Abstract: A disposable, molded probe cover for use with an electronic thermometer is disclosed. The probe cover comprises an elongated hollow body made of a plastic material which defines a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the body has a convex-shaped surface that defines a lubrication well adapted to hold a lubricant therein, while the proximal end forms an opening. The opening communicates with a chamber that extends the entire length of the body and is sized and shaped to receive a probe of the electronic thermometer. To vent air trapped in the chamber during insertion of the probe into the probe cover, the chamber is provided with an axial ridge defined along a portion of the chamber for allowing air trapped at the distal end of the chamber to escape the probe cover through the electronic thermometer. A plurality of detents are also provided along the chamber proximate the opening for securely engaging the probe and establishing a fluid tight seal between the probe cover and the thermometer.

Abstract: An anti-entrapment, anti-vortex swimming pool and/or wading pool drain cover having a discus or wheel-like configuration with a relatively large radius, substantially larger than the radius of a pool drain which the drain cover is intended to cover, so that the disk extends out over the pool floor or other surface having the drain, radially beyond the drain, the disk carrying beneath it a plurality of evenly spaced radial ribs which define between them channels opening at the periphery; the ribs support the cover on the surface in which the drain is located so that the disk periphery stands off that surface for water flow intake beneath through the side inlets; the ribs and channels control water flow beneath the disk so that water flows relatively evenly in the channels from the periphery and then into the drain without potential for pool user entrapment and substantially without vortex creation.

Abstract: A process of removing off-flavors and off-odors, such as caused by TCA, from food or beverage products by contacting the food or beverage with one or more aliphatic synthetic polymers so as to sufficiently lower the concentration of the off-flavors and off-odors that they are undetectable by taste or smell.

Abstract: A method for the reduction of sensory impairment due to peripheral neuropathy comprising placing an apparatus which provides photo-energy in proximity to the skin and/or subcutaneous structures suffering from sensory impairment, and irradiating the skin and/or subcutaneous structures with the apparatus with sufficient duration (total weeks of treatments), intensity (energy in Joules per treatment) and frequency (treatments per week) to reduce sensory) impairment.

Abstract: An elastic harness for supporting a prosthesis aid is disclosed comprising an arrangement of beads and clamps used to configure elastic tubing into a harness shape adapted to comfortably fit around the lower body.

Abstract: Safety device (20) for a high-pressure fluid regulator for preventing risk of combustion caused by high velocity particles entering the regulator includes an inlet body (24) having a passage in fluid communication to receive the fluid prior to supply to the regulator, to which the device is connected. A filter (60) within the inlet body filters fluid passing through the passage. A fluid disrupter (62) is disposed between the filter and the regulator so that high velocity particles are kept by the filter and disrupter from entering the regulator.

Abstract: A progressive filtration system for a chest drainage unit during continuous autrotransfusion comprising a gross filter for filtering incoming blood at the inlet portion of a collection chamber of a chest drainage unit and a conventional fine micron filter assembly located at the bottom portion of the collection chamber for refiltering collected blood prior to reinfusion of that blood back to the patient. The micron filter assembly includes a valve cap at the top portion of the assembly that functions as a plug to seal the top portion of the assembly and as a one way valve that permits reflux of later developing blood clots that might clog the tubing once the blood has already passed through the assembly. The valve cap is also adapted for sealing engagement with a drop tube that places the filter assembly in fluid flow communication with an outlet of the collection chamber located at the top portion of the chamber.

Abstract: A process of fabricating an inflatable item includes providing first and second three-dimensional molds, and placing first and second flexible polymer sheets over respective ones of the first and second molds. The polymer sheets are heated until the sheets conformally coat the respective molds. The heated polymer sheets are cooled such that the sheets retain the three-dimensional shapes of the respective molds. Peripheral edges of the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet are welded to each other to form a sealed flexible shell having an interior space that can be filled with fluid to inflate the shell such that the shell forms a three-dimensional shape. The sheets may be welded by placing the cooled polymer sheets on respective plates of a welding machine, and moving the plates toward each other until the peripheral edges of the cooled polymer sheets touch each other.

Abstract: A method for draining accumulated moisture from the juncture between a wall and footing of a foundation is provided. The method comprises excavating a channel into the floor adjacent to the wall into which a drainage conduit is placed. The drainage conduit is wrapped with a wicking fabric to draw moisture into and along the drainage conduit for conveying to a moisture collection reservoir.

Abstract: A protective cover is provided that lessens the potential for injury to people or livestock from the sharp edges of steel T-posts typically used in fencing. It has a T-shaped cross-section configuration approximating the shape of a fence post, and has a longitudinal channel for receiving one or more of the projecting studs on the front of the fence post. The instant invention is economical to produce, easy to install and flexible in application in order to accommodate a large range of T-post sizes. Installed on a fence post, it provides a blunt, soft buffer between the sharp edge of the post and any animal that comes in contact with the end.

Abstract: The present invention is an oral drug delivery system for delivering unpalatable pharmaceuticals, wherein the pharmaceutical delivery system comprises a lipid, dry particles including at least one pharmaceutical and at least one filler, and a surfactant, wherein the dry particles are continuously coated by the lipid and form a suspension with the lipid, making the pharmaceutical more palatable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solid-state image sensor wherein the color shading is decreased, and/or a solid-state image sensor wherein the shading effect is outstanding. Moreover, the invention provides a digital camera having the solid-state image sensor. The solid-state image sensor of the present invention has color filters and/or apertures of a light blocking layer, and the center of the color filters and/or the center of the apertures of the light blocking layer is offset with respect to the center of a light-receiving part, in the direction to the center of a valid cell area. In each photodetecting cell of a preferred solid-state image sensor, micro-lenses are further placed on the light-receiving side of the solid-state image sensor, and preferably, the center of the micro-lens is similarly offset with respect to the center of the light-receiving part. Also, the digital camera is mounted with an above-described solid-state image sensor.

Abstract: An anti-free flow device is disclosed for a fluid administration system having a tube assembly engageable with a pump having one end of the tube assembly connected to a source of fluid and the other end in fluid flow communication with a patient. The valve device comprises a tube portion defining a channel in-line along a portion of the tube assembly and a body disposed and securely retained inside the channel. Fluid flow is initiated through the tube assembly whenever the tube assembly is in a stretched condition, such as when the tube assembly is engaged with the pump. However, fluid free flow is prevented whenever the tube assembly is in a relaxed condition or disengaged from the pump.

Abstract: An anti-rotation arrangement for a detection device assembly used in a fire suppression system. The anti-rotation arrangement comprises an adapter secured to the housing of the detection device, a locking collar freely rotatable between the adapter and housing, and a union engageable to the locking collar and a T-fitting of a fluid conduit for connecting the detection device assembly to the T-fitting. Both the union adapter and union include radial teeth formed about the outer circumference of each component which interlock and mate when the union is securely, fully engaged to the locking collar during connection of the detection device assembly to the fluid conduit. The interaction of the radial teeth effectively prevents rotation of the detection device assembly once the assembly is engaged to the T-fitting of the fluid conduit.