Abstract: A milk metering apparatus having a metering chamber 7 which is repeatedly filled and emptied many times in the course of milking an animal is provided with a probe 15 which extends down into the metering chamber 7 and which includes a sampling tube as well as conductivity and light absorption sensors. Milk samples can be taken and conductivity and light absorption measurements can be made during each filling and emptying cycle so that data from the sample analysis and the measurements over the whole period of milking can be compared with corresponding data from previous milkings of the same animal thereby providing valuable information for herd management purposes.

Abstract: A robot arm construction is provided with a robot arm for carrying a teat cup, which robot arm can be pivoted under the udder of the animal. The robot arm construction is provided with a first robot arm construction portion, a second robot arm construction portion, a first horizontal axis for enabling a pivoting movement of the first robot arm construction portion, and a second horizontal axis by means of which the second robot arm construction portion is pivotably connected to the first robot arm construction portion. The robot arm is connected to the second robot arm construction portion.

Abstract: A stimulation device for an automatic milking device comprises a plurality of milking cups, a vacuum device generating the negative pressure needed for milking and a stimulation device, said stimulation devince being controllable. Further, the following invention relates to a system for stimulating milk producing animals as well as a mobile stimulation device.

Abstract: A pulsator controller for monitoring and controlling a designated pulsator in a milking system and method of using same is shown. The pulsator controller includes a first sensor operatively connected to a designated pulsator for receiving a pulsating vacuum and for producing a first signal representing the pulsating vacuum level. A processor has a memory for storing pulsator malfunction criteria reference table and reference signals representing a predetermined vacuum range of pulsating vacuum levels programmed as acceptable for milking system pulsators. The processor generates a one control signal when the designated pulsator pulsating vacuum level is at a vacuum level outside of the predetermined vacuum range and an information signal from the pulsator malfunction criteria reference table identifying the pulsator malfunction represented by the control signal. A control circuit is responsive to the at least one control signal for producing a signal representing a programmed condition.

Abstract: A method and system for the inland aquaculture of marine species using water from a saline aquifer having a heavy metals content within the acceptable limits of the EPA guidelines for drinking water. The aquifer is preferably the Coconino aquifer located in Arizona and New Mexico. The system can be used to culture microalgae, macroalgae, fish, shrimp and many other marine species. Nutrients and fertilizers can be added to the water to optimize culture conditions for particular species. Useful products can be isolated from the marine species or the cultured marine species can be harvested as useful products themselves.

Abstract: An artificial reef for attracting fish is disclosed wherein the reef includes a main body of spherical shape; and a plurality of elongate members extending radially outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: An article for use in an aquatic environment comprises a translucent polymer material that is configured to reproduce a form of aquarium life. In embodiments of the invention, the translucent polymer material comprises a highly pliable polymer material capable of substantially retaining its shape, such as, but not limited to, thermoplastics, rubbers, silicones, and Plastigoop®. In further embodiments of the invention, the form of aquarium life that the translucent polymer material is configured to reproduce can be a sea anemone, a sea plant, a sea weed, live coral, a scallop, a clam, a sea cucumber, a sea apple, a nudibranch, or a jellyfish. In another aspect of the invention, a process for reproducing articles configured to reproduce aquarium life comprises processing an appropriate polymer material, and in other embodiments, further processing one or more additives, such as dyes, whereby an article reproducing one or more types of aquarium life is formed.

Abstract: A method for processing animal waste reduces ammonia levels and moisture and eliminates darkling beetles by heating and compressing the animal waste (such as soiled litter). In the preferred embodiments, the heating and compressing are done simultaneously using a screw-type extruder that is commercially available, but has only been used to date for producing animal food and feed products. By heating and compressing the animal waste, the volume of waste is reduced, bacteria in the waste is destroyed, and all darkling beetles in the waste are killed. In addition, the resulting processed waste may be recycled because it is free of bacteria and in a dry form. The preferred embodiments also include methods for doing business that include the processing of animal waste.

Abstract: An animal squeeze chute having a side panel tiltable toward an opposing side panel for restraining an animal in the chute. The tiltable panel is moved by an operator-actuated handle and includes a lock which is automatically released when the handle is being operated to tilt the panel toward the opposing panel but locks and prevents movement of the tiltable side panel when the operator releases the handle. The lock is released by movement of the handle in the opposite direction to allow the handle to be operated to return the tiltable side panel to its position away from the opposing side panel and thereby release the animal.

