Abstract: The present invention relates to a device with an ultrasonic-based probe for drilling and coring. The invention uses ultrasonic and subsonic vibrations produced by a frequency compensation coupler or free mass to produce the hammering action of a partially disengaged probe, with a relatively low axial force required. The invention can also be fitted with irrigation and aspiration capabilities. The invention can furthermore be furnished with a body sensor-feedback apparatus, which provides feedback to the operator as to the optimal frequency and power use of the generator. One embodiment of the invention also has a cooling mechanism to keep the drill or coring apparatus at an optimum temperature.

Abstract: A menu driven reprogrammable drug pump is provided with a memory, such as flash memory, a display, a keyboard, and a communications port to allow a generic pump to be programmed with a desired pump application (therapy) program and patient specific settings. Programming and data transfer with another pump or a computer to and from the patient pump is by the communications port that allows local and/or remote communications with the pump. Flash memory stores the pump application program during use. Patient safety is provided by a cassette identification system, an occlusion detection system, and a latch/lock detection system. Automated testing of the pump is by a closed loop testing system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device with an ultrasonic-based probe for drilling and coring. The invention uses ultrasonic and subsonic vibrations produced by a frequency compensation coupler or free mass to produce the hammering action of a partially disengaged probe, with a relatively low axial force required. The invention can also be fitted with irrigation and aspiration capabilities. The invention can furthermore be furnished with a body sensor-feedback apparatus, which provides feedback to the operator as to the optimal frequency and power use of the generator. One embodiment of the invention also has a cooling mechanism to keep the drill or coring apparatus at an optimum temperature.

Abstract: A menu driven reprogrammable drug pump is provided with a memory, such as flash memory, a display, a keyboard, and a communications port to allow a generic pump to be programmed with a desired pump application (therapy) program and patient specific settings. Programming and data transfer with another pump or a computer to and from the patient pump is by the communications port that allows local and/or remote communications with the pump. Flash memory stores the pump application program during use. Patient safety is provided by a cassette identification system, an occlusion detection system, and a latch/lock detection system. Automated testing of the pump is by a closed loop testing system.

Abstract: An air chamber for the housing of air handling components including an interior shell surrounded by an exterior shell, the shells being separated by materials of relatively low thermal conductivity. The interior shell is peripherally mounted on an interior base. The interior base is disposed within an exterior base that supports the exterior shell. A structural thermal insulation material is disposed interstitially between the interior and exterior bases and the interior base and interior shell are thermally isolated from the exterior base and exterior shell.

Abstract: The present invention is a rheology-modifiable polymeric composition or a free-radical crosslinkable polymeric composition, wherein the resulting rheologymodifying bond or crosslinking bond is a thermally-reversible bond. The resulting polymer is prepared from at least one polymer which upon forming free radicals preferentially degrades or carbon-carbon crosslinks. The present invention permits suppression of the preferential reaction while permitting the polymer to be coupled or crosslinked through a thermally-reversible bond. Suppressing the undesirable degradation or carbon-carbon crosslinking reaction and permitting the desirable reaction yield a rheology-modified polymer or a free-radical thermally-reversibly crosslinked polymer.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved polymeric composition comprising a free-radical reactive polymer, an organic peroxide, and a graftable stable organic free radical. The present invention permits suppression of an undesirable degradation or carbon-carbon crosslinking reaction while permitting the polymer to undergo the desirable grafting reaction.

Abstract: A flexible yoke or mounting body for a pod support apparatus, such as a monopod or bipod, includes a resilient section interposed between leg(s) of the pod support and a device supported thereon. The resilient section is preferably formed of a bendable elastomeric material to thereby facilitate manual tilting of the portable equipment on the pod support apparatus. In a multipod embodiment, the yoke or mounting body may include multiple leg extensions of elastomeric material for detachably securing multiple support legs thereto in angularly-spaced relation. The resilient section may allow the legs of a multipod to be moved independently of each other. A quick-detachable coupling device is preferably provided for detachably and rotatably coupling a piece of portable equipment such as a rifle or spotting scope to the pod support device.

Abstract: A roller assembly for use, for example, in agricultural machines where the roller assembly has an exterior surface portion adapted to contact a conveyor element supporting the agricultural products and a bearing sub-assembly positioned about an axle in the center of the roller assembly. The bearing sub-assembly has at least one bearing, at least one sealing element having an elastomeric sealing portion positioned outboard of the bearing and at least one standoff also positioned outboard of the bearing. There may be a plug in place of one of the sealing elements, the plug being elastomeric and configured to make a compression fit with the hub.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for transporting laboratory animals comprises a container (12), a cover piece (14), and a closure piece (16). The container (12) has an open top. The cover piece (14) is connectable with the container (12) for closing the open top of the container (12). The cover piece (14) has a passage (188) through which the at least one laboratory animal passes during insertion into and extraction from a cavity (28). The closure piece (16) includes a portion (234) that is rotatable relative to the cover piece (14) between a first position in which the portion (234) of the closure piece (16) closes the passage (188) in the cover piece (14) and a second position in which the passage (188) in the cover piece (14) is open to permit the insertion and extraction of the at least one laboratory animal through the passage (188).

