Abstract: A quick release strap system comprising,a molded plastic quick release male or female buckle component, a base and a conical aperture in the base coaxial with the center line, and an annular bearing shoulder formed interiorly of the base and coaxial with the conical aperture. The conical aperture receives a swivel connector having at least a pair of spring cam surface fingers adapted to be cammed toward one another by the conical aperture and a bearing ledge formed on the spring cam fingers contiguous to the cam surfaces and engagable with the annular shoulder bearing surface after the spring cam surfaces have passed the conical aperture. A strap having a pair of ends and means securing said one end of said pair of ends to said swivel connector opposite said spring cam finger.

Abstract: The interference detection and characterization system of this invention supports modern communication systems which have to contend with a variety of intentional and unintentional interference souces. As an add-on to existing communications equipment, the invention employs novel signal processing techniques to automatically detect the presence of communications channel irregularities in near real-time and alert the attending operator. Information provided to the operator through a user-friendly interface is used to characterize the type of interference and its degree of severity. Once characterized, the information is used by the operator to take corrective actions including the activation of alternative communication plans or, in some instances, mitigation of the interference. Since output from the system of this invention lends itself well to expert system and neural network environments, such systems could be employed to further aid the operator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of plugging the open end of an intramedullary bone canal with an inflatable bone plug which is capable of restricting the flow of bone cement during the insertion of bone cement, particularly during the pressurized injection of such a cement, during an operative procedure involving the fixation of the stem of an artificial joint prosthesis to the end of a bone such as in the fixation of a hip joint prosthesis to the proximal femur. The inflatable bone plug is inflated with a fluid which is capable of escaping from the plug within a relatively short period of time after the bone cement holding the prosthesis in place has hardened to avoid possible weaking of the cortical bone surrounding the inflated plug. This invention also relates to an inflatable bone plug of the above type which is preferably constructed from a silicone elastomer and is pressurized with carbon dioxide gas.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fluidic oscillator in which a stream of fluid is directed against a barrier member in an oscillation chamber. The barrier member serves as one wall of the oscillation chamber and in conjunction with other shaped wall surfaces of the oscillation chamber creates a pair of alternately pulsating control vortices for causing the fluid in the power stream to pass alternately to a pair of outlet passages. The vortices alternate both in strength and in a phase opposition to control flow of the jet stream in alternate fashion through the outlet passages. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pair of outlet passages are on opposite sides of the barrier member and converge to a common outlet to thereby provide a fan spray as the outlet passages alternate in the passage of the stream of fluid therethrough to the common outlet.