Abstract: A composite microdot fabricated form a microdot and at least one composite layer. The composite layer is selected to impart to the composite microdot at least one of the characteristics of enhanced visibility, camouflage, buoyancy control, magnetic attraction, and controlled biodegradation. A second composite layer may also be applied to the microdot. A coating may also be selectively applied to the composite microdot, the coating having at least one of the features of being waterproof, water repellant, hydrophilic, soluble and opaque.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite having graphite fibers in a matrix of copper/copper alloy. The graphite fibers are coated with a refractory metal which both protects the graphite fibers from the molten copper/copper alloy while also acting as a wetting agent on the graphite fibers for intimate infiltration by the molten copper/copper alloy. The coated graphite fibers are prepared in a structure and placed against a copper/copper alloy element which is melted to produce the molten copper/copper alloy. The infiltration of the graphite fiber structure with the molten copper/copper alloy is characterized by the absence of pressure on the molten copper/copper alloy.

Abstract: A microtag cut from a sheet of plastic material and having at least one acuminate snag extending outwardly from the microtag. The sheet of plastic material includes a serial number replicated a plurality of times and the microtag is cut so as to contain at least one complete serial number. Each microtag is less than about two millimeters in diameter. The plastic material is nonconductive and can be from a plastic that will fluoresce under certain wavelengths of light. A plurality of microtags can be used to mark an item of personal property.

Abstract: A diaper configured with an inner panty enclosed within an outer panty, the inner panty having an absorbent pad inserted in an opening in the inner panty. The inner panty holds the absorbent pad snugly between the legs of the wearer but in spaced relationship to the outer panty. The outer panty is secured around its periphery to the inner panty and encloses both the absorbent pad and inner panty in spaced relationship. The spaced relationship forms an overflow reservoir beneath the absorbent pad.

Abstract: A bone milling guide apparatus and method for preparing the proximal end of a femur to receive a hip stem prosthesis in snug-fitting relationship. The ball portion of the femur is removed using conventional surgical techniques to expose the underlying cancellous bone. An axial bore is drilled in the intramedullary canal to receive the distal portion of the hip stem prosthesis. The proximal end of the axial bore is reamed to form a tapered recess which is dimensionally configured to receive a portion of the external surface of the proximal end of the hip stem prosthesis. A tapered, hollow body is inserted into the tapered recess and supports a U-shaped template extending outwardly therefrom. Each arm of the U-shaped template is affixed to the tapered, hollow body on each side of a longitudinal slot in the side of the tapered, hollow body.

Abstract: A kinesthetic feedback apparatus and method whereby braking forces are imposed on a hand-movable lever. The lever is either a joystick or a uniplanar lever, and the braking forces are imposed by a friction plate being pressed against a portion of the lever by a length of magnetostrictive material. An electromagnetic coil around the magnetostrictive material receives a signal from a remote apparatus driven by movement of the lever. The magnitude of the signal is a function of the resistive forces encountered by the remote apparatus so that the braking forces are directly proportional to the resistive forces thereby providing kinesthetic feedback to the person operating the lever.

Abstract: A linear actuator and method whereby linear movement of a drive rod is achieved in a step-wise fashion using a pair of clamping members in conjunction with extension members. The body of the linear actuator is configured as a pair of housings, each with a clamping member and slidably receiving the extension member. Each clamping member is each actuated by a magnetostrictive rod. A third magnetostrictive rod slidably passes through both housings and ends in abutment with each clamping member. The clamping members selectively affix the respective housing to the drive rod while the extension member pushes one clamping member relative to the other clamping member. A spring resiliently urges the two housings together and thereby cooperates with the two clamping members and the extension member in moving the linear actuator along the length of the drive rod.

Abstract: A tubing unloader for draining liquid from production tubing in an oil well. The tubing unloader has a hollow throughbore so as to form a part of the production tubing until it is necessary to drain the production tubing. The tubing unloader has two basic parts which telescopically cooperate to close or open drain holes in the tubing unloader. The bottom portion of the tubing unloader is a hollow cylinder configured as an outer mandrel body having a pair of J-slots formed on an internal surface. The top portion of the tubing unloader is a hollow cylinder configured as an inner mandrel having a pair of J-lugs protruding from its external surface. The inner mandrel includes a sliding valve and is telescopically received in the outer mandrel body in slide fit relationship with the J-lugs slidingly engaged in the J-slots.

Abstract: A diaper having an inner panty enclosed in spaced relationship by an outer panty. An absorbent pad is inserted in an opening in the inner panty. The inner panty holds the absorbent pad snugly against the perineal region between the legs of the wearer. An outer panty is secured around its periphery to the inner panty. The spaced relationship between the outer panty and the inner panty forms an overflow reservoir for the absorbent pad.

Abstract: An improved blood sample apparatus having a capillary channel formed in a basal element and enclosed with a transparent overlay to create a capillary tube. A chamber for receiving a sample of blood is formed in the basal element at one end of the capillary channel. A blotter is placed in the chamber to receive the sample of blood. An overflow reservoir is formed perpendicularly to the capillary tube and receives surplus blood in excess of that needed to fill the capillary tube. A scale adjacent the capillary tube provides an automatic reading of the hematocrit. The transparent overlay sealingly encloses the sample of blood inside the hematocrit apparatus. The transparent overlay also includes a writing surface and a machine-readable indicia.

