Abstract: A free piston engine is configured with a pair of opposed engine cylinders located on opposite sides of a fluid pumping assembly. An inner piston assembly includes a pair of inner pistons, one each operatively located in a respective one of the engine cylinders, with a push rod connected between the inner pistons. The push rod extends through an inner pumping chamber in the fluid pumping assembly and forms a fluid plunger within this chamber. An outer piston assembly includes a pair of pistons, one each operatively located in a respective one of the engine cylinders, with at least one pull rod connected between the outer pistons. The pull rod extends through an outer pumping chamber in the fluid pumping assembly and forms a fluid plunger within this chamber. The movement of the inner and outer piston assemblies during engine operation will cause the fluid plungers to pump fluid from a low pressure container into a high pressure chamber as a means of storing the energy output from the engine.

Abstract: A V-type 8-cylinder four cycle internal combustion engine has a bank angle of 90 deg. and employs a double link type piston-crank mechanism for transmitting the force of each piston to a crankshaft. The double link type piston-crank mechanism comprises an upper link that has one end pivotally connected to the piston, a lower link that is rotatably supported by a crank pin of the crankshaft and has one end pivotally connected to the other end of the upper link, and a control link that has one end pivotally connected to the other end of the lower link and the other end pivotally connected to a cylinder block. Preferably, the crankshaft is of a single plane type in which all of the four throws are in a common plane.

Abstract: Hydraulic valve actuation systems and methods to provide variable lift for one or more engine air valves by way of a variable position hard stop. Various embodiments are disclosed, including embodiments controlling lift by providing a choice of two different fixed stops, three different fixed stops, stops continuously variable throughout a range of lifts, and a fixed stop and stops continuously variable throughout a range of lifts. The valves controlled by a variable position hard stop may be a single engine intake or exhaust valve, or multiple valves of any number, and of either intake or exhaust valves or both, or of one intake or one exhaust valve for one or more cylinders in engines having more than one intake or exhaust valve per cylinder. Dashpot deceleration of engine valve velocity on opening to the hard stop and on engine valve closure is disclosed, as are other aspects and embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: A device for the generation of pressure pulses, includes a cylinder (3), a piston that is displaceably arranged in the cylinder (3), a pressure fluid circuit with an inlet (6) into and an outlet (7) out of the cylinder (3) on one side of the piston (4), a shaft (18) connected to the piston (4), and a liquid-filled chamber (17). The shaft (18) is arranged to be displaced through said chamber (17) in connection to a displacement of the piston (4) in the cylinder (3). The device includes at least one valve member (22, 24, 29, 32) for an occasional interruption of a flow of liquid out of the chamber (17).

Abstract: There is provided a valve timing control apparatus for an engine, which comprises a variable valve mechanism capable of varying at least one of an opening timing of intake valves and a closing timing of exhaust valves in an engine, an elapsed time detecting device that detects a time period elapsed after cold-starting of the engine, and a timing control device that controls the variable valve mechanism. The timing control device provides advance angle control such that the opening timing of the intake valves and/or the closing timing of the exhaust valves is advanced to be earlier than an exhaust top dead center until the elapsed time period detected by the elapsed time detecting device has reached a predetermined time period.

Abstract: The invention proposes a cup tappet (1) of a valve train of an internal combustion engine, said cup tappet (1) comprising a hollow cylindrical skirt (3) closed at one end by a bottom (2), said bottom (2) comprising an outer end surface (4) and an inner end surface (6), said outer end surface (4) comprising a contact surface (5) for a cam and said inner end surface (6) comprising a central support (7) for a gas exchange valve, wherein the inner end surface (6) of the bottom (2) comprises a radially extending flat web (8), the support (7) is arranged symmetrically between edges (9, 19) of the web (8), a leg (11, 12) sloping away from the bottom (2) after the manner of a roof extends from each edge (9, 10) up to an inner surface (13) of the skirt (3), and the legs (11, 12) are situated axisymmetrically opposite each other. This cup tappet (1) thus possesses a particularly good rigidity.

