Abstract: A system for detecting and analyzing electrical activity in the anatomy of an organism underlying an electrode array provides signals corresponding to electrical activity adjacent each electrode. Such signals are correlated to the underlying anatomy of the organism and representative outputs presented through various types of output devices. Such outputs may include variations in coloration or other qualities in correspondence with representations of underlying anatomical structures. The system includes novel electrode structures (200, 224, and 284) and methods for producing and attaching electrode arrays (240 and 280) to the organism. The exemplary form of the invention is used in connection with the diagnosis of muscle activity in the lower lumbar regions of humans. Levels of muscle activity detected are analyzed by correlation with the muscular structures underlying the electrode array. Forms of the invention may be used in other applications.

Abstract: A system for detecting and analyzing electrical activity in the anatomy of an organism underlying an electrode array provides signals corresponding to electrical activity adjacent each electrode. Such signals are correlated to the underlying anatomy of the organism and representative outputs presented through various types of output devices. Such outputs may include variations in coloration or other qualities in correspondence with representations of underlying anatomical structures. The system includes novel electrode structures (200, 224, and 284) and methods for producing and attaching electrode arrays (240 and 280) to the organism. The exemplary form of the invention is used in connection with the diagnosis of muscle activity in the lower lumbar regions of humans. Levels of muscle activity detected are analyzed by correlation with the muscular structures underlying the electrode array. Forms of the invention may be used in other applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a batch composition for producing a refractory ceramic shaped body, to a shaped body produced therefrom and to the use thereof. The components used are: 68 to 97 wt.-% molten magnesite, sintered magnesite or mixtures thereof, 3 to 20 wt.-% CaO and 0 to 25 wt.-% of a third component.

Abstract: A self-adjusting garment is provided. The garment comprises a back upper body portion that is adapted to cover at least a portion of a back upper body of a person. The back upper body portion includes at least one pleat therein. The garment further comprises at least one sleeve portion in operative connection with the back upper body portion. The sleeve portion is adapted to receive an arm of the person therethrough. The pleat is positioned adjacent a seam between the back upper body portion and the sleeve portion. The pleat includes an inner fold and an outer fold which forms an overlapped region. The pleat is adapted to gather excess material in the back upper body portion so as to enable the back upper body portion to lie in generally flat orientation adjacent the back upper body of the person.

Abstract: A bridge is provided with at least five segments connected in series. Each segment includes two opposed ends. The ends of adjacent segments are in pivoting connection with respect to each other. The bridge also comprises a plurality of cables. For each end of each segment, at least one cable extends between the end of the segment and at least one end of at least one other segment. The cables have sufficient sizes, such that when the segments are pivoted to an orientation which forms an upwardly bowed arch, each of the cables extends in a substantially straight line between the ends of the segments. In addition, the segments on the ends of the bridge may be pivoted toward each other to provide slack in the cables, which enables the segments to pivot with respect to each other to form a compact configuration.

Abstract: A system for detecting and analyzing electrical activity in the anatomy of an organism underlying an electrode array provides signals corresponding to electrical activity adjacent each electrode. Such signals are correlated to the underlying anatomy of the organism and representative outputs presented through various types of output devices. Such outputs may include variations in coloration or other qualities in correspondence with representations of underlying anatomical structures. The system includes novel electrode structures (200, 224, and 284) and methods for producing and attaching electrode arrays (240 and 280) to the organism. The exemplary form of the invention is used in connection with the diagnosis of muscle activity in the lower lumbar regions of humans. Levels of muscle activity detected are analyzed by correlation with the muscular structures underlying the electrode array. Forms of the invention may be used in other applications.

Abstract: An input device comprising an input mechanism for a computer system. The input mechanism is operative responsive to movements of a user of the device to send inputs to a computer system. An exterior surface of the input mechanism is operative to come in contact with the user of the device. At least one portion of the exterior surface is comprised of color changing material that is operative to turn at least one different color responsive to an increase in temperature, pressure, or changes in light exposure to the color changing material caused by contact with the user of the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fire resistant substance and to a method for producing a fire-resistant lining. The fire-resistant substance contains MgO sinter and up to 5 wt. % of a reducing agent selected from the group consisting of substances that contain carbon. The lining has several layers with decreasing quantities of reducing agents.

