Abstract: A track-guided power door operator used to simultaneously open a set of opposing hinged doors is disclosed. The door operator comprises a pair of articulated arm linkages, each pair of which is pivotally mounted at one end to a vertically oriented pivot pin at one end of a guide member and pivotally connected at the other end to a vertically oriented pivot pin of a yoke member of a translating carriage, which is engaged by a horizontal lead screw. Translation of the carriage member due to rotation of the lead screw causes lateral separation between the knuckles of the articulated arm pairs to cause doors contacted by the knuckles to rotate about their respective hinges. The door operator may include a control unit to control operation of the doors. The operator may further include magnetic latches to lock the doors closed.

Abstract: A lever driven bicycle with synchronous drive ratio control is disclosed. The lever driven bicycle may include a pair of drive levers pivotable around an axis. The lever driven bicycle may also include a force applicator connected to each drive lever, each force applicator configured to receive an application of a force to rotate a drive wheel. The lever driven bicycle may further include a control mechanism connected to the pair of drive levers, the control mechanism configured to synchronously adjust a drive ratio of each drive lever.

Abstract: A track-guided power door operator used to simultaneously open a set of opposing hinged doors is disclosed. The door operator comprises a pair of articulated arm linkages, each pair of which is pivotally mounted at One end to a vertically oriented pivot pin at one end of a guide member and pivotally connected at the other end to a vertically oriented pivot pin of a yoke member of a translating carriage, which is engaged by a horizontal lead screw. Translation of the carriage member due to rotation of the lead screw causes lateral separation between the knuckles of the articulated arm pairs to cause doors contacted by the knuckles to rotate about their respective hinges. The door operator may include a control unit to control operation of the doors. The operator may further include magnetic latches to lock the doors closed.

Abstract: A lever driven bicycle with synchronous drive ratio control is disclosed. The lever driven bicycle may include a pair of drive levers pivotable around an axis. The lever driven bicycle may also include a force applicator connected to each drive lever, each force applicator configured to receive an application of a force to rotate a drive wheel. The lever driven bicycle may further include a control mechanism connected to the pair of drive levers, the control mechanism configured to synchronously adjust a drive ratio of each drive lever.

Abstract: A linear translation thrust system for moving an object from one location to another that includes at least two platforms and pivotally connected members. The distance between one platform and the second is varied by inflating and deflating an inflatable bladder. The linear translation thrust system may also include a conduit for coupling the exhaust system of a vehicle to the interior of the bladder so that the exhaust pressure of the vehicle inflates the bladder.

Abstract: A linear translation thrust system for moving an object from one location to another that includes at least two platforms and pivotally connected members. The distance between one platform and the second is varied by inflating and deflating an inflatable bladder. The linear translation thrust system may also include a conduit for coupling the exhaust system of a vehicle to the interior of the bladder so that the exhaust pressure of the vehicle inflates the bladder.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for cutting a bone including a cutting assembly having a cutting blade, a cutting guide for guiding the shape of the cut in the bone, and a power source for powering the cutting blade. The cutting blade is moveable radially to vary the depth of the cut in the bone, and the cutting blade is capable of cutting around the circumference of the bone as well as in a longitudinal direction along the bone. A powered bone breaking device for completing the breaking of the weakened bone is also disclosed. A miniaturized version of the bone cutting apparatus can be used to cut out sections of a femur head from inside a femur body.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for cutting a bone including a cutting assembly having a cutting blade, a cutting guide for guiding the shape of the cut in the bone, and a power source for powering the cutting blade. The cutting blade is moveable radially to vary the depth of the cut in the bone, and the cutting blade is capable of cutting around the circumference of the bone as well as in a longitudinal direction along the bone. A powered bone breaking device for completing the breaking of the weakened bone is also disclosed. A miniaturized version of the bone cutting apparatus can be used to cut out sections of a femur head from inside a femur body.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for cutting a bone including a cutting assembly having a cutting blade, a cutting guide for guiding the shape of the cut in the bone, and a power source for powering the cutting blade. The cutting blade is moveable radially to vary the depth of the cut in the bone, and the cutting blade is capable of cutting around the circumference of the bone as well as in a longitudinal direction along the bone. A powered bone breaking device for completing the breaking of the weakened bone is also disclosed. A miniaturized version of the bone cutting apparatus can be used to cut out sections of a femur head from inside a femur body.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for cutting a bone including a cutting assembly having a cutting blade, a cutting guide for guiding the shape of the cut in the bone, and a power source for powering the cutting blade. The cutting blade is moveable radially to vary the depth of the cut in the bone, and the cutting blade is capable of cutting around the circumference of the bone as well as in a longitudinal direction along the bone. A powered bone breaking device for completing the breaking of the weakened bone is also disclosed. A miniaturized version of the bone cutting apparatus can be used to cut out sections of a femur head from inside a femur body.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for cutting a bone including a cutting assembly having a cutting blade, a cutting guide for guiding the shape of the cut in the bone, and a power source for powering the cutting blade. The cutting blade is moveable radially to vary the depth of the cut in the bone, and the cutting blade is capable of cutting around the circumference of the bone as well as in a longitudinal direction along the bone. A powered bone breaking device for completing the breaking of the weakened bone is also disclosed. A miniaturized version of the bone cutting apparatus can be used to cut out sections of a femur head from inside a femur body.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for guiding a needle into a blood vessel of a patient. The apparatus is removably attached to a patient's arm, and uses the returns from transducer arrays to locate the blood vessel. The needle, positioned on the apparatus, is maneuvered in accordance with the transducer returns to ensure accurate penetration of the blood vessel.

