Abstract: An endoscopic surgery pouch including a compartment attached to an elongate member, both made from woven plastics material. The pouch is deployed along a cannula using a flexible rod which also stiffens the deployed compartment. The pouch is particularly useful for gall bladder surgery.

Abstract: A balloon consisting of braided fibers encapsulated between two plastic elastomeric materials affixes to a distal end of a catheter. The braided fibers provide reinforcement to contain pressure and determine the maximum diameter of the balloon on expansion. The elastomeric material provides for fluid containment and collapsing of the balloon after pressurization. An embedded spring in an elastomeric material internal to the catheter provides memory to assist in collapsing the balloon after pressurization. The embedded spring extends from the distal end of the catheter towards the proximal end of the catheter along a substantial length of the catheter. The catheter with the balloon are in a multilumen configuration or in a coaxial configuration. A guidewire passage extends through the elastomeric material with the embedded spring. An alternative embodiment illustrates a hub with a movable internal seal and inner tube connected to a balloon catheter tip with a free space collapsement spring.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming stacked article groups in a packaging process, comprising a linear conveyance mechanism having an upstream end and a downstream end; and at least one article input and combining station, the article input and combining station including high and low article input lines and a combining wheel, the combining wheel being disposed tangentially with respect to the conveyance mechanism and further being arranged to receive a high single level article group from the high input line and to transport the high single level article group to a point of intersection with the conveyance mechanism, the low article input line intersecting the conveyance mechanism at a position which is located upstream with respect to the intersection point and depositing a low single level article group on the conveyance mechanism, and wherein the combining wheel merges the high and low single level article groups to form the stacked article group at the intersection point.

Abstract: A method of completely filling an the interior cavity of a bourdon tube in a pressure gauge with a gelatinous substance ,comprising the steps of:a) evacuating the interior cavity of the bourdon tube to a vacuum level not greater than 50 millitorr;b) depositing a predetermined amount of a gelatinous substance in the interior cavity; andc) venting the interior cavity to remove the vacuum level, whereby increasing air pressure forces the deposited gelatinous substance to completely fill the interior cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the input of articles to a packaging machine. The apparatus comprises a dead plate, a plurality of stop posts and an actuator connected to each stop post. The dead plate has top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of lanes located on the top surface and extending from a proximal edge to a distal edge, across which articles are moved, and at least one aperture disposed in each lane. Each stop post is aligned for extension through a corresponding dead plate aperture. An actuator is connected to each stop post, whereby the stop posts are extendible and retractable above the top surface of the dead plate, the stop posts impeding travel of articles across the dead plate when extended and permitting travel of articles across the dead plate when retracted.

Abstract: A gear pump including a body, a port plate, a pair of gerotor-type rotors, one rotor being connected to a shaft, and a retaining assembly operative on the port plate to rotatably couple it to the body. The retaining assembly permits adjustment of axially oriented inlet and outlet ports disposed in the port plate to vary fluid flow from the pump. Both manually and automatically adjustable retaining assemblies are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming stacked article groups utilizing clip-type article group carriers. The overall apparatus is aligned in a generally linear, continuous orientation. The apparatus longitudinally moves infeed cans from an infeed end to an output end. The apparatus generally comprises (a) an article grouping and clip-type carrier application assembly having at least one input and first and second output lines; (b) a first conveyor disposed to receive and transport first article groups having clip-type carriers attached thereto from and first output line, the first article groups being transported at a first vertical level; (c) a second conveyor disposed to receive and transport second article groups having clip-type carriers attached thereto from the second output line, the second article groups being transported at a second vertical level which is above the first vertical level; and (d) means to merge the second article groups over the top surface of the first article groups.

