Abstract: A novel method of forming large area single crystal cubic boron nitride films on a silicon substrate by first treating the surface of the substrate with atomic hydrogen and then depositing a cubic boron nitride film by a reactive biased laser ablation technique.

Abstract: Many cows are simultaneously loaded onto a stationary car that is thereafter moved to a milking station. The time for the car to move from a loading station to the milking station exceeds the time while the car is at the milking station. The distance between the loading and milking stations exceeds the length of each of several such cars that traverse a path between the stations. The cars move from the milking station to an animal discharging station and then back to the loading station. Teats are cleaned and dried at stations between the loading and milking stations. Each car is broadside of the path at the loading and discharging stations so the cows have equal access to and from stalls of cars at the loading and discharging stations. Each car includes an excrement catcher that is raised as the cows enter the stalls. Two such paths share an operator at a loading area and another operator at two side-by-side milking areas.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting when birds are in a birdhouse with a heat sensor and illuminating a lamp to give a visual indication of the presence of the bird. A second portion of the circuit gives a visual indication when the bird enters or leaves the birdhouse.

Abstract: A timer controlled pet feeder for automatically dispensing a predetermined amount of pet food at a given time comprising a container having an openable main reservoir formed therein and adapted for holding several meals of pet food connected to a feeding reservoir formed therebelow and adapted for holding a meal of food with the feeding reservoir having an upwardly extended entrance for communicating with the main reservoir and a downwardly extended exit for providing communication therefrom; a dispensing mechanism having a retracted orientation for simultaneously closing the exit of the feeding reservoir and opening the entrance of the feeding reservoir and an extended orientation for simultaneously opening the exit of the feeding reservoir and closing the entrance of the feeding reservoir; an actuator mechanism for placing the dispensing mechanism in the extended orientation when activated and the retracted orientation when de-activated; and a timer mechanism for maintaining a current time and a plurality o

Abstract: A device that automatically repeats a prerecorded message for training a bird to mimic the message. The device is sized such that it may be attached to a bird cage by adjustable clips. The device electronically records and stores a message spoken by the user and plays back the message through a speaker for the bird at intervals determined by a timer. A user may record any type of message that the user wishes for the bird to learn. The message may be of variable length up to 60 seconds in duration. The user may select a delay interval between one second and thirty minutes by utilization of the timer. Once the user activates the play-back, the device will play the prerecorded message at a selected volume, automatically repeating in intervals equal to that selected by the user. Thereafter, the device will continue to repeat the prerecorded message at the selected interval until the user deactivates the device.

Abstract: To prevent an animal such as a dog from falling or jumping out of a pickup truck, first, second and third cables, each having a connected end and a free end have their connected ends joined together at a common connection point and their free ends terminated with a clip or snap fastener. The first and second cables are equal in length and are approximately one-half the width of the bed of the pickup truck. The length of the third cable is no greater than the length of the first or second cable. The free ends of the first and second cables are clipped to suitable points on the perimeter of the truck bed, and the free end of the third cable is clipped to the collar of the animal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a retractable animal leash assembly including a housing suitable for being held in one hand, an unwindable leash arranged partially coiled within the housing, a brake which is operable by the holding hand for momentarily blocking the portion of the leash located outside the housing at a desired length and a brake lock mechanism for holding the brake in the blocking position. The brake lock mechanism is activated with operating levers arranged in two positions on the housing reachable by the holding hand. Thus the housing can be held in either the left or the right hand without degradation of function and the prolonged switch may be easily and quickly operated by the holding hand or its fingers.

