Abstract: A defibrillator electrocardiogram (ECG) interpreter for indicating whether to treat a patient with a defibrillator. A sequence of digitized samples from a patient's ECG is periodically tested to identify asystole, noise, no-treat and treat conditions. A single result then is stored for each period. The treat result occurs when a patient is experiencing ventricular fibrillation or high rate ventricular tachycardia. The current result and up to two of the results corresponding to immediately previous ECG sample periods are then compared to derive a system output. In an automatic defibrillator embodiment, the system output causes defibrillation automatically for a treat output. In a semiautomatic defibrillator embodiment, the system output causes a message to be presented to an operator. The operator then makes the decision whether to defibrillate based upon the system output.

Abstract: An oil level sensor includes a sensor body adapted to be mounted to the block or casing of an oil-containing reservoir. A probe including a pair of electrodes forming a capacitor extends from the sensor body so that the capacitor will be at least partially immersed in the oil to detect the level thereof. At least one of the electrodes is insulated so that the apparent capacitance of the capacitor is relatively insensitive to any change in the conductivity of the oil at high temperatures. Circuitry is provided in response to the capacitance of the capacitor for signalling the level of the oil, which capacitance is a function of the oil level. The sensor body is mounted to the block by external threads on the probe. The electrodes of the probe extend proximally past the threads to provide an increased capacitance for the sensor. The electrodes of the probe are concentric and the inner electrode is supported at both ends to reduce fatigue.

Abstract: An automatic control system for articulated vehicles including leading and trailing wheeled supports each having steerable wheels and each pivotally connected to, and supporting, a center frame, and where the leading support may be manually controlled; wherein: (i) a parameter indicative of distance traveled by the vehicle is continuously measured; (ii) the leading angle .alpha..sub.1 between the longitudinal centerlines of the lead support and the frame is continuously measured and averaged over time and as a function of distance traveled to produce a delayed first signal representative of the time average of the leading angle .alpha..sub.1 ; (iii) the trailing angle .alpha..sub.2 between the longitudinal centerlines of the trailing support and the frame is measured to produce a signal representative of the trailing angle .alpha..sub.2 ; (iv) the delayed first signal is compared with the second signal to produce a third signal representative of the angular difference between the trailing angle .alpha..sub.