Abstract: An air conditioning system that is designed to be retroactively added to, and removed from, an existing aircraft, vehicle, boat or similar confined space. The air conditioning system includes a cooler module that is carried into a first compartment to circulate and cool the air. The cooler module contains a condenser, an evaporator and a compressor. A heat exchanger module is mounted into a vented second compartment. The heat exchanger is capable of exchanging heat with the ambient air. The heat exchanger module is connected to the cooler module with tubes that contain a heat exchanger fluid. In order for the tubes to pass through a compartment barrier, fluid couplings are mounted through the barrier. The tubes connect to the fluid couplings on either side of the barrier. A control unit is provided within the pressurized cabin and/or cockpit for controlling the operations of the cooler module.

Abstract: An air conditioning system that is designed to be retroactively added to, and removed from, an existing aircraft, vehicle, boat or similar confined space. The air conditioning system includes a cooler module that is carried into a first compartment to circulate and cool the air. The cooler module contains a condenser, an evaporator and a compressor. A heat exchanger module is mounted into a vented second compartment. The heat exchanger is capable of exchanging heat with the ambient air. The heat exchanger module is connected to the cooler module with tubes that contain a heat exchanger fluid. In order for the tubes to pass through a compartment barrier, fluid couplings are mounted through the barrier. The tubes connect to the fluid couplings on either side of the barrier. A control unit is provided within the pressurized cabin and/or cockpit for controlling the operations of the cooler module.

Abstract: A system and method of altering the air conditioning system in an aircraft so that the air conditioning system is electrically powered rather than engine powered. The aircraft is rid of the air conditioning components that are dedicated to the engine powered system. A new electric compressor, evaporator and condenser blower assembly are then installed. Heat exchanger units are installed in the areas of the aircraft that are to be cooled. The new air conditioning system has two circulatory loops. In a refrigerant loop, refrigerant is circulated between the electric compressor, evaporator and condenser. This cools the evaporator. The evaporator is then used to cool circulating liquid coolant. The coolant is circulated to the heat exchange units.

Abstract: An environmental control system for an aircraft. The environmental control system is powered by engine bleed air. A primary turbocharger is provided that includes a first turbine and a first compressor. The first turbine is powered by the engine bleed air. The first compressor draws ambient air and creates a first compressed air supply without ever exposing the first compressed air supply to the engine bleed air. A secondary turbocharger is provided that has a second compressor and an expansion turbine. The second compressor further compresses the first compressed air supply to create a second compressed air supply. A heat exchanger is provided that cools the second compressed air supply to create a cooled compressed air supply. The cooled compressed air supply powers the expansion turbine. This causes the cooled compressed air supply to losing both heat and pressure to become a conditioned air supply.

Abstract: An emergency pressurization system for an aircraft having an air pump that is powered by bleed air from an engine of the aircraft. Although the air pump is powered by engine bleed air, the air pump draws ambient fresh air from outside the aircraft, compresses the fresh air to a predetermined pressure and pumps compressed fresh air into the pressurized cabin of the aircraft without ever exposing the compressed fresh air to the engine air. The speed of the air pump is selectively controlled as a function of cabin pressure and/or bleed air pressure. In this manner, the cabin is maintained at a constant safe pressure.

Abstract: An environmental control system for an aircraft having an air pump that is powered by bleed air from an engine of the aircraft. Although the air pump is powered by engine bleed air, the air pump draws ambient fresh air from outside the aircraft, compresses the fresh air to a predetermined pressure and pumps compressed fresh air into the pressurized cabin of the aircraft without ever exposing the fresh air to the compressed engine air. To heat the compressed fresh air, heat from the engine bleed air can be transferred to the compressed fresh air with a heat exchanger. However, although heat is exchanged between the engine bleed air and the compressed fresh air, the two flows of air are kept separate and are never mixed.

Abstract: A sailboat is provided with an adjustable mast system in which the base of the mast is pivotally attached to the top deck surface of the sailboat hull. Hydraulic cylinders connected to and integral with the shroud mast support system can vary the effective length of the shrouds, thereby tilting the mast to windward to maintain it in a vertical position while the boat hull is heeled.

Abstract: An intra-aortic balloon assembly has a balloon whose distal end terminates in a tip and whose proximal end is joined and communicates with the interior of a catheter tube. A slender stylet extends rearwardly from the tip through the balloon and catheter tube. The balloon is arranged so that its longitudinal axis is significantly displaced from the stylet facilitating tight wrapping of the balloon about the stylet in a single spiral. The stylet may be affixed to the balloon and/or the catheter tube. Coupling means for rotating the stylet are provided for removing any undesired twisting experienced by the stylet during wrapping. The balloon is preferably pre-wrapped and is shipped to the user in the pre-wrapped condition. The balloon is retained in the wrapped condition by a removable holder having releasably joined holder halves encircling the wrapped balloon. Heat shrunk plastic sleeves retain the holder halves in the assembled state.

