Abstract: A microwave hyperthermia apparatus that can be inserted into the body which includes a hollow central tube for the insertion of radioactive therapy sources. The use of a coaxial transmission line impedance transformation along the insertable portion of the coaxial cable enables a reduction in the characteristic impedance by increasing the outer diameter of the inner coaxial conductor so that the center conductor can be a metal tube. If the ratio of the outer coaxial conductor diameter vs. the inner coaxial conductor is decreased, the characteristic impedance of the transmission line is lowered. This enables the inner conductor diameter to increase sufficiently to make the central hollow opening large enough to receive standard radioactive sources therein. This provides for a good impedance match that improves microwave energy efficiency while at the same time permitting a large hollow center opening.

Abstract: An implantable biosensor for detecting an analyte in vivo in body fluids comprises an analyte-sensitive hydrogel filament chemically configured to vary its displacement volume according to changes in concentration of an analyte, such as glucose, in a patient's body fluid. A photometric displacement transducer placed inside the biosensor is configured to quantifiably detect changes in the displacement volume of the hydrogel filament, such as by detecting the light intensity on a photoreceptor arranged to receive light of varying intensity depending upon the displacement of the hydrogel filament. A battery powered telemeter operably engaged to the photometric displacement transducer sends a radio data signal representing glucose concentration level to a receiver containing an alarm system. The alarm system can automatically notify a person that the analyte level is outside desired predetermined parameters, and/or to automatically inject an agent to counteract the adverse analyte levels.

Abstract: This invention is a compressed air vaccum that attaches to an air hose and forces air down the handle. The air is then is forced through a venture, which causes vacuum to occur. It has a baffle deflection piece that stops the liquid and debris from coming up into the venture thus allowing the debris and liquid material to be dropped back into the canister of the vaccum. The handle, venture, and baffle are all one piece. The canister with the pick up tube for sucking is a separate piece and then they snap together. The canister is removable from the handle piece for easy clean up.

Abstract: A display representing a tree, such as a Christmas tree, has a trunk made of a hollow tube and held by a base in substantially vertical position. A liquid, such as water, is placed in the tube and an air supply in or near the bottom of the tube generates bubbles that rise through the tube. The tube and bubbles therein are preferably illuminated to add to the effectiveness of the display. Branches are secured to the trunk tube and extend outwardly therefrom to provide tree foliage and give the display the appearance of a tree or support foliage, such as in the form of a garland, which provides the tree foliage and gives the display the appearance of a tree.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively testing muscle strength and range of motion of a body part of a patient includes a housing having at least one contact area, and preferably two spaced apart contact areas, for contacting and aligning the apparatus with a body part to be tested for range of motion and an inclinometer to measure the angle of the apparatus and produce an angle signal indicative of the measured angle. The difference between the angle measured at one extreme of movement of the body part and at the other extreme of movement provides a measure of the range of motion. A force applicator coupler couples a force applicator to a force transducer to measure muscle strength. The force transducer produces a force signal indicative of the force applied by the force applicator to the force transducer.

Abstract: An implantable chip biosensor for detecting an analyte in vivo in body fluids comprises an analyte-sensitive hydrogel slab chemically configured to vary its displacement volume according to changes in concentration of an analyte, such as glucose, in a patient's body fluid, the slab being disposed in a groove in a support block. The biosensor chip is ‘read’ by an external scanner configured to quantifiably detect changes in the displacement volume of the hydrogel slab. The support block is made of rigid or semi-rigid support material to restrain expansion of the hydrogel in all but one dimension, and the groove has one or more openings covered with a semipermeable membrane to allow contact between the patient's body fluid and the hydrogel. The scanning means may be any type of imaging devices such as an ultrasound scanner, a magnetic resonance imager (MRI), or a computerized tomographic scanner (CT) capable of resolving changes in the slab's dimensions.

