Abstract: A guide needle for locating the position of a lesion or tumor in soft tissue has an inflatable balloon adjacent its pointed tip so that the position of the guide needle with respect to the lesion or tumor can be determined upon visual inspection of an ultrasound, CT scan, or other imaging technique when the balloon is inflated. A flexible bulbous reservoir positioned near a proximal end of the guide needle contains a saline solution or other suitable contrasting liquid fluid and is in fluid communication with the inflatable balloon through a tube. Squeezing the bulbous reservoir inflates the balloon and releasing the bulbous reservoir deflates the balloon. A clamp attachable to the proximal end of the tube is closed after the bulbous reservoir has been squeezed to lock the balloon into its inflated configuration when the guide needle is properly positioned relative to the lesion or tumor. The inflated balloon indicates the position of the guide needle and also anchors the guide needle into position.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the presence of magnetic elongated particles in a substrate, the base material of the substrate having magnetic properties substantially differing from the corresponding magnetic properties of the elongated particles. The elongated particles have such a long and thin form that their demagnetization factor N is smaller than {fraction (1/250)}, they have a diameter smaller than 30 micrometer, and they a magnetic saturation field greater than 100 A/m. Apparatus includes an emitter which emits an electromagnetic source signal of one or more particular base frequencies to the substrate (e.g., so that any magnetic elongated particles present go into a non-linear part of a B-H curve for at least part of cycle of the source signal).

Abstract: Compounds of the formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof in which R1 represents hydrogen, halo, cyano, cyanoalkyl, alkyl, alkoxy, phenoxy, phenyl, alkoxycarbonyl, —NR13R14, —N(R15)SO2R16, halogenated alkoxy, halogenated alkyl, arylalkoxy, hydroxy, phenylalkyl, alkoxycarbonylvinyl, —S(O)nR7, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, carboxyalkyl, —CONR13R12 carbamoylvinyl, —OSO2R21, 4,5-dihydrothiazol-2-yl, 4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazolin-2-yl or —NR60R61; or R1 represents a group of formula —(O)z—L3G wherein z equals 0 or 1, L3 represents a C1-4 alkylene chain, G represents a group of formula a), b), c), or d): a) —NR22R23; b) —S(O)mR26; c) CONR27R28; d) —OR29; R2 and R3 independently represent hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkoxy, —NR13R14, halogenated alkoxy, halogenated alkyl, hydroxy, —S(O)nR7 or —NR60R61; L1 represents e) a bond, or f) alkylene, cycloalkylene or cycloalkylidene; T represents a bond or O, S, SO, SO2, a carbo

Abstract: The invention provides a prosthetic valve having a generally annular frame with three post and three scallops. The frame is tri-symmetric with an axis of symmetry defined by the axis of blood flow through the valve. The external surface of the frame is generally cylindrical with diameter D. Each leaflet has a truncated spherical surface adjacent to its free edge. The spherical surface is joined tangentially to a truncated conical surface. The half angle of the truncated cone is approximately 37.5°. The radius of the sphere is approximately D/2−0.5 (mm). The leaflet surface is axi-symmetrical with the axis of symmetry being perpendicular to the axis of the valve frame and blood flow.

Abstract: An elongate side port of small circumferential extent is formed in a hollow bore needle of the type used for marking the location of a lesion or a tumor in a breast or soft tissue. A wire carrier housing an elongate flexible marking wire is slideably received within the hollow bore. The needle, wire carrier and wire are inserted into a breast or soft tissue so that the side port is facing a lesion. After position adjustments have been made, if needed, the wire is advanced so that its distal end is deflected through the side port by a radius formed in the distal end of the wire carrier. When extended, it marks the location of the lesion and anchors the wire against migration. If the position of the needle is then understood to be unsatisfactory, the marking wire is withdrawn through the side port and back into the wire carrier and the needle is withdrawn and then re-positioned.

