Abstract: A cordless, hydrocarbon fuel powered hairdryer. The invention incorporates a novel electronic control system which evaluates the thermal and electrical conditions within the hairdryer during its operation. Two fuel flow valves are provided. The first fuel flow valve is mechanically actuated and opens and closes the valve in the hydrocarbon fuel cartridge. The second fuel flow valve is a solenoid valve that cannot open without a predetermined voltage being supplied. Application of the predetermined voltage will allow gas to flow through this second valve and into the area where the fuel is ignited. Only when both valves (the mechanical and the solenoid) are open, can fuel flow. A microcontroller monitors the temperature conditions in the combustion area, and controls system conditions such as power to the solenoid valve and to the fan motor to prevent uncombusted gas from building up and presenting a safety hazard.

Abstract: A miniature multipole rod assembly which can be operated as an ion guide or a mass analyzer is constructed by bonding individual rods directly to plates which are separated by ceramic insulators. The multipole rod assemblies are constructed by using a fixture which locates and orients all elements during the process or bonding the rods to the disks.

Abstract: Electrostatic deflectors are used in a time of flight mass spectrometer to steer ions into a detector positioned at a convenient location at the end of a drift region and where the detector assembly is tilted in relation with the steered ion beam in a manner which improves mass spectral resolution.

Abstract: Improvements have been made to the Electrospray and Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization source chambers interfaced to mass spectrometers to simplify source performance optimization and source operation and to improve system sensitivity. The atmospheric pressure ion source procedure for optimizing performance has been simplified by adding windows along the sides of the atmospheric pressure ionization chamber allowing direct viewing of the Electrospray and Atmospheric pressure ion sources during operation. A cylindrical lens which extends along the side walls of the atmospheric pressure chamber has been configured to be semitransparent for viewing into the chamber. This cylindrical shaped side lens is electrically isolated from the Electrospray liquid introduction needle and Electrospray chamber endplate.

Abstract: A hinged earring possesses a way of locking the earring in either an open or a closed position. The hinge is formed between two segments of an earring and is provided with two flat surfaces. A tongue, preferably resilient, protrudes from one of the segments of the earring. When the earring is closed, the tongue engages one of the flat surfaces, and when the earring is open, the tongue engages the other of the flat surfaces. The flat surfaces are preferably adjacent, sharing a common edge. The edge makes it difficult for the earring to accidently fall open when closed or fall closed when open. When the earring is moved from open to closed or from closed to open, the edge abuts against the tongue, requiring a certain amount of force to change the position of earring segments.

Abstract: A medical anchor device for implantation into a bone of a patient includes a staple having a leading, bone-boring tip for self-tapping a hole, a trailing, driven end for receiving implanting force to self-tap and implant said staple into the bone of a patient, and an attached suture thread. The staple has a longitudinal axis which passes through the tip and the driven end, the longitudinal axis changing shape upon implantation of the staple into a bone. A method of treating a patient includes ejecting and implanting the staple comprising a suture thread secured thereto into a bone by self-tapping a hole in the bone and securing the suture thread to a portion of the body's anatomy.

Abstract: A one-at-a-time pill container and dispenser having a mechanism which allows for use of the device with existing containers. A child-proof lock is provided. The device has a mechanism for ensuring that only a single pill is brought into the dispensing chamber as a consequence of a partial rotation of the cap with respect to the bottle body. A reverse partial rotation of the cap then allows the pill to fall by gravity into the user's hand. The two-directional rotation to cause pill dispensing is easy for an adult but highly unlikely to be accidentally duplicated by a child. The mechanism is a series of wedge shaped chambers, sized for the capsule to be dispensed, with a covering flange over the dispensing chamber, to ensure that only a single capsule enters the dispensing aperture. The chambers are caused to be rotated by the mating engagement of the cap, via a pawl, with a segment shaped slot in the top of the dispensing mechanism.

Abstract: A valance for storing and displaying items such as stuffed animals or dolls. The valance has pouches formed on its front into which the items are placed. The pouches are provided with a spacer and/or loose fill for increasing the interior volume of the pouch, thereby giving the pouch a three-dimensional appearance. The spacer or fill may also serve to elevate the items so that they are visible over the front flap of the pouch. The valance may be two pieces of fabric sewn together to form pouches bound by the seams. Alternatively, the valance may be a piece of fabric having loops, through which a scarf-like second piece of fabric is threaded. The droop of the scarf between the loops forms the pouches into which the items are placed.

Abstract: An expandable stent and stent graft having a small initial diameter, flexibility along its longitudinal axis prior to expansion and a large expanded and rigid Local strain on the stent material is minimized, as and after the balloon is expanded. More particularly, the stent has rotation joints having minimal strain during stent expansion. The stent is substantially the same length before and after expansion and being flexible longitudinally when constrained, it is easy to locate. A method of manufacturing stents is described comprising rotation of a tube beneath a moving film, with light passing through the film onto the tube, at selected locations. A laser scanning system for stent manufacture is also disclosed.

Abstract: A combination of a connecting or assembly member, a gemstone and an item of jewelry in which the assembly or connecting member connects the gemstone to the jewelry is disclosed. The connecting member comprises a projecting pin which passes through a corresponding small hole in the surface of the jewelry. The gemstones are placed in apertures, and the size of the aperture is smaller than that of the stone so that the stone nests into the aperture. The connecting members include projecting pins which pass through a corresponding small hole near the respective apertures and cold soldering is employed to secure the projecting pin in place thereby securing each stone in place in the jewelry.

Abstract: A new structure for a colored gem, generally round or oval, in which a barrel cut is employed, but which has a center top edge and transverse boundaries which increases the thickness of the stone with additional facets provided to enhance reflection and overall brilliance.

Abstract: Medical apparatus includes an external drive magnet mounted for rotation externally of a subject's body, an implantable driven magnet configured and dimensioned to be implantable in the subject's body and mounted for rotation by magnetic coupling with the drive magnet and an implantable device mechanically coupled to the driven magnet to be driven thereby. The driven magnet is mountable for rotation in the subject's body about an axis of rotation which is not collinear with the axis of rotation of the external drive magnet such that the magnetic poles of the external drive magnet are magnetically coupled sequentially with the magnetic poles of the implanted driven magnet to rotate the implanted driven magnet, thereby providing flexibility in the location, design and dimensions of the implanted driven magnet, and in the speed and torque ratios between the two magnets.