Abstract: A filter for filtering micro-emboli from a patient's blood during an angioplasty procedure is disclosed which comprises a plurality of curved wires connected to a rod between a first connector fixed with respect to the rod and a second connector slidingly mounted on the rod. Two layers of filter material are connected to opposite sides of the wires, and each layer includes perforations which are offset from the perforations in the other layer. When the rod and the wires are disposed within a catheter, the inner wall of the catheter compresses the wires toward the rod and when the rod is extended from the catheter, the wires resume their curved shape and pull the sliding connector along the rod toward the fixed connector.

Abstract: A decoupled mono tube damper assembly for a vehicle includes an outer tube attached to the vehicle's unsprung mass. The outer tube has a base and a sleeve end. An outer tube sleeve engaging end of an inner tube is slidingly engaged with the sleeve end. The inner tube has an end distal to the sleeve engaging end, and is attached to the vehicle's sprung mass at the distal end. A damper rod has one opposed end extending axially into a base aperture, and an opposed end connecting to the inner tube. The rod moves axially relative to the outer tube, due to forces transmitted from the unsprung mass. A low amplitude energy-managing member is operatively disposed within the outer tube, and has a throughbore receiving the rod. A travel-limiting member attaches to the rod and is engageable with the energy-managing member. The travel-limiting member constrains axial movement of the rod through the outer tube base to a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A car seat alarm has an on/off switch that is initiated by clicking the latch on the car seat. (“Pumpkin” or removable carrier infant seats may use a two-part switch.) Initiating the circuit when clicking the child into the seat would conserve battery life. The device would be off when the seat is unlocked. Additionally, if an occasion arose where a parent or caregiver were sitting in the vehicle with a child and needed to have the engine off, that parent or caregiver would simply need to unclick or unlock the child car seat restraint to deactivate the device. A learning or programmable chip can be programmed to the same frequency as the panic button on the key fob. This may be done by pressing the panic button on the key fob in close proximity to the learning circuit on the seat.

Abstract: This device is made to protect the bony surfaces of a foot from prolonged pressure and ultimate skin breakdown. It consists of a cylinder of dense foam that is fitted to encompass the lower leg of a user from the knee to the ankle. When in place on the leg a of a user lying in bed, it will support the lower leg such that the foot will not be in contact with the firm surface of the bed, thus providing total pressure relief to the foot. The user can also lie in any position, even prone, with out interference from this device.

Abstract: Dampers for vehicle suspensions include a housing comprising a tube attached to a wheel axle of a vehicle and a piston rod extending from a piston within the tube and attached to the vehicle body. The piston divides the tube into first and second chambers. In order to damp responses when minor smooth road imperfections impart low force excitations to the wheel of the vehicle, a fluid bypass passageway in the form of a sleeve is positioned around the tube and overlies the piston. This provides second stage quasi-ideal damping at low force excitations to the wheels and thus to the wheel axles of the vehicle. The sleeve communicates with the first and second chambers through metered orifices or valves. As low force excitations from smooth road imperfections displace fluid within the tube through the metered orifices or valves, the orifices damp responses to the low force excitations, thereby smoothing the ride of the vehicle.

Abstract: The ability of a damper to attenuate smooth road shake in a vehicle is tested using a test fixture that is controlled by inputting data for periodic low amplitude periodic excitations having a selected frequency range, selected amplitude range and a selected dither representative of vehicle operation on relatively smooth roads. The selected frequency range is about 5 Hz to 30 Hz and the selected amplitude range is about 0.05 mm to 2.00 mm. A preferred frequency is about 15 Hz which is applied preferably for about 200 cycles in a series of separate tests at individual amplitudes of, for example, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00 mm. The damper is tested to produce low amplitude test results comprising displacement, force and velocity parameters, measured as functions of time.

Abstract: An electrical parameter imaging apparatus and method includes the acquisition of a charge distribution pattern on an array of electrodes that surround an object being imaged. In addition the exterior boundary, or contours of the object is measured by an array of light beams and associated light sensors. The contour measurement is employed to provide a first estimate of the object geometry needed to compute an electrical parameter image from the acquired charge distribution pattern.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a storage apparatus for a surgical implant device that protects the integrity of a surgical implant device during transport, provides protection of the surgical implant device prior to the use of the device in surgery, and facilitates the handling of the surgical implant device by the operator.