Abstract: An intra-aortic balloon assembly has a balloon whose distal end terminates in a tip and whose proximal end is joined to and communicates with the interior of a catheter tube. A slender stylet extends rearwardly from the tip through the balloon and catheter tube. The balloon is arranged so that its longitudinal axis is significantly displaced from the stylet facilitating tight wrapping of the balloon about the stylet in a single spiral in the same fashion that a flag is wrapped (i.e. "wound") about its supporting flag pole. The stylet may be affixed to the balloon and/or the catheter tube. The balloon is preferably pre-wrapped and is shipped to the user in the pre-wrapped condition. The balloon is retained in the wrapped condition by a removable holder having releasably joined holder halves encircling the wrapped balloon.

Abstract: An intra-aortic balloon assembly has a balloon whose distal end terminates in a tip and whose proximal end is joined and communicates with the interior of a catheter tube. A slender stylet extends rearwardly from the tip through the balloon and catheter tube. The balloon is arranged so that its longitudinal axis is significantly displaced from the stylet facilitating tight wrapping of the balloon about the stylet in a single spiral. The stylet may be affixed to the balloon and/or the catheter tube. Coupling means for rotating the stylet are provided for removing any undesired twisting experienced by the stylet during wrapping. The balloon is preferably pre-wrapped and is shipped to the user in the pre-wrapped condition. The balloon is retained in the wrapped condition by a removable holder having releasably joined holder halves encircling the wrapped balloon. Heat shrunk plastic sleeves retain the holder halves in the assembled state.

Abstract: An intra-aortic balloon assembly has a balloon whose distal end terminates in a tip and whose proximal end is joined and communicates with the interior of a catheter tube. A slender stylet extends rearwardly from the tip through the balloon and catheter tube. The balloon is arranged so that its longitudinal axis is significantly displaced from the stylet facilitating tight wrapping of the balloon about the stylet in a single spiral. The stylet may be affixed to the balloon and/or the catheter tube. Coupling means for rotating the stylet are provided for removing any undesired twisting experienced by the stylet during wrapping. The balloon is preferably pre-wrapped and is shipped to the user in the pre-wrapped condition. The balloon is retained in the wrapped condition by a removable holder having releasably joined holder halves encircling the wrapped balloon. Heat shrunk plastic sleeves retain the holder halves in the assembled state.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating heart patients employing the coordinated efforts of dispensing and balloon pumping catheters. A balloon pumping catheter is inserted and properly positioned within the aortic arch. The balloon catheter has a lumen through which a dispensing catheter extends. The distal end of the dispensing catheter is guided to the operative position, preferably by means of a guide wire extending through the dispensing catheter. The guide wire is removed prior to a dispensing operation. Measured doses of a medicinal solution, such as, for example, a blood thinner, are periodically dispensed through the dispensing catheter and in coordination with the pumping operation. A single pumping source may be utilized for powering the balloon pumping and dispensing operations. An adjustable delay provided between the source and one of the catheter assemblies provides the proper coordination between the balloon pumping and dispensing operations.

Abstract: An intra-aortic balloon adapted for percutaneous insertion and having a stylet whose distal end is coupled to an electrode arranged in the tip of the balloon. The stylet extends rearwardly through the balloon and catheter tube and is accessible at a location external to the body for coupling to an instrument such as a cathode ray tube establishing an electrical path from the electrode to the instrument. The stylet thus performs the dual function of providing twisting and untwisting of the balloon and providing an electrical path from the EKG electrode to the exterior of the body. The electrode may be arranged adjacent to either the distal or the proximal end of the balloon. An electrode arranged adjacent to the proximal end of the balloon may be coupled to a conductor embedded within the wall of the catheter tube, enabling the intra-aortic balloon to be provided with electrodes arranged adjacent to both the distal and proximal ends of the balloon.

Abstract: Apparatus for assisting the heart in the pumping of blood comprising a resilient umbrella-like member positioned within the aorta and adapted to permit the flow of blood in a normal direction and being moved to an open or expanded position to perform a pumping action and to prevent retrograde flow. The umbrella-like member may be combined for use with an intra-aortic balloon or may comprise a stand-alone pumping assembly. The umbrella-like member is preferably mounted upon a catheter for insertion in the desired location. The umbrella-like member is designed to be non-occlusive or occlusive, depending on design, when open. When used alone, operating means are provided, which means are coupled to the umbrella-like member normally maintains the umbrella in its operative, expanded position. Electromechanical control means coupled to the umbrella-like member through a control member is designed to urge the umbrella assembly to its open or closed position, depending on the direction of the control force.

