Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for interfacing between a peripheral device and a host processor. The invented cache memory and pre-processor operates in either an acquisition mode, where it appears to be a memory dedicated to the peripheral, or in a retrieval mode, where it appears to be a memory dedicated to the host microprocessor. For example, the cache memory can be reconfigured from a 2K byte by 16-bit space during the acquisition mode to a 4K byte .times.8-bit space during the retrieval mode, wherein the high and low bytes of the previously defined 16-bit words are interleaved.

Abstract: An implantable hydraulic urinary sphincter system is disclosed for maintaining continence in those patients unable to control or stop inadvertent urinary flow. The invented apparatus generally consists of an artificial urinary sphincter and a control means for automatically increasing or decreasing sphincter pressure with sensed bladder and/or intra-abdominal pressure. An improved mechanical actuation means is also disclosed which allows the patient to urinate. To urinate the patient presses a push button centered on a septum located on the outer wall of the subcutaneously implanted control unit.

Abstract: A medication infusion system having a means for providing an informational signal when (1) medication in the reservoir falls below a threshold level; (2) a fluid leak occurs in different portions of the system; and (3) the intended medication pumping does not correlate with the pumping actually affected.

Abstract: A single-use, self-annulling syringe is disclosed that is rendered inoperative after a single use without requiring any deliberate action on the part of a user. The injection device uses a hydrophilic expansion plug positioned in the outlet flow channel of the syringe, which expands a short time after being exposed to a drug containing water, thereby rendering the syringe inoperative.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of percutaneous insertion catheters that are used for placing a coil spring stent into a vessel of a living body for the purposes of enhancing luminal dilation, preventing arterial restenosis and preventing vessel blockage resulting from intimal dissection following balloon and other methods of angioplasty. The stent can also be used for the maintaining patency of many different ducts or vessels within a living body.

Abstract: An atherectomy apparatus and method is disclosed for the purpose of surgical excision of atheromas which typically consist of plaque deposits that cause narrowing (stenosis) of an artery. The apparatus, called a pullback atherectomy catheter, cuts and collects obstructive material into a collection chamber as the catheter is pulled back through obstructive material within a human vessel such as an artery.

Abstract: An implantable hydraulic urinary sphincter system is disclosed for maintaining continence in those patients unable to control or stop inadvertent urrinary flow. The invented apparatus generally consists of an artificial urinary sphincter and a control means for obtaining continence while causing the artificial sphincter to apply mininmal pressure to the urethra for all conditions of the bladder. The invented apparatus: (1) automatically causes sphincter fluid pressure to increase or decrease with sensed bladder and/or abdominal pressure, and (2) is manually actuated by the patient when he or she desires to urinate. The invented apparatus can be filled with fluid, or the fluid pressure can be reset, after implantation without necessitating a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Optical devices using an organic charge transfer salt as the switching and storage media are disclosed. Generally, a light beam of a given intensity directed to a film of certain organic charge transfer salts causes the illuminated area to change from a first to a second state. This electrochemical process is reversible with heat energy transforming the illuminated area back into the first state. The first and second states have identifiably different optical and electrical properties. The organic charge transfer salt is used to fabricate an erasable or permanent optical memory and a threshold on bistable optoelectronic switch.

Abstract: An implantable programmable infusion pump (IPIP) is disclosed and generally includes: a fluid reservoir filled with selected medication; a pump for causing a precise volumetric dosage of medication to be withdrawn from the reservoir and delivered to the appropriate site within the body; and, a control means for actuating the pump in a safe and programmable manner. The control means includes a microprocessor, a permanent memory containing a series of fixed software instructions, and a memory for storing prescription schedules, dosage limits and other data. The microprocessor actuates the pump in accordance with programmable prescription parameters and dosage limits stored in the memory. A communication link allows the control means to be remotely programmed. The control means incorporates a running integral dosage limit and other safety features which prevent an inadvertent or intentional medication overdose.

