Abstract: An endovascular support device for treatment of chronic restenosis or other vascular narrowing is disclosed together with a method of manufacture and a method for delivering a plurality of such devices to an affected area of a vessel. In a preferred embodiment, the endovascular support device comprises a unitary wirelike structure configured to form a plurality of upper and lower peaks which may be compressed for delivery to an affected area of a coronary or peripheral vessel in a human, and then expanded to maintain a passageway through the vessel.

Abstract: A cursor control device for personal computers and workstations includes a randomly speckled ball illuminated with diffuse lighting. An image of at least a portion of the illuminated area of the speckled ball is focused by an optical element such as a diffractive optical element onto a photosensitive array. Logic associated with the photosensitive array determines movement of the ball across the array, and translates that movement into conventional cursor control signals supplied to a host system.

Abstract: A light electric dental flosser with a rechargeable battery compartment includes a motor casing, interchangeably individualized head units, and disposable plastic floss tips that snap mount within the hinged end of the head unit. The floss tips exhibit bidirectional flossing motion provided from a motion translation system including an eccentric cam, a yoke, and an output shaft with a cam follower mechanism that follows a generally Z-shaped tracking surface with a vertical track component and a horizontal track component enabled by the yoke to complete the resulting "Z" movement. The floss tips have a molded-in filament and are molded from a shock absorbing substance which absorbs the vertical component of the "Z" shaped motion upon the application of pressure to the filament thereby outputting horizontal motion until the filament passes through the contact area between two teeth.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for selectively varying the load to a photodetector such as a phototransistor which forms part of a photosource/photodetector pair and for selectively using to advantage or compensating for the parasitic capacitance of the photodetector to permit reductions in power, conversion of fixed signal thresholds to software controlled digital hysteresis, automatic adjustment and compensation for unmatched photosources and associated photodetectors, and adjustment of fixed voltage thresholds.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of the invention create a movable paper machine threading tail that can be shifted away from the front ends of downstream rolls, thereafter to be widened symmetrically from a central position of the machine. Embodiments of the improvement comprise two independently traversable cutting assemblies mounted on one or more transverse service beams. Each cutting assembly comprises a traversing carriage upon which is mounted an appropriate web cutting device. Carriage positioning and cut activation are controlled in a way that one of said tools replaces the machine's somewhat permanently positioned front deckle squirt in defining the front most edge of a threading tail. Apparatus of the improvement also provide the means of creating and removing a sample from a main web without interrupting the path of the web through the machine thereby avoiding the need to re-thread following sampling procedures.

Abstract: A modular computer chassis with passive backplane is provided for a personal computer system with a plurality of open-ended and vertically or horizontally interconnectable bays, or a single case with bays, for slidably receiving component trays each having a printed double sided bus direction adaptor board with a bus connector at one end and a female bus connector mounted to the top surface for attaching an expansion card parallel to the board. The end bus connector extends through the back wall of the tray to connect to a female bus connector on a passive backplane connector board attached to the back of the chassis. The adaptor board converts the established bus connection between the card and female bus connector 90 degrees to the bus connector at the rear of the tray. A front cover, or individual tray covers, cover the front of the chassis as a locking and security mechanism.

Abstract: Light Dependent Resistors (LDR's) are used together with a differential amplifier and a plurality of reference resistors to replace conventional analog potentiometer controls and thus offer digital activation and programmability to a traditional style vacuum tube preamplifier.

Abstract: A multi-compartmented wallet is formed from a single piece of material in accordance with a predetermined pattern of cuts and fold lines. The generally rectangular material is initially cut leaving tab-like projections extending from both short edges. Slots are cut from a middle region of both short edges and extend inwardly for approximately one third of the length of the rectangle thereby dividing each short edge into two sections. Selected fold lines are pre-creased and each tab and a contiguous triangular portion of material is folded inwardly over the rectangle and the diagonal fold line is secured with adhesive, leaving the tab free. Opposed sections of the short edges of the material are then folded upwardly, and the short edges are pinched in the middle forming two opposed gathers that are perpendicular to the inward fold. The opposed gathers are interlaid to form compartments in the wallet. The completed wallet has fourteen pockets.

