Abstract: An apparatus and process for supplying low pressure oxygen-enriched gas to a patient and at a moderate pressure to a radial compressor, whereupon it is compressed and fed to a high pressure storage tank. The oxygen-enriched gas is prioritized so that it is continuously supplied via a patient flow line to the patient.

Abstract: A system and method for driving an electric vehicle is provided. The system has, for example, a power source generating a voltage, a voltage converter, a control system, and one or more motors for driving or propelling the vehicle. The voltage converter is configured to accept an input voltage and generate an output voltage, which is different from the input voltage. The power source provides the input voltage to the voltage converter. A switch is further provided to switch the delivery of power to the control system between a power source voltage and an increased voltage derived from the voltage converter.

Abstract: An electric motor drive controller for an electric vehicle driven by a motor with permanent excitation and powered by an energy source comprises: a power control stage coupleable to the motor for generating a drive signal at a voltage to control the motor at a desired speed; a voltage control circuit connectable between the energy source and the power control stage for controlling the voltage of the drive signal at a first voltage potential in one operating mode and at a voltage potential greater than the first voltage potential in another operating mode; and a mode controller for controlling the operating modes of the voltage control circuit based on properties of the drive signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for supplying low pressure oxygen-enriched gas to a patient and at a moderate pressure to a radial compressor, whereupon it is compressed and fed to a high pressure storage tank. The oxygen-enriched gas is prioritized so that it is continuously supplied via a patient flow line to the patient.

Abstract: A method of filling a portable tank with compressed oxygen-enriched gas includes the steps of providing a coupling such that when a portable tank is connected with the coupling oxygen-enriched gas can flow through the coupling into the portable tank; directing oxygen-enriched gas from an oxygen concentrator to a compressor; compressing the oxygen-enriched gas in the compressor; directing compressed oxygen-enriched gas from the compressor to a reservoir; storing the compressed oxygen-enriched gas in the reservoir; and thereafter directing stored oxygen-enriched gas from the reservoir to the coupling to enable filling of a portable tank with compressed oxygen-enriched gas from the reservoir.

Abstract: A scooter has a steering mechanism linked to a front wheel and a plurality of rear wheels whereby an angular change in the steering mechanism is translated into an angular change in the front wheel and the rear wheels. The direction of the angular change may be different for the front wheel as compared to the rear wheels. The steering mechanism may optionally include a plurality of linkages, a plurality of Ackermann linkages, a pulley mechanism, a push-pull cable, a torque tube and a crank. The scooter may be powered by one or more motors coupled to one or more of the wheels.

Abstract: A scooter has at least two drive wheels which are placed in alignment with or forward a location on the scooter defined by the approximate location of the head and shoulders of a user of the scooter. The scooter may optionally have a plurality of pivot arms and pivot arm casters extending rearward of the scooter's frame for facilitating rearward stability of the scooter. The scooter may be powered by one or more motors coupled to one or more of the wheels.

Abstract: A wheelchair having a speed and direction control touchpad. The touchpad comprises two separated semi-conductive film layers, one measuring an X coordinate and one measuring a Y coordinate. When pressure is applied to the layers bringing them into contact with each other, an X, Y coordinate location is produced and the wheelchair is moved in a direction and speed analagous to the location of the pressure applied to the touchpad. A change in location of the pressure will result in a corresponding change in direction and speed. The touchpad also has a neutral or no movement activation point.

Abstract: A motorized wheelchair is advantageously provided with a rate-of-turn feedback sensor and with forward/reverse motion, lateral motion, and vertical motion acceleration feedback sensors that are integrated into a closed-loop wheelchair servo control system to differentially control the rotational speed of wheelchair opposed motor-driven wheels and thereby obtain improved wheelchair motion stability through reduction/elimination of likely wheelchair spin-out and wheelchair tipping during wheelchair operation.

Abstract: An electric motor drive controller for an electric vehicle driven by a motor with permanent excitation and powered by an energy source comprises: a power control stage coupleable to the motor for generating a drive signal at a voltage to control the motor at a desired speed; a voltage control circuit connectable between the energy source and the power control stage for controlling the voltage of the drive signal at a first voltage potential in one operating mode and at a voltage potential greater than the first voltage potential in another operating mode; and a mode controller for controlling the operating modes of the voltage control circuit based on properties of the drive signal.

Abstract: A system and method of providing bi-level CPAP therapy is provided that incorporates an infrared carbon-dioxide sensor to determine whether a patient is inhaling or exhaling. Patient exhalation causes the infrared light to be absorbed, while patient inhalation reduces the presence of carbon-dioxide causes little or no absorption of carbon-dioxide. The level of carbon-dioxide in an associated patient breathing interface is monitored for thresholds that trigger higher CPAP pressure upon inhalation and lower CPAP pressure upon exhalation.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for supplying low pressure oxygen-enriched gas to a patient and at a moderate pressure to a radial compressor, whereupon it is compressed and fed to a high pressure storage tank. The oxygen-enriched gas is prioritized so that it is continuously supplied via a patient flow line to the patient.

