Abstract: A device of the type for the adjustment of the gap between the valve stem and rocker arm or cam shaft of an internal combustion engine having a lower valve spring retainer base and upper cap member with adjustment means associated therewith incorporating an improved valve stem receipt member and improved cap retention member.

Abstract: An incandescent ignition arrangement for an internal combustion engine is combined with a fuel-injection device and has an ignition chamber formed as an annular space coaxial with and surrounding the fuel-injection device, an overflow passage rising toward a reference plane extending normal to the longitudinal axis of the fuel-injection device and having a component which extends tangentially to a periphery of the annular space and is open into the latter, and the overflow passage extends to the reference plane at an angle selected such that an extension of the axis of the overflow passage lies inside a fuel injected from the fuel-injection device, and the arrangement has an electrically heatable ignition element lying inside the contour of the ignition chamber.

Abstract: A spark plug for igniting air-fuel mixtures, comprising: an elongated annular body with an axial bore; dividing the bore into a valve chamber and a compression chamber; and, a valve disk, slidingly disposed in the valve chamber, the valve disk being subjected to the operating pressure of the cylinder, the valve disk being pressed into a sealing position during compression, ignition and exhaust strokes, and being pulled into an open position during intake strokes, whereby unburned gases enter the combustion chamber during the exhaust strokes and additional air is pulled into the combustion chamber during the intake strokes, the unburned gases and additional air being injected back into the cylinder prior to each ignition to enhance subsequent combustions, the valve disk being substantially immune to damage from the successive shock loading to which it is subjected.

Abstract: A positive, gastight, and undetachable connection of two metal parts, especially a cylinder head and a cylinder tube of an internal combustion engine. A groove is located in one of the two parts; this groove, together with a counterpiece of the second part, which counterpiece engages in the groove, forms an annular chamber which is filled with molten metal according to the diecast method, and in such a way as to be free of occlusions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for suspending valve actuation for use in an internal combustion engine is disclosed. Each of intake and exhaust valves is normally actuated by a rocker arm operated by a cam in synchronism with an engine operation. The rocker arm is supported at one end by a supporting member held to a cylinder head by means of a retaining member. The supporting member is selectively floatable with respect to the cylinder head to thereby effect suspension of valve operation. The supporting member is then held at a position where sliding contact between the rocker arm and the cam is prevented.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine including a combustion chamber in a cylinder, an intake port communicated with the combustion chamber at an upper portion of the cylinder, and an intake valve for controlling intake air which flows from the intake port into the combustion chamber at the upper portion of the cylinder, the intake port turns around a valve shaft of an intake valve in a spiral shape so as to produce swirls in the cylinder. The axis of the intake valve is positioned at the plane passing the central axis of the cylinder. The axis of the major intake air flow at an entrance of the intake port is positioned at one side of or out of the plane. The axis of the major intake air flow extends to intersect an inner turning wall of a turning portion of the intake port. The inner turning wall further passes the plane from the one side of the plane to the other side of the plane.

Abstract: An intake port structure for an internal combustion engine having a primary intake passage defined in a cylinder head for supplying an air-fuel mixture into a combustion chamber in a full range of loads, and a secondary intake passage defined in the cylinder head for supplying an air-fuel mixture into the combustion chamber under relatively high load conditions. The primary intake passage has a first outlet port opening into the secondary intake passage immediately upstream of the valve face of an intake valve. The secondary intake passage has a second outlet port opening into the combustion chamber through the valve face. A wall projects sidewardly into the secondary intake passage adjacent to the second outlet port for deflecting an air-fuel mixture flowing from the secondary intake passage into the combustion chamber to form a swirl of air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine in which the quantity of air supplied to the engine is controlled to control the warming-up rotational speed of the engine, a first desired warming-up rotational speed characteritic relative to the temperature of engine cooling water and a second desired warming-up rotational speed characteristic lower in rotational speed level than the former are stored in an ROM of a micro-computer, so that, when the throttle valve is not opened during warming-up of the engine, the actual rotational speed of the engine coincides with the first desired warming-up rotational speed, while, when the throttle valve is opened during warming-up, the actual rotational speed of the engine coincides with the second desired warming-up rotational speed.

