Abstract: An electrode is adapted to be surgically implanted around a nerve bundle to provide for the selective stimulation thereof. The electrode comprises a biocompatible and dielectric carrier formable from a flattened, opened position to a closed position around the nerve bundle. In its opened position, the carrier exhibits a main body portion extending in the direction of a longitudinal wrapping axis of the carrier and flap portions extending transversely outwardly from opposite ends of the main body portion and from the axis. At least one electrode contact is secured on an inner surface of the carrier and is welded to a wire lead, adapted for connection to a receiver implanted on a patient. In carrying forth the method steps for making the electrode, the carrier originally constitutes a tube that is suitably cut to form the main body and flap portions thereof. The electrode contact is then secured to an inner surface of the carrier and welded to the wire lead.

Abstract: A 3-D measurement system utilizing a holographic scanner is provided with beam direction compensation means for compensating for changes in angular deflection of the scanner and further means is provided for synchronizing the scanner diffraction segments with the camera imaging mechanism of the 3-D system as well as for providing multiple offsets of the projected beam.

Abstract: A brake bleeder valve includes a spring biased ball check valve which allows bleeding of brake wheel cylinders by a single individual. The brake bleeder valve has an elongated generally cylindrical body terminating at a lower end in a conical tip dimensioned for engagement in a complementary formed valve seat in a brake wheel cylinder. An intermediate portion of the body has external threads for engagement with complementary formed threads in a brake wheel cylinder. An upper end of the body terminates in a frusto conical hose fitting and an enlarged hexagonal wrench flat portion is formed between the hose fitting and the intermediate threads. An enlarged diameter spherical seat is formed within the hose fitting and movably receives a spherical spring urged check ball. An O-ring around the body portion prevents air leakage past the threads. The central bore has a laterally extending outlet adjacent the conical tip portion.

Abstract: An arrangement in which three-dimensional surface measurements are obtained by projecting a non-planar light beam on a surface and interpreting the image by triangulation. The non-planar beam makes it possible to determine its angle of incidence with the surface in an unambiguous manner, and allows surrounding a manufacturing process to provide continuous data when guiding the process around corners. A non-planar reflecting surface or other arrangement is used to generate the non-planar light beam from a planar light source. A flying spot of light may also be used. After the non-planar beam has been generated, it is projected upon the surface to be measured and forms there an intersection of the beam with the surface.

Abstract: A plastic bag for collecting discharges via a drain, especially from operation wounds, from, e.g., the thoracic and abdominal cavities. The bag is somewhat similar to an ostomy bag but differs in that a portion of its front wall has an increased surface area and reduced material thickness by being processed to form a film blister. This blister area allows a grip on the drain protruding into the bag through an aperture in its rear wall. The grip provided by the blister area makes it possible to manipulate the drain, notably to pull it gradually out from the body, without exposing the operation wound to any risk of infection.

Abstract: A system for controlling bladder evacuation includes first and second implanted stimulation systems having electrodes respectively positioned on nerves controlling external sphincter and bladder functions, and an electronic control system which operates to generate and transmit electrical sphincter stimulation pulses to the first stimulation system. When it is desired to evacuate the bladder, a switch is closed causing the electronic control system to discontinue the external sphincter stimulation and, after a predetermined delay, to generate and transmit electrical bladder stimulation pulses to the second stimulation system. After a predetermined time, the bladder stimulation is automatically stopped. After another predetermined delay, the electronic control system resumes the generation and transmission of sphincter stimulation pulses to the first stimulation system.

Abstract: Applicant's U.S. patent application Ser. No. 611,836, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,639, describes a method for controlling the function of a bladder, including identification of selected nerve bundles controlling the separate functions of the bladder and its external sphincter and the application of pulse trains to one or more electrodes positioned on the nerve bundles to control the functions of the bladder and external sphincter. The methods taught herein utilize similar method steps for modulating symptoms resulting from a loss of coordination between the normally synchronized functions of a bladder and bowel and their associated sphincters. The methods are also used for treating incontinence by increasing sphincter tonus. The use of similar method steps for controlling evacuation of the bowel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for controlling bladder evacuation includes first and second implanted stimulation systems having electrodes respectively positioned on nerves controlling external sphincter and bladder functions, and an electronic control system which operates to generate and transmit electrical sphincter stimulation pulses to the first stimulation system. When it is desired to evacuate the bladder, a switch is closed causing the electronic control system to discontinue the external sphincter stimulation and, after a predetermined delay, to generate and transmit electrical bladder stimulation pulses to the second stimulation system. After a predetermined time, the bladder stimulation is automatically stopped. After another predetermined delay, the electronic control system resumes the generation and transmission of sphincter stimulation pulses to the first stimulation system.

Abstract: An automatic container stuffing apparatus and method is disclosed. The apparatus is especially useful for the insertion of two component gas generating pouches into pressurized containers of the type wherein the pressurizing gas does not come into contact with the contents of the container. The apparatus receives the pouches, performs necessary bursting operations to initiate gas pressurization, compresses the pouch into an elongate shape and inserts the pouch into a container. Two embodiments are disclosed. One embodiment receives pouches in a continuous sheet and separates the pouches from the continuous sheet prior to insertion into a container. Another embodiment receives individual separate pouches arranged in a stack extending in the longitudinal direction of a transport conveyor, thus eliminating the need to separate the pouches from a continuous sheet.

