Abstract: An coolant pump for an internal-combustion engine including a housing, a cover sealingly coupled to the housing, an impeller assembly located between the housing and the cover, the impeller assembly defining a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the longitudinal axis; and a flange positioned between the housing and the cover adjacent the impeller assembly such that the flange and the cover define a first cavity, the flange and the housing define a second cavity, and the flange includes an opening fluidly connecting the first and second cavities, the flange being contoured to at least partially surround the impeller assembly. Preferably, the pump also includes a nozzle contoured to direct a coolant from the first cavity toward the second cavity and onto the impeller assembly, and wherein the nozzle has an intake side communicating with the first cavity and a discharge side communicating with the second cavity.

Abstract: A simple propulsion engine utilizing unheated atmospheric air as the propellant, and driven by a single cycle (unicycle) engine with internal combustion cylinder and free piston is disclosed. A free piston with an annularly arranged thrust piston to divide a dual-diameter cylinder into two combustion chambers and two thrust chambers is provided. Scavenge feeder lines connected the thrust chambers to the combustion chambers via check valves provide exhaust scavenging, additional thrust output through exhaust nozzles, and feeding of fresh air into the combustion chambers. Also, pressure-actuated fuel injectors utilize pressure changes in respective combustion chambers to inject fuel at the appropriate time. The fuel injector includes an intensifier piston and pintle to raise the fuel pressure.

Abstract: In order to be able to implement low loads at high rotational speeds in an internal combustion engine with electromagnetically activated intake valves, one intake valve of a cylinder is operated in the free flying phase, i.e. not held in the open position, and the other intake valve of the cylinder is correspondingly opened for a longer time. Alternatively, the first valve can also be held closed.

Abstract: A method for controlling intake valves in an internal combustion with intake valves operated by more than one type of actuation device includes steps to accomplish smooth transitions among intake valve operating modes.

Abstract: A combustion control system for a spark-ignition internal combustion engine includes a variable piston stroke characteristic mechanism changing a compression ratio of the engine, sensors detecting engine operating conditions, i.e., engine speed and engine load, and at least one of a variable lift and working-angle control mechanism simultaneously continuously changing an intake-valve lift and an intake-valve working angle and a variable phase control mechanism changing an angular phase at a central angle corresponding to a maximum valve lift point of the intake valve. Also provided is a control unit that controls the variable piston stroke characteristic mechanism, and at least one of the variable lift and working-angle control mechanism and the variable phase control mechanism, depending on the engine operating conditions.

Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine has a lock pin that is movably provided in an accommodation hole of one of vanes of a rotor. A screw portion is formed along part of the outer circumference of the lock pin, which is fixed to a shaft of a motor. When hydraulic pressure control is performed to maintain a housing and the rotor in a predetermined intermediate phase, the lock pin moves in the axial direction of a cam shaft in response to rotation of the motor independently of the hydraulic pressure control, and engages a lock recess portion formed in a sprocket.

Abstract: A valve train for an internal combustion engine includes a rocker shaft (9) provided with an oil passage, first and second rocker arms (7, 8) having support parts (7a, 8a) provided with bores (7b, 8b) to receive the rocker shaft (9) therein so as to be supported on the rocker shaft (9) for rocking motion, and a rocker arm interlocking mechanism (10) for selectively engaging or disengaging the first and the second rocker arms (7, 8). The first rocker arm (7) is provided with a pressure chamber (33) holding a piston (30) therein, a straight connecting passage 34 connected to the pressure chamber (33) and an oil passage (35)formed in the rocker shaft (9). An open end surface (7b1) of the bore (7b) of a first support wall (7e) of the rocker arm (7) is on an axially outer side of the pressure chamber (33).

