Abstract: An apparatus and method for visualizing a scene in the form of image rays projecting along a path includes a plurality of charge coupled device detectors disposed along the path to receive the image rays and to collect data. This data includes both noise data which is collected at a generally constant rate, and image data which is collected when the image rays are present along the path. A clock which facilitates discharge of the data from the image array has a first state wherein the data is retained in the detectors, and a second state wherein the data is discharged from the detectors. An event detector including a plurality of charge coupled device detectors forms an event array which places the clock in the first state when the image rays are present along the path and places the clock in the second state when the image rays are absent from the path.

Abstract: A valvulotome for disrupting valve cusps in the vein of a patient includes a shaft and a cutting member which extends along an axis that defines an axial direction as well as an angular direction. First and second portions of the cutting member define respective cutting edges which extend outwardly of the axis in an angular relationship and an axial relationship with each other. The first and second cutting edges engage and disrupt different cusps of the valve when the shaft is withdrawn axially from the vein. Each of the cutting edges is protected by a proximate shoulder which inhibits the engagement of sidebranches by the associated cutting edge. The cutting member may be formed as a helical blade, a wire or a cylinder and may be provided with a swivel coupling as well as a sheath operable to cover or expose the cutting member.

Abstract: A surgical clamp combination includes a clamp movable between a free state and operable state, the clamp including a pair of jaws which can be operated to occlude a body conduit. A clamp applier is adapted to releasibly engage the clamp in the free state and to operate the clamp in the operable state to close the jaws. The applier has a housing disposed at a proximal end and a tube extending distally and configured to receive the clamp in the operable state. A shaft is disposed within the tube and movable between an extended position to engage the clamp in the free state and a retracted position to releasibly hold the clamp in the operable state. With the clamp in the operable state, the shaft is rotatable by operation of a handle and aladdin screw, to alternatively rotate in opposite directions to open and close the jaws of the clamp.

Abstract: A device for transferring fluid with minimum fluid displacement includes a valve internal chamber adapted for receiving an actuator therethrough for facilitating introduction of fluid into the valve internal chamber. A biased member abuts against either a compressible gas or an ambient atmosphere, and is adapted for being moved by the actuator. Movement of the biased member results in displacement of either the compressible gas or the ambient atmosphere to thereby offset a displacement of fluid in the valve internal chamber that was introduced by insertion of the actuator into the valve internal chamber. A valve outlet port is adapted for outputting fluid from the valve internal chamber. The valve outlet port is configured in fluid communication with the valve internal chamber at all times, and is adapted for allowing fluid to freely flow between the valve internal chamber and the valve outlet port.

Abstract: A trocar having a working channel extending along an between a distal end and a proximal end includes a cannula at the distal end and a housing at the proximal end which define a working channel of the trocar. A valve disposed in the working channel separates the trocar into regions proximal of the valve and regions distal of the valve. The valve includes elastomeric means which form a first seal that is openably closable across the working channel. A wall of the valve extends radially outwardly of the elastomeric means and forms a second seal with the housing. The trocar also includes means for defining a passage extending from regions exterior of the trocar through the regions proximal of the valve and into the regions distal of the valve. Valve means disposed across this passage controls the administration of fluid through the passage and into the working channel of the cannula.

Abstract: A sleeping bag having multiple sleeping compartments and including a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. A first zipper is used to removably join the first layer to the second layer, defining a first sleeping compartment. A second zipper is used to removably join the second layer to the third layer, defining a second sleeping compartment. Each of the layers provides differing insulation characteristics such that each of the sleeping compartments have different comfort characteristics. The sleeping bag may be flipped over to provide different comfort characteristics in each of the first and second sleeping compartments. An indicator for indicating the comfort characteristic of each particular sleeping compartment is attached to at least one layer, providing a simple method of determining which sleeping compartment is the preferred choice for a given environmental condition. Alternative types and configurations of indicators are also disclosed.

Abstract: A rotary sprinkler comprising a supporting structure and a sprinkler head mounted for rotational movement on the supporting structure. The sprinkler includes an arc controller for controlling the magnitude of the arc through which the sprinkler head can rotate and an arc adjuster for adjusting the arc controller to thereby adjust the arc through which the sprinkler head can rotate. The arc adjuster includes an arc adjust member mounted for rotation with the sprinkler head and drivingly coupled to the arc controller to adjust the arc through which the sprinkler head can rotate and an arc adjust driver for rotating the arc adjust member. The arc adjust member includes a plurality of seals integral with the arc adjust member and a pointer for providing an indication of one end of the arc through which the sprinkler head can rotate.

