Abstract: Apparatus and method are described for selective cutting of the transverse carpal ligament of a patient. The instrument includes spaced-apart teeth which are supported on a first arm and a press member which is carried by a second arm. The teeth are prevented from contacting tissue when the first arm is inserted into, or retracted from, the carpal tunnel. After insertion of the first arm into the carpal tunnel, the teeth are exposed to the transverse carpal ligament and the first and second arms are moved towards each other to force the teeth into the transverse carpal ligament to perforate the ligament and enable it to elongate.

Abstract: A digital switch intended for use in a node in a circuit switched telecommunication network with a distributed switching function includes a switch memory, and a time slot counter, which is connectable to the switch memory and arranged to point out an address in the switch memory for cyclical writing of incoming data into the switch on this address. A control memory is arranged for controlling the sequence order for read out of data from the switch memory. The switch memory is connectable via an adapting device to a transmission medium, which is common to a number of nodes in the network. The time slot counter is connected via the adapting device to receive frame synchronization from the common transmission medium. The control memory is arranged for selecting time slots from the common transmission medium and generating read address to the switch memory. The control memory and the switch memory are realized with fewer memory cells than admitted by the address space.

Abstract: Individual subscriber appearances having a common directory number are identified with the existing software modules of a stored program controlled telecommunication switching system by redefining the format of the subscriber pointer data word used therein. An addition field comprising a call appearance member number is added to the subscriber pointer data to produce a subscriber call identifier data word.

Abstract: A vacuum holding device is provided for a veneer slicer, comprising a vacuum source, a platen having a flat surface comprising a plurality of vacuum compartments, wherein each compartment contains at least one port connected through a vacuum line to the vacuum source, sealing means within each compartment, wherein the sealing means surrounds each compartment and also extends outwardly from the compartment beyond the flat surface of the platen such that a flitch to be sliced contacts the sealing means when the flitch is moved proximate the platen, wherein the compartment, sealing means and flitch create a vacuum chamber which holds the flitch in place during slicing; and, a ball valve connected in each vacuum line between each port and the vacuum source, wherein each ball valve is operatively arranged to open to create a vacuum to exist in its respective compartment.

Abstract: A plunger device for forcing waste through a drain line of a plumbing fixture. The plunger device generally comprises an elongate tubular member having a top end and a bottom end. Fluidly connected to the top end is a handle member which is adapted to be fluidly coupled to a water supply source. Fluidly connected to the bottom end is a plunger member which is sized and configured to be positionable over and form a fluid-tight seal about a drain opening of the fixture in a manner when water is directed from the supply source, through the plunger device, and into the drain line.

Abstract: Barium peroxide in which has been incorporated a transition metal compound is used as a catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation of organic compounds in the presence of terminal oxidants.

Abstract: A low brightness pigment and method is provided from a heretofore rejected waste kaolin stream. Kaolin processing rejects are high in iron-stained TiO.sub.2. After separating the stained TiO.sub.2 from the high brightness kaolin and concentrating the resulting fraction, the material can be processed to produce a low brightness pigment suitable of many applications where lower brightness is desirable, such as coating paper board without mottling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a feed-forward compensated power amplifier system is disclosed which uses a spread spectrum technique to cover a control signal or signals and injects a composite signal at a suitable point into the feed-forward amplifier system to reduce distortion. The amount of bandwidth spread is governed by the amount of processing gain needed in the remapping process and the needed time response of the system. Control signals after remapping of the spread spectrum at the output of the system are correlated in a match filter correlator and the result is used to control, in either polar or cartesian coordinates, the injection, in anti-phase, of the extracted distortion into the feed forward amplifier output.

Abstract: A feature control system includes structure for initiating a change from one state to another state in response to a precipitating event, structure for generating a signal to identify a list of tasks to perform the transition, structure for retrieving the list of tasks from a previously formatted array and structure for processing the tasks to arrive at the second state. The present invention also provides a method for creating state table instructions which method includes the steps of formatting a program code to correspond to single entry two dimensional arrays, converting the program code to discrete integer pointers, interconnecting the tables to perform the tasks in a linear fashion and processing the tasks to arrive at a new state.

Abstract: External inlet and outlet pinch-type plate valves for controlling the blood flow through a compressible shunt of a cardiopulmonary bypass pump wherein the valves are not fixedly connected to the compression chamber or housing of the pump so that the distance between the inlet and outlet valves can be adjusted to thereby allow adjustment of stroke volume to fit the needs of the patient being treated.

Abstract: A stereoscopic image viewing device which can be used to create the effect of a stereoscopic image from back to back stereoscopically complementary views of an image, is disclosed. Also disclosed is a portable device for providing a stereoscopic image from a card which contains complementary stereoscopic views of an image in a manner whereby the images can be arranged substantially back to back. In addition, a novel card containing two stereoscopically complementary images, is disclosed. This card, when used in combination with the stereoscopic image viewing device, creates the effect of a stereoscopic image.

