Abstract: A method and an apparatus for adaptively enhancing the B-mode image during post-detection image processing in an ultrasound imaging system. A low pass filter which smooths out speckle and a high pass filter which enhances edges are placed in parallel signal paths connected to the output of an envelope detector in a B-mode processor. The signals in the high pass filter path are logarithmically compressed before high pass filtering. The signals in the low pass filter path are logarithmically compressed after low pass filtering. Respective weighting factors are applied to the low- and high-pass-filtered signals by an adaptive weighting device, which may take the form of a processor or a look-up table. The weighted low- and high-pass-filtered signals are then summed and optionally input to an anti-aliasing low pass filter before decimation and scan conversion.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method are provided for force and distance indication readings on the prior art MEDmetrics KT 1000.TM. which eliminate the need for an observer to vigilantly scrutinize the analog distance indicator and which indicate the force used to produce a given distance of travel, with both the force and distance having maximum-read indicators. In addition, a removable receptacle is provided for adapting the prior art KT 1000.TM. for use in measuring ankle joint laxity. A method of reliably and accurately measuring ankle joint laxity is provided using the improved KT 1000.TM. device of the present invention.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device having a self-contained stored energy membrane for expelling fluids at a precisely controlled rate which is of a compact, laminate construction. The device also includes a novel adapter which is usable to fill the reservoir of the device using a compatable filling syringe apparatus which is mateable with the adapter.

Abstract: A needless connector is provided which utilizes a resealable preslit septum valve. The valve is resiliently restrained relative to a housing with the valve and housing configured to accept a standard male luer lock having a luer tip which penetrates the valve through the opening to extend within the housing and a luer locking flange of the luer lock extending about the housing. The valve includes a disk shaped upper portion covering the opening, a lower portion spaced from the housing and extending downward from the disk shaped portion into a passageway defined by the housing, and an annular skirt to attach the septum to the housing. The connector exhibits satisfactory leak pressure after multiple connections and disconnects to the luer lock fitting and long periods of indwell of the luer tip.

Abstract: A new vehicle defroster system accessory for increasing efficiency of a windshield defroster. The inventive device includes a pliable, generally rectangular shield having planar inner and outer surfaces. The shield is positioned over defroster vents of a vehicle and in contact with a lower portion of a windshield. A plurality of suctions cups are secured to the inner surface of the shield. The suction cups secure the shield to the windshield. A plurality of nodules are secured to the inner surface of the shield. The plurality of nodules elevate the shield above the windshield to allow passage of warm air therebeneath.

Abstract: A hook-type coupler for attachment to an end of a railway transit vehicle for joining adjacent ends of a pair of railway transit vehicles wherein the hook-type coupler has a hook member pivotally mounted therein being pivotal between a latch position and an unlatch position and adapted to engage a second pivotally mounted hook member in a second hook-type coupler of compatible design and includes an uncoupling cam for forcibly pivoting the hook member to the unlatch position and a roller rotatably secured to the uncoupling cam to rollably engage a surface of the hook member when the uncoupling cam is activated through a partial rotation thereby pivoting such hook member to the unlatch position without significant sliding frictional engagement between the uncoupling cam and the hook member.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a climate control system having an automatic climate control system and a manual climate control system for an automobile having a convertible top. The method includes the step of detecting whether the convertible top is retracted. A signal indicating whether the convertible top is open is delivered to a climate control unit which includes an algorithm which assists in controlling the mode selection logic based on the results of the detection. The climate control unit creates a mode selection signal based on the results of the algorithm, and sends the mode selection signal to the mode selection logic, the mode selection signal being such that the mode selection actuator actuates the automatic climate control mode when the convertible top is up and the mode selection actuator actuates the manual climate control system when the convertible top is retracted.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an orthopaedic apparatus 24, 80, 380, 480, 580 for positioning an implant 22, 322, 422 relative to an end of a bone. The implant has at least one extractor opening 30, 330, 430 and a shoulder 26, 326, 426 with a slot therein. The positioning apparatus includes a shaft 32, 82, 382, 482 having a fixed impactor tip at an end thereof. The impactor tip is configured to be received within the implant slot. At least one clamping jaw is connected to the shaft, and includes a projection which is configured to be received in the at least one extractor opening. The at least one clamping jaw is preferably detachably connected to the shaft.

Abstract: A linear pneumatic actuator stopping and positioning apparatus has a pneumatic actuator connected to a worktable for moving the worktable along a rectilinear path as well as a selector shaft that is mounted for rotational indexing movement at one side of the actuator and is operatively associated with one or more extendible stop arms for selecting a stop arm located at a selected stop point so as to contact the worktable and stop the movement of the worktable at the stop point selected. The shaft can be mounted to allow it to be shifted along its own central axis for moving one or more sleeve members that are connected to the shaft a short distance for extending a stop arm to an operating position. In one form, a stop arm actuator and locking bar is positioned to be engaged by the sleeve and to press the stop arm to its extended position.

Abstract: A novel two-phase brushless motor drive assembly. The motor drive assembly is made of two parts, a motor assemble and a motor control circuit.The motor assembly, receives a first wire providing electric power, a second wire providing a ground connection, and a third wire. The motor assembly includes, a two-phase brushless motor. It also includes a motor drive circuit, responsive to a speed control voltage signal on the third wire and the electric power on the first wire, providing drive power to the motor to drive the motor to a speed determined by the speed control voltage signal. The motor assembly also includes a sensor circuit providing a sensed speed current signal on the third wire, having a current representing the rotational speed of the motor.

