Abstract: An enhanced hose for use in fuel transfer and the like. Embedded within the hose's body are fiber-optic fibers in which light is transmitted. At predefined locations on the hose, selected portions of said fiber-optic fibers are exposed and structured to permit light to escape. Structuring of the fiber-optic fibers to permit light to escape is done by: terminating the fiber at that point, removing the cladding on the fiber at that point, or by creating a radical bend in the fiber. The intensity of the light escaping from the fiber-optic fibers is easily controllable by adjustment of the light source's intensity which feeds the light into the fiber-optic fibers. Additionally, compensation is made so that elongation of the hose does not break the fibers. Since no electrical current is being used, the enhanced hose is particularly useful for illuminating the exterior of a hose which is conveying explosive materials such as fuel.

Abstract: Improved exploratory, pre- and post- surgical techniques are now available due to an improved endoscope which uses a housing with a window member thereon. Due to the window's angle and the air-pocket between the viewing tip of the endoscope and the window, exceptional vision is provided without the need to create artificial chambers within the body. Should the window become occluded with debris, the surgeon can easily clean the window by wiping it against a nearby organ or muscle to dislodge the debris. Since no inflating gas is used, techniques employing the endoscope create minimal trauma and are ideally suited for exploratory surgery, pre-surgical inspection of the operation site, and post-surgical inspection to assure the operation obtained the desired results.

Abstract: A decorative cover for the head of a nail and other simlar fasteners used in the carpentry and upholstery trades. Ordinary nails can prove unsightly when used on particular works. The invention is a decorative cover which utilizes a slot to attach the cover to the head of a standard nail. The decorative cover is of any shape and color desired, thereby offering limitless design possibilities. After attachment of the invention to the nail head, the nail is driven into the body of work with no adverse effects on the cover. The invention, then, allows the aesthetic characteristics of a body of work to be enhanced without sacrificing the utilitarian characteristics of the nail.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus which also serves as an effective training device for mountain bikers. The invention utilizes a frame resembling that of a bicycle's frame. The frame supports handle bars having a gripping portion and two foot pedals. Each pedal is fixable to the frame and adjustable in height. Each foot pedal further has an abrasive upper surface for contact with the sole of a user's shoe. This abrasive upper surface acts to prevent slippage of the user's foot from the pedal. The frame is supported by two legs, one supporting the front part of the frame, the second supporting the rear part of the frame. Each leg is rotatably attached to the frame and oriented in a diagonal direction. The range of motion of each leg is limited by a compression spring which further acts to rotate the legs to their extended state after an external force causes them to retract.

Abstract: An environmentally-safe, broad spectrum insecticide that is toxic to invertebrate animals and non-toxic to vertebrate animals. The insecticide comprises a water solution of hydroxy acyclic acid, such as citric acid, and ionic or non-ionic surfactant thoroughly mixed together. The insecticide may be applied by aerosol, misting, spraying, or pouring on the insects or into their abodes. The composition is also an effective mosquito repellant when applied to human skin.

Abstract: An improved automobile anti-theft guard plate that provides exceptional strength through the use of two bonded plates. The first plate has a flanged circumference to enclose the second plate. These flanges, especially when combined with the second plate's inherit strength, provide for enhanced rigidity to withstand deformation from a pry bar. An opening through both plates permits the automobile's handle lock activation and door opening mechanism access to these mechanisms within the automobile door. A tower or vertical member on the guard plate extends vertically from the plates and at least partially surrounds and shields the handle's mechanisms to even further dissuade tampering by a thief. The guard plate is additionally designed to permit the handle to be secured thereto through the use of tabs which engage the handle at the same time the handle is engaging the opening mechanism.

