Abstract: A device for locating an electrode used in endocardial treatment comprises further electrode means to be positioned inside the heart together with the electrode, the further electrode means being able to adopt a geometrical arrangement defining a system of spatial coordinates. Polarization means are provided for applying respective electrical signals to at least one of the electrode and the further electrode means, as well as detector means connected to the electrode and to the further electrode means for detecting the potential established between the electrode and the further electrode means as a result of the application of the electrical signals. Measuring means sensitive to the potential are capable of determining, on the basis of the potential, the position of the electrode relative to the system of spatial coordinates defined by the further electrode means.

Abstract: A spinning process using azeotropic compounds as spin agents having essentially zero ozone depletion potential and that are either non-flammable or of very low flammability.

Abstract: A surgical retractor has a frame and first and second retractor blades coupled to the frame. The retractor blades engage opposite sides of an incision in a patient's body and are relatively movable toward or away from each other along a first axis. When using the retractor in lift mode, a foot is coupled to the frame or one of the blades and engages the patient's body adjacent the incision. An actuator imparts relative movement to the retractor blades along the first axis and the foot acts as a support base with one of the blades moving relative to the frame to lift the ribs at one side of the incision above the other. To use the retractor in spread mode the foot is removed and the retractor blades spread of the ribs without lifting.

Abstract: A distributed emergency building lighting system senses the presence or absence of AC power at the input of a switch controlling lighting in a designated area or an input stimulus such as an alarm to provide low-level marking for visual delineation of the path of egress or lighting of a predetermined designated area by illuminating an EL panel in accordance with code requirements. Self-diagnostic testing verifies operational conditions of the battery and illumination circuit to ensure code compliance.

Abstract: Acrylic AB block copolymers prepared by group transfer polymerization that are useful as pigment dispersants, characterized by mononuclear or dinuclear heterocyclic groups bonded to the highly polar anchoring A segment of the block copolymer backbone to facilitate attachment on a pigment surface and improve dispersant efficiency in solvent-borne paint systems.

Abstract: An improved spreader bar for spreading apart the cords which connect the body supporting member of a hammock to a support structure and suspend it therefrom is disclosed. The spreader bar is positioned adjacent each of the longitudinal end portions of the body supporting member and is provided with spaced apertures which receive the cords therein. The spreader bar is curved outwardly relative to the body supporting member in order to evenly distribute the suspension forces exerted on the aperture walls by the cords. The spreader bar is also split proximal to or at the apertures into upper and lower members to provide access to the apertures through top portions thereof when the upper and lower members are separated and thereby facilitate insertion of the cords therein when the upper and lower members are separated.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding an alpha-glucosidase II subunit. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the alpha-glucosidase II subunit, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the alpha-glucosidase II subunit in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: A copolyether composition that can be used to produce a dyeable polyester is provided. The composition can comprise repeat units derived from a first diol such as, for example, 1,3-propanediol and a sulfonated dicarboxylic acid such as, for example, 5-sulfo-isophthalic acid. The dyeable polyester composition can comprise repeat units derived from the copolyether composition, an acid such as, for example, terephthalic acid, and a second diol such as, for example, 1,3-propanediol. Also disclosed is a process that can be used for producing the copolyether composition. The process comprises contacting the first diol with the sulfonated dicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: Synthesis of linear acrylic polymers and copolymers having controlled molecular weight by the photoinitiated free radical polymerization of vinyl monomers in the presence of chain transfer agents to produce polymers useful in coating compositions and the like, including printing inks.

Abstract: Locks for the transportation industry are programmable with a keypad and with handheld activators, the activators being programmable by a central system and activators via IR transmitters and receivers. Operator PIN numbers and access codes manifesting the supervisory level of authority are encoded in each lock which are programmed to open a given number of times in a given time period with or without entry of a code and include a lockout feature for disabling the lock in case of invalid code entry. Each lock has a log history containing the number of complete and incomplete opening transactions, when they occurred and the operator codes associated therewith. The locks are opened by IR transmission of the appropriate codes or by keypad entries. One or more individuals at different levels of authority may open one or more locks in a given time frame a given number of times. Each lock records its transaction history which is displayed and downloaded for system evaluation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optically isolating multiple core optical fibers while at the same time substantially reducing polarization mode dispersion, is disclosed. A multiple core fiber is optically coupled to optical birefringent elements, reciprocal and non-reciprocal rotators, and through a lens assembly to a multiple core optical fiber output.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and/or affecting parameters of a patient's body and more particularly to such a system comprised of a system control unit (SCU) and one or more other devices, preferably battery-powered, implanted in the patient's body, i.e., within the envelope defined by the patient's skin. Each such implanted device is configured to be monitored and/or controlled by the SCU via a wireless communication channel. In accordance with the invention, the SCU comprises a programmable unit capable of (1) transmitting commands to at least some of a plurality of implanted devices and (2) receiving data signal from at least some of those implanted devices. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the system operates in closed loop fashion whereby the commands transmitted by the SCU are dependent, in part, on the content of the data signals received by the SCU.

Abstract: A louver indexing device for air flow directional grilles is disclosed which allows for enhanced reliability of the indexing function, a wider selection of materials and less critical manufacturing tolerances. The end of each louver slides across an indexing plate as the blade rotates. The indexing plate is a resilient separate component from either the louver or the housing frame and is connected to both by simple screw fastener means.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of embedding thick film passive components on an organic substrate wherein a flexible metallic substrate has a conductive paste underprint applied thereon. The method comprises the following steps: applying a conductor paste underprint onto a flexible metallic substrate; firing the preceding article; applying at least one passive component paste onto the underprint; firing the preceding article; and applying the passive component side of the metallic substrate onto at least one side of an organic layer which is at least partially coated with an adhesive layer wherein the passive component side of the article is embedded into the adhesive layer.

Abstract: The storm shelter includes a prefabricatable enclosure at a remote site, and deliverable to the building construction site following floor slab pouring and prior to wall construction. The shelter includes a unitary solid enclosure having entry means and an open bottom, the enclosure made of material having sufficient strength to withstand tornado- and hurricane-force weather, such as poured concrete. The shelter further includes devices for affixing the enclosure to the building slab, which also have sufficient strength to withstand tornado- and hurricane-force weather.

Abstract: An electro-optical device is manufactured by separately manufacturing an electronic component and an optical component and subsequently integrating the electronic and the optical components. Separate fabrication of the two components allows each component to be manufactured using processes which optimize its properties.

Abstract: Fluoropolymer compositions containing melt-fabricable functionalized fluoropolymer and high temperature resistant thermoplastic form laminates to metal at low concentrations of high temperature resistant thermoplastic.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a geranylgeranyl transferase subunit. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the geranylgeranyl transferase subunit, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the geranylgeranyl transferase subunit in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to a signal predistorter circuit for eliminiating the nonlinearities in the input/output characteristics of nonlinear stages, in particular for eliminating the third-order nonlinearities. More particularly, it relates to a method and to a predistorter circuit for external optical modulators of television signals. The method for predistortion of a signal of variable amplitude comprises the phases of: delivering the said signal to at least one first distorter circuit; biasing the said at least one first distorter circuit; distorting the said signal in the said at least one first distorter circuit; characterized in that the said phase of biasing the said at least one first distorter circuit comprises the phase of maintaining a substantially constant preset voltage value on varying the amplitude of the said signal at the said at least one first distorter circuit.