Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical device including an outer shaft, an inner shaft, first and second electrode surfaces, and an irrigation channel. The outer shaft defines a lumen, a proximal end and a distal end forming a cutting window. The inner shaft is rotatably disposed within the outer shaft, and defines a distal portion forming a cutting tip. The cutting tip and the cutting window combine to define a cutting implement. The first and second electrode surfaces are electrically isolated, and are formed at the cutting implement. The irrigation channel extends parallel to the outer shaft, and terminates in at least one outlet port. The outlet port is proximally spaced from the cutting window and is located radially outside of the outer shaft. Fluid (e.g., saline) is emitted at the exterior surface of the device near the cutting window and is readily present for interacting with the electrode surfaces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the deployment of a passive inflatable restraint system wherein driver and passenger air bags are employed each having two independently actuatable gas generators of the same or different sizes which are activated in a fixed time sequence. The sequence is timed to provide an initial low inflation rate to just open the airbag container and initially deploy the airbag followed by a higher gas flow rate to complete filling of the cushion. An electronic control unit containing a control algorithm and connected to external sensors monitors vehicle decelerations, detects impacts, and determines if impact severity warrants deployment of an airbag for occupant protection.

Abstract: A crash sensing system for determining a vehicle impact includes an electronic controller for activating impact mitigation equipment during both a first stage event and a second stage event. One or more sensors are used for determining the magnitude of both frontal and side impact forces during the vehicle impact. The controller operates to adjust the sensitivity of the sensors based upon vehicle speed measurements.

Abstract: An elastomeric seat bladder for a vehicle occupant weight estimation system includes a plurality of elastomeric tethers defined by bands or sheets of elastomeric material coupling upper and lower layers of the bladder within a peripheral weld in order to reduce fluid pooling and distention or bulging of the bladder due to localized loading. The elastomeric tethers are spot or seam welded to upper and lower sheets of the bladder; they extend to limit distension where required, and otherwise partially or fully collapse to minimize vertical shunting of occupant weight through the bladder.

Abstract: An air bag restraint system and control system for controlling an air bag in a vehicle and compensating for ambient temperature variations. The control system includes a temperature sensor for sensing temperature of an air bag device, and an air bag controller for controlling actuation of an air bag. The controller controls restraining force produced by the air bag as a function of the sensed temperature. Accordingly, the air bag compensates to changes in temperature so as to optimize the air bag performance.

Abstract: An air bag restraint system and control system for controlling an air bag in a vehicle and compensating for ambient temperature variations. The control system includes a temperature sensor for sensing temperature of an air bag device, and an air bag controller for controlling actuation of an air bag. The controller controls restraining force produced by the air bag as a function of the sensed temperature. Accordingly, the air bag compensates to changes in temperature so as to optimize the air bag performance.

Abstract: An improved vehicle crash sensing apparatus quickly and reliably characterizes frontal impacts with only minimal data processing requirements. Two or more longitudinally separated piezoelectric strips strategically located in a frontal portion of the vehicle produce impact signals that are analyzed to characterize the type of impact and the structural crush rate. In a simple implementation involving only two piezoelectric strips, a first strip extends laterally along a forward portion of the front bumper, and a second strip extends laterally along a forward portion of the hood panel, above and rearward of the first strip. In cases where an impact signal is developed by only one of the two strips, a high (under-ride) or low (over-ride) impact is indicated. If impact signals are developed by both strips, the intervening time is measured as an indication of the structural crush rate.