Abstract: An improved method for minimizing interferences from random noise and correlated fluctuations which obscure electrical signals converted from optical emissions. In particular, an improved method for the removal of interferences from optical emission signals during endpoint determination in dry etching processes for the fabrication of micro-electronic devices which derives information in the presence of random noise, correlated fluctuations and periodic modulations of the plasma by maximizing the signal to random noise ratio and minimizing the obscuring effects of correlated fluctuation.

Abstract: A furnace comprises an enclosure, a hearth plate within the enclosure for supporting combustible material, a first heater element adjacent the hearth plate for initial combustion of the combustible material, a filter disposed above the hearth plate for filtering uncombusted products of combustion of the combustible material, and a second heater element adjacent the filter for final combustion of the uncombusted products of combustion filtered by the filter. A controller controls the first and second heater elements independently.

Abstract: A tilting apparatus for supporting and restraining a non-human primate animal while conducting research. The tilting apparatus is provided with a table for supporting the animal reclining face down thereon. The table is supported by support means for rotation about a first axis between a horizontal position and a head-down position and about a second axis between the head-down position and a head-up position. Locking means are provided for releasably locking the table in a selected horizontal, head-down or head-up positions. Suitable restraining means are provided which are intersecurable between the animal and the table and function to support and restrain the animal. The animal, while remaining restrained to the tilting apparatus, has free range of motion to feed itself from a water and feeding station. The water and feeding station is supported by an accessory pole. A waste collection system is provided which is connected to the table and which functions for collecting animal waste.

Abstract: A method for preparing and isolating a transformation vector containing CSF/cDNA is described. The method comprises: preparing RNA from a cell that produces CSF; preparing polyadenylated messenger RNA from said RNA; preparing single stranded cDNA from said messenger RNA; converting the single stranded cDNA to double stranded cDNA; inserting the double stranded cDNA into transformation vectors and transforming bacteria with said vector to form colonies; picking pools of 200 to 500 colonies each and isolating plasmid DNA from each pool; transfecting the plasmid DNA into suitable host cells for expressing CSF protein; culturing the transfected cells and assaying the supernatant for CSF activity; and selecting CSF positive pools and screening the colonies used to make the pool to identify a colony having CSF activity. Also described are a cDNA coding for a protein having CSF activity (i.e.

Abstract: A set of contiguous and partially overlapping RNA sequences and polypeptides encoded thereby, designated as LU103 and transcribed from lung tissue is described. A fully sequenced clone representing the longest continuous sequence of LU103 is also disclosed. These sequences are useful for detecting, diagnosing, staging, monitoring, prognosticating, preventing or treating, or determining the predisposition of an individual to diseases and conditions of the lung such as lung cancer.

Abstract: Apparatus for abrasive blasting of the bottom of a ship in a drydock includes a blast head mounted on a vertically swinging boom on a vehicle. The blast head has freedom of movement about two pivot axes which are not parallel to each other. One of the pivot axes is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the boom. The center of gravity of the blast head is below the pivot axes when the blast opening normally faces upwardly. The boom and blast head are raised by double acting hydraulic cylinders which hold the blast head against the ship with a constant force. The blast head has a side edge which extends laterally at least to the side edge of the vehicle to facilitate blasting adjacent to obstacles under the hull. An overhung load adapter connects the blast wheel to its motor to minimize radial loads on the blast wheel motor. In the blast head, a stream of blasting material falling toward a main hopper is subjected to a transverse air stream which laterally deflects lighter particles into a debris channel.

Abstract: A development system which includes a dual auger assembly, mounted in a housing, for mixing developer materials in which a trickle port is between the dual auger assembly at an end of the housing which enables combining the cleaner waste toner and trickle waste in a single without the need of an additional auger.

Abstract: A surface of a porous ceramic body is protected by binding ceramic particles entirely within the subsurface porosity of the body adjacent to the surface but not present as a separately identifiable surface layer. To produce such a protective layer, a slurry of a mixture of a ceramic powder and a silica-containing binding agent is first prepared. The slurry is impregnated into the surface of the body so that all of the slurry enters the porosity of the body and substantially none of the slurry resides on the surface. The slurry is dried in place, and the residual solids are fired to bind the ceramic powder to the interior walls of the porosity. Drying and firing can be accomplished at intermediate temperatures of about 700-1000.degree. F. using heat lamps, so that the surface protection can be accomplished without removing the ceramic body from a larger structure.

Abstract: A handheld computer which contains an LCD display having a digitizing surface to allow pen input. Internal storage takes several forms, such as a large flash ROM area, battery-backed up RAM and an optional hard disk drive. Several alternative communication paths are available, such as the previously mentioned modem, a parallel printer port, a conventional serial port, a cradle assembly connected to the host computer, and various wireless short distance techniques such as radio frequency or infrared transmission. The computer can readily communicate with other sources, particularly to a host desktop computer, to allow automated synchronization of information between the host and the handheld system. Preferably the remote synchronization is performed at several user selectable levels. When the handheld computer is in a cradle and actively connected to the host computer, automatic capture of updated data in the host computer is performed.

Abstract: A two-stage wingless reusable aerospace vehicle having upper and lower stages that take off from a take-off area and separate at a separation point along a first trajectory. The separation forces are generated by air retained between the upper and lower stages, which is at a pressure higher than ambient pressure at the separation point. The lower stage is then propelled along a return trajectory to a landing area. After separation from the lower stage, the upper stage continues to an Earth orbit for deployment of a payload. After deploying the payload, the upper stage moves out of the Earth orbit, re-enters the Earth's atmosphere, and returns to the take-off and landing area. The upper and lower stages are powered by liquid oxygen and kerosene engines.