Abstract: A surgical tissue retractor for use in small tissue incisions such as heart valve surgery. The retractor is comprised of a plurality of retractor blades that can be operated simultaneously or at least one or more blades can be operated independently. Right and left retractor blades are mounted on an actuator mechanism that spreads or expands the blades as a rotatable primary actuator knob is rotated. A third retractable arm is mounted for simultaneous operation with the right and left retractor blade or independent operation through a secondary rotatable actuator knob that extends or retracts a threaded shaft attached to the center retractor blade. The retractor includes a housing having a hangar for use of the retractor in conjunction with a larger retractor such as a sternum spreader or rib spreader retractor.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging detector comprised of read-out electronics and PIN diodes formed on a high resistivity silicon-on-insulator substrate that permits cell pitches as small as 20 microns. The read-out electronics are fabricated in the thin, top silicon layer of the SOI substrate. The read-out electronics produced provide circuits such as integrators and transimpedance amplifiers which are required to transform the electrical current from PIN diode detectors into an analog voltage. The anodes of the PIN sensor diodes are formed by etching through an oxide barrier layer in the substrate and implanting a heavily doped p+ region into a high resistivity intrinsic silicon layer. X-ray imaging detectors produced by the methods disclosed herein can be assembled into multi-chip modules that can be used in a large panel x-ray imaging apparatus.

Abstract: This invention relates to a conformable ankle brace constructed of a heat moldable thermoplastic material that can be formed in place around a patient's injured ankle. The moldable thermoplastic material is shaped in a manner that produces medial and lateral extensions for covering the medial and lateral malleoli of a patient's foot. A concave recess is formed between the medial and lateral extensions to improve strength and reduce cracking of the thermoplastic brace. A non-stretchable strap holds the conformable ankle brace in position against the ankle and leg. A stretchable strap secures the medial and lateral extensions or splints in place over the medial and lateral malleoli. Strategically placed pads of hook-textured material, that mate with loop-type material on the fastening straps hold them in place on the ankle brace. Optionally, the moldable custom-fitted ankle brace can beheld in place with athletic tape.

Abstract: A rotatable retractor clamp having a detachable blade clamp. A retractor blade is rotatably secured to a blade clamp by a boss fitting a socket in a clamp body that includes a blade release lever that locks the blade onto the clamp body. After attachment to the clamp, the blade may freely rotate on the blade clamp allowing adjustment after placement of a retractor in an incision. The blade is rotatably held in a socket in the clamp body when installed on a retractor arm but may be easily detached for replacement by a different length blade.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-frequency surgical generator (1) for adjusted cutting and coagluation having adjustment devices for setting the momentary electric output values, such as, e.g., current, voltage and power and having a device for direct and/or indirect determination of the state of the tissue in the vicinity of the cutting electrodes.

Abstract: A skeg device and system and the like, for mounting on snowboards or skis to improve performance, maneuverability, tracking and balance. Skegs are designed to easily mount on snowboards, and has blades for controlling the snowboard path in a variety of snow conditions from powder, to hard snow, to ice. Each skeg is comprised of a mounting plate for easily installing the skegs on a snowboard and a blade rotably mounted on a shaft that is spring loaded. The spring loaded rotatable shaft allows the blades to deflect when engaging a hard surface to constantly self-adjust to snow conditions. Depth adjustment is provided by a thumbscrew that adjusts the rotational position of the shaft and thus, the depth that the blade extends below the surface of the snowboard. By rotating the thumbscrew, a rider can dial in the tracking of the blade on each skeg individually.

Abstract: An innovative container lid having an integrally formed tamper evident band that goes through a series of changes or metamorphoses during the manufacturing and application process. The tamper evident band is attached to the lid at weak points on dogs formed around the periphery of the lid. Before use, the tamper evident band has a diameter substantially larger than the outer diameter of the lid. When the lid is installed in a container, and tangential and radial forces are applied to the periphery of the lid, the attachment points of the tamper evident band rupture and the band is displaced in a rippling effect with the dogs locking into sockets formed in the sidewall of the tamper evident band. Continued pressure is applied to the side of the tamper evident band until it is pressed firmly around the entire periphery of the lid against the side of a container with all the dogs engaged in sockets.

Abstract: An automated well servicing system comprised of computer controlled tong assemblies, a remote controlled robotic racking system and unique slips and backup clamps. The system has a pair of tong assemblies for automatically disconnecting or connecting rods or tubes. Each tong assembly is pivotally mounted on the frame of a vehicle for deployment once the vehicle is parked at a well head and includes power tongs, backup clamps and slips mounted on hydraulically operated carriers for positioning over a well head. A robotic rod tubular handler controlled by a joy stick mounted on the waist of a floor man permits remote racking of rods and tubes. A slip assembly is provided comprised of a pair of housings forming a conical cavity and a conical mandrel having pins or slugs that clamp a tubular string when the two housings are pressed together.

Abstract: A BBQ or fireplace lighter, including a child resistant device to prevent operation by children, and in particular, small children. In one embodiment, the device is in the form of a pivotally mounted lever having a notch engaging a plate in the trigger, locking the trigger from operation. The trigger release mechanism includes a button extending out of the lighter housing immediately behind the trigger guard for operation by a finger while the trigger is operated by the index or another finger. A second embodiment is comprised of a trigger guard plate having a thumb tab extending out of the top of the housing mounted on a rotatable hub. The guard plate engages and obstructs operation of the trigger. A spring biases the guard plate against the trigger to prevent operation, but can be rotated out of the way by rotating the thumb tab to a stop position moving trigger guard plate out of engagement of the trigger, allowing operation of the BBQ or fireplace lighter.

Abstract: A clutch cable lever operating system having a cable adjusting mechanism including a clamp for mounting the system on the handlebars of a motorcycle. The clutch cable lever fulcrum mounting flange to allow more or less free travel when the cable operating lever is used. The clutch cable adjusting mechanism is comprised of a coarse sleeve threaded into a cable adjusting cylinder that abuts the end of a cable outer sleeve. A manually adjusted threaded star nut or thumb wheel is fitted in a slot in the cable adjusting cylinder and threads on the coarse threaded sleeve. Rotation of the threaded star nut or thumb wheel incrementally extends or retracts the coarse threaded sleeve abutting the end of cable to adjust the slack that occurs when clutch plates expand due to heat. A resilient washer in an annulus intersecting the threads in the star nut or thumb wheel prevents free movement of the star nut on the coarse threaded sleeve to maintain the adjusted position.