Abstract: An extension system for a pressure-sensing guidewire is disclosed. The guidewire includes an elongated tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The guidewire also includes at least one opening disposed adjacent the distal end of the tubular member for providing fluid communication to the lumen. The system also includes an elongated extension member that is detachably connected to the proximal end of the tubular member. The system enables a catheter to be inserted over a pressure-sensing guidewire without removing the pressure-sensing guidewire from a patient.

Abstract: A pressure-sensing guidewire assembly with improved stiffness and torquability is disclosed. The guidewire assembly includes an elongated tubular member having a lumen extending therethrough. The lumen receives a torque enhancing mandrel that adds stiffness and torquability to the elongated tubular member. The torque enhancing member and elongated tubular member may have an atraumatic spring tip.

Abstract: A pressure sensing device is provided that can monitor and measure pressure at two points in a vessel or artery without moving the outer sheath or catheter of the device. The outer sheath or catheter includes two spaced apart openings that may be positioned in a vessel or artery on opposing sides of an occlusion. The device also includes an inner elongated tube with at least one opening. The inner elongated tube is slidable with respect to the outer sheath or catheter thereby permitting the opening of the elongated tube to be moved into selective registration with one of the openings of the outer sheath. A pressure measurement may be taken through one of the openings in the outer sheath by aligning the opening of the elongated tube with said opening and, then, a second pressure reading may be taken by sliding the elongated tube within the outer sheath so that the opening of the elongated tube is in registry with the other opening of the tubular sheath.

Abstract: An extension system for a pressure-sensing guidewire is disclosed. The guidewire includes an elongated tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The guidewire also includes at least one opening disposed adjacent the distal end of the tubular member for providing fluid communication to the lumen. The system also includes an elongated extension member that is detachably connected to the proximal end of the tubular member. The system enables a catheter to be inserted over a pressure-sensing guidewire without removing the pressure-sensing guidewire from a patient.

Abstract: A pressure-sensing guidewire assembly with improved stiffness and torquability is disclosed. The guidewire assembly includes an elongated tubular member having a lumen extending therethrough. The lumen receives a torque enhancing mandrel that adds stiffness and torquability to the elongated tubular member. The torque enhancing member and elongated tubular member may have an atraumatic spring tip.

Abstract: A vehicle exhaust system test fixture integrates separate dynamic controls to provide at least twelve degrees of freedom (DOF). In one embodiment, two separate test tables are integrated so that one of the tables supports mounting of an engine/powertrain or apparatus simulating the engine/powertrain when coupled to an exhaust system. The other table supports mounting of the exhaust system to be tested. Each table is linked to a set of actuators/accelerometers to control motion up to 6 DOF. The capability of twelve DOF allows the test fixture to accurately reproduce both the dynamic behavior of a vehicle engine/powertrain during operation, and the dynamic behavior of the vehicle chassis during operation in the area where the exhaust system is attached to the vehicle frame. In addition, generated thermal profiles and high frequency external vibrations can be applied to allow simulation of real-world vibrations, and thermal stresses caused by hot exhaust gases.

Abstract: Anhydrous antiperspirant formulations in which a particulate antiperspirant active is suspended in a carrier fluid can result in significant visible deposits when applied to skin or when transferred onto clothing.

Abstract: A wireless control device includes a small, lightweight housing worn by an operator, for example on the operator's wrist, and a controlled device, for example a personal computer. Several optical emitters, preferably light emitting diodes operating in the infrared range, and several optical detectors are provided on the housing. At least one x-axis emitter-detector pair operates to detect an x-direction of a pointing motion or gesture, and at least one y-axis emitter-detector pair operates to detect a y-direction of a pointing motion or gesture. This motion can then be used to cause a response in the controlled device. For example, angles of the operator's hand at the wrist can be interpreted to induce motion of a cursor on a computer display. The device may also include a motion sensor, an environmental condition sensor, or a voice recognition sensor, and can also be adapted for gesture recognition and image scanning applications.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for generating engine attachment control boundary conditions and corresponding control signals for an exhaust system laboratory test fixture which accurately reproduce both the dynamic behavior of a vehicle powertrain during operation, and the dynamic behavior of the vehicle frame during operation in the area where the exhaust system is attached to the vehicle frame. Road load data is collected in vertical, lateral, and longitudinal directions on the vehicle frame during vehicle operation at each of the locations where the exhaust system attaches. In addition, temperature and thermal cycling data are also collected during operation of the vehicle. The road load data is used to determine a best fit rigid body model. Accelerometer locations and directions are determined from statistical analysis and ranking to find the measures best fitting the determined rigid body.

Abstract: A vehicle exhaust system test fixture integrates separate dynamic controls to provide at least twelve degrees of freedom (DOF). In one embodiment, two separate test tables are integrated so that one of the tables supports mounting of an engine/powertrain or apparatus simulating the engine/powertrain when coupled to an exhaust system. The other table supports mounting of the exhaust system to be tested. Each table is linked to a set of actuators/accelerometers to control motion up to 6 DOF. The capability of twelve DOF allows the test fixture to accurately reproduce both the dynamic behavior of a vehicle engine/powertrain during operation, and the dynamic behavior of the vehicle chassis during operation in the area where the exhaust system is attached to the vehicle frame. In addition, generated thermal profiles and high frequency external vibrations can be applied to allow simulation of real-world vibrations, and thermal stresses caused by hot exhaust gases.

