Abstract: A cardiac stimulating apparatus and method which optimizes cardiac performance by determining, from a filtered waveform transmitted from an accelerometer contained within the cardiac pacer, an optimum timing interval between at least one of intrinsic and paced stimulations of pre-selected chambers of the heart. Digitized data of the accelerometer signal, corresponding with identified R--R intervals, are stored for a plurality of preselected timing intervals for analysis and comparison. The accelerometer signal is filtered to isolate features of the waveform associated with specific cardiac events including for example, the first heart sound, the second heart sound or an amplitude in the frequency domain thereof. Characteristic values of these features of the accelerometer signal are calculated over a plurality of complete R--R intervals for each of the preselected timing intervals. The characteristic values are analyzed and compared to determine which timing interval optimizes cardiac performance.

Abstract: An injection site and unsharpened drug transfer spike for facilitating coupling a syringe to a fluid line. The injection site has a uniquely designed housing and septum comprised of only two parts. The drug transfer spike has a positive locking member for restricting retraction from the injection site once it is inserted for injecting a medicant. The positive locking member preferably comprises a annular ridge defined about the shaft of the drug transfer spike. The septum includes a pair of axially aligned, oppositely oriented conical recesses with adjacent apices either separated by a thin membrane or intersecting at the time of manufacture. The housing has an inlet for receiving the septum and comprises a plurality of fingers with inwardly extending tabs for constraining the septum therewithin. The septum is ideally adapted to be applied to injection sites, Y-connectors, vial adaptors, single or multi-dose vials and blood collection tubes.

Abstract: Vehicle mounted container handling devices including a rotating swivel mount and an articulated arm connected to the swivel mount are disclosed. The swivel mount includes a housing operable to rotate about a shaft in a first plane. The articulated arm is attached at one end to the housing and disposed to pivot in a second plane which intersects the first plane. A grasping device is pivotally connected to the free end of the articulated arm for pivoting in the second plane. In operation, with the grasping device opened, the articulated arm is extended to reach out toward a container of interest. The swivel mount is operated to pivot the articulated arm as required for the grasping device to engage the container. The articulated arm is operated further to lift and dump the container in the vehicle above the swivel mount addressing a variety of dumping locations.

Abstract: A light delivery system for use in irradiating vascular tissue includes a balloon catheter with a working lumen for receiving an optical fiber therein and an inflation/flushing lumen adapted to receive a liquid at a proximal end and leading to a space defined within the balloon member attached to a distal end of the catheter. The balloon member has a pattern of holes or pores in the wall thereof through which the saline may flow when the balloon is inflated, causing any blood or other absorbing substances that may interfere with good radiant energy transmission to be flushed away from the treatment site.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance for preparing yogurt, soft frozen yogurt and ice cream, hard frozen yogurt and ice cream, and cheese. The appliance includes a container having a generally square open top around the periphery of which are switch actuators or contacts. A square cover having a plurality of vent openings formed therethrough and electrical switch devices positioned about its periphery for cooperation with those on the rim of the container is used to select the mode of operation for accommodating the type of food item being prepared based on which of the four possible ways it can be positioned on the container. A motor-driven paddle device is rotationally journaled with respect to the cover and the motors therefor are adapted to be driven either continuously or with a predetermined duty cycle, dependent upon the product being made.

Abstract: A vascular dilatation catheter including an elongated catheter shaft having a distal and a proximal end and a first lumen extending therethrough fluid connection with a distally located balloon and a second lumen capable of receiving a guidewire is provided with a clip device attached about a proximal portion of the catheter shaft and adapted to releasibly secure the catheter shaft in a coiled configuration between uses.

Abstract: A device for restricting access to the head (10) of a fastener (9) has a first part (18) including an attaching flange (26) adapted to be captive between the head (10) and a member 14 in which the shank (12) of the fastener is to be received. The first part (18) has a recess (13) which the head (10) is accommodated and the second part of the device (20) is dimensioned to be slidingly received in the recess to close the recess without engaging the head (10). The first and second parts (18, 20) have formations (30, 38) which cooperate when the second part 20 is sufficiently inserted into the recess (30), to prevent withdrawing of the second part (20) from engagement with the first part (18), whereby to prevent access to the fastener. The first and second parts comprise frustroconical external surfaces (22, 24), which in use taper in a direction away from the member (14) to which the device is to be secured in use.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon (20,98) is fabricated according to a process that yields high hoop strength and uniformity in balloon wall thickness. A length of tubing (34) is axially elongated and radially expanded in a form (36) to provide the requisite biaxial orientation and strength. Then, an excimer laser (46,66,84) is used to remove the polymeric material by photo-chemical ablation, virtually without thermal effects. Dilatation balloon walls are thinned primarily along tapered sections (26,28) between proximal and distal balloon stems (30,32) and a medial working section (24) of the balloon. Material removal, particularly near the balloon stems, enables tighter wrapping of the balloon for a reduced delivery profile, and reduces rigidity near the stems for better maneuverability of the catheter in tortuous passageways. The balloon tapered sections are reduced to a wall thickness substantially equal to that of the medial section. Alternatively, an array of grooves (96) is formed in each tapered section.

Abstract: The present invention is a decorative hair retainer for persons having mid-to long hair styles. It consists of an annular decorative fabric tube containing an elastic band in the interior thereof. Two combs are located on the exterior periphery of the annular fabric tube. The combs are positioned 180.degree. apart from each other. In use, the accessory is secured on top of the gathered hair or alternatively the hair is gathered into a bunch and inserted through the center opening of the annular fabric tube member. The combs are then used to further secure the hair retainer to the head by being inserted into the hair between the hair retainer and the scalp of the individual wearing the hair retainer.