Abstract: A remote control system for a motor vehicle uses a wide area network to enable a starter on the motor vehicle. A user uses a communication device, such as a telephone, to send instructions to the starter by way of the wide area network. A controller enables or disables various components within the motor vehicle. To further enhance the utility of the remote control system, the system can disable the operation of the motor vehicle by disabling the fuel pump on the motor vehicle. In order to reduce the likelihood of an accident, disabling of the fuel pump occurs only after a signal, such as a tachometer signal, indicates that it is safe to disable the fuel pump.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine starting control system for a vehicle which has an internal combustion engine as a driving source of the vehicle. The system includes a motor for driving the internal combustion engine; and a control device for performing driving control of the motor by making an actual rotation speed of the motor approach a predetermined target rotation speed. The driving control is a response designation feedback control based on a predetermined state quantity of the vehicle. Typically, the control device changes a response condition in the response designation feedback control in accordance with one of possible starting states of the internal combustion engine, by using a response designation parameter for designating the response condition, by which an approach condition in the operation for making the actual rotation speed of the motor approach the predetermined target rotation speed is changeable.

Abstract: An engine has a fuel injection system and an idle regulating control valve. The idle regulating valve is initialized upon engine shut down by closing to a fully closed position such that a reference value can be obtained in such a position. Once fully closed, the idle regulating valve is opened to a predetermined position and a value is written into memory that indicates that the initialization procedure has been completed. During subsequent restart, if it appears that the initialization procedure has not been completed prior to attempted restart, fuel injection is temporarily suspended. The fuel injection can be suspended during a subsequent initialization, until the idle regulating valve is fully closed or for a predetermined period of time. In some less refined applications, the idle regulating valve can be initialized during engine start up regardless of whether or not it is initialized during engine shut-down.

Abstract: An outboard motor has a V-type engine in which in which a plurality of cylinders are arranged in a V-shape, a crankshaft is arranged substantially vertically, and an overhead valve (OHV)-type valve train is mounted. This outboard motor also includes an air intake system in which a carburetor is arranged above the engine and in a space of a V bank between the cylinders.

Abstract: Vehicle air intake and exhaust handling devices are formed of a conductive loaded resin-based material. The conductive loaded resin-based material comprises micron conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination of conductive powder and conductive fibers in a base resin host. The percentage by weight of the conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination thereof is between about 20% and 50% of the weight of the conductive loaded resin-based material. The micron conductive powders are metals or conductive non-metals or metal plated non-metals. The micron conductive fibers may be metal fiber or metal plated fiber. Further, the metal plated fiber may be formed by plating metal onto a metal fiber or by plating metal onto a non-metal fiber. Any platable fiber may be used as the core for a non-metal fiber. Superconductor metals may also be used as micron conductive fibers and/or as metal plating onto fibers in the present invention.

Abstract: An oil-feeding device for a crankshaft where the amount of lubricant oil leaking from supporting areas of main journal portions is reduced without increasing friction of bearing members against the main journal portions. The oil-feeding device for a crankshaft includes upper bearing members and lower bearing members. The upper and lower bearing members have a half hollow cylindrical shape, are provided with crush relief portions at both ends, and jointly encompass main journal portions of a crank shaft. The upper bearing members have circumferentially extending oil grooves provided in the faces opposite the main journal portions, the grooves penetrating through oil passages of a cylinder block. The lower bearing members do not have oil grooves. The oil grooves do not extend in the crush relief portions, and therefore the leakage of lubricant oil, fed to the oil grooves, to the areas of the crush relief portions is suppressed.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine connecting rod is designed with bolts having a minimum required strength. A strength safety factor Sfa is calculated based on an axial strength limit load FX of the bolt and the maximum load FB to be born by the bolt due to a piston inertia force (Sfa=FX/FB) acting on the connecting rod. A mating surface separation safety factor Sfb is calculated based on the tensile load (FB?FC) resulting from the piston inertia force and the load FE carried by the bolts at a mating surface separation limit, i.e., the maximum bolt load FE at which the connecting rod main body and the cap remain in contact without separating (Sfb=FE/(FB?FC)). The mating surface separation safety factor Sfb of the connecting rod is set to be equal to or larger than the strength safety factor Sfa of the bolts (Sfb?Sfa).

