Abstract: The invention described is a procedure whereby a small balloon catheter can be placed in a patient's body, expanded and collapsed as needed and then a second, larger balloon catheter placed over the smaller one. There is also disclosed a balloon catheter system for performing the above-noted procedure.

Abstract: A keyless entry system has means for defining an interrogation zone. A marker responsive within the interrogation zone to generate a coded signal cooperates remotely with means for disengaging a locking mechanism upon verification of the coded signal when received.

Abstract: A target adapted for use in a magnetomechanical transducer system is activated by an ac magnetic field and a variable dc bias field to produce a resonant frequency which corresponds to the effective strength of the dc bias field. The target includes an elongated ductile strip of magnetostrictive ferromagnetic material enclosed in a nonmagnetic container in a manner to allow the strip to vibrate freely. The strip has a magnetomechanical coupling factor, k greater than O, where K=zero.sqroot.(1-fr.sup.2 /fa.sup.2), fr and fa being the resonant and antiresonant frequencies, respectfully. The system is economical to construct and affords accurate and efficient measurement of pressure via displacements and angles of pressure sensitive devices at locations proximate to or remote from the signal source (target).

Abstract: A target adapted for use in a magnetomechanical transducer system is activated by an ac magnetic field and a variable dc bias field to produce a resonant frequency which corresponds to the effective strength of the dc bias field. The target includes an elongated ductile strip of magnetostrictive ferromagnetic material enclosed in a nonmagnetic container in a manner to allow the strip to vibrate freely. The strip has a magnetomechanical coupling factor, k.sub.1 greater than O, where k=(1-fr.sup.2 /fa.sup.2)1/2, fr and fa being the resonant and antiresonant frequencies, respectfully. The system is economical to construct and affords accurate and efficient measurement of displacements and angles at locations proximate to or remote from the signal source (target).

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for product verification wherein a verification marker attached to the product produces a signal identified by a disguised scanning code and matched to a visible code indicia on the product. The signal from the marker is in response to a known applied interrogation field generated by a scanning unit. The scanning unit is portable and includes a detector for the response signal. An EPROM processes the response signal and generates the scanning code. The programming is such that the code is random and different for each manufacturer/product and corresponds to the visible code indicia. The marker includes an amorphous metal ribbon having a known magnetomechanical vibration characteristic.

Abstract: A unit and method are provided for the short range scanning of magnetic markers. The scanning unit includes an antenna adapted to provide a narrow interrogation field of short overall range. Control circuitry is provided for establishing the applied magnetic interrogation field and detecting and processing the response signal of the marker. A light emitting diode then provides a signal to the operator indicating whether a response signal is received from the marker being interrogated. The scanning unit is also equipped with a ferromagnetic plate of high magnetic coercivity for producing a dc bias field and activating the marker.

Abstract: A dual antenna is provided for energizing and receiving a response from a closely coupled marker providing an identifiable signal. An elongated drive coil is wound on a substantially flat winding template and defines a longitudinal axis of the antenna. Each winding of the drive coil extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A receive coil has at least one elongated loop extending substantially parallel to the antenna axis with a first portion of the loop being overlapped by the drive coil; said first portion extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the antenna. One portion of the receive coil is outside the drive coil; the drive coil being substantially the same length as the marker with the receive coil being substantially as wide as the marker to optimize the signal. In one embodiment, a plurality of receive coil loops is provided to decrease the longitudinal sensitivity.

Abstract: An article control system has an encoded marker associated with an article appointed for passage through an interrogation zone. The marker resonates upon interrogation to provide a signal which is detected and compared against a code list containing at least one predefined code. A signal generated upon verification of parity between marker resonance and the predefined code triggers an alarm or actuates a gating mechanism adapted to redirect the article.

Abstract: An actuator system comprises a magnetomechanical cantilever beam adapted to be responsive to magnetic fields of various magnitudes. The system provides precise and rapid repositioning of the free end of the beam corresponding to the magnitude of the applied magnetic field. The beam is comprised of magnetostrictive ferromagnetic amorphous material and provides efficient, high force, high speed actuation to devices requiring electronically controlled variable displacement motion.

Abstract: An article surveillance system having an acoustic magnetomechanical marker is adapted, when armed, to resonate at a frequency provided by an incident magnetic field applied within an interrogation zone. The marker is a strip of magnetostrictive ferromagnetic material disposed adjacent to a hard magnetic element which, upon being magnetized, magnetically biases the strip and arms it to mechanically vibrate at said frequency. A substantial change in acoustic output level of the marker at the resonant frequency provides the marker with signal identity.