Abstract: A rocker arm is tilted by a cam so as to open and close a valve provided on a cylinder head. This arm comprises a pair of opposing wall portions which are made by folding a flat plate so that they oppose substantially in parallel and cylindrical expanding portions which are formed at tilting fulcrum shaft mounting portions located in a center of the opposing wall portions in the length direction thereof, the expanding portions being expanded in the direction of the tilting fulcrum shaft. The cylindrical expanding portions which are thicker than the opposing wall portions receive a load accompanied by the tilting motion so as to decrease bearing stress applied to the opposing wall portions.

Abstract: A cold starting system and power management software consisting of an air heater system, a fuel heater system, a controller with microprocessor and related software, a series of devices comprising of switches, indicators, solenoids and sensors, is used as an aid to assist start up of air cooled combustion engines in extreme temperature environments. Both the air and fuel heater systems include electrically powered heating elements. The power management software controls the sequential operation of individual system components.

Abstract: A starter which is capable of smoothly and reliably starting an internal combustion engine even though an electric motor employed is relatively small in size and output, thereby making it possible to minimize power consumption of the electric motor, to miniaturize the capacity of battery, to reduce the total weight of the starter, to enhance the durability of the starter, and to suppress the generation of failure of the starter. This starter comprises a buffering/power-accumulating means disposed midway along a power transmission system between a driving member and a driven member, wherein the buffering/power-accumulating means is enabled, during the driving process, to accumulate the power supplied through the driving process while alleviating any impact to the driven member, the accumulated power being subsequently employed to drive the driven member, and wherein the driving member is an electric motor.

Abstract: To provide a four-cycle engine, in which a pair of intake valve ports is openable/closable by respective intake valves and a pair of exhaust valve ports is openable/closable by respective exhaust valves. The pair of intake valve ports and the pair of exhaust valve ports are provided in a cylinder head such that they are positioned on both sides of a first virtual plane which contains the axial line of the cylinder bore and passes through an approximately central portion of the combustion chamber. A pair of ignition plugs is mounted in the cylinder head. The pair of ignition plugs is mounted such that the degradation of a flame propagation condition is minimized, even if accidental firing of either of the ignition plugs occurs. The pair of ignition plugs is disposed substantially symmetrically with respect to a second virtual plane which passes through the center of a combustion chamber and is perpendicular to the first virtual plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manufacturing method of laborsaving engine and engine manufactured by it, it comprises a engine mount, cylinder, throttle, spark plug, piston, piston connecting rod, crankshaft and laborsaving device, the laborsaving device further comprises a first laborsaving connecting rod and second labor connecting rod. Wherein one end of the first laborsaving connecting rod is connected on the engine mount, and another end is connected to the piston connecting rod of the cylinder, the second laborsaving is connected to the first laborsaving connecting rod at a proper position, and another end opposite to the connection end of the second laborsaving connecting rod and the first laborsaving connecting rod is connected to the crankshaft, enabling power transmission from the piston connecting rod to the crankshaft to generate a lever action through the disposition of the first and second connecting rods, and further to attain the laborsaving effect of power output of the engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine gas exhaust device comprising an exhaust manifold (1) attached to the cylinder head for collecting exhaust gases driven out of the cylinders, and an exhaust line (8) comprising pollutant removing and sound absorbing means. The manifold (1) is connected to the exhaust line (8) via a coupling system (9) having a flange (10), a mating flange (11) and a gasket (12) therebetween. The flange (10) integral with the exhaust manifold (1) and/or the mating flange (11) integral with the exhaust line (8) is (are) shaped in such a way that the gasket (12) is protected from the exhaust gases.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an ignition timing of an engine is capable of reducing or preventing occurrences of backfires. The apparatus includes a no-load deceleration state detector for detecting that an engine is in a no-load deceleration state. An engine speed detector detects an engine speed. An advanced timing setting unit sets an advanced ignition timing (retard amount) in situations where the occurrence of backfires are likely, such as during the no-load deceleration state. A converter 105 determines an ignition angle &thgr;ig on the basis of an output pulse of a pulse generator and an advance amount provided by the advanced ignition timing setting unit.