Abstract: An electrical property imaging system includes an array of sensors placed around an object to measure the surface charges thereon as a sinusoidal voltage is applied thereacross. The resulting distribution of charges inside the object are calculated using a stored charge correlation matrix. Electrical property images are produced from the internal charge distribution image.

Abstract: A filter for filtering micro-emboli from a patient's blood during an angioplasty procedure is disclosed which comprises a plurality of curved wires connected to a rod between a first connector fixed with respect to the rod and a second connector slidingly mounted on the rod. Two layers of filter material are connected to opposite sides of the wires, and each layer includes perforations which are offset from the perforations in the other layer. When the rod and the wires are disposed within a catheter, the inner wall of the catheter compresses the wires toward the rod and when the rod is extended from the catheter, the wires resume their curved shape and pull the sliding connector along the rod toward the fixed connector.

Abstract: Cardiac information of a patient is displayed by obtaining a plurality of MRI cine loops of the heart of the patient at a plurality of heart rates, the plurality of cine loops including both wall motion cine loops and at least one perfusion cine loops and simultaneously displaying both the wall motion cine loops and the at least one perfusion cine loop.

Abstract: Methods of cardiac diagnostics of a patient are provided that include administering a stress test to the patient, acquiring a plurality of MRI cine loops of the heart of the patient at a plurality of heart rates, adjusting the plurality of MRI cine loops based on a heart rate associated with respective ones of the MRI cines so as to compensate for differences in heart rate and evaluating the compensated MRI cine loops so as to assess a state of coronary physiology of the patient. Furthermore, the administration of the stress test may be adjusted based on the evaluated compensated MRI cine loops. Also, the evaluation of the compensated MRI cine loops may determine a presence or absence of coronary artery disease based on the compensated cine loops.

Abstract: A filter for filtering micro-emboli from a patient's blood during an angioplasty procedure is disclosed which comprises a plurality of curved wires connected to a rod between a first connector fixed with respect to the rod and a second connector slidingly mounted on the rod. Two layers of filter material are connected to opposite sides of the wires, and each layer includes perforations which are offset from the perforations in the other layer. When the rod and the wires are disposed within a catheter, the inner wall of the catheter compresses the wires toward the rod and when the rod is extended from the catheter, the wires resume their curved shape and pull the sliding connector along the rod toward the fixed connector.

Abstract: A computer program is scalable to change the operation of the software application without reprogramming. The program provides a screen painter for a user to create and customize forms to input data to a storage base. A configuration manager is used to select and input the operating parameters supplied to the storage base for the creation by a user command of one software application which is changeable in the same way it was created with out reprogramming.

Abstract: This invention is a metal tray that is removed quickly and easily from the fireplace after burning firewood. It must be manually transported to a disposal receptacle for dumping ash then returned to the fireplace thus greatly eliminating messy cleanup.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reaming or enlarging a borehole with the ability to drill cement, cement float equipment, and debris out of a casing without substantial damage to the casing interior or the reaming apparatus.

Abstract: An electrical property imaging system includes an array of sensors placed around an object to measure the surface charges thereon as a sinusoidal voltage is applied thereacross. The resulting distribution of charges inside the object are calculated using a stored charge correlation matrix. Electrical property images are produced from the internal charge distribution image.

Abstract: A device to inflate a balloon and maintain it in an inflated state while providing access to the expanded balloon orifice for purpose of inserting objects. The device has a transparent, cylindrical, balloon chamber covered by a vertically movable lid having a balloon orifice expanding mechanism consisting of multiple, cam actuated, retracting fingers. Lid support columns also function as air supply ducts and have stops to hold the lid at convenient elevations for insertion of deflated balloons and removal of inflated balloons containing objects. A preferred embodiment applies positive pressure to inflate the balloon, although vacuum applied exterior to the balloon is also workable.

Abstract: An inflator for a vehicle inflatable safety system comprising a housing configured to contain a gas generating material, an igniting assembly, and an activating assembly. The igniting assembly includes an actuator plate that is configured to ignite the gas generating material contained in the housing and backer plate. The backer plate is attached to the housing such that a seal is formed therebetween that is capable of substantially stopping the flow of the gas generated by the gas generating material in any direction other than the predetermined directions. The igniting assembly also comprises a booster cup, an ignition charge, and a percussion primer. The booster cup with a conical-shaped end surface with the percussion primer disposed therein proximate to the actuator plate for igniting the gas generating material. The actuator plate and the end surface of the booster cup are in contact only along the peripheral edges thereof.