Abstract: A prosthesis for use in hernia repair surgery having a preformed prosthetic fabric supported along its periphery by shape memory alloy wire having a transformation temperature corresponding to normal body temperature allowing the prosthesis to be tightly rolled into a cylindrical configuration for delivery through a laparoscopic instrument and which deploys to a predetermined shape as it warms up to body temperature.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for producing a salt solution suitable for use as a liquid ice and snow remover. The apparatus consists of an internal dual-tank arrangement. The exterior walls of the apparatus form an outer containment tank which holds preferably up to 110% of the volume of the internal dual-tank arrangement. The dual-tank arrangement consists of a hopper tank for holding a soluble salt and a holding tank for holding the produced salt solution. A fluid passageway leads from the hopper tank to the holding tank. Water is fed into the lower portion of the hopper tank. It rises through salt or calcium magnesium acetate pellets located in the hopper tank forming a salt solution. The solution flows through two screened outlets into pipes which lead it to the holding tank. Fresh water is introduced into the salt solution as it exits the hopper tank and enters the holding tank.

Abstract: An improved commutation position detection system for accurately determining commutation position within polyphase brushless motors without employing proximity sensors or transducers. The present invention determines commutation position. by differentiating the current flowing within the stator coils and comparing the differentiated current waveforms to one another (absolute commutation position detection) or a predetermined threshold (incremental commutation position detection) to obtain a real-time assessment of commutation position.

Abstract: A DC-to-DC converter suitable for use in light-powered electronic systems. The DC electrical output from a solar cell is stepped-up in a chopper-type inverter that is driven by a gated oscillator. The output from the inverter is then rectified and is adapted to be applied to a load through a series connected switch whose on/off state is determined by the output from a voltage regulator. Connected between the rectifier and the series switch are energy storage capacitors which become charged when the series switch is open and which provide energy to the load when the series switch is closed. Feedback from the regulator circuitry controls the on/off state of the gated oscillator and, therefore, the energy delivered by the inverter. Further circuitry is provided for signaling a light transmitting device that the fiber-optic link delivering energy to the photo cell is intact.

Abstract: A carpenter's square that can have the arms thereof separated for ease of storage and joined together during use includes a over-center latch arrangement designed to be no thicker than the thickness dimension of the arm members and which, when operated, tightly clamps the arms of the square at right angles to one another. A first arm of the square has an opening formed through the thickness dimension thereof along with alignment bores extending inwardly from a side edge thereof on either side of the opening. The second arm includes the over-center latch pivotally mounted in a slot or channel and includes a latch plate pivotally joined to a coupling member having a head thereon designed to fit within the opening on the first arm member. When the latch plate is manually actuated so as to reside within the slot of the second arm, the head on the coupling member cooperates with an edge defined by the opening in the first arm to tightly clamp the first and second arms one to the other.

Abstract: A delivery system for procuring implantation of an expandable stent into a bodily lumen of interest is disclosed including a fluid-operated moving cylinder sleeve for retaining the stent in place during delivery. The sleeve to release a stent at the implantation site. A fluid driven bellows may be employed to retract the sleeve.

Abstract: A radially self-expanding stent particularly suited for treating esophageal strictures, includes a medial region and proximal and distal cuffs having diameters greater than the medial region diameter when the stent is in the relaxed state. A silicone coating circumscribes the medial region, but the cuffs are not coated and retain their open weave construction. As a result, the cuffs remain particularly well suited to immediately contact esophageal wall tissue and resist stent migration, while the silicone coated medial region provides a barrier to tumor ingrowth, and has an enhanced radial restoring force to maintain an open passageway in the esophagus. A deployment device for the stent includes an interior catheter surrounded by the stent and having an esophageal dilation feature, along with an exterior catheter that radially compresses the stent.

Abstract: Side-loading refuse vehicles are disclosed including an offset or recessed hopper section having at least one recessed side which accommodates a loading bin or bucket which is moveable between a lowered position and a raised dumping position. Followers attached to the bucket on each end are engaged in candy cane shaped guide channels situated at the front and rear of the hopper. The guide channels are angled away from the base of the hopper and curved into the top of the hopper to guide the bucket in an angled and arcuate path over the sidewall of the hopper which is built to accommodate the bucket. In some embodiments, a bin handler is built into the bucket or an automated arm is provided for dumping refuse cans or containers directly into the hopper. The refuse vehicles may have side-loading buckets on one or both sides of the vehicle and the vehicles may be single or multiple compartment vehicles.

Abstract: An arthroscopy instrument for debriding tissue also includes an electrocautery electrode for effecting hemostasis in the surgical site. The drive motor for the debriding instrument is placed remotely from the instrument's handle and provision is made for electrically insulating the handle from the drive motor and associated power supply even though the arthroscopic surgery is taking place under saline.

Abstract: The holder has a mounting plate with mounting holes for mounting onto the down tube of a bicycle. The holder includes two bottle receiving members extending transverse from the mounting plate. The first bottle receiving member has a larger arcuate member extending from a first side of the mounting plate and a smaller arcuate member extending from a second side of the mounting plate. The first and second arcuate members define a first opening therebetween. The second bottle receiving member also has a larger arcuate member extending from the first side of the mounting plate. A smaller arcuate member extends from the second side of the mounting plate. These arcuate members define a second opening that is on the same side of the water bottle holder as the first opening. The first bottle receiving member is smaller than said second bottle receiving member. A first alternative embodiment has two sets of mounting holes on its mounting plate.