Abstract: A fuel pump control system for use in an internal combustion engine having fuel injection valves each disposed to be driven by a command signal indicative of a required quantity of fuel being supplied to the engine, corresponding to operating conditions of the engine, and a fuel pump for supplying pressurized fuel to the fuel injection valves, wherein the control system controls the operation of the fuel pump. The control system includes at least one abnormality determining means which is adapted to monitor the above command signal and a signal indicative of the operative state of a corresponding one of the fuel injection valves, and generate an abnormality-indicative signal after the levels of the two signals have become out of a predetermined logical relationship, whereby the fuel pump is rendered inoperative by the abnormality-indicative signal.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive member (68) is operatively connected to a pressure regulator assembly (80, 100) through a cam section (64b) of a control pin (64) and a follower pin (76). The pressure regulator assembly (80, 100) regulates a fuel pressure inside a chamber (12a) of a pump housing (12) upon a change of a pressure acting on the pressure sensitive member (68), thereby compensating a timing of fuel injection determined by an injection timing control member (24). The pressure acting on the pressure sensitive member (68) is an atmospheric pressure or a boost pressure. The pressure regulator (80, 100) is adjustable to either advance or retard the injection timing as desired in conformity with an atmospheric pressure or a boost pressure, or to vary the point at which the fuel pressure in the pump chamber (12a) starts to be varied.

Abstract: An improved induction system for a V type engine that improves both charging and combustion efficiency. The engine includes an induction system for each cylinder barrel that includes a pair of intake valves and respective intake passages that have a common inlet. One of the intake passages is curved and an auxiliary intake passage extends through the cylinder head and terminates at an auxiliary intake port that is disposed at one side of the main intake port in proximity to the cylinder barrel for generating a swirl to the intake charge. A plenum chamber is position in the V of the engine and defines two separate chambers each of which communicates with a respective one of the auxiliary intake passages.

Abstract: A fuel injection apparatus injects a high-pressure fuel to each combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The fuel injection apparatus is provided with an accumulator which controls an amount of injection and an injection period of the high-pressure fuel compressed and supplied from the fuel pressure chamber in accordance with the operation of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A fuel injection device injects pressurized fuel in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The device is provided with an accumulator. The accumulator accumulates part of the pressurized fuel to be injected in the combustion chamber in accordance with a given operating state of the engine, thereby obtaining an optimum injection rate throughout the entire operating range of the engine.

Abstract: A fuel control valve for limiting the flow of fuel to an internal combustion engine having fuel injector means. A fuel control valve has a series of orifices in a fuel control block and a cam located in the block and communicating with a fuel pump for an internal combustion engine. The cam is rotatably movable in the control block so as to increase and decrease the cross-sectional flow area for the fuel to the engine by communicating with one or more fuel orifices or jets in the fuel control block. The cam is mechanically connected to the accelerator of the engine so that fuel supply to the stacks leading to the cylinders of the engine is directly controlled according to the operation of the accelerator pedal. In this way, the fuel flow and pressure to the fuel injector is immediately limited when the operator releases the accelerator.

Abstract: A control device for the fuel feed actuators of an internal combustion engine comprises a detector for detecting a first engine parameter (e.g. engine RPM), another detector for detecting another engine parameter (e.g. throttle angle), a further detector for detecting the operative condition of the engine (e.g. the temperature of the coolant), a pulse generator connected to the engine shaft, another pulse generator connected to an auxiliary shaft, a processor (CPU), a read only memory unit (ROM), a random access memory unit (RAM), two timers, the processor unit (CPU) performing a sequence of programmed steps in order to select which of the electric fuel injectors must be actuated, at what instant of time, for what time period and with what quantity of fuel each time.

Abstract: Engine-starting enrichment is decreased gradually, after the engine is completely started, in response to the temperature difference between the present-coolant temperature and the initial-coolant temperature. The initial-coolant temperature is determined to be equal to the present-coolant temperature just when the engine is completely started.

Abstract: In an electronic fuel injecting method and device for an internal combustion engine, wherein a basic injection time is obtained in accordance with an intake pressure of the engine and an engine rotational speed, and, during transition, the basic injection time is corrected in accordance with the operating conditions of the engine so as to determine a fuel injection time, out of three factors including an after-idle increase correction in which a correction value is increased to a predetermined level when an idle switch is turned "OFF", a throttle valve opening increase or decrease correction in which a correction value is obtained in accordance with a changing speed in opening of a throttle valve, and an intake pressure increase or decrease correction in which a correction value is obtained in accordance with a changing speed of the intake pressure, at least two factors are combined to obtain an increase correction value for acceleration or a decrease correction value for deceleration, and, when the factors a

Abstract: In an electronic digital control system for engine, a throttle position is sensed at predetermined time intervals to detect a variation thereof from the previous time to the present time, and, after modifying the detected variation by a correction coefficient related to a cooling water temperature to obtain the modified variation, the previous value of a fuel injection amount correction factor computed at the time of previous computation is added to the value of the modified variation to compute the sum. Then, a predetermined subtraction constant is subtracted from the sum to compute the difference therebetween, thereby obtaining the new data of the fuel injection amount correction factor, and this new factor is used to correct the basic fuel amount computed separately on the basis of the operating condition of the engine.

