Abstract: A fence post assembly, as well as a fencing system and related method utilizing the fence post assembly, for forming a temporary enclosure, such as a horse corral for restraining horses. The fence post assembly is provided with an extensible and retractable fence strand, such as polytape or wire, as well as a ground anchor at one end of the post to enable the post to be anchored into the ground. The extendable and retractable fence strand is selectively positionable along the length of the post between the first and second opposite ends thereof. In addition, the fence strand can be electrically conductive to permit the enclosure to be electrified. Provision is made to maintain electrical continuity between fence strands.

Abstract: The present invention provides for animal containment through a system having a containment collar and GPS (Global Positioning System), RF (Radio Frequency), or INS (Inertial Navigation System) data, or a combination thereof, to define the perimeter of a containment area. A receiver is mounted to the containment collar, worn by an animal, which contains positioning electronics, memory and warning outputs. The user defines the perimeter by programming “waypoints” (positions on the perimeter) into the collar. The system provides an audible warning when the animal is within a user programmable distance of the perimeter, and then provides an adjustable correction, such as an electrical impulse to the animal when the perimeter boundaries are exceeded. Upon perimeter violation and initial correction of the animal, the system dynamically changes the position of the boundary encompassing the animal's current but prohibited position.

Abstract: A flow and pressure control valve for injecting a fluid into a well, or for pumping the fluid out of the well, includes an outer housing, a mandrel within the outer housing, and a pressure element attached to the mandrel. The pressure element can be pressurized to move radially inward to constrict a longitudinally extending flow passage in the valve between the mandrel and the outer housing. In addition, the mandrel includes annular orifices, and channel segments along the outside diameter thereof, which form tortuous and circumferential flow paths through the valve. The annular orifices and channel segments are constructed to provide a desired frictional head loss, and to control the pressure and flow rate of the injected fluid to prevent cavitation and cascading. Pressurization of the pressure element can also be controlled to vary the tortuous flow path through the flow passage, or to seal the flow passage.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for measuring radiation absorption by a sample. The invention enables one to determine whether the sample scatters the radiation of interest and, if so, to factor out the effects of such scattering and ore accurately determine the true absorption of the sample. The invention may employ a selectively controllable occluder which is moved between three or more different positions to yield three or more different radiation measurements. These measurements can then be compared to one another to determine the nature of any radiation scattering and factor out its effects, enabling more accurate absorption determinations.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electric fence controller for delivering an electrical shock to a load when the load simultaneously contacts a fence terminal and the underlying ground. In one embodiment, the controller comprises an AC power supply and a fence terminal positioned above underlying ground. The controller also contains a voltage step-up circuit coupled to the AC power supply for charging at least one multiplier unit and for producing at the fence terminal a substantially increased DC voltage. The at least one multiplier unit discharges as an electric shock to the load when the load contacts the fence terminal and the underlying ground.

Abstract: An electric fence controller and method of controlling the energization of an electric fence. The controller includes a digital timing circuit which generates a digital signal to control the activation of a switching circuit for applying energy from an external power source across the primary winding of a transformer. The power source may be an alternating current source, the cycles of which are located by the timing circuit which activates the switching circuit after a selected number of cycles are counted driving an off-time period. Alternatively, the power source may be a direct current source and the timing circuit may include an oscillator and a counter for counting the number of oscillations and generating a digital signal which activates the switching circuit during an on-time period corresponding to a first selected number of oscillations, the switching circuit being inactive during an off-time period corresponding to a second selected number of oscillations.

Abstract: An inflatable packer includes a packer mandrel and an inflatable element reinforced across its entire length and attached at each end to the packer mandrel. The inflatable element is formed of multiple layers of elastomeric material including reinforcing plies of an elastomeric base material reinforced with helically wound strands of a reinforcing material. The reinforcing strands are evenly spaced and parallel to one another and are oriented at a predetermined helical angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the packer. The helical angle and modulus of elasticity of the reinforcing strands can be selected to allow the inflatable element to expand by a predetermined amount even though its ends are fixed.

