Abstract: An anti-theft system prevents release of the brakes of a tractor/trailer land vehicle after the manual brake control has been set and after the anti-theft system has been activated. With the anti-theft system activated, any attempt to release the brakes of the vehicle will not be successful and will activate an alarm. The anti-theft system cannot be activated until after the manually operated brake control has been activated. The anti-theft system can be applied to the brakes of either or both the tractor and/or the trailer of the vehicle.

Abstract: A surgical loop delivery device is disclosed in parent disclosures Ser. No. 09/071,811 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,217. This device is improved to permit tissue targets larger than the device to be ligated while also maintaining a clear sight path between the surgeon and the target. The surgical loop is also stable during the procedure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for heating vinyl composition tiles which are then amenable to cutting with a knife along complex contours without damaging the tiles. A stack of heating trays are located within a protective housing. The housing is supported on wheel means for ease of transport about the worksite and has one open side so that tiles can be loaded onto each of the trays. A discrete electrical heating element heats each tray and tile to a uniform temperature which renders the tile sufficiently elastic to be cut along any desired contour without fracturing. The trays are spaced appropriately so that tiles can be individually seized for cutting by the installer. The combination of the number of trays and the heating element's heat transfer capability enables an installer to repeatedly seize a sufficiently heated tile, re-load the vacant tray, and then seize another heated tile from the next sequential tray on a cyclical, sustainable basis.

Abstract: A surgical punch prevents tissue debris associated with punching a hole in a patient's tissue, such as an aorta during an anastomosis procedure, from reentering the patient's bloodstream. The punch includes elements that move the debris away from the cutting site and then capture that debris inside the instrument. The punch also includes means for aligning the punch with the selected site and for atraumatically holding the tissue prior to cutting. Various means for moving the tissue debris and for trapping the tissue debris in the instrument are also disclosed.

Abstract: A clipper for cutting an end from a cigar preparatory to smoking the cigar includes a pair of relatively slidable body sections, each of which has an opening at an outer end dimensioned to permit a finger to pass thereinto and a pair of slide rails disposed along the sides. Two opposed cutouts at the inner ends form a body hole, into which extend a pair of opposed blade edges, which each also have opposed cutouts that form a cutting hole. The body sections are slidable between an admitting position for placing the cigar end into the cutting hole and a cutting position wherein the blade cutouts obscure the cutting hole, thereby clipping the end from the cigar.

Abstract: A system for transmitting data between a subscriber site and at least one monitoring station, comprising a sensor circuit for generating data responsive to an event at the subscriber site, a first transmission circuit responsive to said sensor circuit and being operable to transmit data in a first format from the subscriber site to the monitoring station over an RF telecommunications network, a second transmission circuit responsive to said sensor circuit and being operable to transmit data from the subscriber site to the monitoring station over a second telecommunications network. A programmable converter module converts between an alarm signal format and an RF cellular technology format.

Abstract: Yarns which are suitable for use in the warp of durable cotton/nylon clothing fabrics dyed in light shades with permanent antistatic properties are disclosed.

Abstract: A heart valve can be replaced using minimally invasive methods which include a sutureless sewing cuff that and a fastener delivery tool that holds the cuff against the patient's tissue while delivering fasteners, two at a time to attach the cuff to the tissue from the inside out. The tool stores a plurality of fasteners. Drawstrings are operated from outside the patient's body and cinch the sewing cuff to the valve body. The cuff is releasably mounted on the tool and the tool holds the cuff against tissue and drives the fastener through the cuff and the tissue before folding over the legs of the fastener whereby secure securement between the cuff and the tissue is assured. At least two rows of staggered fasteners are formed whereby fasteners are located continuously throughout the entire circumference of the cuff. A minimally invasive surgical method is disclosed, and a method and tool are disclosed for repairing abdominal aortic aneurysms in a minimally invasive manner.

Abstract: A heart retractor links lifting of the heart and regional immobilization which stops one part of the heart from moving to allow expeditious suturing while permitting other parts of the heart to continue to function whereby coronary surgery can be performed on a beating heart while maintaining cardiac output unabated and uninterrupted. Circumflex coronary artery surgery can be performed using the heart retractor of the present invention. The retractor includes a plurality of flexible arms and a plurality of rigid arms as well as a surgery target immobilizing element. One form of the retractor can be used in minimally invasive surgery, while other forms of the retractor can accommodate variations in heart size and paracardial spacing.

Abstract: A support pillow includes a body with a central section and two wing sections pivotally attached to opposed sides of the central section. The preferred embodiment resembles the shape of a butterfly.

