Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process for producing synthetic crude oil from oil bearing material, e.g., oil shale or tar sand, through continuous process for producing synthetic crude oil from bituminous tar sand or shale. The process includes treating the tar sand or shale to produce a fluidizable feed, feeding the fluidizable feed to a fluidized bed reactor, and fluidizing and reacting the fluidizable feed in the fluidized bed reactor with substantially only hydrogen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process for producing synthetic crude oil from oil bearing material, e.g., oil shale or tar sand, through continuous feeding and calcining, hydrocracking and hydrogenating kerogen or bitumen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process for producing synthetic crude oil from oil bearing material, e.g., oil shale or tar sand, through continuous loading, calcining and unloading operations in three triangularly placed reactor tubes that are loaded with oil bearing material from a common feed source.

Abstract: A force sensing insole is disclosed which is adapted to be used in association with an electro-goniometer for analyzing the gait of a patient. The insole includes a body member composed of three overlying sheets of thin plastic material which are bonded together, with the intermediate sheet having cut-outs in each of the heel, ball and toe portions so as to define three separate internal chambers. A contact switch is positioned in each of the open chambers, and which comprises a plurality of parallel fingers formed of conductive ink on the inwardly facing surface of one of the outer sheets, and an area of conductive material on the inwardly facing surface of the outer sheet. The body member includes a laterally extending flexible strip, and which is adapted to flex and extend outwardly from the wearer's shoe. Also, lines of conductive ink are provided in the body member which extend from each of the contact switches to a terminal positioned at the end of the strip.

Abstract: A portable electrical neuromuscular stimulating apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of portable electrical stimulation units, with each unit including at least one pair of electrodes adapted to be placed on the body of the patient. Electrical circuit means are provided that operatively interconnect each of the units so that a pulsed electrical energy signal is supplied to each pair of electrodes as desired, whereby a predetermined amount of therapeutic pulsed electrical energy is delivered to the desired muscle.

Abstract: A surgical drape is disclosed which is adapted for protectively covering a limb of a patient during arthroscopic surgery, and while placing the limb in traction. The drape comprises a tubular sleeve, a pair of elongate traction strips mounted on the inside of the sleeve, and strap means overlying the outside of the sleeve and having opposite ends attached through the sleeve to respective ones of the traction strips. Also, a wrap is provided for encircling the sleeve when the sleeve is mounted on the limb of patient to circumferentially bind the tubular sleeve upon the limb. When the tubular sleeve is thus mounted upon the limb, a traction force may be applied to the strap, which results in the force being applied to the limb along the elongate contact area between the traction strips and the limb, and such that the force is distributed over a broad area so as to avoid injury to the limb. A method of fabricating the sleeve is also disclosed.

Abstract: A high voltage pulsed electrical stimulation apparatus is provided which is useful for a variety of therapeutic purposes, and which is operable in a number of different modes of operation, including a continuous mode wherein the current is continuously applied, a surge mode wherein the current is periodically interrupted, and a reciprocate mode wherein a continuous current is alternately directed to two separate electrodes. The apparatus includes provision for measuring and visually displaying the peak current of the pulses, which has been found to provide a very reliable indication of the effectiveness of the treatment. Also, the apparatus includes circuitry for balancing the current between the two electrodes in the reciprocate mode, and which does not interfere with the desired peak current measurement. Further, circuitry provided for effectively cushioning the initial application of current at the commencement of each surge of current when the apparatus is operated in the surge mode.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which is adapted to statically or intermittently apply a traction force to the body of a patient for therapeutic purposes. The apparatus includes a novel control means for cyclically reversing the direction of rotation of the wind-up drum upon predetermined minimum and maximum forces being present in the tension cord, and wherein the actual tension in the cord is monitored by a control circuit which provides an electrical output which is linearly proportional to the tension. The output signal is fed to a comparator circuit, where it is compared with independently selectable signals representing minimum and maximum tension forces, to control the wind-up and wind-down of the cord on the drum.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which is adapted to statically or intermittently apply a traction force to the body of a patient for therapeutic purposes. The apparatus includes a novel control means for cyclically reversing the direction of rotation of the wind-up drum upon predetermined minimum and maximum forces being present in the tension cord, and wherein the actual tension in the cord is monitored by a control circuit which provides an electrical output which is linearly porportional to the tension. The output signal is fed to a comparator circuit, where it is compared with independently selectable signals representing minimum and maximum tension forces, to control the wind-up and wind-down of the cord on the drum. The apparatus further includes several safety features for assuring the proper and safe functioning of the apparatus.