Abstract: The prosthesis comprises a flexible rod, surrounded along approximately two-thirds of its length by an inflatable balloon, which is implanted centrally within the two corpora cavernosa of the penis and replacing the function of same. To supply fluid to the inflatable balloon there is a reservoir that is implanted within the scrotal sac of the patient. Located in a tube between the reservoir and the balloon portion of the implant is a pinch valve for maintaining the fluid within either the balloon portion or the reservoir under the control of the patient. To effect erection of the penis, the pinch valve is pinched while the reservoir is squeezed, forcing the hydraulic fluid into the balloon portion of the implant. When it is desired to depressurize the implant, the pinch valve is again pinched and the fluid under pressure will then return to the unpressurized reservoir.

Abstract: A respiration monitor for detecting effective respiration of a patient includes circuitry for suppressing the indication of unwanted signals due to heart activity, noise and flat breathing. A first threshold circuit is provided for increasing the sensitivity of the respiration monitor in response to a decreasing amplitude of the measured respiration signals. A first comparator circuit provides a fixed amplitude threshold below which detected signals are fully neglected. A second threshold circuit provides an adjustable amplitude threshold for the measured respiration signal, which threshold is raised in response to a decreasing respiration frequency below a predetermined frequency limit. Effective respiration is indicated only if all the aforementioned amplitude thresholds are exceeded.

Abstract: A thermostat arrangement for the mobile phase and the separation column in a liquid chromatograph comprises a heat exchanger through which the mobile phase passes. The heat exchanger has a heating and/or cooling element and is arranged between a sample injection device and the entrance of the separation column. The heat exchanger serves to selectively heat or cool the ambient air surrounding the separation column.

Abstract: An apparatus for solvent degassing and solvent supply in a liquid chromatograph comprises at least one solvent storage vessel, the volume of which is partly filled with liquid solvent while the remaining volume forms a vapor volume. A helium source is connected to said vapor volume for avoiding re-absorption of air by the solvent. A vacuum pump is connected to said vapor volume via a suction line, and a solvent source is connected to said vapor volume via a supply line. A pore filter terminates said supply line within said vapor volume.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting and holding the peak voltage of an analog signal is provided. A constant current source controlled by a digital voltage comparator charges a capacitor. The capacitor is charged to a voltage value equivalent to the peak voltage of the analog signal. By selecting the value of the capacitor and the amplitude of the constant current from the current source, slew rate limiting can be achieved, giving the circuit high noise immunity.

Abstract: A pulse generator circuit comprises a pulse source and an output line having a specific characteristic impedance and having an input and an output end, the output end being connectable to a high impedance external load and the input end being connectable to and disconnectable from said pulse source. An internal impedance being substantially equal to said characteristic impedance is provided and is connectable to and disconnectable from said input end of the output line. The input end of the output line can be alternatively connected to either the pulse source or to the internal impedance by a switching means. The switching means is controlled by control means in such a way that during delivery of pulses by said pulse source the pulse source is connected to said input end of the output line whereas said internal impedance is connected to the input end substantially during the intervals between the pulses.

Abstract: A two-head probe apparatus measures sheet resistivities of the thin layer on a semiconductor wafer. On one side of the wafer, a first probe head makes contact for injecting current into the wafer and measuring the voltage difference between two surface points. On the other side of the wafer, a second probe head makes contact for monitoring the substrate potential at two probed points on the wafer substrate. The second probe is disposed below a platen supporting the wafer, and the probe electrodes are moved into spring biased contact with the wafer through apertures in the platen by a vacuum actuated piston. Circuitry coupled to the two probe heads computes leakage current and displays sheet resistivity.

Abstract: A defibrillator apparatus applies defibrillation a shock pulse to a patient at a selected energy level. The peak current magnitude of the pulse is sensed and processed to produce an indication of the value of transthoracic load resistance presented by the patient during the pulse. Also produced is an indication of the energy actually delivered to the patient by the defibrillation pulse. An alarm is activated when patient transthoracic resistance exceeds a predetermined value, thereby to warn the operator to take corrective action before again attempting defibrillation.

Abstract: A volumeter, in particular for use in liquid chromatography comprises a metering chamber for the volume to be measured. Another chamber is separated from the metering chamber by a resilient diaphragm and forms an electric capacitor. The capacitance of this capacitor is changed in accordance to deviations of the diaphragm from its true position.