Abstract: A fuel tank assembly for supplying fuel to an engine that drives an electric generator. The fuel tank assembly is incorporated in a power generation system comprising an internal combustion engine; an electric generator driven by the engine; and a support frame for supporting the engine, the fuel tank assembly and the generator. The fuel tank is supported at an elevation above the engine and is not mounted to the engine. One embodiment of the fuel tank assembly comprises a rotomolded plastic fuel tank having a lattice of stiffening ribs projecting from its bottom, a heat shield disposed between the engine and the fuel tank and in contact with the stiffening ribs, and a plurality of fasteners that fasten the heat shield to the fuel tank. The heat shield/fuel tank assembly is mounted to the support frame.

Abstract: An apparatus having an engine-driven generator wherein the fuel tank, engine, air cleaner, muffler and battery are arranged in accordance with a space-saving design, and the size of the fuel tank is maximized. This is accomplished in part by placing the fuel tank and muffler at different elevations, so that the muffler does not limit the footprint of the fuel tank. In particular, the fuel tank is supported at an elevation above the engine, while the muffler is attached to and disposed on one side of the engine. The muffler occupies a space located between the battery and the air cleaner. The muffler outlet is disposed at an elevation lower than the elevation of the engine exhaust port.

Abstract: The invention is intended to provide improved emission-cleaning performance by use of a three-way catalyst alone, without the need for a lean NOx catalyst, while ensuring a fuel economy improvement effect of lean burn operation. A multicylinder spark-ignition engine is constructed such that, in a pair of preceding and following cylinders whose exhaust and intake strokes overlap each other, burned gas discharged from the preceding cylinder (2A, 2D) which is currently in the exhaust stroke is introduced directly into the following cylinder (2B, 2C) which is currently in the intake stroke through an intercylinder gas channel (22) and gas discharged from only the following cylinder (2B, 2C) is led to an exhaust passage (20) provided with a three-way catalyst (24) in a low-load, low-speed operating range.

Abstract: A crankcase scavenged internal combustion engine (1) of two-stroke type, primarily intended for a handheld working tool, such as a chain saw, with a cylinder (2) and piston (4) reciprocating along the cylinder wall (3), which piston separates a combustion chamber (5) above it and a crankcase volume (6) below it, and in the cylinder wall (3) there are ports (7, 8, 9, 10, 10′) arranged for inlet (11), exhaust outlet (12) and for a number of scavenging durct (13, 13′), whereby at least one auxiliary duct (14) is arranged with an auxiliary port (15) in the cylinder wall, which auxiliary port (15) is opened and closed by the piston, and whereby the inlet is divided into: a fuel inlet (16) leading to a fuel port (7) and an air inlet (17) leading to an air port (8), and these ports are opened and closed by the piston (4), which also comprises a transfer space (18), which mouth edges are limited by the piston periphery, and which, in at least one piston position, creates a connection between the fuel port

Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine, which comprises a engine block (1) including a crankshaft (5) having at least a crank (6). The crankshaft (5) is journalled on bearings (9) which are mounted in adjustable eccentrics (10), rotation of the eccentrics causing relative repositioning of the crankshaft centerline (8) and the engine block (1) in order to adjust the compression ratio of the piston in its cylinder. The engine further comprises a gearbox (2) having an input shaft (15) connected to the crankshaft (5). The gearbox (2) and the engine block (1) are mounted to each other in such manner that the engine block and gearbox are relatively repositioned simultaneously with a crankshaft repositioning. The engine block (1) is substantially stationary and the gearbox (2) is operatively coupled to the eccentrics (10) such that the gearbox input shaft (15) is kept aligned with the crankshaft (5) when this crankshaft is repositioned.

Abstract: A valve control apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided which is capable of optimally setting the closing timing of an engine valve according to operating conditions of the engine while suppressing an increase in the inertial mass of the engine valve to the minimum, thereby attaining improvement of fuel economy, and realization of higher engine rotational speed and higher power output in a compatible fashion, and reducing costs and weight thereof. The valve control apparatus controls opening and closing operations of an engine valve. A cam-type valve actuating mechanism actuates the engine valve to open and close the engine valve, by a cam which is driven in synchronism with rotation of the engine. An actuator makes blocking engagement with the engine valve having been opened, to thereby hold the engine valve in an open state. An ECU controls operation of the actuator to thereby control closing timing of the engine valve.