Abstract: A fuel system and electronic control therefor which is especially designed for use with an internal combustion engine or the like in which said fuel system is operable to provide fuel fumes or vapor to the engine from a source of liquid ignitable vaporizable fuel, such as gasoline, of sufficient quantity whereby to significantly increase the efficiency of the engine and thus substantially increase the per gallon mileage rate for the engine when used in an automotive vehicle or the like, and one using liquid fuel as the original fuel source. The system incorporates an electronic control operable to monitor a plurality of engine parameters and which control is responsive to a change in engine demand for said fuel and resultant change in one or more of said engine parameters to maintain the optimum ratio of vaporized fuel and air in the mixture delivered to the engine for combustion.

Abstract: Apparatus for improving fuel utilization efficiency of an internal combustion engine comprises an elongate device for mounting in a liquid fuel line having a plurality of radially spaced longitudinal bores in a solid plastic housing communicating with an inlet and outlet. Aligned magnets are retained in shallow axial cavities at each end of the housing. The device is energized by placement between a pair of electrodes having a high voltage for several hours.

Abstract: A housing located between a conventional carburetor and the intake manifold inlet on a conventional internal combustion engine (such as that used in an automobile) has internal compartmentation to receive a volume of fuel and air mixture from the carburetor and to direct same through an outlet compartment and thence through a conduit to a fuel mixture heat exchanger mounted on the engine. The heat exchanger comprises one or more heat exchanger units each having a closed cylindrical housing with a plurality of closed, individual fuel mixture conduits therein (such as copper tubing). Each cylindrical housing is connected by a conduit, such as a hose, to the hot air exhaust manifold of the engine so that the heated air from the manifold is directed through each housing and around the heat exchanger tubes therein. A filter unit comprises a closed housing which receives the heated fuel through a porous screen baffle and a series of conventional ceramic or foam plastic or other types of filter material.

Abstract: In combination with an internal combustion engine and an air compressor, for use in an aircraft, the compressor providing compressed air to the engine's air inlet, there is provided a variable overboard bleed valve. The bleed valve is operated by a valve controller which controls the position of the bleed valve in response to changes in engine operating conditions. This permits maintaining optimum compressor operation over a wide range of engine operating conditions without exceeding the critical pressure of the compressor, so as to avoid surge. The controller can be preferably linked to the propeller governor and the throttle control for the aircraft, so as to move in response to combined movement of the governor and throttle control. The combined movement can be obtained using a pair of cables connected to a pivoting plate connected to the rotating control shaft of a butterfly valve.

Abstract: This invention relates to electronically controlled exhaust gas recirculation valves and more particularly to systems incorporating an electrical vacuum regulator.It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an EGR system that is less susceptible to output flow changes caused by carbon build up. A further object of the invention is to provide a vacuum regulator that can be used with simple, low cost EGR valves. Simple valves can be used by virtue of the closed loop vacuum regulation feature of the present invention since the flow rate/vacuum signal relationship is not important. A further object of the present invention is to provide an EGR flow regulation system which automatically compensates for pressure variations which result in changes in the pressure differential across the EGR valve due to changes in exhaust system pressure and intake manifold pressure.Many other objects and purposes of the invention will be clear from the following detailed description of the drawing.

Abstract: An auxiliary cable having a plurality of wires and connecting terminals at each end provides electrical connections between an electronic ignition control unit and engine starting elements to permit starting a vehicle internal combustion engine despite a malfunctioning spark timing control unit. The cable includes five insulated wire conductor leads with a receptacle at one end which mates with an external plug on the electronic ignition control unit and a plug on the other end which engages a receptacle connected to the engine starting elements.

Abstract: An output stage of a calculator (2) has a transfer function of the form: tc=N.TSD+.epsilon. where .epsilon. is a small and known quantity; t.sub.c is the conduction time of the coil, N is a number of angular fractions or periods of an interpolation signal; and TSD is the period corresponding to one tooth on the starter gear. The device comprises measurement means (1, 32, 36) for measuring the time strictly necessary to obtain the required energy; means (6, 9, 13, 17) for generating signals at each fraction of the angular marking signal in order to obtain a time measurement of a counting window and means (21, 25, 29) for counting and memorizing during this window an interpolation signal of the angular resolution n times higher.

