Abstract: Improved anti-lock brake systems (ABS) employed on aircraft and land vehicles and methods of operating same employing a sliding mode observer (SMO) incorporated into an ABS algorithm requiring only measurement of wheel speed to regulate the application of braking torque are disclosed. Braking is optimized simply by maintaining an SMO estimate of differential wheel torque (road/tire torque minus applied brake torque) derived from wheel speed at an extremum via applying or releasing the brakes as the extremum is passed through.

Abstract: Improved methods and systems for controlling hydraulically or electrically actuated anti-lock brake systems (ABS) on air and land vehicles requiring only measurement of wheel angular speed although brake torque measurements can also be employed if available. A sliding mode observer (SMO) based estimate of net or different wheel torque (road/tire torque minus applied brake torque) derived from the measured wheel speed is compared to a threshold differential wheel torque derived as a function of a “skid signal” also based on wheel speed only to generate a braking control signal. The braking control signal can be employed to rapidly and fully applying and releasing the brakes in a binary on-off manner and, as an additional option, possibly modulating the maximum available brake hydraulic pressure or electrical current when the brakes are in the “on” state in a continuous manner.

Abstract: An infusion catheter is formed with a catheter lumen extending from a proximal end connector assembly to a distal end valve that is normally closed but is penetrable to allow introduction of a guidewire through the catheter lumen and distal end valve and to thereby allow advancement of the infusion catheter over the guidewire, thereby allowing access of a distal infusion segment to a wide number of locations in the body. A plurality of, closely spaced, side wall infusion holes infusion holes extend from the catheter lumen through the catheter side wall in a high strength, catheter distal end, infusion segment. A therapeutic or diagnostic substance is pumped in a pulsatile manner through the catheter lumen under high pressure after removal of the guidewire and closure of the distal end valve. The infusion segment is preferably moved back and forth as jets of the therapeutic or diagnostic substance are emitted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in locating the eyes of a vehicle driver or passenger in a vehicle for controlling vehicle systems including the positioning of vehicle sideview mirrors in relation to the driver's eyes to maximize the view of traffic on either side of the vehicle or the characteristics of vehicle airbag deployment. The location of a driver's or passenger's eyes is derived from the adjustment by the driver (or passenger, if capable of doing so) of adjustable light beam(s) emanating from light source(s) or illuminated indicia, until it (or they) intersect the driver's or passenger's eyes. From the angles of adjustment of the light beam(s) and other known coordinates of the vehicle, the location of the driver's or passenger's eyes or the target may be computationally derived as a set of Cartesian coordinates.

Abstract: A vehicular wheel chock assembly and method of operation for use in providing automatic, positive chocking of one or more wheel of a vehicle upon setting of the vehicle's emergency/parking brakes and automatic retraction of the chock assembly upon release of the emergency/parking brakes. Retraction and extension air pressures are derived from the accessory air reservoir upon engagement and release, respectively of the vehicle's air powered parking or emergency brakes. Thus, the vehicle driver merely has to engage the emergency/parking brakes when parking the vehicle to cause the wheel chocks to be moved from their retracted positions to their engaged positions in front of and behind a vehicle wheel. In this way, the wheel chock assembly positively forces the wheel chocks into engagement with the parked vehicle wheels and the surface they rest on or positively collapses the chock assembly into a compact configuration at the underside of the vehicle on which the chock assembly is mounted.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for anchoring percutaneous devices, e.g., tubes or catheters or leads, extending percutaneously through a percutaneous passageway from the skin of a patient to a subcutaneous location or body cavity or tract or lumen from movement further into the body or retraction out of the body. An implantable anchor comprising an anchor body and a tensioning filament is inserted through the percutaneous passageway and deployed subcutaneously with the anchor body in engagement with body tissue in a manner that inhibits it from being retracted through the passageway. The tensioning filament extends from the anchor body and alongside the percutaneous device body through the percutaneous passageway and tension is applied to it to draw the deployed anchor against subcutaneous body tissue and toward the patients skin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in locating a vehicle driver, passenger or object in the vehicle for controlling vehicle systems including the positioning of vehicle sideview mirrors in relation to the driver's eyes to maximize the view of traffic on either side of the vehicle or the characteristics of vehicle airbag deployment. The location of a driver's or passenger's eyes or the location of an infant's seat is derived from the adjustment by the driver (or passenger, if capable of doing so) of adjustable light beam(s) emanating from light source(s) or illuminated indicia, until it (or they) intersect the driver's or passenger's eyes or illuminate a target, e.g. a child or an infant's seat, in the front passenger's seat. From the angles of adjustment of the light beam(s) and other known coordinates of the vehicle, the location of the driver's or passenger's eyes or the target may be computationally derived as a set of Cartesian coordinates.

