Abstract: A package for storing and shipping memory disks is disclosed. The package includes a base and cover designed to enclose and seal a plurality of disks held in a cassette. The base and cover include re-enforcing gussets and members for securely retaining the cassette and disks so that the disks do not tilt, rattle or otherwise move during transport.

Abstract: A loading device mounted to a collection vehicle is disclosed. The loading device may comprise several embodiments for scooping a soft-sided object through either a horizontal or vertical plane. The loading device is attached to a mechanized arm for compound angular displacement and operable between a stowed, extended, lift, and dump positions. A swivel mount interconnects the mechanized arm to the collection vehicle and further compounds the angular displacement and operating positions of the loading device.

Abstract: A valve disabler for use in high pressure pipe cleaning systems. The valve disabler of the present invention serves to disable a single cylinder in a multi-cylinder plunger pump so as to generate pulsatile pressure surges within a hose member. The pulsatile pressure surges cause the distal end of the hose member to move in a serpentine manner, thus allowing the hose member to negotiate down a tortuous path within the pipe without stalling or becoming otherwise impeded.

Abstract: An expander member for a balloon catheter to be used in stent delivery applications comprises a double-walled tubular member that is adapted for attachment to a distal end portion of an elongated, flexible, tubular catheter body. The outer wall is preferably a polyamide, such as Nylon-12, and the inner wall is PET. By properly controlling the percentage of the polyamide relative to the PET content, the distension characteristics of the resulting expander member can be tailored to fall in a range less than 15 percent. The outer Nylon-12 layer provides the expander member with high abrasion resistance. By appropriately temperature annealing the expander member, any tendency toward winging upon deflation thereof is reduced.

Abstract: A rotary blade including a disc and a ring secured to the disc, wherein the ring has cutting filaments that extend radially outward past the outer edge of the disc. As the disc is rotated the filaments are adapted for cutting grass and the like. Projections extending from the disc create an air turbulence that both lifts the vegetation to be cut and swirls the clippings to further mulch the clippings.

Abstract: A control and safety system for coordinating movement of multiple hydraulic cylinders to reciprocally rotate a truck-mounted refuse compacting arm. The system includes a logic board controller in communication with a cam and switch arrangement mechanically linked to the rotating arm. Signals from the switches indicate the position of the arm to the logic board which responds by operating directional control valves to regulate movement of the cylinders. A pressure switch is activated to rotate the arm in the opposite direction if the arm is prevented from reaching a limit switch.

Abstract: A disposable, vented capillary draw device is described that is also capable of use for the syringe pressurized dispensing of liquid benignly drawn. The system includes a vented capillary collection tube for drawing liquid samples by capillary rise in a bubble-free manner. A reversible, positive vent shut-off is provided to help contain the drawn material in the capillary. A reciprocating, loose fitting, syringe plunger arrangement is also provided attached to and operable in the capillary tube. Initial axial displacement of the plunger in the capillary toward the open end is used to initially operate the vent seal or positive vent shut-off device to close the vent and, upon further advancement of the plunger, the plunger forces the liquid material back out of the draw tube.

Abstract: Vehicle mounted container handling devices include a rotating swivel mount, an articulated arm connected to the swivel mount, a support member rotationally connected to a free end of the articulated arm and a loading mechanism pivotally connected to the support member. The articulated arm, swivel mount and loading mechanism are operable between stowed, extended, lift and dump positions. The loading mechanism includes first and second opposed mechanized fingers pivotally connected to the support member and aligned in spaced relation to converge and diverge to grasp and release an object of interest. Each mechanized finger includes a belt that enhances the gripping ability of the loading mechanism. 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 loading mechanism to engage the container.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based dual tank control system for use in a foam-injection fire fighting system which automatically proportions the selected foamant into the main water stream at a predetermined concentration, automatically provides an accurate assessment of the amount of foam pumped out of the selected supply tank, and automatically flushes the injection line at system power-up and between flow cycles.

Abstract: A glass-to-metal hermetic seal device which is adapted for suppressing or dissipating electrostatic energy comprises an improved glass-to-metal hermetic seal, with the interior of the device incorporating and creating a gas-filled electrical discharge tube. The gas is an ionizable gas and may conveniently comprise a mixture of nitrogen and Argon. The devices of the present invention utilize one or more electrodes which enter the gas-filled chamber, and when the electrical field of sufficiently high potential is created within the gas-filled chamber, the gas ionizes and becomes conductive so as to effectively dissipate the field.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing system in which a calculated quantity of a liquid chemical foamant is introduced into the main water stream being directed at a fire equipped with a protective circuit for limiting the amount of average current flowing within a motor driving a fluid pump used to inject the chemical foamant, in addition to an electronic fuse circuit for automatically shutting off the power being supplied to the low-level electronics.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for manufacturing a prothesis for intraluminal implantation. The prosthesis is formed with a flexible tubular interbraided structure of metal or polymeric monofilaments, and polymeric multifilament yarns, and can be elastically deformed to reduce its diameter through axial elongation. The monofilaments and multifilament yarns are wound on a mandrel arranged in axially spaced apart helices, concentric on a common central axis of the prosthesis. The monofilaments are selectively shaped before their interbraiding with the multifilament yarns, either by an age-hardening or other heat-setting stage while wound on a mandrel, or by a cold-working stage that controllably plastically deforms the strands. The shaped structural strands cooperate to impart to the prosthesis its nominal shape and resilience.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac rhythm management device 10 includes a microprocessor-based controller 28 adapted to receive digitized electrogram signals from leads 14 placed on or in the heart and incorporates an autosense algorithm which is called into play when an electrogram is detected that exceeds an event detect threshold ET and capable of adjusting a sensing threshold ST to improve detection of cardiac depolarization signals in the presence of noise. The sensing threshold is automatically set on a beat-to-beat basis at a level that is dependent on a predetermined percentage of the peak amplitude of a current and an immediately preceding sensed or paced beat. The event threshold ET, which is always set at 50% of the sensing threshold, provides noise discrimination. The predetermined percentage value applied to the average peak value in arriving at the sensing threshold ST is dependent upon relative amplitudes of electrogram excursions and the signal-to-noise ratio encountered.

Abstract: Intravenous cardiac leads having at least one electrode intended to be implanted within the coronary veins are disclosed. Also disclosed are structures and techniques for advancing such leads through the atrium and coronary sinus into the coronary veins overlaying the left ventricle.

Abstract: An improved anode for use in non-aqueous active metal secondary cells include a substrate current collector, a layer of active metal anode material on said current collector and a relatively narrow peripheral band of material capable of accepting reversible insertion of the active metal for capturing dendrite material formed in charging the anode on said current collector surrounding said layer of active metal anode material.

Abstract: An enclosed semiconductor wafer holder, and a cover providing isolation control of semiconductor wafers that is simple, lower cost, and non-obtrusive is described. The cover includes a sealing perimeter that creates a hermetic seal when engaged with the semiconductor wafer holder. The holder also includes a purging arrangement attached to the holder that allows an active gentle purging of inert gas into the sealed semiconductor wafer holder.

Abstract: Intravenous cardiac leads having at least one electrode intended to be implanted within the coronary veins are disclosed. Also disclosed are structures and techniques for advancing such leads through the atrium and coronary sinus into the coronary veins.

Abstract: A percutaneous stent-graft is disclosed for restoring blood flow between vessels. The stent-graft has a body implantable device and first and second retaining elements. Also disclosed are methods for deploying a stent-graft.