Abstract: The present invention relates to a filled piston assembly for a hydraulic pump or motor. The filled hydraulic piston assembly includes a blank piston body having first and second ends and a cavity or compartment in the piston body extending inwardly from one of the ends. The piston is filled with a lightweight solid insert element which is placed into the compartment of the piston. The material of the blank piston body is then cold formed around the insert element to encapsulate the element. The piston body is then further cold rolled to receive a spherical ball in one end. It is then cut to length, machine finished, and a longitudinal center bore is drilled therein.

Abstract: An improved aortic cannula is provided for use in heart by-pass surgery. The cannula includes an elongated tube with a terminal end. The terminal end has a ramped surface leading to the discharge opening. The ramped surface terminates in a lip having a tapered leading edge with a point for insertion of the cannula into the aorta. The tapered leading edge spreads a previously made incision to facilitate entry of the terminal end of the cannula into the aorta. With the improved cannula of the present invention, the size of the incision in the aorta is minimized and the damage or tearing of the aorta is eliminated or minimized. This ease of insertion also reduces the time required in the procedure of inserting the cannula into the aorta.

Abstract: The foregoing invention relates to a new microbubble preparation and thrombolytic therapy which relies on microbubbles and ultrasound for its lytic activity. The pharmaceutical composition of the invention comprises a liquid solution of microbubbles with an internal atmosphere enhanced with the perfluorocarbon gas which cavitate in the presence of an ultrasound field following intravenous injection or infusion of said composition into said host. For thrombolysis the area of a thrombus is exposed to an ultrasound field in the presence of the microbubbles and significant lysis is experienced. The method and pharmaceutical composition of the invention exhibit thrombolytic properties similar to those of other thrombolytic agents such as urokinase and are less toxic and are clot specific in that they do not introduce a systemic lytic state to a said animal.

Abstract: The robot includes a vertically disposed Y-axis support having an elongated first drive belt and an elongated linear bearing way at one side thereof. A traverse carriage is vertically movably mounted on the Y-axis bearing way and a motor mount is provided on the traverse carriage for movement therewith. The traverse carriage has an X-axis bearing block provided thereon which movably supports an elongated and substantially horizontally disposed X-axis support. The X-axis support has an elongated, flat X-axis drive belt provided thereon positioned between the ends thereof. A drive motor is mounted on the motor mount and has a driven shaft extending horizontally therefrom which is operatively received by a differential drive means. The differential drive means includes an X-axis drive pulley and a Y-axis drive pulley. A Y-axis brake is provided for selective engagement with the Y-axis drive pulley for selectively preventing rotation of the Y-axis drive pulley.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing the rotational speed of a washing machine tub to minimize washing machine vibration. The washing machine uses an accelerometer to sense machine vibration. A computer software program monitors, records, and compares machine vibrations over a range of rotational speeds to determine a rotational speed which minimizes machine vibration.

Abstract: An anklet for a foot orthosis has a one-piece member having a sole portion, opposite side portions each terminating in a flap element, a heel portion and a fastening strap. The sole portion has a pocket to receive the foot portion of the orthosis. A soft liner is attached to the interior surface of the anklet. The fastening strap extends over the overlapped flap elements to reinforce the engaged fastening elements on the interior surface of the straps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a leather wrapping on a steering wheel having a ring radially spaced and circumferentially extending about a central hub by providing a groove along the surface of the ring, preferably on the inwardly facing edge thereof, into which the edges of the leather wrapping may be inserted and secured and a bead which fits snugly within said groove to cover the groove and secure the edge of the leather therein.

Abstract: A breakaway basketball rim assembly in which there is a release assembly which operably interconnects the base member and the rim member, the release assembly being configured to release the rim member in response to a downward load which is received at any point along an extended frontal arc of the circular hoop portion, so that the hoop tilts downwardly generally in the direction of the load. There is also a reaction load mechanism for returning the hoop to its horizontal playing position. In a preferred embodiment, a U-shaped fulcrum joint extends between the reaction load in the hoop so as to provide a pivot point in line between the reaction load and any impact point along the extended frontal arc of the hoop. The joint is configured so that the rim releases in response to a substantially identical impact load anywhere along the frontal arc. The rim comprises a rim portion, a backboard mounting portion, and bolts for securing the rim portion to the mounting portion.

Abstract: A medication dosage indicator having two portions, a body portion and a cap portion. The body portion includes a circular top wall and a plurality of raised indicator tabs spaced apart in a circular fashion that have indicia corresponding to the day of the week or other unit of time. The cap portion includes a circular upper wall with a plurality of apertures sized and spaced apart to fit in a mating relationship with the indicator tabs.