Abstract: An arrangement for regulating a spark-ignition internal combustion engine, in particular a stationary boosted gas Otto-cycle engine, comprising a power regulating device acting on at least one power setting member, wherein an ignition time regulating device (8, 9, 10) adjusts the ignition time (ZZP) in dependence on the position of the power setting member (2).

Abstract: A method for determining the position of a crankshaft without the use of a signal from a dedicated crankshaft position sensor. The method includes the steps of providing a pulse sensor for generating a signal in response to the transmission of vibrations through the engine block; evaluating the signal generated by the pulse sensor to identify a series of combustion events, the series of combustion events being made up of a series of individual combustion events occurring in the plurality of cylinders, the individual combustion events taking place in a predetermined order; and evaluating the series of combustion events to identify a reference crankshaft position by correlating at least one of the individual combustion events to an associated one of the plurality of cylinders.

Abstract: A method and a device for modifying a torque of an internal combustion engine including at least one first cylinder with an exhaust valve including a variable valve control, in which it is determined whether there is a demand for modifying the torque within a first working cycle of the at least one mfirst cylinder, and the basic triggering of the exhaust valve of the first cylinder is modified in the first working cycle when it is determined that it is necessary to modify the torque during the first working cycle.

Abstract: An oil activated fuel injector which includes a control valve having a groove which provides a fluid path between a bore and a cross bore of the valve body. The fluid path leads to ambient such that a pressure within a pressure chamber is less than that of the rail pressure. This equalized pressure allows the spool within the valve body to move to a first position thus forming a fluid path between an inlet port and the working port leading to the intensifier chamber. When the fluid path is block, via movement of the groove out of alignment with the cross bar, the pressure within the pressure chamber increases thereby forcing the spool to move towards a second position. In the second position, a space is formed between the spool and the body of the injector to provide venting of the working fluid from the intensifier chamber to ambient.

Abstract: The invention concerns an injection system for the injection of fuel into the combustion chambers of combustion engines. The injection system embraces a high pressure collecting area (5) (Common Rail), which is supplied across a high pressure pump (3) and provides fuel under high pressure to a number (n−1) of injectors (6, 21). The individual injectors 6, 21 each possess an injection nozzle (23) which is opened and closed by means of a vertically moveable nozzle pin (22). In a high pressure conduit (12) disposed after the high pressure collecting area (5) and leading to the injectors (6, 21) there is provided a first flowthrough valve (7). A run-off conduit (25, 31) is operated by means of a further flowthrough valve (26) disposed close to the nozzle.

Abstract: The fuel premetering device has a valve controlled by an electromagnet and located between a delivery conduit of a high-pressure pump supplying fuel to a common rail, and a drain conduit for draining surplus fuel. The valve is normally closed by a spring, and the electromagnet is energized to open the valve in opposition to the spring. The electromagnet is energized by a current varying in response to the operating conditions of the engine, and which is varied by a control unit from zero, at which the valve is closed completely by the spring, to a predetermined value, at which the electromagnet opens the valve completely, so that premetering is self-adaptive.

Abstract: An accumulator type fuel injection system adapted to prevent engine trouble by making a judgement that fuel injection rate switching change-over valves provided correspondingly to fuel injection nozzles in cylinders, a valve for controlling the pressure in a low-pressure accumulator or means for detecting fuel pressures in accumulators gets out of order, and carrying out when any of these parts break down a control operation of a limp-home mode in which a region of an operation of an engine is limited. To provide such an accumulator type fuel injection system, a control means 8 is formed so that, when a judgement that first control valves 5, a second control valve 34 or pressure sensors 3a, 4a for detecting the fuel pressures in the respective accumulators get out of order is given, the control means 8 sets a discharge pressure of a fuel pump 1 not higher than a permissible pressure in a second accumulator 4, and injects a fuel from fuel injection nozzles 9.