Abstract: A method for comprehensive integrated control of a compression-ignition internal combustion engine having integral fuel pump-injectors utilizing an electronic control unit is disclosed. The control strategy integrates various functions of engine control including fuel delivery, cooling fan control, engine speed governing and overspeed protection, engine braking, torque control, and vehicle speed diagnostics and control. Cooling fan control is integrated with vehicle speed diagnostics and control as well as fuel delivery to provide an integrated cruise .control function which incorporates engine braking. The method also includes improved control over the various engine speed governors while improving idle quality by balancing the power delivered by each of the engine cylinders when at idle. The integrated torque control employs functions to reduce NOx emissions and noise utilizing adaptive fuel delivery timing and a split injection strategy.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine which each cylinder has a cylinder cooling space and each cylinder head has a head cooling space, the individual cylinder cooling spaces being connected in series, the individual head cooling spaces being connected in series and the cylinder cooling spaces, as a group, cooling spaces, as a group, being connected in series. The engine includes a lubrication oil system which supplies cooling oil to the cylinder and head cooling spaces as well as supplying lubricating oil to lubricate other components such as the bearings for the crankshaft, the crankshaft and the piston connecting the rods.

Abstract: A valve activation device having a linear reciprocating cam shaft having longitudinally extending cam grooves that are engaged by captive cam followers which oscillate up and down in response to sideways reciprocation of the camshaft for activating intake or exhaust valves of internal combustion engines or other devices employing reciprocating pistons and valves. The camshaft is caused to reciprocate by a rotary linear converter of the "yankee" type composed of double helix channel at the extreme end of the camshaft and a rotary collar having two sets of diametrically opposed guide members.

Abstract: In a valve timing control device, when a camshaft is retained relative to a timing pulley, a hydraulic piston is applied with a force which moves it in a direction toward an advancing-side hydraulic chamber (i.e., in the direction to vary a valve timing to a delaying side) owing to reaction of the driving torque of the camshaft. This force causes fluid to leak out of the advancing-side hydraulic chamber, and the hydraulic piston is liable to move toward this hydraulic chamber. However, fluid of an amount corresponding to an amount of this leakage is supplied to the advancing-side hydraulic chamber by way of a control valve. Also, discharge of fluid from a delaying-side hydraulic chamber via the control valve is stopped. Thus, the movement of the hydraulic piston toward the advancing-side hydraulic chamber when the hydraulic piston is retained at a desired position is prevented. Therefore, the hydraulic piston can be stably retained at the desired position, and a desired valve timing can be maintained.

Abstract: A drive device has a housing and an internal combustion engine positioned in the housing. The engine has a crankshaft. A cable starter with a cable and a cable reel for receiving the cable is provided. The cable has a handle at its free end. A cable guide sleeve through which the cable is guided is provided. The crankshaft extends through the cable starter. A clutch with a clutch casing and a support for the cable starter are provided. The support is arranged between the housing and the clutch casing. The support has radially extending arms whereby one of the arms has a securing device for the cable guide sleeve. The securing device has a securing connection selected from the group consisting of a snap connection, a catch connection, and a clip connection.

Abstract: A balance shaft for an automobile engine is disclosed. The balance shaft has a hollow tubular body and a pair of end plug members permanently secured thereto, as by welding. Notches or bob weights either in line or 180.degree. out of phase are provided in the two end plug members. The balance shaft is rotated at twice the crankshaft speed in order to balance second order forces.

Abstract: In this combustion chamber structure for diesel engines, precombustion chamber bodies in which precombustion chambers are formed are installed via heat insulating layers in cavities formed in pistons, so as to improve the heat insulating capability of the precombustion chambers and the combustion rates in the precombustion chambers and primary chambers, minimize the generation of HC and NOx increase the thermal efficiently. The precombustion chamber bodies comprise upper chambers, lower chambers and gaskets of a low heat conductivity provided between the upper and lower chambers. The upper chambers are provided in the walls thereof with central insert bores into which fuel injection nozzles are thrusted in positions in the vicinity of the upper dead centers of the pistons, and communication ports, which allows the primary chambers and precombustion chambers to communicate with each other, around the central insert bores.

Abstract: A system for reducing fuel consumption in an internal combustion engine and to meet optimal exhaust emissions values.

