Abstract: A device for disinfecting medical materials includes a heat source capable of heating the medical materials to approximately 60.degree. C. and exposing the medical materials to a source of gamma irradiation capable of irradiating medical materials with about 0.25 to about 2.0 Mrads.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit having a test circuit built therein is disclosed which consists of an A/D converter to be connected to a peripheral circuit, a digital circuit connected to the A/D converter, a digital signal switching device for selectively connecting to the output of the A/D converter and that of the digital circuit, and a boundary scan output circuit connected to the output of the digital signal switching device, wherein the digital signal switching device connects the A/D converter to the boundary scan output circuit in a normal mode, while the signal fetched in the boundary scan output circuit is outputted therefrom in test mode. Semiconductor integrated circuits having an analog circuit built therein and an analog integrated circuit in which a test circuit is built-in are also disclosed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a latent image carrier having a movable surface, and a stationary contact brush charger for electrostatically charging the surface of the latent image carrier in contact therewith during a movement of the carrier surface relative to the brush charger. In this apparatus, the contact time t, during which any arbitrarily chosen point on the carrier surface then moving in one direction is held in contact with the brush charger, and the electric resistance R of each of the brush bristles forming the brush charger are chosen such that the product of the contact time t multiplied by the common logarithm of the electric resistance R, i.e., (t.times.log.sub.10 R), is within the range of 0.9 to 4.6.

Abstract: A guide catheter in which the components of the hub include a ratchet mechanism that is operative to lock the hub components together and compress an integral flange of the catheter shaft therebetween to form a seal between the hub and catheter shaft without the use of bonding agents that will not become loosened accidently or inadvertently.

Abstract: A film carrier is incorporated in an image projecting apparatus and adapted to allow loading thereon of a microfilm of either of the roll film and sheet film types. This film carrier is provided with a base plate and a roll unit disposed as separated by a gap on the base plate and adapted to convey a roll film. A first moving member is disposed on the base plate in such a manner as to be moved both ways in the lateral direction of the image projecting apparatus. This first moving member is provided with a glass plate adapted to retain a stated image frame from the roll film in the part of the image projecting apparatus falling on a projected light path. Further, a second moving member is disposed on the base plate in such a manner as to be moved in the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction. This second moving member is provided with a glass plate for retaining a sheet film.

Abstract: A tape feeder for at least two tapes (8,11) which can be taken from a stock is arranged on a sewing machine. The tape feeder has a controlled feed-in device (12) which is arranged transversely to the workpiece feed direction (16), in such a way that it can move, and which has a motor driven shaft (13), which transports tape as desired to the presser foot (6) on the sewing machine. A cutting device (14) arranged on the feed device (12) enables the tapes to be cut off.

Abstract: A temporary stent for supporting a region of a vessel in a body comprising a stent portion and an actuator portion and methods for the use and manufacture thereof. The stent portion is comprised of an elongate perfusable vessel supporting portion adapted to be configurable between a reduced size for placement in the vessel and removal therefrom and an expanded size for structurally supporting the vessel and perfusable end portions connected to and forming ends of the vessel supporting portion and adapted to allow fluid flow therethrough. The actuator portion includes a proximal end extending out of the body and a distal end connected to the stent portion and operable by manipulation at the proximal end thereof to configure the support portion into a reduced size and an expanded size.

Abstract: The coded signal is output with a frame sequence that differs from the frame sequence of the input video signal by outputting the frame information coded by in-frame or inter-frame coding before the frame information coded bay interpolation coding based on the successively preceding frames. Frames immediately preceding a scene change are coded by a method other than field interpolation coding, frames immediately after a scene change are coded by in-frame coding, and the coded information for the frame immediately after the scene change is output after the coded information for the frame immediately before the scene change.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring the coagulation characteristics of whole blood samples is provided with disposable parts for contacting the blood. The pin has a blood-compatible plastic sleeve surrounding a metal stem which weights the pin assembly so it sinks into the blood sample. The metal stem also engages into the pin suspension apparatus of the instrument. A blood-compatible plastic cup receives the blood sample to be tested, and is surrounded by a metal collar to transfer heat to the cup for the time required for a test. The plastic surfaces which contact the blood sample are slightly roughened, to a matte finish, to improve adhesion so as to approximate the results obtained with stainless steel pins and cups.

