Abstract: A wheelchair incorporates a tilt mechanism with a center of gravity compensation by employing a rotary actuator. The actuator is secured to the underside of the seat and has an arm pivotally secured to the frame. A seat pivot axis is located on a movable member that allows the axis to shift from a rear portion of the wheelchair toward a front portion as the seat is tilted from its upright position to a tilted position. This assures that the center of gravity of the user is maintained within the wheelbase of the chair, i.e., compensates for center of gravity.

Abstract: A therapeutic-containing composition adapted for the oral administration of a biologically active material which comprises a water insoluble but water swellable polymer chemically modified with an enzyme inhibitor containing a chemical functionality which has an interactive affinity for target receptors located on the transport barrier walls of the digestive tract of the intended recipient, and at least one therapeutic of low oral bioavailability.

Abstract: A lubricant composition is disclosed which comprises, a triglyceride oil lubricant and an oil soluble antimony compound as an antioxidant. Preferred antimony compounds are antimony dialkyldithiocarbamate and antimony dialkylphosphorodithioates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bone plate having at least two and up to ten rimmed eyelets for receiving anchoring bone screws in a modified ball-and-socket joint. The eyelets are longitudinally aligned and joined to neighboring eyelets by curvilinear, bendable ribs extending between pairs of eyelets. The ribs are of a longer length than the distance between the external surfaces of adjacent rings which allows the longitudinal spacing of the rings to be increased or decreased by bending the ribs.

Abstract: A drug delivery system (10) includes a first capsule half (12) having an inner chamber (16) for containing a drug (18) therein. A plug (28) is disposed in a passageway (26) of the capsule half (12) for plugging the opening (24) thereof. The plug (28) is releasable from the passageway opening (24) upon the application of pressure from within the inner chamber (16). A pump mechanism, reactive with the external environment of the capsule half (12), causes an increase in pressure within the inner chamber (16) and forces the plug (28) out of the passageway (26) to release the drug (18) from the inner chamber (16) and out of the passageway (26). Thusly, after initial release of drug from a second capsule half (14) releasably mounted on the first capsule half (12), the first capsule half (12) provides a second pulse of drug release at a predetermined time after initial ingestion of the capsule.

Abstract: A wheelchair frame has a guide member operatively and slidably connected thereto. A chair is pivotally attached to the slidable guide member. An actuator for moving the chair forward and backward is connected at one end to the slidable guide member and at the other end to the wheelchair frame. A link arm has one end operatively connected to the frame and the other end pivotally connected to the seat of the integral wheelchair. Upon actuation of the actuator, the guide member moves the chair forward or backwards and as a consequence thereof, the seat is tilted backward or forward by the link arm to substantially maintain the center of gravity of a person seated in the chair.

Abstract: Benzoxazine monomers, oligomers and polymers are desirably modified by adding pendant functional groups to either the amine or phenolic reactants. These pendant functional groups can be activated at temperatures generally from about 25.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C. to form chemical bonds between said benzoxazine monomers, oligomers and polymers. The additional chemical bonds increase the thermal stability of benzoxazine polymers such that they can withstand higher use temperature, act as more effective flame barriers, or result in higher amounts of char if used as a precursor to high temperature (600-1000.degree. C. reaction condition) chars.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the remote maintenance, troubleshooting, and/or repair of electric or motorized wheelchairs is disclosed. A wheelchair diagnostic system includes a data communications network, a motorized wheelchair having a controller associated therewith, a modem coupled between the controller and the data communications network, a remote data processing unit coupled to the data communications network, and a diagnostics tool executing on the remote data processing unit which facilitates communicating with the controller across the data communications network. The diagnostics tool includes computer readable code which causes data from the controller to be downloaded across the data communications network to the remote data processing unit so that a service technician can view error code and drive parameter data for troubleshooting, diagnosing and/or repairing the wheelchair.

Abstract: An input command controller (A) provides logic function selection signals and proportional signals. The signals are generated by movement of a ball member (12) and socket member (14) relative to two orthogonal axes. When the joystick is implanted, a transmitter (50) transmits the signals to a patient carried unit (B). The patient carried unit includes an amplitude modulation algorithm such as a look-up table (124), a pulse width modulation algorithm (132), and an interpulse interval modulation algorithm (128). The algorithms derive corresponding stimulus pulse train parameters from the proportional signal which parameters are transmitted to an implanted unit (D). The implanted unit has a power supply (302) that is powered by the carrier frequency of the transmitted signal and stimulation pulse train parameter decoders (314, 316, 318). An output unit (320) assembles pulse trains with the decoded parameters for application to implanted electrodes (E).

Abstract: A device for oral cleaning consists of an elongate handle carrying a resilient pad, for example of polyester foam, with flock adhering directly to its surface. Preferably the pad surrounds an underlying support portion of the handle so that this does not contact the interior of the mouth in use. The handle support portion may have a series of projections to enhance the cleaning action. The pad may be pre-impregnated with an oral cleaning agent.

