Abstract: A fiberoptic fluid pressure transducer system involving a thin flat diaphragm, fiberoptic elements, a tubular member having an opening of fixed dimensions on the side thereof, an L-shaped cantilevered beam and a remotely located electronic control unit. The cantilevered beam has one leg horizontally attached to a recessed ledge surrounding the opening such that a vertical leg extending from the horizontal leg, including a light reflector, extends into the opening. A diaphragm covers the opening and makes physical contact with the horizontal leg of the L-shaped beam. Pressure applied to the diaphragm flexes the horizontal leg of the beam which, in turn, causes a spatial displacement of the vertical leg with respect to the fiberoptic elements. The resulting change in reception of the reflected light is proportional to the pressure applied to the diaphragm or membrane. The sensitivity of the transducer can be altered and the system can have two or more levels of sensitivity over a range of pressure measurements.

Abstract: An arterial shunt is disclosed having means for indicating the flow of blood through the shunt. The shunt comprises a movable indicator element responsive to the flow of blood. Whether or not blood is flowing through the shunt may be quickly and easily ascertained by visual inspection of the indicator element through a transparent window. Alternatively, electromagnetic or optical means may be employed to measure the velocity of the movement of the indicator element which also allows the rate of blood flow through the shunt to be quantified.

Abstract: A device to protect against accidental exposure to the needle on a hypodermic syringe. A flexible tubular covering is attached to the syringe surrounding the needle and extending beyond the tip of the needle. A cap is mounted on the end of the tubular covering to enclose the needle tip. An orifice extends through the cap such that as the cap is retracted towards the syringe, the tubular covering is flexed allowing the needle to pass through the orifice in the cap.

Abstract: A temperature measuring system that utilizes an electronic control unit and a rod made of a first material with a first thermal coefficient of expansion, the rod being attached at one end within a tubular device made of a material having a second coefficient of expansion. A reflecting surface is on the outer end of the rod of first material. At least one optical fiber is associated with the tubular member and is located so as to create a gap between the optical fiber and the reflecting surface. The first and second materials are chosen based upon their respective coefficients of thermal expansion such that a change in temperature of both materials will cause the length of the gap to either increase or decrease, thereby causing a change in the amount of light that is reflected and detected by the optical fibers.

Abstract: A disc cleaning device is disclosed which includes a disc support platform mounted to rotate about a first axis. This platform is adapted to support a disc to be cleaned and to center the disc to be cleaned about the first axis. An annular cleaning surface is mounted to rotate about a second axis spaced from the first axis. This cleaning surface is positioned to contact a disc to be cleaned supported on the platform. The platform and the cleaning surface are rotated such that the cleaning surface rotates at twice the angular velocity of the platform. The cleaning surface defines an effective radius equal to the separation between the first and second axes. It has been discovered that this geometry and arrangement of velocities ensures that relative movement between the cleaning surface and the disc to be cleaned is oriented substantially radially with respect to the first axis in order to provide a substantially radially oriented cleaning of at least an annular portion of the disc to be cleaned.

Abstract: A film tension absorbing mechanism is provided on a motion picture projector for absorbing film tension shock in the film strip. The tension absorbing mechanism includes a first system comprising the combination of a pivotally mounted, biased film exit guide roller for absorbing a portion of the tension and a tension absorbing sprocket drive to permit relative movement between the film strip and the sprocket. The tension absorbing sprocket includes a sprocket wheel and a relatively movable sprocket tooth ring rotatably mounted for generally conjoint rotation. The sprocket tooth ring is biased in a direction opposite the rotation of the sprocket wheel so that film tension shock can be absorbed as the sprocket tooth ring rotates relative to the sprocket wheel in a direction against the biasing force. A second system also is provided and includes a bi-directional tension absorbing drive sprocket for absorbing film tension shock in two directions.