Abstract: Molten sorbitol is disclosed as a humectant for chewing gum. The chewing gum is prepared by providing a chewing gum base at a level of about 5% to about 80% of the chewing gum composition; providing a bulking agent at a level of about 5% to about 80% of the chewing gum composition; providing a flavoring agent at a level of about 0.1% to about 10% of the chewing gum composition; providing molten sorbitol at a level of about 0.25% to about 2.7% of the chewing gum composition; and mixing the gum base, bulking agent, flavoring agent and molten sorbitol into the chewing gum composition. Chewing gum made with about 0.25% to about 2.7% molten sorbitol is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for sewing together two plies of cloth with a lap seam. The device comprises a cloth guide that is disposed between a plurality of reciprocating needles and the front of a cutting knife. The guiding portion of the cloth guide extends substantially between the needles and the front edge of the cutting knife. A cloth guide for assuring a full lap of material when sewing a lap seam where the left ply is to be laid on top of the right ply is also provided.

Abstract: There is disclosed a synthetic non-chocolate flavored chewing gum base which is substantially free of natural gum products, as well as a method of making such a gum base. The gum base includes between about 10 and about 30 percent of a synthetic elastomer, between about 20 and about 70 percent of a synthetic resin, and between about 0.3 and about 2.4 percent cocoa powder. In accordance with the present invention, the cocoa powder has a fat content of less than about 1 percent.

Abstract: A sheet transporting device including a first and a second transporting rollers having different starting/stopping characteristics and capable of retransporting a sheet after the sheet is temporarily held between the first and the second transporting rollers. The sheet transporting device detects an amount of loop in a sheet which is produced between the first and the second transporting rollers and controls timing by which the second transporting rollers are started so as to delay the start until after the first transporting rollers are started in accordance with the detected amount of the loop.

Abstract: A camera operated by a remote control device includes a zoom lens. The camera has a plurality of photographing modes. In a first mode, an object is photographed at a predetermined magnification and in a second mode, the object is photographed together with the background thereof. A desired photographing can be taken in response to a signal from the remote control device.Furthermore, the camera can rotate to upward, downward, rightward and leftward by a signal from the remote control device.

Abstract: A video camera comprising a taking lens, an image taking circuit which generates a video signal by receiving a light having passed through the taking lens, a knee correction circuit which compresses a video signal generated by the image taking circuit and having a level as high as or higher than a predetermined level, a detection circuit which detects a luminance distribution condition of a field, a pedestal adjusting circuit which adjusts a black level of the video signal generated by the image taking circuit and a control circuit which changes a compression method of a video signal in the knee correction circuit and an adjusting method of the black level in the pedestal adjusting circuit according to a luminance distribution condition of a field detected by the detection circuit. According to the present invention, it is possible to perform various controls in response to a luminance condition of a field.

Abstract: An inexpensive circuit for controlling the recharging of a rechargeable power source by a photovoltaic panel is used for powering a load such as the lamp of a walk light. Using a minimum number of components, the circuit can charge a rechargeable battery anytime sunlight is sufficient to place a potential across the battery that is greater than the present potential of the battery, can sense a decrease in voltage across the photovoltaic panel with diminishing ambient light and energize the load, can prevent the load from being energized when the ambient light level is sufficient to re-charge the battery, can provide positive feedback at turn-on of the load, thereby hastening turn-on and providing hysteresis, can provide for adjusting the hysteresis bands, can shift the turn-on and turn-off thresholds, and can provide an adequate current to guarantee turn-on when using low leakage solar panels.

Abstract: A monoflow shock absorber is provided with a blow off valve which provides the principal flow restriction during both extension and compression of the shock absorber. The force biasing the blow off valve closed is controlled by a control piston which is connected to the blow off valve plate by a rigid, solid rod. The piston responds to a pressurized control fluid, the pressure of which is selected by a high speed pressure regulating device such as a servo valve. This system provides high speed adjustment of the damping force of the shock absorber, substantially independently of the stroking speed of the shock absorber. The shock absorber includes a cylinder in which a working piston moves, and the cylinder is closed at one end with an inner cylinder head assembly made up of a body and a cap, which define a manifold therebetween.

Abstract: A clamshell type carton is provided with a cut along the hinge score line connecting the upper cover and lower tray portions. Either a second cut in the back panel of the carton, above or below the hinge score line cut, or a cut-out slot encompassing the hinge score line cut, is utilized to facilitate the easy opening and closing of the carton without buckling occurring in the back panel in the region of the hinge score line.

Abstract: A method of binding aggregated immunoglobulin or immune complexes comprising contacting them with serum amyloid P component ("SAP"). The invention also comprises methods of using SAP to detect or quantitate immune complexes and to deplete fluids of aggregated immunoglobulin or immune complexes for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Also provided is a test kit comprising SAP for detecting or quantitating immune complexes and a device for removing aggregated immunoglobulin or immune complexes from fluids.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus provided with a plurality of paper transport devices and a control device for outputting driving signals to the plurality of paper transport devices at different timings and outputting stop signals to the plurality of paper transport devices at different timings.In addition, the control device is capable of changing time difference between the timings for outputting the driving signals and between the timings for outputting the stop signals in accordance with the state of the image forming apparatus such as paper feeding conditions.