Abstract: A family protective shelter which can be erected quickly inside in a home living room, family room, patio, or on an outside lawn area. This dome tent enclosure is designed of clear plastic sheet material which is impervious to gases used to conduct chemical warfare (such as nerve gas, mustard gas, serin, cyanide, and the like) dispersed biohazard aerosol compounds (such as anthrax, smallpox, polio, bacteria, viruses, or fungi), or other atmospheric toxins, such as those from a nuclear fallout. This protective “pop-up”, external frame enclosure will be sized to house at least two adults comfortably (6×9×7 high inside, up to about 10×18?×7? high), will incorporate a zip-lock entrance/egress isolation portal chamber, and will communicate to the outside world through combat gas mask filters, plus phone, computer and electrical outlet feed-through, and perhaps a water trap coupling.

Abstract: Indwelling catheter having an upper distal end having a portion that can expand within a bladder type spaces without having to be inflated. An embodiment allows for at least one slit on an upper side of the catheter tube and a head member that when pulled down by a stylette moving inside the catheter causes a bulge wing portion(s) that holds the catheter safely and painlessly within the bladder. Magnetic and electret valves can be included inside the tube of the catheter that can cycle between open and closed positions when activated by normal bladder pressure when urination is desired. The novel catheter tube can naturally conform to an opening and closing urethra during natural bladder drainage. The catheter tube surface can include an anti-microbial layer that is either or both coated and impregnated thereon with either an antibacterial and/or hydrophyllic materials. Sampling ports can be located on both inside catheter tube valves and on an externally attached magnetic valve.

Abstract: A low-pressure fluid flow control magnetic valve (cycler) device, system and method for use emptying the contents of bladder by a catheter. The device can be connected with a specified drainage tubing to function as a hydrodynamically balanced system (to empty into a typical two-liter collection bag). The cycler can be connected externally to a urinary catheter for hospital, clinical and home-care use for the emptying of the bladder of a patient through a catheter in a biologically more natural, filling and draining, cyclic manner. Fully automatic, modes of operation are provided for opening and closing this valve to empty the bladder of urine when appropriate or necessary. The modes of operation respond to normal human (or animal) body pressures, or are automatic with a manual override. This device is U.S.F.D.A. approved for human use and responds to normal human (or animal) body pressures to assist the detrusor muscle to function normally in spite of an indwelling catheter challenge.

Abstract: Indwelling catheter having an upper distal end having a portion that can expand within a bladder type spaces without having to be inflated. An embodiment allows for at least one slit on an upper side of the catheter tube and a head member that when pulled down by a stylette moving inside the catheter causes a bulge wing portion(s) that holds the catheter safely and painlessly within the bladder. Magnetic and electret valves can be included inside the tube of the catheter that can cycle between open and closed positions when activated by normal bladder pressure when urination is desired. The novel catheter tube can naturally conform to an opening and closing urethra during natural bladder drainage. The catheter tube surface can include an anti-microbial layer that is either or both coated and impregnated thereon with either an antibacterial and/or hydrophyllic materials. Sampling ports can be located on both inside catheter tube valves and on an externally attached magnetic valve.

Abstract: A low-pressure fluid flow control magnetic valve (cycler) device, system and method for use emptying the contents of bladder by a catheter. The device can be connected with a specified drainage tubing to function as a hydrodynamically balanced system (to empty into a typical two-liter collection bag). The cycler can be connected externally to a urinary catheter for hospital, clinical and home-care use for the emptying of the bladder of a patient through a catheter in a biologically more natural, filling and draining, cyclic manner. Fully automatic, modes of operation are provided for opening and closing this valve to empty the bladder of urine when appropriate or necessary. The modes of operation respond to normal human (or animal) body pressures, or are automatic with a manual override. This device is U.S.F.D.A. approved for human use and responds to normal human (or animal) body pressures to assist the detrusor muscle to function normally in spite of an indwelling catheter challenge.

Abstract: Programmable methods and apparatus for providing flow control in valves. In a preferred embodiment flow control occurs by pressing opposite sides of a very flexible tube section together to selectively, and programmably, closing and opening the flow pathway. Linear or rotary cam electrically motorized members provide valve function without requiring fluid flow through the valve. Alternatively, micro-fluidic amplifiers and fluidic logic circuits can be used to sense and control fluid pressure in a pre-calculated proportional flow regulation pattern. The invention can be used in medical, hospital, clinic and home-care units for bladder cycling a patient whose urinary tracts have an indwelling catheter, utilizing a pressure transducer that opens and closes the valve in accordance with preprogrammed pressure buildup or time intervals. Other uses include a medical infusion subsystem by regulating flow of fluid from a medication reservoir into the blood or into a digestive system.

Abstract: A composite silicone material comprising a flexible, resilient core body of cured silicone elastomer, which has been post-cured with a silicone release agent applied to an exterior surface portion of the core body, thereby incorporating the silicone release agent with the core body to form a skin on the core body having reduced adherence character, as compared to the silicone core body per se.Also disclosed is a composite silicone material comprising a series of silicone release agent/silicone oil layers thereon wherein each silicone release agent/silicone oil layer has been cured prior to the application of the next succeeding release agent/oil layer. The composite silicone materials of the invention may be employed to form sealing elements, closure members, etc., in a wide variety of structural applications.

Abstract: A bladder cycler is provided with a magnetic valve for hospital, clinical and home-care use in emptying of the bladder of a patient through a catheter. Fully automatica or automatic with manual override operation are provided for opening and closing a valve to empty the bladder of urine when necessary.

Abstract: A system for and method of measuring refrigerant-to-lubricant ratio of liquid within a conduit having a wall and forming part of an enclosed air conditioning refrigerating apparatus which includes a compressor, an evaporator and a condenser. The system involves a first transducer for generating at least one pulse of ultrasonic energy which is coupled via the wall into a path of substantially predetermined length within the liquid. The least one pulse of ultrasonic energy is coupled from the end of the path via the wall and received by a second transducer. Circuitry responsive to the at least one ultrasonic pulse as transmitted and received determines velocity of the ultrasonic pulse within the liquid as a measure of the refrigerant-to-lubricant ratio.

Abstract: A bladder cycler is provided with a magnetic valve for hospital, nursing home, and home care use in automatic emptying of the bladder of a patient. Manual override also is provided with variable opening pressure.

Abstract: The electric actuator comprises a deep cup harmonic drive gear train member with an electric motor, brake, tachometer, and resolver disposed therein. The arrangement and coupling of the components provides a high torque-to-weight ratio actuator that is capable of more than 360.degree. rotation.