Abstract: Radioactive therapeutic seeds include a carrier structure bearing a radioactive isotope and a radiopaque marker. According to several embodiments, the seeds include a central plug provided with an axial marker and a relatively transverse bore extending through the marker. A second marker may be positioned in the bore, thereby distinguishing a seed provided with the second marker relative to a seed not provided with the second marker. According to another embodiment, the isotope is deposited on the outer surface of a hollow radiolucent tube. A biologically-compatible, radiolucent, surface-sealing layer seals the external surface of the tube. A radiopaque marker wire of selected length is positioned in the hollow of the tube. Seeds may be distinguished from one another by providing seeds with marker wires of different lengths.

Abstract: A dorsal fracture is treated from the volar side by using a T-shaped plate opposite the fracture. The plate is positioned against the volar side of the radial bone, a plurality of bone screws secure the plate along a non-fractured portion of the radial bone, and a plurality of bone pegs extend from the plate and into the bone fragments of the fracture. A support portion of the plate is provided distal of the bone pegs and supports comminuted bone fragments. One or more channels are optionally provided in the plate to receive wires which are adapted to anchor distal bone fragments to the plate. The plate is adapted in strength and materials to withstand the large bending forces thereon.

Abstract: A fixation system includes a device having a nail portion and a plate portion, preferably horizontally and vertically offset relative to the nail portion by a neck portion. The nail portion includes threaded screw holes, and the plate portion includes longitudinally displaced peg holes, each of which is adapted to orient a peg in a different orientation from the others. The system also includes unicortical screws having a reasonably large head adapted to seat against the outer surface of the bone and a threaded shaft adapted to engage in the screw holes, and pegs adapted to engage in the peg holes. Bone is clamped between the nail portion and the head of the unicortical screws. The pegs provide stabilization and support for subchondral fragments. Moreover, as the pegs preferably enter the subchondral fragments from a plurality of directions, additional fixation of the device into the bone is provided.

Abstract: A Stirling engine includes a grooved cam drive mechanism with followers having a pair of longitudinally displaced bearings. One roller bearing is adapted to ride along an upper surface of the cam groove, while the other roller bearing is adapted to ride along a lower surface of the cam groove. Each follower includes an outer shaft on which a first bearing is mounted, and an inner shaft extending through the outer shaft on which a second bearing is mounted. A preferably annular space is provided between the inner and outer shafts when the follower is in an unloaded state. Then, when the follower is engaged within the grooved cam, the inner shaft is cantilevered relative to outer shaft within the annular space and results in pre-loading the first bearing against one inner surface of the groove cam and the second bearing against an opposite inner surface of the grooved cam.

Abstract: Immunoassay analytical test apparatus for allergy diagnosis, which apparatus comprises a zone for receiving a sample containing an analyte, a zone for receiving a mobile phase (the zone may be the same as the sample receiving zone, or different thereto), a detection means for permitting detection of the analyte by immunoreaction, a first flow path for flow of the analyte in the mobile phase from the sample receiving zone to the detection means, and a second flow path permitting flow of a mobile phase to the detection means.

Abstract: A discrete object dispensing system and method dispenses any selected number of objects, up to a maximum number, without a delay associated with counting the tablets. A preset number of objects are counted and stored in dedicated chambers, the combination of the numbers of objects within the chambers being known to comprise any number of objects which is desired for dispensing. According to a preferred system, n chambers are provided, with 20, 21, 22, . . . , 2n−1 tablets provided respectively in the individual chambers. The chambers which together add up to the selected number for dispensing are emptied. Only those chambers which are emptied after dispensing need to be refilled and, as such, only the number of tablets in those storage locations need to be counted. The system may include a plurality of cells, each including a plurality of chambers for a different solid dose medication.

Abstract: A hybrid rocket motor includes a storage tank which stores an oxidizer under relatively low pressure, a turbopump preferably directly coupled to an outlet of the storage tank which pressurizes the oxidizer to a relatively high pressure, a combustion chamber including a solid fuel, and an injector between the turbopump and combustion chamber through which the oxidizer is injected into the combustion chamber. According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the turbopump is operated by an expander cycle of a heat exchanger. According to another preferred aspect of the invention, the fluid flowing through the heat exchanger is oxidizer tapped from the storage tank. A barrier is maintained between an oxidizer feed line from the turbopump and the injector until sufficient pressure is created by the turbopump to pump the oxidizer at the requisite pressure into the injector.