Abstract: A surgical tool forms a collapsible cage that surrounds a lesion or a tumor in a breast or soft tissue so that removal of all encaged tissue ensures the removal of the tumor or lesion. The collapsibility of the cage enables it to be closed and repositioned if needed. A leading tube and a trailing tube are interconnected by a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart members that are jointed at their respective mid-lengths. The respective leading ends of the jointed members are hingedly connected to a trailing end of the leading tube and the respective trailing ends of the jointed members are hingedly connected to the leading end of the trailing tube. The leading and trailing tubes slidingly receive a hollow needle and the leading tube is secured to the hollow needle at its distal end so that the leading tube cannot slide with respect to the hollow needle.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting and processing tire tread depth data from a plurality of tires is provided. A sensor measures the tread depth of one of the tires and produces a tread depth signal representing the tire tread depth. The tread depth signal is transmitted over a communications medium from the sensor to the serial port of a computer. The computer includes a database or spread sheet for storing an entry associating a respective tire tread depth with each tire. The computer displays a graphic representing each of the tires. The graphic includes a representation of the bottom of a truck on which the tires are installed. The graphic has a respective region representing each of the tires. A region of the graphic is selected. The selected region of the graphic is linked to a corresponding one of the plurality of data representing tire tread depth in the database or spreadsheet.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I ##STR1## where R.sub.1 -R.sub.3, L.sub.1, T, L.sub.2 --N--Q--Y and R.sub.6 are as defined in the specification, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof which are antiinflammatory, antiallergic and immunomodulant agents, compositions containing these compounds and processes to make them.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of magnetic elongated particles in a substrate the base material of which has magnetic properties substantially differing from the corresponding magnetic properties of the elongated particles. The elongated particles have such a long and thin form that their demagnetisation factor N is smaller than 1/250, they have a diameter smaller than 30 micrometer and a magnetic saturation field greater than 100 A/m.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula I ##STR1## and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof in which R.sub.1 represents hydrogen, halo, cyano, cyanoalkyl, alkyl, alkoxy, phenoxy, phenyl, alkoxycarbonyl, --NR.sub.13 R.sub.14, --N(R.sub.15)SO.sub.2 R16, halogenated alkoxy, halogenated alkyl, arylalkoxy, hydroxy, phenylalkyl, alkoxycarbonylvinyl, --S(O).sub.n R.sub.7, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, carboxyalkyl, --CONR.sub.11 R.sub.12 carbamoylvinyl, --OSO.sub.2 R.sub.21, 4,5-dihydrothiazol-2-yl, 4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazolin-2-yl or --NR.sub.60 R.sub.61 ; or R.sub.1 represents a group of formula --(O).sub.z --L.sub.3 G wherein z equals 0 or 1, L.sub.3 represents a C.sub.1-4 alkylene chain, G represents a group of formula a), b), c), or d): a) --NR.sub.22 R.sub.23 ; b) --S(O).sub.m R.sub.26 ; c) CONR.sub.27 R.sub.28 ; d) --OR.sub.29 ; R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 independently represent hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkoxy, --NR.sub.13 R.sub.14, halogenated alkoxy, halogenated alkyl, hydroxy, --S(O).sub.n R.sub.7 or --NR.sub.60 R.sub.61 ; L.sub.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing a plurality of data values which define an attribute of an object. The system includes a computer having a display. The computer has a user defined database or spread sheet which stores the data values. A facility is provided for defining an arbitrary, user defined graphic representing the object; that is displayed by the computer. A region is identified within the graphic. A value is associated with the region. The value represents a visual attribute. The identified region of the graphic is linked to a data field of the database or spreadsheet. The data field stores one of the plurality of data values. A rule is applied to determine the value of the visual attribute as a function of the data value stored in the data field. The visual attribute of the region is automatically changed according to the rule when the data value changes. An exemplary system displays a graphic representing the bottom of a truck.

Abstract: A flexible leaflet heart valve (1), to replace natural aortic or pulmonary valves of the heart, includes a frame (3) and flexible leaflets (2) attached to the frame (3). Each flexible leaflet (2) forms part of a surface of revolution having its axis of revolution substantially orthogonal to the direction of blood flow through the valve (1). The valve (1) has improved opening characteristics under low flow conditions, and allows a large range of geometries for the same size valve.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic, self propelled lawn mower that references its position within a cutting area using electronically stored path and terrain information as a primary navigation system, senses a non magnetic, non-current carrying metallic guide path as a secondary navigation system, senses underground metallic references for use as position reference points as a further navigation system, incorporates an ultrasonic obstacle detection system to stop the vehicle if unexpected obstacles are encountered. The vehicle further includes a cow-catcher front bumper arrangement to divert small objects away from the cutting blades, contains bumper switches to shut off the vehicle upon contact with large objects, contains an inclinometer sensor to halt the vehicle during unexpected tilting, incorporates a radio communications link to notify an off-board monitoring system of problems, contains an on-board power generation system using an internal combustion engine, generator, and a battery arrangement.