Abstract: A spinal fixation apparatus and method wherein various elements are mounted to the vertebra and the sacrum of a spine and are selectively interconnected to achieve a predetermined fixation and/or correction of a particular spinal condition. The apparatus includes pedicle screws, bone screws, sacral rods, sublaminar hooks, spinous process hooks, longitudinal rods, lateral rods, universal interlinks, rod clamps, and pedicle screw anchors, all of which can be readily interconnected into a predetermined construct as a spinal fixation apparatus. A burr guide apparatus is provided to prepare the access site for a pedicle screw and a sacral screw guide is used to accurately align the pilot holes for the sacral screws.

Abstract: A process for removing residual oil from used oil filters. The process includes washing the oil filters with a wash water while simultaneously crushing the oil filters. The wash water has a carefully selected and limited surfactant to effectively remove the residual oil while reducing emulsification of the removed residual oil into the wash water. The oil is recovered and the wash water is recirculated after having been amended with surfactant and/or water to assure that the surfactant remains within the desired limits.

Abstract: A floor fan handtruck wherein the external housing of the floor fan forms the framework for the floor fan handtruck. A pair of wheels are attached to the bottom surface of the floor fan. A handle is attached to the external housing. The handle also serves as a storage and transportation frame for an electrical cord and a safety cone. A hitch plate is attached to the end of the discharge chute of a first floor fan and is designed to receive a hitch pin mounted to the handle of a second floor fan to enable the operator to pull the second floor fan handtruck with the first floor fan handtruck in a trailer fashion.

Abstract: A water/surfactant process for removing oil from a soil that has been contaminated by an oil spill. The surfactant is carefully selected from a group consisting of linear alcohols having eight to fifteen carbon atoms and two to eight ethylene oxide units on the carbon atoms. The surfactant concentration is also held to about 0.5 percent, by volume, or less to minimize the formation of an emulsion between the oil and the wash water. The process provides a clean separation of the oil from the soil as well as from the water. The limited surfactant also minimizes dispersion of clay fines from the soil into the water. The water/surfactant is heated for improved removal of oil from the soil.

Abstract: A dental bleach system and method whereby fumed silica is used as a base for forming a paste with a solution of hydrogen peroxide, the paste acting as a nonreactive carrier to control the delivery of the hydrogen peroxide solution to the dental surface. The fumed silica is provided as a predetermined quantity in a mixing chamber while the hydrogen peroxide solution is provided as a premeasured volume in an ampule. Both items are made available to the dental care professional in a single patient use kit.

Abstract: A cholangiography catheter for injecting dye into a cystic duct during laparoscopic cholangiography. The catheter includes a bifurcated connector having a length of tubing and a check valve mounted to each arm of the connector. A saline syringe is coupled to one check valve and a dye syringe is coupled to the other check valve. The check valves and respective syringes are color coordinated to preclude inadvertently using the wrong syringe. The catheter is fabricated from a medical grade polymer having a preselected degree of compliant memory and includes indicia for providing a visual indication of the depth of penetration of the tip of the catheter into the cystic duct.

Abstract: A diaper configured with an inner panty enclosed within an outer panty, the inner panty having an absorbent pad inserted in an opening in the inner panty. The inner panty holds the absorbent pad snugly between the legs of the wearer but in spaced relationship to the outer panty. The outer panty is secured around its periphery to the inner panty and encloses both the absorbent pad and inner panty in spaced relationship. The spaced relationship forms an overflow reservoir beneath the absorbent pad.

Abstract: A fenestrated, hollow needle mounted in fluid communication to a hollow hub, the hollow hub being mountable to a syringe or other suitable suction device for creating a negative pressure inside the hollow needle while it is inserted into tissue from which a biopsy sample is to be collected. The fenestrations are located adjacent the sharpened tip of the hollow needle and provide a significantly greater quantity of cells for the biopsy sample by scraping the cells from the tissue as the hollow needle in passing through the tissue. The diameter of the fenestrations are limited so as to inhibit tissue from being drawn through the fenestrations into a plugging relationship in the hollow needle. The hollow hub includes a reservoir for receiving the biopsy sample along with a pair of outwardly extending wings for improved and safer handling of the hollow hub.

Abstract: A process for recovering hydrocarbon contaminants from a drilling mud by adding a hydrocarbon diluent along with a wash water to create an emulsion. The wash water having a surfactant dissolved therein. The resultant emulsion is subjected to centrifugation which produces three distinct layers that can be easily separated to produce a clean drilling mud, a clear wash water, and a hydrocarbon phase containing the hydrocarbon contaminant and the hydrocarbon diluent.

Abstract: A terminal for an electrical conductor, the terminal including a metal disc having a hole in its center along with a plurality of detents formed in the metal disc. The detents are configured to be received in nesting relationship with corresponding detents on adjacent terminals when the terminals are stacked with the holes in alignment. A bolt is passed through the holes to secure the terminals together. The nested detents restrict the terminals against rotational movement.