Abstract: The fuel supply apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine has a fuel tank (2), a first fuel pump (6) that supplies fuel from the fuel tank to a fuel line (10), a second fuel pump (12) that supplies fuel from the fuel line (10) via a pressurized line to at least one fuel valve (16) and a fuel return line (22) that connects the fuel line (10) to the fuel tank for return of excess fuel. A shut off valve (30), which is closed at high temperatures, and a pressure regulator valve (26) are arranged hydraulically in series in the fuel return line (22). A fuel scavenger line (60) is provided, by which fuel at high temperatures is returned to the fuel tank (2). The fuel scavenger line (60) conducts the fuel back to the fuel tank (2), at least partially through the second fuel pump (12) and through a hydraulic resistance. Gas bubble formation is prevented by a high fuel supply pressure and by transfer of heat from the second fuel pump (12).

Abstract: There are disclosed a fuel injection control system, a fuel injection control method, and an engine control unit for an internal combustion engine, which are capable of accurately controlling a fuel injection amount according to changes in a valve overlap period due to changes in a cam phase, thereby ensuring proper engine performance. The fuel injection control system for an internal combustion engine which is capable of changing a valve overlap period by changing a cam phase includes an ECU. The ECU calculates a cam phase difference between the present value and the immediately preceding value of the cam phase (amount of change in the valve overlap period), calculates a wall surface temperature of intake ports, and sets a basic fuel injection time period based on an intake pipe absolute pressure and an engine rotational speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the injection sequence in fuel injection systems having an injection nozzle that can be acted upon via a control valve which, in turn can be acted upon with fuel from a pump chamber. The control valve is actuatable by means of an electromagnet that varies the magnet valve stroke length. Via the magnet valve stroke length, the fuel supply line into a nozzle chamber of the injection nozzle is opened and closed. The control part of the control valve functions as a throttle element in a hollow chamber provided on the low-pressure side.

Abstract: A heating device is capable of efficiently heat a heated body as heating object. The heating device includes a heating body, a power source for supplying a current to the heating body, a current control element controlling current flowing through the heating body, and a heat conductive body to be thermally coupled with the heating body and the current control element for transmitting heat generated by the heating body and heat generated by the current control element to a heating object.

Abstract: Internal combustion engine (8), in particular a stationary gas engine, with a bypass (6) going around the super-charger (4), in which at least one detonation protector (11) is arranged.

Abstract: Exhaust gas recirculation device for controlling recirculation of exhaust gases to the intake channels of an internal combustion engine. The device has a housing containing a rotary slide valve having a disk-shaped element attached to a rotatable drive shaft. The disk-shaped element controls flow of exhaust gas through openings in a stationary control element. A drive module is mounted on the housing for turning the rotary slide valve.

Abstract: An engine includes an engine body and an air induction system. The engine body includes a cylinder block defining a cylinder bore in which a piston reciprocates. A cylinder head member closes an end of the cylinder bore to define a combustion chamber together with the cylinder bore and the piston. The air induction system is arranged to introduce air into the combustion chamber. The induction system includes a first intake conduit through which the air flows to the combustion chamber. A first plenum chamber unit is disposed upstream of the first intake conduit. A control mechanism is arranged to control an amount of the air flowing through the first intake conduit. The induction system also includes a second intake conduit through which the air flows to the combustion chamber. A second plenum chamber unit is disposed upstream of the second intake conduit. The second intake conduit is coupled with the first intake conduit downstream of the control mechanism.

Abstract: A projectile and launcher combination, in which the launcher is formed with a tubular passage having a convergently tapered inner end. A projectile element is provided at its back end with a plurality of rearwardly extending, cantilever mounted resilient leaf spring elements arranged to be received in and displaced radially inward by the convergently tapered portion of the tubular passage. When the projectile is loaded into the launcher, the leaf spring elements tend to eject it forwardly. A retention arrangement is provided to hold the projectile until it is ready to be ejected. When the projectile is released from retention, the outward pressure of the leaf spring elements on the convergent walls forcibly ejects the projectile from the launcher passage.