Abstract: A photometric absorption detector, in particular for the use in liquid chromatography is provided, in which a test cell is penetrated by the rays emitted by a light source and in which the absorption of certain wave length ranges of the light by the sample is recorded by means of a photodetector arrangement. Means for the spectroscopical dispersion of the light emerging from the test cell are provided, and the photodetector arrangement can be displaced within the spectrum. There may be two independently displaceable photodetectors, one of which may be set to a measuring wave length, while the other one may be set to a reference wave length.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage container having at least one valved port is filled to about 75% of capacity with particles of low density material having a hydride forming metal coated on the surface of the particles by vapor or vacuum deposition. The density of the particle is on the order of 5% to 50% of the density of the metal coating thereon. Hydrogen gas is adsorbed into or released from the lattice structure of the hydride forming metal.

Abstract: An aparatus for producing gradient elution in a liquid chromatographic system is diclosed. The apparatus comprises variable dosing means for at least two different solvents said dosing means including variable flow resistances for said solvents. A mixing means is provided for mixing said solvents and delivering a solvent mixture which is fed by pump means to a chromatographic column. Density measuring means is provided for measuring the density of said solvent mixture which density is a function of the mixing ratio of said different solvents. Control means responsive to said density measuring means adjust said flow resistances in accordance with a given nominal density curve corresponding to a desired elution gradient.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for sensing heart activity from body tissue includes a flexible guide tube, a spiral retaining coil disposed in one end of the guide tube, a handle disposed at the other end of the guide tube, and twisted wires inside the tube interconnecting the retaining coil and the handle. Rotation of the handle rotates the twisted wires, which in turn rotate the retaining coil to screw it into body tissue. A safety stop releasably disposed on the guide tube limits the rotation of the retaining coil and thus limits its depth of penetration into the body tissue. After the handle is rotated a preselected amount, the handle is automatically disengaged from the twisted wires.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for sensing heart activity from body tissue includes a flexible guide tube, a spiral retaining coil disposed in one end of the guide tube, a handle disposed at the other end of the guide tube, and twisted wires inside the tube interconnecting the retaining coil and the handle. Rotation of the handle rotates the twisted wires, which in turn rotate the retaining coil to screw it into body tissue. Thereafter, the guide tube and handle are disengaged from the retaining coil and wires. A safety stop releasably disposed on the guide tube limits the rotation of the retaining coil and thus limits its depth of penetration into the body tissue.

Abstract: A seagoing vessel is stabilized by a passive system including tanks symmetrically disposed on the vessel below the water line. The tanks are connected by a conduit and pressurized with air to a selected pressure level. During each oscillatory roll and/or pitch cycle of the vessel, the tanks alternately fill and drain with selected volumes of water, thereby to reduce the righting moment of the vessel. The period of oscillation of the vessel is lengthened beyond the period of wave motion.

Abstract: An elongated tapered enclosure tightly receives a collar attached to the bottom of a post. A plurality of adjustable wedges at the top of the enclosure engage the post and serve to plumb the post and firmly secure it in the enclosure. The enclosure is set in the ground flush with the ground surface. Posts are easily inserted into and removed from the enclosure to provide portable members for supporting traffic signs, walls, partitions, roofs and the like.

Abstract: A method for linearizing the exponential characteristic curve of an electronic component, in particular the temperature/resistance characteristic of a thermistor is provided. The output value of the component is compared with the output value of a reference circuit varying exponentially in time and in the same sense as said characteristic, and the time interval is measured between a fixed starting moment, at which the exponential variation is already taking place, and the moment when the two output values become equal.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a vessel having a flue extending vertically therethrough. A gas heater is disposed beneath the flue. Food is boiled in water contained in the vessel. The bottom of the vessel is curved, and the flue is configured with a restriction in the lower portion thereof to provide even distribution of heat applied to the vessel.

Abstract: A compact impedance transformer increases the magnitude of a voltage pulse applied to an X-ray generator. A transmission line transformer is implemented using a variable impedance spiral delay line to achieve voltage doubling.

Abstract: A dosing device for a liquid chromatograph includes an axially movable shank. The shank is guided in packing sleeves and has a notch or cavity for receiving a sample and transferring it between a sample chamber and a high pressure chamber by axially moving the shank. The high pressure chamber is coupled to the chromatograph flow system between the pump and the column. A shutter is provided for closing the notch. In the closed position, the shutter and the shank together form a smooth common surface.