Abstract: An ignition coil control circuit compares the coil input current with a reference level, and the duty ratio of the output current is altered accordingly. The reference level is raised during cold weather operations, raising the duty ratio. Once the operating temperature of the engine rises above a predetermined level, a detector circuit activates a control signal generator which lowers the reference level received by the comparator to lower the duty ratio accordingly.

Abstract: A stove for burning solid fuel such as firewood. a lower level air inlet opening is provided for so-called "primary air," and another air inlet opening is provided at a higher level for so-called "secondary air." The volume of air introduced into the stove from each inlet opening is separately controlled. An air metering means controls the amount of secondary air introduced into the stove through the higher level air inlet opening. The lower level air inlet opening and the air metering means both have a finite number of predetermined, fixed air transmitting conditions and no other air transmitting conditions. The lower level air inlet opening has preferably two predetermined, fixed air transmitting conditions--a maximum and a minimum. The air metering means has at least a predetermined, fixed maximum air transmitting condition and preferably also a predetermined, fixed minimum, transmitting condition. The level at which the two air inlet openings are located is specified.

Abstract: An apparatus for both improving the heat distribution throughout a room from a portable kerosene heater and for collecting undesirable emissions resulting from the burning of the kerosene, includes a base adapted to be mounted on the top of the heater, the base supporting a vertically extending shaft on which is mounted a heat-driven fan formed of either paper or metal, and a disposable disk mounted a spaced distance above the fan on the same shaft, the disk serving as a collector for the undesirable emissions. When the device is placed on an operating kerosene heater, the rising hot air and gases from the heater cause the fan to rotate, which in turn causes emissions from the burning fuel to move upwardly in a more or less cylindrical path. As the products of combustion move upwardly, certain emissions therein such as soot, oily vapors, etc. deposit or condense onto the surface of the spinner and disposable disk.

Abstract: The invention concerns a grille for burning all sorts of solid fuels in ses, hearths, central heating boilers, baking ovens, combustion furnaces, drying kilns and others.The grille exists of two grilles fitted one above the other and in contact with one another, one of said grilles is movable with respect to the other, the width of each passage opening in one of the grilles is greater in the middle of the grille, permitting to close gradually from their ends the passage openings of the other grille during the displacement of one of said grilles.

Abstract: A building having rooms to be heated is supported at least in part on a cylindrical double wall concrete tank, the inner wall of which receives a heating fluid preferably heated by a solar collector while the outer wall includes a coil through which the heated fluid can be circulated to radiate heat into the rooms of the building.

Abstract: A device for utilizing solar energy to heat air comprises an insulating body spaced from preferably a masonry wall of a building and a solar collector positioned in front of the insulating body. Circulation means are provided for removing heated air from the device while promoting circulation of air in the device around the insulating body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar collector for obtaining high temperature thermal energy by collecting solar energy, especially to the improvement of performance and safety of an absorber tube containing thermal energy storage material. Precisely, the solar collector has a double tube structure at the focal line of a solar concentrator where thermal energy storage material changeable from a solid phase to a liquid phase is enclosed in the space between the inner tube and the outer tube, heat transfer fluid is introduced through the inner tube and the outer surface of the inner tube and the inner surface of the outer tube have partial contact with each other. Consequently, in accordance with the present invention, a part of the absorbed solar energy is transferred directly to the inner tube without passing through the thermal energy storage material and heats the heat transfer fluid efficiently because of the direct contact of the inner and outer tubes.

Abstract: A dish-shaped, radiant energy collector comprises a thin, concave, thermoplastic cover having a reflective layer of metallization vapor deposited on the convex side thereof. A coating of foamed resin is applied to the metallization in order to render the collector self-supporting. Struts or a layer of honeycomb cardboard and/or fiberglass may be introduced into the sandwiched composite to provide further structural rigidity. The cover is produced by forming a flat sheet of acrylic plastic which is transparent to the wavelengths of interest.

Abstract: A suction control device of an endoscope comprises an outer cylinder connected with a channel at one end and having an opening at the other end, an inner cylinder opening at either end and inserted in the outer cylinder so as to be able to move axially between a first position on one end side of the outer cylinder and a second position on the other end side of the outer cylinder, thereby forming an annular space defined between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, a first rugged ring formed on one end of the inner cylinder, a second rugged ring formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder so as to come closely in contact with the first rugged ring to cut off the communication between the space and the channel when the inner cylinder is moved to the first position, and a coupling piece disposed on the other end of the outer cylinder so as to cut off the space from the atmosphere and supporting the inner cylinder so as to allow the space to communicate with the channel.