Abstract: A manually operated pump includes a pulley sheave oppositely wound with cord and rotatably mounted on a support element, a two-stage pump, and a reciprocal action shaft. The shaft is mounted eccentrically through the assembled pump, including through a clearance hole and slot in a main piston of the pump. The pump is a cylinder with a double-ended piston slidably mounted within and forming a main chamber at each end of the cylinder. An offset high pressure piston extends into the main chamber from each cylinder end for operation with offset high pressure chambers defined in each end of the double-ended piston. Passageways with differential air pressure valves lead from the slot to the main chambers, from the main chambers to the high pressure chambers, and from the high pressure piston to outlets.

Abstract: A power supply for use with a musical amplifier includes two user-selectable rectifiers for variously enhancing sound generated by a musical instrument such as a guitar, or by recorded musical material which in either case consists of electrical signals applied to a vacuum tube amplifying apparatus. The first of two rectifiers comprises one or more thermionic vacuum tube devices, depending upon power needs, while the second rectifier is comprised of solid-state silicon diodes. A switch circuit enables the user to select which of the two rectifier devices is better suited to the contemporaneous use of the amplifier.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of the invention create a movable paper machine threading tail that can be shifted away from the front ends of downstream rolls, thereafter to be widened symmetrically from a central position of the machine. Embodiments of the improvement comprise two independently traversable cutting assemblies mounted on one or more transverse service beams. Each cutting assembly comprises a traversing carriage upon which is mounted an appropriate web cutting device. Carriage positioning and cut activation are controlled in a way that one of said tools replaces the machine's somewhat permanently positioned front deckle squirt in defining the front most edge of a threading tail. Apparatus of the improvement also provide the means of creating and removing a sample from a main web without interrupting the path of the web through the machine thereby avoiding the need to re-thread following sampling procedures.

Abstract: A stand-alone electropneumatic closed loop servo system, with a separate gas supply to an air actuated cylinder, provides pressure, position, or fluid flow control of a variable conductivity valve in a device by automatically varying the conductance of the device. The air cylinder defines a control chamber and a smaller volume response chamber separated by a piston operatively connected to the variable conductivity valve. The gas supply includes a constant pressure line, with a pressure regulator valve and a check valve, into the control chamber and a variable pressure line, with a variable pressure solenoid valve, into the response chamber. A feedback signal from the device to a controller is compared to a desired pressure set point. The controller signals the solenoid to vary its output pressure thereby causing the piston to move accordingly to actuate the variable conductance valve.

Abstract: An archery aiming device includes in combination an illuminated bowsight connected to a battery operated electronic module, an automatic mode rotary switch mechanism, and a optional selectable manual mode trigger switch mechanism. The electronic module and bowsight attach to a conventional tournament sight, the rotary switch mechanism attaches to a conventional bowsight, and the optional trigger switch mechanism attaches to a convention trigger device. The bow carries a negative charge from the battery. Selection of either the automatic or the manual mode serves to complete the electrical circuit to operate the illuminated bowsight. The automatic mode additionally tells the archer that he/she has reached precise full draw anchor position prior to shooting the arrow. A draw length calibrator is provided for setting drawing length.

Abstract: An adaptive vertical low pass filter for a television signal process comprises an input for receiving an unfiltered video data stream and an output for putting out an adaptively low pass filtered video data stream. An adaptive processing circuit between the input and the output provides the adaptively low pass filtered video data stream in accordance with an adaptive control signal. A vertical condition detection circuit is responsive to at least one predetermined vertical condition at the input and includes a filtering component generator for generating the adaptive control signal in response to detection of the predetermined vertical pixel condition and for applying the adaptive control signal to the combiner circuit.

Abstract: An adaptive vertical low pass filter for a television signal process comprises an input for receiving an unfiltered video data stream and an output for putting out an adaptively low pass filtered video data stream. An adaptive processing circuit between the input and the output provides the adaptively low pass filtered video data stream in accordance with an adaptive control signal. A vertical condition detection circuit is responsive to at least one predetermined vertical condition at the input and includes a filtering component generator for generating the adaptive control signal in response to detection of the predetermined vertical pixel condition and for applying the adaptive control signal to the combiner circuit.

Abstract: A suspension bicycle includes swing arms, control arms and hub plates connected to the seat riser tube of the frame in a trapezoidal arrangement balanced to offset forces applied to the rear wheel by the chain to prevent absorption of pedaling energy by the suspension system while still permitting the suspension system to be responsive to changes in road conditions.