Abstract: A placard holder apparatus and method is provided. The apparatus includes a bracket mounted to a vehicle that is operative to transport a hazardous material. The bracket is operative to slidingly receive and engage with a placard holder. A placard clip may be mounted to the vehicle to prevent the placard holder from exiting the bracket. The placard holder includes a tray with a cavity of sufficient depth to hold a stack of adhesively mounted placards. For each shipment of a hazardous material in the vehicle, a placard with indicia representative of a hazard classification corresponding to the hazardous material may be adhesively mounted in the cavity of the tray. Once the cavity is filled with placards, the placard holder may be removed and replaced with an empty or less full placard holder. The full placard holder may be discarded or recycled to remove the adhesively mounted placards therein.

Abstract: A system for detecting and analyzing electrical activity in the anatomy of an organism underlying an electrode array provides signals corresponding to electrical activity adjacent each electrode. Such signals are correlated to the underlying anatomy of the organism and representative outputs presented through various types of output devices. Such outputs may include variations in coloration or other qualities in correspondence with representations of underlying anatomical structures. The system includes novel electrode structures (200, 224, and 284) and methods for producing and attaching electrode arrays (240 and 280) to the organism. The exemplary form of the invention is used in connection with the diagnosis of muscle activity in the lower lumbar regions of humans. Levels of muscle activity detected are analyzed by correlation with the muscular structures underlying the electrode array. Forms of the invention may be used in other applications.

Abstract: A ball glove such as a baseball or softball glove is provided. The ball glove includes digit stalls extending outwardly from a palm portion of the ball glove. The digit stalls include linkages therein which are adapted to couple with the digits of the human hand. The linkages extend from the digits of the human hand to the ends of the digit stalls. The linkages are operative to provide the digits of a human hand with increased sensitivity to the impact of balls contacting the ends of the ball glove. The ball glove may further include high friction grip portions adjacent the palm side surfaces of the digit stalls for assisting in maintaining a grip on a ball. The ball glove may further include a heel bumper for deflecting a ball traveling outwardly of the glove toward the heel portion of the glove.

Abstract: An improved pressure activated control apparatus is provided for sensing fluid pressure and triggering one or more switches in response to the fluid pressure, as desired. The apparatus is designed to be placed within a fluid of a reservoir. The apparatus includes a first resilient member, such as a pliable rolling diaphragm or bellofram, having an outer surface exposed to the fluid and responsive to the fluid pressure. The pressure activated control apparatus includes a second resilient member, such as a spring with a chosen spring constant, k, that provides a biasing force against the diaphragm that is opposite the fluid pressure. A transducer is operative to monitor changes in pressure of gases within the apparatus causes by movement of the diaphragm. A controller is responsive to the transducer and selectable fluid level thresholds to activate pumps and/or valves for adjusting the level of the fluid in the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention may be used in pumps and hydraulic engines and increases the functional capacities of rotary machines. This invention relates to a rotary machine comprising a body in which an adjustment member is mounted so as to be capable of displacement along the rotation axis. A plurality of systems, that define the axial and mutual disposition of sliders, are mounted so as to be capable of changing their position relative to the rotor and the body, and are cinematically connected to the adjustment member. The sliders are mounted so as to be capable of changing their position upon displacement of the adjustment member.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the construction of analytic instruments and can be used for analyzing natural and industrial water, biological samples, geological samples and air. The purpose of this invention is to reduce substantially the power used by the atomizer and the analyzer, and to increase the number of objects that can be analyzed. To this end, the method for the thermionic atomization of a sample involves carrying out an ionic sputtering of the sample from the cathode in a low-pressure discharge. The cathode is heated by the discharge to a temperature of between 800 and 1400° C., while the ballast gas consists of Kr or Xe under a gas pressure of 10 to 15 torrs. The thermionic atomization device includes an atomizer arranged in a gas-discharge chamber filled with an inert gas. The atomizer is made in the form of a hollow, cylindrical, metallic and thin-wall cathode.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the construction of analytical instruments and may be used for analysing naturel or industrial waters, biological samples as well as geological samples. The method for detecting elements in solutions comprises pulverising the samples using pulses, ionising the pulverised atoms during Penning's collisions and recording the ions thus formed during a mass spectral analysis while carrying out a separation of the ion time-of-flight. The pulse pulverisation of the sample is carried out from a surface which is heated at a temperature of between 1000 and 1500% C. and on which the sample dried in a flow of ballast gas forms a dry residue. The ballast gas may consist of Kr, Xe or mixtures thereof wich Ar under a pressure of between 1 and 2 torrs. The device for detecting elements in solutions comprises an ionising device which is arranged in a gas-discharge chamber filled with an inert gas.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generation of a protective sleeve against infections for a percutaneous lead through human or animal skin. The percutaneous lead (1) includes an extrusion port (7). When the lead extends through a body (3) of a patient, a pump (9) in operative connection with the lead is operative to move biocompatible liquid polymer material from a reservoir (10) through the extrusion port. As the polymer material comes in contact with body tissues of the patient it forms a protective sleeve against infections (5). The protective sleeve must be periodically clipped as it continuously or intermittently grows in an upward direction (6) outside of the body. The continual formation of the protective sleeve prevents the formation of a biofilm on the percutaneous lead that can cause the body tissue to separate from the percutaneous lead.