Abstract: A spring-loaded feed mechanism for a paintball loader. The feed mechanism includes an inner spool and an outer spool. A torsion spring is positioned between the inner and outer spools. The outer spool includes a pressure wall, from which the torsion spring is located on one end of the spring. A retaining wall is attached to the inner spool and is located at the opposite end of the torsion spring. When an operator of a paintball gun using the spring-loaded feed mechanism discontinues firing paintballs, the feed mechanism is stopped. Simultaneously, during the deceleration of the feed mechanism, the torsion spring is compressed, which allows the mechanical energy of the rotating feed mechanism to be stored within the compressed spring. When the operator desires to fire the paintball gun, the feed mechanism is accelerated to the requisite rotational speed. The compressed spring is release, thereby allowing the spring to assist in accelerating the feed mechanism to the necessary rotational speed.

Abstract: It comprises a frame (10) bearing a compressed air/gas reservoir (11) connected to an assembly of valve (12) operated by a hammer (13) striking the said valve slide (31), a trigger (14) operating the said hammer, a tilting assembly (15) on the frame comprising a barrel (16) and a detachable, rotating, cylindric loading clip (17) with a plurality of recesses for a projectile. Means for step by step rotating the loading clip (17) are mounted on the frame (10) comprising a first set of levers connected to each other, one of them being linked to the trigger (14) and another linked to the loading clip (17) when the tilting assembly (15) is in firing position. It includes means for locking the movement of the trigger (14) immobilizing a member of the said first set of levers when the said tilting set (15) is in loading position.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for supporting a gas burner mounted cantilever fashion on a wall of a water tank and for locating the burner relative to a safety/igniter system fixed to another wall of said tank. The burner and the safety/igniter system cooperate when mounting the burner to enable the burner to rest on the system, namely through at least one notch in the bottom edge of a skirt of the burner and a rod projecting from the system and having at its free end a neck of smaller section followed by a head of larger section. Applications include assemblies of two burners joined together.

Abstract: A compact, highly flexible and efficient, multi-positionable, multi-dimensional and multi-stage gas-fired heat exchanger system as described. The system is connectable in a forced air duct regardless of the angular position and size of the duct. The heat exchanger comprises one or more heat transfer tubes which are shaped and dimensioned as dictated by the customized use of the heat exchanger. The tubes are secured to a support panel as well as the gas burner associated with each of the inlet openings of the tubes. A position orientable gas valve is secured to a gas distribution manifold. A turbulator may be associated with at least some of the tubes to cause turbulence in the hot combustion flow in each of the tubes to modify the efficiency in heat transfer along one or more sections of the tubes by directing hot combustion gas along an inner circumferential wall of the tubes.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a non-therapeutic shaped soft warm gift item comprising an exothermic heating device that is activated to produce an elevated temperature of the item. The item is optionally provided on a base such as a greeting card, stuffed toy animal as well as any suitable substrate. The item is heated either by providing a chemically reactive layer in a sealed pouch or by an electrically activated element such as a battery powered heating element with associated electrical circuit. The shape of the item conforms to the sentiment associated with the gift and the warmth produced by the exothermic heating device can be felt by the touch of the item.

Abstract: A venting system for a direct vent fireplace or other direct vent appliance to direct combustion gases to an exterior area. The direct venting vent pipe facilitates unrestricted lengths of pipe installations. The vent pipe has a double wall construction forming an interior axial passageway and a coaxial outer passageway. The double walls are spaced apart by an insert to maintain coaxial spacing. Sections of the vent pipe are lockingly connected to prevent separation and ensure sealing connection between the pipe sections.

Abstract: A thermal-type drop generator having a geometry that is configured so that the ejection of liquid from the chamber has the effect of separating the ejected volume into a number of small droplets. The relationship between the thickness of the liquid chamber and the area of the heat transducer used to eject the liquid is controlled to provide the separating aspect so that the resultant droplets have very small volumes, in the range of tens of femtoliters. Such small droplets are readily entrained in an aerosol and especially useful for pulmonary delivery of medicinal fluid.