Abstract: The present invention provides a pulley assembly adapted to transmit torque from a drive pulley to first and second driven accessories. The pulley assembly generally includes a housing and an auxiliary drive component. The auxiliary drive component is rotatably supported by the housing and adapted to be coupled to the first driven accessory. The auxiliary drive component includes first and second annular drive surfaces. The first drive surface is adapted to be drivingly coupled to the drive pulley and the second drive surface is adapted to be drivingly coupled to the second driven accessory.

Abstract: A Turbocombustion engine for conversation of combustible fuel to rotating energy includes a cylinder, piston, connecting rod and crankshaft system for suction and compression and a rotor for expansion and exhaust. Combustible fuel is compressed within a combustion chamber separate from the cylinder and the combustion force applied directly to the rim of the rotor as in turbines with much larger capacity than the cylinder, converting the entire combustion force at maximum torque to rotating energy. The combustion chamber also includes a variable compression ratio system that constantly adjusts the compression ratio within the combustion chamber for optimum performance of the engine under all variables.

Abstract: An engine is disclosed including at least one piston which is positioned within a toroidal piston chamber.

Abstract: In a method for controlling a switching flap (10) arranged in an intake pipe connected with an internal-combustion engine the switching flap (10) is rotated with the aid of a switching-flap shaft (12) connected with an electromotor (18). With the aid of a position-detecting means (22,26; 24,26) an end position of the switching flap (10) is detected. Subsequently, a rotation force is continued to be applied to the shaft (12) to hold the switching flap (10) in the end position. For detecting a breakage of the switching-flap shaft (12), an error message is generated when the switching-flap shaft (12) continues to rotate beyond the end position.

Abstract: An intake air control device, which is mounted to a fixed member, includes a throttle body and a throttle valve. The throttle body defines an intake air passage. The throttle valve is rotatably supported in the throttle body to control an amount of intake air flowing through the intake air passage. The throttle body includes a cylindrical portion, a plurality of fixed portions, and a strain absorbing portion. The cylindrical portion defines the intake air passage that accommodates the throttle valve. The plurality of fixed portions are connected to the fixed member. The strain absorbing portion connects the cylindrical portion with the plurality of fixed portions to absorb displacement arising in the plurality of fixed portions. The strain absorbing portion is a deformable connecting arm that connects to the cylindrical portion in a location, which is apart from a radially inner periphery of the plurality of fixed portions.

Abstract: A watercraft includes an improved engine control system that enhances the responsiveness of the watercraft and eases watercraft operation. The watercraft includes a propulsion device, such as a jet propulsion unit, and an engine that powers the propulsion device. The engine control system is configured to maintain or increase engine speed under certain operating conditions.

Abstract: A fuel injector for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is equipped with a pressure booster that has a working chamber continuously connected to a common rail, and has a differential pressure chamber, which a piston part separates from the working chamber. The fuel injector also has an injection valve member. To actuate the fuel injector, a valve having a control valve in the form of a servo valve and an actuating valve that actuates this control valve. The multistage valve controls both the pressure booster and the injection valve member. The control valve and the actuating valve are hydraulically coupled to each other and different outlet throttles can be opened and closed in order to achieve different opening speeds of a servo valve piston.

