Abstract: A radar of particular use at close range has a CRT that is scanned in a spiral fashion by applying phase quadrature sinusoidal signals to resonant deflection coils. A digitizer converts the radar return signals to multi-bit signals which are supplied to a memory with signals for alternate pixels stored in different halves of the memory. The apparatus reads out signals from one half of the memory during one scan and reads out signals from the other half of the memory during the next scan so that they are interleaved with the pixels on the display brightened by the first scan.

Abstract: A flat, light-emitting discharge panel, such as for back lighting displays, has two parallel transparent glass plates which are spaced by rows of pyramid-shape pillars. The pillars are formed integrally with at least one of the plates. The space between the two plates contains a discharge gas at reduced pressure, the inner surface of the plates and the surface of the pillars being coated with a phosphor which emits light on discharge in the panel. The outer surface of one plate has a reflector which reflects emitted light through the panel to the display. The pillars have angled surfaces which reflect light out of the panel and which act as light guides.

Abstract: A closed system suction catheter assembly has a valve which controls suction applied at the patient end of the assembly. The valve has a barrel with a bore through it which is rotatable in a housing between an open position, in which the bore is aligned the inlet and outlet of the valve and a closed position, in which it is out of alignment. The barrel has teeth on its outer surface forming a pinion which are engaged by teeth on the underside of a slidable switch. Sliding of the switch rotates the barrel and controls flow through the valve.

Abstract: A stabilization biasing circuit is provided for an avalanche photodiode. The stabilization biasing circuit allows for a wide range of light levels to be inputted to the avalanche photodiode, while the avalanche photodiode operates under extreme temperatures. The stabilization biasing circuit also provides for an automatic gain control, thereby enabling the electrical output signal of an avalanche photodiode to be relatively constant over a large range of inputted light levels and temperatures. Absence of optical input is identified as an increase in diode noise due to avalanche breakdown.

Abstract: An enlarged area addressable matrix is disclosed comprising the following major components: a matrix addressable circular display, a square mounting plane, display drivers, and routing between the display and the display drivers. The display is located on the square mounting plane so that four corner regions are formed where the display does not cover the square. These four corner regions are used to accommodate the wiring and driver circuits needed to control the display. Thus the display, display drivers, and routing all fit on the same mounting plane.

Abstract: A male urine collection device has a short sheath the rear end of which fits over the glans and a short part of the shaft of the penis. The device is of latex rubber and is between 0.6 mm and 1.0 mm thick at its rear end. At its forward end, the device has a outlet tube which is joined to the rear end by a bulbous surge chamber. The rear end of the sheath is everted back over the outlet tube at the mouth of the surge chamber and is self supporting so that, when it is held against the tip of the penis, the rear end can be pushed rearwardly to cause it to revert about the penis. An adhesive band around the rear end of the sheath is protected by a release sheet which can be removed as the sheath reverts about the penis.

Abstract: A display especially for viewing by a night-vision aid has an array of LED's which emit green light. A dichroic filter is located in front of the display and transmits radiation at the peak emission of the diodes but reflects radiation in the range to which the night-vision aid is sensitive. A bandpass filter located in front of the dichroic filter prevents transmission of longer wavelengths, and a circularly polarizing filter in front of the bandpass filter prevents transmission of radiation reflected specularly from surfaces behind it.

Abstract: The power supply of a brushless d.c. motor has a trigger circuit that controls the frequency of a ramp generator which receives an output Vs from an unregulated voltage supply. The amplitude of the output V.sub.R of the ramp generator is dependent on the amplitude of its input. A comparator receives the ramp output V.sub.R at one input and a steady voltage V.sub.D at the other input. The comparator produces a pulse output Vc, with each pulse being initiated and terminated at transitions of the ramp signal and the steady signal so that the width of each pulse increases when the unregulated voltage source decreases. The pulse output Vc is supplied to the control input of the motor's commutation circuit. The commutation circuit switches the supply voltage Vs to the coils of the motor under control of the input Vc so that its mean d.c. output is independent of variation in the supply voltage.

Abstract: A closed system suction catheter assembly has a catheter that is protected along its length by a flexible sleeve. The catheter extends through a patient connecting member by which the assembly is connected to a tracheal tube. Within the connecting member there is a sliding seal support with a groove in which is located a rib that extends along the outside of the catheter. The rib follows a sinusoidal path so that the catheter is twisted backwards and forwards as the catheter is pushed or pulled through the patient connecting member.

Abstract: Electrosurgery equipment has an alarm circuit for detecting when a return plate electrode is incorrectly attached. Capacitive dividers are connected between ground and each of the power supply line to the active electrode and the power supply return line from the plate electrode. The outputs of the capacitive dividers are supplied to the two inputs of a differential amplifier which provides an output to one input of a comparator. Another input of the capacitor is connected to a reference source. When the output of the differential amplifier rises above the reference source, the comparator produces an alarm signal which inhibits the power supply and gives an audible alarm.

Abstract: An electrical coupling for a power supply busbar has a U-shape metal body that embraces the busbar and is locked in place by a pin that extends through apertures in opposite limbs of the body. The pin has a shoulder that urges the bar against a flexible metal strip retained in a groove in the body. A plastics sleeve embraces the body and retains the pin in place, the sleeve being retained by a cable stud screwed into the body.

