Abstract: A thrombectomy catheter device having an improved hemostasis valve which is self-sealing and which functions as a one-way valve. The self-sealing hemostasis valve can be factory preset to automatically seal with or without the inclusion of a guidewire at a certain desired pressure or allowable leakage. Such sealing is automatic without the need to manually manipulate a hemostasis nut to obtain hemostasis. The thrombectomy catheter device can, without hemostasis nut adjustment, be positioned along and about a guidewire while yet maintaining suitable pressure for sustaining hemostasis at a preferred level. Certain embodiments of the thrombectomy catheter device having a self-sealing hemostasis valve include an adjustable hemostasis nut which can be manually tightened to restrict flow or guidewire movement or loosened to reduce friction on the guidewire and allow fluid to flow out if desired.

Abstract: A gas inflation/evacuation system and sealing system for use with occlusive devices in vascular procedures. The gas inflation/evacuation system is removably connectable via the sealing system to a proximal portion of a guidewire assembly having a guidewire that defines a lumen and includes a first syringe system for evacuating the lumen and a second syringe system for introducing a biocompatible gas into the lumen to inflate an occlusive balloon that is in fluid communication with the lumen a plurality of times. The sealing system selectively seals the proximal portion of the guidewire and includes a crimping mechanism and a compression sealing mechanism having a resilient seal for sealing around the proximal portion of the guidewire when it is passed therethrough.

Abstract: A packaging system or storage arrangement that includes provision to indicate the presence of oxygen. An oxygen-sensitive material is placed inside a sealable container. Air is evacuated from the sealable container and the sealable container is sealed to isolate the oxygen-sensitive material from oxygen. The sealable container is then irradiated with an effective amount of radiation to activate the oxygen-sensitive material such that the oxygen-sensitive material will undergo a visual change in the presence of oxygen after the oxygen-sensitive material has been irradiated. The visual change provides an indication of the presence of oxygen inside the sealable container.

Abstract: A thrombectomy catheter system with occluder and method of using same for removal of tissue, such as thrombus and the like, from a vessel in the body. Multiple catheters and an occluder-bearing guidewire tube at a thrombus site provide for expandable deployment of a compliant occluder against the vasculature walls distal to the thrombus. The expanded occluder is maneuvered proximally to urge thrombus into close proximity with a retractable capture cone located distally on a capture catheter where the thrombus is dislodged, entrained, and broken into pieces by the action of a fluid jet emanator and then evacuated through the capture catheter.

Abstract: Referee's wireless horn indicator system for aiding a referee in accurately officiating in a sports event. The system includes a controller and a sensory receiver. The controller includes the official time clock for the sports event, a control circuit coupled to the official time clock, and a radio transmitter activated by the control circuit for sending a radio signal to the sensory receiver. The sensory receiver is worn by the referee, for instance on the wrist, and includes a radio receiver and a sensory stimulating device such as a vibrator, both battery powered. Upon the official time clock reaching zero, a signal is sent by the transmitter to the radio receiver which then activates the sensory stimulating device to impart a tactual signal to the referee, thereby apprizing him of the expiration of the time period.

Abstract: A tubular guidewire assembly having a distal occlusive device and an extended crimpable section proximate a proximal end that is adapted to connect to a gas inflation/evacuation system. The extended crimpable section can be selectively sealed at one of a plurality of separate locations to form an airtight seal of the tubular guidewire assembly. Each time a deflation of the occlusive device is desired in order to reestablish blood flow to a vessel downstream of the occlusive device, the extended crimpable section preferably is cut distal to the location of the last seal to quickly deflate the occlusive device.

Abstract: Electronically programmed signs consist of any array of picture elements (pixels) that can be controlled independently to create an image. Varying the intensity of each pixel and adding multiple colors per pixel will enhance the image quality. It is currently common to have displays that use one, two or three separate colors in a pixel (monochrome, red-green, and red, green and blue) with intensity levels of two, four, eight up to 256 and beyond. Multiple colored pixels can combine colors at various intensity levels to expand the displayable color palette.

Abstract: A pet door panel insert which has a vertically expandable panel assembly in the upper region thereof installs in a sliding glass patio door or other entity arrangement simply without complicated tools. A positionable structure in the expandable panel assembly is controllingly spaced from a stationary structure of the expandable panel assembly and is actuated upwardly to engage the upper structure of a door frame to sturdily affix the pet door panel insert within the door frame. Opposed vertically adjustable front and rear cover slide plates are frictionally engaged by the upper region of a framework to seal the expandable panel assembly against the outside environment.

Abstract: An automated Meds dispenser system including a staging station for systematic loading of Meds into vials and an automated Meds dispenser for receiving and for subsequent distribution of Meds containing vials at multiple times over a period of multiple days. User friendly on-board circuitry and controls are provided to set the desired Meds distribution times. A positionable indexer plate accommodates the vials containing Meds which are loaded by the user or health care professional and subsequently distributed and presented by the automated Meds dispenser on a timely basis one vial at a time for use by a patient. The positionable indexer plate is advanced one position at a time as specified and stored in an onboard programmable microprocessor.

