Abstract: A method and device for detecting airborne, infectious microorganisms in indoor air and collecting them for rapid identification. Diseased air is drawn into an enclosed chamber where it is percolated through a liquid such that many of the microorganisms become encapsulated in the liquid. The liquid is then atomized to ensure encapsulation of microorganisms which may have escaped encapsulation in the percolation step, and then separated from the air. The relatively slow drawing rate and delicate percolation through the liquid preserves the integrity of the microorganisms. The air is released into the room, while the microorganism-containing liquid is directed to a reservoir. A magnetic substance is added to the reservoir. The microorganism-containing liquid is passed through an electromagnetic field whereupon the microorganisms are attracted to the magnetic surface. These microorganisms are thereafter removed for analysis. The remaining liquid is recycled.

Abstract: A body tissue graft for use in a patient includes a frame structure made of a first elastic material, a covering of a second elastic material on the frame structure, the covering substantially filling openings in the frame structure, and a connector connected to the frame structure. Projections are secured to the connector structure. The projections facilitate attachment of the tubular graft in a patient by securing the graft to the body tissue with which the graft is employed. The connector selectively circumferentially expands and the projections selectively circumferentially expand. This may be done using an inflatable balloon to circumferentially expand the projections. A restraining member may be provided to restrain the projections in a cone shape so that an end of the graft may be used to open an aperture through a side wall of existing body organ tubing and a portion of the projections may enter the aperture.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering and installing a new Length of tubing between two sections of a patient's existing body organ tubing and at least partly outside of that existing structure. For example, the new length of tubing may be for the purpose of providing the patient with a coronary bypass. The new tubing may be an artificial graft, a natural graft (harvested elsewhere from the patient), or both. The new tubing is delivered to and installed at the operative site primarily by working through the patient's existing tubular body organ structure. This avoids the need for any significant surgery on the patient. The artificial grafts may have shapes other than tubular. Certain procedural and apparatus aspects of the invention have uses other than in connection with grafting in general or tubular grafting in particular.

Abstract: A tubular artificial graft for attachment to a patient's tubular body tissue has an initially radially relatively small connector structure adjacent each of its ends. The initial relatively small size of each connector structure facilitates insertion of that portion of the graft into the body tissue to which that connector structure is to make a connection. After a connector structure is properly positioned relative to the body tissue, the connector structure is radially enlarged to connect the graft to the body tissue. The connection is preferably both a mechanical and a fluid-tight connection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for attaching grafts of tubing between sites in a patient's body via the patient's existing arteries and veins. Grafts may be held in place during graft delivery using a partially inflated proximal balloon and a partially inflated distal balloon which frictionally engage axially spaced portions of the graft (e.g., pronged attachment rings that pierce the graft adjacent its ends). After aligning the distal end of the graft with the distal attachment site, the distal balloon may be further inflated to help attach the distal end of the graft to the distal attachment site (e.g., by driving the prongs of the distal attachment ring into the distal attachment site). The proximal balloon may then be inflated to attach the proximal end of the graft to the proximal attachment site. The insertion instrument allows the distance between the distal and proximal balloons to be adjusted, thereby accommodating grafts of various lengths.

Abstract: A bodily fluid filter has an elastic tubular framework and a plurality of filter filaments extending from the surface of the tubular framework in toward the longitudinal axis to trap objects to be filtered. The elastic framework is deformable to facilitate deployment and removal, but resumes its operational shape once deployed. The filter can be installed intralumenally and/or remotely if desired.

Abstract: A method and device for detecting airborne, infectious microorganisms in indoor air and collecting them for rapid identification. Diseased air is drawn into an enclosed chamber where it is percolated through a liquid such that many of the microorganisms become encapsulated in the liquid. The liquid is then atomized to ensure encapsulation of microorganisms which may have escaped encapsulation in the percolation step, and then separated from the air. The relatively slow drawing rate and delicate percolation through the liquid preserves the integrity of the microorganisms. The air is released into the room, while the microorganism-containing liquid is directed to a reservoir from which samples may be extracted for analysis. The liquid is recycled.

Abstract: A machine and method of performing a work operation requiring a known or predetermined length of unconsumed web has a cassette containing consumable web material, and the cassette has an indicator for identifying a length of unconsumed web in the cassette. The length of unconsumed web in the cassette is compared to a known or predetermined length of unconsumed web required to perform the work operation, and the operation is performed if the length of unconsumed web in the cassette is at least equal to the required length of unconsumed web. In one embodiment, the indicator takes the form of a potentiometer mounted on an exterior surface of the cassette for electrically indicating the amount of unconsumed web, or a pointer carried by a worm gear rotatably coupled to a spool of the cassette, wherein the pointer moves relative to indicia on the cassette upon rotation of the spool to visually indicate the amount of unconsumed web in the cassette.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a printing plate without the need for a photomask formed from a sheet of photographic film bearing the positive or negative of the image to be printed. According to the invention, an ink jet print head deposits ink onto a light-sensitive emulsion in a pattern which corresponds to either the positive or negative of the image to be printed. The printed pattern provides a photomask for subsequent exposure of the emulsion.