Abstract: A control system according to one aspect calculates a ratio of an actual amount of fuel supplied to the combustion chamber to the desired amount of fuel to be supplied to the combustion chamber, by taking into account at least an amount of evaporative fuel supplied to the combustion chamber, and sets the rate of change of the air-fuel ratio correction coefficient based on this ratio of the actual amount to the desired amount. A control system according to another aspect of the invention calculates an injected fuel ratio of an amount of fuel injected to an amount of total fuel to be supplied to the combustion chamber, and controls the ignition timing based on the injected fuel ratio and depending on operating conditions of the engine.

Abstract: A spark knock detection system is disclosed which has a vibration detector connected in proximity to the engine for converting a vibration into an electrical output signal representative of the vibration. A sampler which is connected to the vibration detector samples the electrical output signal and converts the electrical output signal into a numerical data pattern corresponding to the electrical output signal. A feature extractor which is connected to the sampler converts the numerical data pattern into frequency domain signal portions which have a magnitude. A classifier which is connected to the feature extractor receives the frequency domain signal portions. The classifier has predetermined coefficients for classifying the frequency domain signal portions to indicate the presence of spark knock.

Abstract: The actuator described herein can be used with those gasoline engine fuel injection systems which maintain a constant value of instantaneous fuel to air ratio throughout each intake stoke of the engine. When used with these fuel injection systems the actuators described herein act to maintain a constant overall fuel to air ratio from one engine cycle to the next over a wide range of engine operating conditions.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine controls an amount of fuel supplied to the engine. Operating conditions of the engine, including engine rotational speed and intake pressure, are detected. Also detected is a valve opening of a recirculation control valve arranged in an exhaust recirculation passage, for controlling recirculation of exhaust gases. An amount of recirculation gas is determined based on a detected value of the valve opening of the recirculation control valve. A fuel supply amount is calculated based on the engine rotational speed and the intake pressure. The fuel supply amount is corrected based on the amount of recirculation gas determined.

Abstract: ECU includes a lean air/fuel ratio coefficient setting device, an accelerated stoichiometric-burn operation air/fuel ratio coefficient setting device, a meeting-of-lean-burn-operation-conditions determining device, a throttle position change detector, an acceleration criterion setting device, an end-of-acceleration determining device and an acceleration determining device. When a detected vehicle speed has been determined to be in a high-speed range faster than a threshold and an acceleration is determined to have ended, a relatively large value is set as an acceleration criterion only for a predetermined period. During a lean-burn operation, ECU compares output information from the throttle position change detector with the acceleration criterion set by the acceleration criterion setting device and if the output information is greater than the acceleration criterion, determines an accelerated operation and changes the mixing ratio of fuel to air to a stoichiometric ratio (or a rich ratio).

Abstract: A basic discharge QK Of a fuel pump is determined based on an engine load and an engine rotational speed, and further a correction amount QG for correcting the basic discharge QK based on comparison of an actual fuel pressure PT with a target pressure Po is learnt for every driving conditions. Then, the basic discharge QK is corrected with the correction amount QG, whereas in a transient condition, the basic discharge QK is corrected with a transient correction amount QT set on the basis of a variation rate .DELTA.PT Of the fuel pressure PT. Thus, it is possible to ensure that an amount of fuel required by an engine is surely supplied without excess fuel supply from the fuel pump.

Abstract: A method, for use with a vehicle including a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having exhaust valves, for controlling the temperature of the exhaust valves during fuel cutoff modes of engine operation utilizing a bit pattern representation of the engine cylinders. The method includes cutting off the fuel delivered to the cylinders in an indexed cylinder firing pattern to vary which cylinders receive fuel, so as to maintain acceptable exhaust valve temperature levels. The method may also include operating the engine with a lean air/fuel ratio, so as to maintain acceptable catalytic converter temperature levels.

Abstract: Differential flow sensing through respective flow path portions of a system for detecting leakage from an evaporative emission control system. A series flow path comprises a first flow sensor for sensing the entire output flow of an impeller pump used to positively pressurized the system under test, a second sensor in a portion of the series flow path that is downstream of the first flow sensor, and a calibrated orifice downstream of the second flow sensor. A branch circuit to the evaporative emission space under leakage test tees into the aforementioned series circuit between the first flow sensor and the second flow sensor. A differential amplifier receives signal from the respective sensors. Any difference in sensed flows, once the pressure has been brought to a predetermined pressure, is output by the differential amplifier to signify leakage in an amount correlated with the sensed difference in the flows.