Abstract: A seating arrangement comprising two seats mounted to a single support pole, each seat capable of being rotated about the support pole and stowed independently of the other. The seating arrangement may also include a single seat slidably and rotatably mounted to a support pole.

Abstract: A seating arrangement comprising two seats mounted to a single support pole, each seat capable of being rotated about the support pole and stowed independently of the other. The seating arrangement may also include a single seat slidably and rotatably mounted to a support pole. In one embodiment, the seat may changed from the stowed to the in-use position, or vice versa, by rotating the seat about the support pole, without requiring any upward or downward movement of the seats.

Abstract: A seating arrangement comprising two seats mounted to a single support pole, each seat capable of being rotated about the support pole and stowed independently of the other. The seating arrangement may also include a single seat slidably and rotatably mounted to a support pole.

Abstract: The seating arrangement of the present invention comprises a series of hingedly connected rigid platforms with a series of folding seats affixed to selected platforms. Beneath each series of folding seats are a series of hingedly connected folding panels connected to front and rear support frames. When collapsing the seating arrangement for storage, the seats are folded to their closed position and the folding panels fold inwardly, pulling the front and rear frames towards each other. The folding panels may be simultaneously folded by utilizing a member connecting one or more of these folding panels. Additionally, means may be provided for facilitating the collapsing of the seating arrangement from its use position to its compact, folded configuration.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved lever driven bicycle including a shifting mechanism for controlling a drive ratio between the oscillating lever and the drive wheel. The drive lever arrangement may be located about the front or rear wheels of the bicycle and, when about the rear wheel, may include a sole lever or dual levers. The drive lever arrangement includes a drive lever, a force applicator, a shifting mechanism, and a force converter which together transform the oscillating displacement of the lever to a rotation of the drive wheel. The shifting mechanism includes a slide block located about the lever which engages with the drive lever upon downward motion of the drive lever and controllably slides along the drive lever upon upward motion of the drive lever. The position of the slide block corresponds to a drive ratio between the drive lever and the drive wheel.

Abstract: A method for determining muscle strength of elements of the musculature used in speech and swallowing. In particular, a tool is equipped with at least one pressure sensor. A person inserts the tool into the person's mouth and utters sounds of speech or swallows. While uttering sounds of speech or swallowing, portions of the oral musculature contact and exert force on the sensor. A representation of this force is displayed at a visual display device as an indication of muscle strength and position.

Abstract: A bone lengthening mechanism is placed into a bone which is then lengthened by extending the mechanism. The mechanism is extended by effecting a rotational movement in a drive bolt which mates with a threaded portion in a section of the mechanism. The threads convert the rotational movement to a longitudinal force thereby lengthening the bone.

Abstract: An apparatus for sampling blood which includes a deformable housing defining a chamber that retains liquid. The housing has a pierceable membrane. The apparatus also includes a resilient piercer member that is adjacent the wall of a chamber and adapted to puncture the pierceable membrane. A removable layer that covers at least a portion of the pierceable membrane. Depression of the deformable housing proximate the piercer member urges the piercer member to puncture the pierceable membrane. The piercer member thereby forms an opening, allowing liquid to be drawn through the opening and into the chamber. Thereafter, the piercer member returns into the deformable housing.