Abstract: A rear window assembly for a vehicle comprising a generally rectangular frame having horizontal and vertical sides and being adapted to fit into a rear window opening in the vehicle. Upper and lower channels are disposed in each of the horizontal sides and are adapted to receive at least one closure member. The closure member is adapted to close a portion of the area defined by the frame. A screen having a support disposed around its perimeter is arranged to fit within the frame. The frame is detachably disposed relative to the closure member to fill the area defined by the frame whereby said screen can be readily removed from the frame.

Abstract: Edge guiding apparatus for a sewing machine that controls the position of a fabric ply edge relative to a reference line. A friction wheel feeds a fabric ply toward a sewing station. If the fabric ply edge displaces from the reference line, control circuitry energizes a drive motor that displaces the friction wheel along an axis perpendicular to the reference line. Simultaneously the friction wheel pivots about a support axis that is orthogonal to a plane containing the reference line and displacement axis. Pressure apparatus holds the friction wheel against a fabric ply with a substantially constant force.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing attenuation data for compensating a radionuclide emission imaging system. A single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) system includes a radiation source disposed across the field of view from a detector portion and offset from a diameter through the center of the field of view intersecting a center of the detector portion. The radiation source and detector thereby define an asymmetrical radiation pattern that enlarges an attenuation field of view to provide a more thorough sampling of an object in the field of view.

Abstract: Ice fishing apparatus includes a solar energy collecting plate for location on the ice over a hole in the ice and a vertical arm. The vertical arm positions a fishing line and spool in the water for rotation about a horizontal axis. The upper end of the arm carries a bracket and a tip up alarm spring structure that can be cocked by a retaining structure mounted at the upper end of the arm. A release mechanism including a rod attaches to the edge of the arm rotates in response to rotation of the spool to displace the tip up alarm from a retention finger whereby the tip up alarm extends to a vertical alarm position.

Abstract: A controller for an intracorporeal knot tying device including a hollow handle housing and a slider operator captured in the handle for linear motion between proximal and distal positions. The slider attaches to an elongated, tubular member formed of a shape memory material for carrying a suture thread through an internal passage and a bight formed in the tube. An outer sheath extends from the handle and supports the remaining length of the tube. When a knot is to be formed, a free end of the suture is pulled through tubular member by means of an introducer. A physician advances the operator to displace the distal end of the tubular member to form the bight. Subsequently, the physician retracts the operator to a proximal position to straighten the bight and throw off a knot in the suture thread for subsequent tightening. The operator includes means for grasping the suture.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for treating an irregularity in a wall of a vessel of a patient defined by an irregular or afflicted wall portion with adjacent normal wall portions comprises a catheter having a distal end portion for being guided through the vessel to the site of the irregularity. A balloon associated with said distal end portion of the catheter for selective inflating to contact the walls of the vessel urges a stent carried by the distal end portion of the catheter in a constricted condition for passage through the vessel into an expanded form with the stent spanning the afflicted wall portion and contacting the adjacent wall portions. The catheter is formed with lumens for inflating the balloon, for receiving a guidewire for guiding the catheter through the vessel, and for connecting a port in the catheter proximate the afflicted wall portion to enable delivery of a therapeutic agent into the vessel to contact the stent and the irregular wall portion.

Abstract: An annunciator for indicating the removal of an electrical plug from the electrical receptacle. The electrical receptacle includes neutral switching contacts actuated in response to the insertion of a plug into the receptacle. An input circuit in the annunciator apparatus monitors the state of the neutral switching contacts and couples signals produced when a plug is removed to a latching circuit thereby to produce an audible or electrical indication of plug removal. The input Circuit and latching circuit are electrically isolated, and the annunciator detects any attempts to disconnect the apparatus from an external power supply or to remove any internal battery.

Abstract: A band assembly for effecting a seal particularly adapted for use in establishing a joint between a sewer pipe and a reinforced concrete manhole riser. The seal is affected by a tapered elastomeric tubular connector boot and a clamping band member with an expansion mechanism. Wedge followers are loosely captured in the end sections of the clamping band and lie along a circumferential center line on the band. Driving wedges extend along an axis transverse to the circumferential center line. The wedge followers and wedge drivers both have divergent edge sections that interengage and slide over one another as the driving wedges are pulled together by a clamping mechanism comprising, in a simplest form, a nut and bolt. As the driving wedges move toward the circumferential center line, they displace the wedge followers. The wedge followers engage the end portions of the clamping band and force it and the connector boot into a sealing relationship with the surrounding manhole riser.

