Abstract: An electrical machine, such as an electric motor, dynamo or alternator has a casing (26) with cooling vents (64) enabling cooling fluid (F) to flow into and out of the casing when the rotor (10) of the electrical machine rotates. The rotor (10) may be formed from conductive elements (44) connected together at their outer regions by inter-connecting members (40) which have vanes (68, 70) arranged to direct cooling fluid over the outer regions. Each conductive element (44) is a metal strip (45) with legs (46, 48) bent in opposite directions (D.sub.1, D.sub.2) relative to the plane of the strip. Portions of the windings (28, 30) of the rotor (10) are spaced apart to allow fluid to flow between the windings to enhance the cooling effect. With a current carrying rotor, the magnetic field intensity across the rotor is varied by varying the axial separation of the rotor and the stator (74, 76).

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for treating snoring, sleep apnea and other form of sleep-disordered breathing, which comprises administration of a therapeutically effective dose of an acetyl choline esterase inhibitor (CEI) such as pyridostigmine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: An animal feedlot management system is disclosed, wherein each feed delivery vehicle employed therein uses real-time virtual reality (VR) modelling and coordinate acquisition techniques supported upon an Internet-based (i.e., Cyberspace) communications platform in order to carry out various types of feedlot operations. Each feedlot vehicle has an on-board computer system which includes a VR subsystem, for accessing a VR database maintaining information representative of a VR model of the feedlot and the objects present therein (eg., tagged animals, pens, alley ways, feedbunks, buildings, vehicles, etc.

Abstract: An orthopaedic device for the gradual correction of angular and longitudinal defects of elongated bones, comprising at least one first clamp for a first group of screws insertable in a proximal portion of a bone, and at least one second clamp for a second group of screws insertable in a distal portion of the bone, a longitudinal guide bar positioned externally of the limb to be corrected for slidably supporting the clamps; at least one of the clamps is selectively orientable about a substantially transverse axis for carrying out angular corrections of the bone. There are provided a compression/distraction device movably coupleable with the clamps for carrying out longitudinal corrections of the bone. The orientably clamp is adjustable angularly in a predetermined geometric plane, as well as adjustable transversely for the group of bone screws carried by the clamp parallel to themselves for compensating the lateral movement induced by the angular correction.

Abstract: An all-mechanical system for bone-drilling alignment of a blind distal bone-screw hole of an installed intra-medullary nail, wherein the system provides (i) a drill jig that features a longitudinally adjustable nail-contactable contact-rod mounting in the jig and (ii) a drill-guide which can align with the blind distal bone-screw hole for a correct nail-contactable adjustment of the contact rod. The system enables the surgeon to check-out the drill jig in assembled relation to a selected intramedullary nail, prior to nail installation, and to perform an adjustment to compensate for nail diameter when the contact end of the rod engages the nail. He can then either visually satisfy himself of the drill-guide/bolt-hole alignment, or he can use a plug-gage or trocar tool having guidance in the drill guide, and checking for whether the plug gage has entry into the bone-screw hole in the intramedullary nail.

Abstract: A system and protocol for implementing large scale installation of operating and user configuration data in essentially unattended fashion. The enhanced system design allows for greatly simplified system configuration, including protocols to insure user mobility between configured systems.

Abstract: A decorative chain formed from small hollow balls engaged by connection segments (103) is transformed by subjecting the small balls of the chain to deformations by beating; the chain is then articulated. The main faces (101A) of the deformed small balls (101) can be surface-treated by diamond engraving or satin-finishing or other surface treatments.

Abstract: An external minisplint device comprises an elongated body (2; 2'; 2"; 2'"; 2.sup.iv ; 101, 102) supporting at least one pair of clamps (3, 4; 3', 4'; 3", 4"; 3'", 4'"; 3.sup.iv, 4.sup.iv ; 103, 104) each of which is capable of securing at least one pair of transverse bone bolts (F, F', F", F'", F.sup.iv, F1). A longitudinal guide (5; 5'; 5"; 5'"; 5.sup.iv ; 105, 106) associated with the elongated body guides the longitudinal translational movement of at least one of the clamps (4; 4'; 4"; 4'"; 4.sup.iv ; 103, 104). The minisplint device further comprises at least one longitudinal adjustment screw (6; 6'; 6"; 6'"; 6.sup.iv ; 107, 108) which can rotate within the elongated body and which engages a corresponding threaded hole (13; 13'; 13"; 13'"; 13.sup.iv ; 135, 136) formed in the clamp capable of translational motion for selectively positioning it along the longitudinal guide. The screw has a head (7; 7'; 7"; 7'"; 7.sup.iv ; 111, 112) which partly projects from the end of the elongated body.

Abstract: A track lighting fixture includes a receptacle that can be used with a wide variety of lamp enclosures of different configurations and sizes. The fixture includes an L-shaped bracket adapted to be pivotably mounted by means of a stem to a track. The fixture further includes a lamp socket in its interior and a docking bulkhead that includes a bayonet mount which receives a mating bayonet mount in the lamp enclosure. In another aspect of the invention, an opening is provided in the L-shaped bracket through which the end of a hand-held pole may be inserted to engage the fixture, so that by manipulation of the pole the angle and horizontal attitude of the fixture can be accurately adjusted by an individual from the floor without the need for that individual to risk injury by standing on a chair or ladder.

Abstract: A disposable cover for an infrared thermometer provides IR window isolation of handling and usage generated forces. The cover comprises a thin sidewall linked to the film window with a collar structure. The collar structure includes one or more characteristics that either isolate the film window from externally applied forces, or develops counter forces in a way that precludes film stretching and other transmission distorting effects. In a preferred embodiment, the probe includes retention ears and the cover includes a rim that cooperatively engages the retention ears. This combination of retention ears and an interlocking rim decreases movement of the cover along the probe axis. The cover of the present invention permits sanitary application of an infrared clinical thermometer without hindering reading accuracy or patient comfort.