Abstract: A variable valve operating system for a two-bank engine includes a variable valve-lift and working-angle control mechanism changing at least one of a valve lift and a working angle of each of engine valves arranged in each of cylinder banks, and two variable valve timing control mechanisms provided for each of the banks for changing valve timings independently of each other. A control unit responds a failure in one of the variable valve timing control mechanisms for failsafe purposes. The control unit includes a failsafe section capable of executing a failsafe operating mode in which at least one of the valve lift and the working angle of each of engine valves is increasingly compensated for by the variable valve-lift and working-angle control mechanism, when the one variable valve timing control mechanism is failed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing an internal combustion engine which for each cylinder, with the associated piston, has at least one inlet valve and at least one exhaust valve (10) for controlling the connection between the combustion chamber in the cylinder and an intake system and an exhaust system, respectively. A rotatable camshaft (18) with a cam (22) is designed to interact with a first cam follower (17) and a second cam follower (20) in order to switch between two different operating modes. The cam followers are mounted on a pivotal rocker arm (13), the second cam follower (20) being hydraulically adjustable between two positions by means of a piston (21) located in a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder is connected to a hydraulic fluid source via a hydraulic fluid duct and the piston can be moved from one position to the other by the action of a quantity of hydraulic fluid delivered to the hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A valve gear mechanism for an internal combustion engine includes a camshaft in a separate cylinder head for controlling the stroke of a gas shuttle valve by means of an interposed rocker arm, which is mounted in the cylinder head of a piston that performs a lifting motion of a hydraulic valve-play compensation element. The aim of the invention is to achieve a play-free surface liaison of mechanical origin between the actuating elements of the gas shuttle valve. To achieve this, the piston of the hydraulic compensation element has a device that acts on an instrument for mechanically actuating a lifting stroke in order to achieve a play-free surface liaison of the contract surfaces of the rocker arm and an additional valve gear element, whilst the valve-play compensation element is maintained hydraulically without pressure.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising at least one cylinder, in which combustion of a fuel-air mixture compressed in the cylinder by a piston is initiated by time-controlled external ignition, wherein there is provided at least one laser light source for time-controlled external ignition and the laser light is focussed in the combustion chamber (32) on to at least two real focal points (19). Use of a holographic optical element for focussing of the laser light.

Abstract: A remote start-up control apparatus which takes in a key code outputted on the basis of insertion of a key cylinder of an ignition key, and which is mounted on a vehicle which was equipped with an immobilizer unit for enabling a start-up of an engine, in case that it was judged that the taken-in key code is in conformity with a predetermined key code, and which carries out start-up control of an engine in response to an instruction of a portable transmitter, has a unit for supplying a key code which has been stored in an EEPROM to the immobilizer, when it received a start-up instruction of the engine according to a remote operation, and a unit for prohibiting supply of the key code, in case that there occurred vehicle theft.

Abstract: An engine starter includes a starter motor which has an armature, a series-wound field coil and a parallel-wound field coil and a short-circuiting unit for short-circuiting the series-wound field coil under a predetermined engine starting condition. The series-wound field coil has a suitable current limiting resistance. The short-circuiting unit short-circuits the series-wound field coil after a crankshaft of an engine passes a first top dead center of an engine.

Abstract: A starting device for an internal combustion engine is capable of increasing starting torque as well as supplying air to a cylinder that is on the expansion stroke without separately providing a means for supplying high-pressure air. Communication control valves control the states of communication between cylinders of the engine. A crank angle detector detects the crank angle of a crankshaft of the engine. A compression/expansion identification part identifies the compression stroke or the expansion stroke of each cylinder. Fuel is injected into a cylinder on the expansion stroke and ignited therein, and the expansion stroke cylinder is placed in communication with a cylinder on the exhaust stroke by a communication state control part for a prescribed time after the ignition thereof, after which the expansion stroke cylinder is further placed in communication with a cylinder on the compression stroke for a prescribed time.

Abstract: An engine starter that rotates at a rated speed after a ring gear meshs with a pinion slowly characterized by a wide variety of tolerance in manufacturing, and the inclusion of a magnet switch having an auxiliary contact being protected from an adverse effect of metal powder that could generate as a result of friction between contacts occurring during the closing and opening of the main contact.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an intake device (1), the intake pipes (5 to 8) for the intakes of cylinders of the internal combustion engine and actuators for adjusting the effective pipe lengths of the intake pipes (5 to 8) by closing or opening at least one opening of the intake pipes (5 to 8) up to a hollow body and at least one actuator for controlling the actuators. Within a first speed range whose upper limit is a first threshold value (N1), the actuators are moved into a closed position. For a speed (N), exceeding a first threshold value (N1) and being less than a second threshold value (N2), the actuators are moved into a leakage position. For a speed exceeding the second threshold value (N2), the actuators are moved into an open position.