Abstract: An internal pulse damper for use in a fuel rail for an internal combustion engine. The damper is formed from a length of tubular metal stock having a flat oval cross-section and ends flattened by crimping to form a captive-air pillow. The end crimps are improved through use of tooling to eliminate a creased sidewall area vulnerable to stress failure in prior art pulse dampers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, having a fuel injector, which can be subjected to fuel at high pressure and which is actuatable via a metering valve, by which the pressure in an injection valve member control chamber or in a control line is controllable such that an injection valve member opens and closes for injecting fuel. The injection valve member control chamber can be evacuated via an outlet throttle device into a control line which has a smaller throttle cross section than an inlet throttle device, by way of which the injection valve member control chamber can be filled.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an IC engine includes an injector (240) which is heated as its region to elevate the temperature of the fuel in the end region and so that when the fuel is ejected from the end region, it immediately converts to vapour. Heating of the end region is performed either by direct conduction from the engine or by an electrical heating element. A gasket (22) of heat conducting material is provided between the cylinder head and the inlet manifold (200) so heat is conducted to the inlet manifold (200) and then to injector (240). An electrical heating element (320, 380) is provided surrounding the end region of the injector so that it can heat up the end region immediately without having to wait for the engine to reach operating temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel injection device comprising an intake pipe having interior wall surfaces for providing air from an upstream side to a downstream side and a fuel injection port disposed in the intake pipe between the surfaces for providing fuel into the intake pipe and an air guide member disposed in the intake pipe in a plane substantially parallel to the surfaces for guiding air separately towards an air flow layer passage and a main air passage wherein the air guided towards the air flow layer passage has a speed at least greater than the air guided towards the main air passage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of generating an active crank series of signals that is derived from at least two series of signals, wherein one or both of the series of signals have been modulated to produce two series of signals that resemble each other. Also disclosed herein is a crankshaft positioning system for determining the rotational position of a crankshaft of an engine that utilizes at least two crank angle sensors 10 and 12. The signal information from the two crank angle sensors 10 and 12 is processed by a signal processor 150 such that the series of signals 220 from the second crank angle sensor 12 emulates the series of signals 210 from the first crank angle processor 10. The signal processor generates an active crank series of signals 230 based on the two series of signals 210, 220. The active crank series of signals 230 is sent to an engine control processor 120 which directs the injection and/or ignition of fuel into cylinders of an engine.

Abstract: A heavy-duty flame propagation engine has control systems and exhaust after treatment systems adapted to provide ultra-low emissions relative to Diesel engines while achieving comparable fuel consumption at reduced emission levels. The control systems include exhaust gas circulation, variable valve actuation, cylinder deactivation, pilot fuel injection, high energy ignition systems and combinations thereof to provide substantially stoichiometric combustion conditions over an entire load range of the engine. In one embodiment, the engine has direct in-cylinder fuel injection, is adapted for lean air-fuel mixture operation, and includes an oxidation catalyst and a lean NOx adsorber.

Abstract: A fuel supply system of a vehicle is provided with a fuel tank 10 supported on a vehicle at a level equal to or lower than that of the carburetors 16 and 17 combined with an engine 5. A vacuum fuel cut valve 12 is placed on the upper surface of the fuel tank 10. A pulse-driven fuel pump 13 is disposed near the vacuum fuel cut valve 12 on the upper surface of the fuel tank 10. The vacuum fuel cut valve 12 has a fuel inlet port 36 connected to a fuel suction pipe 37, a fuel outlet pipe 28, and a vacuum chamber connected to an intake pipe 21a connected to the cylinder 21 of the engine 5. The pulse-driven fuel pump 13 is provided with a fuel suction pipe 25 connected to the fuel outlet pipe 28 of the vacuum fuel cut valve 12. When a negative pressure pulse is applied to the vacuum fuel cut valve 12, the vacuum fuel cut valve 12 opens to supply fuel to the carburetors 16 and 17.

Abstract: A throttle body 12 is connected to a rear portion of a cylinder head 10 of an air-cooled engine 5, and a fuel pump 23 is disposed in front of the engine 5. The fuel pump 23 is such as to be disposed below a fuel tank 6 in such a manner as to be separated therefrom and to be integrated with an auxiliary tank. Fuel is sent under pressure from the fuel pump 23 to the throttle body 12 via a fuel feed tube 13, and surplus fuel is returned to the integrated auxiliary tank, consequently, no piping for return fuel being required. Vapor generated in the fuel pump 23 returns to a space above a fuel level resulting when the fuel tank 6 is filled up via an exclusive return tube 25 and is, therefore, prevented from mixing into fuel.

