Abstract: A switch (60) is provided for disabling an airbag assembly (20) in an automotive vehicle when a sun visor (30) in the vehicle is positioned within a defined deployment area of the airbag assembly. The sun visor is movable in and out of the deployment area during regular use. A switch is adapted for signaling the presence or absence of the sun visor in the deployment area, and accordingly disables or enables the airbag assembly, respectively.

Abstract: A sun visor assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a sun visor panel having generally planar opposing sides sandwiched together to define a pocket therebetween. A longitudinally extending support rod is positioned between the opposing sides of the panel for supporting the panel in the interior of the vehicle. An adjustment mechanism is coupled between the support rod and the sun visor panel for providing selective sliding movement of the sun visor panel along the support rod between a retracted position and an extended position. The adjustment mechanism includes a support frame secured to the visor panel having an upper rail forming a longitudinal rack, a guide carriage secured to the support rod and slidably coupled to the support frame, and a gear rotatably supported by the carriage and meshed with the rack for guiding the sun visor panel along the support rod between the retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: An electrosurgical electrode having a distal end for transferring the energy to the tissue and a thermal reservoir spaced apart from the distal end. The materials and shape of the electrode promote the flow of heat away from the distal tip so as to reduce the temperature of the tip during electrosurgery, to reduce tissue damage and to prevent the tissue from sticking to the electrode tip. The electrode is composed of a bio-compatible and highly thermally conductive metal, such as silver or gold of high purity, or alloy of those two metals. The shape provides a cross-sectional area that is constant or increasing as the distance from the tip increases. The rounded distal end transitions into a cylindrical section which then transitions into the thermal reservoir. The thermal reservoir is also cylindrical, having a cross-sectional area that is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first cylindrical section.

Abstract: Electrosurgical forceps including two electrodes, each having a tip that is composed of a material that has the characteristics of electrical conductivity, high thermal diffusivity, and biocompatibility. Such characteristics allow the forceps to be used in medical applications to perform electrosurgery with a minimum of sticking to the tissue. These desired characteristics are found with pure silver and pure gold, as well as biocompatible alloys of silver and/or gold that are nearly entirely composed of silver and/or gold. The electrodes may include a thermal reservoir of this material spaced apart from a distal end of the electrode, with the thermal reservoir having a greater cross-sectional area than the distal end.

Abstract: Methods of treating or preventing fibrosis and sclerosis by the administration of compositions containing A.sub.1 adenosine receptor antagonists and/or P.sub.2X purinoceptor antagonists, or combinations thereof.