Abstract: A tar condenser device and method, for use with a smoking pipe. The device having an upper chamber configured to hold smoking material while cylindrical in form, with a non-filtering, smoking material supporting screen, integrally disposed at a lower section of the upper chamber. A lower chamber is integrally coupled to the upper chamber configured to collect smoke drawn from combusted smoking material in the upper chamber, and an upper end of the lower chamber has a diameter matching a bottom diameter of the upper chamber, with a narrowing downward taper. A side of the lower chamber has a smoke exit port and a bottom of the lower chamber is closed. Discrete condensing media disposed in the lower chamber, wherein tar from passing smoke is condensed onto the condensing media.

Abstract: Pipes, hookahs and bongs have long been used to smoke tobacco and other combustible materials. The combustion chamber or bowl is a feature of all smoking apparatus's and is where the chosen material to be smoked is inserted. The combustion chamber or bowl is a permanent feature which necessitates cleaning the bowl from time to time to remove burned debris and tar. The present invention introduces a disposable combustion chamber or bowl liner which includes means to enhance tar condensation and collection in a disposable member to simplify cleaning of the chosen smoking apparatus after use and a pipe of the preferred embodiment to be used in combination with the disposable liner is also disclosed.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a vehicle door, the handle assembly comprising a fixed base portion attachable to a vehicle door, the fixed base portion having disposed therein a key cylinder forming part of a latch assembly for the vehicle door, at least the keyway of which key cylinder is exposed through an opening in the fixed base portion. A movable grab-handle portion is attachable to the vehicle door and movable relative to the fixed base portion. A push-push latch mechanism is disposed in the fixed base portion. A cover is pivotally connected to the fixed base portion. The cover is manually pivotally movable between a first, opened position in which the key cylinder is exposed and a second, closed position, in which the key cylinder is concealed beneath the cover. The cover is engageable with the push-push latch mechanism in the second, closed position thereof to secure the cover in the second, closed position.

Abstract: A therapeutic pressure system includes a sealed actuator housing containing an electrolyte and one or more polymer actuators that actuate via movement of electrolyte components into, out of around or within the polymer matrix of the polymer actuators. The system also includes an actuator support structure for the polymer actuators, working and counter electrodes in working contact with the actuators, circuitry for connecting the electrodes to a power source, and a controller between the power source and the electrodes to control the electrical current to the electrodes. The system is particularly useful for use in a hospital bed.

Abstract: A vehicular door handle assembly comprises a secondary latch with a default active condition for preventing inadvertent opening of a door during an impact, such as a collision. The door handle assembly comprises a primary actuator and a secondary actuator in operative communication with the secondary latch for selective deactivation thereof. When the user's hand grasps and pulls the primary actuator in a normal fashion to open the vehicle door, the user's hand simultaneously grasps the secondary actuator and moves the secondary actuator to deactivate the secondary latch and allow movement of the primary actuator and thereby open the vehicular door.

Abstract: A vehicular door handle assembly comprises a secondary latch with a default active condition for preventing inadvertent opening of a door during an impact, such as a collision. The door handle assembly comprises a primary actuator and a secondary actuator in operative communication with the secondary latch for selective deactivation thereof. When the user's hand grasps and pulls the primary actuator in a normal fashion to open the vehicle door, the user's hand simultaneously grasps the secondary actuator and moves the secondary actuator to deactivate the secondary latch and allow movement of the primary actuator and thereby open the vehicular door.

Abstract: A vehicular door handle assembly comprises a secondary latch with a default active condition for preventing inadvertent opening of a door during an impact, such as a collision. The door handle assembly comprises a primary actuator and a secondary actuator in operative communication with the secondary latch for selective deactivation thereof. When the user's hand grasps and pulls the primary actuator in a normal fashion to open the vehicle door, the user's hand simultaneously grasps the secondary actuator and moves the secondary actuator to deactivate the secondary latch and allow movement of the primary actuator and thereby open the vehicular door.

Abstract: A vehicular door handle assembly comprises a secondary latch with a default active condition for preventing inadvertent opening of a door during an impact, such as a collision. The door handle assembly comprises a primary actuator and a secondary actuator in operative communication with the secondary latch for selective deactivation thereof. When the user's hand grasps and pulls the primary actuator in a normal fashion to open the vehicle door, the user's hand simultaneously grasps the secondary actuator and moves the secondary actuator to deactivate the secondary latch and allow movement of the primary actuator and thereby open the vehicular door.