Abstract: An air inlet module incorporating, in one structural unit, on the one hand, a supply manifold, on the other hand, an exhaust gas reinjection circuit and, finally, a gas/liquid heat exchanger designed to cool the exhaust gases, the module consisting of a sealed assembly of at most four parts, namely, a first part comprising the inlet manifold, the outlet manifolds, a portion of the supply conduit, and a hollow body forming the tank of the exchanger, a second part comprising the many circulation manifolds and a support body for assembling said manifolds in the tank, and a third part of which one portion forms a cover for the hollow open container and comprising several conduit portions forming at least partially the exhaust gas circulation circuit and conveying these gases to the inlet manifold, also incorporated in said third part.

Abstract: An intake manifold (1) of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine comprises a single pipe portion (4), a collector (5) connected to the pipe portion (4), and a plurality of branch pipes (6) branching from the collector (5) to each cylinder. The pipe portion (4) and the collector (5) divided into a plurality of spaces (1a, 1b) by a partitioning member (12). Blow-by gas is equally distributed to each cylinder using a simple structure comprising a discharge vent (3) for blow-by gas in the pipe portion (4) extending over the partitioning member (12) and being equal to the two spaces (1a, 1b). It is preferred that a notch (8) is formed facing the discharge vent (3) on the partitioning member (12).

Abstract: A multi-spark type ignition system for an internal combustion engine has a compact energy storage coil. The multi-spark type ignition system includes a energy storage coil, an energy storage capacitor, a first power transistor that switches on or off supply of electric energy from a battery and the electric energy from the energy storage coil to the energy storage capacitor, a second power transistor connected to the energy storage capacitor and to an ignition coil and an external resistor, connected between the energy storage coil and the first power transistor so as to bypass the energy storage capacitor. The second power transistor switches on or off the primary current. The external resistor limits current flowing through the first power transistor, thereby limiting temperature rise of the first power transistor.

Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine has a primary and secondary coils of an ignition coil, a center and ground electrodes of a spark plug, a cylinder shaped insulator and a cylinder shaped tube. The center electrode is disposed apart from the secondary coil in a longitudinal direction of the ignition device. The insulator is made of an insulating material and has a coil surrounding portion surrounding the secondary coil and a plug surrounding portion surrounding the center electrode. The primary coil is wound on an outer circumferential face of the coil surrounding portion. The ground electrode is disposed on an outer circumferential face of the plug surrounding portion. The tube is made of a magnetic material and has a coil covering portion covering the primary coil and a plug covering portion covering the plug surrounding portion and the ground electrode.

Abstract: A fuel pressure control device includes a fuel injection valve, a pressure accumulation chamber for storing a high pressure fuel, a high pressure pump, a fuel pressure control valve, a fuel pressure sensor for detecting a fuel pressure PR in the pressure accumulation chamber, an air-fuel ratio sensor for detecting an air-fuel ratio condition, target value calculation means for calculating a target fuel pressure and a target air-fuel ratio AFo, fuel pressure control means for performing feedback control of the fuel pressure control valve such that the fuel pressure PR matches the target fuel pressure, abnormality diagnosis means for diagnosing the fuel pressure sensor, and fuel pressure estimation means for calculating an estimated fuel pressure PRs based on the air-fuel ratio condition when an abnormal condition occurs. The fuel pressure estimation means corrects the estimated fuel pressure PRs such that the air-fuel ratio condition is guided to the target air-fuel ratio AFo.