Abstract: A hemocompatible composition comprising a polymer containing at least one pharmacologic material chemically bonded to a polymer backbone. Such compositions may be obtained by reacting a pharmacologic material with a compound containing a polymerizable group (e.g., an acyl halide) and thereafter either copolymerizing the acylated material with one or more copolymerizable monomers or first irradiating a backbone polymer and thereafter grafting the acylated pharmacologic material onto the irradiated polymer. The resulting products are hemocompatible and may be used in the manufacture of medical devices which come in contact with blood or other bodily fluids. The advantage of chemically bonded pharmacologic materials is that they are not leached out and retain their pharmaceutical effectiveness for a long period of time. The compositions may contain one or more additional pharmacologic materials which are physically admixed with polymers containing bonded pharmacologic materials.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for permitting the magnetization of flexible hard magnetic materials in the form of sheets or strips, such as magnetic rubber, wherein opposing arrays formed from alternating magnetic disks and flux conducting elements are use in sets of two with opposing polar moments such as to induce a magnetic flux in the gap between the discs. The width of the magnetic disk and flux conducting elements, respectively, are selected to optimize the magnetic pull strength of the material. At the array ends are flux conducting elements that are about 1/2 (i.e., from about 0.25 to about 0.75, and preferably from about 0.4 to 0.6) of the width of the internal flux conducting elements. A material to be magnetized is passed between the array sets in contrast with both disks and consequently imprinted with magnetic poles. The magnetized properties of the material is enhanced by passing the material through a second set of arrays which are axially offset with respect to the first set of arrays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a seat cushion assembly for use, in particular, in a wheelchair. The assembly includes a sculpted or molded foam base having exterior sidewalls profiled to accommodate a wheelchair frame, and a seating surface to provide some positioning support to the occupant. Further, the base includes a well area to be positioned under the ischial tuberosities of the occupant and including means for the removable attachment of a flexible envelope containing a fluid filling material. The envelope is comprised of upper and lower elastomeric sheet materials sealed about the perimeter. It is divided by internal seal sections so as to inhibit fluid migration within the envelope. These internal seals define a tapering flow orifice which provide for gradual restriction of a flow channel to permit flow so as to avoid failure inhibiting fluid migration.

Abstract: A closure arrangement for a bottle has a tiltable closure cap (14) mounted on a special neck formation having a spherical surface zone (18, 20) on the inner and/or outer surfaces. The closure cap (14) has an upper portion (36), e.g. in the form of a cap, joined to a downward extension e.g. in the form of a sealing annulus (22) which is trapped below the restricted opening formed by the neck's overhanging convergent zone (18). The annulus (22) seals in the convergent zone. The closure is opened by tilting the cap (36), e.g. with one finger, thus tilting one side of the sealing annulus (22) up and out of sealing engagement to open up a flow passage. An exterior guide part (40) of the cap (36) slides down the outer spherical surface (20) of the neck to control the tilt movement. In an alternative embodiment the sealing periphery is at the upper, cap portion of the closure which may also have a discharge spout.

Abstract: A unidirectional coupling arrangement for sense-selectively coupling the rotation of a fishing reel spool to a braking or drag arrangement. First and second relatively rotatable elements of the coupling arrangement connect by interlocking teeth which on the first element are carried by an axially-deflectable discrete rotor entrained by a surrounding ring. In the coupled sense of rotation a cam engagement between the rotor and surrounding ring keeps the rotor axially against the complementary teeth on the second rotational element. The onset of rotation in the opposite sense creates a cam engagement between the rotor and surrounding ring which slides the rotor axially away from the second element, disengaging the coupling teeth. This avoids the clicking sound associated with conventional sprung pawls in the uncoupled condition.

Abstract: An acoustic oxygen sensor is provided which can be used in the output lines leading from the sieve beds. This sensor can be used in communication with a microprocessor to control the production and evacuation cycles of the sieve beds, i.e., for example to determine the period for which a bed is supplied with compressed air and communicates with the reservoir as well as to determine the pressure of the compressed air and to determine the amount of time that the product gas is fed through the flow equalization path to supply an aliquot of purging gas to a used bed. In the feedback loop, the microprocessor utilizes the measured oxygen concentration and flow rate to optimize the settings necessary to achieve maximum oxygen concentration and flow rate efficiency. Since the microprocessor has the ability to make incremental changes and compare relative values, the optimum values can be determined empirically eliminating the need to perform complex theoretical calculations.

Abstract: A foldable wheelchair includes a cross brace assembly having first and second brace members pivotally secured to one another. First ends of the brace members are clamped to respective side frames of the wheelchair. Second ends of the brace members are removably secured to respective seat rails so that the cross brace assembly can be adjustably positioned forwardly and rearwardly along the side frames and seat rails. This provides for ease of seat depth adjustment that accommodates growth of the wheelchair user without having to purchase additional components.

Abstract: A furnace cleaning apparatus for cleaning a cyclone furnace with a fluid from a fluid source. The furnace cleaning apparatus comprises a beam assembly capable of being pivotably mounted to the cyclone furnace. A rotary actuator is connected to the beam assembly for turning the beam assembly. A trolley is movably mounted to the beam assembly. A chain drive assembly and a drive source for moving the trolley relative to the beam assembly are mounted to the beam assembly. An articulated arm assembly is pivotally connected to the trolley. A rotary actuator is mounted to the articulated arm assembly for pivoting the articulated arm assembly relative to the trolley. A nozzle is connected to a second end of the articulated arm assembly. A fluid conduit connects the nozzle to a fluid source.