Abstract: An apparatus for and method of efficiently accessing shared JavaScript objects within a multi-user environment by reducing the overhead required to maintain object/database property synchronization. A version is associated with each object to indicate whether any particular requested access is associated with the most current properties of the object. Each user has a version list which indicates whether any particular object properties need be updated before access. The version list is maintained in faster and more available memory than the actual object to enhance efficiency.

Abstract: A vapor phase processing system includes a vessel providing a processing chamber in which a two-phase treatment fluid bath is present. A conveyor for moving flat circuit boards on horizontal pallets down into, through and up out of the vapor phase of this treatment fluid includes two pairs of parallel rails. A first pair of rails supports a front end portion of each pallet and a second pair of rails supports a rear end portion thereof. Downward sections of each pair are parallel with downward sections of the other pair; and upward sections of each pair are parallel with upward sections of the other pair. These mutually parallel sections are spaced apart by the distance between the front and rear pallet supports. This results in the pallets and the circuit boards on them remaining horizontal while passing through the processing chamber.

Abstract: A body implantable electrical stimulator of the type having a separable lead and signal generator. The signal generator includes a jack for accepting a portion of the lead to secure it to the generator. In a preferred embodiment, the lead is provided with a pin and the jack includes a terminal for engagement with the pin, the jack further including a viewing port which facilitates the viewing of the engagement of the pin and terminal. The viewing port may include a magnifying member so as to provide a magnified image of the nature of the engagement between the pin and jack.

Abstract: A body implantable stimulator having a signal generator and lead electrically and mechanically interconnected by a preformed connector. The connector carries terminals to establish electrical communication between the signal generator and the lead, passageways being provided in the connector body to accept and guide the signal generator output connections and lead into contact with the terminals. In a preferred embodiment, the terminals are provided with intersecting bores such that an output connection and lead contact each other within a terminal. The preformed connector may be mechanically fastened to the signal generator.

Abstract: Digital instrumentation for waveform measurement including method and apparatus for providing irregularly spaced sampling times to prevent misleading visual patterns of coordinate points due to the presence of signal frequencies above the Nyquist frequency. The method and apparatus includes means for plotting coordinate points having abscissa positions corrected according to actual irregular sampling times, method and apparatus whereby irregularities are repeated for each signal sweep, and method and apparatus utilizing a bit reversal system to achieve the irregularly spaced sampling times.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating end of battery life in a cardiac pacemaker. A battery voltage monitoring circuit provides an indication of battery voltage drop below a predetermined level. A counter circuit and decode logic respond to the voltage drop indication to block a portion of a predetermined number of the generated pacing pulses from the heart to induce a benign arrhythmia in the heart thereby indicating end of battery life. In another embodiment a plurality of voltage sensors indicate progressive decreases in battery voltage and are connected with decode logic to block an increasing number of pacing pulses to indicate worsening battery condition.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for placing a settable, fluid-like material in the uterine cavity and moving the material from the uterine cavity into the Fallopian tubes of a female. An elongated probe carries an expandable member, and a housing connected to the probe has a piston and cylinder structure and a container for storing the material. Material and expansion drive mechanisms are connected to an actuator selectively controlled by an operator. By operating the actuator or control means, the operator causes the material to be dispensed into the uterine cavity while at the same time sealing the cervical entrance to the cavity, and causing the expansion means to fully expand to conform to the shape of the uterine cavity and force the dispensed materials into the canals of the Fallopian tubes.

Abstract: Apparatus for deriving a rotational motion from air currents including first and second coaxial annular members spaced from each other along their axes by axial struts and a plurality of blade assemblies carried by the struts. In a preferred embodiment, the annular members are formed of circular I beams and the apparatus is supported for rotation about the axes of the annular members by rollers engaging the web of the I beams. The rollers may be carried by first and second posts with one of the posts being rotatable about the other such that the apparatus can accommodate changing wind directions. The blade assemblies may include an impeller hingedly secured to a cross-beam extending between adjacent struts with each impeller being individually spring biased to present more or less surface to the air current, dependent on its velocity.

Abstract: Apparatus for obtaining limited access to a given function in response to the entry of a preselected code sequence. A plurality of preselected code sequences are generated by the apparatus and compared sequentially with an entered code sequence. In the event that a generated code sequence has a preselected degree of coincidence with the entered code sequence, the desired function is enabled. A plurality of functions may be controlled by the same apparatus. Alternatively, a plurality of different code sequences may be employed to enable the same function while the apparatus individually monitors which code sequence is used to enable the function. In a preferred embodiment, the function being controlled is a fluid dispensing pump which is enabled by any one of a plurality of entered code sequences while the amount dispensed through the use of each entered code sequence is monitored individually. Provision is made for the collective and individual alteration of code sequences within the generated code sequences.

Abstract: A demand anti-arrhythmia pacemaker having a plurality of electrodes adapted for connection to a heart for sensing depolarizations. A first responsive circuit provides stimulation signals to at least one area of the heart if a depolarization corresponding to a natural heartbeat fails to occur within a first predetermined time period. A second responsive circuit provides stimulation signals to the heart in a plurality of areas in response to sensed depolarizations which occur within a second predetermined time period.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis having an annular base carrying two pivoting valving members for use in a heart to control the flow of blood. The valving members are pivotally mounted on the annular base for pivotal movement about separate axes spaced from the center of the base. In one form of the prosthesis the base is removably attached to a suturing assembly adapted to be connected to heart tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus adapted for cooperation with the human foot for performing a switching function in response to ambulation. A substrate is provided with a generally centrally located contact. Posts extend from the substrate and space a flexible disc from the contact while allowing the central portion of the disc to flex into electrical communication therewith. The assembly may be positioned in the heel portion of a shoe insole so as to switch between open and closed positions as weight is placed on the heel and removed, as in walking. The switch may be employed in association with muscle and/or nerve stimulators for objectives such as combating foot drop or providing hip stabilization. In addition, proper selection of the flexible disc and post spacing will provide a normally open switch which will close when a preselected limb load has been applied. Also, the apparatus may be made bi-directional such that the same insole assembly may be employed with either foot.

