Abstract: A vehicle sensing system includes a data bus, a first microprocessor coupled to the bus and a plurality of sensor modules about a vehicle periphery for detecting the presence of objects within a predetermined range of distances of each of such sensor modules. Each sensor module of the vehicle sensing system includes a transducer, a second microprocessor, coupled between the transducer and the bus, for processing information received from the transducer, and a light emitting diode disposed on an outer surface of a housing for the transducer, coupled to the second microprocessor, for indicating when an object is within the predetermined distance of the sensor module or when the sensor module is faulty. Each sensor module further includes a temperature sensing circuit coupled to the second microprocessor and a bus transceiver for receiving information from the bus and for transmitting information to the bus.

Abstract: A luminometer comprises a body which is formed with a bore for receiving a sample container and a cavity communicating with the lower end of the bore. A control device having a part-circumferential ramp is rotatable within the cavity for displacing the sample container along the bore to and from a test position in which the sample container is exposed to a photo-multiplier device. The control device is rotated by a cap which is coupled to the control device and which covers the upper end of the bore in light-tight manner as the control device lowers the sample container to the test position.

Abstract: A bone replacement and repair material prepared from a biocompatible polyester resin, a liquid linking agent capable of cross-linking the resin and a filler is moldable and formable and cures in vivo. The resulting cured putty also degrades in vivo to provide interstices in the polyester matrix for new tissue growth. The polyester resin can also be used as an implantable matrix containing a pharmaceutical agent therein for sustained release of said pharmaceutical from said matrix in a physiological environment.

Abstract: Described and claimed are biologically useful crosslinked copolymers of vinyl pyrrolidone and allylamine suitable for various preventative and therapeutic applications to intact or injured skin. Coatings of these copolymers, either preformed or prepared in situ on the skin may deliver medicaments to the skin, may serve as an iontophoretic medium, may provide electrical contact with the body, may regulate or control moisture loss from injured integument. Monolithic devices for the delivery of pharmaceutically active agents within living tissue may be formulated from these copolymers.

Abstract: An improved liquid-filming apparatus of the type which utilizes centrifugal action to distribute blood on a specimen-display surface, i.e. on a conventional laboratory slide, and which utilizes a waste-collecting means about the perimeter of the slide display surface. The invention is based on the discovery that the display surface is advantageously related to the surrounding structure in such a way that blood does not disintegrate into minute droplets upon leaving the slide surface and before it can be immobilized in the collecting means. By providing a transitional blood-receiving surface immediately adjacent the supply surface, applicant has avoided the problem of such disintegration.

Abstract: An improved defrostable cryosurgical instrument has a unitary in-line valve assembly that permits the assembly to be contained right in the instrument itself without making the instrument unduly large, heavy or upsetting its balance. By a fingertip control right in the instrument itself, the valve assembly can be controlled to route refrigerant through the instrument's tip to operate the instrument in a freeze mode, a defrost mode and to turn the instrument off, while simultaneously depressurizing the tip.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a film of blood or other body fluid sample on a microscope slide. The slide is surrounded by a member adapted to catch and immobilize excess blood thrown from the slide by centrifugal force. The member, which advantageously rotates with the slide while positioned in a waste-receiving mode, advantageously comprises a pocket filled with highly porous blood-receiving material and is adapted to be moved vertically out of the waste-receiving mode to facilitate positioning and removal of the slide from the apparatus.

Abstract: The spherical welded tip end of a cryosurgical probe is prevented from separating and projecting from the remainder of the probe tip due to fluid pressure in the tip by a lanyard, one end of which is welded to the tip end and the other end of which is secured to a point on the main body of the probe away from the probe tip.

Abstract: A cryosurgical probe has a refrigerant supply conduit for conducting refrigerant to the hollow thermally-conductive probe tip. A refrigerant exhaust conduit extends through the probe into the tip and the end of the exhaust conduit in the tip is positioned a selected distance proximally of the end of the supply conduit. Thus, when refrigerant flows through the supply conduit to the tip, it tends to follow a flow path taking it more or less directly to the exhaust conduit. This creates a dead gas space inside the tip proximally of the end of the exhaust conduit, thereby minimizing direct cooling of portions of the probe adjacent to and proximally of the dead gas space and confining the freeze zone distal to that space. By adjusting the height of the exhaust conduit end proximally of the supply conduit end, the size of the freeze zone at the tip can be controlled. Further, if the probe has a defrost mode, defrost is enhanced because only the working end of the tip need be warmed.

Abstract: A small, disposable cryosurgical probe having a self-contained liquid refrigerant supply can be operated in either a freeze mode or a defrost mode. During the freeze mode the refrigerant is conducted from the supply to the probe tip as a two phase fluid so that the probe can freeze tissue for a relatively long period with a limited refrigerant supply. To facilitate detaching the probe tip from tissue, a button on the probe is depressed which switches the probe to its defrost mode of operation wherein room temperature liquid refrigerant is conducted directly from the supply to the probe tip thereby immediately warming the tip. The probe may be cycled several times between its freeze and defrost modes before the refrigerant supply is exhausted.

Abstract: A novel class of polymer-based products for use in physiological environment, e.g. for use as sutures or implanted, medicine-bearing compositions for use in controlled-rate medication, or the like. The advantageous polymers on which these products are based are condensation polymers formed of Krebs cycle acid-type compounds and a physiologically-tolerable polyol type compound such as glycerol or the like.

Abstract: Improved processes for obtaining the sustained release of pharmaceuticals from polymer matrices comprising the utilization of such steps as will allow the formation of solid solutions between pharmaceutical and its matrix or, conversely and in a proper case, substantially avoiding formation of any solid solution between the matrix and pharmaceutical. The advantage of such processes is the greater predictability of qualitative and quantitative nature of release rates of products formed therewith.

Abstract: A small, self-contained, disposable cryosurgical probe has a pencil-like housing with a refrigerant-containing cartridge in the housing and a hollow tip projecting from the housing. A small diameter capillary tube has one end in the housing opposite the cartridge and its other end extending into the tip with the intervening length of the tube formed into a multi-turn coil. The refrigerant is conducted from the cartridge through the tube to the probe tip and the temperature of the refrigerant is stabilized so as to maintain a substantially uniform mass flow rate of refrigerant through the tube to the tip.