Abstract: A headspace sampling apparatus (10) operates to provide a sample of a vapor phase of a substance being analyzed under conditions of thermodynamic equilibrium. The substance is held in a vial (14). The vapor phase of the substance (18) is moved through a sample loop (34) between a first variable volume chamber (22) and a second variable volume chamber (40). A constant volume and temperature is maintained within the variable volume chambers, the sample loop and the headspace of the vial. An aliquot of the equilibrated vapor in the sample loop is passed to an analytical instrument (54) for analysis. The sample is obtained under conditions in which the sampling process does not affect the makeup of the sample because thermodynamic equilibrium is maintained.

Abstract: A small lightweight yet strong frame (12) housing multiple flexible axles (22) which in turn support foam rubber roller balls (16), which roll about an axis creating: massage, intersegmental traction, trigger point therapy, and active exercise to the back of the user. These axles (22) are made more efficient by the placement of bushings (26) where they are contained by frame (12). Foam rubber balls (16) contain sleeves (30) which promote free rotation. A sliding head rest (38) is provided for comfort and is also used to facilitate optional concomitant neck and back treatment and multiple tension adjustments (46) (36) are provided for varying resistance to glide.

Abstract: A post valve yoke (35, 150) is operative to engage with a tank or cylinder (154) for placing the tank in fluid communication with a high pressure source of gas. The yoke includes a yoke body (148). The upper ends of the yoke body include a bore (160). A plunger (158) is operative to slide through the bore. The yoke body includes an opening (146) that is operative to receive a post valve (152) of the tank. The yoke is operative to urge the post valve with the plunger into sealed engagement with a passageway (144) in the lower end (174) of each yoke responsive to the movement of a lever arm (156) in pivoting connection with the plunger. A trigger lock (176) is operative to lock the lever arm in an engaged position to prevent the yoke from accidently disengaging with the post valve.

Abstract: A hydraulically operative post valve yoke mounting system. The system (10) includes one or more hydraulically operated yokes (41-44). Each yoke is operative to engage with a tank or cylinder (21-24) for placing the tanks in fluid communication with a high pressure source of gas (50). Each yoke includes a yoke body (140). The upper ends of each yoke body include a bore (116). A pin (104) is operative to slide through each bore. Each yoke body includes an opening (124) that is operative to receive a post valve (108) of a tank (110). Each yoke is operative to urge the post valve with the pin into sealed engagement with a passageway (142) in the lower end (114) of each yoke responsive to hydraulic fluid pressure. The hydraulic pressure may be supplied by a hydraulic pump (28) in fluid communication with hydraulic yoke.