Abstract: An improved platform transmitter terminal (PTT) is disclosed for use in an ARGOS type satellite system. The PTT has reduced size, weight and extended life due to a solar array/rechargeable battery power source operating under the supervision of a unique power supply control and protection means. The invented PTT, when used in an ARGOS type system, opens the possibility of tracking, on a global basis, wild animals weighing as little as a few kilograms.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the concentration of certain analytes, including hydrocarbons, in a liquid medium, is disclosed. The apparatus uses a planar or "open" capacitor containing an active layer. In response to selected analyte in the liquid medium, the active layer causes capacitance to decrease with increasing analyte concentration. The capacitance decreases because higher dielectric water molecules are displaced from a region of the capacitor's electric field. For certain hydrocarbon analytes having high Henry's Law constants, the active layer causes bubbles to nucleate in the liquid medium on the surface of the active layer. Bubble formation displaces water molecules and decreases capacitance.

Abstract: A Memory-Linked Wavefront Array Processor (MWAP) is disclosed which computes a broad range of signal processing, scientific and engineering problems at ultra-high speed. The memory-linked wavefront array processor is an array of identical programmable processing elements linked together by dual-port memory elements that contain a set of special purpose control flags. All communication in the network is done asynchronously via the linking memory elements, thus providing asynchronous global communication with the processing array. The architecture allows coefficients, intermediate calculations and data used in computations to be stored in the linking elements between processing stages. The novel architecture also allows coefficients, intermediate calculations and data to be passed between the processing elements in any desired order not restricted by the order data is to be used by the receiving processing element.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for non-invasively sensing physiological changes in the brain is disclosed. The apparatus and method uses an electromagnetic field to measure localized impedance changes in brain matter and fluid. Various spatial and temporal techniques are used to localize impedance changes in the brain. The apparatus and method has particular application in locating and providing time-trend measurements of the process of brain edema or the process of hydrocephalus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for non-invasive sensing of bone healing is disclosed. The apparatus and method uses an electromagnetic field to measure impedance changes at the bone fracture site during the healing process. The impedance change at the fracture site is a direct indication of the mechanical strength of the fracture site.

Abstract: An enhanced optically sensitive medium is disclosed which uses an organic charge transfer complex as the switching material. The organic charge transfer complex includes at least one moiety in an oxidized state. An enhancement mechanism is taught which provides a secondary source of neutral molecules of said at least one constituent moiety in the neutral or altered oxidation state. For example, with CuTCNQ used as the switching material, the erasing characteristics can be improved by using a covering dispersion having a matrix polymer interspersed with neutral molecules of TCNQ.degree..

Abstract: The invention concerns a bilge pump control system. Sensing of water level in the bilge is accomplished by the conduction of current (on the order of one milliampere) between two stainless steel probes. The probes are mounted in a triangular package which is placed in the boat bilge. When immersed, a conduction path is provided between the probes. One edge of the package is aligned with the probes to enhance water run-off. An associated circuit is activated when the conduction path is present (when the probes are immersed) which operates the bilge pump in a time-hysteresis fashion.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a second level bus arbitration method and apparatus for use with a distributed computer network. The invention alleviates any simultaneous access possibility by requiring any computing element which claims access to the bus to first send a pseudo-random sequence over a common line using open collector logic. A computing element can access the bus if the sequence appearing on the common line is the sequence it transmitted. The invented arbitration system does not require central control or centralized clocking.

Abstract: A multistate organic optical storage medium is disclosed, wherein an optical beam can switch any "data storage spot" on said optical storage medium into three or more memory states. The optical storage medium may consist of a mixture of bistate switching modules, or it may consist of large delocalized amphoteric molecules. The illuminated area of said optical storage medium will undergo an electrochemical topactic redox reaction which will cause certain moieties in the illuminated area to change oxidation state. By changing the intensity of the optical "write" beam the illuminated area can be switched to a plurality of specific states each state having a unique set of oxidation species. An optical/spectroscopic means is used to identify the presence of oxidation species and to "read" the data stored.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing gas bubbles from the fluid handling system of a medication infusion system is disclosed. Specifically, the invention discloses a method for removing fluid and/or gas bubbles from fluid reservoir and pumping chamber. The present invention utilizes a fluid pump of a single valve positive displacement design with the pump chamber in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A current-controlled, bistable threshold or memory switch comprises a polycrystalline metal-organic semiconductor sandwiched between netallic electrodes. Films of either copper or silver complexed with TNAP, DDQ, TCNE, TCNQ, derivative TCNQ molecules, or other such electron acceptors provide switching between high and low impedance states with combined delay and switching times on the order of 1 nanosecond. Switching behavior of a complex of the present invention is related to the reduction potential of the acceptor molecule.