Abstract: A miniaturized obstruction treatment device, e.g., a resilient brush, particularly adapted for medical use formed at the distal end of an elongated brush drive shaft having a hollow lumen formed therein for introduction over a guidewire. The brush drive shaft is enclosed in the lumen of a brush delivery catheter, and the brush is adapted to be garaged in a distal end section of the brush delivery catheter lumen. A Y-connector and a brush sub-assembly connector are attached to the proximal end of the brush delivery catheter and form a brush sub-assembly with the brush drive shaft and brush. The Y-connector allows infusion of thrombolytic agents into the brush delivery catheter lumen for emission at the distal end opening thereof adjacent the brush. In use, the brush sub-assembly connector connects the brush sub-assembly with a drive motor unit connector of a drive motor unit. The drive motor unit receives the proximal end of the drive shaft and rotates it to rotate the brush bristles.

Abstract: Thrombectomy methods and apparatus for removing a thrombus from a blood vessel involving high velocity injection of a thrombolytic agent, e.g., a plasminogen activator, through multiple, closely spaced, side wall infusion holes in a high strength catheter distal end infusion segment to lyse the adjacent thrombin. The infusion catheter is formed with a catheter lumen extending from a proximal end connector assembly to a distal end valve that is normally closed but is penetrable to allow introduction of a guidewire through the catheter lumen and distal end valve and to thereby allow advancement of the infusion catheter over the guidewire, thereby allowing access of the distal infusion segment to a wide number of locations. The infusion holes extend from the catheter lumen through the catheter side wall. Thrombolytic agent is pumped in a pulsatile manner through the catheter lumen under high pressure after removal of the guidewire and closure of the distal end valve.

Abstract: A miniaturized brush particularly adapted for medical use formed at the distal end of an elongated brush drive shaft having a hollow lumen formed therein for introduction over a guidewire. The brush drive shaft is enclosed in the lumen of a brush delivery catheter and other components of a brush sub-assembly adapted to deliver infusate through the catheter lumen and to be coupled to a drive motor unit for rotating the brush drive shaft and brush. The brush bristles of the distal brush are adapted to be garaged in a distal end section of the brush delivery catheter lumen during introduction through a body lumen. The brush bristles are formed of a thin sheet of rigid plastic material that is shaped to have a plurality of fringe elements extending in parallel from a mounting web. The mounting web is wound about and attached to a distal end section of the drive shaft outer circumference so that the fringe elements extend outward from the drive shaft surface and obliquely of the drive shaft axis.

Abstract: An infusion guidewire that can be used either as a guidewire or an infusion catheter having an integral, tapered core wire within an infusion lumen formed of the aligned lumens of the conduit of a proximal connector housing, a proximal inner sheath in a proximal guidewire portion and a distal coil wire in a distal guidewire portion. The core wire proximal end is attached to the connector housing, and the core wire distal end is connected to the distal end of the distal wire coil. An outer sheath is attached to the connector housing and formed over the proximal inner sheath and the distal wire coil. A plurality of infusion side holes are formed in a distal infusion segment of the outer sheath in fluid communication with the infusion lumen.

Abstract: A miniaturized obstruction treatment device, e.g., a brush, particularly adapted for medical use formed at the distal end of an elongated brush drive shaft having a hollow lumen formed therein for introduction over a guidewire. The brush drive shaft is enclosed in the lumen of an brush delivery catheter, and the brush bristles of the distal brush are adapted to be garaged in a distal end section of the brush delivery catheter lumen. A Y-connector and an brush sub-assembly connector are attached to the proximal end of the brush delivery catheter and form an brush sub-assembly with the brush drive shaft and brush. The Y-connector allows infusion of thrombolytic agents into the brush delivery catheter lumen for emission at the distal end opening thereof adjacent the brush. In use, the brush sub-assembly connector connects the brush sub-assembly with a drive motor unit connector of a drive motor unit. The drive motor unit receives the proximal end of the drive shaft and rotates it to rotate the brush bristles.

Abstract: An infusion wire that can be used either as a guidewire or an infusion catheter having a tapered core wire within an infusion lumen formed of the aligned lumens of the conduit of a proximal connector housing, an inner sheath in a proximal infusion wire portion and a distal coil wire in a distal infusion wire portion. The inner sheath is formed either of a polyimide tube or a wire reinforced polyimide tube, at least in a proximal section thereof In a fixed core wire embodiment, the core wire proximal end is attached to the connector housing, and the core wire distal end is connected to the distal end of the distal wire coil. An outer sheath is attached to the connector housing and formed over the inner sheath and the distal wire coil. A plurality of infusion side holes are formed in a distal infusion segment of the outer sheath in fluid communication with the infusion lumen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in locating a vehicle driver, passenger or object in the vehicle for controlling vehicle systems including the positioning of vehicle sideview mirrors in relation to the driver's eyes to maximize the view of traffic on either side of the vehicle or the characteristics of vehicle airbag deployment. The location of a driver's or passenger's eyes or the location of an infant's seat is derived from the adjustment by the driver (or passenger, if capable of doing so) of adjustable light beam(s) emanating from light source(s) or illuminated indicia, until it (or they) intersect the driver's or passenger's eyes or illuminate a target, e.g. a child or an infant's seat, in the front passenger's seat. From the angles of adjustment of the light beam(s) and other known coordinates of the vehicle, the location of the driver's or passenger's eyes or the target may be computationally derived as a set of Cartesian coordinates.