Abstract: An automated Meds dispenser system including a staging station for systematic loading of Meds into vials and an automated Meds dispenser for receiving and for subsequent distribution of Meds containing vials at multiple times over a period of multiple days. User friendly on-board circuitry and controls are provided to set the desired Meds distribution times. A positionable indexer plate accommodates the vials containing Meds which are loaded by the user or health care professional and subsequently distributed and presented by the automated Meds dispenser on a timely basis one vial at a time for use by a patient. The positionable indexer plate is advanced one position at a time as specified and stored in an onboard programmable microprocessor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring wet contact touchpads where the opening of the contacts and the closing of the contacts of a wet contact touchpad are monitored and sensed by a timer/controller. The wet contact touchpad forms a capacitor which is charged to maintain a low voltage when the contacts are open. Upon reaching a predetermined decreasing voltage charge across the wet contact touchpad, the voltage status is further scrutinized by voltage sampling to determine when a contact closure or a contact break has occurred. Such determination is carried out in multiple cycle fashion by quickly and repeatedly introducing a charge voltage, discontinuing the charge voltage, and sampling the charged voltage to determine a decrease or an increase. A decrease indicates a wet contact touchpad closed circuit and an increase indicates a wet contact touchpad open circuit. Sampling of the increasing or decreasing charges determines timed occurrences accurately.

Abstract: An electronic display module having a four-point latching system for incorporation into an electronic sign and process where more than one latch mechanism can be actuated simultaneously to deploy to engage the mounting panel assembly of an electronic sign. Gear operated actuating arms incorporated in an overcenter arrangement position latch in opposing latch mechanisms to position latch arms outwardly in a linear direction over a mounting panel assembly followed by pivotal latch positioning to rotationally engage the latch arms against the mounting panel assembly to secure the electronic display module to the mounting panel assembly.

Abstract: A device for removing a thrombus or other tissue deposit from the cardiovascular system, natural or synthetic tubule or cavity found in the human body of a patient without the need to surgically access the location of the thrombus or other tissue deposit via a cut-down or other surgical procedure. A flexible metal or high pressure plastic tube conveys an extremely high pressure stream of sterile saline or other physiologic solution to at least one jet at the distal end of the catheter. At least one jet is directed at the opening of a large exhaust lumen or other target. The jet(s) is responsible for providing a localized negative pressure which entrains tissue into the jet from break-up of the debris. This jet(s) can also provide stagnation pressure in the exhaust lumen which drives the tissue or thrombotic debris out of the exhaust lumen. Operation of the device with tip pressure greater than 500 psi provides this device with the entrainment and exhaust characteristics which contribute to its effectiveness.

Abstract: A wireless scoreboard display system, including at least two scoreboard displays, two controllers, a spread spectrum radio receiver in each scoreboard display, and a spread spectrum radio transmitter in each controller. Software controls the selection of a transmitting channel while a combination of hardware and software is used in the selection of a receiving channel.

Abstract: A portable sign system being self-contained and having a digital display panel which can be hydraulically raised to a suitable height and subsequently be rotated by a worm gear which is manually driven or electrically driven by a motor. A broad based upper assembly having an UHMW plastic stabilizing plate and rotation plates and attached worm gear drive serves as a rotatable and stabile mount for a digital or other display panel and an attached solar array. The digital display panel is automatically locked in azimuthal position by the worm gear drive without a conscious operator effort. Azimuth orientation of the digital display panel can be effected by a hand crank, manually by an electrical switch, automatically by an onboard computer control or by remote control.

Abstract: Cross stream thrombectomy catheter and system for fragmentation and removal of thrombus or other material from blood vessels or other body cavities. High velocity saline jets emitted from a toroidal loop jet emanator or other jet emanator in a catheter distal end entrain fluid through inflow orifices, and with flow resistances create a back-pressure which drives cross stream streams through outflow orifices in a radial direction and thence radially and circumferentially to apply normal and drag forces on thrombotic deposits or lesions in the blood vessel or other body cavity, thereby breaking apart and transporting thrombus particles to be entrained through the inflow orifices, whereupon the high velocity jets macerate the thrombus particles which then transit an exhaust lumen or recirculate again via the outflow orifices.

Abstract: A gas inflation/evacuation system and sealing system for use with occlusive devices such as occlusive balloons in vascular procedures. The gas inflation/evacuation system is removably connectible to a proximal portion of a guidewire assembly and includes an evacuation system to evacuate the guidewire assembly and an inflation system for introducing a biocompatible gas under pressure into the guidewire assembly to inflate an occlusive device a plurality of times. A sealing system is also removably connectible to the proximal portion of the guidewire assembly and selectively seals an extended sealable section at the proximal portion of the guidewire assembly at one of a plurality of separate locations to form an airtight seal of the guidewire assembly.

Abstract: A workstation (10 or 10a) facilitates hooking of rugs and provides storage of rug hooking supplies, tools, and equipment. The workstation (10 or 10a) is made up of a framework (12) with a rolling support (50) to allow mobility and a stabilizer (36) to engage a support surface. A laterally extending grab bar (56) combines with a top plate (34) to form a gap (58) adjacent to the grab bar (56) to define a handle, the handle enabling the framework (12) to be tilted rotationally about the rolling support (50) and pulled in a movement direction. The framework (12) has a storage area (18) for the rug foundation and a plurality of bins (80) attached to the framework (12) to store fabric swatches. A hook (84) is attached to some of the bins (80), and a plurality of hooks (92) are attached to the framework (12), the hooks (84) and (92) providing storage of cut fabric strips.

Abstract: A guidewire occlusion system for use in vascular procedures includes a repeatably inflatable gas-filled occlusive device proximate a distal end of a tubular guidewire assembly having an extended sealable section proximate a proximal end. A gas inflation/evacuation system is removably connectable to the proximal end of the guidewire assembly and includes an evacuation system to evacuate air from the guidewire and an inflation system for introducing a gas under pressure into the guidewire to inflate the occlusive balloon a plurality of times. A sealing system is also removably connectable to the proximal end of the guidewire assembly and selectively seals the extended sealable section at one of a plurality of separate locations along the extended sealable section to form an airtight seal of the tubular guidewire.