Abstract: A fuel supply module for furnishing gaseous fuel to a liquid cooled internal combustion engine includes a pressure regulator for reducing gas pressure from a relatively higher tank pressure to a relatively lower pressure required for induction into an engine, and a heating chamber surrounding at least part of the pressure regulator. The flow of liquid coolant into the module is controlled by means of a temperature controller which senses the temperature of the coolant within the heating chamber and which controls the amount of coolant flowing through the heating chamber in response to the sensed temperature so as to control the amount of which is transferred to the gas flowing through the fuel supply module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for metering liquid fuel for delivery to an engine including delivering during each cycle a predetermined quantity of liquid fuel into a control chamber (71) charged with compressed gas, and thereafter, adjusting the quantity of fuel in the control chamber (71) in accordance with the engine load and/or speed to the required quantity per cycle, and discharging the adjusted quantity of fuel from the control chamber to an injection chamber (70) charged with compressed air for delivery to the engine combustion chamber. Conveniently, as the quantity of fuel is maintained in said control chamber (71) under pressure, the adjustment of the quantity of fuel is effected by opening a bleed valve 73 for a time period determined by the quantity of fuel required to be retained for delivery to the engine.

Abstract: A learning control system for controlling an air fuel ratio an engine employs a slowly updated second learning control variable in addition to a normally updated first learning control variable in order to utilize the learning function sufficiently even when a deviation of the air fuel ratio exceeds the learning range of the first variable. The control system according to an illustrated embodiment of the invention identifies a current engine operating area among a plurality of such areas, in accordance with a sensed engine operating condition, obtains a value of the first learning variable corresponding to the identified operating area, and a value of the second learning variable, determines a learning quantity which is a sum of the first and second learning variables by using the obtained values, and uses this learning quantity for determining a desired fuel supply quantity. The second learning variable is updated slowly whereas the first learning variable is updated in a sensitive and speedy manner.

Abstract: Air/fuel and ignition control of engine (28) are used to more rapidly heat-up a catalytic converter (52). A control system (8) generates a fuel command (100) for fuel delivery to the engine (28) based upon at least an amount of air inducted into the engine. The fuel command is offset by a predetermined amount in a lean direction during a period after engine start to shift the engine exhaust gas mixture towards a preselected air/fuel ratio lean of stoichiometry (106-122). In addition, the fuel command is corrected by a correction value so that the exhaust gas mixture is shifted ore closely to the preselected air/fuel ratio (126-140). Correction values are adaptively learned (300-324) during a portion of the warm-up period from a feedback signal derived from an exhaust gas oxygen sensor (44). Ignition timing and engine idle are also controlled (350-374) to further achieve more rapid warm-up of the catalytic converter (52).

Abstract: An improved hood for a cooking apparatus, such as an outdoor barbecue grill. The hood includes integrally formed hinges on the sides thereof comprising a pin-in-saddle assembly. The hood also includes a stop for limiting the rearward travel of the lid with respect to the cooking surface.

Abstract: A gas-fired infrared radiator comprising a closed housing which includes a combustion chamber, with a side of the radiator that is to be directed towards an object being a radiation plate which forms a boundary of the combustion chamber, and comprising at least one burner, wherein the or each burner is a high-speed burner adapted for combustion in two combustion stages, with the second combustion stage taking place in the combustion chamber, the or each high-speed burner is arranged in such a manner that a flame formed by the or each high-speed burner is directed at the radiation plate, and gas guiding means are provided for partly recirculating flue gas which has been passed along the radiation plate, to the first or second combustion stage.