Abstract: The remote sensing device is added to a fibro-optic illuminating and viewing system such as a colonoscope. The directional sensing device is located in a flexible hood surrounding the distal end of the fiberscope. The sensor devices located in the hood at close spacings consist of semi-conductive digital foam sheath with electrodes located on its inside surface. The sheath and electrodes are attached to an ohmmeter so that when the instrument contacts with the wall, e.g. of a colon, the pressure is measured. The completed circuit forms a signal which is used to direct the distal end of the fiberscope in a direction away from the point of greatest resistance so as to follow the lumen with greater safety.Contacts may also be positioned along the length of the endoscope so as to be activated by tension below the level of pressure required to disrupt the intestinal wall, or when used in other applications, at a level of pressure appropriate to that use.

Abstract: An electro mechanical system for stimulating the human scalp. The system includes a rigid helmet adapted to be placed upon the head of a patient to be treated, which helmet includes an internal pad comprising integral, stimulating finger members which directly contact the scalp of the patient. A vibration motor housed within the helmet communicates mechanically with the pad to gently vibrate same to stimulate the scalp. Remote means for generating a vacuum are inter-connected with the helmet through an elongated vacuum hose, and a vacuum input orifice is defined within the helmet. Preferably the vibration motor is housed within the vacuum inlet orifice, and vacuum is distributed interiorly of the helmet during vibration to stimulate the scalp.

Abstract: An improved massage table is provided by an arrangement of driving cams which cooperate with followers in the form of lifter bars, such bars serving to reciprocably actuate lift rods positioned through bearing guides attached to the table. Massaging members are attached to topmost portions of the lift rods and operate to bear upwardly against a cushion member in response to an upward movement of the associated lift rods so as to provide a massaging action to a person reclining on the cushion member. The driving cams are operably secured to a pair of orthogonally positioned rotating shafts, each shaft having its own driving gear ratio motor.

Abstract: A skin massage device for both massaging skin and applying a cosmetic product through retractable protuberances on the massaging surface. A first plurality of the protuberances are retractable into the massing surface, and include a piston with an outlet opening in its exterior side. A rod affixed to a housing in the massaging surface is engaged by the piston and this seals the opening. Upon massaging pressure applied to an annular bead on the piston, the piston is retracted into the massaging surface, opening the piston opening and permitting exit of cosmetic product. The piston extends into a housing supported at the massaging surface and the housing communicates into the reservoir for being filled. The piston includes a side wall which blocks communication between the housing and the reservoir when the piston is retracted, whereby cosmetic product in the housing is forced out the opening in the retracted position of the piston.

Abstract: A medical sleeve wherein a knitted sleeve length is provided to extend from a snug location of the lower end adjacent the wrist of a wearer all along the entire length of an arm to the shoulder and wherein a strap is provided for hooked-up engagement through snap means to connect the sleeve to a brazier strap, which device is useful after a masectomy.

Abstract: A supplemental hand restraint device is disclosed which is utilized in conjunction with conventional handcuffs to eliminate functional hand and/or finger use of a person in custody. The device comprises a bag adapted to be positioned over the hands and handcuffs of a person in custody and be secured thereupon to completely enclose or encapsulate the person's hands. The device may additionally be secured to the belt of a person in custody to prevent the person from stepping through the handcuffs as well as be utilized in multiple custody applications.

Abstract: Medical breathing apparatus which provides repeated short bursts of oxygen separated by longer intervals of time to the wearer of a surgical mask to supplement his breathing.

Abstract: Pathological tissue is excised with a beam from a laser that is coupled through a flexible, optical waveguide to a collimator that reduces the beam cross-sectional area by variable, controlled amounts. A transparent bore or a graphite cannule couples the beam exiting the collimator to the tissue to vaporize same. An electrically responsive deflector gyrates the reduced cross-sectional area beam about a bore sight axis aligned with the cannula bore so that the excised tissue has a frusto-conical volume. To excise different, displaced tissue regions, a position servo system moves the cannula so the bore sight axis moves in a plane at right angles to a plane on the exterior surface containing the pathological tissue.

