Abstract: A multi-step reduction gear with forward reverse gears comprising a drive shaft, a power take-off shaft, three planet sets, rotating shafts as well as six switch elements. The drive shaft is connected with the sun gear of the planetary set and can be connected to the shaft, which is connected to the carrier of the second planetary set and the carrier of the third planetary set. The power take-off shaft is connected with the ring gear of two of the planetary sets, the shaft connected to the carrier of the planetary set to a housing and across the clutches with the shafts is detachably connected. The shaft connected with the shaft of one of the ring gears of the planetary set and is connected with the sun gear of the planetary set and the shaft with the sun gear of the planetary set can be linked to the housing.

Abstract: A variator for a toroidal transmission, with a driving disk and with a driven disk, between which is set up a toroidal space which defines a toroidal reference circle. The variator, further, comprises at least two rollers which are arranged in the toroidal space for torque transfer between the driving disk and the driven disk. The rollers are in each case mounted rotatably on a roller carrier. The roller carriers are in each case spatially adjustable by means of a piston/cylinder arrangement, in order to adjust the transfer ratio of the variator. The pistons of the piston/cylinder arrangements are in each case adjustable along a stroke axis. Also, the pistons are connected to the roller carriers via respective levers.

Abstract: A toroidal continuously variable transmission in which a rolling member is arranged between a pair of rotary members with contacting its outer circumferential face with a rolling face of those rotary members being opposed to each other through an oil film, and in which a holding member for holding the rolling member in a rotatable condition is provided includes a lubricating oil feeding hole for spraying lubricating oil to a plurality of portions at the center side of the rotation of at least one of the end faces of the rolling member in an axial direction, which is arranged on the holding member.

Abstract: In a vehicular drive system for a hybrid vehicle, in which driving forces of an engine and a motor are transmitted through a power transmission mechanism to driven wheels, a common oil stored in a transmission case and a motor case is used for lubricating the power transmission mechanism and the motor. During travel by using an engine, when a synchromesh mechanism operated by a shift fork isolates the motor from the power transmission mechanism, an oil return hole blocking rod, provided in the shift fork, blocks an oil return hole providing communication between the motor case and the transmission case, thereby preventing oil in the motor case from flowing into the transmission case, to lower oil level in the transmission case. Thus, during travel of the hybrid vehicle, driving force loss due to motor drag resistance and oil stirring resistance is minimized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling and/or regulating a drive train in a vehicle with an engine and a gearbox, especially an automatic gearbox, whereby depending on a warning signal and a stopping request of the driver an engine stalling aid is launched. The invention also relates to a drive train for a vehicle with an engine and a gearbox, especially an automatic gearbox, especially for carrying out said method.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an automotive vehicle including an engine and an automatic transmission. The apparatus is operable upon generation of an engine-output control command requiring an output of the engine during a shift-up action of the transmission initiated in the absence of the engine-output control command, and includes a shifting-progress calculating portion operable to calculate a degree of progress of the shift-up action of the transmission after a moment of generation of the engine-output control command, on the basis of a change of a rotating speed of a rotary element which changes with the progress of the shift-up action, and a gradual-engine-torque-increase control portion operable to control the engine on the basis of the degree of progress of the shift-up action calculated by the shifting-progress calculating portion, so as to gradually increase an output torque of the engine with the progress of the shift-up action.

Abstract: Power train control unit 100 controls friction clutch 203 when shifting from one cogwheel row to the other cogwheel row, sets the target synchronous rotation speed based on the output rotation speed of a transmission and parameters indicative of the state of engine 1 or the transmission, and sets the command value to the friction clutch so that the input rotation speed can be synchronized with the target synchronous rotation speed. Control unit 100 sets the target shifting required time based on parameters indicative of the state of engine 1 or the transmission, and corrects the command value to the friction clutch so that the required shift time can approach the above target shift required time.

Abstract: A foldaway treadmill is disclosed including: one pair of vertical posts interconnected by one cross bar, one base frame, one tread base, one supporting unit, one or a plurality of pneumatic-hydraulic cylinders, characterized in that, inside the said pneumatic-hydraulic cylinders, there are pneumatic-hydraulic chamber and compressing chamber, separated by piston whereon there is draining-functioned groove, filled with air and oil of suitable proportion to provide more safe, smooth and convenient folding up and out of foldaway treadmill than conventional ones.

