club handle support for keeping handles of golf clubs lying on the ground in a raised position above the ground. The handle support comprises a stiff sheet defining a central foldline to form sidewalls on each side of the foldline. This permits the sheet to assume a substantially inverted V-shape in cross section so that the remote edges parallel to the foldline may engage the ground and a golf club may rest on the sidewalls at or adjacent to the foldline.

Abstract: A rotary gear pump comprises a housing and at least a pair of rotatable, meshing gears positioned within the housing. The meshing gears define spaced teeth which extend helically in the general direction of the axis of each gear rotation. A flow inlet and flow outlet are provided, each positioned in the housing to permit flow of fluid substantially longitudinally of the rotation axes between the meshing gears as the gears rotate said teeth through a tooth-meshing area. At least one first vane covers the teeth of each gear at a rotational position upstream of the tooth-meshing area, to shield the covered teeth from an energy-consuming backflow of fluid from said tooth-meshing area as the gears rotate. Also, fixed-volume furnaces are used to receive and distribute compressed, burning gases from closing chambers formed between the teeth to opening chambers across the top dead center position.

Abstract: An implantable rotary sealless blood pump is provided. The pump includes a housing having an inlet tube on one end and an impeller casing on the other end. A rotor is mounted for rotation within the housing, with the rotor having an elongated shaft portion and an impeller attached to the shaft portion. The impeller is located within the impeller casing. Radial magnetic bearings are carried by the shaft portion and radial magnetic bearings are carried by the housing for maintaining the shaft portion of the rotor within the inlet tube of the housing. A rotor motor includes a plurality of permanent magnets carried by the impeller and a motor stator including an electrically conductive coil located within the housing. A ring of back iron is carried by the impeller to aid in completing a flux return path for the permanent magnets. A plurality of hydrodynamic thrust bearings are located outside of the axis of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A body panel mount antenna, for generally mounting in a metal panel of an automobile, is provided. The antenna includes a radiator whip and a mounting assembly and is particularly suitable for use in the frequency range of over 1000 MHz. The mounting assembly provides support for the radiator whip and comprises an electrically conductive conically shaped member. A base for anchoring the antenna to a metal panel is also provided. The base and mounting assembly are attachable through an opening in a metal panel in such a way that the conically shaped member is in continuous positive contact with the metal panel. The contact between the conically shaped member and the metal panel causes the metal plate to act as a ground plane for the antenna.

Abstract: A pinball machine comprises a position controller and a movable feature on the pinball machine. The position controller comprises a servomotor connected in operative relation to a shaft. The movable features connect to the shaft and are movable between several positions by the shaft. Circuitry is provided to produce a signal to command movement of the feature to one of the positions in a manner responsive to an event taking place in the pinball machine. Electronic circuitry causes the servomotor to move the shaft to a specific position in response to the signal, without the need for mechanical switches. Specifically, a plate-like, movable obscurer for the flippers is disclosed as the movable feature, although other types of movable features are discussed.

Abstract: A two-mode surface defect testing device comprises a first source of substantially collimated light which passes along a first light path system to direct the collimated light to a holder for a surface for testing. The surface reflects the light, which is received and directed from the surface typically through at least some of the first light path system to an image processing apparatus. A second source of light is also provided, for providing substantially non-collimated light from the second source to a surface for testing in the holder, which may be the same surface for testing as above. This non-collimated light is reflected from the surface to image processing apparatus. The light may be non-polarized. By use of the two modes of testing, defects may be respectively detected at the outer surface of a transparent coating over an opaque surface, and defects in the opaque surface itself may also be detected.

Abstract: A hemodialysis system comprises the following: a dialysate handling unit for providing dialysate to the patient. This unit comprises a hemodialysis solution pump and apparatus for monitoring hemodialysis solution safety such as a conductivity tester. Additionally a solution heater and appropriate conventional controls can be provided, as well as a proportioning system, an ultrafiltration measuring unit, and other known apparatus for handling dialysis solution. A blood handling unit is also provided, which comprises a membrane dialyzer and holder, a blood pump, blood flow tubing and safety equipment for monitoring blood flow as it is pumped through the arterial/venous blood conduit set tubing from the patient, through the membrane dialyzer, and back to the patient. A first conduit is present for conveying fresh dialysate from the dialysate handling unit to the blood handling unit (or directly to the membrane dialyzer).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the testing of materials by thermal oxidation is provided. The apparatus comprises a housing having at least one optic-isolated chamber. A photon counting photomultiplier and a heat source, for each optic-isolated chamber, are also provided within the housing. A cell, having a plurality of gas inputs and gas outlets, for holding a sample to be tested, is provided within the housing for each chamber. The gas inputs and outputs are distributed about the cell so as to disperse gas evenly about the material to be tested. The apparatus is used to count the number of photons which escape from a test sample as various oxidation conditions are employed.

Abstract: A flow-through blood treatment device such as a hemodialyzer comprises a housing, a blood inlet, a blood outlet, and at least one membrane in the housing defining a blood flow path between the blood inlet and outlet on one side of the membrane, plus a second flow path defined on the other side of the membrane. At least one of the blood inlet and outlet is connected to blood flow tubing, which blood flow tubing carries a connector spaced from the housing for access to the vascular system of a patient. The blood flow tubing also defines at least one connection site along its length permitting repeated, temporary connection and subsequent disconnection with branch conduits, for connection with sources of additive solutions or measuring devices. Typically, the blood flow tubing is free of permanently attached, flexible branch tubings.

