Abstract: A means and method for sutureless surgical anastomosis. A heat shrinkable sleeve is placed around two tubular members to be anastomosed and then shrunk to engage and maintain the two tubular members in an anastomotic relationship. The ends of the tubular members are everted over rigid or semi-rigid ferrules placed on the ends of the tubular members.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermal imaging method to evaluate the surface and subsurface properties of a material and is based on techniques of optical beam deflection thermal imaging. The invention uses a localized excitation source, such as an optical beam, to provide localized heating of the sample surface. A surface thermal gradient is induced on the sample surface as heat flows, in three dimensions, from the area of localized excitation into the test material. The surface temperature gradient causes a thermal refractive lens to be generated in the fluid (gas or liquid) adjacent to the sample surface. An optical probe beam is directed through the thermal lens and is deflected by changes in a refractive index of the thermal lens. Changes in the refractive index are induced by variations of the surface temperature. In this manner, a detailed surface temperature profile can be generated which reveals surface and subsurface properties of the material tested.

Abstract: A television system for observing an event which provides a composite video output comprising the serially interlaced images the system is greater than the time resolution of any of the individual cameras.

Abstract: A communications network for providing full-duplex data transfer between any two network interface units on a one-to-all-others contention bus. Network interface units (NIUs) send and receive data signals on outgoing and incoming links, respectively, which are connected to junction boxes which couple the incoming link connected to one network interface unit to the outgoing links of only the other NIUs. The data signals have source address codes and destination address codes applied thereto, which codes are examined by each NIU receiving a data signal to determine (1) if the NIU will accept the data signal for processing and (2) if full duplex data transfer is occurring. Transmission of all data signals in the network is temporarily aborted when any two NIUs are transmitting data signals and at least the signal transmitted by one of the NIUs is not addressed to the other NIU.

Abstract: A generated signal is passed through an elongated signal conveying element positioned preferably perpendicular to the surface of a fluid the level of which is to be measured. The signal is directed from the signal conveying element to a detector element which senses the signal output from the signal conveying element. The signal output detected in an optical embodiment varies logarithmically with the depth of immersion of the signal conveying element into the fluid. A preferred embodiment employs an electromagnetic wave, e.g., light, signal which passes through a light pipe signal conveying element. By nearly matching the light pipe index of refraction with that of the fluid, a predetermined precentage of the wave is lost into the fluid each time the light is reflected further along the pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing self-injurious behavior in patients is disclosed. The apparatus generally contains one or more sensor modules, which detect self-injurious blows, and a separate stimulation module, which produces an aversive electric stimulation. The sensor module and stimulation module are mounted directly on a patient's body members, e.g., a sensor module can be mounted on a headband worn around the patient's head and the stimulation module can be mounted on an arm band worn around the patient's arm. The sensor module communicates with the stimulation module by either: (1) transmitting radio waves, which are received by the stimulation module or (2) sending a small alternating electrical signal through the patient's body, which is detected by electrodes in the stimulation module. In operation, a sensor module detects a blow to the sensed body member and sends a signal to the stimulation module which in turn generates a controlled electrical current for aversive stimulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an open cycle ocean thermal energy conversion plant for deriving power from the thermal differential between the surface waters and cold waters at a depth in tropical oceans. Warm surface water is sprayed into a lower chamber which is at pressure approximately equal to the vapor pressure of the warm water where part of the water evaporates. The vapor then passes through a venturi or venturis dividing the lower chamber from the upper chamber which is maintained at pressure approximately equal to the vapor pressure of the cold water. The pressure difference across the venturi(s) causes the vapor to emerge into the upper chamber at supersonic speed. Cold water injected into the supersonic jets gains momentum and energy from the jets which causes it to be forced upward to the top of the chamber where it is collected. In the process the vapor is cooled and condensed by cold water.

Abstract: A frequency encoding closed loop circuit with transducer, comprising a closed inner digital loop nested in a closed outer loop which carries both digital and analog signals, associates a corresponding frequency output to variations in the magnitude of physical quantity input to a transducer which is contained within the outer loop. The encoder achieves the advantage of synchronous detection in converting changes in a transduced quantity into a frequency count. The encoder produces frequency shifts at its output that are proportional to the transducer input and are significantly immune to noise and power input fluctuations.

Abstract: An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus which is configured for transportation to an object positioned for use for in situ cleaning and a method for accomplishing the cleaning. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a substantially planar transducer array which can be employed to clean biofouling from heat exchangers or other devices that are disposed in a contaminated liquid environment. Sufficient levels of power can be generated so that the liquid medium in which the cleaning apparatus is disposed can be caused to undergo cavitation to effect the desired cleaning action. Through the use of various types of instrumentation, areas which need to be cleaned as well as the effectiveness of cleaning and the operating parameters of the apparatus can be determined. The transducers are oriented so that they radiate in alternate directions to produce bi-directional radiation and are energized by a pulsating power input.

Abstract: An implantable programmable medication infusion system comprises an implantable portion (2) having a medication reservoir (10) at below body pressure and isolated at its input from the body in which it is implanted by an antechamber (8) the pressure integrity of which is checked before filling the medication reservoir (10). Safety features include a leak detector (35), inlet and outlet valves (14 and 212) used with flow impeding filters (12 and 218), and a maximum allowable pressure in a pulsatile bellows pump (202) all of which prevent undesired infusion of medication. Medication flow from the pulsatile bellows pump (202) is in response to programming commands from a drug programming system (1) and processed in an electronics section (30) which uses the commands to program memory units (320 and 322) and to request pulses of medication. Hardwired limit controls (324 and 326) prevent excessive dosage requests from reaching the pulsatile bellows pump (202).

