Abstract:
In an automation system for a mixing and dispensing apparatus, different colors of granite granules are placed into different silos. Dampers and proportion gates on the bottom of the silos permit specific proportions of different granite colors to fall and mix on a conveyor. The granite color combination is transported through a bucket elevator to a lazy susan and from the lazy susan into a selected bin. A second combination of granite colors is then mixed by adjusting selected proportion gates and opening and closing selected dampers. The second color combination is transferred through the lazy susan to a second selected bin. Any number of color combinations can be made and transferred to selected bins. The granite color combinations from the several bins are then applied to an asphalt-coated fiberglass mat through a dispensing apparatus on the bottom of the selected bins. The entire process is automated and controlled through logic circuitry.
Abstract:
A pressure monitoring system for use with an electrofluidic device for sensing pressure includes a pump for supplying fluid to the electrofluidic sensing device. An electrical switching circuit controls the supply of fluid to the sensing device and is responsive to the external pressure level applied to the sensing device; this circuit also cyclically causes the supplied pressure to vent when the pressure of supplied fluid inside the sensing device is substantially equal to the applied external pressure, and then start the fluid supply to the device over again. This system further includes a measuring element for detecting the pressure level of the supplied fluid, and a digital meter for displaying the analogous detected pressure level during supply of the fluid.
Abstract:
Method and use of injected fluids for enhancement of absorption of radiofrequency and microwave radiation in tissue. Biocompatible fluids or solutions with absorption properties greater than that of the target tissue are injected into the target tissue, which is then irradiated with appropriate frequency radio-frequency or microwave radiation. Absorption produces heat selectively in the target tissue, thereby producing desired ablation of excess or diseased tissue.
Abstract:
A bone fastener including an expandable member having an axial channel and an elongated element insertable into the axial channel is described. The expandable member is configured to be insertible into a bore drilled in bone. The distal end of the expandable member also may include a structure for axially releasing the expandable member from an emplacement device that places the expandable member into a bone opening. In one embodiment, the structure for axially releasing includes a frangible membrane capable of being severed from the expandable member during emplacement of the expandable member in a bone opening.A rivet for coupling an object to bone for use with an expandable member is also described. The distal end of the elongated element is shaped into a radially projecting portion adapted for engagement with a washer that contacts the object to be coupled. The washer, having upper and lower surfaces and a bore defined between the surfaces, is disposed around a portion of the shaft. The elongated element is adapted for movement independent of the washer since the radial projection of the element has a different radius of curvature than the washer.An apparatus for use within an endoscope is described. The apparatus includes an elongated, substantially hollow holding means for emplacing a bone fastener of the invention in a bone opening. The expandable member includes a structure for axially releasing the expandable member from the holding means. A method of attaching soft tissue to bone is also described. The invention also includes a surgical fastener kit.
Abstract:
The invention provides a system and a method for determining the direction to a radiating source, for use by a vehicle guidance system, in which optical fibers are used to both collect and transmit optical signals in which the vehicle is preferably intended to home in on its target. The optical fibers disclosed herein require no separate collection optics, but instead directly collect incident radiation arriving at one end of the optical fiber for transmission to a photodiode detector coupled to the distal end. Preferably the radiation is laser radiation radiating from a target in relation to which the vehicle is guided, and preferably the vehicle is a guided missile. Elimination of collection optics reduces the complexity and cost of the apparatus and provides an unexpected increase in and selectability of the accuracy of directional determination by the system. The system includes an array of apertures disposed in selected, non-uniform locations on the vehicle. Each aperture contains a set of fibers, including start and stop fibers. The fibers receive incoming radiation, transmit the radiation as optical signals to start and stop detectors. The detectors measure a signal strength and a property related to the length of the start and stop fibers through which the optical signals have been transmitted, and provide output indicative of the signal strength and the property to a microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed to calculate the direction to the radiation source relative to the vehicle, and to provide this information to a vehicle guidance and control system.
Abstract:
A bone fastener including an expandable member having an axial channel and an elongated element insertable into the axial channel is described. The expandable member is configured to be insertible into a bore drilled in bone. The distal end of the expandable member also may include a structure for axially releasing the expandable member from an emplacement device that places the expandable member into a bone opening. In one embodiment, the structure for axially releasing includes a frangible membrane capable of being severed from the expandable member during emplacement of the expandable member in a bone opening. A rivet for coupling an object to bone for use with an expandable member is also described. The distal end of the elongated element is shaped into a radially projecting portion adapted for engagement with a washer that contacts the object to be coupled. The washer, having upper and lower surfaces and a bore defined between the surfaces, is disposed around a portion of the shaft. The elongated element is adapted for movement independent of the washer since the radial projection of the element has a different radius of curvature than the washer. An apparatus for use within an endoscope is described. The apparatus includes an elongated, substantially hollow holding means for emplacing a bone fastener of the invention in a bone opening. The expandable member includes a structure for axially releasing the expandable member from the holding means. A method of attaching soft tissue to bone is also described. The invention also includes a surgical fastener kit.
Abstract:
An incident optical signal is captured by an array of apertures and directed to pairs of fibers, each pair having a delay fiber with a unique length and a no-delay fiber. Each pair of fibers further has a unique transmission characteristic. Time interpolation is then performed using the transmission characteristic curve for each delay fiber and the duration from the time the optical signal arrives over the no-delay fibers and the time the signal arrives over the delay fibers to determine the wavelength. In a second embodiment, each pair of delay and no-delay fibers is replaced by a fiber splitter which directs light into a no-delay fiber and a delay fiber that have been split from the input of the splitter. In a third embodiment, two fiber splitters are used in place of the pairs of fibers. Each splitter has a number of branches for receiving light and an output end for guiding light onto the photodetectors. The propagation time of the delay optical signal, as compared against the no-delay signal, and other factors such as the length of the individual fiber and the transmission characteristics, are used to determine the wavelength.
Abstract:
A selectable field of view device is disclosed which is capable of expanding the relatively narrow field of view of a camera to nearly spherical proportions. The device includes a pair of signal diverters, such as mirrors in the case of light signals, each mirror's reflective surface being parallel to the other's reflective surface, and each mirror being independently rotatable about an X-axis and a Y-axis respectively. Each axis passes through a central portion of its respective mirror with the Y-axis intersecting the X-axis and the X-axis being relatively centered within the field of view of the sensor. The mirrors may be driven by one or more motors. When one motor is used, a brake and idler arrangement provides for rotation of one mirror while the other mirror remains stationary relative to its respective axis. In addition, when one motor is used, the sensor is rotated by the motor via a drive belt such that the sensor rotates the same amount as does the mirror being rotated.
Abstract:
A suture anchor for anchoring one end of a conventional suture to bone comprising a coupling member, at least one barb made of a resilient elastic material projecting form said coupling member, and means for attaching one end of a suture to said suture anchor. The coupling member and the at least one barb and adapted to securely anchor one end of the suture in bone when the suture is attached to the attachment means so that the other end of the suture extending outside the bone can be used to attach objects to the bone. A novel application tool is also provided.
Abstract:
The present invention is a device and method of using a device by patients who suffer from urinary incontinence. This device is a flexible urethral plug which has two components: a molded soft inflatable plastic catheter and a transportable fluid. The fluid can be moved from an external bellows, through a check valve to inflate and distend the device within the urethra, the bladder neck or the bladder causing the device to block the flow of urine through the urethra and assist the natural function of the sphincter in closing the urethra.