Abstract: A detector for detecting light, such as infrared light, reflected from discontinuous lane dividing lines or other lines on a highway surface from a moving motor vehicle to determine the position of the vehicle on the highway detects light reflected from the surface of the highway and includes circuitry to determine from the reflected light sensed not only the presence of a road line but a characteristic of the road line sensed to determine if the road line detected is consistent with previously detected road lines and therefore appears to be a valid road line. The alarm, when enabled, is activated unless a road line consistent with previously sensed road lines is sensed within successive fixed periods of time in which it is expected that a line should be sensed. By detecting the beginning and end of a signal, various characteristics of the sensed line can be determined, and such things as the type of line likely sensed or the speed of travel of the vehicle can also be determined.

Abstract: A dry supplement injection system produces a supplement slurry which is continuously introduced into a flow of irrigation water. The injection system includes a hopper having a cylindrical upper portion and a tapered lower portion terminating at a slurry outlet opening. An inverted perforated funnel assembly is disposed within the hopper. A spray nozzle connected to a water inlet pipe sprays water onto the inner surface of the funnel such that particles of micronized supplement in the hopper are washed through the perforated funnel forming a slurry. A mixing pan disposed below the hopper acts as a reservoir to hold slurry until pumped out through a slurry pump which pumps the slurry into a pressurized irrigation water pipe. Gravity feed of the slurry may replace the slurry pump for applications where the irrigation water is non-pressurized such as flood irrigation.

Abstract: A device for holding camping items ready for use at a camp site includes a support pole that is driven into the ground or is attached to a horizontal surface such as the top of a picnic table. The support pole has at least one, a preferably a plurality of, support arms that extend therefrom to hold camping items such as a lantern, paper towels, and cooking utensils. Support structures can also be secured to the support pole, such as by a sleeve which fits around the support pole to hold condiments, such as salt and pepper, or other items, such as garbage bags or a cutting board. The support arms are pivotally attached to the support pole to pivot between a support position wherein the arms extend from the support pole when the device is in use to hold the camping items, or a storage position wherein the arms are aligned with and substantially against the support pole for storage of the device.

Abstract: An electrical stimulation device for applying electrical stimulus to a living body includes a pair of applicators adapted to each contact the living body. The applicators each include electrically conductive material covered by electrically insulating material whereby the electrically conductive material is separated from the living body by the electrically insulating material when the applicators contact the living body. A preferred applicator is formed of flat cable having a plurality of conductors therein that form a plurality of antennas for transmitting electrical signals to the body. A signal generator generates a series of positive electrical pulses to be applied to the living body through the applicators.

Abstract: Dust from and erosion of earth surfaces is controlled by the application of a fatty acid containing material such as used vegetable oil, animal renderings, or a combination thereof such as Yellow Grease to the surface and allowing the surface to harden and dry. The hardening and drying of the surface may be accelerated by making an at least semi-emulsion of the fatty acid containing material with a surface binding material such as lignin, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, or a mixture thereof, and water. With the at least semi-emulsion, the fatty acid containing material makes up between about 30% to about 75% of the product, the surface binding material makes up between about 10% and about 40%, with the water making up the remainder. The product is applied to the earth surface to be treated and dries in several hours.

Abstract: An inflatable rocking recreational device includes an inflatable main body having a generally arc-shaped bottom surface for resting in water or on a surface such as the ground or a floor, and on which the device can be rocked. The device can include a plurality of connected bodies such as a main body with stabilizing bodies secured thereto or two or more main bodies secured side-by-side or at angles to one another to stabilize the body. Handles are provided to allow the users to grip and hold on to the body. The device is usually mounted by a plurality of users who rock the device back and forth along the arced bottom surface.

Abstract: A fence post connector includes a securement section for securing the post connector to a fence post and at least one receiving section for receiving an item to be joined. The item to be joined may be the end of a stabilizing fence post, a gate hinge, etc. For attachment to a T-post, a closure member captures the T-post between a pair of spaced arms extending from the receiving section and travel of the post connector along the T-post is limited by adjacent lugs extending from the T-post. These lugs may cooperate with the closure member, an arm, or the portion of the connector spacing the arms, to limit sliding. For attachment to a wood post, at least one arm abuts the post with an opening through which a fastener, such as a nail or screw, extends into the post. The post connector is generally used to connect fence posts in reinforcing configuration and loosely connects the various fence posts.

