Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring displacement of one location of a structure, relative to another, spaced apart location.

Abstract: Controlled bending movement of a flexible elongate rod or filament in response to a bend signal indicative of a desired amount of bending is effected by a strip of shape-changing material disposed on a first side of an elongate rod element, the shape changing material changing shape in response to an actuation signal, thereby causing the filament element to bend, and a sensor including a strain gauge disposed on the rod element on a second side opposite the first side, said sensor sensing the amount of bend in the rod element from strain indicated, and a feedback control comparing the amount of bend of the filament sensed to a desired amount of bend defined by said bend signal and altering the actuation signal as required to make the amount of bend sensed the same as the amount of bend desired.

Abstract: A volumetric pump for administering intravenous fluids to a patient comprises a housing having an elongate cavity therein with an open and a closed end. A resilient sheet of material having two branched portions which form a centrally-located aperture is disposed over the open end of the housing. A pump shaft is slidably disposed through the aperture such that one branched portion toward the cavity and the other branched portion extends away from the housing such that a sphincter seal is formed about the shaft. An inlet conduit leading from a fluid source such as an IV bag passes through the housing into the cavity near one end thereof, and an outlet conduit leading to a fluid sink such as a patient passes through the housing from the cavity near the other end thereof.

Abstract: A catheter guide wire includes a strip of material formed into an elongate coil, with a central hollow having a plurality of windings. The windings include inhibiting features to inhibit relative rotation of adjacent windings. A central wire core is inserted through the hollow of the coil and welded to some of the windings to keep them from separating longitudinally. This construction allows for lateral flexibility of the guide wire, but with desired torsional stiffness.

Abstract: A thermodynamic condensate trap comprises a body 2 and a cap 18 which define a chamber 24. Inlet and outlet passage 8, 10 emerge into the trap chamber 24 at a seating face 12. A valve element in the form of a disc 26 is movable within the chamber 24 to open and close a flow path through the chamber 24 between the inlet passage 8 and the outlet passage 10. The cap 18 has thermal insulating means, for example in the form of air spaces 30, 32 to reduce heat transfer between the trap chamber 24 and the ambient surroundings. This reduces the cycle time of the trap, and consequently, extends the useful life of its components.

Abstract: A catheter/guide wire steering mechanism includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and sidewalls which define at least the first lumen. An opening is formed in a sidewall of the catheter, near the distal end thereof in communication with the first lumen. A plug is disposed in the catheter at the distal end thereof and includes a curved surface for deflecting and directing out the opening, the leading end of a guide wire (or other catheter) inserted into the lumen at the proximal end of the catheter. This enables guiding the guide wire laterally from the catheter either into a passageway branching from the main passageway into which the catheter is inserted, or to perforate a sidewall of the main passageway.

Abstract: A body-powered prosthetic arm is mountable on a socket attached to the arm stump of a person. The prosthetic arm includes a base for attachment to the socket, a forearm section having a proximal end and a distal end, a terminal device such as a hook, anthropomorphic hand, etc. attached to the distal end of the forearm section for selectively opening or closing, and an elbow joint for joining the proximal end of the forearm section to the base, the elbow joint being pivotable to enable moving the forearm section upwardly or downwardly. Control straps and cables fitted on the person are responsive to body movements of the person for selectively locking the elbow joint to prevent it from pivoting while allowing the terminal device to open or close or locking the terminal device to prevent it from opening or closing while allowing the elbow joint to pivot.

Abstract: A low-profile multipathway automatic drug delivery system utilizing a battery powered control pad coupled to a disposable drug storage and delivery system and strapped to a patient's limb or torso. A preprogrammed or on-demand drug administration sequence is input to the control pad. When a drug is to be administered, the control pad ignites a high energy density propellant charge in the drug delivery system. Expanding propellant gas exerts pressure on a drug in a second chamber and forces it from the storage reservoir.

Abstract: A catheter guide wire includes an elongate tubular body about which a catheter may be threaded for guidance to a target location in a vasculature passageway of a body. The elongate body includes a proximal end and a distal end, with the distal end being curved. Cuts are formed either by saw-cutting, laser cutting or etching at spaced-apart locations along the length of the body to increase its lateral flexibility, while maintaining its rotational torquability. At least some of the cuts extend through the tubular body to the interior cavity to allow the escape of fluids flowing in the cavity. The distal end of the tubular body includes a sufficient number of cuts to make it more flexible than the remainder of the body.

Abstract: An ambulatory volumetric pump apparatus includes a housing defining a channel therethrough having an inlet for receiving a fluid and an outlet for discharging a fluid, a pump operable to pump fluid through the channel, a motor for operating the pump in response to control signals, and a programmable microprocessor for selectively supplying control signals to the motor to cause the motor to operate. The programmable microprocessor is "programmed" by manually setting rotatable knobs having faces which extend through but are generally flush with the housing exterior surface. The knobs include indicia to provide a visual display of the setting of the knobs and thus of the parameters of operation of the pump. An under-pressure sensor is disposed after the inlet of the channel to detect a suction or vacuum in the channel and to signal the microprocessor if such condition is detected.

Abstract: A catheter deliverable thrombogenic device includes a catheter for threading into a body vasculature passageway to a target location, and a resilient wire element coiled and shaped to occupy a certain volume when unconstrained, and to straighten when inserted lengthwise into and constrained by the catheter, for ultimate discharge therefrom to expand and occupy the target location. The wire element includes a first length of wire, and a second length of wire coiled about the first wire to form a composite pair. The composite pair itself is coiled and shaped to occupy the certain volume when unconstrained, and to straighten when inserted lengthwise into and constrained by the catheter.

