Abstract: A stereophonic transmitting system is disclosed for transmitting in quadrature a single carrier signal carrying first and second signals. The transmitting system comprises a phase shifter or modulator for phase shifting a carrier signal of a frequency fc in accordance with a feedback signal to provide a phase shifted carrier signal. A first detector operates to detect a component of the phase modulated carrier signal in phase with the carrier signal to provide an in-phase signal and a second detector to detect a component of the phase modulated carrier signal out-of-phase with the carrier signal to provide a quadrature signal. A first multiplier multiplies the in-phase signal by the first signal to provide a first multiplied signal and a second multiplier multiplies the quadrature signal by the second signal to provide a second multiplied signal. A difference circuit is provided for obtaining the difference between the first and second multiplied signals to provide the feedback signal to the phase shifter.

Abstract: Apparatus for calibrating a fluid flow meter includes a meter prover for detecting a known volume of fluid through the meter including a chamber of known volume, a piston to be moved rectilinearly within the chamber and a motor driving the piston, the chamber being coupled to the fluid flow meter under test to permit the flow of fluid between the fluid flow meter and the chamber. A rotary encoder coupled to the fluid flow meter provides a first indication in the form of a first series of pulses indicative of the fluid flow as measured by the meter. A high precision linear encoder coupled to the meter prover responsive to the movement of the piston provides a second indication in the form of a second series of pulses indicative of the fluid drawn by the meter prover through the fluid flow meter.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring and storing electrical signals indicative of a patient's heart activity is disclosed as including a memory comprising a first plurality of storage locations for receiving a series of the patient's heart signal and a second plurality of storage locations. Further, there is included a circuit for accessing or examining the heart signals stored in the first plurality of locations to determine their duration and amplitude and a further circuit for comparing the determined amplitude and duration with given criteria and, if met, for storing the evaluated heart signals in locations of said second plurality in a compacted manner adapted to be read out. More specifically, the comparing circuit compares the amplitudes of signals in adjacent locations of said first plurality to determine their difference and, if greater than a given threshold value, to determine the existence of a valid peak of the patient's heart signals, i.e., his heartbeat.

Abstract: Apparatus for calibrating a meter prover is disclosed including a chamber taking the form of a substantially perfect right circular cylinder, a piston adapted for rectilinear movement within said cylinder between a first position and a second position, means for moving the piston from its first position to its second position, and an encoder coupled to the piston for providing an output signal indicative of the movement of the piston and thus the volume of fluid displaced by that movement of the piston. The calibrating apparatus comprises an antenna electromagnetic energy to the antenna whereby electromagnetic waves are emanated into the chamber. A detector is coupled to the antenna to detect electromagnetic energy leaving the chamber and is in turn coupled to a resonant detector in the form of a cathode ray tube, whereby a minimum of the level of the electromagnetic energy may be determined.

Abstract: A digital computer system is described as comprising an input data circuit, a processor for executing a program stored in a memory to process the inputted data, a depletable energy source (e.g., a battery) for energizing the elements of the computer system, and a power control circuit for selectively controlling the drain imposed upon the energy source in accordance with the data input into the system and the program executed by the processor. In an illustrative embodiment of this invention, the power control circuit is operative in at least three modes of operation, namely off/rest, power down, and operating. In the off/rest mode, the power control circuit imposes a minimum power drain upon the depletable energy source. An operator may manipulate a switch or actuation means to apply a transition signal to the power control, whereby the computer system is disposed from its off/rest mode to its power down mode.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for monitoring and storing electrical signals in a manner to detect the intervals between heartbeats and to provide a manifestation of whether the corresponding heart signals have a regular heart rhythm or not. Such apparatus comprises a memory having at least first and second areas, a circuit for receiving and sampling the heart signals, and a circuit for temporarily storing the heart sample signals in the first area. Further, there is included a circuit for processing or evaluating the heart signals stored in the first area to determine the occurrences of the patient's heartbeat and for determining the intervals between adjacent heartbeats. The determined intervals are stored in the second area and are evaluated to determine whether the patient's heart activity occurs with a regular rhythm. The monitoring and storing apparatus is operative over a monitoring period comprised of a plurality of trend sample intervals.