Abstract: A discharge lighting system includes a lighting server responsive to input power for controlling the operation of discharge lamps. An inverter in the server includes a full switching bridge having a first leg and a second leg operable at a common switching frequency but out of phase to provide for pulse width modulation and frequency variations to dim the discharge lamps. A protection circuit is provided to reduce the circulating currents resulting from an open-circuit condition. A power factor circuit includes an output capacitor which is maintained fully charged while the switching circuits are de-energized to extinguish the lamps. The charged condition of the capacitor avoids high in-rush currents when the lamps are again illuminated by activation of the switching circuit. A first tank circuit included in the inverter has a first resonant frequency which is greater than the switching frequency of the switching members.

Abstract: A pallet having a loaded state and an unloaded state include the top section and a bottom section each having a generally planar configuration. Spacing members, which extend transverse to and between the first and second top sections include first spacing members having a fixed relationship with both the top section and the bottom section, and at least one spacing member having in the unloaded state a fixed relationship to the bottom section and a movable relationship with respect to the top section. Another of the spacing members is disposed at a corner of the pallet and has a cylindrical outer surface which defines the shape of the pallet at the associated corner. The pallet can be preloaded to increase the load capacity by compressing the top section to form a camber in the top section. Accordingly, the load capacity to pallet weight ratio can be significantly increased.

Abstract: A sprinkler nozzle for use in irrigation having an inlet, an outlet and a flow passage extending between the inlet and the outlet. The outlet and the flow passage each have near stream and far stream portions and the nozzle is unpartitioned between the near stream and far stream portions so that a single stream can be emitted from the outlet. The far stream and near stream portions of the flow passage are configured to provide higher velocity less turbulent flow through the far stream portion of the outlet than through the near stream portion of the outlet. The nozzle includes a peripheral wall which has a main body and a hood with the hood being radially offset from the main body to form an opening. The nozzle is received in a bore and nozzle mounting structure of a spray head for a sprinkler. The hood has an abutment partly defining the opening which is engageable by a tool for withdrawing the nozzle from the bore.

Abstract: A rotary sprinkler including a sprinkler head, a drive motor and a drive train drivingly coupled to the motor and to the sprinkler head so that the motor can impart rotational movement to the sprinkler head. The drive train includes a shifter drivable between first and second positions for reversing the direction of the rotational output of the drive train. A buckling column spring provides the energy to move the shifter between the first and second positions. A one piece seal is used to provide a plurality of separate annular seals as well as to assist in mounting one or more components of the rotary sprinkler.

Abstract: A ligating device includes an elongate tube having an interior channel and an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end. A handle is disposed at the proximal end of the tube. Distal portions of the tube define a recess extending into the channel transversely of the axis. A suture extending through the channel includes first portions disposed proximally of the recess and second portions disposed distally of the recess. An engagement apparatus movable by operation of the handle engages the suture distally of the recess and is operable to draw the suture (loop) into the tube. In this manner, the suture substantially encircles the conduit permitting ligation of the conduit. An associated method includes the steps of moving the engagement apparatus to engage the suture and withdraw the suture ends from the body after substantially encircling the body conduit.

Abstract: A parallel jaw clip comprises a barrel base and a barrel cap which when joined together forming an outer barrel, a hollow plunger which fits within the outer barrel, and a spring positioned within the hollow plunger. The outer barrel which permits the plunger to slidably move within the outer barrel and return to its original position, a clamping jaw on the barrel cap and the plunger which are parallel to each other and which face each other to grasp an object. Also disclosed is a method for assembling a parallel jaw clip comprising placing a spring within the barrel base, placing a plunger within the barrel base so that the spring is within the hollow interior of the plunger, placing the barrel cap over the plunger and the barrel base, attaching the barrel cap to the base, and positioning the plunger top so that it remains outside the aperture in the barrel cap.

