Abstract: In one embodiment, a neurostimulation lead for stimulating neural tissue of a patient, comprises: a lead body of insulative material; a plurality of electrodes; a plurality of terminals; a plurality of conductors, wherein the plurality of electrodes are electrically coupled to the plurality of terminals through the plurality of conductors; wherein the plurality of conductors are disposed in a helical manner in a repeating pattern of groups of conductors separated by gaps along a substantial length of the lead body, each gap being larger than an inter-conductor pitch within the groups of conductors; wherein the insulative material is a compliant material permitting elongation of the lead at low stretching forces and the insulative material of the lead body is fused through a substantial volume of the lead body and along a substantial length of the lead body.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a stimulation lead comprises: providing a central insulator member; helically wrapping a plurality of conductors about the member, by arranging the plurality of conductor wires in groups with an inter-group spacing that is larger than an inter-conductor spacing within each group; providing an outer insulator layer to form an intermediate lead body assembly; forming a lead body by heating polymer material of the intermediate lead body assembly to cause insulative material of the lead body to form a solid, fused cylindrical body about the plurality of conductors, which comprise a first conductor, a last conductor, and inner conductors between the first and last conductor, wherein the first and last conductor comprise respective helix diameters that are smaller than the helix diameters of the inner conductors; and forming a plurality of electrodes and terminals on the lead body that are electrically connected through the plurality of conductors.

Abstract: A multi-pulse rocket is equipped with a thermally insulating barrier that serves as a rupture disk or a movable plug or plate separating staged propellant grains. When a rupture disk it used, the disk can be equipped with a pyrotechnic actuator to weaken the disk upon command, enabling the propellant grain on the fore side of the disk to burst the disk at a relatively low pressure when ignition of the propellant grain is needed for additional thrust. Rupturing of the disk can also be controlled by attitude maneuvering ports on the fore side of the barrier whose open or closed conditions are controlled by independently operable closures. When a movable plug is used, the plug is movable between a closed position separating rocket chamber into subchambers isolating the propellant grains from each other and an open position allowing the flow of combustion gas between the two subchambers to achieve additional axial thrust.

Abstract: A multi-pulse rocket is equipped with a thermally insulating barrier that serves as a rupture disk or a movable plug or plate separating staged propellant grains. When a rupture disk it used, the disk can be equipped with a pyrotechnic actuator to weaken the disk upon command, enabling the propellant grain on the fore side of the disk to burst the disk at a relatively low pressure when ignition of the propellant grain is needed for additional thrust. Rupturing of the disk can also be controlled by attitude maneuvering ports on the fore side of the barrier whose open or closed conditions are controlled by independently operable closures. When a movable plug is used, the plug is movable between a closed position separating rocket chamber into subchambers isolating the propellant grains from each other and an open position allowing the flow of combustion gas between the two subchambers to achieve additional axial thrust.

Abstract: A system for processing a record identifying a liability of a financially responsible party includes an acquisition processor for acquiring a record identifying a portion of a charge related to a service provided to a particular customer by a service provider organization. A data processor identifies a party financially responsible for the charge portion and identifies an account type associated with the charge portion using predetermined rules. The data processor also determines whether an account of the identified type exists for the identified financially responsible party. The data processor also initiates creation of an account of the identified type in response to a determination that an account of that type does not exist. A record processor associates the acquired record with the account of the identified type.

Abstract: A multi-level output inflator for inflating an airbag in the event of a vehicle crash, comprising a housing, a wall section disposed in the housing to define separate primary and secondary combustion chambers therein. A primary initiator and primary propellant are disposed within the primary combustion chamber, and a secondary initiator and secondary propellant are disposed with the secondary combustion chamber. The housing comprises a primary nozzle in communication with the primary combustion chamber, and a secondary nozzle in communication with the secondary combustion chamber. The primary and secondary initiators may be fired separately, simultaneously, or in a timed sequence to inflate the air bag at different rates and levels depending on the nature of the vehicle crash. A method of assembling the components of the inflator is also described and covered.

Abstract: In order to fill an inflatable safety restraint device such as an air bag, a relatively small pyrotechnic charge is used to pressurize a chamber of water or other suitable liquid and force the liquid out of the chamber and through a conduit in a manner wherein it is caused to intimately mix and atomize in a high speed stream of gas resulting from the combustion of the pyrotechnic charge. The heat of the combustion gas is absorbed by the liquid which is then converted into a large volume. The vaporized liquid and combustion gas is used to inflate the air bag with an essentially non-toxic, low temperature, low particulate atmosphere. The resulting combustion gas and liquid mixture may also be used to extinguish a fire.

Abstract: A variable output inflator (20) for use in inflating an air bag or air cushion comprising: a pressure vessel (22) comprising a thin walled toroidal pressure vessel portion (23) and a cylindrical pressure vessel portion (60) circumscribed by, in physical contact and in fluid communication with the toroidal pressure vessel portion, the cylindrical pressure vessel portion including a rupturable disk (74) and at least one exit port (78) communicable with an air bag; a pyrotechnic member (200a,b) for heating stored inflation gas within the pressure vessel to a pressure level to rupture the rupturable disk, allowing heated inflation gas to exit and fill an adjacently attached air bag.

Abstract: A process for improving the flowability of compositions containing ODS is disclosed which includes employing the salt of ODS in intimate admixture with a nonionic glycolipid surfactant as the major ODS containing constituent of the composition.