Abstract: A doll or animal has either an interior compartment or a back pack which contains an audio device having a recorder to record sounds and a sound player to play the sounds recorded. A tape player is also provided to permit a plurality of separate recorded tapes or the like for playing prerecorded messages, stories, or songs. A source of power such as a battery is used to provide power to the various components. A control switch is used to provide a master control over all of the components.

Abstract: A monolithic thick film inductor is made by printing alternating conductive layers and dielectric layers above one another, using the same dielectric printing screen and the same conductor printing screen for printing each of the dielectric layers and the conductive layers respectively. Each of the coil printing screen and the dielectric screen are indexed to n different positions in order to print each of the n layers. The resulting inductor includes a plurality of helical coil segments stacked above one another and electrically connected to one another to create the desired number of coil turns.

Abstract: A free-swinging cutter for use on a machine adapted to cut and clear brush and trees, including a generally stirrup-shaped member having two opposing sidewalls, a leading face with a cutting edge for cutting, and a rearward face opposite the leading face. The cutter is adapted to be swingably mounted at a point offset from its center of mass so that the cutting edge is disposed below the rearward face to form a relief heel. The invention also includes a method of creating a relief area on a cutter swingably mounted on the rotating drum to improve chip flow, which includes the steps of providing a cutter as described above and swingably mounting the cutter to a drum about an axis offset from the cutter's center of mass so that the cutting edge is disposed below the rearward face when the cutter extends radially from the drum following the rotation of the drum.

Abstract: The present invention provides a warning system to motorists to notify them of the presence of deer or other large animals along a roadside, such that the motorists can slow down and drive cautiously to avoid an accident with the deer. The system includes a plurality of posts installed along the roadside, with each post having a motion detector for sensing the presence of deer. Each motion detector is operatively connected to a light which is activated when a deer enters the sensing zone of the motion detector. The lights and motion detectors may be connected to a 120 volt power supply or to a battery which is coupled to a solar panel for recharging. The lights may be electrically connected in series such that all the lights are illuminated when one motion detector senses a deer. Each motion detector may also be connected to a sound generating device to deter the deer from the roadside. A light-sensitive photoelectric eye may also be provided such that the devices are functional only at night.

Abstract: A novel protein adduct is disclosed which is associated with the presence of alcohol liver disease. The adduct is a hybrid product of malondialdehyde and acetaldehyde which act synergistically to bind hepatic proteins. The adduct is highly immunogenic and fluorescent. Methods of detection are also disclosed including monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies.

Abstract: A raised liquid art medium comprises baking soda, corn starch, water, gesso, and chalk. The medium can be applied to a variety of surfaces for various art projects. Once applied, the medium can be manipulated while still wet and different colors of the medium can be used together without the colors running into each other or bleeding. When dry, the medium can be colored, etched, carved, or sanded to make further artistic effects.

Abstract: A clip having a contrasting color to a basketball rim is mounted on the topside of the rim on a line between the shooter and the center of the basket for the shooter to focus on while aiming and shooting the ball over the clip. The clip is moveable around the circumference of the rim for practice shooting from any location on the basketball court.

Abstract: A golf practice and training guide to assist a golfer in identifying and replicating a preferred ball position. The golf practice and training device includes a first and second alignment guides pivotally mounted on the ground and spaced apart such that the alignment guides are capable of pivoting towards each other and intersecting at a point proximate a preferred ball position. The invention also includes a method for determining a golfer's preferred ball position and capturing that ball position for future practice sessions.

Abstract: An apparatus of the present invention is adapted to provide a telephone line connection over a coax cable distribution system. In a home having a plurality of set-top television boxes which each require a connection to a telephone line, the present invention allows a single telephone line connection to be provided to the plurality of set-top boxes via the coax cable distribution system. The invention uses a first interface device connected to a telephone line to modulate telephone signals and transmit them over the coax cable distribution system. The device also includes a demodulator to demodulate signals received over the coax cable distribution system to be sent over the telephone line. The invention includes a second interface device at each set-top box which also includes a modulator and demodulator to transmit and receive telephone signals over the coax cable distribution system.

Abstract: A reflector used in a lighting fixture wherein a relatively thin, flexible, reflecting surface is placed against a precisely formed curve in a frame. The reflecting surface is then clamped against the precisely formed curve and adopts the shape of precisely formed curve. A method according to the invention cuts the precisely formed curve from a piece and then uses both parts of the piece to clamp the reflective surface in place. It is preferred that the reflective sheet be placed against and clamped at least at opposite edges.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating the immune system of animals by activating macrophages to release cytokines and down-regulating their sensitivity to bacterial endotoxin and to conversion to cytotoxic phenotypes by the administration of stress response factors released by stressed bacteria.Methods and compositions for protecting the viability of liquid or dried cultures of bacteria by the administration of stress response factors released by stressed bacteria.