Abstract: To provide a high degree of protection against the possibility of someone being accidentally punctured by a contaminated needle, the syringe of the present invention has directly connected thereto a protective housing, which can be pivoted to a position in alignment with the contaminated needle to envelop the same. As the housing is pivoted into the alignment position, locking mechanisms integral of the housing would fixedly retain the needle within the housing. The syringe of the present invention may be modified to include a housing containing an integral collapsible section and a sealer adapted to the distal portion of the housing such that, upon collapse of the collapsible section of the housing, the tip of the contaminated needle would penetrate into and be sealingly secured by the sealer. Another modification of the syringe of the present invention involves utilizing a collapsible hinge to connect the protective housing to the main body portion of the syringe.

Abstract: A universal safety adapter usable with different types of needles and syringes has integral first and second portions and a housing, including an integral compressible section connecting a main body section to an end cap section, flexibly connected to one of the portions. In the case of the first portion being mated to the hub of a needle assembly, the housing is flexibly connected thereto by a living hinge. Once the needle assembly has been mated to the first portion of the safety adapter, to preclude accidental pricking by the needle after use, the housing is pivoted to a position whereby it completely envelops the cannula. To provide additional protection, the end cap section, which has adapted thereto an elastomer, may be urged longitudinally toward the main body section so that the tip of the contaminated needle is completely encased by the elastomer as the compressible section collapses under pressure.

Abstract: Speech recognition is carried out by performing a first analysis of a speech signal using a Hidden Semi Markov Model and an asymmetric time warping algorithm. A second analysis is also performed using Multi-Layer Perceptron techniques in conjunction with a neural net. The first analysis is used by the second to identify word boundaries. Where the first analysis provides an indication of the word spoken above a certain level of confidence, an output representative of the word spoken may be generated solely in response to the first analysis, the second analysis being utilized when the level of confidence falls. The output controls a function of an aircraft and provides feedback to the speaker of the words spoken.

Abstract: In combination, a tracheostomy tube including a curved cannula lying substantially within a given plane and formed with a non-constant radius, and an obturator means insertable into the cannula for guiding intubation of the tracheostomy tube into the cannula. The obturator comprises a single piece member formed of a resilient and flexible material and curvable upon insertion within the cannula with a non-constant radius lying within the given plane, the member having proximal and distal ends and a shaft extending therebetween, the shaft over a substantial portion of its length being dimensioned such as to impart sufficient rigidity both in the direction substantially perpendicular and also substantially parallel to the given plane. The shaft also includes a first flexible portion being of substantially rectangular cross-section having a width and a thickness, the width as measured perpendicular to the given plane substantially exceeding its thickness.

Abstract: A surgical operating table has a cover resiliently supported on a base assembly and microswitches that detect displacement of the cover to prevent lowering of the patient support platform. The base assembly has a castor plate and a base plate which is lowered to brake movement of the table over the floor. A pneumatic tube around the base plate senses the presence of an object under the plate and causes the plate to be raised. A tilt switch in a leaf of the platform prevents angular displacement of the platform when its angle exceeds a safe limit.

Abstract: A monitor for measuring the pressure in the cuff on a tracheal tube is clipped onto a coupling at the end of an inflation indicator balloon that communicates with the cuff. The monitor has a silicon strain gauge pressure sensor and a spring that urges the sensor resiliently against one side of the balloon, the other side of the balloon resting on a base plate. The monitor has a numeric display connected to the sensor on which a representation of pressure in the indicator balloon and hence in the cuff is displayed.

Abstract: An optical multiplexing system has several optical sensors connected in parallel between a source and a detector, the path length between source and detector via each sensor being different. The source is modulated at a number of different frequencies, the number being equal to that of the sensors. The output of the detector is an electrical signal which is fed to one input of a number of mixers, one for each frequency. The other input of each mixer receives a different one of each of the frequencies so that each mixer produces an output representative of different ones of the sensors.

Abstract: An aircraft fuel gauging system has three or more optical pressure sensors 1 and 3 mounted in a tank 10. One sensor 1 is mounted on the floor 14 of the tank, the other sensors 2 and 3 being displaced from the first sensors and from each other in the x, y and z directions. The output of each sensor 1 to 3 is representative of the mass of fuel above the sensor and is supplied to a processor 20. The processor 20 is also connected to an three-axis accelerometer system 21, a pressure sensor 24 above the liquid and a density sensor 25. Utilizing these inputs the processor 20 computes the location of the fuel surface and, from information in the store 22 of tank shape, calculates the mass of fuel.

Abstract: An assembly for collecting body fluids, especially cerebro-spinal fluids, which includes a drip chamber having an upper portion for introducing therein fluids to be collected and a lower portion, including a drainage tube, for draining fluids therefrom. The upper portion is provided with an overflow tube which is connected to the drainage tube and an air vent which is connected to a biological filter. The air vent comprises a tubular member and a device for closing the passageway in the tubular member to prevent fluid from wetting the biological filter.