Abstract: The present invention is a device to measure the parallel shear force on a mattress. The device has a motor, a weighted object, a high friction material pad, and a load cell. The motor moves by pushing and pulling the weighted object on the high friction material pad which is on the mattress. The load cell measures the peak shear force when the weighted object is pulled and when the weighted object is pushed.

Abstract: Layering of protocols offers several well-known advantages, such as, for example, reduction of a network design complexity, but, on the other hand, layering introduces overhead which increases delays in communication and typically leads to performance inefficiencies. The present invention provides a number of techniques allowing to model protocol layering and detect where performance inefficiencies occur in the stack of protocol layers. Furthermore, after common execution paths are identified in the protocol stacks, these paths are optimized by using optimization techniques, such as optimizing the computation, compressing protocol headers, and delaying processing. All of the optimizations are automated in a compiler with the help of minor annotations by the protocol designer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the treatment of right to left shunt. The method comprises introducing, into the blood circulation of an individual, to be treated, a therapeutically effective amount of the stabilized microbubbles. In a preferred embodiment, oxygen is additionally administered to the individual.

Abstract: Provided are lacZ.alpha. gene fragments which have been modified to introduce multiple restriction enzyme sites. Vectors according to the present invention include at least one promoter operatively linked to a DNA sequence encoding lacZ.alpha. (.alpha.-peptide); multiple cloning sites cleavable by distinct restriction enzymes which have been introduced within a lacZ coding sequence from and including the codon for amino acid 8, and in the lacZ coding sequence downstream of the codon for amino acid 8, in forming the modified lacZ.alpha. coding sequence; and a replicon. The vector may further comprise one or more additional features useful for protein expression and other molecular manipulations. Also provided are methods of using the vectors wherein a DNA molecule is cloned into at least one restriction enzyme site in the modified lacZ.alpha.

Abstract: A patch that is deployed inside an artery and the like to close a puncture in the artery, is described. The patch includes an enclosing support having a sheet of microporous material secured to a perimeter thereof and at least two protrusions extending from the support. The patch is deployed inside the artery and then pulled up against the artery wall by strings connected to the patch to thereby seal the puncture.

Abstract: A compact gear system that includes an input shaft (28), an output shaft (1) and gear wheels which drivingly connect the same, wherein the output shaft (1) is journalled in a gear housing (2). The output shaft (1) is hollow and has pins (5a) which project radially outwards in a normal plane and each of which carries a gear wheel (6). Provided on each side of the pins is a respective crown wheel (11, 12) journalled on the output shaft (1) and having a toothed ring (17, 18) in engagement with the gear wheel (6). Each crown wheel also has a cylindrical toothed ring (19, 20) which coacts at different transmission ratios with a respective toothed ring (25, 26) on an eccentric shaft (21) which extends parallel with the output shaft (1) and which is rotatably journalled in the housing (2), wherein the eccentric shaft (21) is driven by the input shaft (28).

Abstract: A method of making a multi-plate wound cell assembly constructed similar to a conventional jellyroll electrode assembly except that each electrode comprises a series of plates spaced along a continuous current collector, and the plates are flat-folded rather than wound into a cylinder, is described. The length of the current collector between adjacent plates of the anode and cathode electrodes increases as the folding progresses to allow for the increase as the electrode assembly is flat-folded.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vitamin additive such as Vitamin A, B.sub.12, C, D, E, incorporated into the thermoplastic material of a sock, glove or like body protection article. The thermoplastic material is preferably a block copolymer such as SEBS, SEPS and SEEPS copolymer. Additionally, the thermoplastic material can include natural oils such as grape seed oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, canola oil, ceramides and aloe.

Abstract: A brushless resolver comprising a housing, a rotor rotatably mounted in the housing, a rotary transformer comprising a primary winding carried by the housing and secondary winding on the rotor and operatively associated with the primary winding, a resolver comprising a stator winding carried by the housing and a rotor winding on the rotor and operatively associated with the stator winding, characterized by an electromagnetic flux absorber in the housing between the rotary transformer and the resolver for absorbing leakage electromagnetic flux from the rotary transformer so as to reduce any deviation between the indicated electrical position of the rotor and the actual mechanical position of the rotor during each revolution of the rotor. The flux absorber comprises a copper ring between the rotary transformer primary winding and the resolver stator winding so that the leakage flux creates eddy currents in the ring thereby absorbing or reducing the leakage flux.

Abstract: An alkali metal, solid cathode, nonaqueous electrochemical cell capable of delivering high current pulses, rapidly recovering its open circuit voltage and having high current capacity, is described. The stated benefits are realized by the addition of hydrogen fluoride to the nonaqueous electrolyte comprising an alkali metal salt dissolved in a mixture of a low viscosity solvent and a high permittivity solvent. A preferred solvent mixture includes propylene carbonate, dimethoxyethane and hydrogen fluoride having LiAsF.sub.6 or LiPF.sub.6 dissolved therein.

