Abstract: A single-particle optical sensor, which has high sensitivity and responds to relatively concentrated suspensions, uses a relatively narrow light beam to illuminate an optical sensing zone nonuniformly. The zone is smaller than the flow channel so that the sensor responds to only a fraction of the total number of particles flowing through the channel, detecting a statistically significant number of particles of any relevant diameter. Because different particle trajectories flow through different parts of the zone illuminated at different intensities, it is necessary to deconvolute the result. Two methods of deconvolution are used: modified matrix inversion or successive subtraction. Both methods use a few basis vectors measured empirically or computed from a theoretical model, and the remaining basis vectors are derived from these few. The sensor is compensated for turbidity. Several embodiments are disclosed employing light-extinction or light-scattering detection, or both.

Abstract: A method of synthesis of dinitro-diaza-alkanes and intermediate products thereto from alkylamines and esters, whereby a dialkyl ester of a dicarboxylic acid is reacted with an alkylamine in an aqueous medium to form the corresponding dialkyldiamide of the dicarboxylic acid; the resulting dialkyldiamide is nitrated by means of conventional nitration agents to form the corresponding dialkyldinitroamide of the dicarboxylic acid and; the resulting dialkyldinitroamide is reacted with methylamine and/or ethylamine in an aquous medium to yield a corresponding alkylnitroamine and the dimethyldiamide and/or diethyldiamide of the dicarboxylic acid, and the alkylnitroamine is isolated from that, and the isolated alkylnitroamine is condensed in a known manner to form the dinitro-diaza-alkanes.

Abstract: An eye drop dispensing device includes a trough member with a space to receive a cartridge housing enclosing a collapsible bag containing an ophthalmic liquid and comprising a spring finger applying pressure to the bag. The bag includes a wall pierced by a needle coupling the liquid to pump means through a one-way valve. The pump means includes a plunger biased to a resting position establishing a dosage chamber. Actuator means moves the plunger to enlarge the dosage chamber, causing a drop in pressure which draws a predetermined quantity of the liquid through the one-way valve into the dosage chamber. The actuator means then releases the plunger so that it moves to compress the dosage chamber to pump the liquid in the dosage chamber through a second one-way valve to spray the liquid through pinholes formed in a nozzle angled to direct the liquid as eye drops to the user's eye.

Abstract: An electrically assisted bicycle includes a motor current sensor for controlling a transistor switch in the motor circuit and circuity means establishing a duty cycle and switching rate. The duty cycle is monitored to shut off the motor when the duty cycle approaches an inappropriate level, such as 50%. When the motor control circuit is open and the bicycle is pedal driven, the voltage generated by the motor is monitored to complete the motor control circuit when the bicycle is driven at 4 miles per hour.

Abstract: A method of rapidly installing a composite pile structure of timber pile sections and a pre-selected connector having an opening smaller than a transverse dimension of a working end of a timber pile section. The lower pile section is driven into the ground to a convenient distance, the connector is driven onto the lower pile and the upper pile driven onto the connector, and the connection is rapidly made rigid.

Abstract: A substance mixture, containing S-acetyl glutathione and Aciclovir, is effective as a medication against the Herpes Simplex virus and the Varicella Zoster virus.

Abstract: An eye wash system including a first base member slidable on a second base member from a retracted storage position to an extended operative position. One base member has an eye piece on its front end. The other base member pivotally supports a coupling assembly on which a flexible squeeze bottle is attached. A fluid line from the coupling assembly leads to a spray nozzle mounted on the front end of the other base member. A seal structure on the back side of the eye piece is moved rectilinearly into engagement with the spray nozzle to seal it when the one base member is in its retracted storage position. The bottom wall of the other base member has a resilient tongue with a detent ridge at its free end. Detent grooves on the coupling assembly cooperate with the detent ridge to latch it in the vertical or horizontal positions of the coupling assembly. Modifications of the spray nozzle include means for metering the liquid to be sprayed.

Abstract: A lacrimal silicone stent has a very large diameter segment with a diameter greater than the largest diameter stent which can be pulled through the canaliculi readily without damaging the canaliculi, a thin central segment, a moderate diameter segment, and a distal segment with a lumen extending partway from its end. A lumen can also be provided in the very large diameter segment to enhance its flexibility. In addition, a lumina may be provided in the moderate diameter segment when it is formed as an extruded tube. Except for the lumina, the stent is solid. The stent may be molded in one piece, but it may also be made of molded and extruded segments which are fused together. To install the stent, according to a first method a sheath is inserted through the lacrimal system from the eye, through a DCR ostium into the nasal cavity. The distal segment is threaded into the sheath which is used to pull the distal segment back through the lacrimal system and out the superior canaliculus and punctum.

Abstract: An automatic dilution system and method provides optimal dilution factor DF for a sample suspension containing particles mixed with a diluent. A diluent flows into a mixing chamber, and the sample is injected into the chamber. A sensor, such as a single particle optical sensor (SPOS), measures the value of a particular characteristic, which characteristic Rmax(0) is the initial rate of increase of a quantity related to particle concentration. A CPU/Controller calculates from Rmax(0) the optimal value of DF, and develops a control signal which adjusts the flow of the sample to provide the optimal value of DF. In a first embodiment, all of the diluted sample passes through the sensor. In a second embodiment, only a portion of the sample is directed through the sensor to shorten the time to reach equilibrium. The time to reach equilibrium is further reduced in a third embodiment in which the mixing means is a static mixer, having relatively small volume, inserted in series with a diluent flow tube.