Abstract: A vehicular door handle assembly comprises a secondary latch with a default active condition for preventing inadvertent opening of a door during an impact, such as a collision. The door handle assembly comprises a primary actuator and a secondary actuator in operative communication with the secondary latch for selective deactivation thereof. When the user's hand grasps and pulls the primary actuator in a normal fashion to open the vehicle door, the user's hand simultaneously grasps the secondary actuator and moves the secondary actuator to deactivate the secondary latch and allow movement of the primary actuator and thereby open the vehicular door.

Abstract: A vehicular door handle assembly comprises a secondary latch with a default active condition for preventing inadvertent opening of a door during an impact, such as a collision. The door handle assembly comprises a primary actuator and a secondary actuator in operative communication with the secondary latch for selective deactivation thereof. When the user's hand grasps and pulls the primary actuator in a normal fashion to open the vehicle door, the user's hand simultaneously grasps the secondary actuator and moves the secondary actuator to deactivate the secondary latch and allow movement of the primary actuator and thereby open the vehicular door.

Abstract: A vehicular door handle assembly comprises a secondary latch with a default active condition for preventing inadvertent movement of the door handle assembly during an impact, such as a collision. The door handle assembly comprises a primary actuator and a secondary actuator in operative communication with the secondary latch for selective deactivation thereof. When the user's hand grasps and pulls the primary actuator in a normal fashion to open the vehicle door, the user's hand simultaneously grasps the secondary actuator and moves the secondary actuator to deactivate the secondary latch and allow movement of the primary actuator and thereby open the vehicular door.

Abstract: A vehicular door handle assembly comprises a secondary latch with a default active condition for preventing inadvertent opening of a door during an impact, such as a collision. The door handle assembly comprises a primary actuator and a secondary actuator in operative communication with the secondary latch for selective deactivation thereof. When the user's hand grasps and pulls the primary actuator in a normal fashion to open the vehicle door, the user's hand simultaneously grasps the secondary actuator and moves the secondary actuator to deactivate the secondary latch and allow movement of the primary actuator and thereby open the vehicular door.

Abstract: A vehicular door handle assembly comprises a secondary latch with a default active condition for preventing inadvertent movement of the door handle assembly during an impact, such as a collision. The door handle assembly comprises a primary actuator and a secondary actuator in operative communication with the secondary latch for selective deactivation thereof. When the user's hand grasps and pulls the primary actuator in a normal fashion to open the vehicle door, the user's hand simultaneously grasps the secondary actuator and moves the secondary actuator to deactivate the secondary latch and allow movement of the primary actuator and thereby open the vehicular door.

Abstract: A disposable infusion apparatus includes proximal, distal and intermediate segments of IV tubing connected via couplings. The intermediate segment has a length sufficient for operative engagement with a pumping member of a peristaltic pump throughout a pumping stroke thereof. The intermediate segment further has a maximum Durometer of seventy-five on the Shore A scale. The pumping member includes a plurality of fingers mounted in side-by-side substantially parallel relationship for individual reciprocation. Motor driven cams individually reciprocate respective ones of the fingers in a predetermined timed sequence so that when the linearly disposed intermediate segment is squeezed by the fingers, intravenous fluid in the tubing will be pumped therethrough. The disposable apparatus further includes a door connected to opposite ends of the intermediate segment and which is releaseably loadable in a case to place the intermediate segment into operative engagement with the pumping member.

Abstract: A luminometer for analyzing genetic or non-genetic maaterial comprises an optical chamber for receiving and holding a vial of the sample material in a dark environment. A pumping system mounted in the luminometer pumps reagents into the vial to cause the sample material to luminesce, and a sensor is positioned in the dark environment relative to the vial to detect the luminescence. Instantaneous intensities of the luminescence are sequentially sampled at set intervals of time during a preselected time period and summed by a microprocessor to generate a signal that is descriptive of the constituents of the sample.

Abstract: A programmable infusion system includes a disposable IV tubing apparatus for conveying intravenous fluid from a source to a patient. A compact, portable case has a receptacle for removably receiving a segment of the disposable apparatus. A peristaltic pump is mounted in the case for engaging the segment of the disposable apparatus and pumping intravenous fluid therethrough. A motor is mounted in the case and is connected for driving the pump upon energization thereof. A bar code reader is mounted in an edge portion of the case for sensing a bar code label attached to the source of intravenous fluid, such as a bag. The bar code label represents the prescribed fluid delivery parameters. These are read and displayed in alphanumeric form by the system when the edge portion of the case containing the bar code reader is passed over the label.