Abstract: A exercise machine has a pulley for user's flexibility to choose between training at the selected weight plates' full weight, or at the half weight when the pulley is engaged. A latching switch is used for easy selection of going between the full weight and half weight mode. A counter weight block is attached to an end of the cable, to keep the tension of the cable when the exercise machine is used in the full weight mode.

Abstract: A portable exercise system for providing convenient weight training and exercise equipment. The portable exercise system includes a main housing assembly having at least one bladder member designed for being filled with water to provide weight; and a coupling assembly operationally coupled to the main housing assembly, the coupling assembly being designed for selectively securing the main housing assembly to a torso of a user.

Abstract: Exercise device and method in which one or more generally planar blades with major surfaces are attached to the ends of an exercise bar. The bar is gripped with the hands and moved in a direction generally perpendicular to the major surfaces, with movement of the bar being resisted by air resistance encountered by the blades.

Abstract: A machine tool has at least one working spindle, in which a tool receptacle for tool holders is provided. Furthermore, there is a tool-changing arm with a gripper, for a tool holder in order to transfer this tool holder between its magazine position, which is spaced apart from the tool receptacle, and its working position, in which the tool holder can be clamped into the tool receptacle. Orientation means are provided between the gripper and the tool holder supported by it and secure the tool holder in a nonrotatable manner on the gripper at least during its transfer between the magazine position and the working position and release it after it has been clamped into the tool receptacle, with the result that the tool holder can be rotated in relation to the gripper.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating multiple tool bits, all being independently powered through flexible shafts by a single motor, wherein each flexible shaft is connected to a dedicated docking station, and the single drive motor is operatively connected to a given docking station only when the particular tool bit dedicated to that particular docking station is desired to be operational. The motor is translated along a track corresponding to the pathway defined by the docking stations.

Abstract: A reclosable packaging bag comprises a main bag body having an opening portion and at least one heat-sealed portion; and a linear fastener provided on the opening portion of the main bag body. The linear fastener is provided along the opening portion of the main bag body by an insert injection molding so as not to extend to the heat-sealed portions. A method for manufacturing the bag comprises the three steps. First, the first and second linear fastening members are formed on a prescribed position of a sheet of film material by an insert injection molding so as to be spaced from each other. These fastening members are engageable with each other to form a linear fastener. Second, the sheet of film material is folded in two so that the fastening members can engage with each other. Third, each of opposite portions of the sheet of film material thus folded is heat-sealed to form side heat-sealed portions.

Abstract: A method of making slider-actuated string-zippered packages. The method can be applied on a form-fill-seal machine or a machine that makes packages without filling, and involves transverse application of string zipper material on packaging film.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for separating components of a fluid having an outer housing containing a core wherein three separate fluid pathways are provided to allow continuous separation of biological fluids.

Abstract: A process for melting material to be treated includes placing material to be treated in a container that may include an insulating lining, heating the material to be treated and melting the material to be treated, preferably allowing the melted material to cool to form a vitrified and/or crystalline mass, and disposing of the mass. The mass is either disposed while contained in container or removed from container after cooling and disposed. Insulating lining may comprise one or more layers of a thermal insulating material, one or more layers of refractory material, or a combination thereof. The material to be treated may be heated by placing at least two electrodes in the material to be treated and passing a current between the electrodes, or alternatively, by placing at least one heating element in the material to be treated and passing heat into the material to be treated.

Abstract: A treatment strand for insertion into a patient using a needle. The strand includes an elongated member having first and second longitudinal ends, and a plurality of treatments seeds spaced apart from one another within the elongated member between the longitudinal ends. A needle plug is located at one of the longitudinal ends of the elongated member and integrally formed with the elongated member. The integrally formed needle plug is configured to prevent at least one of fluid and tissue from entering a needle when the elongated member is loaded into a needle and the needle is initially inserted into a patient.