Abstract: A method of calculating a diagonal interleaved parity word for groups of words sampled from a bus is provided, wherein a predetermined number of words are included in each sampling cycle. The bus carries successive data words that are followed by a control word. At each sampling cycle, diagonal XOR calculations chains are propagated through the words that were sampled. However, if a sampling cycle includes the control word, the words following the control word are assigned to logical zero values. The diagonal XOR calculation chains may then be terminated after processing the words in this sampling cycle to derive an intermediate diagonal parity word. The intermediate diagonal parity word may then be adjusted according to the number of words that were assigned logical zero values to calculate the diagonal interleaved parity word.

Abstract: The electrical pin lead structure and brazing technique of the present invention provide a brazed lead in a sensor that adheres well to a semiconductor substrate while facilitating lateral flexibility without joint fatigue or breakage. In one example embodiment, the pin lead includes a coil head that is brazed to a silicon layer on a sapphire substrate using a silver-copper-palladium braze material. An advantage to this approach is the ability to both braze the pin lead to the diaphragm and seal the diaphragm to the ceramic backing plate with a high temperature glass in a single process step. Further, the palladium in the braze composition is a factor in reducing surface tension between the metal lead and semiconductor substrate during cooling to avoid stress fractures in the substrate.

Abstract: A gun barrel cleaning device includes a quick-detachable coupling mechanism releasably coupling a handle to a cleaning implement for cleaning a gun barrel bore. A thrust bearing is preferably provided for supporting the cleaning implement on the handle and for facilitating axial rotation of the cleaning implement relative to the handle. The gun barrel cleaning device may comprise part of a gun barrel cleaning kit, which may include a variety of different cleaning implements. A novel sheath for storing a gun barrel bore-cleaning implement is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for improving safety and hydro-flow thrust from a trolling motor. The apparatus may include a first and second semi-circular portions configured to connect together to substantially enclose a hydro-drive device, and a semi-circular bracket coupled to each semi-circular portion, the semi-circular brackets together capable of fixedly coupling the first and second semi-circular portions to a trolling motor housing. The apparatus may also include an annular portion configured to couple to an aft opening formed by the first and second semi-circular portions.

Abstract: A system and apparatus are disclosed for improving safety and hydro-flow thrust from a hydro-drive device. The apparatus may include a shroud having a first opening for the ingress of water, and a second opening for the egress of water, a diverter connected with the shroud and angled in a direction selected to direct water to form a vortex as the water exits the shroud, and a screen connected with the second opening and configured to allow a substantially free flow of water and to prevent marine, plant, animal, and human life from contacting the hydro-drive device. The system may include a motor, a hydro-drive device coupled to the motor, and the apparatus.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism for attaching a component to an instrument. The attachment mechanism includes a first hoop assembly having a first hoop receiving a first portion of the instrument and a second hoop assembly having a second hoop receiving a second portion of the instrument. Either one of the first hoop assembly or the second hoop assembly may be configured to retain the component thereto. The first and second hoop assemblies are configured to be secured to each other such that the first and second hoops are in tension with, and secured about, the instrument.

Abstract: A system and method for sensor integration includes a medical device, a transmitter attached to the medical device, and a receiver. The medical device can include a tracking point. The transmitter can be connected to the medical device to minimize a distance between the tracking point and the transmitter. The transmitter can transmit a position signal. The receiver can receive the position signal. The signal may be employed to determine at least one of a position and orientation of the transmitter relative to the receiver. The transmitter may include electronic circuitry capable of measuring additional telemetry information and transmitting the telemetry in a telemetry signal. The transmitter may also transmit an identity signal.

Abstract: A system and method for embedding tracking technology in a medical table is disclosed. A plurality of table sensors is attached to a medical table to form an array. An instrument sensor is attached to an instrument. At least one of the table sensors and the instrument sensor generates at least one magnetic dipole field. The instrument sensor is moved relative to the array while at least one of the table sensors and the instrument sensor measures at least one vector component of the field. The measured vector component(s) are communicated to tracker electronics that determine at least one of a position and orientation of the instrument sensor relative to the array.