Abstract: Treatment of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) in black and asian skin is accelerated from natural healing by use of a composition comprising a retinoid and/or an inhibitor of cytochrome P-450 enzyme-mediated degradation of retinoids, the composition does not require a conventional depigmenting or bleaching agent (such as a hydroquinone) as is typically used. Healing of PIH lesions is accelerated about three to five times from normal healing. Additionally, these compositions are useful separately for lightening black or asian skin.

Abstract: A device for the extraction of screwthreaded sires for osteosynthesis, characterized in that it comprises: at least two lever pieces (20, 21) hinged together and having at one longitudinal end (20a, 21a) seats (22, 23) for grasping the end of a wire (19) which it is required to extract, and clamp means acting on the ohter end of said lever pieces (20, 21) to promote their opening in such a way as to generate a couple of gripping forces on the end of the wire (19). Said clamp means are of screw type and preferably consist of a threaded pin (24) fitted with a knob (24a) and screwed into a tapped piece (25) integral with the end (21b) of one of said lever pieces (21). The end (24b) of the threaded pin nearest the pivot is of a generally frustoconical shape to interact with an inclined plane surface (26) formed in the end (20b) of the other lever piece (20) in such a way as to force it outwards when said pin (24) is screwed in.

Abstract: A computer system is provided for implementing, managing and tracking financial transactions. Various users may use this system to access a database for information retrieval or for entering a set of commands to cause the database to process loan transactions or fund transfers. The system is set up so that these transaction requests may then be conveniently approved or disapproved by the lending institution. There is also a security measure in place to ensure that only proper authorized users may access this respective system to retrieve, confirm, request, alter, or approve the fund transfer.

Abstract: A code symbol reading device includes a portable housing that contains a light source. Light from the light source is projected into a scan field external to the housing and onto a code symbol on an object located within the scan field. The light reflected off the code symbol is detected within the housing to produce scan data that is indicative of the detected light intensity. The scan data is processed to detect and decode the code symbol and to produce symbol character data that are representative of the decoded code symbol. A data packet utilizing the symbol character data is synthesized and modulated onto a carrier signal that is transmitted to a base unit where the carrier signal is demodulated and the data packet recovered. The received data packet is analyzed to recover the symbol character data, and an acknowledgment signal is produced to acknowledge the receipt of the symbol character data at the base unit.

Abstract: A benefits processing system is provided in which a central benefits processor is interconnected with continually updated databases containing such information as available investments, pricing information, commission schedules, and dividend information. To make all investments available to participants, the system uses a unique two-byte binary code for each investment. Through the use of dollar cost averaging, whole or part shares of any investment traded on any exchange or over-the-counter may be purchased as part of the plan. Various system modules for automatically handling support tasks are provided, in addition to modules created to handle new tasks previously unavailable in such benefits plans.

Abstract: In an optical fiber cable, for effectively suppressing undesired radiant noise propagating in a reinforcing wire or generated from the reinforcing wire without providing an electromagnetic shielding member apart from the optical fiber cable, a buffer layer and an outer jacket of an LAP sheath covering the reinforcing wire being a tension member forming the optical fiber cable are constituted by composite magnetic bodies, respectively, composed of soft magnetic powder and organic binding agents. It is preferable that the soft magnetic powder is powder being essentially flat.

Abstract: A data processing system for selectively determining an appropriate balance of credit parameters associated with the issuance of Reverse Equity Mortgage financing. The system manages the risk associated with the credit by structuring a concurrent single premium deferred annuity to provide future cash flows starting at a system determined date corresponding to actuarially determined requirements of the borrower. The data processing system accepts inputs of the critical data required to perform the calculations and provides a detailed assessment of the proper level of credit and blend of annuity payments for the borrower, thereby solving the principal problem associated with RM products. Thereafter, the system provides the management for the plural current and past accounts associated with the client-based attributes for each lending opportunity.

Abstract: A bar code symbol reading system for reading bar code symbols disposed on rotating containers, such as cans and bottles, which have various capacities and arbitrary surfaces upon which the bar code symbols are printed. The system includes a laser scanning engine which produces a three-dimensional laser scanning pattern having unique geometrical characteristics over a predefined scanning region, within which each container is rotated. Owing to its unique geometry, the laser scanning pattern facilitates reading of bar code symbols printed on arbitrary container surfaces while rotated within the predefined scanning region. As a result of the present invention, a single bar code symbol reading system can be used to read bar code symbols that are printed on the arbitrary surfaces of cans and bottles.

Abstract: A three-dimensional porous mesh structure is prepared from a two-dimensional sheet form having a unique arrangement of main and secondary troughs on a first surface, and openings extending therethrough. The arrangement of troughs and openings creates an elaborate matrix of pores when the two-dimensional sheet is formed into the three-dimensional porous mesh structure which emulates osteon-evacuated bone.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of bitumen from bitumen froth generated from tar sands is presented. In this process bitumen froth, extracted from tar sands using a water process not requiring the use of caustic soda, is treated in a counter-current decantation circuit with a paraffinic solvent to remove precipitated asphaltenes, water, and solids from the bitumen froth. The instant invention produces a dilute bitumen product having final water and solids content of about 0.01 to about 1.00% by weight rendering the dilute bitumen product amenable to direct hydrocracking. This process provides an alternative route to the conventional process utilizing centrifuges to separate bitumen from precipitated asphaltenes, water, and solids thereby avoiding the high capital and operating costs associated with the conventional bitumen froth treatment by centrifugation.