Abstract: A dental appliance for treating bruxism is provided which, according to one aspect of the invention, has a mouthpiece containing an electric source, electrodes, and circuitry connecting the source to the electrodes, and circuitry connecting the source to the electrodes. The electrodes are disposed to contact an interior surface of the wearer's mouth to conduct electric stimuli to the mouth. Included in the electronic circuitry, are sensors which trigger the flow of electric current from the source to the electrodes when squeezed together by the wearer's teeth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving the hearing of a hearing-impaired subject who, if anatomically normal, possesses a tympanic membrane intended for generating mechanical tympanic vibrations in response to sound waves impinging thereon, an inner ear responsive to mechanical vibrations, and an ossicular chain intended to communicate mechanical vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the inner ear; wherein the ossicular chain is interrupted to preclude transmission of mechanical vibrations between the tympanic membrane and the inner ear of the subject and an implant is surgically interposed within the ossicular chain to form an independent link between the tympanic membrane and the inner ear, which implant is comprised of a transducer for converting mechanical signals generated at the tympanic membrane into electrical signals for direct electrical stimulation of the inner ear.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving the hearing of a hearing-impaired subject who, if anatomically normal, possesses a tympanic membrane intended for generating mechanical tympanic vibration in response to sound waves impinging thereon, an inner ear responsive to mechanical vibrations, and an ossicular chain intended to communicate mechanical vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the inner ear; wherein the ossicular chain is interrupted to preclude transmission of mechanical vibrations between the tympanic membrane and the inner ear of the subject and an implant is surgically interposed to bridge the interruption in the ossicular chain to form an independent link between the tympanic membrane and the ear, which implant is comprised of input and output transducers for mediating mechanical/electrical signals to constitute that independent link.

Abstract: A low inertia rotary drum supports flexible sheets of different sizes for transport and processing. A plurality of slots are disposed on the surface of the drum. The slots are configured in spaced relation along the longitudinal and circumferential dimension of the drum. A plurality of holes or communicating ports are disposed in the slots. The holes interconnect the interior of the drum with the surface. The number of holes varies circumferentially and longitudinally. A vacuum system having a relatively low vacuum and a relatively high flow rate is coupled to the interior of the drum. Sheets are loaded onto the drum so that a minimum number of holes are vented to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a viscous fluid to a moving substrate is disclosed. The invention includes providing a die assembly from a pair of plates which are separated by shim means to define a fluid passage. The fluid passage communicates with a fluid reservoir having an opening bounded by smooth surfaces for contacting the substrate. The supply of ink is metered to the passage. The substrate is moved in contact with the smooth surfaces and the fluid is applied thereto by the reservoir. The trailing or downstream edge of the smooth surface is formed with an acute angle. Other features are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cantilevered beam assembly with a maximum resonance frequency is adaptable for supporting a transducer for use with a random access flexible disk file. The cantilevered beam assembly includes a first cantilevered member and a second elongated member coupled at one end by a flexible joint to the free end of the first cantilevered member. When used with a flexible disk file system, a magnetic transducer is seated on the second end of the elongated member while said elongated member is restricted to flex in one plane only. A relatively thin, tapered, elongated protective structure having a relatively sharp, elongated leading edge contiguous with a relatively sharp front edge is rigidly connected to the first cantilevered member and surrounds the second elongated member in a plane orthogonal to the plane of flex.

Abstract: In a flexible magnetic disk file having one or more flexible disks mounted for rotation about a centrally located axis, data on a selected disk is transduced by a magnetic head seated on a fail-safe head arm support. The head arm support is a relatively flat elongated member mounted at one end to a carriage assembly. The head arm support has a smooth contour with relatively sharp edges about its periphery and a spherical enclosure seated on its free end. The head arm support is tapered, at a predetermined angle from the rigidly mounted end towards the free end. The angle of taper allows for automatic ejection of the head arm support from the disk file during inadvertent closure of the disk file. The relatively sharp edges allow the head arm support to open a closed disk file.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a viscous fluid to a moving substrate is disclosed. The invention includes providing a die assembly formed from a pair of plates which are separated by shim means to define a fluid passage. The fluid passage communicates with a fluid reservoir having an opening bounded by smooth surfaces for contacting the substrate. The supply of ink is metered to the passage. The substrate is moved in contact with the smooth surfaces and the fluid is applied thereto by the reservoir. The trailing or downstream edge of the smooth surface is formed with an acute angle. Other features are also disclosed.