Abstract: A propeller for fluid propulsion comprises a pair of substantially rigid blades which rotate about their longest dimension in opposite directions, the blades each being oppositely helically twisted along the longest blade dimension and positioned together in synchronously opposite, rotatable condition, with the rotating blades passing by each other in closely spaced relation substantially without physical contact. The blades occupy a tubular housing enclosing the rotating blades in closely-spaced relation between the housing and blades. Further sealing is provided by each blade side carrying a hemicylindrical wall with a concave side facing outwardly, each hemicylindrical wall being helically twisted in a manner identical to the helical twist of the blade. The hemicylindrical walls have a cross-sectional diameter that permits, upon blade rotation, an edge of the other blade to sweep across the concave side of each hemicylindrical wall in closely spaced relation for sealing purposes.

Abstract: A propeller for fluid propulsion (such as air or water) comprises a pair of substantially rigid blades. The blades are mounted for rotation about respective, separate, parallel rotation axes, with the axes being also substantially parallel to the longest dimension of the blades. The blades each define a plate that is oppositely helically twisted along the longest blade dimension compared with the other blade. The blades are positioned together in synchronously opposite, rotatable condition, with the rotating blades passing by each other in closely spaced relation without physical contact. A tubular housing encloses the rotating blades in closely-spaced relation between the housing and blades. Such a blade system can provide a high velocity jet of large mass at relatively low rotational speed.

Abstract: A pinball machine comprises a frame which carries a playfield, a chute and a driver for launching balls onto the playfield through the chute. A spent ball-receiving aperture in the playfield communicates with a sloped trough positioned under the playfield. The trough is of a length to hold a plurality of balls, preferably more than three balls. An upper end of the trough communicates with the aperture, while the lower end of the trough is positioned adjacent to and below the chute and the ball driver for launching. A solenoid or the like is positioned to vertically elevate the ball occupying the trough lower end, typically by striking it to cause the ball to fly to a new position in the chute for launching. Sensors are present to determine the number of balls in the trough. A microprocessor and other electronic means are present for actuating the solenoid or the like for vertically elevating the ball to the chute for launching.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a balloon for a catheter. The method comprises the steps of providing a mold having a mold cavity that generally corresponds to an intended expanded form of the balloon. Securing elements are provided at opposite ends of the mold cavity for securing end sections of a tubular parison. The end sections of the tubular parison are twisted in opposite directions with respect to each other. The end sections of the tubular parison are secured in the securing elements, the parison is heated, and a pressure differential is created between the inside and the outside of the parison to cause it to expand into a balloon against the walls of the mold cavity. The previously twisted end sections of the parison result in the balloon transition sections having spiral ridges, allowing the balloon to be folded into a small diameter.

Abstract: A cable tensioning device comprises tubular shaft having an outer threaded portion, and a handle member surrounding a portion of the shaft, with the shaft and handle member being connected in screw-threaded relation. The shaft moves longitudinally relative to the handle as the handle rotates, driven by the screw threaded connection. A gripping member is carried on the shaft distal to the handle member for holding a replaceable bit, which, in turn, may carry a cable crimp. A cable lock is positioned typically proximal of the handle member to hold the ends of cables extending through the tubular shaft. Rotation of the handle member can cause the shaft to move longitudinally to lengthen the distance between the cable lock and a crimp held by a bit which, in turn, is held by the gripping member, to impose a tension on the cable. A meter is present for measuring the amount of tension applied to the cable.

Abstract: A drainage catheter comprises a tubular basic catheter body defining separate catheter lumens respectively comprising a pressure channel and a discharge channel. Connectors are provided at the proximal end of the catheter for respectively connecting the pressure channel to a source of liquid under pressure and the discharge channel to a discharge receptacle. An inlet opening is positioned in the side of the catheter adjacent the distal end thereof. The discharge channel communicates with the inlet opening, while the pressure channel extends from the proximal and distally forward of the inlet opening and then curves rearwardly to join the discharge channel at the inlet opening. In one embodiment of this invention the pressure channel defines a distal portion that is of rigid and fixed dimension to define a spray nozzle of precise, unchanging dimensions.

Abstract: A catheter introducer defines a tubular sheath with a housing on one end thereof, with the housing enclosing a fluid-filled, elastic-walled toroidal member defining a central aperture aligned with the tubular sheath axis. The central aperture is normally closed, being retained in the closed position by an elastic sleeve carried by the toroidal member. The central aperture is penetrable by a catheter in sealing manner as the catheter is advanced through the catheter sheath introducer.

Abstract: An air brush is provided with a handle, a front body and a paint regulating needle. The handle and the front body together define a tubular cavity through which the paint regulating needle is carried. A needle chuck releasably holds the paint regulating needle in the tubular cavity. The handle further defines a portal through which the needle chuck may be accessed. One end of the paint regulating needle extends outside of the handle and defines a stop and its other end extends through the handle and the front body. The needle chuck may be loosened, at the portal, to release the needle. The needle can then be grasped at the stop and pulled out of the airbrush so that the needle can be cleaned or replaced without disassembling the airbrush.

Abstract: A balloon catheter defines a balloon having a cylindrical outer surface of a diameter essentially no greater than the diameter of the tubular shaft. Additionally, a method is disclosed in which one inserts a catheter into the arterial system of a patient, and increasingly pressurizes a balloon made of work-hardenable material to elastically expand the balloon to such a first pressure that sufficient work-hardening takes place in the expanding balloon to cause the diameter of the balloon to substantially cease its expansion in response to a pressure range increasing from the first pressure. One then terminates the increase of the pressure at that point to cause the catheter to assume a first, predetermined maximum diameter. Catheter balloons can each be expanded to two different, known, work-hardened diameters by this invention.