Abstract: An exothermically hydrated fuel for a self-heating food container comprises particles of a hard quicklime that has been calcined at a temperature above 1,400.degree. C., such as from 1,410.degree. C. to 1,500.degree. C. The fuel can also contain at least 10% based on the weight of the hard particles of softer, more porous particles of quicklime calcined at a temperature above 1,250.degree. C. and/or particles of an anhydrous acid that exothermically reacts with quicklime to form a non-toxic, non-hazardous salt such as oxalic acid.

Abstract: A solar device has an air receiver with a housing and an absorber connected within the housing. The absorber is heated by solar radiation. The absorber has an upstream side and a downstream side, wherein a stream of air is guided through the absorber from the upstream side to the downstream side and heated to generate heated air and wherein said heated air is cooled to produce useable heat energy and cooled air. A device for returning at least a portion of the cooled air as return air in a plurality of partial streams to the absorber is provided for guiding the partial streams through the absorber counter to the stream of air without mixing therewith from the downstream side to the upstream side. A device for deflecting the partial stream at the upstream side is provided for deflecting the partial streams toward the upstream side.

Abstract: An endoscopic sheath assembly having an endoscope tube and a plurality of working channels, wherein the endoscope tube is adapted to receive and tightly surround a flexible, elongated endoscope that has a neutral bending plane. Working channels, including a biopsy channel, an air channel, and a water channel, are disposed within and substantially parallel to the endoscope tube along its length radially outward of the neutral bending plane of the endoscope. The biopsy, air, and water channels each have proximal sections and expansion sections. The suction channel has a proximal section comprising a lubricious inner tube forming a lubricious inner lumen, and a kink resistant outer tube bonded to the inner tube. The expansion section of the biopsy channel has a close pitch, axially wound, flat wire spring tightly surrounded by an extruded elastomeric material that is adapted to maintain radial compression force on the spring member.

Abstract: An endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical instrument having an internally disposed ratchet mechanism located within a barrel portion of a handle assembly. The instrument includes a handle assembly having a pivoting handle and a stationary handle, a barrel portion to which an elongated body assembly is secured, and a ratchet mechanism for releasably positioning a tool mechanism located at the distal end of the body assembly at various increments. The ratchet mechanism comprises a pawl member and a rack member which are disposed within the handle assembly. A rotational knob and locking member may also be provided to lock the body assembly at various orientations to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus comprising a reservoir for providing a medication er pressure and a housing which has a centrally located chamber and a wave shaping chamber located in a front portion of the housing. Positioned between the wave shaping chamber and the centrally located chamber is a blast valve. The plunger of a reciprocating piston has a vertical extending support member attached its front end. A power supply provides a square wave signal at a predetermined frequency to a coil alternatively energize and de-energize the coil. When the coil is energized the piston moves rearward. De-energizing the coil results in forward movement of the piston. A plurality of inlet ports positioned around the housing between an inlet manifold coupled to the reservoir and the centrally located chamber allow the medication to enter the chamber as a medicated vapor when the piston is drawn rearward.

Abstract: An improved inhaler and medicated packet which uses a patient's breath to send powdered medication into the oral cavity of the patient. The inhaler is reusable and controls both the rate of airflow inside the chamber and prevents the patient from blowing into the inhaler. Disposable medicated packets are inserted into the inhaler. These medicated packets have preformed holes which pass air through the packet and entrain the medication. One inhaler can be used numerous times for numerous different types of medication. These medicated packets have a removable, protective layer to maintain the sterility and dryness of the measured dose of medication. In operation, the medication is transported from the packet, through the inhaler, and into the patient. The medicated packets are transparent on one side to allow the patient to observe if the medication has been completely delivered.