Abstract: A surgical technique in which a tumescent solution of local anaesthetic and a vasoconstrictor in injected into the site via a cannula. Using the same cannula, the surgeon aspirates fat and tissue from the site, depositing the aspirated fat and tissue into the reservoir/bottle from which the tumescent solution was first withdrawn. Preferably, both the injection and the aspiration is accomplished with the assist of a single peristaltic pump. By reversing the headstock of the peristaltic pump, and modulating the speed of rotation, the peristaltic pump both injects and aspirates the site. The aspirated fat and tissue is kept in a closed cycle so that contamination is minimized and exposure to the air by the fat is prevented; thereby permitting the aspirated fat to be used elsewhere for body contouring.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising a body of proton donor electrolyte in effective contact with first and second electrodes one of which consists essentially of a fullerene in contact with a conductive material. By the application of an electric current across the electrodes the cell can be used to hydrogenate the fullerene, thereby storing hydrogen and electric energy.

Abstract: An improved communication channel between two sites in which power for the second site is communicated via the cable from the first site's electrical source. Since the electrical source is used to create a higher voltage instead of power from the host apparatus at the first site, enhanced transmission is possible permitting the cable to extend in excess of one hundred fifty feet. Further, since the remote second site does not require any power at its location, it can operate in a wider range of applications and environments.

Abstract: A method, and product from the method, of faceting a gemstone in which the facets, when combined with the polishing/non-polishing of the facet form an image such as the Star-of-David. The image is visible when viewed through the table of the gem. On one end of a clear or substantially clear gemstone, a series of facets are made which combine to create lines and boundaries. Through selective polishing of the facets, usually as they are made, some of the facets so created are darker and more visible than the others. These darker facets assist in forming the Star-of-David, or other image, visible through the table of the finished gemstone.

Abstract: A portable drakroom safelight which incorporates several features which enhance its usefulness in a darkroom. The portable safelight includes a lamp, a safelight filter, rechargeable batteries, a light sensor, and control means. The safelight filter filters all light produced by the lamp, thus making the safelight safe for use in a darkroom and with photosensitive materials. A surface mounting bracket or stand supports the portable safelight and includes a transformer for converting household electric current into low voltage direct current suitable for use by the portable safelight. When the portable safelight is removed from the mounting bracket it automatically switches to operate from the rechargeable batteries and its illumination level is automatically reduced. The lamp is automatically turned off or on when the light sensor detects the presence or absence of ambient white light.

Abstract: An improved ceiling system to be assembled under an existing ceiling. The ceiling system is constructed of materials so as to simulate naturally occurring materials. The support members simulate such items as logs, wooden beams, and the like. Panels between the support member also simulate naturally occurring items like latillas and saguaro ribs. In the preferred embodiment, the support beams are constructed through a casting method and are composed of foam which is then painted to simulate the desired naturally occurring material. In the preferred embodiment of the panels, they are constructed of the same materials so that the resulting assemblage is not only extremely light and easy to install and transport, but, is also less expensive than naturally occurring materials which are becoming scarce.

Abstract: An improved arrow tip suitable for hunting and an arrow assemblage associated therewith. The arrow tip has a tapered main body with four slots therein. Two fixed blades 180 degrees apart, are secured at the rear of the main body and at a swivel point; these fixed blades are removable, permitting the user to create a two blade embodiment by removing the fixed blades. Two angled or L-shaped blades are swivelly attached, at the swivel point, to the main body member such that the longer leg of the angled blades is contained within the slots during in-flight. The shorter leg of the angled blade is exposed during in-flight; but, upon impact and penetration, the shorter leg encounters resistance from the flesh of the animal, thereby swiveling the longer leg from the protection of the slot, and exposing the cutting edge the longer leg. The longer leg's more lethal cutting edge creates extensive bleeding in the animal and thereby causes a faster and more humane death.

Abstract: An improved dissecting technique in which a balloon dissector having a predetermined inflated size and shape is placed between two naturally occurring layers and then the balloon's envelope is inflated to its full size to force these layers apart. The inflatable balloon is preferably inserted through an incision and is enclosed in a sheath which is removed prior to expansion of the envelope. Once the layers have been so separated, the balloon is deflated and extracted (either by pulling on the fill tube or by reinsertion into the protective sheath). Monitoring of the envelope's positioning is done through either endoscopic monitoring at the surgical site, or using a radiation imaging apparatus (available when the envelope has been treated to be radiopaque). Since the envelope has a predetermined inflated size and shape, the dissection is ideal for such applications as where the entire forehead is to be dissected for a browlift, or to dissect in preparation for breast augmentation.