Abstract: The invention discloses two related improvements over existing trigger mechanisms utilized in pneumatic launching devices—such as pellet or paintball guns. The first improvement is a method for allowing a single trigger frame configuration to be utilized by a multiplicity of launching devices despite differences in attachment points and/or mechanical linkages inherent in the same. The second improvement relates to incorporating a trigger return mechanism within the trigger frame which utilizes magnets, pneumatics or mechanical means to actively return the trigger to its initiating or ‘rest’ position after it has been operated.

Abstract: A modular burner/blower system and method directed to an independently operable direct fired burner unit and an independently operable blower unit that are also configured to be interconnected to one another and to operate together. The direct fired burner unit includes a burner casing and a direct fired burner mounted within the burner casing. The blower unit includes a blower casing configured to interconnect with the burner casing and a blower mounted within the blower casing. The burner unit may be interconnected to the blower unit in a vertical or horizontal configuration and includes heating components and controls.

Abstract: A formulation of a drug in a liquid carrier is heated in a controlled fashion and then aerosolized. The aerosolized formulation comprises particles having an aerodynamic diameter in a range of about 0.5 to about 12 micrometers. The particles are inhaled into the lungs of a human patient thereby delivering drug to the patient. By heating the formulation prior to aerosolization, the viscosity of the formulation is reduced thereby improving delivery efficiency. Repeatability of aerosol formation is improved by pre-heating the solution to the same or substantially the same temperature for successive delivery events.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for the administration of drugs and/or medications to a patient. Systems and methods of the present invention are useful for achieving the non-invasive administration of drugs and/or medications, typically via a nebulization chamber in combination with an airtight face mask. Within certain embodiments, the present invention further employs a filtration device to scavenge drugs and/or medications that would otherwise escape into the patient's immediate surroundings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a powder inhaler (1) with mouthpiece (2) for dispersing pharmaceutical medicament formulations, which comprises an auxiliary energy source in the form of a pressure medium system (3), having a device for supplying (6) a powder formulation (7), while on activation of the pressure medium system a gaseous pressure medium (8) released by the pressure medium system (3) forms an aerosol (9) with the powder formulation (7) such that the powder particles are present in the gaseous pressure medium (8) in dispersed form. This is achieved by means of a powder inhaler (1) comprising a multi-channel nozzle, the channels of which are inclined to one another at an angle such that the aerosol jets flowing through them meet one another downstream behind the nozzle (10).

Abstract: Isometric muscle manipulation results in a reduction in breathing airway restriction and the incidence and magnitude of sleep apnea and snoring. The method comprises exercises including, raising the tip of the tongue upward and backward in the mouth to touch the area between the hard palate and the soft palate of the mouth and then pressing the tongue upwardly, raising the flat tongue upward pressing it against the hard palate, placing the jaw in a slightly open attitude and pressing the tongue against the floor of the mouth, expanding the nasal and oral pharynx, and placing the jaw in the closed attitude and then protruding the jaw to a forward position.

Abstract: A unit dose dry powder inhaler has a dose unit within an inhaler housing. As the dose unit is pushed into the inhaler housing, a container on the dose unit is opened, releasing a pharmaceutical powder into the housing. The user inhales on a mouthpiece, drawing the powder and air into a dispersion chamber. The powder disperses in air, and the powder/air mixture is inhaled. The inhaler is inexpensive, compact, and simple to use.

Abstract: A detector that monitors the presence of halogenated agents and the presence of N2O includes a base to which a filter cannister is removably coupled. The cannister has an input for accepting exhalent from a patient or an anesthesia machine and an outlet for outputting the filtered exhalent as gases to the base. The filtered gases are routed a gas measurement or monitor cell housed in the base. The cell has a halogenated agents sensing system and a N2O sensing system. When the filter material in the filter cannister could no longer filter out the halogenated agents, the agents are passed from the filter to the measuring cell, which would detect the presence of the halogenated agents. An audible alarm sounds when halogenated agents are detected. This tells the user that it is time to replace the filter cannister.