Abstract: A resuscitator apparatus including a resilient, self-inflating squeeze bag having a single combined inlet/outlet which is preferably removably connected to a first manifold in operative communication with a valve device. The first manifold includes an inlet coupling adapted for connection to a source of pressurized respiratory gas such as oxygen and an outlet coupling adapted for connection to a first end of a tubular connector. The second end of the tubular connector is adapted for connection to an inlet coupling of a second manifold in operative communication with a non-rebreathing valve contained within a tubular, preferably L-shaped housing. The tubular housing includes a first leg connected to the second manifold and a second leg extending substantially perpendicular to the first leg, the second leg being adapted for connection to a subject interface member such as a breathing mask.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fire and hazardous fume safety equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a combination lighted escape mask and night light container. The mask includes a fire protective enclosure which fits around the head of a wearer, a light mounted on the top of the mask, a visibly transparent visor, a breathing filter, and an elastic collar to form an air-tight seal about the wearer's head. The escape mask fits inside a container which includes a biased top and an external night light which functions as an opening mechanism for the biased top of the container. An electrical connector connects the container and mask to an electrical source to constantly charge the light on the mask and the night light on the container. Thus, a kit is provided for saving a life in the event of fire.

Abstract: Medical apparatus includes a stand with an approximately L-shaped arm having a first portion (1) and a second portion (3) which extends approximately perpendicularly to the first portion and a free end of which supports at least one medical apparatus (7, 9). The first portion (1) has a free end which is connected, to, for example a floor (13) of an examination space via, a bearing (17), in such a manner that it can be rotated from a neutral position in opposite directions through an angle of .DELTA. radians in a plane of rotation parallel to the floor. A bundle of cables (21) extends from a space (19) at the side of the floor (13) which is remote from the examination space to parts of the device. The bundle of cables (21) is shaped approximately as a flat ribbon having a largest thickness t equal to the thickness of the thickest cable and a width w equal to the sum of the thicknesses of the cables.

Abstract: A solid-state fluorescent dosimeter for monitoring therapy irradiation dosage during a photodynamic therapy procedure. The solid-state fluorescent dosimeter includes an optical fiber -having a distal end and a proximal end, and a solid-state fluorescent tip attached to the proximal end of the optical fiber. The solid-state fluorescent tip includes a fluorescent material which emits fluorescence when exposed to non-ionizing radiation in the visible or near infrared range. The solid-state fluorescent tip has a sufficient length so as ensure isotropic response characteristics to the non-ionizing radiation regardless of the orientation or alignment of the solid-state fluorescent tip relative to the irradiation source.

Abstract: MXA Scan analysis in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention can be viewed as a process of placing points on the lateral morphometry image at the anterior, mid, and posterior positions of the inferior and superior endpoints for each vertebral body in the spinal region of interest. These point locations are then used to calculate the anterior, mid, and posterior heights of the vertebral bodies. These heights are then compared to one another and to known normal values for the heights and ratios of the heights for each vertebral body and among vertebral bodies to quantify the degree of vertebral deformity.

Abstract: The present invention enables stereotactic surgery with a minimal structure present in order to facilitate surgery yet with enhanced accuracy in stereotactic imaging assistance to the surgeon. This device and method is known as "frameless" stereotaxis system, and uses coordinate referencing between the CT or MRI scans and a stereotactic referencing system which uses an electromagnetically driven system (transmitter and receiver) to determine the location of a stylus.Magnetic field distortion is reduced through the use of a low frequency magnetic field. The frame of reference through which this system operates is coordinate referenced to the coordinates of a composite image formed from a CT, MRI, or other system which are arranged and may be generated in two or three dimensional fashion in response to the position of a pointer as they are referenced to the orientation of a patient during an operation.

Abstract: Entered complex data is phase-rotated by the corresponding to the moving velocity of the clutter component. Then clutter component information is eliminated by a real type MTI filter assembly. Thereafter, the output data of the real type MTI filter assembly is reversely phase-rotated.

Abstract: A data acquisition and display apparatus for an ultrasonic camera includes an ultrasonic scanning head for scanning an ultrasonic field of view in two dimensions. A timing and digitizing apparatus for digitizing ultrasonic signals from the ultrasonic scan head has a digitized output. An interface is coupled between the timing and digitizing apparatus and a graphics engine and first and second digital signal processors. A graphics processor is coupled to the graphics data line. The system also includes an image processor and computer controller which controls the graphics and digital signal processors.