Abstract: A medicament respiratory delivery device including a housing having a chamber including coaxially aligned inlet and outlet, a medicament cartridge located within the chamber having a passage therethrough and membranes sealing the passage having a burst pressure of less than 10 atmospheres, a manually actuatable fluid delivery device having an outlet in fluid communication with the chamber and a manually actuated valve located between the outlet of the fluid delivery device and the chamber inlet for delivery of fluid under pressure to the valve. The medicament respiratory delivery device of this invention may be utilized to deliver a controlled unit dose of an aerosolizable medicament on demand by first pressurizing a pressure chamber in the pressure delivery device upstream of the valve, then opening the valve to open the membranes and express the medicament through the chamber outlet.

Abstract: A medicament respiratory delivery device including a housing having a chamber, an inlet and an outlet generally coaxially aligned with the chamber, wherein the chamber includes a medicament cartridge having a body including a generally cylindrical passage extending through the opposed ends of the cartridge generally coaxially aligned with the inlet and outlet of the housing having thin burstable polyolefin membranes having a burst pressure of between 1.2 and 10 atmospheres stretched taut over the ends of the cartridge, such that fluid delivered to the inlet ruptures the membranes, entraining medicament contained within the cartridge passage which is delivered to the patient's respiratory system through the outlet.

Abstract: A modular respirator system has interchangeable facial lenses and body seals such as a full facepiece seal or a hood. A method of conversion from a full facepiece respirator to a hood respirator, or vice versa, is also disclosed. In one embodiment, lens conversion is accomplished without changing the type of body seal. In another embodiment, a breathable gas delivery conduit is connected to the facial lens and interchanged between the body seals together with the facial lens.

Abstract: A medicament delivery device for administering a medicament to a user includes a medicament reservoir and an entrance port and an exit port each disposed adjacent the reservoir. A gas chamber disposed adjacent the entrance port. The device includes a pressurizing mechanism operable to pressurize said gas chamber to at least a prescribed pressure. A first frangible membrane extends across the entrance port and separates the reservoir from the gas chamber. A second frangible membrane extends across the exit port. When the pressurizing mechanism is attached, at least one of the first and second membranes is responsive to the prescribed pressure in the gas chamber to burst to allow gas to flow through the entrance port and the reservoir and to carry the medicament through the exit port.

Abstract: A medicament respiratory delivery device including a housing formed of opposed thermoformed polymeric sheets bonded together having formed therebetween a chamber having a medicament cartridge encapsulated between the sheets, an inlet aligned with a passage through the cartridge having a pierceable closure and an outlet aligned with the passage outlet having a burstable membrane. The device includes a pressure actuator formed as a blister between the sheets and a piercing element having a bow-shaped actuator portion and a shaft which pierces the pierceable closure upon actuation of the pressure actuator, delivering fluid under pressure to the cartridge passage, rupturing the membrane and expressing the medicament.

Abstract: The Invention relates to method as well as a sensor device with a sensor element for detection of gases and vapors in air. The sensor element is preferably a heated metal oxide sensor with heating structure and gas sensitive layer, wherein the temperature of the gas sensitive layer can be maintained constant by way of a heating structure and an automatic control device. The sensor element is disposed in a heat in a preferably heat insulating casing for protecting against air flows, wherein the gas can penetrate into the casing through a gas permeable diffusion layer. The resistance of the heating structure, which is a measure for the temperature of the gas sensitive layer, is employed as a temperature reference for the automatic control according to the present Invention method. The temperature of the sensor element is purposefully influenced by adding further interference values to the automatic control value ‘sensor temperature’.

Abstract: A securing device for an endotracheal tube preferably includes a shield having an opening through which the endotracheal tube can pass and a clamp mounted on the shield for holding the endotracheal tube. A bite block for preventing occlusion of the endotracheal tube by a patient's teeth may be mounted on an opposite surface of the shield from the clamp.

