Abstract: A bicycle gear assembly has first and second sets of cog wheels, each having at least three cog wheels of various sizes including a largest cog wheel and a smallest cog wheel. These two sets are oriented so that the largest cog wheel of the first set is aligned with the smallest cog wheel of the second set and the smallest cog wheel of the first set is aligned with the largest cog wheel of the second set, the first and the second sets of cog wheels define at least a first, second and third pair of substantially aligned cog wheels. Additionally, a chain is mounted about a first pair of the aligned cog wheels and a gear shift assembly is adapted to move the chain from the first pair of cogwheels to the second pair of cogwheels and from the second pair of cogwheels to the third pair of cogwheels.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising a support structure, including a tube and a hollow stator core, supported by and rigidly affixed to the tube. Additionally, a rotor assembly is eccentrically and rotatably mounted about the stator core and having a pair of partial sidewalls, each of which defines a circular opening. A pair of shaft seals, in which each shaft seal is set into one of the circular openings and are rotatably mounted about the tube. The stator core, rotor and shaft seals together define multiple, separate sealed chambers that change volume as the rotor moves. Finally, ignition, intake and exhaust mechanisms are mounted internal to the hollow stator core.

Abstract: A method of stimulating neurons in a patient's cochlea. The method uses a plurality of cochlear electrodes, substantially arranged in a linear array within the cochlea and a relatively distant electrode. Charge is injected through a first one of the cochlear electrodes and an opposite charge is injected on either the relatively distant electrode; or a set of adjacent cochlear electrodes, being adjacent to the first one of the cochlear electrodes; or on a combination of the relatively distant electrode and the set of adjacent electrodes; and choosing the electrode or electrodes on which to inject charge in dependency on sound volume to be represented.

Abstract: A nasal CPAP cannula seal that includes a strip of flexible material, between about 3 to 10 cm in width and between about 5 to 15 cm in length. The strip defines a pair of substantially round nostril apertures, each aperture having a diameter of between 2 mm and 4.5 mm and being spaced apart by from 1.5 mm to 3 mm. Also, the strip further defines a set of cuts extending outwardly from each nostril aperture.

Abstract: An internal combustion motor assembly, including an internal combustion motor, a starter and a battery. In addition, the motor assembly includes a capacitor assembly, a capacitor charging assembly and a conductive network, logic and controlled switching assembly adapted to place the internal combustion motor into one of a set of states. This set includes a first state in which the capacitor assembly is receiving charge from the capacitor charging assembly but is not electrically connected to the starter; a second state in which the capacitor assembly is electrically connected to and powers the starter; and a third state in which both the battery and the capacitor assembly are electrically connected to and power the starter. The logic and controlled switching assembly places the internal combustion motor assembly into the third state after it has been in the second state and a set of criteria is met.

Abstract: A micro-extruder, comprising a funnel shaped tip piece defining a front aperture, through which wire is drawn, and a front rim, around which extrudate flows, and which has an outer diameter of less than 3.8 mm (150 mils). In addition, a structurally unitary cross-head body has a front aperture and a protruding rim about this front aperture. The funnel shaped tip piece protrudes through the front aperture. Also, a die having a surface that defines an aperture is adapted and positioned to abut the protruding rim and to form a seal against the protruding rim, so that no extrudate may leak out between the surface defining an aperture and the protruding rim.

Abstract: An extruder, and a method of using the same, that provides instantaneous inspection of the extrudate. The invention incorporates the use of video monitors electrically connected to video cameras, to provide magnification observation of the extrudate, and may use associated mirrors to observe the extrudate along multiple views as it exits the die.

Abstract: A cardiac implant electric cable, comprising a conductive lead adapted to supply power to a cardiac implant and a coaxial lead adapted to provide an expanded information conduit to and from said cardiac implant. Also, a bioelectrical stimulus implant cable may comprise a set of fibrils, each of which has a diameter of less than 30 &mgr;m and which are configured together longitudinally. The set of fibrils is electrically isolated by insulative material.

Abstract: A hitch mounted cycle rack that includes a mounting bar, adapted to be fitted into a receptive motor vehicle hitch and a horizontal support member, supported by the mounting bar and being substantially perpendicular to the mounting bar and substantially horizontal when the mounting bar is fitted into a receptive motor vehicle hitch. A substantially vertical hinge is supported on the horizontal support member, at a position displaced laterally from the mounting bar by about 0.8 meters. A cycle support assembly is mounted on the horizontal support member by way of the substantially vertical hinge. Accordingly, when the hitch mounted cycle rack is mounted on the rear of an automobile, the hinge permits the cycle support assembly to be swung away from the rear of the automobile, exposing it and permitting access to it.

Abstract: A laminated multi-electrode biocompatible implant, comprising a first layer of flexible, biocompatible dielectric material having a first, exposed surface. A second layer of flexible biocompatible dielectric material, is adhered to the first layer. Further, a third layer of flexible biocompatible dielectric material is adhered to the second layer. Additionally, a first conductive trace is interposed between the first layer and the second layer and a second conductive trace interposed between said second layer and said third layer. Finally, a first conductor, which breaches said first layer, conductively connects the first conductive trace to the exposed surface of the first layer, thereby forming a first electrode and a second conductor, which breaches the first layer and the second layer, conductively connects the second conductive trace to the exposed surface of the first layer, thereby forming a second electrode.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ribbon cable, comprising providing a set of insulated wires and aligning said insulated wires in a predetermined arrangement. The insulated wires are warmed sufficiently for said insulation to be become soft and adhesive, are pressed together so that they adhere to one another and allowed to cool, to form a ribbon cable.

