Abstract: Presented are novel instruments intended for use in the diagnosis and treatment of fibrotic soft tissue through soft tissue mobilization therapies performed on, particularly, a human patient. Three such instruments are provided by the invention including a variety of curvilinear and linear tissue-engaging edges and converging surfaces accommodating their use on the irregular contours of numerous soft tissue areas of the human body.

Abstract: A lateral toe pick for an ice skate blade is provided for enhancing the ice-gripping ability of the forward toe end of a skate blade and reducing slippage at the blade-to-ice interface in the interest of generating more lift and acceleration for the skater. The toe pick extends laterally from the skate blade and forwardly toward a first fore end of the skate blade to define another second point of engagement between the skate blade and the ice surface during certain skating maneuvers. In a preferred embodiment, the invention includes a second toe pick extending laterally from the skate blade on the opposite side of the skate blade than the first pick and disposed in a similar arrangement relative the first fore end of the skate blade as the opposing first pick. Such second pick defines a third point of engagement between the skate blade and the ice surface, thereby simply further enhancing the ice-gripping capability of the first fore end of the skate blade.

Abstract: A binocular-like vision system (50) for enabling an observer to view an object. The system includes an input end (72,90) that receives light from the object and an optical transfer system (62,64,86,88) that receives the light received from the input end and transfers the received light to an image intensifier (68) which intensifies the received light, wherein the intensified received light is transferred to and transmitted out of an output end (80,92) of the system, wherein the light transmitted out of the output end forms a field of view of the object that is greater than a 60 degree horizontal field of view.

Abstract: A prosthetic system including a novel connector is provided comprising a first prosthetic member such as a pylon tube having a first male end, an extending member such as a prosthetic bolt having a proximal end and a distal end, the male end of the first prosthetic member having an opening therein for receiving the distal end of the bolt, and a second prosthetic base member have a female contact surface for receiving the male end of the first prosthetic member and for anchoring the proximal end of the bolt. The bolt is generally fixed in position relative to the second prosthetic member while the first prosthetic member is movable relative to the second prosthetic member. The bolt may be tightened to releasably lock the first prosthetic member in a fixed position relative to the second prosthetic member.