Abstract: A pressure indicator for positive pressure protection masks, including powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs) that monitors and determines relative air pressure between the internal space of a protection mask and the ambient environment to alert users of negative or threshold level air pressure, and in turn, to ensure safe operation of the protection masks. The pressure indicator, which is incorporated in the mask, alerts users when the air pressure in the mask reaches a critical level by transmitting optical signals, auditory signals, vibrational signals or a combination thereof that are detectable by the user. The optical signals are projected into the user's line of vision either directly or through a head-up display. The pressure indicator may cause the signal to indicate a safe and danger mode, or may cause the signal to indicate only during a danger mode.

Abstract: The oxygen emergency supply device for an aircraft is equipped with a receptacle in which at least one oxygen mask is arranged. The receptacle comprises a lid which opens in the case of release and releases the oxygen mask. Handling device for reaching and applying the oxygen mask and a device for releasing the oxygen supply to the mask are provided. The handling device has at least one arm which in the case of release extends out of the receptacle through the lid opening into a position laterally of the mask drop axis so that the mask may be reached by a person seated laterally of the mask drop axis.

Abstract: A breathing aid for an infant is adapted for delivery of inhalable medication in a gentle flow to an area immediately adjacent the baby's nasal passageway. An oral member formed as a pacifier carries a hollow tube, the open top end of which extends just above the upper rim of the mouth guard of the pacifier. A swivel connector secured to the bottom of the tube allows easy adjustment of the position of the breathing aid in relation to the mouth guard and to a connecting hose, through which oxygen or other medication is delivered.

Abstract: A system for securing an endo-tracheal or other tube in position upon a patient includes a head pad and securing members which can be adjustably attached to the head pad. The head pad is configured to support the head of a patient in a supine position. The head pad includes a number of slits formed in each lateral side of the head pad, such that a securing member can be threaded through any one of the slits. The securing member is configured to be releasably and adjustably attachable to the lateral sides of the head pad by being secured to itself via hook and loop fastener portions disposed upon the member. The opposite end of the securement member can include an adhesive layer or other mechanism for attachment of the end of the member to the endo-tracheal tube or other medical article.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of treating bone length discrepancies and angular deformities in a patient in need thereof, where the method involves radiofrequency ablation epiphysiodesis of a physeal plate. Specifically, the method treats long bone discrepancies with a minimally invasive procedure. The present invention is also directed to a method of inhibiting bone growth, where the method involves exposing a physeal growth plate to radiofrequency ablation epiphysiodesis.

Abstract: An intraoral aversion device to assist a user in quitting an undesirable behavior such as tobacco smoking, tobacco chewing, use of snuff, illicit drug use, excessive alcohol consumption, excessive food consumption, and/or other undesirable activity facilitated via the mouth. The aversion device may be wholly or partially configured to be disposed in the user's mouth, for example. The aversion device may include a detector and a output device, wherein the detector is configured to detect a parameter indicative of the user engaging in the habit or undesirable activity. If (and only if) the detector detects such a parameter, the output device delivers a negative stimulus to the user, thus providing negative feedback and creating an incentive for the user to limit if not eliminate the undesirable activity.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a smoking material with reduced levels of nitrogenous compounds by contacting a tobacco material with an aqueous solvent, separating the aqueous solvent from the tobacco fiber portion, mixing the tobacco fiber portion with a cellulose containing material, and optionally adding back the aqueous solvent which may have been treated and/or concentrated.

Abstract: Mixed metal oxide catalysts are prepared by combining first nanoscale particles and second nanoscale particles to form a mixture of nanoscale particles and then the mixture is heated to form a mixed metal oxide catalyst. The mixed metal oxide catalysts, which are capable of reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide in the mainstream smoke of a cigarette during smoking, are incorporated into a smoking article component such as tobacco cut filler, cigarette paper and/or cigarette filter material.

Abstract: Nanoscale particles are formed and deposited in situ on tobacco cut filler, cigarette paper and/or cigarette filter materials by physical vapor deposition. The nanoscale particles are capable of acting as an oxidant for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and/or as a catalyst for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide.