Abstract: A drug delivery conformal film system according to the present invention is adapted to be compounded and applied, by medical personnel at the point of use, to a medical device such as a cardiovascular and urology stent, pacemaker, vascular graft, suture ring of mechanical heart valve, implantable infusion port, implantable drug delivery pump, orthopedic hardware and appliance, and, neurological stimulating device. The drug delivery conformal film consists of one of three in vivo biocompatible; biodegradable, bio-erodable or bioabsorbable embodiments: (1) cross-linked sodium alginate, (2) UV photo-active polymer, or, (3) hydrogels. An implantable medical device such as the stent or suture ring of a mechanical artificial heart valve is coated with an in vivo biocompatible; biodegradable or bioerodable or bioabsorbable solution comprising a polymer and containing a drug, the solution is cross-linked or cured to form a film on the device immediately prior to placement in the body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a current limiting circuit breaker having a plurality of current responsive devices for opening a pair of contacts upon short circuit conditions. One such device is a conventional magnetic tripping mechanism. The other device utilizes an insulating object driven by a magnetic force caused by the short circuit current. Upon opening of the contacts with the use of the insulating object, let-through current flows through a secondary contact, positioned on the insulating object, to a positive temperature coefficient resistivity element which limits the current and arcing in the contacts. In an alternative embodiment, at least one steel component is added to increase the magnetic force, thereby providing a greater force on the insulating object. An insulation component is also added to further suppress any arc generated between the contacts when going from a closed state to an open state.

Abstract: A drug delivery conformal film system according to the present invention is adapted to be compounded and applied, by medical personnel at the point of use, to a medical device such as a cardiovascular and urology stent, pacemaker, vascular graft, suture ring of mechanical heart valve, implantable infusion port, implantable drug delivery pump, orthopedic hardware and appliance, and, neurological stimulating device. The drug delivery conformal film consists of one of three in vivo biocompatible; biodegradable, bio-erodable or bioabsorbable embodiments: (1) cross-linked sodium alginate, (2) UV photo-active polymer, or, (3) hydrogels. An implantable medical device such as the stent or suture ring of a mechanical artificial heart valve is coated with an in vivo biocompatible; biodegradable or bioerodable or bioabsorbable solution comprising a polymer and containing a drug, the solution is cross-linked or cured to form a film on the device immediately prior to placement in the body.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in arcing fault detection systems within circuit breakers and which is adapted for automated production by top-down assembly. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a circuit board and a two-piece sensing coil within a two piece housing with its center oriented horizontally relative to the circuit board. In other embodiments the sensing coil is one-piece and is either preassembled with a sensing bus and oriented horizontally or oriented vertically relative to the circuit board. Also included are several methods for making electrical connections to the circuit breakers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a circuit breaker assembly having a base, cover, and switch handle adapted to withstand an external force applied to a lever of the switch handle. During normal operation the handle rotates on small-diameter pivots in elongated bearing slots. Under abnormal conditions that occur when the lever of the switch handle is inadvertently struck, such as when the circuit breaker is dropped on the lever of the switch handle, the pivots slide in the elongated bearing slots. The force is borne by large-diameter hubs which come in contact with mating bearing surfaces. Thus, the pivots are not shorn off during such incidents, which would damage the circuit breaker.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transesophageal scanhead is provided which enables a physician to easily and quickly change the orientation of the image plane during a scanning procedure. Means are provided on either the scanhead or the ultrasound system for selecting the imaging plane. As the imaging plane selector is actuated, an indication of the orientation of the selected plane appears concurrently on the monitor of the system along with a display of ultrasonic information of the selected plane. In a preferred embodiment the indication of the selected plane is displayed both graphically and numerically. A recording of the displayed information will thus capture both the ultrasonic information as well as the image plane orientation. A physician reviewing the recording will thereby know the exact orientation of the image being viewed, leading to a better informed and more precise diagnosis of medical conditions of the body.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transesophageal scanhead is provided which enables a physician to easily and quickly change the orientation of the image plane during a scanning procedure without disrupting control of the scanhead. Means are provided on the external control unit of the scanhead for unambiguously selecting the orientation of the plane which is imaged by the transducers at the end of the probe of the scanhead. In one embodiment of the present invention, a rocker switch is provided on the underside of the control unit, and a lighted indicator is provided on top of the control unit. When the physician desires to change the image plane, the rocker switch is rolled forward to select the transducer elements of the probe which are configured for scanning in the desired image plane. As the rocker switch is moved, the lighted indicator on the top of the control unit provides a visual display pattern aligned either longitudinally or transversely with respect to the axis of the probe.

Abstract: Dual focus ultrasonic transducers are provided for a diagnostic imaging effective aspheric radiating surface. The transducers are formed of disc-shaped piezoelectric material. An annular groove separates the piezoelectric material into an inner disc region and an outer annular region for simultaneous activation or activation of the inner disc alone. The focus is changed by a reed switch connection to the two transducer regions, which permits proximity switch control of the transducer operation in a shielded environment for good noise performance.