Abstract: A method in accordance with the invention is implemented via a computer program to determine the density and water (or other fluid) content of the various layers within a multilayer system. For convenience, the program is referred to as SIDARS. A conventional ground penetrating radar (GPR) system is used to obtain digitized images of a reflected radar signal from a multilayer pavement system. From these images standard mathematical techniques are applied to determine the number of layers, the thickness of each layer, and the dielectric constant for each layer within the multilayer system. SIDARS takes advantage of the fact that each layer is itself composed of three distinct types of material: solids, fluids, and gases. Thus, the dielectric constant obtained for a layer is in fact a composite value, namely a combination of the layer's solid, fluid, and gas dielectric constants. SIDARS employs a wave propagation model of the pavement system to generate a synthetic reflected radar signal.

Abstract: An improved printing press of the type having a plurality of beds having a top surface, a flood bar for flooding ink onto a screen placed on one of said plurality of beds, and a squeegee for removing excess ink from the screen, both located at a printing station of the printing press, wherein the improvement comprises a light source, a strip of light reflective material adapted to reflect light generated by the light source, a photoelectric eye for detecting light reflected by the reflective material, and a microprocessor adapted to operatively engage with the photoelectric eye and programmed to sequentially shut off the print station should the photoelectric eye detect reflected light generated by the light source and reflected by the reflective material.

Abstract: Multi-phase RF ablation employing a two-dimensional or three-dimensional electrode array produces a multitude of currents paths on the surface of the ablation zone. This results in a uniform lesion with a size defined by the span of the electrode array. An orthogonal electrode catheter array suitable for cardiac ablation is used in conjunction with a two-phase RF power source to produce uniform square-shaped lesions of size 1.2 cm.sup.2. Lesions of larger size are created by successive adjacent placement of the square-shaped lesions. A temperature sensor at the electrode tip allows monitoring of ablation temperature and regulation of thereof to minimize the electrode tips from being fouled by coagulum.

Abstract: New compositions of matter comprising cyano-substituted metal complexes of porphyrins are catalysts for the oxidation of alkanes. The metal is iron, chromium, manganese, ruthenium, copper or cobalt. The porphyrin ring has cyano groups attached thereto in meso and/or .beta.-pyrrolic positions.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing bags that are rectangular when collapsed and which comprise two superimposed flat sides, sealed at the edges, and a handle member. The method comprises the steps of: laying out a web forming three parallel subordinate webs, one extending longitudinally in the middle and one on each lateral side thereof; folding two top flanks out of the middle subordinate web to create a handle-top portion; V-folding a center strip of the middle subordinate web to create a handle member; providing the handle member with a finger slot and with depressions that allow the middle part to be pulled apart along the handle member to form a gusset; bringing the two lateral subordinate webs together; and attaching the lateral subordinate webs together along seams to create bag edges and cutting off the bags along their edges.

Abstract: The device has two mutually parallel slats extending crosswise to the running direction of the wire, namely an approach slat and a departure slat which with a wire guide surface each touch the revolving wire. Contained between the two slats is a blowing slot connected to a compressed air supply. Forming between the approach slat and the wire is a wedge-shaped gore tapering in the wire running direction, into which gore empties a water spray system. The departure slat has a step type clearance at the point where the wire leaves the wire guide surface.

Abstract: A drying section of a paper making machine has a series of single tier drying groups, all with their respective felt belts arranged so that the drying cylinders are in contact with and dry one side of the web. The single tier groups are followed by one double tier drying group wherein the web passes such that the top side, then the bottom side, then the top side, then the bottom side, etc. of the web is in contact with successive drying cylinders arranged in two rows. Steam under pressure is supplied to all the drying cylinders. In the double tier group of drying cylinders, the steam pressure supplied to a first set of drying cylinders in sequence is higher than the steam pressure supplied to a second set of drying cylinders.

Abstract: A spray tip assembly for airless fluid spraying includes the spray tip assembly and an adapter for mounting on a spray gun barrel. The spray tip assembly has a housing with a longitudinal through-running passage way in which a member carrying an orifice spray tip is mounted. The discharge end of the spray tip assembly includes a spray guard and the opposite end of the spray tip assembly is secured by the adapter to the barrel of a spray gun through which material to be sprayed is conducted to the spray tip assembly. In one embodiment of the invention the orifice of the spray tip assembly is carried in a cylindrical body which is rotatably mounted in the housing of the spray tip assembly so that the orifice can be reversed for cleaning purposes. In another embodiment the orifice is fixedly seated in the tip assembly and is not reversible.

Abstract: A current limiting short-circuiting protector is disclosed which utilizes an electronic and thermal feedback principle for achieving precise and rapid release of the protector, which can be readily reset. The principle utilizes a non-linear powerful temperature-dependent resistor in the collector circuit of a field effect transistor which serves as a current valve and through which the total current to be monitored is passed. The circuit replaces a conventional fuse and may also function as a load on/off control means. When a fault occurs in the load, the erroneous current is limited to a much lower value than is the case with a conventional fuse.