Abstract: Flavor potentiating and enhancing compositions include an aqueous mixture containing colloidal silica of preferable 10-100 angstrom particle size. The colloidal silica acts synergistically with other flavor inducing agents which may also be present in the mixture. The compositions according to the invention have been found to enhance flavor, tenderize meats, aid in the formation of a stable crust on breaded fried foods, and impart improved body, consistency, and flavor in soups, dressings, and beverage. Also a novel method for generating the colloidal silica in the presence of a magnetic field is disclosed.

Abstract: A quick connect and disconnect coupling which does not allow free rotation of the ends of the coupling with respect to one another includes a male connector having a coupling end and a female connector having a coupling end with a receiving opening therein to receive the coupling end of the male connector when the connectors are in coupled condition. A holding mechanism is associated with the connectors to hold them together in coupled condition and allow easy disconnection when desired. Interengaging cooperable surfaces are provided on the male and female connectors, such as tabs extending from the female connector to engage a flat or other tab mating surface on the male connector to substantially prevent relative rotation of the male connector in relation to the female connector. The coupling is particularly useful for attaching sprinkler heads to sprinkler head holding bases in sprinkler systems to allow easy replacement of the sprinkler heads.

Abstract: An apparatus and method utilizing a strip solution for removing gold from the loaded activated carbon used to accumulate such gold leached from gold bearing ore, and for electrically removing such gold from the strip solution by electrowinning. The apparatus includes a pair of strip columns fillable with loaded activated carbon. The strip columns are connectable individually and in series in respective continuous loops using a valved crossover pipe assembly to an electrowinning device, with the strip solution being pumped therethrough.

Abstract: A multi-diaphragm flow control valve includes a valve body separable into two parts. Each part includes an interior chamber having a closed end which separates the chambers when the parts are joined and an open end for connection to a pipe. An outer chamber surrounds a portion of the interior chamber and is separated therefrom by an interior wall. Slots connect the interior and outer chambers. The outer chambers connect to form a diaphgram chamber when the parts are joined. A cylindrical bell type elastomeric diaphragm having a central outwardly extending hump and with legs extending axially from opposite sides of the hump is positioned in the diaphragm chamber with the respective legs of the diaphragm over the slots through the interior walls of respective parts. The diaphragm is pressurized to block or allow flow through respective slots and each leg of the diaphragm acts as an independent diaphragm.

Abstract: A thread insert and method to replace the damaged threads and tapered seat in a spark plug bore of an internal combustion engine allows for the continued use of the original factory specified spark plugs where the original threads in the spark plug bore have been damaged by stripping or cross threading. The thread insert's inner bore is designed to replace the original threads and tapered seat in the cylinder head. The thread insert may be adapted to fit any internal combustion engine using tapered seat spark plugs, and is particularly useful in deep spark plug bores with limited access as found in the aluminum heads in Ford modular engines. The insert includes a flange head that determines how far into the head the insert can extend and a recess below the flange to collect any bonding agent that may be squeezed from the threads during installation of the insert. Special tools make the installation of the insert easy and accurate.

Abstract: The effect lamp according to the invention comprises a baseplate, at least one perforated plate which is located in front of the baseplate and facing the observer and which comprises light passageway openings as well as at least one light source which illuminates the space between the baseplate and the perforated plate which is adjacent thereto and/or the space between two adjacent perforated plates. The baseplate and the perforated plate(s) bear text, image and/or color information whereby different optically appealing effects are generated. The optical effects alter depending on the illumination conditions inside and outside the effect lamp and depending on the location of the observer in relation to the effect lamp.

Abstract: A modular electronic device has a cabinet frame, a plurality of push-in modules with module frames retained in the cabinet frame side-by-side, and printed circuit boards mounted in the module frames, and electronic components carried by said printed circuit boards. Each of these modules has autonomous data transmitting connections for communicating directly with each of the other ones of the modules.