Abstract: An improved vehicle crash sensing apparatus quickly and reliably characterizes frontal impacts with only minimal data processing requirements. Two or more longitudinally separated piezoelectric strips strategically located in a frontal portion of the vehicle produce impact signals that are analyzed to characterize the type of impact and the structural crush rate. In a simple implementation involving only two piezoelectric strips, a first strip extends laterally along a forward portion of the front bumper, and a second strip extends laterally along a forward portion of the hood panel, above and rearward of the first strip. In cases where an impact signal is developed by only one of the two strips, a high (under-ride) or low (over-ride) impact is indicated. If impact signals are developed by both strips, the intervening time is measured as an indication of the structural crush rate.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint control system provides sophisticated, adaptable control of occupant restraints through the use of a system level architecture to predict the nature of a crash event at the earliest possible time and an occupant injury model to tailor the restraint deployment in an adaptable way to characteristics of the protected vehicle occupant(s) and the nature of the crash event. The occupant injury model derives the potential for injury in a particular vehicle crash in real time as a function of occupant mass, vehicle interior stiffness and occupant impact velocity with respect to the vehicle interior. Peak vehicle crush zone velocity is used as a predictor of occupant impact velocity with the vehicle interior. Predicted occupant impact velocity is preferably adjusted in response to derived impact angle factor, which is derived from orthogonal lateral and longitudinal accelerometers in the vehicle occupant compartment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the deployment of a passive inflatable restraint system wherein driver and passenger air bags are employed each having two independently actuatable gas generators of the same or different sizes which are activated in a fixed time sequence. The sequence is timed to provide an initial low inflation rate to just open the airbag container and initially deploy the airbag followed by a higher gas flow rate to complete filling of the cushion. An electronic control unit containing a control algorithm and connected to external sensors monitors vehicle decelerations, detects impacts, and determines if impact severity warrants deployment of an airbag for occupant protection.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint control system provides sophisticated, adaptable control of occupant restraints through the use of a system level architecture to predict the nature of a crash event at the earliest possible time and an occupant injury model to tailor the restraint deployment in an adaptable way to characteristics of the protected vehicle occupant(s) and the nature of the crash event. The occupant injury model derives the potential for injury in a particular vehicle crash in real time as a function of occupant mass, vehicle interior stiffness and occupant impact velocity with respect to the vehicle interior. Peak vehicle crush zone velocity is used as a predictor of occupant impact velocity with the vehicle interior. Predicted occupant impact velocity is preferably adjusted in response to derived impact angle factor, which is derived from orthogonal lateral and longitudinal accelerometers in the vehicle occupant compartment.

Abstract: An improved weight-based occupant characterization method that can inexpensively and reliably distinguish between a child or small adult and a tightly cinched child seat. When the sensed weight is in a specified range that could be produced by a tightly cinched child seat, the system characterizes the occupant based on a detected variation in sensed weight during movement of the vehicle. If the variance of the sensed weight is below a threshold for a predetermined interval, the occupant is characterized as a child seat, since a tightly cinched seat belt severely restricts variance. If the variance exceeds the threshold for a predetermined interval, the occupant is characterized as a child or small adult. A correlative factor that can be used in distinguishing between a child seat and a child or small adult is determined by computing a slope reversal rate, or frequency, of the measured weight.

Abstract: The airbag system includes in addition to conventional crash sensing apparatus seat sensors to gauge occupant mass, an occupant position sensor and a vehicle speed sensor. Desired initial restraining force is calculated from speed at impact and the occupant's mass, and an appropriate degree of inflation is effected. The occupant speed is continuously calculated from the position sensor signal and the vehicle speed. A target speed profile is established based on an estimated restraint period and the vehicle speed, and an airbag vent is varied to control the occupant speed to the target speed. The target speed profile is adjusted as a function of passenger compartment acceleration to account for vehicle speed variations and for vehicle crush.

Abstract: A modular containment wall for a sports area. The containment wall is an assembly of panels, each panel having a first edge, an opposing second edge, and interlocking members configured and arranged for (i) interlocking the first edge to a first adjacent panel and (ii) interlocking the second edge to a second adjacent panel. Support legs are rotatably disposed on a back wall of the panels. Each support leg is removably attachable to at least three different attachment sites at the back wall of a panel. The interlocking, modular design of the containment wall enables quick and easy assembly and reassembly, as well as modification to form door ways, sitting areas and similar component structures. In one embodiment, the rear side of the panel includes a recess formed therein. During periods of nonuse, the support leg can be rotated into the recess in a storage position, permitting easy stacking and storage of the panels with the support legs neatly disposed in the rear recesses.