Abstract: A plurality of ultrasonic pulses are transmitted to the inside of a living body by an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic echo signal is received from within the living body. An auto-correlating unit effects auto-correlation processing on the ultrasonic echo signal to produce a real-part component and an imaginary-part component. A real-part component corrector adds an offset value to the real-part component so as to generate a new real-part component. A velocity detector detects a moving velocity of a tissue or blood from the new real-part component and the imaginary-part component.

Abstract: An ultrasound densitometer is disclosed in which ultrasonic transducers are located spaced apart in a water bath into which the heel of a person may be inserted. The transit time of an ultrasonic pulse through the water and heel and the attenuation of the pulse may be measured to evaluate the physical properties of the bone in the heel. A central controller coordinates the ultrasonic measurement with the automatic filling and draining of the water bath to ensure hygienic and repeatable operation. The water may be preheated to reduce patient discomfort and to improve the reduced by preheating water in a separate pre-fill chamber during the previous scan. Gravity feed of the water reduces the complexity of the water handling and provides extremely quiet operation. A toe peg in the water bath, which fits between the patient's toes, and a calf support help to reduce patient motion during the measuring.

Abstract: A device capable of recording a bioelectrical signal under the normal living conditions of a living body is arranged so that an extremely real record can be obtained not only during a walk, a meal or a sleep of the living body but also even during bathing. A base member having flexibility which permits it to follow the motion of the living body is provided with electrodes for picking up electrical signals of the living body and a recording element for recording the picked-up electrical signals. If the base member is stuck on the living body, the electrodes pick up the electrical signals of the living body and the picked-up electrical signals are recorded in the recording element. When the base member is stuck on the living body, the base member watertightly covers the electrodes. Accordingly, even if the living body is surrounded by water, the electrodes can pick up the electrical signals of the living body without touching the water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing the electrical activity of the heart by Body Surface Potential Mapping (BSMP) in which an array of electrodes are applied over the thoracic region of a subject's body for producing measurements of the electrical signals generated in the thoracic region, and the measurements are processed for indicating certain electrical events in the subject's body. The array of electrodes are utilized to measure only the times of crossing of the electrical signals over a preset threshold.

Abstract: A method and device for stimulation of an upper airway muscle of a patient to relieve an airway obstruction employs a digital respiratory effort waveform. The waveform is provided by sensing a signal having an output characteristic of respiratory effort of the patient and sampling the sensed signal at a predetermined interval. To bring the signal into the center of the maximum digital range for the device, an average offset for the digitized waveform is determined and the sensed signal is adjusted to bring the average offset into the center of a predetermined maximum digital range. To provide an appropriate amplitude for the waveform, an average peak-to-peak amplitude for the digitized waveform is determined and the average peak-to-peak amplitude is then adjusted to bring the average peak-to-peak amplitude into the range of about 60-90% of the maximum digital range.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for the electromyographic detection of electrical fields inherent in muscular activity, for the diagnosis of labor in a pregnant mammal. The apparatus includes a system (10) for determining a periodicity, and for measuring a magnitude and a direction of movement, of the electrical signal in an abdominal region, and for processing the signal to indicate normal and abnormal labor conditions, the onset of true labor, and the extent of cervical dilation. A Labor Onset processor (16e) determines the onset of true labor. A Vector Determination processor (16b) determines a uterine contraction vector having a propagation rate component and a direction component, relative to a plurality of measurement electrodes. The positions of the measurement electrodes are referenced to a coordinate system and are specified to the system through a data entry device (20).

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for noninvasively diagnosing limb compartment syndrome by measuring a quantitative modulus of hardness. In the preferred embodiment, a low friction piston probe mounted within a platform is applied against a limb compartment. Pressure within the piston probe is increased while measuring the displacement of the piston plunger for each pressure applied. The relationship of incremental pressures in the piston to the displacements of the piston plunger are plotted and a linear regression analysis is performed whose slope forms a quantitative modulus of hardness. In an alternate, completely automated, continuous embodiment, a circumferential cuff secures the piston probe mounted within the a platform against the limb compartment, while the quantitative hardness modulus is formulated.