Abstract: Interactive methods and apparatus for infrared (IR) tag shooting games between participants are disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing configured as an infrared transmitting and receiving toy which has an interface display, switches, and an IR device disposed within the housing for transmitting and receiving first or second data between participants. An information processor is coupled to the interface and in communication with the IR device, with the first data including tag or hit information and the second data including special attack information. The information processor and IR transmitter are able to send first IR data indicative of one or more tags or shots being fired in response to user actuation of one or more inputs, and the information processor and IR transmitter are able to send second IR data indicative of a selected special attack in response to user actuation of one or more inputs.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a hollow anatomical structure comprises an implant sized for insertion into a hollow anatomical structure. The implant comprises a plurality of loose, bulked fibers. The fibers are formed from one or more bioabsorbable materials.

Abstract: A catheter introduces electrodes in a vein for a minimally invasive treatment of venous insufficiency by the application of energy to cause selective heating of the vein. The catheter is positioned within the vein to be treated, and the electrodes on the catheter are moved toward one side of the vein. RF energy is applied in a directional manner from the electrodes at the working end of the catheter to cause localized heating and corresponding shrinkage of the adjacent venous tissue, which may include commissures, leaflets and ostia. Fluoroscopy or ultrasound may be used to detect shrinkage of the vein. After treating one section of the vein, the catheter can be repositioned to place the electrodes to treat different sections of the vein until all desired venous valves are repaired and rendered functionally competent.

Abstract: A ballnut assembly is provided in which a locknut (20), which is normally unloaded becomes loaded in the event of failure of a primary load path. This loading causes relative motion between locking nut (24) and the threads of a shaft (8) such that on clearance there between is eliminated. This causes frictional forces to initiate a lock-up of the locknut.

Abstract: An aircraft flight surface actuator has at least one eccentric cam mechanism, the eccentric cam mechanism imparting movement onto the flight surface.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method, apparatus, and system to synchronize timers or clocks of toys. A play-set includes a first toy having a first timer and a start button. The first toy can be designated as a master when the start button is depressed. After being designated as the master, the first toy sends a synchronization signal to begin synchronization. The play-set also includes a second toy communicatively linked to the first toy. The second toy has a second timer, and synchronizes the second timer to the first timer of the first toy in response to the synchronization signal. After timer synchronization, scripts are selected and a script start signal synchronizes the beginning of script play.

Abstract: An aircraft flight surface actuator has at least one eccentric cam mechanism, the eccentric cam mechanism imparting movement onto the flight surface.

Abstract: A ballnut assembly is provided in which a locknut (20), which is normally unloaded becomes loaded in the event of failure of a primary load path. This loading causes relative motion between Tocking nut (24) and the threads of a shaft (8) such that on clearance there between is eliminated. This causes frictional forces to initiate a lock-up of the locknut.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for charging rechargeable battery packs. A battery charger has a means to measure a voltage and a battery temperature and a means to determine a rate of increase in battery temperature of a rechargeable battery pack. The battery charger to fast charge if the voltage and battery temperature indicate its safe and to terminate the fast charge in response to the charge condition. Methods include measuring a battery temperature of the rechargeable battery pack and determining a rate of increase in battery temperature during fast charging to determine a charge condition, One method further includes terminating fast charging if the rate of increase in battery temperature exceeds a maximum rate or if the increase in battery temperature rises non-logarithmically. Another method further includes terminating fast charging in response to the charge condition.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for charging rechargeable battery packs having redundant safety systems. A battery charger has a temperature sensor at a negative charging terminal for determining the charge condition of a rechargeable battery pack and controlling a charging current. The battery charger has a microcontroller to control the charging of the rechargeable battery pack using a fast charge current or a trickle charge current. Independent safety systems provide safe operation of the battery charger if the microcontroller operation fails. A rechargeable battery pack has a pair of openings to allow direct contact to a positive pole and a negative pole of the end batteries for improved temperature sensing by a battery charger.

Abstract: A television, radio, tape, videotape, computer (Internet), telephone, cellular telephone etc., activated sweepstakes game system employing at least one electronically activated game piece device among a large number of similarly dimensioned, configured, textured and weighted dummy game pieces distributed for the sweepstakes game.

Abstract: A services provision system provides information services over one or more communications networks and has a software infrastructure divided into domains. Each domain has an intelligent software agent and this community of agents sits in a computing environment represented in each domain by a DPE kernel. The community of agents co-operates to provide service and service management functionality to a user. At least one of the agents is reconfigurable to change the functionality the system makes available. Reconfigurability is based on the use of a plurality of reusable software modules, the agent reconfiguring by selecting a new combination of modules. The software modules themselves incorporate rules, or policies, which determine process steps offered by the modules at run-time. These policies are external to the modules and may be loaded at run-time, allowing dynamic modification to functionality of the system.

