Abstract: A fin for a heat exchanger includes a member and a first row formed in the member. The first row having a plurality of valley sections alternating with a plurality of crest sections. A plurality of walls is interposed between and integrally joins the plurality of valley sections and the plurality of crest sections. At least one of the plurality of walls of the first row is angled with respect to a lateral axis of the member. A second row is formed in the member, the second row having a plurality of valley sections alternating with a plurality of crest sections and a plurality of walls interposed between and integrally joining the plurality of valley sections to the plurality of crest sections.

Abstract: A heat exchange assembly includes an upper cover panel, a lower cover panel, a plurality of stacked plate assemblies, and a plurality of fins interposed between the plurality of plate assemblies. Each of the plurality of plate assemblies forms a flow passage for receiving a coolant. A continuous flow path extends through the heat exchange assembly. The flow path is in fluid communication with the flow passage of each of the plates and configured to convey air from each of the flow passages to an environment separate from the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a motor vehicle comprises a fluid reservoir having at least one continuous sidewall. A plurality of first coupling features are formed in a base of the sidewall, wherein the first coupling features are outward extending protrusions. The heat exchanger further comprises a header configured to receive a portion of the fluid reservoir therein. The header includes a mounting tab having a plurality of second coupling features and a plurality of reinforcing features alternately formed therein. Each of the second coupling features are cavities configured to receive a portion of a corresponding one of the first coupling features therein. A receiving surface of each of the second coupling features cooperates with an engaging surface of the corresponding one of the first coupling features.

Abstract: A header for a heat exchanger includes an elongate header plate having a pair of substantially parallel long edges. The header plate includes an elongate slot extending in a first direction across the header plate and a pair of ridges extending in a second direction along the header plate. The second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Edge regions of the header plate are formed on sides of the ridges adjacent the long edges. At least one of the edge regions lie in a first plane and crests of the ridges lie in a second plane. The first plane is substantially parallel to and offset from the second plane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a life insurance product known as longevity insurance. Longevity insurance mitigates longevity risk, the risk that an individual will outlive his or her assets. More specifically, the purchase of longevity insurance guarantees an individual a predetermined, periodic income payment for the life of the purchaser. The guaranteed stream of monthly income commences at a later date, which may be utilized to supplement an existing income level or provide income in the event that the individual outlives his or her accumulated assets.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a circular, coiled wire containment/dispenser system that is designed to simplify production methods and reduce production costs, and, because it is ergonomically designed, is easier to use with respect to the user. The circular body is preferably made of a single circle of semitransparent plastic, which contains one or more spiral grooves closed by a matching, clip-on lid. There are preferably lateral and medial ramps or bumps on both sides of the spirals. These ramps deflect the wires toward the center of the spiral. Thus a large percentage of the surface of the wires are not touching the walls of the containment system and touch only the apexes of the medial and lateral ramps or bumps. By this method, friction is greatly reduced allowing efficient wire extraction and loading.

Abstract: A device is delineated for removing body fluid from a wound site. The device may include a drain sealed within the wound site, a conduit connected to the drain and a fluid container connected to the other end of the conduit. The fluid container may include at least one inlet passage of larger diameter to reduce likelihood of clogging during body-fluid inflow. An additional inlet passage may be included. The fluid container may also include at least one outlet passage of larger diameter to improve draining efficiency.

Abstract: A device for gripping a guide wire includes a body portion having an opening therethrough, and has an open position and a closed position. When the device is in the open position the guide wire may be passed through the opening. When the device is in the closed position the guide wire is gripped at more than one location thereby allowing force or torque to be applied to the guide wire. A device according to the invention may optionally, or instead, include (a) a snout to act as a guide wire director, (b) a structure, such as an opening, configured to receive an end of a guide wire package, (c) a structure for securing a body member to the device, and/or (d) a mechanism for advancing or retracting a guide wire. If the device includes one of these optional features, it need not be designed to grip a guide wire at two or more locations.

Abstract: Disclosed are surgical drains for use in surgical wounds. The drains are placed in the wound in the body and draw in unwanted bodily material. The drains can be of any shape, but preferably have a generally circular cross section or include a generally flat top surface, a generally flat bottom-surface and two sides connecting the top surface and bottom surface. The drain has an outer surface, two ends, a length and an interior lumen that may extend substantially along the length. At least one row of openings is formed in the outer surface along the longitudinal axis. The openings in a single row may comprise large cross-sectional openings alternating with small cross-sectional openings. If a plurality of rows are utilized, the small cross-sectional openings may not be included. It is preferred that the large cross-sectional openings in one row be offset, or staggered, from the large cross-sectional openings in a neighboring row.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cooling intake air prior to entry into a combustion chamber of a boosted internal combustion engine. The invention provides an air intake system comprising a cooler disposed in an intake passage downstream of a charger; a bypass passage for communication between a portion of said intake passage located upstream of said cooler and a portion of said intake passage located downstream of said cooler so as to allow a flow of air discharged from the charger to bypass the cooler; a bypass control valve disposed in said bypass passage to open and close the bypass passage and a flow restriction disposed in the bypass passage limiting the flow in the event that the bypass control valve remains in an open position.

