Abstract: A plastic transmission filter (1) composed of mating upper (2) and lower (3) shells of synthetic resin material with at least one set of registering weld posts (10) extending between inner surfaces of the upper and lower shells; a fluid pervious centertube (4) interposed between the mating shells around the weld posts, and a filter material (5) wrapped around the centertube to form a bag filter. The filter assembly can be welded together in a single vibration welding operation and provides enhanced flow of transmission fluid by avoiding flow restrictions caused by prior art reinforcement poles.

Abstract: A method for labeling the pixels within a selected visual area of at least one image frame containing that visual area from a sequence of image frames stored in memory and operative to be displayed on an interactive display so that a user may subsequently select the selected visual area on a pixel accurate, frame accurate basis. To label the selected visual area within an image frame, the scene within that image frame is segmented to identify the selected visual area, each pixel within that selected visual area is then labeled with an area identifier which is unique to that selected visual area, and the pixels containing the area identifiers are mapped into an item buffer. The item buffer is then compressed and stored within a labeled portion of memory linked with the stored frame image from which the item buffer was derived.

Abstract: A valve for controlling a flow of abrasive particles suspended in a pressurized carrier fluid has at least two apertured valve seats (74, 75) in face to face contact. One of the valve seats (74, 75) may be slid between a first position in which the apertures of each valve seat (74, 75) are aligned to allow fluid flow and a second position in which the aperture is one valve seat (74, 75) is blocked by the face of another (75, 74) to stop flow through the valve. The valve seats (74, 75) each have an outer layer of material with a hardness on the Mohs scale of at least 9, such as diamond. The valve is suitable for use in a fluid jet machining apparatus, particularly apparatus charged with a suspension of abrasive particles such as garnet in water.

Abstract: A biopsy needle includes an outer cannula and an inner cannula. The inner cannula includes a distal end and a proximal end. The outer cannula is shaped and dimensioned to closely circumscribe the inner cannula for movement relative thereto. The inner cannula further includes a sample recess at its distal end, the sample recess including a U-shaped cutting edge defined by pn=xn cos ? qn=xn sin ? where, ? is an angle at which the cutting edge is formed. xn is an actual length position along the sample recess, pn is a length position of the sample recess relative to the cutting edge along a line substantially parallel to an inner cannula longitudinal axis, and qn is a depth position of the sample recess relative to an apex of an arc defined by a cutting edge.

Abstract: A sheath shaped and dimensioned for reducing trauma and easing insertion thereof includes an inner sheath member, the inner sheath member including an inner sheath tip having a primary bevel and a circumferential conical surface. The sheath also includes an outer sheath member shaped and dimensioned to fit around the inner sheath member in a manner permitting relative movement. The outer sheath member includes an outer sheath tip having a primary bevel and a circumferential conical surface.

Abstract: A needle stick protection device includes a housing shaped and dimensioned for positioning about a needle. The housing includes a first housing member telescopically coupled to a second housing member. The first housing member includes an open first end and an open second end. The second housing member includes an open first end and a substantially closed second end, the second end including an aperture shaped and dimensioned to permit the passage of a needle therethrough. The device also includes a mechanism for locking the first housing member relative to the second housing member wherein the second housing member moves relative to the first housing member to facilitate retraction and extension of the needle through the aperture at the second end of the second housing member.

Abstract: A needle stick protection device includes a housing and a locking member positioned within the housing to permit the selective locking of the needle relative to the housing. The locking member includes a spring biased strip having first and second upwardly extending arms connected by a central base member. The first and second upwardly extending arms are biased relative to each other and respectively include a first needle aperture and second needle aperture. A release member is associated with the locking member for facilitating the controlled release of a needle locked in position by the locking member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evaluating a patient's laryngeal cough reflex function includes a nebulizer capable of being actuated to atomize a cough-inducing substance, a switch associated with the nebulizer, the switch responsive to actuation of the nebulizer, and a connection between the switch and an EMG machine to thereby activate the EMG machine responsive to the switch. Elapsed time between switch actuation and electrical activity sensed in a muscle which contracts to produce a cough is indicative of status of the patient's laryngeal cough reflex.

Abstract: A valve for controlling a flow of abrasive particles suspended in a pressurized carrier fluid has at least two apertured valve seats (74, 75) in face to face contact. One of the valve seats (74, 75) may be slid between a first position in which the apertures of each valve seat (74, 75) are aligned to allow fluid flow and a second position in which the aperture is one valve seat (74, 75) is blocked by the face of another (75, 74) to stop flow through the valve. The valve seats (74, 75) each have an outer layer of material with a hardness on the Mohs scale of at least 9, such as diamond. The valve is suitable for use in a fluid jet machining apparatus, particularly apparatus charged with a suspension of abrasive particles such as garnet in water.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for simulating the appearance of an article having surface texture comprising the step of applying a textured skin having a surface texture to a prototype to produce a textured prototype, thereby to simulate the appearance of the article having surface texture.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a storage vessel (19) for abrasive particles, a source of pressurised carrier fluid and a first conduit (11) to convey at least a major proportion of the incoming carrier fluid to a nozzle (16). A second conduit (9) connects the source of carrier fluid to an inlet of the storage vessel (19) and a third conduit (18) connects its outlet to the nozzle (16). A switching device (6) is selectively operable either to allow a minor proportion of incoming carrier fluid to flow through the second conduit (9) to the storage vessel (19), or to direct all of the carrier fluid through the first conduit (11). When a minor proportion of carrier fluid is directed through the second conduit (9), abrasive particles in carrier fluid are discharged from storage vessel (19) into the third conduit (18). When all of the carrier fluid is directed through the first conduit (11), fluid from the second conduit is entrained, thereby reversing fluid flow in the second (9) and third (18) conduits.

Abstract: A spindle nut and a locking device are disclosed for securing the nut on a spindle in a non-rotative position relative to the spindle. The assembly comprises the spindle nut, an antirotation spring and a spring backup plate mounted on the spindle. The antirotation spring and spring backup plate may be formed as a single unit.

Abstract: A two-stage method for the preparation of polyol fatty acid polyesters is provided. The resulting polyol fatty acid polyesters are very lightly colored (i.e., colorless to slightly yellow) and have a high degree of substitution with fatty acid groups. The first stage of this two-stage method is a solvent-based esterification reaction; the second stage is an essentially solvent-free esterification reaction. In the first stage, a polyol in a solvent (e.g., sucrose in dimethylsulfoxide)) is reacted with fatty acid lower alkyl esters at relatively low temperatures using an alkaline salt catalyst. After the desired degree of esterification is obtained, the resulting partially-esterified polyol fatty acid polyesters and the solvent-containing phase are separated.

Abstract: Apparatus for desorbing gas from a liquid comprises a deflector for imparting a helical movement to the liquid, a nozzle forming the outlet of the deflector, a stepped desorption tube extending upwardly from the nozzle and a receptacle enclosing the outlet end of the desorption tube. A vacuum pump is connected to the receptacle to reduce pressure within the receptacle and feed and extraction pumps are respectively connected to the deflector and the receptacle to pass the liquid through the desorption tube and to remove de-gassed liquid from the receptacle. The desorption tube has an inlet end with a larger cross-sectional area than the outlet of the nozzle and a cross-section which increases stepwise along the length of the desorption tube.