Abstract: The invention provides an electric fence charger of the type that periodically provides high voltage electrical shock pulses through an electric fence wire. The fence charger has a low voltage power source that powers the fence charger and supplies a charging current. An energy converter converts the low voltage and charging current of the power source to high voltage for storage in a high voltage storage means. A timer emits pulse discharge control signals on a periodic basis and these control signals are used to control discharge of the stored high voltage for delivering shocking pulses into the fence wire. A regulator adjusts operation of the energy converter to provide a minimum high voltage energy level as long as the power source voltage exceeds an established power source voltage reference. In another embodiment of the invention, a fence charger employs a DC-DC flyback converter for charging a high voltage storage means to a discharge voltage level which provides a minimum shock energy pulse.

Abstract: A cardiac output measurement device for the real-time, non-invasive measurement of cardiac output that can be effectively operated by relatively unskilled personnel on a routine monitoring basis in a wide variety of office and hospital conditions. To accomplish this task, the system utilizes a pulsed Doppler ultrasound transducer directed through the suprasternal notch of a patient axially towards the blood flow in the ascending aorta. The device automatically searches the ascending aorta at various predetermined depths to find the depth at which the greatest quality blood velocity reading is detected. An examination is performed at that chosen depth and the device automatically calculates a patient's cardiac output from the Doppler measured velocity combined with an aortic diameter estimation made from the patient's height, weight, and age. The device automatically calculates cardiac velocity, cardiac index, stroke distance, heart rate, and stroke volume.

Abstract: An ostomy prosthesis comprising a drainage tube securable at one end within an ostomy stoma deep to the fascia, and a skin-contacting plate to which the other tube end is secured. The prosthesis includes an ostomy bag having a mouth securable to the plate about the stoma. Closure means, operable from outside the bag, is provided to open and close the passageway defined by the drainage tube and plate to control the flow of bowel contents into the bag.

Abstract: A skin marking device comprising a finger-held tubular barrel having a narrow opening at one end, and a needle carried in the barrel and having a pointed end extending outwardly through the narrow barrel opening, the needle and opening forming an annular flow passage. A dye is carried within the barrel in flow communication with the annular flow passage to provide dye to the end of the barrel from when it may be drawn by contact with the skin to be marked. In one embodiment, the needle may be axially moved between extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A tubular prosthesis comprising a tube having an inner end securable deeply within an outwardly-open body opening and an outer end affixed to a mounting plate. The outer tube end may be everted upon a circumferentially positioned rigid ring, the thus enlarged tube end bearing against an orifice formed in the mounting plate. A forwardly-facing bore formed in the plate coaxial with the orifice is sized to snugly receive the enlarged end of the tube. A disclosed embodiment utilizes a pair of tubes coaxially joined within the bore of the plate, one tube end being everted upon a rigid supporting ring and the everted end being received within the open adjacent end of the outermost tube. The plate may have securing means for holding the outer tube in a sealed, folded back orientation.

Abstract: A biopsy needle having a cannula with a sharpened distal end and a stylet received coaxially in the cannula and having a sharpened distal end protruding from the distal end of the cannula. The distal ends of the stylet, the cannula, or both, are provided with particular cutting edge configurations enabling the needle to more readily penetrate bone.

Abstract: A syringe having a barrel and a plunger moveable axially in the barrel is provided with locking means for locking the plunger to the barrel. The locking means includes cam means carried between the barrel and the plunger, and means for moving the cam into a position forcing the plunger into binding contact with the barrel.

Abstract: An ileostomy valve for controlling bowel continence. The valve includes drainage tube means having a flexible outer end portion and an inner end portion, securing means carried by the inner end portion for securing the latter to the stoma of a patient deep to the fascia, and means for releasably sealing the outer end portion of the drainage tube. The latter means comprises means carried by the drainage tube means for releasably retaining the outer end thereof in a collapsably folded position along its length to form a waterproof seal.

Abstract: A cabinet, which may have a drawer, is assembled within a locker having side and rear walls and converging front flanges defining a door opening. The cabinet is provided with vertical side panels and at least one horizontal shelf panel. For assembly, the side panels are positioned within the locker against the side walls of the locker, and the shelf panel is mounted between the side panels to space the side panels a sufficient distance so as to prevent the cabinet from being withdrawn from the locker because of the restricted passageway provided by the locker flanges. The cabinet may have a drawer slideable between two parallel, vertically spaced shelf panels, the drawer having a width enabling it to be withdrawn through the door opening of the locker. Disclosed also are bracket means and bracket receiving means enabling ready assembly of the cabinet within a locker.