Abstract: A vein stripping device and method of use are disclosed. One embodiment of the vein stripping device comprises an endovascular component having a first endovascular end and a second endovascular end, a handle that attaches to one of the endovascular ends and a vein stripper that attaches to the endovascular end opposite the handle. The endovascular component is sized to fit inside the lumen of a to-be-removed vein. The vein stripper preferably includes an internal cavity for collecting at least a portion of the to-be-removed vein and preventing at least a portion of the to-be-removed vein from slipping over the vein stripper. In use, a vein is accessed in two locations and the endovascular component is positioned in the vein lumen. The handle is attached to one endovascular end and the vein stripper to the second endovascular end. A user then pulls the handle and pulls the vein stripper along the length of the accessed vein thus removing the vein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cooling intake air prior to entry into a combustion chamber of a boosted internal combustion engine. The invention provides an air intake system comprising a cooler disposed in an intake passage downstream of a charger; a bypass passage for communication between a portion of said intake passage located upstream of said cooler and a portion of said intake passage located downstream of said cooler so as to allow a flow of air discharged from the charger to bypass the cooler; a bypass control valve disposed in said bypass passage to open and close the bypass passage and a flow restriction disposed in the bypass passage limiting the flow in the event that the bypass control valve remains in an open position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a race guide wire containment and dispensing system comprising an outer housing and an inner housing.

Abstract: The invention is a medical guide wire containment and dispensing device. The device is of unitary construction and defines a single, generally annular opening that receives the guide wire. Preferably, the device includes a mount for retaining a guide-wire torque device.

Abstract: A surgical device and method for using it to strip blood vessels, such as varicose veins, or other tubular structures from the body utilizing an endovenous cable that is passed through the vein section to be removed. Once the endovenous cable reaches the end of the section of blood vessel to be stripped, a head is attached to the endovenous cable. The head may have at its leading edge, rounded, streamlined shoulders, a leading edge and a central cavity to retain the end of the vein. On the trailing end of the stripper head are one or more structures capable of receiving and retaining a surgical drain. As the vein is tripped the drain is automatically pulled into the body. The drain will lie in the leg precisely where the vein had been, and the limit the common complication of retained post surgical bleeding.

Abstract: Disclosed are surgical drains for use in surgical wounds. The drains are placed in the wound in the body and draw in unwanted bodily material. The drains can be of any shape, but preferably have a generally circular cross section or include a generally flat top surface, a generally flat bottom-surface and two sides connecting the top surface and bottom surface. The drain has an outer surface, two ends, a length and an interior lumen that may extend substantially along the length. At least one row of openings is formed in the outer surface along the longitudinal axis. The openings in a single row may comprise large cross-sectional openings alternating with small cross-sectional openings. If a plurality of rows are utilized, the small cross-sectional openings may not be included. It is preferred that the large cross-sectional openings in one row be offset, or staggered, from the large cross-sectional openings in a neighboring row.

Abstract: An engine thermal management system and method for a vehicle engine that allows for reduced coolant flow and energy consumption by the system, while avoiding excessive critical metal temperatures in the engine. The engine includes a coolant inlet in a head and a coolant outlet in a block. A variable speed pump pushes the coolant into the head inlet. A multi-port valve receives the coolant exiting the engine block and selectively routes it to various system components. The speed of the pump and the valve are electronically controlled by a control module, based upon various engine and vehicle operating conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the absolute position of a point on a surface or along a path including a tablet, scale, or overlay and a moveable mouse-type cursor. The tablet includes a unique pattern of lines or regions along rectilinear or other axes. A series of adjacent spaces formed by the lines define unique cells on the tablet. The mouse includes one or more linear imaging arrays adapted to detect the presence of tablet lines adjacent thereto. An integrated processor identifies the line types, computes line spacings and ratios, and identifies subtending cells by comparison to the known tablet topography. The processor further computes the precise location of a point defined on the mouse.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the absolute position of a point on a surface including a tablet or overlay and a moveable mouse-type cursor. The tablet includes a unique pattern of lines or regions along rectilinear or other axes. A series of adjacent spaces formed by the lines define unique cells on the tablet. The mouse includes a pair of linear imaging arrays adapted to detect the presence of tablet lines adjacent thereto. An integrated processor identifies the line types, computes line spacings and ratios, and identifies subtending cells by comparison to the known tablet topography. The processor further computes the precise location of a point defined on the mouse.

Abstract: A hand controller or `cursor` for the actuation of slaved apparatus. The cursor includes a handle extending from a line attachment member comprised of four equally spaced legs. The ends of these legs define vertices of a regular tetrahedron. The cursor is supported within a subtending structure by a plurality of tension lines which may be connected to torque motors or to another controlled device. A control computer preferably interfaces the present controller with the slaved apparatus wherein signals representative of the several tension line lengths are translated by the computer into control signals actuating the slaved device. In addition, force transducers on the slaved mechanism generate signals representative of the forces encountered by the slaved device which, in turn, are translated by the computer into torque motor control signals thereby providing interactive cursor force-feedback.