Abstract: A demand pacemaker having different standby and pacing rates and circuitry for selectively rendering the standby and pacing rates substantially identical. First and second capacitors control the standby and pacing rates, respectively, one capacitor being responsive to either a natural heartbeat or a pacemaker output pulse to alter the rate established by the other. In a preferred embodiment, the second capacitor is charged during a pacemaker output pulse and discharges through the first capacitor to decrease its charging time, the charging time of the first capacitor controlling the pacemaker output pulse frequency. Circuitry responsive to externally generated signals causes the second capacitor to charge during both a natural heartbeat or a pacemaker output pulse to render the pacemaker standby and pacing rates substantially identical.

Abstract: A power-pack assembly including a bobbin, at least primary and secondary windings wound on the bobbin and a core carried by the bobbin. Solderless connection devices are secured to the bobbin and electrically connected to the windings. The solderless connection devices include clips which engage input and output terminals to make an electrical and mechanical connection therewith. In a preferred embodiment, the terminals are carried by a terminal block which provides a single step plug-in connection between the connection devices and the terminals. A core-grounding system is also disclosed which includes a core-grounding terminal, a spring for electrically contacting the core and a clip secured to the bobbin for engaging the core-grounding terminal and maintaining it in electrical contact with the spring.

Abstract: An intrauterine catheter attached to a fluid dispensing unit for injecting fluids, as drug materials, into the canal of the Fallopian tube. The catheter is an elongated tubular member having a pair of isolated tubes. A first of the tubes has an expandable balloon on its outer end for substantially completely filling a uterine cavity when expanded. The dispensing unit has a housing with chambers. Containers storing the drug material and fluid are located in the chambers. The containers are collapsible hollow bodies which are pierced by needles which carry the fluids to the tubular member. Plungers collapse the containers to drive the needles through the container walls whereby the fluid in the containers is discharged into the tubes of the catheter. A hand operated actuator is operable to sequentially dispense fluid from a first container into the first tube and then a second container into the other tube.

Abstract: A device for heat bonding thermoplastic materials. At least one pressure chamber having a diaphragm is spaced from a supporting surface with the diaphragm and supporting surface in opposing relation to each other. Materials to be bonded are positioned between the pressure chamber diaphragm and supporting surface and the pressure in the chamber is raised above ambient pressure causing a deflection of the diaphragm. The amount of diaphragm deflection increases with the distance from the pressure chamber side wall. Either the supporting surface or the pressure chamber, or both, is moved toward the other causing a contact between the deflected diaphragm, supporting surface and the materials to be bonded. As the relative movement continues, the contact area with the materials to be bonded increases thereby progressively expelling air trapped between the materials.

Abstract: A percutaneous intradermal electrical connection system and implant device, the implant device including a flange and a neck extending from the flange. The neck has a cavity in its end and is provided with a lip for inhibiting the growth of epithelial or connective tissue over the neck cavity. A connecting device is partially housed within the neck cavity and allows a lead connected to the implant device to rotate through 360.degree.. The entire surface of the implant device may be electrically conductive and connected to the lead or, alternatively, the implant device may be provided with a separate electrode portion with the remainder of its surface being electrically insulated from the lead. In a preferred embodiment, the implant device is a unitary titanium member whose surface may be partially anodized to provide an insulated surface and establish the separate electrode portion. A preferred connecting device embodiment is magnetic.

Abstract: An improved power-source canister for isolating a power source from the device or devices to be powered when packaged therewith for implantation in a living animal body. The canister is formed by a bottom wall and a continuous side wall and is provided with a cover. Feed-through terminals pass through the side wall, at locations spaced along the perimeter of the side wall, for making an electrical connection between a power source within the canister and the device or devices to be powered. The side wall is formed by four generally straight portions of approximately equal length, each straight portion being generally perpendicular to two of the others and generally parallel to a third. The straight portions are joined by arcuate portions having a radius of curvature approximately equal to one-fourth the distance between parallel straight portions.

Abstract: In a cardiac pacer including a source of timed pulses and means responsive to the timed pulses for providing controlled energy cardiac stimulating pulses, the improved apparatus including means for successively decreasing the energy of the cardiac stimulating pulses after every n pulses from the timed pulse source, n being a number greater than 1. The apparatus may also include means for increasing the energy of the cardiac stimulating pulses in the absence of a driven heartbeat and, in a preferred embodiment, may include additional apparatus to prevent loss of a heartbeat on loss of capture.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing instrument and method for placing a material in the uterine cavity and moving the material from the uterine cavity to the canals of the Fallopian tubes of a female. The instrument has an elongated probe carrying an expandable sleeve. A housing connected to the probe has a chamber for a container storing the material. A plunger is operable to move the container onto a needle and force the material through the probe and into the uterine cavity. In one form, an actuator is continuously moved into the housing to initially partially expand the sleeve member to displace part of the uterine cavity. Further movement of the actuator dispenses the material from the probe into the uterine cavity. Continued movement of the actuator fully expands the sleeve member to displace the entire uterine cavity and pump the material into the canals of the Fallopian tubes. After the sleeve member is contracted by releasing the fluid pressure applied thereto, the probe is removed from the uterine cavity.