Abstract: An intra-aortic balloon (IAB) having an elongated member expandable within said balloon to prevent total collapse of the balloon or any portion thereof during deflation. The member preventing balloon collapse, in one preferred embodiment, is stored in the catheter tube in the collapsed state and expands when moved into the balloon. In another embodiment, the member preventing deflation is arranged within the balloon and is provided with an operating member for selectively expanding and collapsing the member provided for preventing deflation. Moving the member for preventing deflation to the collapsed state permits the profile of the balloon to be significantly reduced which aids in percutaneous insertion and in removal of the balloon.

Abstract: An assembly for introducing intra-aortic balloons and the like into a body artery and comprising a thin, splittable sheath positioned within the artery. An intra-aortic balloon and balloon catheter are inserted into the femoral artery through the introducer sheath. An adapter is slidably mounted upon the balloon catheter and is provided with cutters for splitting the thin introducer sheath, which is at least partially withdrawn from the body once the intra-aortic balloon is in place. The adapter is provided with a silicone seal which provides a sliding, blood-tight seal between the adapter and the balloon catheter. The adapter may be provided with a retainer for releasably supporting an annular elastic member to hold the percutaneous sheath tightly in place about the adapter body to provide a blood-tight seal therebetween.

Abstract: An intra-aortic balloon designed for percutaneous insertion. An inflatable intra-aortic balloon of reduced diameter, when inflated, has its proximal end secured to a catheter. A stylet extends through said balloon and is anchored in a tip provided at the distal end of the balloon. The stylet extends from said tip through said balloon and through at least a portion of said catheter. A balloon coupling comprised of a "Y" member is provided with a linear bore communicating with said catheter and a branch bore intersecting with said linear through bore. The stylet extends partially into said through bore and said branch bore and has its proximal end coupled to a control knob assembly threadedly engaged with the rear end of said branch-bore and movable when rotated in a first direction to simultaneously twist and elongate the intra-aortic balloon and when rotated in the reverse direction to simultaneously untwist and relieve the elongated condition.

Abstract: An intra-aortic balloon designed for percutaneous insertion. An inflatable intra-aortic balloon of reduced diameter, when inflated, has its proximal end secured to a catheter. A stylet extends through said balloon and is anchored in a tip provided at the distal end of the balloon. The stylet extends from said tip through said balloon and through at least a portion of said catheter. A balloon coupling comprised of a "Y" member is provided with a linear bore communicating with said catheter and a branch bore intersecting with said linear through bore. The stylet extends partially into said through bore and said branch bore and has its proximal end coupled to a control knob assembly threadedly engaged with the rear end of said branch-bore and movable when rotated in a first direction to simultaneously twist and elongate the intra-aortic balloon and when rotated in the reverse direction to simultaneously untwist and relieve the elongated condition.

Abstract: Apparatus for assisting the heart in the pumping of blood comprising a resilient umbrella-like member positioned within the aorta and adapted to permit the flow of blood in a normal direction and being moved to an open or expanded position to perform a pumping action and to prevent retrograde flow. The umbrella-like member may be combined for use with an intra-aortic balloon or may comprise a stand-alone pumping assembly. The umbrella-like member is preferably mounted upon a catheter for insertion in the desired location. The umbrella-like member is designed to be non-occlusive or occlusive, depending on design, when open. When used alone, operating means are provided, which means are coupled to the umbrella-like member normally maintains the umbrella in its operative, expanded position. Electromechanical control means coupled to the umbrella-like member through a control member is designed to urge the umbrella assembly to its open or closed position, depending on the direction of the control force.

Abstract: A solid state switch assembly for selectively coupling a TV monitor to one of a plurality of TV cameras. A random access memory is utilized to establish the switching sequence. The switch is advanced through the desired sequence by activating an oscillator to step a counter. The counter output addresses each memory location and the state of the addressed memory location controls either a termination or a continuation of the switching sequence. The counter output also sets an analog type switch for selecting one of the plurality of video inputs to be coupled to one or more of the video monitors. The system is capable of displaying the selected video input signal on a plurality of monitors through the use of impedance matched current amplifiers. A biasing circuit is provided to allow the switch to handle signals making positive signal excursions above the system ground without interference with the positive voltage supply.