Abstract: A system and a method for harvesting a section of a blood vessel from a patient's body for further use. The system includes an expandable hood that creates a workspace for the dissection and removal of the vessel and a telescoping device that has tools at its distal end. The blood vessel is cut at a distal location and a light catheter inserted to illuminate the area of dissection. The system can remove a section of the saphenous vein for use in coronary bypass surgery.

Abstract: A drug-delivery tool and method for delivering a diagnostic or therapeutic agent to a target site within a selected body tissue, such as the myocardium of the heart, is disclosed. The drug-delivery tool generally includes an accessing device having a tissue-penetrating implement in its distal-end region, and elements for delivering a selected agent into a cavity formed by the implement. Methods of use are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and technique for compensating the display of an image obtained from a video camera system associated with an endoscope as it is moved through various orientations are described. The received optical image is converted to an electrical signal with an image sensor that can be a CCD or a CMOS detector. The endoscope video camera system has an inertial sensor to sense rotations of the received image about the optical axis of the endoscope and the sensor's output signals are used to rotate either the image or the image sensor. In case of rotation of the image sensor the rotation sensor can be a gyroscope or a pair of accelerometers. In case of a rotation of the image obtained with the image sensor the inertial sensor, which can be an accelerometer or a gyroscope, the image is rotated within a microprocessor for subsequent viewing on a video display.

Abstract: A method, device and system for determining skin type. The method includes a step of applying at least one drop of substance onto a zone of the skin or on a collector member previously in contact with the zone of the skin. The substance can modify at least one physicochemical property of the surface of the zone or of the collector member exposed to the substance. After the drop has disappeared or been removed, the extent of the surface is evaluated and the skin type is determined as a function of this evaluation.

Abstract: A method for measuring the temperature rise in anatomical tissue as a result of ultrasound treatment. A first ultrasound signal is obtained prior to treating the anatomical tissue, then a second ultrasound signal is obtained after the tissue is treated. Complex analytic signals are computed from the first and second ultrasound signals, then the depth-dependent delay is computed from the complex analytic signals. An echo strain map is generated from the slope of the depth-dependent delay. The echo strain map is used to estimate the amount of temperature rise from the first ultrasound signal to the second ultrasound signal. An image may then be created showing where temperature rise is occurring in the anatomical tissue.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating the volume of blood ejected from the left ventricle of the heart to a succeeding chamber/conduit, or vice-versa, while imaging the intersection of such structures is described. The process utilizes either the M-mode to estimate volume differences in a view of the ventricle over time or Doppler processing techniques to obtain flow profiles across intersections (e.g., valves), or blood vessels, which are then utilized to calculate output. This process can be combined with ECG guidance/triggering to measure/track changes in output from beat to beat, or during the course of an evaluation or therapeutic procedure. This process can be specifically used for the placement of permanent pacemaker electrodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a reformatted medical diagnostic image of a physical structure of the body including obtaining a plurality of axial images of the physical structure of the body and automatically selecting a plurality of points from the plurality of axial images of the physical structure of the body using an algorithm, wherein the plurality of points define a path associated with the physical structure of the body. The systems and methods also including automatically generating a curved reformatted image of the physical structure of the body along the path associated with the physical structure of the body. The systems and methods further including displaying the curved reformatted image of the physical structure of the body for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: A portable blood pressure measuring device comprises a casing, a pressure sensor sensing oscillations in pressure from a cuff attached to a user, and a microprocessor for determining blood pressure based on the oscillations in pressure sensed by the pressure sensor. A signal converter provided in the casing converts data from the pressure sensor into data for the microprocessor. A voice processor provided in the casing receives data from the microprocessor and generates a voice signal indicative of the blood pressure sensed by the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A system for non-invasively monitoring one or more physiological parameters such as pressure and/or pressure gradients in a cardiac conduit adapted for blood bypass flow. The system includes the conduit, at least one sensing device chronically located within the conduit, and a non-implantable readout device. The sensing device includes at least one inductor coil and at least one sensor for monitoring the one or more physiological parameters for diagnosis of the condition of the conduit after the conduit is implanted in a patient. The readout device includes at least one inductor coil allowing electromagnetic telecommunication and electromagnetic wireless powering of the sensing device through the inductor coil thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a breath monitoring device comprising means to record a first breathing state of a user, and means to detect a deviation from the recorded breathing state in a subsequent use of the device by a user. The invention further provides a method of monitoring breaths, the method comprising the steps of: (a) recording the first breathing state of a person from a breath of a person; and (b) detecting a deviation from the recorded first breathing state in a subsequent breath from a person.