Abstract: An arrangement in which three-dimensional measurement sensors are calibrated using linear translation of three flat plates, one orthogonal to the path, one sloping vertically, one sloping horizontally. Sensors for which linear interpolation applies need only calibrate two surfaces of the sensor volume for complete calibration. Two flat surfaces are adequate for calibrating a volume if one surface is used twice.

Abstract: Methods are provided for reducing the number of projected patterns required to make two- or three-dimensional surface measurements on a sub-class of surfaces comprising relatively smooth surfaces. By including apriori knowledge about the surface to be measured, pattern ambiguities can be resolved by processing rather than by additional projected patterns.

Abstract: Container stuffing apparatus and methods are disclosed. The apparatus is especially useful for the insertion of two component gas generating pouches into containers of the type wherein the pressurizing gas does not come into contact with the contents of the container. The apparatus receives the pouches, performs necessary bursting operations to initiate gas pressurization, compresses the pouch into an elongate cylindrical shape and inserts the pouch into a container. The apparatus includes a bursting station which comprises first and second plates which move toward each other and compress a pouch received between the first and second plates to thereby burst a rupturable member within the pouch to initiate gas generation. A reciprocable latch is provided to hold the pouch in position during the bursting operation.

Abstract: A pattern of light is projected upon a surface to be measured which may be devoid of surface detail. A sharply focused image of the surface provides distance discrimination. Although the projected pattern may be separate from the imaging optics, a common optics path removes distortion, provides maximum sensitivity and eliminates processing for misalignment between projector and imager. Parallel detection of regions within the image receiving light intensities above a threshold enables rapid availability of measurements. Optical cross-correlation and Fourier transform processing methods may be employed to enhance image processing with no processing delay. Three-dimensional co-ordinate measurements relative to the sensor are reported for all in-focus regions of the image. Refocusing the lens provides depth coverage.

Abstract: The physical location of a surface in six degrees of freedom relative to the nominal location of a nominal surface is uniquely defined automatically by a measurement system provided with a processing unit, if sufficient asymmetric curvature exists in the surface to uniquely locate three points on the surface. Useful in inspection and material handling applications, a master model of the surface with a known location is defined. Two points are selected on the surface and then a plane is passed through the points, preferably perpendicular to the surface if no edge is present. Then a third point is selected along the curve of intersection so that the three points form a unique triangular template that locates the points along the curve. If the three points are on a sharp edge of the surface this may be adequate information.

Abstract: Methods are provided for reducing the number of projected patterns required to make two- or three-dimensional surface measurements on a sub-class of surfaces comprising relatively smooth surfaces. By including apriori knowledge about the surface to be measured, pattern ambiguities can be resolved by processing rather than by additional projected patterns.

Abstract: Methods are provided for reducing the number of projected patterns required to make two- or three-dimensional surface measurements on a sub-class of surfaces comprising relatively smooth surfaces. By including apriori knowledge about the surface to be measured, pattern ambiguities can be resolved by processing rather than by additional projected patterns.

Abstract: A method for controlling the function of a bladder, includes identification of the anatomical location of at least one nerve controlling the muscles for the bladder and/or its sphincter and positioning of an electrode on the nerve to selectively stimulate the nerve for continence and evacuation purposes. The electrode can be implanted in a patient either surgically or percutaneously and may be either removed after proper stimulation has achieved the desired result (neurostimulation) or may be left intact on the nerve for selective stimulation thereof. An electronic control system is disclosed for electrically energizing two or more implanted electrodes in a preselected timed relationship.

Abstract: Container stuffing apparatus and methods are disclosed. The apparatus is especially useful for the insertion of two component gas generating pouches into containers of the type wherein the pressurizing gas does not come into contact with the contents of the container. The apparatus receives the pouches, performs necessary bursting operations to initiate gas pressurization, compresses the pouch into an elongate cylindrical shape and inserts the pouch into a container. The apparatus includes a bursting station which comprises first and second plates having recesses which move toward each other and compress a pouch received between the first and second plates to thereby burst a rupturable member within the pouch to initiate gas generation and direct the gas generating components toward each other. A reciprocable latch is provided to hold the pouch in position during the bursting operation.

Abstract: An object is scanned first with a light plane from a variable-intensity light-plane projector, and the reflected light is used as signals to modify point by point the output of the projector in accordance with the intensity of the respective reflective-light signal. Thereupon the object is scanned a second time and the projector is instructed to apply less light than before to those points of the object from which a strong reflected-light signal was received during the first scan, and/or to apply more light to points from which a weak reflected-light signal was received during the first scan. In similar manner, a projected intensity encoded light volume is projected on an object and the reflected light is used as signals to point-by-point modify the output of the projector for subsequent projections.

Abstract: Light intensity levels are measured at various locations in a scene and light amplified and/or attenuated by a device interposed between the source of light and the light-sensitive surface having a limited dynamic range. By attenuating bright regions and/or amplifying weak regions, the dynamic range of light intensities of the scene is reduced, thus enabling the limited dynamic range device to be used with scenes having a larger light intensity dynamic range. In applying the method to the receiving side of a 3-D measurement system employing projected light, a simpler system results and problems associated with modifying the high energy projected light are avoided. Also, a greater range of measured object surface reflectance is accommodated.