Abstract: The ventilation interface for sleep apnea therapy interfaces a ventilation device to the patient's airways. The ventilation interface includes a pair of nasal inserts made from flexible, resilient silicone which are oval shaped in cross-section and slightly tapered from a base proximal the ventilation supply to the distal tip end. A bead flange is disposed about the exterior of each insert at the distal end of the insert. In one embodiment, a valve is disposed between the nasal inserts and a source of positive airway pressure, the valve having a rim with a one-way diaphragm pivotally attached to the valve body with an inflatable bladder depending from the rim which seals against an exit port during inspiration and deflates to uncover the exit port on expiration. Another embodiment has nasal inserts without positive airway pressure but with a removable filter in the inserts for filtering inspired air.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapidly restraining a person for an extended period of time at a seat are disclosed. The inventive apparatus includes a pair of wrist cuff modules, each supplied with a releasable connector, configured to either attach to existing hardware on one or more seats, or to a first interconnect for releasably connecting the wrist cuff modules to one another behind the seat in which the restrained person is positioned. A set of two ankle cuff modules with a second interconnect and an elongated connection member secured to the second interconnect is provided for securing the person's legs by applying the ankle cuff modules to the ankles and then connecting the connection member to a seat. The second interconnect may be provided with an optional quick release mechanism that enables instant disconnection of the second interconnect from the ankle cuff modules to immediately free the person's legs in case of an emergency.

Abstract: A multipurpose site guard for at all peripheral and central venipuncture infusion sites, sensitive areas, and for pediatric and adult patients. The guard is a hollow plastic member with a base and sidewall curved upwardly and inwardly to form a cover which is form fitted to the infusion iste under finger pressure and which can be taped in place. Improvements to this invention include holding the guard in place with a fabric connector having closure means and cushioning the guard's base with a soft material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapidly restraining a person's limbs are disclosed. The inventive apparatus includes a pair of cuff modules, each with two rigid loops positioned on their outer surface, and a cuff interconnect having a flexible elongated body sized and configured to fit through the rigid loops, that is attached to one of the rigid loops on one of the cuff modules, and a releasable attachment device positioned on the interconnect body to releasably attach one end of the interconnect body to a portion of the interconnect body when it is folded upon itself.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for restraining a person's limbs are disclosed. The inventive apparatus includes at least one cuff module for application to the person's limbs. An optional interconnect may be provided for each set of cuff modules. Each cuff module includes a flat flexible elongated body with two rigid loops positioned apart from each other on its upper surface, a resilient lining positioned along a portion of the lower surface of the cuff body, the resilient lining being optionally removable, a flat rigid element attached to one end of the cuff body, and a releasable attachment device positioned on portions of the top and bottom surfaces of the cuff body.

Abstract: This invention provides a surgical method to treat hip diseases, including Legg-Calve-Perthes disease or developmental hip dysplasia. This method includes several surgical techniques: a transverse osteotomy of the posterior portion of supraacetabular portion, an oblique and inclined osteotomy of the anterior portion of the supraacetabulum, detachment of a bone block from iliac crest, anterolateral displacement of the distal fragment, and insertion of the bone block into the distracted space of the osteotomy site.

Abstract: Surgical methods and instruments are disclosed for performing port-access or closed-chest coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery in multivessel coronary artery disease. In contrast to standard open-chest CABG surgery, which requires a median sternotomy or other gross thoracotomy to expose the patient's heart, port-access CABG surgery is performed through small incisions or access ports made through the intercostal spaces between the patient's ribs, resulting in greatly reduced pain and morbidity to the patient. In situ arterial bypass grafts, such as the internal mammary arteries and/or the right gastroepiploic artery, are prepared for grafting by thoracoscopic or laparoscopic takedown techniques. Free grafts, such as a saphenous vein graft or a free arterial graft, can be used to augment the in situ arterial grafts. The graft vessels are anastomosed to the coronary arteries under direct visualization through a cardioscopic microscope inserted through an intercostal access port.