Abstract: A dispenser-applicator assembly mounted on an aerosol container dispenses and applies a stain to a work surface. The assembly has two integral parts: a dispenser and a porous applicator. The dispenser is molded as one piece of polypropylene and includes a cap-shaped body which is truncated by a support panel. An actuator panel is hinged to the rear side of the support panel, by means of a flexible dispensing tube which has a horizontal portion and a vertical end portion aligned with a vertical valve stem of the aerosol container. The dispensing tube has a passageway extending to a dispensing opening through the support panel. When the activator panel is depressed, the vertical end of the dispensing tube is lowered to engage the valve stem to open the valve and dispense stain through the passageway and the dispensing opening. The porous applicator is adhesively mounted on the support panel.

Abstract: A lacrimal silicone stent has a very large diameter segment with a diameter greater than the largest diameter stent which can be pulled through the canaliculi readily without damaging the canaliculi, a thin central segment, a moderate diameter segment, and a distal segment with a lumen extending partway from its end. A lumen can also be provided in the very large diameter segment to enhance its flexibility. In addition, a lumina may be provided in the moderate diameter segment when it is formed as an extruded tube. Except for the lumina, the stent is solid. The stent may be molded in one piece, but it may also be made of molded and extruded segments which are fused together. To install the stent, according to a first method a sheath is inserted through the lacrimal system from the eye, through a DCR ostium into the nasal cavity. The distal segment is threaded into the sheath which is used to pull the distal segment back through the lacrimal system and out the superior canaliculus and punctum.

Abstract: An optical sensor for counting and sizing particles, including a light extinction (LE) signal representative of the particles, and a light scattering (LS) signal representative of the particles. The light scattering signal and the light extinction signal are combined to form a single composite signal. The single composite signal has a substantially similar output to the light extinction (LE) signal for particle sizes in an upper range of particle sizes typically measured by the light extinction sensor. The single composite signal has a substantially similar output to the light scattering (LS) signal for particle sizes in a lower range of particle sizes typically measured by the light scattering sensor. The single composite signal has an output representing the combined light extinction (LE) signal and light scattering (LS) signal for particle sizes in a middle range of particle sizes.

Abstract: A control system for a multiphase induction motor includes microcontroller control means providing a variable frequency signal and deriving high side/low side phase signals from the variable frequency signal. Power is applied from an AC/DC converter to the motor by an output drive bridge with three pairs of high side/low side semiconductor switches, one pair for each phase. The high side and low side phase signals are applied through high side/low side driver means to control the switches and effectively apply a quasi-square waveform to the motor windings. The motor and the control system electronics are protected from excessive current levels by current sensing means. When the current exceeds a predetermined level, the microcontroller limits the power drawn by the motor by ramping down the variable frequency to lower the speed of the motor. In case the motor or control electronics overheat, a temperature sensor is monitored by the microcontroller to shutdown the motor.

Abstract: A wristwatch linear time display (32) is disclosed which can be read at a glance and requires very little display space. Additional functions are described which use the remaining surplus display space. These functions substantially increase the usefulness of wristwatches. Devices for the wearer to interact with the added functions are disclosed.The compact time display (32) may be located where it can be seen without turning a wrist. It may also be combined with other temporal displays to improve display clarity by eliminating clutter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method including a capsular shield for use in cataract surgery for protection of a posterior lens capsule during removal of a capsule nucleus. The shield includes a flexible, deformable soft shield having an outer configuration of a size and shape to fit within the lens capsule at a position between the nucleus and the posterior capsule to protect the posterior capsule during removal of the capsule nucleus.

Abstract: An open end reversible ratchet wrench has only two pawls, only one of which is engaged with the ratchet at any one time. In a first embodiment, two multitooth pawls are pivoted on a common pivot pin. The design and spacing of the pawl teeth and the location of the pivot pin make it possible to use pawls with at least three and no more than four pawl teeth. For every rotational position of the jaw, at least one pawl tooth is engagable with the ratchet irregardless of the position of the slot. The pawls are biased towards engagement with the ratchet. A reversing switch operates a cam to select clockwise rotation of the jaw, counterclockwise rotation thereof or a neutral mode in which the jaw rotates freely without ratcheting to facilitate easy removable of the wrench. The position of the reversing switch is latched by a detent ball cooperating with locking notches on the casing.

Abstract: An open end reversible ratchet wrench has only two pawls, only one of which is engaged with the ratchet at any one time. In a first embodiment, two multitooth pawls are pivoted on a common pivot pin. The design and spacing of the pawl teeth and the location of the pivot pin make it possible to use pawls with at least three and no more than four pawl teeth. For every rotational position of the jaw, at least one pawl tooth is engagable with the ratchet irregardless of the position of the slot. The pawls are biased towards engagement with the ratchet. A reversing switch operates a cam to select clockwise rotation of the jaw, counterclockwise rotation thereof or a neutral mode in which the jaw rotates freely without ratcheting to facilitate easy removable of the wrench. The position of the reversing switch is latched by a detent ball cooperating with locking notches on the casing.

Abstract: A wheel chair with a rotating tray which may be rotated from a first position generally parallel to a back or rear support member. In an alternative position of the rotating tray, the tray is rotated from the first position generally parallel to the arm supports through ninety degrees into a vertical position whereby the user of the wheel chair is able to get up from and return to a bottom seat of the wheel chair.

Abstract: A method of immunotherapy for treating diseases and disorders which involve cellular Fc receptor mediated immune responses in humans and animals is disclosed. Abnormal or undesirable cellular Fc receptor mediated immune reactions are beneficially altered by locally or systemically administering an exogenous Fc receptor polypeptide, in particular a multivalent protein having in its molecule several Fc receptor sites, such as staphylococcus protein A, or monovalent Fc receptor possessing only a single Fc receptor site.