Abstract: A method of disposing materials such as pet waste. First, an assembly is provided that has a container; a fitting for accepting and retaining a garden hose; a pressure nozzle for receiving water from the fitting and expressing the water under pressure; and a nozzle-retaining apparatus oriented so that the water expressed is directed into the container at an angle adapted to produce a churning motion within the container. Biodegradable material is placed into the container and the insertive coupler of a standard garden hose is attached into the fitting. Finally the faucet is turned on to cause water to flow through the hose and out the nozzle, thereby watering and stirring and fragmenting the biodegradable material while the operator remains at a distance far enough away from the container to avoid the unpleasant odor that is emitted from the container by virtue of the watering and stirring and fragmenting.

Abstract: A method of producing an electrode brain probe assembly, using a flexible substrate comprising a polymeric layer bearing a conductive material coating. Photolithography and electroplating are used to form a set of contacts and conductors on the polymeric layer of the flexible substrate. Also, the flexible substrate is shaped to have a distal end and to be at least 5 mm long, but less than 5 mm wide and less than 1 mm thick.

Abstract: A method for selectively blocking a remote purchase request based on previous remote purchase requests. The method starts with receiving and storing, in a memory subsystem, information from purchase request information sets including, for each purchase request information set, an origin, a card number and an item. Also, a current remote purchase request information set including an origin, a credit card number and an item is received and stored. The current remote purchase request information set is compared with the stored information sets and the current remote purchase request is blocked if the comparison meets any one of a predetermined set of criteria wherein at least one criterion includes a condition that the purchase request origin of the current purchase request match a purchase request origin of a purchase request information set stored in the memory subsystem, for which the card number is different.

Abstract: An insertion device that includes an insertable portion adapted to be inserted into and retained in an animal body and an ex vivo portion that is adapted to be worn while the insertable portion remains inserted. The device further includes a trocar that is adapted to insert the insertable portion into the animal body. In addition, a cavity in the ex vivo portion is adapted to accept and retain the trocar after the insertable portion is inserted and a force application device is adapted to withdraw the trocar from the animal body and place it in the cavity.

Abstract: A bodily implanted charge injection assembly for effecting a voltage difference between a specific body location and surrounding tissue. This assembly comprises a charge injection device that includes a first electrode assembly and a housing defining an interior space substantially enclosing the first electrode assembly and further defining a first opening placed near the specific location. The housing is filled with electrolytic solution. Also, a second electrode assembly is placed in contact with both the electrolytic fluid and the surrounding tissue. In addition, a physical gate assembly is adapted to selectively and controllably occlude the interior space so that either the first opening or the second electrode assembly may be occluded from the first electrode assembly. The physical gate assembly is controlled to drive current through the opening and alternately to refresh the first electrode assembly with current from the second electrode assembly.

Abstract: A method of applying a protective strip to an edge of a wood product piece. The process uses a set of aligned rollers and a belt apparatus that includes a pair of rollers having a shoe positioned between them and a belt fitted about the rollers and the shoe. The distance from the belt to the first set of aligned rollers is substantially equal to the width of the wood product piece. The wood product piece is placed between the first set of aligned rollers and the belt apparatus and resin is applied to the edge the wood product piece. The wood products piece is then squeezed between the first set of aligned rollers and the belt apparatus. At least a subset of the rollers are driven to move the wood products piece along the belt apparatus, thereby causing the resin to be squeezed into the edge of the wood products piece. Finally, the resin is cured.

Abstract: A method of creating an elevated concentration of free radicals having augmented lifetimes within a tumor, that includes creating an elevated concentration of free radicals in the tumor and creating a magnetic field that traverses the tumor and that inhibits the recombination of the free radicals in the tumor. A magnetic field of 0.1 mTesla to 10 mTesla is generally used for this purpose.

Abstract: A bio-implant having a length and a proximal and a distal end. The bio-implant has at least two lamina of dielectric material joined together, thereby defining a boundary and also defining a side surface that is intersected by this boundary. In addition, at least one set of conductors is interposed between the two lamina and extend lengthwise from the proximal end toward the distal end, each one of the set of conductors being terminated adjacent to the side surface to form a set of conductor terminations. Further, a set of electrode contact points are constructed on the side surface, with each electrode contact point contacting one of said conductor terminations.

Abstract: A method of constructing a multilayer electric apparatus, comprising the steps of first providing a set of dielectric layers and forming a set of conductive features and at least one fiducial marking, in mutual reference to each other, on a first one of the dielectric layers. Next, the dielectric layers are joined together to form a stack, such that the first of the dielectric layers is interposed depthwise between others of the dielectric layers and the at least one fiducial marking is distinctly observable from outside of the stack. Finally, a via is drilled from the exterior of the stack to one of the conductive features of the first dielectric layer, referencing the drilling to the fiducial marking.