Abstract: Disclosed is an evacuation system for use with plastic extrusion dies, in particular a contaminant evacuation system for removal of air borne contaminants generated at the die orifice of a plastics extrusion apparatus. The system includes an annular evacuation chamber and a suction source connected to the evacuation chamber for generating a vacuum in the evacuation chamber. The evacuation chamber has a radially inwardly directed annular air intake opening for placement about the die orifice, and a baffle structure in the evacuation chamber for equalizing suction pressure along the air intake opening and reduce or avoid localized pressure differences around the extruded product, which would lead to deformation of the product.

Abstract: A mechanically deployable upper airway stent is disclosed along with a method of using same. The stent comprises a central tube having an inner chamber and openings on its surface. A linkage rod is housed within the central tube and is provided with branched spokes that pass through the openings. In the un-deployed state the branched spokes are contained within the central tube. Deployed spokes are preferably aligned in groupings along the central tube. The outer ends of the spokes of each grouping connect to a rib. The un-deployed stent is inserted into the nasal passageway and positioned relative to occluding anatomic structures. Upon deployment, the ribs along with web members extending between the ribs move outwardly from the central tube and press upon the tissues of the pharyngeal cavity. Spaces between the extended spokes permit the passage of air along the stent and maintain airway patency.

Abstract: An apparatus vertically realigns pallets in a stack of pallets. The apparatus has left and right panels with upper portions that are angled outwardly, and lower portions that are substantially vertical. Misaligned pallets in a stack placed in the apparatus engage the upper portions of the panels and are moved toward vertical alignment as the stack is lowered into the apparatus. The apparatus also includes compression plates that are movable between first and second positions relative to the apparatus. In the first positions, the compression plates have surfaces that angle toward each other and engage with misaligned pallets in the stack of pallets as the stack is moved from the apparatus toward a pallet dispenser. In the second position, the compression plates pivot toward the rear of the stack of pallets exiting the apparatus and push the stack into the pallet dispenser, thereby achieving additional vertical alignment of the stack.

Abstract: An apparatus including a flexible length of cord and three tissue connectors positioned at the opposite ends of the cord and at an intermediate position of the cord is designed to be laparoscopically inserted through the abdominal wall and into the abdominal cavity, and used to move a first internal organ to a position away from a second internal organ where the apparatus holds the first internal organ in the position without further manual input, thereby providing surgical access to the second internal organ.

Abstract: An inflatable nasopharyngeal stent is disclosed along with a method of using same. The stent comprises a central tube having a lumen defining a central inner chamber. A plurality of inflatable spokes are disposed along the central tube. The spokes are in fluid communication with the inner chamber of the central tube and are preferably aligned in groupings along the central tube. The outer ends of the spokes connect to a rib. The un-inflated stent is inserted into the nasal passageway through a naris and positioned such that so that a portion of the device is proximal to an anatomic structure exhibiting undesirable inflammation, configuration, growth or motility. Once positioned, the stent is inflated. Upon inflation, the ribs and adjoining web members move outwardly from the central tube and press upon the tissues of the nasopharyngeal cavity. Spaces between the inflatable spokes permit the passage of air along the stent and maintain airway patency.

Abstract: A microsurgical instrument is constructed to an extremely small scale with serrations formed on opposed operative microsurgical surfaces of the instrument by electric discharge machining.

Abstract: A universal box top lid is adapted to be attached to the opened top of a variety of different sizes of food packaging boxes. The lid is designed to fit over the opened box top with an opened bag containing the food product inside the box being held open by an apron formed on an inner wall of the lid. The lid is provided with a cap closure that can be opened when it is desired to dispense the food product contained in the packaging box and bag, and can be closed to preserve the food product.

Abstract: A surgical instrument handle is removably attachable to a surgical instrument head for operation of a microsurgical instrument on the head by manipulation of the instrument handle. The instrument handle has an elongate center rod with a piston mounted on the rod for reciprocating movement. The piston engages with a piston in the attached surgical instrument head for operation of the microsurgical instrument of the head. A tapered ring is mounted on the rod and engages with the piston for reciprocating the piston. A plurality of resilient arms extend along the length of the rod and engage against a sliding surface of the ring. The plurality of resilient arms are alternatively squeezed radially inwardly by the surgeon's hand and released by the surgeon's hand to allow the resilient arms to flex radially outwardly. The inward and outward movement of the plurality of arms reciprocates the piston on the handle rod to cause operation of the surgical instrument head.

Abstract: A flat belt clamping pulley securely clamps the end of a flat belt to the pulley without requiring fastener holes being provided through the end of the flat belt. The design of the flat belt clamping pulley enables the pulley to be economically constructed without requiring difficult or troublesome machining steps.

Abstract: A tier sheet dispensing apparatus for a conveyor system stores a stack of tier sheets and sequentially dispenses the tier sheets, one at a time, onto the top of a two-dimensionally arrayed layer of objects that is being conveyed on a conveyor system. The tier sheet dispensing apparatus has a curved surface that supports the stack of tier sheets. The curved surface bends the stack of tier sheets in a convex curve that facilitates the removal of a single sheet from the top of the stack. The apparatus also has a lift mechanism that moves vertically over the stack of tier sheets to selectively attach to the top tier sheet in the stack and raise the top tier sheet from the stack. The lift mechanism also moves transversely relative to the stack of tier sheets to position the attached tier sheet over the conveyor for placement of the tier sheet on the layer of objects conveyed by the conveyor.

Abstract: A universal box top lid is adapted to be attached to the opened top of a variety of different sizes of food packaging boxes. The lid is designed to fit over the opened box top with an opened bag containing the food product inside the box being held open by an apron formed on an inner wall of the lid. The lid is provided with a cap closure that can be opened when it is desired to dispense the food product contained in the packaging box and bag, and can be closed to preserve the food product.

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgery illuminated directional laser probe has a handle and a rigid tubular tip projecting from the handle, and has an illumination optic fiber and a laser optic fiber that extend through the handle and the tip. A mechanism on the handle is operable to extend distal ends of the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber from the distal end of the instrument tip, and to retract the distal ends of the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber back into the interior of the tip. At least one of the distal ends of the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber is held in a curved configuration. The distal ends of the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber are secured to each other, whereby both the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber curve into a bent configuration as the distal ends of the illumination optic fiber and the laser optic fiber are extended from the distal end of the instrument tip.