Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, an identity of a vehicle operator may be determined and a vehicle operator profile and/or operating data regarding autonomous operation features of the vehicle may be received after the vehicle operator opts into a rewards program and agrees to share their data. Autonomous operation and vehicle operator risk levels associated with operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be determined. Based upon the risk levels and/or comparison thereof, one or more autonomous operation features may be disengaged. A preparedness level of the vehicle operator to assume or reassume control of operating the vehicle is determined prior to disengagement. If satisfactory, an alert is presented to the vehicle operator prior to disengagement of the autonomous operation features.

Abstract: According to certain aspects, a computer-implemented method for operating an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be provided. With the customer's permission, an identity of a vehicle operator may be identified and a vehicle operator profile may be retrieved. Operating data regarding autonomous operation features operating the vehicle may be received from vehicle-mounted sensors. When a request to disable an autonomous feature is received, a risk level for the autonomous feature is determined and compared with a driver behavior setting for the autonomous feature stored in the vehicle operator profile. Based upon the risk level comparison, the autonomous vehicle retains control of vehicle or the autonomous feature is disengaged depending upon which is the safer driver—the autonomous vehicle or the vehicle human occupant. As a result, unsafe disengagement of self-driving functionality for autonomous vehicles may be alleviated.

Abstract: An improved catheter and method for infusing blood to the heart, clamping the aorta and delivering a cardioplegia solution. A single catheter (10, 100) is used having a unique balloon (102, 162, 172) for ccluding the aorta 12 In a first embodiment, a single catheter (10) is transthoracically inserted upwardly in the aorta to infuse oxygenated blood into the ascending aorta via an infusion opening (46) terminating at the distal end (32), with cardioplegia solution being delivered via openings (42) defined closely adjacent the balloon (40) on the proximal side of the balloon. In a second and third embodiment, a single catheter (100) is transthoracically and femorally inserted, respectively, inserted into the aorta to infuse blood via openings (102) into the ascending aorta proximate the Brachiocephalie Artery, and deliver cardioplegia solution via the distal opening (104) downward toward the aortic base.

Abstract: An electrical taillight adapter circuit (6) interfaces a three-lamp vehicle lighting circuitry (2) with a two-lamp trailer lighting circuitry (6). The vehicle lighting circuitry primarily includes a group (10) of three right hand lamps (20, 22, 24) and a group (12) three of left-hand lamps (12). These lamps operate in response to signals generated by the vehicle operator, and are electrically connected to the adapter circuit. The trailer circuit generally includes a group (14) of two right hand lamps (34, 36) and a group (16) of two left-hand lamps (35, 37). The adapter circuitry receives electrical signals from the vehicle circuit (2), processes them, and outputs power to the appropriate trailer lamp. This electrical taillight adapter circuit (4) interfaces the nonconforming taillight circuit of a vehicle with that of a trailer, while providing the trailer lamps with improved output current and protecting the system from short circuit conditions.

Abstract: A dual operational and stop light control for adapting combined stop and turn signal lights on a trailer to independent stop signal and turn signal lights on a towing vehicle. The adaptor has a pair of switching circuits, each including a PNP transistor connected in series with an NPN transistor to chassis ground and each transistor connected to both stop and turn signal circuits of the towing vehicle and also to an NPN output transistor which is connected to an independent voltage source to drive the trailer signal lights independent of the voltage at the towing vehicle signal lights.

Abstract: An integral aortic arch infusion clamp catheter (10, 90) suited to occlude the ascending aorta, infuse blood, and deliver cardioplegia solution on opposing sides of an inflated balloon (56). The catheter has a unique balloon (102) filled with a modular resilient material to permit further expansion and adaptation to irregular surfaces and diameters of body passageways. The inflatable balloon (56) is provided closely proximate the distal end (54) of catheter (10, 90). In a first embodiment, the catheter (10) has three lumens (60,70 and 80), one lumen (60) for inflating balloon (56), a second larger lumen (70) which is large enough to infuse blood out distal opening (72), and a third lumen (80) for delivering cardioplegia solution to proximal openings (82) adjacent balloon (56). In a catheter (90) according to a second embodiment, the third lumen (80) is significantly larger than the first lumen (60) and second lumen (70) such that the lumen can be oriented downwardly in the ascending aorta.

Abstract: An improved method of using a single catheter to infuse blood to the heart, clamping the aorta and delivering a cardioplegia solution. Patient trauma is significantly reduced using a single cannulation. A single catheter (10, 90, 92) is used having a unique balloon (56, 93, 102) for occluding the aorta. In a first embodiment, a single catheter (10) is positioned upwardly in the aorta to infuse oxygenated blood into the ascending aorta via an infusion lumen (72) terminating at the distal end (54), with cardioplegia solution being delivered via openings (82) defined closely adjacent the balloon (56) on the proximal side of the balloon. The inflated balloon (56) isolates the two delivery openings (72,82) from one another to facilitate use of an extracorporeal circuit.

Abstract: A venous return catheter (30, 56, 60, 70) and method of use therefor having a semi-rigid support member (32) extending within a lumen (42) to prevent kinking thereof during insertion and use. The tubular walls of the catheter body (40,72) are sufficiently thin and flexible to provide maneuverability and allow clamping of the lumen (42) during use, but which outer diameter is sufficiently small and thus requires a smaller and less traumatic incision in the right atrium. The catheter is provided with a plurality of openings (34) along a length proximate the distal end of the catheter, and may have a second set of openings (74) in a two-stage catheter (70). The semi-rigid support member (32) is fixedly or selectively secured at a central location of the distal tip 44 free of the openings (34), but is free at the proximal end of the catheter to provide maneuverability. The semi-rigid support member may have a plurality of radially extending support members (57) to provide additional support.

Abstract: A device for adapting combined brake and turn signal lights on a trailer to independent brake signal and turn signal lights on a towing vehicle has two circuits, one for each side, each circuit having a brake signal switch, such as a transistor, silicon-controlled rectifier or relay connected between the brake signal circuit of the vehicle and the filament of the combined brake and turn signal light on the corresponding side of the trailer. The brake signal switches are selectively actuated by impulses received from the corresponding turn signal flashers on the vehicle, to block the brake signal current to the corresponding signal light on the trailer. In one embodiment of the invention, voltage-sensitive switches (e.g., SCR) are connected to brake switch transistors, and the left-hand and right-hand turn signal circuits on the vehicle are connected through diodes to the corresponding signal lamps on the trailer, and also to their respective switches.