Abstract: A system uses information taken from a sensing device sensing the dimensions of an existing fingernail structure and inputs this sensed information into a controller in machine usable form. The data is used by the controller to drive a variety of peripheral devices to cut a desired nail pattern in a material so that at least a part of the material snugly fits over the existing nail structure. The system is further capable of cutting a sheet of decorative material to the shape of a natural nail or one that is artificially placed on a nail. The decorative sheet may be formed of vinyl or mylar and has an adhesive layer which binds it to the involved nail.

Abstract: An over-the-wire balloon catheter has a radiopaque marker thereon at a known distance from a distal end of the catheter. An elongated flexible guide wire has a plurality of longitudinally spaced radiopaque markers on a distal portion thereof, with adjacent markers on the guide wire being longitudinally spaced by a distance equal to the known distance between the distal end of the catheter and its radiopaque marker. The guide wire is advanced through an artery until one of its markers is positioned at a desired location relative to a stenosis. Subsequently, the balloon catheter is advanced over the guide wire until the radiopaque marker of the catheter is in a predetermined position relationship to the radiopaque marker of the guide wire which has aligned on the stenosis.

Abstract: An improved damper diode is obtained by replacing the usual step junction (P.sup.+ -Nu-N.sup.+) structure of the prior art with an epitaxial double sided Pi-Nu structure (i.e., P.sup.+ -Pi-Nu-N.sup.+) in which the thickness and impurity concentrations of the Pi and Nu regions are substantially equal and have a combined thickness about equal to the prior art Nu region for the same voltage. Improved transient response (TFR), better transient energy absorption capability (UIS) and lower forward transient turn-on peak over-shoot voltage (TOPO) is obtained for the same or higher reverse breakdown voltage (BVR), in the same or smaller die size.

Abstract: (2-hydroxy-4-methylthio) butyric acid and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are found to effectively reduce urine pH in mammals without toxic effects.

Abstract: A thin high resistivity epitaxial layer is provided over the entire surface of a semiconductor wafer in order to minimize autodoping while growing a desired epitaxial layer over the entire semiconductor wafer. The thin low resistivity epitaxial layer acts as a seal and is of the same conductivity type as the semiconductor wafer or substrate. The thin epitaxial layer effectively becomes a part of the substrate or semiconductor wafer. The seal layer or thin epitaxial layer is needed when growing an epitaxial layer over a very low resistivity silicon semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: An automated sign generator produces large scale text on sheet material by means of a cutting tool which is guided relative to the material in accordance with preprogrammed data. The sheet material is supported for movement in one coordinate direction relative to the tool by a feed roller, and the cutting tool is supported for movement in an orthogonal coordinate direction parallel to the roller. Several cutting tools are employed and one of the tools is heated to penetrate through a vinyl sign material that is releasably secured by a pressure sensitive adhesive to a paper release liner. A plotting tool can also be substituted for the cutting tool to plot the sign on plain paper. The sign generator is controlled by a microprocessor and the font from which the sign text is prepared in stored in a ROM memory. A keyboard coupled with the microprocessor is utilized to control the machine operation as well as compose the sign text.

Abstract: An automated measuring scale for making linear measurements includes a guide bar and an index marker that is moved automatically along the bar to predetermined positions commanded by the operator. A manually operated keyboard is provided to enter the position commands, and a digital display illustrates the commands as they are entered. The scale of movement is adjustable for an infinite number of variables, and the index marker can be repeatedly stepped along the guide bar by fixed increments when desired. In a manual mode of operation, the index marker is positioned to any location along the guide bar and the display automatically reveals the marker position in any selected scale.

Abstract: Penetrations or passageways through fire rated or fire resistant walls, floors, partitions, and ceilings are frequently necessary to provide for present or future pipes, cables or conduits. A fitting placed in the penetration provides a seal to prevent the passing of fire, products of combustion, gas vapor or liquid through the penetration under normal conditions and under adverse conditions of fire or elevated temperatures. The fitting includes an elastomeric-like material, under pressure, which provides the initial barrier. An intumescent material, which responds to heat is provided to expand and fill any void created by the degeneration of the elastomeric material in response to the heat or fire. The fitting may include an outer exposed layer of intumescent material to serve as an insulator.