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: 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: 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: 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.

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: An apparatus and method for providing reinforced surgical fastener suture lines to prevent tissue tearing and fluid leakage following the creation of an anastomosis, the closing of margins following the removal of diseased tissue, and/or the ligating and dividing of individual blood vessels. A retainer assembly is provided having an alignment frame and a pressure equalization member. The alignment frame includes an internally disposed receiving area for housing the pressure equalization member and a pair of guide channels disposed in fluid communication with the receiving area for guiding the jaw members of a surgical fastener applying device into contact with pledget material disposed within the receiving area.

Abstract: An implantable tissue stimulator includes a polymer film capacitor adhered to an inside wall surface of the stimulator's case or housing in a way that minimizes the size and weight of the stimulator device. The energy storage capacitor for the tissue stimulator comprises a monolithic, multi-layer device and where the polymer is a suitable acrylate of a known formulation, over 1500 parallel plate capacitor electrodes can be built it with the height dimension of the resulting capacitor being less than about 3 mms. Instead of forming the capacitor on the inner surface of the stimulator's case in situ, such a capacitor can be formed on a mold member corresponding in shape to the inner surface of the stimulator's case and inserted into the stimulator's case following removal from the mold.

Abstract: A corrosion inhibitor formulation for use in reinforced concrete structures, the inhibitor reducing the rate of corrosion in metallic reinforcing rods placed within the structures. The formulation comprises a mixture of alkali metal glucoheptonates and alkali metal molybdates.

Abstract: An improved mounting bracket arrangement for rotatable pinwheel devices activated by a moving air stream. The bracket has substantially universal application to a variety of conveniently available mounting surfaces such as chains, ropes and cables used for swing suspension, as well as on the handlebars of bicycles and tricycles. The mounting bracket includes a base mounting member together with a resilient strap to complete the closure. The mounting bracket arrangement is essentially free of sharp or pointed surfaces.

Abstract: An improved scenting system having a frangible vial containing scented liquid disposed within a flexible, moisture-proof sheath member and a wick member having a first end disposed adjacent to the frangible vial and a second end extending from the sheath member, wherein the frangible vial may be broken and the scented liquid released for evaporation by the wick member without the hunter coming into contact with the scented liquid and wherein the scented liquid does not experience unwanted evaporation prior to use.

Abstract: A versatile, selective and sensitive non-aqueous electrochemical amperometric gas sensing devices of great sensitivity are disclosed which operate in a redox voltage range from about -3 to about +2.5 V and exhibit long term stability over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: A wind energy conversion device includes a support frame that pivots on a vertical yaw axis, and a rotor/bushing assembly coupled to the support frame through a governing coupling that permits the rotor/bushing assembly to pivot on a governing axis relative to the support frame. The governing axis is inclined from the vertical preferably by about 30.degree. to provide a substantial gravitational bias of the rotor/bushing assembly toward a normal operating position when wind velocities are below a predetermined threshold. The governing axis also is laterally offset from a drive axis about which the wind rotates a propeller of the rotor/bushing assembly. This facilitates alignment of the rotor/bushing assembly so that the drive axis intersects the yaw axis. As a result, wind induced thrust does not generate a torque about the yaw axis.

Abstract: A system for detecting leaks in a hydraulic system. The system shuts down the hydraulic system if a leak is detected and notifies individuals in the area that a leak has occurred. The leak detection system has sensors for measuring hydraulic system parameters and a computer for detecting abnormalities in the system based on values returned by the sensors. Sensors used in the example leak detection system include an RPM pickup, a pressure transducer, a flow meter and an hydraulic fluid level and temperature switch. Outputs of the sensors are analyzed by the computer to determine if the hydraulic system has a leak. If a leak is detected, the computer sends response signals to a device for engaging or disengaging the prime mover from the hydraulic pump and to another device for actuating a valve to stop hydraulic fluid flow from the reservoir. The computer may also send indicator signals to a display console for activating a warning light, a buzzer or a display.

Abstract: A bipolar biopsy device comprising two biopsy tissue collecting receptacles wherein at least one biopsy tissue collecting receptacle is pivotable in relation to the other and wherein each biopsy tissue collecting receptacle supports an electrode portion thereon to which current can flow and a cutting edge that is electrically insulated from the electrode portion. The electrode portion coagulates the tissue surrounding the cutting portion. The cut tissue sample is retained within the receptacles so that it maybe removed for biopsy purposes. Preferably, each biopsy receptacle is individually pivotable in relation to the other and the device is dimensioned to have utility in endoscopic or similar procedures.

Abstract: A system using microterminals attached to work pieces, containers and workers for tracking the location of work in a factory and for communication with workers to provide instructions for further processing. A central control system, to which infrared transceivers strategically located throughout the factory are wired, communicates with the microterminals via infrared transmissions between the microterminals and transceivers. The microterminals have four modes of operation to extend battery life.

Abstract: A method of pacing a congestive heart failure (CHF) patient's heart using a pacemaker typically capable of bradycardia dual chamber pacing. The method includes an algorithm for resetting the timing interval of the microprocessor based controller of the pacemaker for stimulating the ventricles after a predetermined AV delay, when a legitimate signal associated with atrial events is blocked by a preprogrammed Post Ventricular Atrial Refractory Period (PVARP).