Abstract: A propylene polymer made using a magnesium halide-supported, titanium-containing solid catalyst component having a broad processing window is produced by incorporating into the polymerization catalyst system a selected alkyl methyldimethoxysilane, preferably isobutylmethyl-dimethoxysilane. Useful articles made from such resin include OPP film.

Abstract: A method for producing edible quality refined fish oil comprising the steps of extracting press liquor from a cooked fish, wherein the press liquor consists primarily of fish oil and water inherent in the cooked fish. The fish oil is from the group of fish consisting of menhaden, other similar fish, and mixtures thereof. Enzymes present in the press liquor are deactivated by injecting an acidic solution into said press liquor. After the fish oil is removed from the press liquor, the fish oil is cold filtered to produce an olein fraction and a stearine fraction. The stearine fraction is separated from the olein fraction and fatty acids that remain in the olein fraction are removed. Then bleaching the fish oil by mixing amorphous silica and diatomaceous earth with the fish oil, under vacuum conditions, and deodorizing the fish oil under vacuum conditions with steam injection. Finally, preparing the fish oil for storage by mixing a chelating agent and anti-oxidants with fish oil.

Abstract: Process for treating a textile product comprising propylene polymer fibers comprises heating the textile product with the fibers in a substantially relaxed state at at least one temperature that is below the melting point of the propylene polymer but no more than about 20.degree. C. below such melting point. In one embodiment, the propylene polymer fibers subjected to such heating are characterized by a particular crystalline microstructure as determined by small angle X-ray diffraction. In another embodiment, the propylene polymer fibers subjected to such heating are melt spun, oriented fibers heated at at least one lower temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for sensing, encoding and transmitting electronic keyboard data, pointing device control signals and voice input. The apparatus includes a wireless device appended, for example, to each wrist of the operator. The wireless device utilizes an optical reflectance matrix detecting key closures, an inertial motion sensor encoding pointing device commands and sound acquisition circuit, all of whose signals are optionally multiplexed and broadcast at, for example, radio frequency or wireless to a local base station connected to the computer-based host system. The optical reflectance matrix includes a plurality of infrared LED's or other light sources sequentially illuminating columns in a plane below the palm of the user's hand, from which reflections from the user's fingers are detected along rows with a plurality of sensors such as phototransistors. The optical plane is penetrated by the user's extended fingers (or other obstructions), in an "air typing" action.

Abstract: Propylene polymer fibers are characterized by a unique crystalline microstructure as determined by small angle X-ray diffraction. The fibers and yarns comprising same exhibit improved recovery from compression and bending and are suited for a wide range of applications including geotextile, apparel and upholstery fabrics, carpet yarns and other textile products.

Abstract: An electronic data transmission system has a low peak-to-average power ratio by including a transmitter circuit which receives an input signal and in response generates a distorted output signal. This distorted output signal is generated by amplifying the input signal with one particular gain when the input signal is at a maximum magnitude which gives the distorted output signal a corresponding maximum magnitude, and by amplifying the input signal with a larger gain when the input signal is in a predetermined range below the maximum magnitude. The distorted output signal travels over a communication channel to a receiver circuit, which regenerates the input signal by amplifying the distorted output signal with a gain that is the inverse of the gain by which the distorted signal is generated.

Abstract: A high speed bit synchronizer is provided with a digital phase detector and a digital offset eliminating circuit. The output of the digital offset eliminating circuit is summed together with the output of the digital phase detector to compensate for the DC offset voltage generated by unsymmetrical digital data received at the input of the phase detector. Further, the phase error offset voltage produced at the output of the digital phase detector is linearized so that the lock point of the phase S-curve located on a linearized portion of a phase offset S-curve, thus, substantially eliminating all seeking and jitter that normally occurs at the lock point.

Abstract: An improved quadrature phase shift key modulator circuit of the type which includes a non-linear amplifier in the transmitter and includes a frequency select logic circuit for receiving the in phase and quadrature phase digital data to be modulated onto a carrier frequency signal. The output of the frequency select circuit produces select signals that are coupled to the input of a digital carrier frequency generator. The digital carrier frequency generator synthesizes and increases, decreases, or leaves unchanged the carrier frequency as a representation of the data occurring on the in phase and quadrature phase input lines. The output of the digital carrier frequency generator is smoothed and converted to an analog signal which has a constant vector power magnitude during phase change.

Abstract: Higher order cuprate complexes are prepared by means of a transmetalation from a corresponding zirconate intermediate. This process is particularly valuable with respect to the preparation of vinylic side chains such as are present in prostaglandins, as it is possible in accordance with the present invention to proceed directly from the acetylenic precursors via the reactive cuprates to the desired final products in a one-pot operation without isolation of intermediates and in high yields. Sequential additions to zirconium intermediates of components which together comprise the cuprate involved in transmetalation with the zirconium intermediate are disclosed as alternative procedures.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing the damaged tubes of a steam generator. This apparatus includes a sleeving tool for inserting sleeves in the tubes, a high-roller tool for rolling the sleeves at their upper ends where they have been expanded, and a low-roller tool for rolling the sleeves at their lower ends in the tube sheet. Each tool is provided with locking pins which engage tubes adjacent to a tube to be processed and suspend the tool in processing position. The sleeves are inserted in the tubes and are rolled by rolls driven by a hydraulic motor. For sleeve insertion and for high and low rolling, the motor is controlled by a servo control valve. The feedback signal to this valve is derived from a flow transducer in the feed line for the motor. The feedback for the force of sleeve insertion is the pressure across the motor derived from pressure transducers in the conductors through which the motor is supplied. For insertion speed and for rolling speed, the feedback is derived from a fluid-flow transducer.