Abstract: An endoscope, especially for transesophageal echocardiography. An encapsulated ultrasonic transducer capsule is provided having a self-contained electro-mechanical sector scanner. A sealed housing is formed which includes axially aligned tubular sections, one of magnetic material and the other of acoustically transparent plastic. A tubular shaft is journalled axially within the housing for limited sector scanning rotation. A magnetic rotor is fixed to the shaft for operation within the magnetic housing section and a transducer element is fixed to the shaft within the other tubular section. Conductor wires for activating the transducer are fixed at one end of the capsule and extend axially through the tubular shaft for connection to the transducer. Position sensing means are incorporated within the capsule. The construction enables the capsule to be highly miniaturized and greatly improved relative to known devices of its type.

Abstract: A levered scale for weighing human beings is disclosed in which weight measurement is produced by direct tensile loading of at least one stress-dependent transducer that is bonded to the central member of an improved tension link plate which is pivotally supported at one end by a U-shaped bracket and pivotally coupled at the opposite end to lever arms. The thin tension link plate, which is made of elastically deformable sheet metal, is received between the sides of the U-shaped bracket. The tension link plate is connected directly to the U-shaped bracket by a first cross pin and to the lever arms by a second cross pin. The resultant force produced by the weight of the load applied to the scale produces vertically downward movement of the lever arms thereby providing tensile loading of the tension link plate and the stress-dependent transducers bonded or deposited thereto.

Abstract: A probe of very low thermal mass and fast response for a digital electronic clinical thermometer using an extremely small temperature-responsive element with leads supported between coaxial tubular members. The temperature-responsive element, with adjacent lead portions is supported on at least one substantially hemispherical cup, also of low thermal mass adhered to the ends of the tubular members. Preferably a pair of hemispherically ended cups enclose a thermocouple junction and the associated lead portions, although a thermistor may also be used as the temperature-responsive element.

Abstract: A dot matrix display of the liquid crystal type operative in either transmissive or reflective modes includes means to illuminate the back of the display, and means for electrically reversing the image on the display from dark on a light background to light (transparent) on dark background for transmissive viewing when the effective light intensity of the illuminating means is greater than the effective ambient light intensity on the front of the display.

Abstract: A watch includes a piezoelectric wafer mounted on a membrane held by its peripheral edge inside a watch caseback. A frequency adjustment device mounted in the caseback includes a rotatable arm contacting the membrane and movable to adjust the resonant frequency of the membrane and piezoelectric crystal vibrating assembly. The frequency of the piezoelectric transducer may be adjusted to match a desired frequency of an electrical or sound signal.

Abstract: A driving circuit for an electrochromic display cell wherein writing and erasing of a segment is effected by relatively high write and erase transition potentials. After a predetermined transition period, the written and erased segments are stabilized at a desired coloration or transparency by application of a maintaining write potential(s) and a maintaining erase potential(s) respectively. The write maintain potential is periodically adjusted to a level whereby a predetermined charge level is maintained on the written segments. In this manner, a maintain potential on the segments(s) is periodically adjusted to compensate for degradation of the electrochromic material and to thereby maintain the desired contrast ratio between the written and erased segments.

Abstract: An electronic horological instrument which includes a piezoelectric crystal oscillator and a counter such as a series of count-down circuits connected in tandem. The "effective frequency of the oscillator" is adjusted by inhibiting the oscillator pulses to the count-down circuits by means of a pulse inhibit circuit. The pulse inhibit circuit is readily programable to inhibit a desired number of oscillator pulses by means of a switch arrangement that includes multi-position detented pin switches.

Abstract: A method of trimming or tuning the frequency of vibration of a piezoelectric resonator comprising varying the ambient gas pressure within an unsealed resonator can until the desired frequency is obtained. The can is then sealed at the desired pressure, and thereby maintains the desired resonant frequency.