Abstract: A nozzle for atomizing a liquid includes at least one Venturi tube. A Venturi tube defines a liquid flow path and has an entrance cone, an intermediate throat of diameter d.sub.n, and an exit cone having a length along the flow path to an exit port of at least about 2d.sub.n. The exit cone also has an angle of divergence that varies from 0.degree. at the throat to about 6.degree. at the exit port. As liquid with an entrained gas, preferably constituting about 10.sup.-2 to about 10.sup.-3 fractions, passes through the throat in a Venturi tube with a Reynold's number greater than about 2300, the liquid static pressure reduces and the entrained gas forms cavities that grow as the liquid passes through the exit cone. The nozzle is substantially free of any structure that could disturb the flow in the nozzle sufficiently to allow the static pressure on the liquid to rise significantly in the nozzle.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in the diagnosis and treatment of strictures in a biliary duct, urinary tract or pancreatic tract. The apparatus includes a dual lumen catheter device. One lumen size is sized to accommodate a guidewire. A second, parallel lumen has a non-circular cross-section and carries a cytology brush at one end that couples through an operator to a manipulator at another end. The cytology brush has an effective diameter that is greater than the diameter of the catheter device. Brush cytology samples are obtained without removing the guidewire from a stricture and without introducing any relative motion between the guidewire and the catheter. As the cytology brush is retracted into the non-circular lumen, its bristles compact around the operator for storage within the lumen. A predetermined arrangement of markers at the distal end of the catheter facilitates the measurement of stricture length by direct endoscopic visualization.

Abstract: A front panel for mounting a printed circuit board in a card cage. A central frame is formed with an integral extrusion from which integral printed circuit board mounting brackets can be formed on one surface of the central frame. Ejector assemblies mount at each end of the central frame and include an extruded mounting bracket that attaches to the central frame, an extruded ejection handle with legs that straddle the mounting frame and a solid handle portion with a pivot that mounts to a solid pin captured in the assembled structure. Rotating the extraction handle causes the legs to bear against the card cage and fully extract the printed circuit board from a back plane. When adjacent printed circuit boards are fully seated, the extraction handles align parallel the central plane and can support identifying labels in a clear and secure fashion.

Abstract: A biopsy needle instrument for capturing a plurality of discrete specimens. The instrument includes a housing, for supporting a plurality of axially elongated stylets and cannulas disposed about each stylet to form a plurality of biopsy needles. The cannula and stylet associated with each needle can be controlled independently or in conjunction with some other needles or all the needles. An elongated sheath supports the needles, can reposition the needles and control the specimen depth.

Abstract: Apparatus providing an adjustable height work surface. A work table is cantilevered from posts supported for vertical motion inside columns from a base. A drive connected between the work table and the base changes the height of the work table and is located between the columns and posts. Each post carries a rack that engages with a pinion supported by a column for rotation about a common axis. A rigid shaft interconnects two pinions and prevents relative pinion rotation. A stabilizing structure in each column interacts with the post to maintain engagement between the rack and pinion structure and maintains the work table in a horizontal position during adjustment and use.

Abstract: A mechanical coupler for connection to the eyepiece of an optical device. The coupler includes a body with an axially extending cylindrical wall that forms a socket with a spanning portion of the body. The cylindrical wall and body center and axially align the coupler and the eyepiece. A C-shaped clamping member has a central portion that is affixed to the wall and essentially tangentially extending free end portions that produce a side opening structure. When an eyepiece is inserted from the side, it wedges the free ends of the clamping member axially thereby producing internal restoring forces in the clamping member. When the eyepiece is seated in the socket, the free ends return toward a relaxed position and produce a clamping force that affixes the coupler axially to the eyepiece while permitting relative rotation between them.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating an aneurysm in a vessel that isolates a volume around the aneurysm, evacuates that volume and heats the aneurysmal wall. A catheter includes one or more inflatable balloons for defining the isolated volume and occluding and preventing any blood flow through the volume. Suction applied through the catheter to the isolated volume withdraws any blood in the isolated volume and displaces the tissue for contact with a thermal source that heats the aneurysmal wall. When the treatment is completed, the balloons are deflated and the catheter is removed from the vessel.

Abstract: A tray for the storage and transportation of multiple ball grid array (BGA) integrated circuit components in either of two component orientations. The tray has a lattice framework that defines discrete storage pocket areas. First inwardly facing tabs on the framework define a first support plane for engaging a component is a first orientation of the tray and component. Second inwardly facing tabs on the framework define a second support plane for engaging the component in the second orientation of the tray and component. The framework includes oppositely directed central and corner extensions that stabilize the component in the housing plane in either orientation and a registration structure for allowing the plural trays to be stacked for transport in either orientation.

Abstract: A portable door lock comprises a planar lock plate for extending from a door frame and a door edge with a transverse tongue at one end that passes through a frame striker plate into a recess. Apertures in a central portion of the lock plate align with apertures in a block that slides on the lock plate. A locking pin extends through registered apertures in the block and lock plate to lock the block relative to the lock plate when the block is slid against the door.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a plurality of ligating bands individually and sequentially. A support, attached to the distal end of an endoscope, carries the plurality of ligating bands at axially spaced positions along an exterior surface. The distal ends of each set of independent displacement filaments each ligating band releasably attach to the distal edge of the dispenser. Each filament loops around the corresponding ligating band and returns past the distal edge of the dispenser and through the endoscope to the proximal end thereof. When a physician pulls a set of filaments proximally, the loop in each filament advances the corresponding ligating band off the distal edge of the dispenser.

Abstract: Apparatus for ionizing a gas. The apparatus includes an ionizing generator with an insulating frame, an electrical insulator and a conductive brush formed of individual bristles. An ionizing power supply connects to the conductive frame and the electrically conductive brush. When a threshold potential is applied by the power supply, ionizing discharges emanate from the free ends of individual conductive wires in the brush and establish discharge paths with the conductive frame thereby to produce a volume of ionized gas.