Abstract: A recoil starter is disclosed which enables a rotational force to be accumulated in accumulating means with a light pulling force and the accumulated rotational force to start an engine through simple operations. A cam wheel is rotated using a rotational force which has been accumulated in the accumulating means by pulling a recoil rope. Retention means is operable to restrain or permit the rotation of the cam wheel. Release means operates the retention means to restrain the rotation of the cam wheel by pulling a handle attached to the recoil rope, and operates the retention means to permit the rotation of the cam wheel by fixing the handle in a main casing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a mechanical transmission device for a variable cylinder capacity engine comprising at least a cylinder (10) wherein moves a piston (2), which is integral in its lower portion with a transmission member (3) co-operating through a small-sized rack (37) with a roller bearing guide device (4) and through another large-sized rack (35) with a sprocket wheel (5) linked to a connecting rod (6), a control member (7) comprising a large-sized rack (73) co-operating with the sprocket wheel (5), means for fixing (24, 31) the piston (2) on the transmission member (3) which provide a preload for clamping it and ensure its centring, linking means (11, 12; 71, 72) for rigidifying the transmission (3) and control (7) members and for increasing the flexural strength of the teeth of the large-sized racks (35, 73), and means for lightening (56) the sprocket wheel (5) which maintain its rigidity and load capacity.

Abstract: The invention relates to propulsion engineering and particularly to methods of operation of rotary internal-combustion engines and their structures.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine which injects fuel directly into a cylinder 104 and ignites air-fuel mixture formed in the cylinder, wherein

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having both an electronically controlled inlet device, such as an electronic throttle unite, and an electronically controlled outlet device, such as a variable cam timing system is disclosed. The method of the present invention achieves cylinder air charge control that is faster than possible by using an inlet device alone. In other words, the method of the present invention controls cylinder air charge faster than manifold dynamics by coordination of the inlet and outlet device. This improved control is used to improve various engine control functions.

Abstract: Engineers have come to learn that a fuel injection system with a variety of capabilities to produce a variety of injection strategies can better perform and reduce emissions at all engine operation conditions than a fuel injection system limited in its control over injection timing, number, quantity and rate shapes. According to the present invention, in order to increase the variability of available injection strategies, a fuel injection system includes at least one fuel injector fluidly connectable to at least a first common rail and a second common rail. By fluidly connecting the fuel injector to the first common rail, fuel can be injected at a first pressure. By fluidly connecting the fuel injector to the second common rail, fuel can be injected at a second pressure that is independent of the first pressure.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the combination of fuel rail pressure control at lower speed using high pressure regulation plus fuel rail pressure control at higher speed using any of a variety of forms of inlet metering. The partial filing control at high speed can in one embodiment include pre-metering the quantity of feed fuel delivered to each pumping chamber, for example by modulating the feed pressure at the pumping chamber inlet. Another embodiment includes passing the feed fuel from the inlet passage through a fixed, calibrated orifice sized to pass sufficient feed fuel to fill the pumping chambers in the charging phase during operation of the engine in the low speed range, while in the high speed range the flow resistance of the orifice prevents the pumping chamber from filling in the charging phase, thereby monotonically decreasing the quantity of high pressure fuel delivered to the discharge passage in the discharge phase per engine revolution, with increasing speed above the transition speed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high pressure fuel accumulator for an accumulator injection system in internal injection engines, comprising a base body which is provided with a longitudinal recess which has a plurality of connecting bores emanating therefrom. The inner chamber of the longitudinal recess is essentially cylindrical in shape and has at least one rib shaped section on the inner perimeter of the longitudinal recess into which a connecting bore formed in the longitudinal recess leads.

Abstract: To provide an acceleration control method for an engine, which determines the accelerating state appropriately without a sensor, a mechanism, or the like specially added for determining the accelerating state and performs suitable acceleration control, while it prevents acceleration misdetermination at engine start or at an extremely low engine speed to improve engine startability and drivability at an extremely low engine speed.

Abstract: Under engine operating conditions in which a default setting for a knock determination period overlaps with a fuel injection period during which fuel is injected by a fuel injector, the fuel injection timing and the knock determination period are set in correlation with each other such that the knock determination period is shorter than its default setting so the fuel injection period and the knock determination period no longer overlap. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid a case in which noise produced by operation of the fuel injector rides on an output signal from a knock sensor during the knock determination period, and thus inhibit a decrease in accuracy of the knock determination due to that noise.