Abstract: A cartoning apparatus for loading stacked article groups into carton sleeves. The cartoning apparatus comprises at least two article infeed mechanisms, each supplying at least one stream of articles at a predetermined height or level, an article selection and transport mechanism intersecting the article infeed mechanisms to form and move a stream of stacked article groups of a predetermined pattern, a carton supply and transport mechanism synchronized and moving parallel with said article selection and transport mechanism to provide cartons with open ends facing the moving article groups, and an article group transfer mechanism constructed and arranged to move article groups into the open ends of the carton sleeves.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac defibrillator system, comprising:a) a charge storage element,b) a switching element connected to the charge storage element,c) a processor capable of detecting a defibrillation event in a patient,d) patient connection electrodes connected to the switching element and to the processor,e) a cardiac impedance monitoring section connected to the patient connection electrodes, andf) a charge storage element discharge section communicatively connected to the switching element.

Abstract: A method for use with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator apparatus of the type having a microprocessor-based control circuit, a charging circuit communicatively connected to the control circuit, a small charge storage capacitor, a large charge storage capacitor, switches, and charge output terminals, of delivering a preemptory shock to a patient, comprising the steps of a.) receiving physiological information pertaining to the onset of a deleterious cardiac event; b.) charging the small charge storage capacitor in the implantable cardioverter defibrillator apparatus immediately after step (a); c.) reviewing the information to confirm the onset of a cardiac event; and d.) delivering a preemptory charge from the small charge storage capacitor to the patient if the onset of a cardiac event is confirmed. An apparatus for practicing the above method is also discussed.

Abstract: Apparatus for auditing the usage and indicating the status of a remote coin telephone system to a central computer via a telephone line. The apparatus comprises a power conversion and supply section connected to the telephone line and which derives current from it. The power conversion and supply section has a capacitor for periodically storing and providing electric charge. A microcontroller is connected to the power conversion and supply section. The apparatus also comprises a data signal reception and transmission section, which is connected to the microcontroller and to the telephone line, and a circuit section which detects telephone line voltage, current and frequency signals connected to the telephone line, which are a function of the operation of the audited coin telephone system.

Abstract: An article clip packaging machine for applying carton members to the article rims of preselected article groups. The machine has a conveyor with an infeed end for receiving preselected article groups. At least two carton member feeding structures are synchronized with the conveyor for placing carton base and carton top members, respectively, on the preselected article groups. A securing assembly attaches the carton base and top members to the rims of the article groups to provide article group carriers.

Abstract: An article group transfer apparatus constructed and arranged to move article groups into open ends of the carton sleeves. The apparatus is incorporated in a continuous motion cartoner assembly for loading article groups into cartons which comprises an article infeed mechanism supplying at least one stream of articles; an article group selection and transport mechanism intersecting the article infeed mechanism to form and transport a longitudinal stream of article groups of a predetermined pattern; a carton supply and transport mechanism synchronized and moving parallel with the article group selecting mechanism to provide cartons with open ends facing the moving article groups; and the article group transfer apparatus which moves the article groups into the open ends of the carton sleeves.

Abstract: A storage interrogation apparatus for communication with an implanted medical device and with remote communications systems. The apparatus comprises a microprocessor for implementing program control instructions, an RF receiver/transmitter connected to the microprocessor for transmitting and receiving signals between the interrogator and the implanted medical device, a memory integrated circuit for storing signal data received from the implanted medical device, and a transmission system for transmitting stored signal data to a location remote from the interrogator.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of assembling a liquid applicator structure having a static mixing member with a input and an output end and a nozzle member disposed at the output end of the mixing member, comprising the steps of providing a static mixing member; providing a nozzle member; depositing a predetermined amount of an adhesive on the output end of the static mixing member; connecting the nozzle member to the output end of the static mixing member; and applying a retention structure over a predetermined segment of the mixing member and the nozzle member.

Abstract: An Accessory Organizer comprising a rectangular fabric base. The fabric base is sewn with trim. An additional piece of trim is extended on top in a semicircle to allow hanging of the base. Buttonholes are sewn onto the base in various numbers and positions to support items with clips. Two rods are glued to the base at its top and bottom to eliminate curling. This allows the base to be raised away from supporting surface. Appliques are attached to the rods to eliminate scratches to supporting surfaces.