Abstract: A method of treating chronic inflammation in a mammal is disclosed which comprises contacting the affected area with an amount sufficient to ameliorate the inflammatory condition, of a compound of the following formula: ##STR1## wherein Z is a substituted phenyl ring, R is an alkylsulfonyl group of 1-20 carbon atoms, and X is selected from the group consisting of --CN, --NO.sub.2, --H, halogen, lower alkyl and lower haloalkyl.

Abstract: A final closure sealing member and a method for hermetically sealing an opening, such as an electrolyte fill opening in an electrochemical cell or a battery, are disclosed. After a cell is fully assembled and filled with electrolyte, the present sealing member is force-fit into sealing registry with the electrolyte fill opening to form a secondary seal for the cell. PreferablY, an outwardly facing portion of the sealing member is flush or slightly recessed with the side wall surrounding the fill opening. Then, the outwardly facing portion is welded to the opening side wall to form a primary hermetic seal.

Abstract: A drying apparatus for sliced veneer sheets having a conveying system comprising two superposed conveyor belts lying one above the other which are guided over a drying path around guide members. The drying path includes both rectilinear and curvilinear sections and includes a three roller configuration for making a one hundred eighty degree turn in the drying path. The drying path is designed to provide for pressing of the veneer and to allow for the effects of shrinking of the veneer during the drying process.

Abstract: A current collector in the form of a conductive substrate subjected to a special chemical etch on both major surfaces to provide a "basket weave" structure, is described. The basket weave structures has a lattice construction surrounded by a frame and comprising first strand structures intersecting second strand structures to provide a plurality of diamond-shaped openings or interstices bordered by the strands. The strand structures intersect or join with each other at junctions thereby forming the current collector as an integral unit.

Abstract: A method for positioning a graft within a vasculature is described. The method comprises positioning a guide wire extending from an entry opening past a treatment zone to an exit opening. The guide wire has an attachment portion that is connected to a first string extending from a distal end of the graft. The guide wire is manipulated to move the string through the vasculature until the first string extends out the exit opening with a second string connected to the proximal end of the graft extending out the entry opening. The first string is disconnected from the guide wire and the first and second strings are manipulated to position the graft at the treatment zone.

Abstract: A device for accurately determining the lateral recess and foraminal volume prior to and following spinal decompression procedures to assess adequacy of the decompression. The device comprises an inflatable tipped catheter connected to calibration instruments that will correspondingly give volume of inflation of the tip of the catheter which is placed in the lateral recess or nerve root foramen. The readings can be used to determine the extent of the decompression and objectively quantify the extent of such decompression.

Abstract: A gate hingedly connected to a staircase. The gate hinge is blow-molded integrally with the gate body. A mounting post has on one portion a hinge pin for receiving the gate hinge, and the other portion has a pair of parallel resilient sheets for receiving an edge portion of the staircase. Two staircases are attached back-to-back by vertical flanges each of which is offset from a vertical center plane of the respective back wall portion and has a vertical surface which is co-planar with the vertical center plane. The corners of the staircase are individually height adjustable by internally threaded portions which receive threaded rods. The internal threads are formed as part of the blow-molding process. A hole to the interior of the staircase or other article is formed as part of the blow-molding process.

Abstract: Machining method utilizing an apparatus comprising a major C-frame for carrying an upper tooling head and a rotatable minor C-frame for carrying a lower tooling head cantileverly supported away from a body portion of the minor C-frame to provide a throat for receiving a workpiece edge portion while another workpiece portion is positioned between the heads for machining, the minor C-frame being rotated to provide clearance for the workpiece. As a result, a substantially semi-cylindrical workpiece may be machined over its surface without refixturing thereof.

Abstract: A single laser flow cytometric method for the enumeration of micronuclei in erythrocyte populations, wherein a sample of peripheral blood or bone marrow is obtained and the cell populations in the sample are fixed. Reticulocytes in the fixed samples are treated simultaneously with RNAse and with a fluorescent labeled antibody having binding specificity for a surface marker for erythroblasts/reticulocytes. The erythrocyte populations are then stained with a nucleic acid stain which stains DNA representing micronuclei, if present. The stained and/or labeled erythrocyte populations are then exposed to a laser beam of appropriate excitation wavelength for both the nucleic acid staining dye and the fluorescent label to produce fluorescent emission. The fluorescent emission and light scatter produced by the erythrocyte populations are detected by the flow cytometer from which is calculated the number of specific erythrocyte populations in said sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for engrafting a blood vessel comprising a thin walled graft assembly with radio opaque marker, a guide wire, a guided cartheter with proximal side openings, and a set of open end stylets. The method and apparatus provides for transarterial guidance and deployment of a graft assembly for non-surgical exclusion of aortic aneurysms. The method and apparatus provides for guiding a graft assembly over the aortic arch to the ascending aorta and for guiding a graft assembly in the thoracoabdominal arterial tree.