Abstract: A ditch check includes a plurality of bodies that are located in two rows with a gap defined between the two rows. An M-shaped anchor has two legs and a central section, with one of the legs being located adjacent to one face of a body in one row and the other leg being located adjacent to one face of a body in the other row, and a central section that is located between the two bodies. Each row can include a plurality of end-to-end bodies which can be in overlapping relationship with each other. A tool for placing the M-shaped anchor into the ground is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a ventilation assembly unit for a feline litter box. The unit comprises a housing containing a fan at the base thereof. A filtering medium is contained in a canister adapted for removal and insertion within the housing. The filtering medium comprises, in combination, an air dispersing mesh covered with a layer of particulate carbon.

Abstract: A brake shoe includes two rails each having an arcuate body with prong-receiving notches defined therein, as well as anchor-receiving notches defined therein. A strut-forming anchor element extends between the two rails and has threaded ends that extend through holes defined through the rail bodies in the anchor-receiving notches. Two brake pad supporting plates are mounted on the rails and each has two prongs adjacent to each rail body in position to be received in the prong-receiving notches. Anchors are mounted on the brake pad supporting plates to be received in the anchor-receiving notches and have holes defined therethrough. The ends of the strut-forming anchor elements are received through the holes in the rails and the holes defined through the anchors and have nuts threadably attached thereto to attach the strut-forming elements to the rails. One form of the rail has the anchor-receiving notches omitted and the prong-receiving notches defined completely through the rail body.

Abstract: Proper hitting techniques for baseball or for golf are taught and reinforced by forcing the hitter off balance if his or her foot placement, foot movement, or leg orientation are in error. A device includes a multipart base which has one part linearly adjustable with respect to the other parts, and another part angularly adjustable with respect to the other parts, as well as a back foot supporting element rotatably mounted on the base. The hitter is forced to stand on the back foot supporting element on the forefoot so his back foot heel is held off the ground. The device forces the user to pivot correctly during the swing, as well as forcing the user to stride and land his front foot on the device, also on the forefoot, to master this element in conjunction with the back foot pivot and swing of the bat. The device is amenable to use by both left and right handed hitters, and can be used in conjunction with both an open stance and a closed stance by either batter.

Abstract: Wire fasteners having legs with lengths that can be one hundred times the width of the fastener are used to secure items, such as prosthesis valves to a patient during minimally invasive surgery. The fasteners are manipulated into position and then are immobilized by means of the legs thereof for tensioning, cutting and forming in situ. The fasteners are manipulated, tensioned and formed from the leg end of the fasteners. Tools for initially placing the fasteners and for immobilizing, tensioning, cutting and bending the fastener legs are disclosed. Once the fasteners are initially placed, the prosthesis is placed on the long legs of the placed fasteners and is guided into position on the legs. Once the prosthesis is in position, the legs of the fasteners are immobilized, tensioned, cut and bent into staple-like shapes to secure the prosthesis to the patient. A method for carrying out the procedure using the long fastener is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cellular telephone system includes a plurality of cell sites and a mobile telephone switching office. Call management, including selection of a cell site most appropriate for a call associated with a mobile unit, are made based on the geographic location of the mobile unit as opposed to the strength of the signal associated with the call. The geographic location of the mobile unit is precisely determined using a NAVSTAR global positioning system, or its equivalent. Each mobile unit includes a GPS receiver that receives information from a geostationary satellite to determine the precise location of the mobile unit. This position information is relayed to the cell site initially managing the mobile unit, and the mobile unit is handed off to a cell site that is most appropriate for the call. Initial selection of an entrance cell site is made based on signal strength, but further call management decisions are made based on location of the mobile unit.

Abstract: A one-piece fastener or staple includes a base that contacts tissue and a prong that extends through the tissue. A suture lead is anchored to the base and a needle is attached to the suture lead. A tool positions the fastener adjacent to the tissue, and is operated to drive the prong and the suture needle through the tissue. The tool includes a needle grabber that is operated to grab the needle and pull the needle out of the patient. Since the suture lead is attached to the fastener, a prosthesis can be placed on the suture lead and pushed down to the tissue. A cassette is releasably mounted on the tool and contains the fastener, the suture lead and the suture needle. Alternative forms of the anchor have sutures attached to a base at locations that are spaced apart from each other, and sutures associated with each of two adjacent anchors can be tied together or sutures associated with a single anchor can be tied together. A suture threadably connected to an anchor can be used as a running suture.

Abstract: A flameless igniter has a special shape and includes a flow control port to make efficient use of fuel during a flame ignition process associated with a tank burner of a fluid fuel system. The igniter uses a spark to ignite fuel and includes a handle and a spark gap whereby the igniter is effective even in difficult-to-reach locations on a tank burner.