Abstract: A fuel feed apparatus has a flange and a sub-tank detachable each other in its axial direction. A connector protrudes from the flange toward the sub-tank, and opposes to a space formed in the sub-tank. The connector is received in the space when the flange is mounted on the sub-tank. Therefore, the connector can be prevented from interference with a pump module eccentrically arranged in the sub-tank. The space is defined in the opposite side of the fuel pump, so that the inner space of the sub-tank is widely secured and efficiently used. Thus, distance between the flange and the sub-tank can be reduced, so that the height of the fuel feed apparatus can be reduced.

Abstract: A method of operating a tank ventilation device including a fuel tank of an internal combustion engine and a storage which receives a fuel dispersed from the fuel tank has the steps of connecting the storage through a ventilation conduit with the fuel tank, through a suction conduit with the internal combustion engine, and through an aeration conduit provided with a flow element with an atmosphere, supplying through the storage in a rinsing phase a fresh air which is aspirated via the aerating device, takes fuel and supplies a rinsing fuel flow through the suction conduit to the internal combustion engine, and regulating a fuel concentration in the rinsing volume flow by the flow element provided in the aeration conduit.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an exhaust gas recirculation valve is disclosed. The exhaust gas recirculation valve is provided in an exhaust gas recirculation pipe for recirculating exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine to an intake system of the engine. The exhaust gas recirculation valve controls an exhaust gas recirculation amount. An opening of the exhaust gas recirculation valve is controlled to a target opening, based on a controlled object model which is obtained by modeling the exhaust gas recirculation valve.

Abstract: A wheeled trolley carries various tools across an object to be worked. A track attaches directly to the work and simultaneously isolates the tool from the work. A standard connection to the trolley readily accommodates a variety of diverse tools, using a keyway or the like to ensure accurate and repeatable placement of the tools. A preferred contouring guide allows a tool to be moved through an arc, where the focal point of the arc may be set to produce an infinite variety of custom shapes, bevels or angles of cut. An upper stop is provided which readily sets the break line between surface finish and edge contour. An adjustable tool carriage allows control over both position and force, including preloading a work tool with force. Resilience is incorporated into the apparatus to accommodate diverse hardness and abrasion characteristics, and, in at least one embodiment, to enable the track to accurately follow a warped or sagging work piece.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for determining the orientation of a crystallographic plane (100) relative to a crystal surface (2) are provided, in which the orientation is free from errors of adhesion of the crystal or contamination of the holders for the crystal. For this purpose, the angle which the crystal surface to be measured forms with a reference axis and the angle which the crystallographic plane forms with the reference axis are measured and subtracted. In a wire sawing apparatus with an X-Y positioning unit, next the desired correction is made with the aid of measurement of the orientation and at the same time the crystal is displaced in horizontal and vertical positions. As a result, there remains a further degree of freedom of rotation of the crystal in the cutting plane for achieving a cut which is free from forces perpendicular to the feed direction and wire direction, so that no tool deflection takes place or the cutting forces are minimal. Further, the precision of orientation is increased.

Abstract: This portable campfire in a can invention is comprised of three components: the canister, the burner and the canister base. These components are integral one to the other and designed to be used in combination with each other in order to achieve designed proficiency. The portable campfire in a can invention is easy to use, compact, clean, safe, and easily transported. The fuel, firewood or manufactured fire logs, is burned in the vertical centered position. The fuel is kept vertical and centered by the log support fingers. Thus providing 360 degrees of combustion. The cylindrical burner shape creates draft necessary to pull concentrated air through the air intake holes thus creating a chimney effect creating maximum combustion. The canister, when placed over the burner and attached to the canister base, smothers the burning campfire. This extinguishing system ensures that the campfire is safely extinguished.

Abstract: A portable food warmer especially suited for warming baby bottles, soups, saki, and the like is provided. A first receptacle is provided for receiving fuel, preferably a fuel cartridge of butane or other hydrocarbon fuel. A second receptacle is provided to receive a container of food, and a fuel pathway lies between the first and second receptacles; one end is in communication with the first receptacle, and the other end is in thermal communication with the second receptacle (e.g., immediately below it). A timer is coupled to the fuel pathway which selectively allows the flow of fuel along the fuel pathway from the first receptacle to the second receptacle for a predetermined period of time, where it is burned to heat the food. The warmer may utilize an electric heating element instead of fuel.