Abstract: A volumetric pump valve for pumps for controlling fluid flow, such as in pumps for administering intravenous fluids, comprises a housing formed with first and second cavities, an inlet conduit leading through the housing into the first cavity, an outlet conduit leading through the housing from the second cavity and a passage between the first and second cavities to allow fluid to flow between them. A resilient sealing means is disposed adjacent the passage for selectively sealing the passage to prevent fluid flow between the cavities during low pressure events in the first cavity such that the fluid flows in the direction of the second cavity. A ball disposed on the side of the resilient sealing means opposite the passage is moveable toward the passage to cause the resilient sealing means to selectively seal the passage.

Abstract: An interactive target game system for one or more players includes at least one designator, in the form of a pistol, holdable by a player for aiming at a target and operating to simulate shooting at the target. The designator includes a photodetector for detecting an electromagnetic beam when the designator is accurately aimed at a beam source. Also included is at least one target viewable by the player for periodically producing an electromagnetic beam which is directed outwardly of the target. During those times that the target is producing the beam, a visible light signal is produced to alert the player that the target is "active". When the designator is accurately aimed at the target and operated to detect an electromagnetic beam, a visual and/or audible signal is produced by the designator to indicate that a "hit" has occurred.

Abstract: The method for automatic dosing of drugs utilizes a microdelivery device which may be implanted in or otherwise administered to an animal or human. A microdelivery device is configured to have a plurality of compartments, each containing at least one drug so that a plurality of doses of the drug(s) are held within the device. In accordance with the present invention, the microdelivery device selectively actuates the compartments to selectively release doses of the drug(s) to provide an efficacious dosing pattern. One primary function of the present invention is to release two or more pesticides in such a pattern that parasites are effectively controlled while preventing the development of tolerance to the drugs within the parasites. Preferably, the microdelivery device is programmable to effectuate the release of the drug(s) at a desired time to maintain efficacious levels of the drug while minimizing the amount of drug which must be used.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively controlling a flow of fluid includes a valve body, preferable comprised of a flexible tube having an inlet and an outlet. An actuable element, such as a shape memory alloy, is associated with the valve body. The shape memory alloy is responsive to actuation signals, heat or electrical signals, for changing its shape. When its shape changes, it causes a corresponding change in shape of the valve body thereby change a flow of fluid through the valve body.

Abstract: A three-dimensional circuit structure includes a plurality of elongate cylindrical substrates positioned in parallel and in contact with one another. Electrical components are formed on the surfaces of the substrates, along with electrical conductors coupled to those components. The conductors are selectively positioned on each substrate so as to contact conductors on adjacent substrates to allow for the transfer of electrical signals between substrates. The conductor patterns on the substrates may be helical, circumferential, or longitudinal, in such a fashion that substrates may be added to or removed from the bundle so that the bundle will continue to operate as needed. The cylindrical nature of the substrates leaves gaps or channels between the substrates to which cooling fluid may be supplied for cooling the circuitry.

Abstract: A movement actuator includes an elongate filament made of a flexible material, and a strip of shape memory alloy disposed on the surface of one side of the filament. The shape memory alloy is responsive to actuation signals, heat or electrical signals, for changing its shape and when its shape changes, it causes the filament to move, i.e., bend, to accommodate the change in shape of the alloy. Also included is a signal supply device for selectively applying heat signals or electrical current to the strip of shape memory alloy to causes the alloy to change its shape and cause the filament to bend. Other patterns for the shape memory alloy could be disposed on the filament to cause other kinds of movements. For example, a helical pattern of the shape memory alloy about the filament would cause the filament to twist when the helical pattern were caused to shorten or lengthen.

Abstract: A system for determining acceleration by measuring the movement of a rod within a housing. The rod is an elongate flexible rod disposed in the housing with one end being attached to the housing and the other end being free to move when the housing is accelerated. Movement of the rod is measured with field detectors disposed on an inside wall of the housing. The field detectors are used for determining the direction and degree of movement of the rod when the housing is accelerated.

Abstract: A movement actuator includes an elongate filament made of a flexible material, and a strip of shape memory alloy disposed on the surface of one side of the filament. The shape memory alloy is responsive to actuation signals, heat or electrical signals, for changing its shape and when its shape changes, it causes the filament to move, i.e., bend, to accommodate the change in shape of the alloy. Also included is a signal supply device for selectively applying heat signals or electrical current to the strip of shape memory alloy to cause the alloy to change its shape and cause the filament to bend. Other patterns for the shape memory alloy could be disposed on the filament to cause other kinds of movements. For example, a helical pattern of the shape memory alloy about the filament would cause the filament to twist when the helical pattern were caused to shorten or lengthen.

Abstract: A volumetric pump for administering intravenous fluids to a patient comprises a housing having an elongate cavity therein with an open and a closed end. A resilient sheet of material having a centrally-located aperture covers the open end, and a pump shaft is slidably disposed through the aperture to form a sphincter seal therebetween. An inlet conduit leading from a fluid source (an IV bag) passes through the housing into the cavity near the open end thereof, and an outlet conduit leading to a fluid sink (the patient) passes through the housing from the cavity near the closed end thereof. The shaft is driven back and forth in reciprocating motion inwardly and outwardly of the cavity to produce, respectively, a positive pressure forcing fluid out of the outlet conduit to the fluid sink, and a negative pressure forcing fluid from the fluid source through the inlet conduit.