Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for forming meltblown material with a die assembly. The die may further include a die tip and a heating element positioned relative to the die tip apex to maintain the polymer material extruded from the die tip in a molten state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for forming meltblown material with a die assembly. The die may further include a die tip and a heating element positioned relative to the die tip apex to maintain the polymer material extruded from the die tip in a molten state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus, including a die, for forming meltblown material. The die may further include a die tip and a heating element positioned proximate to the die tip to maintain the polymer material extruded from the die tip in a molten state.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydrodisintegratable material which, when injection molded into an object, acquires and maintains the desired shape without becoming brittle. Additionally, in the presence of water, the molded object has the ability to rapidly disintegrate and disperse when subjected to standardized agitation testing. The moldable material typically includes: (1) from about 7.5 to about 85 weight percent of at least one water dispersible polymer; (2) from about 7.

Abstract: A handle assembly is provided for a generally cylindrical compressed air tank having a longitudinal axis. The assembly includes a substantially annular mounting piece having an outer perimeter and an opening formed therein for receiving an axial section of the air tank. The mounting piece is releasably fastened to the received section of the air tank, and a handle that is disposed entirely within the outer perimeter of the annular portion is attached to the mounting piece to facilitate manipulation of the tank.

Abstract: A telemetry system for communicating with a tank circuit contained in a pacer implanted in a patient includes a telemetry coil and a capacitor connected to the telemetry coil for forming a resonant tank. The telemetry coil is positionable externally on the patient's skin substantially overlying the implanted pacer. The resonant tank has a varying impedance in response to telemetered digital data signals from the implanted tank circuit. A clock oscillator generates a squarewave at a selected frequency. A delayed clock-to-pulse converter is responsive to the squarewave for generating drive pulses which are slightly delayed from the leading edges of the squarewave. A coil driver generates a sinusoidal carrier waveform having a varying amplitude and frequency in response to the drive pulses and to the varying impedance of the resonant tank. A sample and hold circuit is provided for sampling each cycle of the sinusoidal carrier waveform of the varying amplitude and frequency to provide a sample and hold signal.

Abstract: A telemetry system for communicating with a tank circuit contained in a pacer implanted in a patient includes a telemetry coil and a capacitor connected to the telemetry coil for forming a resonant tank. The telemetry coil is positionable externally on the patient's skin substantially overlying the implanted pacer. The resonant tank has a varying inpedance in response to telemetered data signals from the implanted tank circuit. A clock oscillator generates drive current pulses at a selected frequency to be applied to the resonant tank. A switching transistor generates a pulse waveform having a varying amplitude and frequency in response to the drive current pulses and to the varyng impedance of the resonant tank. A pair of sample and hold circuits are connected in series to function as a clocked filter for sampling the pulse waveform of a varying amplitude and frequency to provide a sample and hold signal.

Abstract: A system is provided for communicating with a tank circuit that is implanted in a patient. The system comprises a telemetry circuit including an oscillator enclosed within a housing. An inductor coil is located outside of the housing for positioning externally on the patient in proximity to the implanted tank circuit. The inductor coil is connected to the telemetry circuit by electrical wiring, with the inductor coil being operative to form at least a portion of a resonant tank for the oscillator.

Abstract: A telemetry system is provided for communicating with an implanted pacer. A patient's coil is positioned on the patient substantially overlying the implanted pacer. An FM oscillator generates a waveform which varies in frequency and amplitude in response to the telemetry signals from the implanted pacer. The varying frequency generated by the oscillator may be utilized to determine the proximity of the patient's coil with respect to the implanted pacer. An analog signal is generated that has a parameter which varies in inverse proportion to the proximity of the coil to the pacer. The varying waveform generated by the oscillator may also be used to reconstruct telemetry signals that are generated by a tank circuit that is contained in the pacer. An automatic gain control circuit is used to provide a corrected gain notwithstanding the position of the patient's coil with respect to the implant.