Abstract: A pneumatic tourniquet includes an inflatable cuff, a pressurizing mechanism for pressurizing the cuff, a pressure relief mechanism for depressurizing the cuff, a pressure sensing mechanism for sensing the pressure to which the cuff is pressurized and a pressure regulator mechanism for selectably activating the pressurizing mechanism and the pressure relief means to maintain the cuff pressure near a selected pressure. Visual and audible alarm signals are triggered if the cuff pressure exceeds a cuff pressurization limit, if the cuff pressure falls below a cuff depressurization limit, or if the cuff has remained pressurized for, or in excess of a selected time period.A computer may be used to sense the cuff pressure and pressurized or depressurized the cuff as required to maintain the cuff pressure within upper and lower cuff pressure limits.

Abstract: An extraction device for removing foreign bodies such as a uretal stone from a human body passage. A double lumen catheter is provided having a tubular balloon attached circumjacent to the distal end thereof. A suction lumen is open at the distal end and a pressure applying lumen is open to the interior of the balloon. The balloon includes a lower reentrant portion. After insertion of the distal end of the catheter into the body passage such as the ureter to the point of a stone, the balloon is inflated dilating the ureter. The catheter is slowly withdrawn causing intussusception of the distal end of the tubular balloon, thereby surrounding and captivating the stone. Continued withdrawal extracts the stone without trauma to the passage wall.

Abstract: A suture device for use in tendon repair which comprises an open network constructed of nontoxic tissue-receptive intersecting members extending between opposite ends and formed to receive and fit tightly over opposing and approximated ends of a lacerated tendon.

Abstract: A suntanning booth rapidly tans an occupant by having a first source of radiant energy of a wave length of 320 to 400 nanometers and a second source of radiant energy of a wave length of 280 to 320 nanometers which simultaneously irradiate an occupant of the booth to stimulate secretion of melanin and to oxidize the melanin, respectively. Individual cooling systems for the radiant energy sources and the occupant are formed as part of the booth to maintain the temperatures of the radiant energy sources and the occupant at acceptable levels.

Abstract: Conditions, such as tumors, in a living body are treated by applying localized infrared electromagnetic energy to the affected area of the body. The energy is selected to have a wavelength such that the energy is absorbed by the cells, and the amplitude of the energy is adjusted to a value that is effective to cause destruction of defective cells without destroying healthy cells. Preferably, the energy is derived from a flowing fluid having a temperature within the normal operating temperature range of the body, which determines the wavelength of the energy, and the amplitude of the energy is adjusted by controlling the flow rate of the fluid.

Abstract: The pacing lead assembly includes a multiconductor pacing lead including a plurality of wire conductors within a sheath of insulating material. A connector assembly surrounds the proximal end of the pacing lead and includes spaced apart metal bands on the sheath with each one of the wire conductors electrically connected to one of the metal bands. The connector assembly also includes insulating segments between the metal bands and a resilient conductive ring on each metal band adapted to make electrical connection with a metal ring in a socket in a pulse generator into which the connector assembly is inserted. The metal bands are spool-shaped with end flanges that provide means for retaining each resilient conductive ring in place on the metal band.

Abstract: A medical electrode apparatus and a kit of components therefor, for use on the skin of a patient in conjunction with an external medical instrument such as an EKG machine. The apparatus includes a resilient bulb member for creating a partial vacuum in a vacuum bell to which it is selectively connected. The vacuum bell is formed with a lower outer concavity surrounding an inner chamber thereof so as to receive therein an electrically-conductive gel material for contact with the patient's skin. Alternatively, the bell may be formed with an annular rim member formed of a closed-cell electrically-conductive sponge material. The vacuum bell is also provided with a connector member for securing therein an electrode terminal of an external medical instrument.

Abstract: A needle guide for use with a medical ultrasonic scanning apparatus includes a pivoting plate on a fixed mounting plate. The mounting plate is attached to an ultrasonic scanhead whereby a surface of the mounting plate is in the plane of the ultrasound scan. An adjustable pivoting plate on the mounting plate includes at least one needle aligner, which preferably has a groove formed therein. The pivoting plate can be pivoted and locked into position on the mounting plate. An idler plate, containing an idler roller is spring mounted on the pivoting plate. The idler plate can be pivoted, whereby the idler roller moves away from the guide needle aligners. A raised wall on the pivoting plate prevents an improperly placed needle from puncturing a sterile sheath applied over the scanhead, such as in a brain scan. Thus a needle, such as a biopsy needle can be placed between the idler roller and the needle aligner and will be held in place by the spring tension on the idler roller.