Abstract:
An apparatus for constricting or closing a conduit comprises a pair of generally parallel clamp frames opening in the same direction and disposed at a separation such as to accommodate the conduit between them, the clamp frames being formed in one side of their opening with a recess in which fits a stationary clamp member and being secured on their other side to a fluid operated ram that actuates a movable clamp member towards the stationary clamp member. After operation of the ram the two clamp members are fastened together, eg by bolts, and then the ram is retracted. The clamp members can then be removed from the clamp frames.
Abstract:
A rivet-like bone anchor has a floating washer at its head that can adapt to an angled bone surface and, thereby, better secure a tissue thereto. The anchor includes a rivet, an expandable sleeve, and a washer. The rivet includes a head and an elongate body having proximal and distal ends, the head being mounted on the proximal end of the elongate body. The expandable sleeve has an inner bore adapted to receive the rivet body. The washer “floats” at a proximal end of the sleeve. As the rivet is inserted into sleeve, the sleeve expands into an interference fit with the bone. The head of the rivet, moreover, forces the floating washer into contact with the tissue at an angle that conforms to that of the underlying bone surface. A deployment tool permits the anchor to be deployed without application of unnecessary counterforce. The tool includes an outer tube, the distal end of which can hold the anchor housing, e.g., via a screw fit. A rod, which is slidably disposed within the bore of the tube, can be used to push the rivet into the expandable sleeve so that the sleeve expands into the bone, so that the floating washer is forced into position against the bone surface, and so that anchor is broken away from the housing. This can be effected, for example, by squeezing the distal ends of the outer tube and the rod together, e.g., in the manner that the end of a syringe is squeezed.
Abstract:
An improved method for attaching soft tissue to bone by passing a suture through an opening in the bone, e.g., a transosseous tunnel, and affixing the soft tissue with the suture. The improvement, for preventing the suture from migrating through the bone at the end of the opening, includes placing a eyelet into an end of the bone opening and passing the suture through the eyelet, as well as through the opening in the bone, in order to affix the soft tissue to the bone with the suture.
Abstract:
A passive fiber local access architecture and signaling plan is disclosed which enables the local exchange network to meet the need, as defined by the International Telecommunications Union(ITU) in References 7 and 8, for an economic means of providing a multitude of services to subscribers over a single medium. Integrating disparate signals compatibly and symmetrically over one medium dictates that all digital transmission and signaling at speeds in excess of 100 Mbps be used on the link. The additional bandwidth needed to support this expanded capacity demand points to glass fiber as the most suitable candidate for this role. A failure tolerant, diversely routed redundant ring cabling architecture provides a dedicated fiber or fiber pair to each premises from the local exchange carrier POP, eliminating the need for intermediate nodes. line power, signal splitters, amplifiers or metallic loops in the last mile. 12×12 cross connect units are deployed in the outside cable plant to meet user demand anywhere along the route, serving 500 or more homes from a single POP. The passive fiber subscriber line is activated and controlled by a set of out of band digital supervision signaling protocols that are compatible with Signaling System 7. These protocols replace existing DC loop closure supervision. Firmware is provided at both POP and subscriber ends of the link to administer and monitor link operations.
Abstract:
A composite flame retardant fabric is provided comprising an interior layer formed of thermoplastic fibers and exterior nonwoven webs on opposite sides of the interior layer. The exterior webs are formed of cellulosic fibers that include a flame retardant chemical. The interior layer provides strength and integrity to the composite fabric while allowing the composite to remain flexible and light in weight. The exterior layers impart flame retardant properties to the composite. Preferably, the interior layer is a spunbonded nonwoven fabric, and in a preferred embodiment the interior layer is a polyester spunbond nonwoven fabric. The exterior layers are preferably carded nonwoven webs, and in a preferred embodiment, the carded webs comprise rayon fibers that have been treated with a flame retardant chemical.
Abstract:
A system and method for multiplexing synchronous parallel digital data streams with different clock frequencies into a single data stream while preserving each data stream's timing integrity. A plurality of digital data inputs and corresponding clock inputs are coupled to corresponding FIFOs (First In First Out buffers), which are coupled to a data multiplexer (MUX). Each clock input is coupled to a clock MUX which couples to each FIFO and the data MUX. Finally, a transition state machine is coupled to the clock MUX, the data MUX, and the FIFOs. Each digital data input receives a data stream from a source, such as a digital video camera, while the corresponding clock input concurrently receives a corresponding clock signal. The transition state machine controls the selection of a data stream from the MUXed data streams and the selection of the corresponding clock signal from the MUXed clock signals. The transition state machine may receive a selection signal from an external source and transmit the selection signal to the data MUX and the clock MUX, as well as the FIFOs. Each clock input transmits its clock signal to the clock MUX which selects a clock signal based on the selection signal, and transmits the selected clock signal to the data MUX, the FIFOs, and the transition state machine. Each FIFO transmits its digital data stream to the data MUX which selects the data streams corresponding to the selected clock signal and outputs the selected stream, such as to an image acquisition device.
Abstract:
A watertight door apparatus includes a door, a door frame, a number of dogging elements, and an actuator mechanism for toggling the dogging elements between a latched condition and an unlatched condition. The dogging elements include roller elements for reducing friction between mating parts. A detent mechanism is provided to prevent inadvertent operation of the actuator mechanism. The dogging elements can be configured to rotate into and out of the latched condition, or they can be configured to slide into and out of the latched condition.