Abstract: A heat transfer fluid medium (25) within the closed system is arranged to boil to form a vapor in the evaporation section (12) and such that release of heat from the condensation section (11) to the fluid to be heated (4A) causes the vapor to condense to liquid in the condensation section (11). The conduit forms a loop (10) and back flow in the loop (10) is prevented by providing a trap (27) of liquid in the conduit at a position adjacent to or at the evaporation section (12). The flow around the loop (10) at high speed sufficient to carry all condensate forwardly is caused solely by application of energy to the system by the heat source (21) without mechanical pumping. Inert gases are collected immediately upstream of the trap (27) and can be purged therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the metered administration of a therapeutically effective gas to a patient, comprising a step to remove harmful or undesired substances from the gas-carrying system or from parts of the gas-carrying system. According to the invention, the step consists of purging with one or more other gases or gas mixtures and/or it consists of evacuation.

Abstract: An inhalation device for delivery of a powdered medicament comprising a suction tube (21) and one or more doses of powdered medicament. The suction tube (21) has a distal end (28) and a proximal end (29) with an air passage (30) therethrough, the distal end (28) having an air inlet and the proximal end (29) having an air outlet which forms the mouthpiece of the device. The inhalation device further comprises a means for drying air (23) drawn by a user into the inhalation device prior to contact with the aggregated powdered medicament such that a dose of powdered medicament will be dispersed in dried air for delivery at the proximal end.

Abstract: A reducing valve, which includes a water trap, especially useful in diving.

Abstract: An inhalation opening 6 and an exhalation-opening 4 are formed in the facepiece 2 of a breathing apparatus 1 and the openings can be closed with an inhalation valve 8 and exhalation valve 7, respectively. If a person wearing the breathing apparatus 1 inhales, the inhalation valve 8 is open and the exhalation valve 7 is closed. A photointerrupter 11 senses the closing operation of the exhalation valve 7 and supplies electric power to a motor 9 to drive a blower 16.

Abstract: A closure device (10) is disclosed for use with an access port (62,72,82,92) of a medical respiratory apparatus (60,70,80,90). The closure device (10) comprises a cap (14) that seals the access port (62,72,82,92) save for an opening (28) in the cap (14), and a closure (16) for sealing the opening (28). The cap (14) includes a portion of flexible material (26) in which the opening (28) is formed, and is hingedly mounted with respect to the access port (62,72,82,92).

Abstract: Methods and devices for placing a target vessel in fluid communication with a source of blood and a target vessel. A conduit includes first portion adapted to be placed in fluid communication with a source of blood, such as a heart chamber, and a second portion adapted to be placed in fluid communication with a target vessel having a lumen, such as coronary artery. The first and second conduit portions are transverse to each other such that the conduit is generally T-shaped. The conduit lies on an exterior of the heart between the blood source and the target vessel and is configured to deliver blood in multiple directions into the lumen of the target vessel. For example, in an occluded coronary artery, blood flows both toward and away from the occlusion. The conduit may be flexible, rigid, collapsible or non-collapsible, and may be formed of synthetic vascular graft material, tissue, or a combination of the two.

Abstract: This invention is an improved tissue localizing device for fixedly yet removably marking a volume of tissue containing a suspect region for excision. This invention also encompasses methods for deployment of the localizing device and its excision along with the marked tissue volume. At least one locator element is deployed into tissue and assumes a predetermined curvilinear shape to define a tissue border containing a suspect tissue region along a path. The locator element path preferably encompasses the distalmost portion of the tissue volume without penetrating that volume. Multiple locator elements may be deployed to further define the tissue volume along additional paths defining the tissue volume border that do not penetrate the volume. Other localization wire embodiments of the invention are disclosed in which the tissue volume may be penetrated by a portion of the device.

Abstract: A cigar tip plug cutter uses a cylindrical cutting blade to cut a round plug from the sealed end of a cigar. The cylindrical blade has a beveled upper edge tapering from the outer diameter to the inner diameter to better retain the cut plug. The blade is secured upright to a support platform and a cigar plug ejector rod projects upwardly through the blade. The ejector rod is secured to a base portion, as are at least two supports that attach to the underside of a cigar tip receiving plate. The plate has a central orifice to permit passage of the blade. The receiving plate is urged away from the support platform by compression springs that also cause the ejector rod to project into the blade. A platform cover fits slidably over the receiving plate and includes spring-loaded balls that maintain the receiving plate in upper and lower positions.