Abstract: A current-controlled, bistable threshold or memory switch comprises a polycrystalline metal-organic semiconductor sandwiched between metallic electrodes. Films of either copper or silver complexed with TNAP, DDQ, TCNE, TCNQ, derivative TCNQ molecules, or other such electron acceptors provides 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: An inertial energy storage rotor device or superflywheel having a hub means affixed to a rim means by a plurality of spokes formed from a single filament which is wrapped partially around the rim means and alternately engages the upper and lower surfaces of the hub means to join the spokes. In one embodiment, the hub is secured by a single filament wound into a plurality of spokes to a ring means about which a rim means is wound. The ring means is secured to the rim means of this embodiment at a plurality of discrete locations about the circumference thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle-follower control law for short headway automated guideway transit systems is implemented to provide an apparently optimal system in light of sensor accuracy, controller structure, and data transmission requirements. In particular, the spacing between two vehicles on a guideway is forced to an approximate optimal minimum value (S'.sub.min) by generating a signal (.epsilon.) which is the difference between the actual spacing (S) and the approximate optimal minimum spacing (S'.sub.min) and by driving the signal .epsilon. to zero according to a predetermined control law. In accordance with the invention, a constant headway or constant K-factor design can be employed in defining the control law. Embodiments for 0.5 second and 3 second headways are provided.

Abstract: A generated signal is passed through an elongated signal conveying element positioned preferably perpendicular to the surface of a fluid the level of which is to be measured. The signal is directed from the signal conveying element to a detector element which senses the signal output from the signal conveying element. The signal output detected varies linearly with the depth of immersion of the signal conveying element into the fluid. In one embodiment, the signal conveying element is a capacitive probe comprising two plates or wires, one of which is grounded to the fluid into which the two plates or wires are immersed. Proper selection of accompanying circuitry results in detected signal changes which vary linearly with immersion changes. A second embodiment employs an electromagnetic wave, e.g. light, signal which passes through a light pipe signal conveying element. By nearly matching the light pipe index of refraction with that of the fluid, a predetermined percentage of the wave is lost into the fluid.

Abstract: Invention involves a process for automatically producing a computer program in machine assembly language directly from a two-dimensional network representing the flow of data and control logic which it is desired to accomplish on a specified general purpose digital computer. The network used to represent the desired data processing to be programmed involves a fundamentally new type of graphical representation, herein referred to as "data flow circuits". A specially defined "vocabulary" of some 50 basic data processing "data circuit elements" constitute the building blocks of data flow circuits. These elements on the one hand are functionally equivalent to hardware digital processing operations, and on the other hand are exactly defined as a set of computer instructions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved thin film semiconductor p-n junction device and its method of fabrication, utilizing vacuum deposition techniques, whereby continuous/batch processing may be utilized, capable of mass producing p-n junction devices; e.g. solar cells, with large surface areas and good operating efficiency and at low cost. A novel feature of the proposed device and its method of fabrication is the formation of the bottom electrode of the device, located between the nonconducting substrate and the overlying silicon semiconductor layer, as a metal boride region which possesses several characteristics particularly necessary to the fabrication of thin film silicon solar cells for example, having improved structural and operating properties, as well as good operating efficiency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and apparatus, particularly adapted for use with an automatic implantable defibrillator, for monitoring electrocardiagram (ECG) data signals to provide a continuously updated recording of the ECG data. The proposed recorder responds to the operating condition of the automatic implanted defibrillator device and places into storage, for subsequent readout by the patient's doctor, ECG data both immediately preceding the onset of a ventricular fibrillation episode and also during the subsequent defibrillation activity, when one or more high energy electrical impulses are applied to the patient's heart. Selected other data regarding operation of the implanted defibrillator and pertinent to the doctor's evaluation of the patient's condition as well as the efficacy of the defibrillator unit, are also recorded by the proposed apparatus for subsequent readout.

Abstract: A switch structure, adapted for sensing the state-of-charge of a rechargeable cell, includes a contact element which detects cell casing deflection that occurs as a result of an increase in gaseous pressure within the cell when the cell is returned to its fully charged state during a recharging operation.

Abstract: An implantable transensor device containing a passive RF resonant circuit having a natural frequency influenced by the pressure of the sensor's environment in a body cavity of a living entity. The circuit of the transensor includes an inductor and a capacitor, at least one of which varies in value in direct relation to variation of environmental pressure to change the resonant frequency of the circuit. The circuit can be externally interrogated to determine the resonant frequency thereof at any point in time by the imposition thereon of swept frequency electromagnetic radiation provided by a monitoring device which determines when some of the radiation is absorbed as a result of the frequency of the radiation being the same as the resonant frequency of the transensor circuit. An imposed relationship exists between the sensed environmental pressure, and the reactance of the reactive components of the circuit.

Abstract: An improved chin controller system, for controlling a motor-driven wheelchair or the like, comprises an elongated control arm which extends unobtrusively to a location adjacent to occupant's chin and there supports an actuator mechanism, designed with very low profile to present minimum obstruction in front of the user-patient's face. The controller unit is designed so that when not in use, the user may readily move the controller to one side. The actuator carried on the control arm is engageable by the underside of the user's chin and may be moved vertically (depressed) to provide proportional speed control of the wheelchair, and laterally (from side-to-side) in a horizontal plane, to provide proportional left/right steering control. The actuator also comprises means enabling the user to select the desired forward or reverse direction of travel for the wheelchair and also to select between different drive torque levels for the drive motors.