Abstract: An improved endoscope assembly for exploratory and general surgery which permits exceptional vision while eliminating the requirement of both washing of the lense and expansion of the body cavity. Using a standard endoscope, a housing is placed over the end of the endoscope. The housing is equipped with a window for viewing through by the endoscope's viewing tip. The window is arranged at an angle different from the angle of the viewing tip so that light is reflected back into the housing, and not into the viewing tip. The interior of the housing is coated with a light absorbing material to eliminate back-scattering of light into the viewing tip of the endoscope which degrades the endoscope's vision. An air-chamber between the viewing tip of the endoscope and the window assures the crispest vision possible. Further, fogging of the window is eliminated through the use of heating wires, dry gases, or the like so that the endoscope is also useful for cadaver lessons.

Abstract: An improved medical tool which combines tumescent anesthetic solution with lipoplastic. Using a peristaltic pump and a cannula, the surgeon directs the tumescent solution into the area of concern. The tumescent solution provides both a local anesthetic as well as a vasoconstrictor. The solution eliminates the need for a general anesthetic, thus eliminating problems associated therewith, and the solution causes the blood vessels to constrict, reducing the amount of blood loss during the procedure. Once the solution has had an opportunity to perform its function, the surgeon reverses the direction of the peristaltic pump and removes the fat and tissue through the same cannula used for the tumescent portion of the operation. Since the suction process is performed by the peristaltic pump (as opposed to manually by the surgeon), the cannula is reduced in size to a highly versatile and tactile instrument providing highly improved results.

Abstract: A novel pH buffering system which is functionally stable under electrophoretic conditions employs buffering components in complementary buffer pairs. The buffering components are selected from among simple chemically defined ampholytes, weak acids and weak bases, and are paired together on the basis of their dissociation characteristics to define narrow overlapping buffering zones in which the buffering components exhibit low net electrophoretic mobility combined with desired pH buffering capacity. The narrow buffering zones cover from 0.4 to 1.25 pH units within a broad range of pH values of from about pH 3 to about pH 10. Specific buffering pH values within the narrow buffering zones are obtainable by varying the molar ratios of the two buffering components of the selected buffer pair. The buffering system may be used to form functionally stable precast narrow pH zone gradients in free solution, and has particular utility in isoelectric focusing and other electrophoretic processes.

Abstract: An efficient optical radiation detector for lightning or other light signals such as pulses, bursts, flashes, and steady fluctuations. A silicon photodiode (or similar light-sensitive silicon device) is arranged to receive light signals (infrared, visible, ultraviolet, broadband, etc.) of interest. The photodiode is connected across the primary winding of a properly-designed transformer. The transformer-coupled photodiode circuit gives AC coupling, photodiode bias, voltage gain, and several other desirable detector characteristics. Light fluctuations on the photodiode produce variations of photocurrent in the transformer primary circuit which, in turn, induce current in the secondary winding and circuit of the transformer. The current induced in the secondary circuit of the transformer is used to do useful work (such as energize an audible alarm, increment a counter, latch a relay, etc.

Abstract: An improved hopper and conveyance tube combination which is resistant to clogging and more easily loaded. Material is delivered from the hopper and into the conveyance tube through an inlet opening in the side of the conveyance tube. Because the inlet opening is in the side of the conveyance tube, the tube can not become completely clogged. Air or conveying fluid is always able to move through the conveyance tube and eventually conveys all of the materials to the desired destination. A ramp connected to the rim of the hopper permits materials on the floor to be easily swept up the ramp and into the hopper.

Abstract: A cleansing/sterilizing apparatus which is a transportable apparatus and method for inside-outside and sterilization of various complex reusable medical/dental instruments, including but not limited to laparoscopic instruments and dental handpieces. The apparatus avoids the use of heat, pressure, severe agitation, or corrosive chemicals which might damage delicate equipment. The apparatus preserves each processed instrument hermetically sealed in a sterile dry environment within a detachable/portable capsule until its next use.