Abstract: An immersion bag system for use with an ultrasound probe to overcome near field artifact includes a flexible thin wall thickness immersion bag with an attached flexible collar having an integral internal seal. The immersion bag contains a gel or other ultrasound transmission medium and is sealingly and removably attached to the tip end of an ultrasound probe by use of the flexible collar having the integral internal seal. The immersion bag is able to conform to a cornea as well as to other surfaces whether flat or irregular, thereby enabling an ultrasound probe to be used easily on such surfaces. An ultrasound probe in use with the immersion bag system is maintained at a distance above the contact surface of the immersion bag and is positionable about the vertical axis while the immersion bag maintains stationary conformal contact with the structure against which it is in contact.

Abstract: An immersion bag system for use with an ultrasound probe to overcome near field artifact includes a flexible thin wall thickness immersion bag with an attached flexible collar having an integral internal seal. The immersion bag contains a gel or other ultrasound transmission medium and is sealingly and removably attached by a mutually formed probe/seal valve to the tip end of an ultrasound probe. The immersion bag is able to conform to a cornea, as well as to other surfaces, whether flat or irregular, thereby enabling an ultrasound probe to be used easily on such surfaces. An ultrasound probe in use with the immersion bag system is maintained at a distance above the contact surface of the immersion bag and is positionable about the vertical axis while the immersion bag maintains stationary conformal contact with the structure against which it is in contact.

Abstract: Ophthalmic compositions are provided that include a lubricant, a deturgescent agent, a glycosaminoglycan, and water. Methods of using the ophthalmic compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A dual power supply switching system for use in an electronic sign where independent suitably sized power supplies each capable of independently powering an entire plurality of LED display modules supply power on an alternating distributed basis to the plurality of LED display modules. A microcontroller having an odd or even address on each LED display module controls the connection of the respective LED display module to a particular power supply by controlling onboard solid state switches and, upon sensing an inadequate power source supply, switches to the other power supply to re-establish power to the LED display module.

Abstract: A valve nut removal and replacement system including a plurality of associated tools and methods used for above ground access to, replacement of, and maintenance of worn, misshaped, abused or otherwise faulty valve nuts located at a subsurface location. A system is provided including tool components, many of which can be configured for multiple uses. The system provides for the cleaning and removal of a retainer nut, for the removal of a damaged valve nut, and for the installation and securing of a new valve nut from a remote above ground location.

Abstract: A modular lift assembly configured for attachment between two substantially parallel support beams includes a chassis, at least one lift component attached to the chassis, a telescoping stiffener, and at least one attachment assembly. The chassis has a plurality of grooves formed in one surface thereof. The telescoping stiffener is disposed in at least one of the grooves and engages facing surfaces of adjacent parallel support beams. The attachment assembly is disposed in another of the grooves formed in the chassis for engaging at least one of the adjacent support beams.

Abstract: A capacitive relay takeoff swimming platform sensor system including multiple stations, timing devices and capacitive sensor devices where the presence or departure of a second swimmer on a relay takeoff swimming platform is sensed by the change in capacitance of a sensor mat and compared to the arrival of a first swimmer at a touchpad sensor. The system includes automatic recalibration of sensing, such that presence of a swimmer is sensed and then system recalibrated so as to detect departure of the swimmer. The sensor mat includes an polycarbonate perimeter.

Abstract: A dish antenna having a multiple contact connector assembly for utilization with one or more viewing systems or other systems such as two-way data exchange systems including satellite receivers and/or television receivers. The single positionable dish can be positioned azimuthally and elevationally to access satellite signals which are then distributed to one or more viewing or other systems. The dish antenna receives and distributes satellite signals utilizing an LNB (low noise block) and a multiple contact connector assembly which features a multiple contact rotary male connector and a multiple contact rotary female connector which mutually engage each other in rotary and sliding contact for multiple circuit passthrough of satellite signals, control voltages and the like in order that one or more viewing or other systems can be used to view or otherwise employ multiple and different channels simultaneously and in order that no cable wrap-up will occur.

Abstract: A loose media compacting apparatus including a charging chamber with retractable walls where variable geometry components including pivotable opposed front and rear retractable charging chamber walls of a closed and compact charging chamber are retractably and expandingly positioned to present a large capacity open and expanded charging chamber having a volume sufficiently exceeding the capacity of the charging chamber in the closed and compact position. Upon accommodation of loose media by the expanded geometry of the open and expanded charging chamber, the front and rear retractable charging chamber walls are forcibly repositioned, whereby loose media is compressed in the reconfigured closed and compact charging chamber to form precompressed media which can subsequently be further compressed by an onboard ram or other compression devices.

Abstract: A storable gas inflation/evacuation system and sealing system. The systems are removably connectible to a proximal portion of a guidewire assembly which has an occlusive balloon at a distal portion. The invention includes provision for indicating the presence of oxygen which is undesirable. The storable aspect concerns a sealable container isolating systems components from ambient atmosphere and an oxygen-sensitive material located within the sealable container. The oxygen-sensitive material is initially inactive but activated by exposure to radiation so as to visually change in response to post-radiation oxygen exposure.