Abstract: A sphincterotome adapted to be used in the lumen of an endoscope for cutting a sphincter in a patient's body using a cutting wire energized by an electrosurgical unit. The sphincterotome has a distal end segment and cutting plane orienting mechanism extending through the length of a sphincterotome tubular body between a handle assembly at the proximal end of the sphincterotome body and a distal end segment thereof for shifting the cutting plane laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sphincterotome tubular body exiting the endoscope lumen. The lateral shift is in at least one lateral direction from an un-shifted position of the cutting plane with respect to the longitudinal axis whereby in use during a sphincterotomy, the cutting wire may be oriented into alignment with a particular feature of the sphincter, e.g.

Abstract: An infusion device for use in delivering an infusate from an elongated infusion segment along an elongated section of a body vessel with either a relatively symmetric infusate distribution profile or asymmetric infusate distribution profile that concentrates infusate delivery proximally or distally along the infusion segment. The infusion segment is formed with an infusate distribution manifold for delivering infusate through a plurality of side wall exit ports in the elongated infusion segment having proximal and distal manifold end openings to which infusate is delivered in equal amounts to effect the relatively uniform infusate distribution profile or in relative proportions to effect the asymmetric infusate distribution profile. In differing embodiments, the infusate delivery is either fixed or may be adjusted by a proximal adjustable valve mechanism.

Abstract: A photographic filmstrip of the type having a magnetics-on-film (MOF) layer and having pre-recorded information therein signifying characteristics of the print or Photo CD order to be made from the filmstrip image frames particular to the camera in which the filmstrip was exposed or a pre-paid promotion or the like and a system for use therewith. Special promotions provided to the customer-user related to completion of the customer order are recorded in filmstrip MOF layer tracks by the offering party, e.g. the manufacturer, the dealer or the photofinisher. In one embodiment realized in a single use camera, the special promotion comprises pre-exposed latent images of symbols related to an event or attraction or the offer to have such latent images superimposed during photofinishing in a pre-defined area of the filmstrip image frames.

Abstract: A miniaturized brush and method of making same having a hollow lumen for introducing an agent for dissolving a soft fibrinous obstruction, such as a recently formed thrombus, within a patient's vascular system. The brush has soft, flexible bristles extending outward from the drive shaft distal section, the bristles being sufficiently resilient and dimensioned for enabling compression and passage of the brush out of and back into the distal end of an introducer lumen and to mix into the fibrin of the soft thrombus, yet not damage the vessel wall. The brush assembly is formed of a proximal section comprising an elongated proximal tube and a distal section comprising a distal tube extension, the proximal and distal sections having an aligned lumen and forming a drive shaft or brush body.

Abstract: An opto-electronic alignment method and apparatus capable of being incorporated into left and right side vehicle exterior sideview mirrors to assist the driver in adjusting the mirror to minimize the presence of any traffic blind spot on a side of the vehicle. In a first embodiment, an LED is fixed in the mirror housing and aimed at the particular vehicle blind spot but reflected at an angle through a selectively light transmissive mirror region toward the vehicle interior. The sideview mirror alignment is accomplished by the driver using a conventional mirror adjustment control. When the driver sees the beam of light, the main sideview mirror is oriented correctly to reflect objects in the blind spot to the driver's eyes. In a second embodiment, the LED is mounted for pitch and azimuth adjustment using the adjustment control.

Abstract: A system for use in delivering a thrombolytic agent to a firm obstruction in a blood vessel by effecting longitudinal extension of the distal infusion segment of an infusion device through the obstruction as the obstruction is dissolved by the delivery of the thrombolytic agent. The infusion device is inserted into the lumen of an introducer to straighten the distal infusion segment and the assembly is advanced through a selected path in a patient's vascular system to the obstructed site. The distal infusion segment is advanced from a distal end opening of the introducer sheath lumen and assumes the pre-biased J-shaped bend configuration when positioned that tends to present the infusion port in a side wall toward the obstruction. A spring loaded assembly is coupled between the proximal ends of the infusion device and the introducer catheter that applies a force axially along the body of the infusion device against the resistance of the obstruction in contact with the distal infusion segment.