Abstract: Treatment apparatus and method for the enhancement of neurophysiological processes of a patient's visual system utilizes a computer generated display that provides a patient simultaneously with passive visual stimulation images and visual cognitive exercises. The stimulation images include moving elements having edges or points of contrast. The exercises include visual and phonological elements. The invention is used to treat reading, writing and speech disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as having broader applications for example in sports sciences.

Abstract: A method for reminding an individual to collect a urine specimen includes the steps of providing a pad or clip having a reminder area of a size such that the individual touches and discovers the pad, when preparing to urinate, and attaching the pad to the brief in the groin area, in a location where it will be encountered, and underneath an outer-garment, whereby the pad is hidden from view when in normal use, and whereby the individual, when preparing to urinate, will touch and discover the pad and thereby be reminded to collect the urine specimen. The pad or clip optionally is attached to the fly of a male brief or to the waistband of either a male or female brief. The invention accomplishes the reminder task by way of imposing behavior modification on the user by operating as a forced interruption to an otherwise established routine or ritual.

Abstract: A bodily fluid sampling device includes a flexible test strip, a lancet, and a deflection mechanism. The test strip is biased to be positioned over the incision site formed by the lancet. The deflection mechanism positions the test strip away from the incision site during lancing so as to allow the lancet to have clear access to the incision site. Due to the flexible nature of the test strip, after lancing the incision, the test strip returns to the original position so as to collect fluid from the incision.

Abstract: A wearable garment includes sensor device of well-know design that are selectively pressed against the skin of the wearer when it is desired to obtain sensor readings, such as heart rate or temperature, or to apply treatment such as electrical pulses for defibrillation purposes. The garment incorporates one or more bands of flexible material that circumscribe portions of the wearer's body, with at least one sensor device positioned on the garment between the band and the wearer's body. To assure the comfort of the wearer, the circumference of the band can be shortened selectively from a first dimension, which loosely circumscribes a desired portion of the wearer's body, to a second, lesser dimension, which more tightly circumscribes the wearer's body and presses the sensor-securely into contact with the wearer's skin.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating patients with ultrasound to promote healing. In particular, the present invention provides a method for improving blood flow to ischemic tissue by applying ultrasound to ischemic tissue. The invention also provides a method for increasing nitric oxide production in tissue by applying ultrasound to tissue.

Abstract: An ultrasound therapy system and method is provided that provides directional, focused ultrasound to localized regions of tissue within body joints, such as spinal joints. An ultrasound emitter or transducer is delivered to a location within the body associated with the joint and heats the target region of tissue associated with the joint from the location. Such locations for ultrasound transducer placement may include for example in or around the intervertebral discs, or the bony structures such as vertebral bodies or posterior vertebral elements such as facet joints. Various modes of operation provide for selective, controlled heating at different temperature ranges to provide different intended results in the target tissue, which ranges are significantly effected by pre-stressed tissues such as in-vivo intervertebral discs. In particular, treatments above 70 degrees C., and in particular 75 degrees C.

Abstract: Portable, lightweight manually actuated CPR device for performing enhanced external thoracic massage. When applied to the victim, the device is used to perform chest, or chest and abdominal compression cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The device provides mechanical force advantage over manually-performed external thoracic massage and permits performing multiple, repeatable and controlled compression/decompression cycles in rapid succession. The system requires less physical strength and endurance than the traditional external thoracic massage, and can be used by persons who otherwise are not strong enough to perform effective CPR. The device can be used with external ECG and defibrillation electrodes and equipment, is lightweight and portable, and can be used by both professional and lay rescuers.