Abstract: A lift assembly having a drum rotatably mounted to a frame and linearly translatable with respect to the frame. A plurality of head blocks are connected to the frame along a helical mounting path, wherein linear translation of the drum during takeoff or take-up maintains a predetermined fleet angle between a take off point from the drum and the head block. A loft block is disposed within the frame for defining a vertical cable path from within a footprint of the frame.

Abstract: An ophthalmologic appliance being an ultrasound probe positioning immersion shell for use in ultrasonic measurement of axial length of the eye ophthalmology and other procedures. Support members in an upper chamber and a lower chamber each provides accommodating support along and about a central axis of the ultrasound probe positioning immersion shell and about vertically spaced regions of ultrasound probes to provide for perpendicular alignment of ultrasound probes to the corneal plane. Vents in the chamber structure allow for introduction of fluid medium and for the expelling of air from the chambers to inhibit bubble formation.

Abstract: A lift assembly having a drum rotatably mounted to a frame and linearly translatable with respect to the frame. A plurality of head blocks are connected to the frame along a helical mounting path, wherein linear translation of the drum during takeoff or take-up maintains a predetermined fleet angle between a take off point from the drum and the head block.

Abstract: A thrombectomy catheter device having an improved hemostasis valve which is self-sealing and which functions as a one-way valve. The self-sealing hemostasis valve can be factory preset to automatically seal with or without the inclusion of a guidewire at a certain desired pressure or allowable leakage. Such sealing is automatic without the need to manually manipulate a hemostasis nut to obtain hemostasis. The thrombectomy catheter device can, without hemostasis nut adjustment, be positioned along and about a guidewire while yet maintaining suitable pressure for sustaining hemostasis at a preferred level. Certain embodiments of the thrombectomy catheter device having a self-sealing hemostasis valve include an adjustable hemostasis nut which can be manually tightened to restrict flow or guidewire movement or loosened to reduce friction on the guidewire and allow fluid to flow out if desired.

Abstract: A gas inflation/evacuation system and sealing system for use with occlusive devices in vascular procedures. The gas inflation/evacuation system is removably connectable via the sealing system to a proximal portion of a guidewire assembly having a guidewire that defines a lumen and includes a first syringe system for evacuating the lumen and a second syringe system for introducing a biocompatible gas into the lumen to inflate an occlusive balloon that is in fluid communication with the lumen a plurality of times. The sealing system selectively seals the proximal portion of the guidewire and includes a crimping mechanism and a compression sealing mechanism having a resilient seal for sealing around the proximal portion of the guidewire when it is passed therethrough.

Abstract: A packaging system or storage arrangement that includes provision to indicate the presence of oxygen. An oxygen-sensitive material is placed inside a sealable container. Air is evacuated from the sealable container and the sealable container is sealed to isolate the oxygen-sensitive material from oxygen. The sealable container is then irradiated with an effective amount of radiation to activate the oxygen-sensitive material such that the oxygen-sensitive material will undergo a visual change in the presence of oxygen after the oxygen-sensitive material has been irradiated. The visual change provides an indication of the presence of oxygen inside the sealable container.

Abstract: A thrombectomy catheter system with occluder and method of using same for removal of tissue, such as thrombus and the like, from a vessel in the body. Multiple catheters and an occluder-bearing guidewire tube at a thrombus site provide for expandable deployment of a compliant occluder against the vasculature walls distal to the thrombus. The expanded occluder is maneuvered proximally to urge thrombus into close proximity with a retractable capture cone located distally on a capture catheter where the thrombus is dislodged, entrained, and broken into pieces by the action of a fluid jet emanator and then evacuated through the capture catheter.

Abstract: Referee's wireless horn indicator system for aiding a referee in accurately officiating in a sports event. The system includes a controller and a sensory receiver. The controller includes the official time clock for the sports event, a control circuit coupled to the official time clock, and a radio transmitter activated by the control circuit for sending a radio signal to the sensory receiver. The sensory receiver is worn by the referee, for instance on the wrist, and includes a radio receiver and a sensory stimulating device such as a vibrator, both battery powered. Upon the official time clock reaching zero, a signal is sent by the transmitter to the radio receiver which then activates the sensory stimulating device to impart a tactual signal to the referee, thereby apprizing him of the expiration of the time period.

Abstract: A tubular guidewire assembly having a distal occlusive device and an extended crimpable section proximate a proximal end that is adapted to connect to a gas inflation/evacuation system. The extended crimpable section can be selectively sealed at one of a plurality of separate locations to form an airtight seal of the tubular guidewire assembly. Each time a deflation of the occlusive device is desired in order to reestablish blood flow to a vessel downstream of the occlusive device, the extended crimpable section preferably is cut distal to the location of the last seal to quickly deflate the occlusive device.