Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the concentration of certain analytes, including hydrocarbons, in a liquid medium, is disclosed. The apparatus uses a planar or "open" capacitor containing an active layer. In response to selected analyte in the liquid medium, the active layer causes capacitance to decrease with increasing analyte concentration. The capacitance decreases because higher dielectric water molecules are displaced from a region of the capacitor's electric field. For certain hydrocarbon analytes having high Henry's Law constants, the active layer causes bubbles to nucleate in the liquid medium on the surface of the active layer. Bubble formation displaces water molecules and decreases capacitance.

Abstract: A Memory-Linked Wavefront Array Processor (MWAP) is disclosed which computes a broad range of signal processing, scientific and engineering problems at ultra-high speed. The memory-linked wavefront array processor is an array of identical programmable processing elements linked together by dual-port memory elements that contain a set of special purpose control flags. All communication in the network is done asynchronously via the linking memory elements, thus providing asynchronous global communication with the processing array. The architecture allows coefficients, intermediate calculations and data used in computations to be stored in the linking elements between processing stages. The novel architecture also allows coefficients, intermediate calculations and data to be passed between the processing elements in any desired order not restricted by the order data is to be used by the receiving processing element.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for regulating the exposure of active surfaces by covering the surface with an erodible protection coating. The rate of erosion is controlled by chemical and/or physical means so that the surface is progressively and gradually exposed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a Guild array multiplier for two's complement notation. Three major cell types are used as building blocks in the array, the cells differing by a simple carry circuit only.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for non-invasively sensing physiological changes in the brain is disclosed. The apparatus and method uses an electromagnetic field to measure localized impedance changes in brain matter and fluid. Various spatial and temporal techniques are used to localize impedance changes in the brain. The apparatus and method has particular application in locating and providing time-trend measurements of the process of brain edema or the process of hydrocephalus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for non-invasive sensing of bone healing is disclosed. The apparatus and method uses an electromagnetic field to measure impedance changes at the bone fracture site during the healing process. The impedance change at the fracture site is a direct indication of the mechanical strength of the fracture site.

Abstract: For high power application of overmoded waveguide, air cooling is provided by applying air flow to the overmoded waveguide either directly or indirectly, through an air inlet which does not significantly disturb the internal electromagnetic fields.

Abstract: An enhanced optically sensitive medium is disclosed which uses an organic charge transfer complex as the switching material. The organic charge transfer complex includes at least one moiety in an oxidized state. An enhancement mechanism is taught which provides a secondary source of neutral molecules of said at least one constituent moiety in the neutral or altered oxidation state. For example, with CuTCNQ used as the switching material, the erasing characteristics can be improved by using a covering dispersion having a matrix polymer interspersed with neutral molecules of TCNQ.degree..

Abstract: A vibration dissipation mount which permits the mounting of a motor, generator, or the like such that the rotatable shaft thereof passes through the mount and the mount permits the dissipation of self-induced and otherwise induced vibrations wherein the mount comprises a pair of plates having complementary concave and convex surfaces, a semi-resilient material being disposed therebetween.

Abstract: The chin actuated controller system includes a control arm mounted at one end for pivotal movement in both the horizontal and vertical directions and a chin pad supported by the distal end of the control arm which extends to a location adjacent to the chin of a person. The chin pad which includes a chin switch is engageable by the person's chin to cause vertical and horizontal motion of the control arm and forward and reverse and movement of the chin switch. A cam mechanism in combination with a controller electrical circuit is used to convert the chin activated movements of the control arm and chin switch combination to an electrical signal which controls the powered apparatus. The controller electrical circuit also includes additional electrical circuits which provide for electrical switching between the various powered apparatus operations, logic control of the various powered apparatus operations and an audible sound indicating the initiation of the powered apparatus operation selected by the person.