Abstract: An aquarium filter is disclosed that provides an overflow window for indicating a blocked filter cartridge. The filter cartridge extends across the full width of the filter box and includes an overflow weir, or lip. The overflow weir forms part of the filter structure and controls the flow of water when the filter cartridge is blocked. Since the filter cartridge extends across the width of the filter box, the size of the filter for a given flow rate is reduced. The filter provides the feature of overflow indication in a more compact and efficient structure than otherwise possible.

Abstract: A tonometer for measuring the intra-ocular pressure of an eye in which a pulse of fluid is projected towards the cornea of the eye to distort the corneal surface by the pressure of the pulse, the distortion in the corneal surface being detected by a change in the reflection of light directed onto the cornea. A constant volume chamber forms part of the fluid delivery system, with an inlet by which fluid under pressure can be supplied to the chamber when a fluid pulse is required. A lens assembly is fixed in the chamber wall for directing light toward an eye under test and a tube extends coaxially through the lens assembly to protrude internally into the chamber, where it is closed off at the end but includes a plurality of apertures in the internally protruding wall section to permit the controlled passage of fluid from the chamber into the tube.

Abstract: A tonometer is described for measuring the intra-ocular pressure of an eye in which a pulse of fluid is projected towards the cornea of the eye to distort the corneal surface by the pressure of the pulse, the distortion in the corneal surface being detected by a change in the reflection of light directed onto the cornea. A fluid delivery system (36, 44, 48) leads to an outlet through which the fluid pulse is applied to the cornea, and a branch (54) leads to a pressure measuring chamber (52), containing a transducer (170) which produces an electrical signal whose value depends on the pressure in the branch. A flow restrictor is removably fitted in the branch (54) and signal processing means (176, 178, 180) (the gain and rise time of which are adjustable by (182) or (186)), is supplied with the output from the transducer. Adjustment of 182, and 186 enable the electrical signal output of the processing means to be adjusted, for calibration.

Abstract: A tonometer which comprises a casing adapted to be hand-held, said casing including an optical system (10 to 26) for forming a viewable image of the cornea of the eye (28), optical detecting means (32, 34A, 34B) for determining when the tonometer, which is by hand slowly moved around, is axially aligned with the cornea, means (40 to 58) for firing a controlled puff of air on to the cornea when a condition of stabilized alignment is determined, and circuitry responsive to the outputs of the optical detecting means for determining when a change in image contrast occurs due to applanation of the cornea, said puff firing means and said circuitry being adapted to measure the pressure at the eye when applanation is detected. The tonometer may take the form of a portable system in which at least some of the components are contained in a hand-held unit (100). Alternatively the tonometer may be bench-mounted.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis comprising an annular support frame for a plurality of flexible tissue valve components. The support frame has a plurality of spaced posts defining openings therebetween to permit a portion of each valve element to flex from an open position to a closed position. An annular sleeve, concentric with said support frame, is adapted to clamp a non-flexing portion of each valve element in operative position between the support frame and said sleeve.

Abstract: A feedstuff component for pigs contains one or more polyhydric alcohols in an amount to provide from 0.01 to 5% wt of polyhydric alcohol by weight of total feed. Preferred polyhydric alcohols are sugar alcohols, particuarly sorbital.The invention includes a method of feeding pigs by including 0.01 to 5% wt of one or more polydrdric alcohols in their diet. The polyhydric alcohol improves the pig's growth rate, particuarly with high lipid diets, and acts primarily of male pigs.

Abstract: A rearing unit, suitable for piglets, has a heated nest box with openable roof, a pen in communication with the nest box having a perforated floor, a liquid feeding device in the pen having one or more artificial nipples and a solids feed device.The nest box temperature may be thermostatically controlled by a sensor below a perforated floor of the nest box.The unit may be constructed from a slotted framework and boards, the boards being sealed in the slots by an adhesive or inert water-repellant sealant.The unit may house very young piglets up to a weight of from 5 to 8 kg. At that weight, they may then be transferred to a similar unit with a larger nest box until they weigh from 10 to 15 kg.