Abstract: The present invention provides motor vehicle safety enhancement devices which, once activated, are not prematurely deactivated. In an embodiment, an electrically controllable safety device for use by an occupant of a motor vehicle includes a safety enhancer and a controller. The controller and the safety enhancer are electrically coupled to the vehicle's electrical ignition system, so that the controller may only activate the safety enhancer while the motor is on and, once activated, the safety enhancer may only be deactivated by turning the motor off. A stimulator to rouse a sleepy driver of a vehicle is provided including a signal generator capable of rousing the driver and a controller to activate the signal generator. The controller may include a momentary switch, a relay, and a diode.

Abstract: A prosthetic joint has two load-bearing surfaces that are slidingly disposed relative to each other and define a region of frictional contact. The joint is thermally managed as heat is removed from the region of frictional contact during joint use by thermal conduction so that the surfaces are maintained approximately at or below specified temperatures. Embodiments of femoral ball members and acetabular cup members to be used in thermally managed prosthetic hip joints are provided.

Abstract: A prosthetic joint in an embodiment has two load-bearing surfaces that are slidingly disposed relative to each other and define a region of frictional contact. The joint is thermally managed as heat is removed from the region during joint use by thermal conduction so that the surfaces are maintained approximately at or below specified temperatures. In other embodiments, heat flows preferentially through one member which includes one of the surfaces. Use of high thermal conductivity materials in conjunction with various joint designs affording thermally managed devices are provided in numerous embodiments.