Abstract: A sharp, mode-transducing bend structure for circular TE.sub.01 overmoded waveguide systems is formed by first transducing from circular TE.sub.01 waveguide into multiport rectangular TE.sub.10 waveguide, performing the desired bend, and then transducing from the multiport rectangular TE.sub.10 waveguide back into the circular TE.sub.01 waveguide.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a second level bus arbitration method and apparatus for use with a distributed computer network. The invention alleviates any simultaneous access possibility by requiring any computing element which claims access to the bus to first send a pseudo-random sequence over a common line using open collector logic. A computing element can access the bus if the sequence appearing on the common line is the sequence it transmitted. The invented arbitration system does not require central control or centralized clocking.

Abstract: A multistate organic optical storage medium is disclosed, wherein an optical beam can switch any "data storage spot" on said optical storage medium into three or more memory states. The optical storage medium may consist of a mixture of bistate switching modules, or it may consist of large delocalized amphoteric molecules. The illuminated area of said optical storage medium will undergo an electrochemical topactic redox reaction which will cause certain moieties in the illuminated area to change oxidation state. By changing the intensity of the optical "write" beam the illuminated area can be switched to a plurality of specific states each state having a unique set of oxidation species. An optical/spectroscopic means is used to identify the presence of oxidation species and to "read" the data stored.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing gas bubbles from the fluid handling system of a medication infusion system is disclosed. Specifically, the invention discloses a method for removing fluid and/or gas bubbles from fluid reservoir and pumping chamber. The present invention utilizes a fluid pump of a single valve positive displacement design with the pump chamber in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A current-controlled, bistable threshold or memory switch comprises a polycrystalline metal-organic semiconductor sandwiched between netallic electrodes. Films of either copper or silver complexed with TNAP, DDQ, TCNE, TCNQ, derivative TCNQ molecules, or other such electron acceptors provide switching between high and low impedance states with combined delay and switching times on the order of 1 nanosecond. Switching behavior of a complex of the present invention is related to the reduction potential of the acceptor molecule.

Abstract: A method and device for transducing multiple rectangular TE.sub.10 modes to circular TE.sub.01 mode. Multiple TE.sub.10 modes are transitioned into an intermediate mode which is transitioned into a circular TE.sub.01 mode and vice versa. Unique pyramidal structure provides overmoded high power operation without cooling and/or pressurization.

Abstract: A non-intrusive method and apparatus for performing qualitative analysis of a liquid disposed within a container transparent to laser radiation comprises a first laser focused at a selected point within the liquid to produce or generate bubbles emanating from that location and a laser Doppler velocimeter which is intercepted by the rising bubbles to produce an output signal indicating both bubble size and velocity, as indication of liquid quality.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for measuring pressure of a body at a selected site is provided wherein radiopaque means shift in response to pressure. The body is X-rayed using conventional techniques and the shifting of the radiopaque means is observed to indicate the change in pressure. Several embodiments of the present invention are suited for biomedical applications.

Abstract: The invention concerns a means having two instruments for everting an end of a severed artery over a ferrule surrounding the artery. A handle of a flaring instrument is squeezed to rotate a head section. Arms mounted to the head section open in the manner of an iris-diaphragm mechanism to flare the arterial end. Another instrument, curved forceps, urge the artery via the ferrule into the head section such that the arterial end is everted over the ferrule. Two everted arterial ends may be joined by sutureless vascular anastomosis.

Abstract: A medication infusion system provides redundant safety and includes condition detecting and informational alarm signal generating apparatus for indicating if (1) a fluid leak occurs in different portions of the system; (2) a programmable input from a patient or physician would result in exceeding a safe dosage limit; (3) the reservoir containing medication has been filled; (4) the intended medication pumping does not correlate with the pumping actually effected; (5) battery voltage is low; (6) the medication reserve is low; and (7) the system has been switched off. The apparatus may provide subcutaneous electrical, thermal, or audible stimulation to the patient and also provides a signal which a physician may monitor. The stimulation may be coded to separately identify each above-listed deviation in nominal system performance. In addition, the number of medication requests are correlated with actual medication dispensing to assure proper operation.