Abstract: A flight control surface actuation system is provided in which a plurality of actuators (6-13) are connected to one another in order to synchronize their operation. Each actuator has its own gearbox such that the torque transmitted in the synchronizing element is kept low.

Abstract: An interactive audio-visual toy that includes a base unit that receives removable audio-visual ("AV") cassette. The AV cassette includes a pair of rollers on which a picture scroll is wound. The pictorial scenes of the picture scroll are evident through a transparent viewing window. Moreover, a pre-recorded audio cassette is mounted on its bottom surface. The base unit controls the AV cassette to successively display these pictorial scenes without the use of expensive display hardware and to output audio from the pre-recorded audio cassette tape.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a guidewire migration controller for use with catheter devices such as atherectomy catheters. The guidewire migration controller includes a housing, a gripper insertable in the housing and a locking member. The locking member holds the gripper within the housing. The gripper has an opening for receiving a guidewire. The gripper permits the guidewire to rotate and holds the guidewire to control guidewire migration.

Abstract: Intravascular catheters that include a flexible catheter body, a distal housing secured to the catheter body, a work element disposed within the housing and exposed to the external environment through a side window, and a guiding structure for the work element, are disclosed. An axial path through the housing is defined by the guiding structure. Embodiments of the guiding structure include a slot or channel formed in the housing, a coaxial tube attached to the housing, a radially offset ribbon attached to the housing, or the external surface of the housing itself. The work element, such as a rotatable cutting blade in an atherectomy catheter, is coupled to the guiding structure such that the work element is retained within the housing during insertion and operation of the catheter and even when the housing is bent or distorted as a result of bends in the blood vessel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an intravascular universal catheter having interchangeable work elements and methods of use thereof. The catheter comprises a flexible catheter body having a distal end, a proximal end and a lumen extending between the ends. A housing having an open interior and an aperture on a lateral side is attached to the distal end of the catheter body by a coupling element. A work element is movably disposed within the housing and operative through the aperture. A work element connector is disposed in a lumen of the catheter body and has a distal end connected to the work element. At least the distal portion of the lumen defines a receiving space within the catheter body, and the coupling element is configured to allow retraction of the work element from the housing through the open proximal end into the receiving space. In a preferred embodiment, perfusion ports are disposed in the catheter body and the housing proximate to the junctional region of the catheter body with the housing.

Abstract: Intravascular catheters that include a flexible catheter body, a distal housing secured to the catheter body, a work element disposed within the housing and exposed to the external environment through a side window, and a guiding structure for the work element, are disclosed. An axial path through the housing is defined by the guiding structure. Embodiments of the guiding structure include a slot or channel formed in the housing, a coaxial tube attached to the housing, a radially offset ribbon attached to the housing, or the external surface of the housing itself. The work element, such as a rotatable cutting blade in an atherectomy catheter, is coupled to the guiding structure such that the work element is retained within the housing during insertion and operation of the catheter and even when the housing is bent or distorted as a result of bends in the blood vessel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an intravascular universal catheter having interchangeable work elements and methods of use thereof. The catheter comprises a flexible catheter body having a distal end, a proximal end and a lumen extending between the ends. A housing having an open interior and an aperture on a lateral side is attached to the distal end of the catheter body by a coupling element. A work element is movably disposed within the housing and operative through the aperture. A work element connector is disposed in a lumen of the catheter body and has a distal end connected to the work element. At least the distal portion of the lumen defines a receiving space within the catheter body, and the coupling element is configured to allow retraction of the work element from the housing through the open proximal end into the receiving space. In a preferred embodiment, perfusion ports are disposed in the catheter body and the housing proximate to the junctional region of the catheter body with the housing.

Abstract: An intravascular directional atherectomy device is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a catheter body having a distal end, a proximal end and an axial lumen therebetween. A housing having an open interior and an aperture on a lateral side thereof is attached to the distal end of the catheter body. An atheroma severing device is disposed within the housing. The device includes a cutter that is slidably disposed on a saddle which is connected to the housing. A track member is disposed in the axial lumen of the catheter body and has a distal end connected to the housing. Slidable movement of the atheroma severing device severs the stenotic material that has been urged within the aperture. The saddle enables the inflexible portion of the housing to be minimized in order to fit in the very tortious regions of biological conduits.