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 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: 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: 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 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 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 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.

Abstract: An eccentric-motion motor for driving a utilization mechanism includes a stator defining a closed surface pathway, an armature composed of a permanent magnet rollably disposed on the closed surface pathway, a series of electromagnetic elements disposed in the stator along the closed surface pathway, circuitry for successively energizing the electromagnetic elements to cause them to attract and/or repel the armature so that it rolls along the closed surface pathway, and a coupler mechanism for coupling the armature to the utilization mechanism so that as the armature is caused to roll, the utilization mechanism is powered by the operation of the motor.

Abstract: A flow meter comprises a divergent nozzle region 6 and a plug 10 which is axially displaceable within the nozzle region 6 under the influence of a flowing fluid. The plug 10 is guided, during displacement, by vanes 38 extending inwardly from the wall of the nozzle region 6. The plug 10 is displaceable against the action of a spring 20 which abuts a support ring 22. The force applied by the spring 20 to the support ring 22 is transmitted to a strain element 26. Processing circuitry 36 receives inputs from strain gauges 32 and provides an output representing the flow rate of fluid through the flow meter.

Abstract: A hybrid catheter guide wire includes an elongate solid body having a tapered distal end over which is disposed a tubular section-about which a catheter may be threaded for guidance to a target location in a vasculature passageway of a body. Cuts are formed either by saw-cutting, laser cutting or etching at spaced-apart locations along at least a portion of the tubular section to increase its lateral flexibility, while maintaining its rotational torquability, and to control the direction and degree of flexure.

Abstract: A condensate trap assembly 12 includes a valve body 28 accommodating a condensate trap element 34 and a valve element 36. The valve element 36 is movable by a positioner 26 to direct flow in a condensate line 10 either through the condensate trap afforded by the trap element, or through the valve bypassing the condensate trap, or to shut off the condensate line 10. The positioner rotates the valve element 36 under the control of control means 54 which responds to signals from a sensor 24 detecting the presence or absence of condensate in a monitoring chamber 16 and the temperature within the chamber 16. The control means 54 is also responsive to the temperature sensed by a temperature sensor 22 upstream of a process 2 utilizing steam or other fluid which is applied to the condensate trap assembly 12.

Abstract: A T-shaped member is pivotally mounted to a support plate, and has first and second shape memory wires attached at first ends thereof to opposing portions of the T-shape. Second opposing free ends of the shape memory wires are secured to the support plate. Electrical current is conducted alternately through the first and second shape memory wires to cause the wires to contract in alternating tandem, to thereby cause the T-shaped member to move between first and second positions. Pivotal movement of the T-shaped member can be used to actuate and/or reactivate a switch device.

Abstract: An eccentric-motion motor for driving a utilization mechanism includes a stator defining a closed surface pathway, an armature composed of a permanent magnet rollably disposed on the closed surface pathway, a series of electromagnetic elements disposed in the stator along the closed surface pathway, circuitry for successively energizing the electromagnetic elements to cause them to attract and/or repel the armature so that it rolls along the closed surface pathway, and a coupler mechanism for coupling the armature to the utilization mechanism so that as the armature is caused to roll, the utilization mechanism is powered by the operation of the motor.

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.