Abstract: A motorized wheelchair is advantageously provided with a rate-of-turn feedback sensor and with forward/reverse motion, lateral motion, and vertical motion acceleration feedback sensors that are integrated into a closed-loop wheelchair servo control system to differentially control the rotational speed of wheelchair opposed motor-driven wheels and thereby obtain improved wheelchair motion stability through reduction/elimination of likely wheelchair spin-out and wheelchair tipping during wheelchair operation.

Abstract: An oxygen concentrator is utilized in combination with a compressor to provide a highly enriched and compressed oxygen gas in a mobile container such as a gas cylinder. The combination and method of production provides for the facile preparation of an enriched source of oxygen for use by an ambulatory or wheelchair-confined patient. The oxygen concentrator utilizes two or more molecular sieves to provide a breathable gas of from approximately 80 to about 98 percent oxygen from atmospheric air. The oxygen-enriched gas is stored in a concentrator product tank and can be prioritized so as to supply a patient with a proper amount and concentration of oxygen and secondarily to supply any surplus or excess enriched oxygen to a compressor. The compressor utilizes multiple stages to produce the highly compressed oxygen-enriched gas and utilizes a two-part piston at low rpm to enhance low wear and low noise.

Abstract: A motorized wheelchair is advantageously provided with a rate-of-turn feedback sensor and with forward/reverse motion, lateral motion, and vertical motion acceleration feedback sensors that are integrated into a closed-loop wheelchair servo control system to differentially control the rotational speed of wheelchair opposed motor-driven wheels and thereby obtain improved wheelchair motion stability through reduction/elimination of likely wheelchair spin-out and wheelchair tipping during wheelchair operation.

Abstract: A motorized wheelchair is advantageously provided with a rate-of-turn feedback sensor and with forward/reverse motion, lateral motion, and vertical motion acceleration feedback sensors that are integrated into a closed-loop wheelchair servo control system to differentially control the rotational speed of wheelchair opposed motor-driven wheels and thereby obtain improved wheelchair motion stability through reduction/elimination of likely wheelchair spin-out and wheelchair tipping during wheelchair operation.

Abstract: A thin flexible heat transfer device for transferring heat from a heat source to a heat sink which may be located a substantial distance apart from each other. The heat transfer device includes a thin sheet of a non-structural, high thermal conductivity core material consisting of pyrolytic graphite or highly ordered pyrolytic graphite of a thickness between 2 microns and 2 mm and a pair of flexible face sheets each of a metallic composition having a maximum thickness of less than 25 mils disposed upon opposing surfaces of said core material to form a sandwich construction in cross section with the sheet of core material having a width smaller than the width of said face sheets such that the face sheets overlap the width of said core material around the perimeter of the device for enclosing and sealing the core material there within.

Abstract: An oxygen concentrator is utilized in combination with a compressor to provide a highly enriched and compressed oxygen gas in a mobile container such as a gas cylinder. The combination and method of production provides for the facile preparation of an enriched source of oxygen for use by an ambulatory or wheelchair-confined patient. The oxygen concentrator utilizes two or more molecular sieves to provide a breathable gas of from approximately 80 to about 98 percent oxygen from atmospheric air. The oxygen-enriched gas is stored in a concentrator product tank and can be prioritized so as to supply a patient with a proper amount and concentration of oxygen and secondarily to supply any surplus or excess enriched oxygen to a compressor. The compressor utilizes multiple stages to produce the highly compressed oxygen-enriched gas and utilizes a two-part piston at low rpm to enhance low wear and low noise.

Abstract: A patient support device, particularly a cane, includes a fifth leg that extends outwardly from a central portion of a base assembly at a region intermediate the first, second, third, and fourth legs. The fifth leg provides increased balance and stability for the user. Moreover, the base assembly includes a one-piece member constructed from a molded plastic composite material to reduce manufacturing costs. Additionally, the fifth leg is slightly recessed relative to the remaining four legs so that the patient's weight is evenly distributed to the perimeter of the support area defined by the base member.

Abstract: Provided is a powered wheelchair having the drive motors mounted to the driven wheels. The wheelchair includes a seat and first and second side frames extending in a parallel relationship to support opposite sides of the seat. First and second driven wheels are rotatably mounted on the first and second side frames through a fixed axle shaft. First and second drive motors are fixedly mounted on the first and second driven wheels, respectively, and are operatively connected by first and second drives to the first and second driven wheels, respectively. Rotation of the first and second drive motors causes rotation of the driven wheels. Control of the motors is provided by a remote control arrangement, the transmitter mounted to one of the side frames and the receiver mounted on the rotatably mounted wheels.