Abstract: The massage device has a housing, which includes a massage head integral with the housing. The massage head has a first massaging surface. A heating element, integral with the housing, is positioned sufficiently proximate to the first massaging surface to raise a temperature of the first massaging surface above ambient temperature. The massage device also includes a massage head cover formed to engage the massage head, said massage head cover comprising a second massaging surface and a freezable material.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electric-powered mechanical single-plank bed or chair comprising a hanging frame disposed separately at four corners of a bed base, a suspending stand disposed under a single bed plank, such that a suspensor is installed between the hanging frame and the suspending stand for sustaining a heavy weight, and a plurality of motive power motors are installed in the bed base and a cam is installed at a spindle of the motive power motor and engaged at a position under the bed plank corresponding to the driving frame for limiting its position, so that when the motive power motor is turned on to drive the cam to operate, the bed plank is pushed back and forth by the cam to produce a back-and-forth or sideway sway, so as to achieve the swaying effect by a mechanical method.

Abstract: A hemorrhoid massage device has a unitary body with a first end and a second end. The first end has a size suitable for fitting into a human rectum. The body has a middle section and a concave section. Each of the middle section and the concave section has a length of between 12 mm and 20 mm. The ends of the concave section and the middle section have approximately equal diameters. These diameters are less than one-half the total length of the middle section and the concave section.

Abstract: Ultrasound bandages (10) and ultrasound transducer array bandages are provided herein to accelerate the healing of wounds by positioning the ultrasound bandages (10) and ultrasound transducer array bandages adjacent to a wound and generating ultrasonic pulses. The ultrasound bandages (10) generally include (a) a backing layer (12), (b) an adhesive layer (14) applied to, and substantially coextensive with the backing layer (12), and (c) a transducer material (16) disposed on at least a portion of the adhesive layer (14). The ultrasound transducer array bandages generally include (a) a backing layer (13), (b) an adhesive layer applied to, and substantially coextensive with, the backing layer, and (c) an array comprising a plurality of transducer materials arranged in adjacent relation to define spaces therebetween, the array being disposed on at least a portion of the adhesive layer.

Abstract: The vaginal cleansing swab is utilized by females for cleansing of the vaginal area. The swab consists of an angled applicator shaft with a moisture-absorbent end piece on one end comprised of a dome-shaped tip and three disc-like portions, having a convex cross-section and with the outer diameters of the disc-like portions increasing in size toward a dome-shaped tip. The design of the vaginal cleansing swab provides for easy insertion into and cleansing of the vaginal area.

Abstract: A solid drug perforator (SSP) system and an associated drug reservoir are provided for delivering theraputic, prophylactic and/or cosmetic compounds, for nutrient delivery and for drug targeting. For drug delivery, the SSP system includes an active drug ingredient and a matrix of perforator material that biodegrades or dissolves quickly upon contact with a patient's body. The SSP system provides a skin barrier perforator and a controller for prompt initiation and cut-off of drug delivery. In a preferred method of transdermal drug delivery, an SSP system containing a selected drug penetrates into an epidermis or dermis, and the drug is promptly released from the (dissolving) SSP system perforator. An additional drug is optionally delivered from a patch reservoir through skin pores created by insertion of the perforator. Formulation and fabrication procedures for the SSP and associated reservoir are also provided. An SSP system can be fabricated with variety of shapes and dimensions.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for treating a selected patient tissue or organ region, at the surface of such region. The apparatus has an accessing tool for accessing the patient region, the tool having a distal end, and a proximal end at which the tool can be manipulated to place the distal end adjacent to the patient region. The apparatus also has a probe carried on the distal end and defining a contact surface that may be urged against the patient region thereby creating contact pressure. A pressure transducer is operatively coupled to the probe and is capable of producing a measurable response to the contact pressure. A monitoring device is operatively connected to the pressure transducer, for determining the contact pressure. An effector is operatively disposed on the probe for producing a given effect on the patient region when the effector is activated, and an activator operatively connected to the effector, by which the effector can be activated.

Abstract: A disposable syringe includes a plunger movable in a barrel relative to a needle seat that engages an inner surrounding barrel wall surface of the barrel by a resisting force. The plunger includes a plunger body and a coupling rod which is in frictional engagement with the plunger body and which has a central anchored area disposed to engage an anchoring portion of the needle seat by a holding force. As such, when the plunger body is moved to bring the central anchored area into engagement with the anchoring portion, the resisting force is overcome to permit disengagement of the needle seat from the barrel, and the coupling rod and the needle seat can be retracted into the plunger body by virtue of a biasing action of a biasing member.

