Abstract: A lead for use in conjunction with a cardiac rhythm management device includes an electrode coupled to a conductor. The lead includes an insulative covering in the areas distal and proximal to the electrode. The electrode includes one or more slots bridged by the insulative material to form a more secure joint between the electrode and the insulative material.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for creating holes of a predetermined diameter and depth in body tissue comprises a tubular catheter having a compression spring affixed at its distal end and attached to the distal end of that spring is a tissue ablating device which may, for example, comprise an electrosurgical monopolar or bipolar electrode that is connected by conductors extending through the lumen of the catheter to an electrosurgical generator at its proximal end. When the instrument is brought in contact with target tissue with a force sufficient to compress the coils of the spring against one another and then ablating energy applied, tissue will be removed as the spring is allowed to expand out to its uncompressed length. The depth of the hole thus created is equal to the difference between the lengths of the spring when compressed and uncompressed. If desired, a suitable drug can be delivered into the thus created hole via a lumen in the catheter.

Abstract: An improved high speed package printer for producing a plurality of high quality photographs of varying size, shape, and style based on one or a plurality of different film negatives. The improved package printer of the present invention accomplishes the goal of increased throughput and speed through the use of an automatic paper-loading feature, ultrasonic proximity sensors for dynamically measuring paper-slack loops, off-center printing for eliminating the need to advance the paper for punching after each exposure, a rotational prism for creating 10".times.13" photographs without physically rotating the film, a 13-UP lens deck including 12 wallet lenses and a single 5".times.7" retro-focus lens for creating 12 wallet-sized photographs and one 5".times.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance for preparing yogurt, soft frozen yogurt and ice cream, hard frozen yogurt and ice cream, and cheese. The appliance includes a housing having a base and side walls defining an open top. A motor-driven paddle device is rotationally journaled with respect to the cover and base and the motor therefor is adapted to be driven either continuously or with a predetermined duty cycle, dependent upon the product being made. Also mounted on either the cover or the base is a vent hole occluder that is normally positioned to block the vent holes in the cover or base, but which shifts to a second position uncovering those vent holes when the consistency of the product being produced, as tested by the paddle motion or other apparatus reveals that a predetermined cultured state has been reached. Shifting of the occluding device from the covering position to the open position also actuates a switch to shut off the drive motor and a warming element.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to any improved display system for holding display panels, photomurals, banners, signs or the like and in a generally upright, but angularly adjustable, position and particularly to a collapsible lightweight system that is easily assembled with the item to be displayed or collapsed for transport or storage. The display system can be used indoors as a stand alone support or outdoors with a stake-down system or stabilizing counter weights.

Abstract: A rail car indexer that provides a continuous transfer of the rail car bogeys from one dog to the next without ramming into the rail car axles in either the forward or rearward directions. The rail car indexer includes two parallel linearly offset progressor each of which has a barney and dog attached thereto. A center balance and back pressure bypass valve are used to control the raising of the dogs and to insure that the dogs remain in their lowered position until the proper progressor is ready to begin pulling on the rail car bogey axle. Sensors and a photo eye emitter and receiver coordinate the extension, retraction and transfer of an axle between the progressors.

Abstract: An improved high speed package printer for producing a plurality of high quality photographs of varying size, shape, and style based on one or a plurality of different film negatives. The improved package printer of the present invention accomplishes the goal of increased throughput and speed through the use of an automatic paper-loading feature, ultrasonic proximity sensors for dynamically measuring paper-slack loops, off-center printing for eliminating the need to advance the paper for punching after each exposure, a rotational prism for creating 10".times.13" photographs without physically rotating the film, a 13-UP lens deck including 12 wallet lenses and a single 5".times.7" retro-focus lens for creating 12 wallet-sized photographs and one 5".times.

Abstract: An instrument for implanting radioactive and/or thermal seeds in body tissue for radiation and/or heat therapy comprises a tubular hypodermic needle barrel affixed to a pistol-grip shaped handle incorporates a reciprocally movable push rod for stripping one such seed from a cartridge containing a plurality of seeds and advancing it to the end of the barrel. Actuation of a trigger in the pistol grip handle causes the barrel to retract relative to the push rod, causing the seed to be deposited in the channel in the body tissue created by the original puncturing thereof by the instrument's barrel.

Abstract: A composition and method for reducing the incidence of Poult Enteritis Mortality Syndrome in young turkeys, flushing in mature turkeys, and scours in swine. The composition of the present invention comprises, in combination, a simple copper (II) salt, a hydroxycarboxylic acid, and a buffering agent solubilized within the drinking water of turkeys and/or swine in an antidiarrheal effective dosage as preventative maintenance in avoiding the diarrheal conditions associated with PEMS, flushing, and scours. In a preferred embodiment, the simple copper (II) salt comprises copper sulfate pentahydrate, the hydroxycarboxylic acid comprises anhydrous citric acid, and the buffering, agent comprises ammonium carbonate.

Abstract: A package for storing and shipping semiconductor wafers or memory disks is disclosed. The carrier includes a bottom, a cover and a cassette. An improved closure arrangement is provided that not only secures the cover to the bottom, but also compensates for pressure differentials between the inside and outside of the package and provides for improved drainage during washing operations.

Abstract: A system for covering the box and bed of a pick-up truck includes a tarp, a pair of side rails, an end rail and a cam latch associated with each side rail. The tarp includes beads associated with its edges. These beads cooperate with slots in the rails to fix the edges of the tarp to the rails. The cam latches are provided to interact with the end rail to stretch the tarp and help secure it in place over the bed and box of the pick-up truck.

Abstract: A machine for stacking articles such as wooden pallets comprises a frame for supporting a carriage assembly that can be raised and lowered under control of a motor and where the carriage assembly supports an article grasping machine that is slidably mounted on the carriage assembly allowing horizontal movement of the article grasping assembly relative to the carriage. When using the machine to stack wooden pallets, a pallet may be picked up at a first location and elevated and translated so as to overlay a top pallet on a stack of pallets before the one being carried is released.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuse arrangement, which is particularly suited to high voltage applications, but also has applications across a broad voltage range. The fuse arrangement comprises a fuse link arranged to be connected in a current carrying circuit and a parallel-connected resistor. On occurrence of a fault, conditioning the current carrying circuit, the fuse link is arranged to generate relatively high voltage such that current is commutated to the resistor and electrical energy associated with the fault current is absorbed by the resistor. The resistor element is preferably a varistor and, for high voltage applications, a fuse link preferably comprises a deeply confined expulsion fuse. Because electrical energy flowing in the circuit is diverted to the resistance element on occurrence of a fault condition, the current carrying circuit is thus protected from damage.

Abstract: Loading mechanisms for front loading refuse trucks provided with fluid cylinder operated lift arms and associated fluid cylinder operated lift forks are provided with an improved operating system which allows the lift forks to attain one working position limit for tipping containers and an additional stowage position limit allowing the truck to travel with the arms fully raised.

Abstract: A bandage encapsulated in a protective sterile covering is disclosed, whereby the bandage may be removed from its sterile covering and applied with one hand without contaminating any portion of the bandage. The apparatus and method to manufacture the unique bandage is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device and method for multi chamber pacing a patient's heart having heart failure and intrinsic conduction, wherein ventricular tracking is used to pace the ventricle when the sinus rate exceeds a preset atrial maximum tracking rate. The ventricular tracking pacemaker increases the range of pacing the ventricle. The ventricular tracking minimizes the loss of ventricular pacing caused by intrinsic conduction when the sinus rate is below an atrial maximum tracking rate, and it induces a new ventricular pacing behavior for sinus rates above the atrial maximum tracking rate without any pacing hysteresis as the sinus rate returns towards the lower rate limit.

Abstract: An implantable seed for simultaneous delivery of thermal and radioactive radiation to target tissue comprises a tube or rod of a ferromagnetic alloy which, when subjected to an oscillating magnetic field will heat up, the alloy also being coated or otherwise treated with a radioactive isotope which gives off X-ray radiation during the decay thereof.

Abstract: There is provided a new apparatus for use in the processing of a mass of material in which the mass is of any size or shape. The apparatus comprises a container which has a cutter within a space in the container. The cutter is rotationally driven about an axis. There is provided an adjustable loader for releasably engaging the mass and moving the mass into the container for engagement with the cutter. There is also provided a discharge for selectively discharging processed material from the container.