Abstract: Heart monitoring and storing apparatus is disclosed for evaluating heart activity signals to determine if valid, for identifying a characteristic of the valid heart activity signal, and for storing the signal into a corresponding location of a memory depending upon the characteristic of the heart activity signal. Such apparatus comprises the memory including a first area and a second area, and a circuit for sampling the heart activity signals and for storing the heart signal samples into corresponding locations of such first area. There is further included an evaluation circuit for determining whether the sampled heart activity signals as stored within the first area are valid and particularly if they indicate the occurrence of a heartbeat. An addressing circuit is provided for determining the various characteristics of a valid heart signal and for selectively addressing a location within said second area to store the valid heart signal of the corresponding characteristic.

Abstract: Apparatus for calibrating a flow meter under test is disclosed as including a chamber having an opening to be coupled by a conduit to the fluid meter under test, a piston to be driven by a motor in a first direction and in a second direction. A first valve is disposed within the conduit and inserted between the chamber opening and the fluid meter under test, while a second valve is associated by the conduit to the opening to permit exhaust of the fluid from the chamber. A control circuit including a microprocessor operates in a first mode to energize the motor to drive the piston in the first direction to draw fluid from the meter into the chamber while actuating the first valve to be opened and maintaining the second valve in its closed position.

Abstract: A programmer is disclosed for programming with encoded signals selected parameters and modes of operation for the control of a pacing generator including a memory for receiving and storing the encoded signals for the control of its operation. The programmer includes a keyboard for receiving upon selected of its keys the designation of the parameter or the mode of operation, as well as the value of the parameter to be so encoded, a display for indicating the mode or parameter to be programmed as well as the value thereof, a transmitter for encoding and transmitting signals via an antenna or coil to the pacing generator which has a receiving coil therein for detecting the transmitted signal. In accordance with the teachings of this invention, there is included a secondary coil inductively coupled to the antenna to sense the generation of signals therein.

Abstract: The sutureless myocardial lead introducer herein disclosed includes a handle having at the distal end thereof means for releasably holding a body tissue electrode for screwing into body tissue and is provided with a longitudinal slot extending toward the center of the handle and extending from adjacent the distal end thereof to the proximal end thereof to receive an insulated electric lead from the electrode. A hollow tube slides over the handle and holds the electric lead in place in the groove. A tunneling rod is slidably mounted within the handle and is provided with a fin which engages a locking slot at the proximal end of the handle. The fin may be disposed from a first position, wherein the fin is disposed in the locking slot, to a second position, wherein the tunneling rod engages the electrode to push the electrode clear of the handle, when the electrode has been screwed into the body tissue and when the tube has been removed from the handle releasing the electric lead from the slot in the handle.

Abstract: A cable or elongated member connector is disclosed as comprising a pair of legs interconnected by a bite portion having an aperture therein for receiving a cable therethrough. At the unattached end of each leg, there is disposed a foot for engaging the inner periphery of the aperture and a shielding member. A detent is disposed upon the inner surface of each leg between the foot and the bite portion, for engaging the outer peripheral surface of the cable to retain the cable to the connector. When the connector's feet are disposed to engage the panel aperture, the shielding members are disposed about the cable to form a shield over the panel aperture to prevent the introduction of extraneous material within the panel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for programming a threshold mode of operation into a pacing generator whereby the minimum level of energy of the stimulating pulse as generated by the pacing generator is determined. First, the original level of energy of the stimulating pulses is determined when this mode is commenced. The original energy level and in particular the pulse width is decremented by a predetermined incremental amount, and an encoded signal indicative of the new reduced pulse width is transmitted to the pacing generator, whereby the pacing generator applies the pulses of the reduced pulse width to the patient's heart. Further, there is included means for counting the number of pulses of reduced pulse width and after the application of a given number of pulses by the pacing generator to the patient's heart, the programming apparatus programs a new energy level decremented from the previously programmed value to be then transmitted to the pacing generator.