Abstract: A needle stick protection device includes a housing shaped and dimensioned for positioning about a needle. The housing includes a first housing member telescopically coupled to a second housing member. The first housing member includes an open first end and an open second end. The second housing member includes an open first end and a substantially closed second end, the second end including an aperture shaped and dimensioned to permit the passage of a needle therethrough. The device also includes a mechanism for locking the first housing member relative to the second housing member wherein the second housing member moves relative to the first housing member to facilitate retraction and extension of the needle through the aperture at the second end of the second housing member.

Abstract: Catheters for treating body fluids, particularly blood, include one or more tubes through which a working fluid is circulated. The fluid characteristics, e.g., temperature or drug content, interact with the body fluid by transfer through the tube walls. For enhancing the efficiency of such transfer, energy is added to the body fluid where it contacts the tube outer surfaces for reducing the thickness of thermal and concentration boundary layers at the tube surfaces. The energy adding is accomplished by causing pulsations in the walls of the tubes, or in the dimensions of a balloon parallel to the tubes, by means of pressure pulsations in the fluids circulated through the tubes and/or the balloon. Systems are disclosed for providing and controlling the circulation of various fluids and drugs through the catheter.

Abstract: An elongate medical device that may be used for performing medical procedures on a patient is provided. This elongate medical device may include a first member having an elongated configuration, a second member pivotally coupled to the first member at a pivot area of the first member, and a manipulation member extending through either a first lumen or a second lumen of the first member. The second member of this device may have a first region on one side of the pivot area and a second region on a different side of the pivot area. The medical device may also include a third member slidable within one of the lumens of the first member.

Abstract: An infusion device, including: a housing; an infusion cannula extending downwardly away from the housing and capable of receiving an insertion needle; a septum disposed in the housing; a passageway under said septum and in fluid communication with said cannula; and, an infusion needle insertable through the septum, the infusion needle capable of penetrating the septum and entering said passageway thereby forming a flow path between the infusion needle and the infusion cannula and wherein the ion cannula and the infusion needle are aligned on separate non identical axes.

Abstract: A needle cover for covering an injection needle of an injection device, such as an injection pen, including a cover which can be shifted longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the needle and which covers a proximal end of the needle in a needle protecting position, a restoring means for axially returning the cover from a retracted position towards the proximal end of the needle into an advanced position, and a latch for preventing the cover from being retracted in the needle protecting position, wherein the position of the cover is different in the advanced position and in the needle protecting position, and the latch is activated to prevent the cover from being retracted when the cover is shifted near to the needle protecting position. The present invention encompasses a cannula support comprising such a needle cover, wherein the needle cover is detachably or non-detachably connected to the cannula support.

Abstract: Provided herein is a pad for treating eye conditions comprising a multipart container having an impermeable outer membrane sized to fit generally within the peri-orbital region and sufficiently flexible to mold to the eye; a first chemical in a first storage area in the multipart container; a second chemical in a second storage area in the multipart container, the first and second chemicals selected to have an exothermic reaction when mixed for producing a temperature suitable for treating eye conditions, the exothermic reaction providing the suitable temperature for a period of time suitable for treating eye conditions; and an inner membrane for initially separating the first and second chemicals, the inner membrane being renderable permeable, without causing the impermeable outer membrane to become permeable, to permit mixing the first and second chemicals to cause the exothermic reaction.

Abstract: A diaper package is composed of a plurality of disposable diapers and a flexible packing bag forming top and bottom walls, and front, rear and laterally opposed walls printed with display elements. These diapers are arranged between the laterally opposed walls to form a row extending between these laterally opposed walls in such a manner that respective crotch regions of these diapers face the rear wall while respective waist-surrounding end portions of these diapers face the front wall. A radius of curvature of the corners is longer than a radius of curvature of the corners so that a range in which the package can be visually recognized from the side of the front wall is larger than a range in which the package can be visually recognized from the side of the rear wall.