Abstract: A hybrid rocket motor is provided with a precombustion chamber supplied with propellant from separate fuel and oxidizer sources. The propellant can be in the form of gas or liquid and injected substantially tangentially into the head end of the hybrid motor adjacent the oxidizer injector to form a propellant swirl. As the hybrid motor oxidizer is injected into the swirl, it is heated and gasified, and assumes a swirling motion which increases the oxidizer path length and thereby increases the dwell time of the oxidizer. The increased dwell time increases combustion efficiency and permits multiple restarts of the hybrid motor. The propellant may also be a combination of solid and fluid reactants. In one embodiment, the oxidizer injector is extended into the combustion chamber to form a toroidal precombustion chamber which has an annular nozzle adjacent a face of the oxidizer injector.

Abstract: Radioactive therapeutic seeds include one or more carrier structures each carrying a radioactive isotope, a ceramic spacer or collar member, a metal ring about the ceramic member, and a capsule formed from two tubular parts, each part including a closed end, an open end, and an interior. The open ends of the capsule abut the metal ring and are preferably welded thereto to form a generally uniform capsule wall such that the carrier structure(s) and ceramic member are contained in the interior of the capsule. The ceramic spacer preferably is hollow and a radiopaque or MRI-visible marker extends therethrough. Each of the embodiments is designed to provide a substantially isotropic distribution of radiation.

Abstract: A mandrel for use in a diamond deposition process has surfaces with different diamond adhesion properties. According to one embodiment, a mandrel is provided and has first and second surfaces on which a diamond film is deposited, with the second surface forming a perimeter around the first surface. The first surface of the mandrel has a first diamond bonding strength which is less than a second diamond bonding strength of the second surface. In an embodiment for forming a cup-shaped diamond film, the mandrel is a titanium nitride (TiN) coated molybdenum (Mo) substrate having a stepped solid cylindrical shape with a central mesa having a side wall or flank. The side wall is etched near the top surface of the mesa to expose a molybdenum band and to form a second surface which bounds the TiN first surface.

Abstract: A spinnerbait lure includes a chain, flexible tubing thereover, a blade coupled to one end of the chain, and a skirted lead head hook located at or adjacent the other end of the chain. An eyelet is coupled to a central portion of the chain and extends through a hole in the tubing for attachment of fishing line. When relaxed, the spinnerbait lure assumes a substantially elongate configuration. When pulled through the water, the lure assumes a V-shaped configuration caused by the water pressure against the ends of the lure on either side of the eyelet. Then, when slack is provided to the fishing line, the lure assumes again an elongate configuration, and “helicopters” through the water, with the blade rotating to affect the lure's descent, creating a movement attractive to fish. As soon as the fishing line is pulled taut, the lure again assumes the V-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A high capacity cassette for an object counting and dispensing system includes a substantially horizontal base including an exit hole, a peripheral wall about the base and having an internal periphery, the base and the peripheral wall defining a reservoir adapted to store a plurality of the discrete objects, and a structure about the internal periphery which feeds the discrete objects single file toward said exit hole.

Abstract: A low profile, vehicle mounted, in-motion tracking, satellite antenna includes a pair of antenna assemblies mounted in parallel on a rotatable platform. Each antenna assembly includes two subreflectors with a plastic matching element. The outputs of the two antenna assemblies are coupled with a single phase shifter. The combined outputs are retransmitted to a receiver inside the vehicle. The satellite antenna also includes a receiver for receiving channel selection data and/or for providing two-way communication with equipment inside the vehicle. The antennae, transmitter and receiver are self-powered by a storage device which is charged by a wind driven generator. A retractable radome lowers to a lower profile when the antenna is not in use.

Abstract: A low profile, vehicle mounted, in-motion tracking, satellite antenna includes a pair of antenna assemblies mounted in parallel on a rotatable platform. Each antenna assembly includes two subreflectors with a plastic matching element. The outputs of the two antenna assemblies are coupled with a single phase shifter. The combined outputs are retransmitted to a receiver inside the vehicle. The satellite antenna also includes a receiver for receiving channel selection data and/or for providing two-way communication with equipment inside the vehicle. The antennae, transmitter and receiver are self-powered by a storage device which is charged by a wind driven generator. A retractable radome lowers to a lower profile when the antenna is not in use.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a handle, a neck having a longitudinal axis and a brush head mounted to the neck and including bristles that rotate about an axis that is at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the neck. Upon activation of a motor, the bristles rotate about the acute axis and tips of the bristles always move in a direction away from the user's gumline.

Abstract: An ion source for use in ion assisted deposition of films, has an ionization region, a gas supply supplying ionizable gas to the ionization region, a gas excitation system causing ionization of the gas, ion influencing means forming the ions into a current directed at a target, and an ion source controller controlling the ion source so as to intermittently produce the ion current.