Abstract: An adjustable surgical clamp having an axis that is adapted to releasably engage the outer surface of a cylindrical instrument such as a trocar. An elastomeric sleeve has an outer surface and an inner surface which is sized to frictionally engage the instrument. A constriction member forming a ring around the sleeve is operable between a first position wherein the ring has a first diameter and a second position wherein the ring has a second diameter. A pair of tabs attached to the constriction member are movable relative to each other to operate the constriction member between the first and second positions. A tube extending axially of the constriction member includes a protrusion which may be in the form of a helix, a plurality of annuli or an inflatable balloon enhances the fixed relationship with a body wall.

Abstract: A suturing device includes a handle and an elongate needle having a hollow lumen. The needle is insertable percutaneously to form a suture around tissue portions within a body cavity. Initially the needle is inserted through the tissue portions and one end of a suture is deployable through the lumen of the needle by operation of the handle. The needle can then be retracted leaving the suture extending through the tissue portions. A snare also positioned within the lumen of the needle is deployable by operation of the handle to engage and capture the free end of the suture. Both ends of the suture can then be removed and a slip knot tied to form the suture. The snare can be formed in a hook configuration and maintained in a particular plane as it is deployed and retracted. This enables the hook to be guided back into the lumen in order to capture the free end of the suture line and facilitate retraction of the suturing device.

Abstract: A body garment adapted to be worn by a user having a waist and an abdominal area includes a brief having a waist band and a crotch section sized and configured to be worn over the abdominal area of the user. A tubular enclosure forms a sanitary barrier having a closed end and an opened end, an elongated state and a collapsed state. The open end is coupled to the crotch section of the brief. An envelope sealed to the brief defines a compartment to removably receive the tubular enclosure in the collapsed state. An associated method includes the step of inverting one of the brief or the tubular enclosure between a first state wherein the tubular enclosure extends inwardly of the brief in order to accommodate a female anatomy, and a second state wherein the tubular enclosure extends outwardly of the brief in order to accommodate a male anatomy.

Abstract: A method for performing a surgical operation on a body conduit includes the step of inserting into the conduit an apparatus having at its distal end an element the location of which is detectable from regions exterior of the body. The apparatus is moved within the conduit until the element is positioned relative to a predetermined location where the element functions as a target. Detecting the location of this target within the conduit facilitates insertion of a surgical instrument percutaneously of the body and toward the predetermined location. The targeting apparatus may be used with an endoscope and may include a variety of active and passive elements which form the target. The surgical instrument can be inserted percutaneously transverse to the axis of the conduit to perform a variety of surgical operations. Sidebranch occlusion in an insitu procedure is greatly facilitated by this method and apparatus.

Abstract: A dilatation catheter assembly is set forth which permits dilatation and incision of tissue whereby trauma and damage to the tissue due to uncontrolled tearing is reduced or eliminated. The assembly comprises an elongated tubular body having a distal end that carries a dilatation bladder and cutting element carried on the exterior of the bladder and that moves radially in concert with the exterior of the bladder as the bladder is inflated and deflated. The bladder is not linearly extensible and is extensible only to a specified volume and/or the cutting element utilized is a radio frequency cutting element.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a needle having an outer surface and an anchor bar disposed in sliding engagement with the needle. A suture has a first end attached to the anchor bar and a second end extending laterally of the anchor bar and outwardly of the needle. A pusher is movable coaxially of the needle to engage the anchor bar and to separate the anchor bar from the needle to form an anchor relative to a body wall. The anchor bar may have an outer surface with an inclined relationship to its longitudinal axis in order to facilitate axial insertion of the anchor bar through the body wall. An associated method for anchoring a pair of body walls includes the step of attaching a bolster to the second end of the suture and separating the anchor bar from the needle with the anchor bar and the first end of the suture disposed on one side of the body wall and the second end of the suture disposed on the other side of the body wall.

Abstract: A surgical guidewire having a distal section and a proximal section includes a core with a first end and a second end. A longitudinal spring disposed circumferentially of the core has a first end coupled to the second end of the core and a second end which extends distally of the core. A sheath has a spaced sliding relationship with at least a portion of the spring and a frictional fixed relationship with at least a portion of the core. An associated method of manufacture includes the step of selecting from a group of sheaths having different characteristics but a common inside diameter, a particular sheath desired for the guidewire.