Abstract: A programmer is disclosed for transmitting encoded signals to a pacing generator to effect the programming of a mode and/or parameter of the pacering generator's operation. The pacing generator applies stimulating pulses to the patient's heart in accordance with the programmed parameters and/or mode and includes a memory for storing the encoded signals and means therein for detecting the successful storage of the parameters in the memory to provide an indication thereof, whereby a generating circuit of the pacing generator generates a test or PIP pulse of given characteristics and within a defined interval after the pacing pulse.

Abstract: An accurate frequency to voltage converter for cardiac telemetry systems, in which converter charges are stored in response to selected intervals proportional to the period of an alternating input signal. Linearization of the output voltage as a function of input frequency characteristic is effectively and inexpensively achieved by charging a set of charging and voltage holding capacitors from a substantially constant voltage through a resistance such that capacitor terminal voltage rises as an exponential function of time. The reciprocal function of frequency as a function of period has a similarly shaped characteristic curve, and these function characteristics are effectively combined by the invention to generate the desired linear overall conversion function.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for accurately providing a signal or signals indicative of the relatively sharp leading edge and the relatively attenuated trailing edge of a pulse and in particular of a pulse applied by a heart pacemaker to a patient's heart. The system of this invention functions to distinctly detect each of the relatively fast rising leading edge and the relatively slow rising trailing edge, while preventing a premature detection of the trailing upon the attenuated or drooping portion of the pacing pulse therebetween.

Abstract: There is disclosed a computer system including a storage means such as a random access memory (RAM) for receiving data to be displayed upon a display means, e.g. a color cathode ray tube, a microprocessor for control of the computer system operations, and viewer input devices such as a control stick or keyboard, whereby the viewer may respond selectively to the data displayed upon the display means. A limited capacity storage unit, illustratively in the form of a tape cassette, stores data in the form of a program for permitting the viewer to store useful material in the form of a repository, such as a Christmas list; the program to be displayed by the display means can assume any of a limitless number of programs and may be adapted to an exceptionally wide range of uses for the home, office or school. The computer system permits the viewer to respond as through the input devices, to the material being displayed, whereby subsequent material may be effected.

Abstract: An assembly of a primary and an auxiliary tool employed in implanting an electrical lead and its electrode in body tissue, the primary tool or device having a groove associated therewith for holding the electrode and the lead's conductor during implantation in a manner to avoid imparting torque to the lead and undue pressure upon the body tissue during release of the lead from the primary tool. The primary tool includes a leading end with a cavity for receiving a boot for the lead's helical electrode, the groove extending longitudinally for receiving the insulated conductor, and a longitudinally extending bore which communicates the groove for receiving the auxiliary tool. The auxiliary tool includes a body portion disposable within the bore, at least one fin extending radially from its body portion and disposable within the groove, and a terminal portion moveable into the cavity.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for programming a pacing generator with parameters and modes of operation to control the application of stimulating pulses to the patient's heart by the pacing generator. More specifically, the programming apparatus includes a keyboard for receiving by operator manipulation of the parameters and/or modes of operation; a display control means including memory means for storing a series of steps in which a particular parameter or mode of operation is to be programmed and for causing the display means to display messages directing the operator to enter in a desired sequence the program and or mode of operation via the keyboard means and error detecting means responsive to the depressing of an incorrect key of the keyboard for causing the control means to return to its initial step of its control processes.

Abstract: An improved watt-hour meter which permits time modulation of the power utilized wherein varying rates can be imposed upon the power user. The improved meter includes a substantially standard type watt-hour meter to which is added circuitry which alters the effective time during which the potential coil of the watt-hour meter is connected in circuit. Inasmuch as the power reading or indication by the meter is a function of the time during which the potential coil is connected in circuit, the effective power reading and, thus the rate structure can be selectively altered in this manner.

Abstract: A digital character generator method and system encode characters based on a normalized quad in accordance with coordinates of initial starting points of outlines of the character and variational parameters defining changes in those outlines such as slope and curvature. All characters of all formats are encoded for a maximum point size display. Vertical scaling factors permit character generation at any desired point size display. Horizontal scaling factors are employed both for transforming computations based on the encoded parameters for the normalized quad to a desired point size of display and also to adapt cyclic computations to the stroking density of a display CRT. .Iadd.