Abstract: An instrument for removing bowel blockage comprising a handle, and a probe element extending from the handle, the probe element being elongate, having a round or oval transverse cross-section, and having a rounded distal end, the handle being substantially imperforate, and the probe element being shaped to avoid injuring a patient, as by cutting. A method of safely removing bowel blockage comprises providing a probe element having a rounded distal end and rounded exterior and a handle at the proximal end of the probe element, inserting the distal end and at least some of the probe element into the rectum of a patient, and removing said probe element from the patient to permit evacuation of fecal matter through the anal canal.

Abstract: An instrument is described for the penetration of body tissue with a hollow shaft, the point of which is formed as a conical, beveled, or tapered window. An optic with a lighting unit is brought into the point through the hollow shaft. The optic ends at an axial distance behind the summit of the point. The instrument can be inserted within view. In so doing, the entry of the point can observed over the entire surface area thereof. Preferably, a second optic is run to the summit of the point, which in addition enables improved observation of the area lying directly in front of the point.

Abstract: For detachable fixing of a rigid loadable anchor plate (12) to a furniture surface (10), there is used a flexible adhesive-substrate film (36), which is made to adhere to the furniture surface (10). The upwardly bent borders (38, 40) of the film (36) can be attached to the anchor plate (12), e.g., can be securely clamped by means of a clamping plate (30). Thereby the joint between the anchor plate (12) and the film (36) and thus the furniture surface (10) is accessible and detachable from the top side.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for effecting medical or dental surgery, and to a related method. A subject body on which surgery is to be performed has a reference thereon or therein identified, such as a layer in the cornea, or a surface of a tooth. A handpiece contains a variable focus lens, and a fiberoptic bundle is connected axially to the proximal end of the handpiece to illuminate the site. The image of the site is passed to a control apparatus for adjusting the variable focus lens so as to provide for focussing of the treatment laser beam at a predetermined distance from the reference.A method of performing surgery comprising determining by focus condition measuring equipment the distance of a reference in a subject body, adjusting a variable focus lens by control signals proportional to the focus condition measured, and passing a laser beam through the variable focus lens in the adjusted position. to provide a focus spot of the laser beam at a predetermined distance from the reference.

Abstract: A coupling sleeve for connecting thin-walled the ends of pipes comprising a circularly bent sheet-metal strip and a sealing strip lining the inside thereof. A turnbuckle on the sheet-metal strip causes the coupling sleeve to be tightened against the pipe ends. A loosely attached spacing member located approximately at the axial middle of the coupling sleeve in the region of the turnbuckle has an end that projects through the sealing strip into the interior of the coupling sleeve in the untightened condition and is pressed outward, during the tightening of the turnbuckle by an end of the sheet-metal strip and is forced into the elastic inside surface of the sealing strip or into a slit in the sealing strip.

Abstract: A system for launching and retrieving boats from an offshore work platform, the system comprising a deployment arm adapted to be rotatably secured at one end thereof to superstructure of the platform for rotation between a first pre-launch position and a second post-launch position, means for controlling rotation of the arm between the first and second positions, and boat support means mounted adjacent an outer end of the arm, the support means comprising a spaced pair of support members each having thereon an open claw structure for receiving a support pin associated with a respective side of a boat.

Abstract: A rotary bending tool, consisting of a rotary bending head, a saddle block with bearing surfaces and retaining key for holding the rotary bending head, a restoring member for the rotary bending head and a bottom die, the bearing assembly of the rotary bending head being equipped with a continuous lubricating device. The continuous lubricating device consists preferably of lubricant chambers, which are fed via a lubricant-delivery duct. Preferably the restoring member for the rotary bending head is integrated in the lubricant-delivery duct.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recycling asphalt based roofing material which typically comprises a body of asphalt and fiber, with aggregate on and adhered to the asphalt. The asphalt bodies, with aggregate, are subjected to action to separate or disengage the aggregate from the asphalt body without substantially reducing the size of the aggregate. Disengagement is effected by causing asphalt bodies with aggregate to impact on each other. Disengagement may be effected by placing asphalt bodies with aggregate in water to form in a slurry, which is agitated, as by an impeller. The asphalt bodies float to the top of the liquid, which is a non-solvent for asphalt, and are removed and dewatered; the aggregate of undiminished size is separately recovered.

Abstract: The invention relates to EKG mapping with a plurality of electrodes attachable to the thorax of a patient at known distance from the heart, wherein time-dependent parameters that specially accentuate the multipole components of the cardiac electrical field are calculated from the voltages at the electrodes.

Abstract: A jig for constructing piles of concrete or similar hardenable grout material in the ground, with two, three or four parallel vibrated pipes, which are bound together by a common displacement casing and together therewith form a total cross section with closed geometric form. At the lower end, the displacement casing has sliding faces that converge obliquely downward.

Abstract: An eyedrop applicator attachment for attachment to a bottle having a large or small threaded neck. The applicator attachment is provided with a hollow cylindrical body, and an eyecup integral with the body at one end. The other end of the body has an opening, and interiorly of the body are two female threads, located coaxially and of different diameters, the threads with the larger diameter being adjacent the open end of the body. Thus, the applicator attachment may be attached to a squeeze bottle with a larger diameter neck, or to a squeeze bottle with a smaller diameter neck. In an alternate embodiment, axially of the threads for engagement with the neck of a bottle, there is an extension having a third female thread, into which a plug is threaded to provide a closure for the nozzle of a bottle attached to the cylindrical body.

Abstract: The tool or workpiece magazine has tool holders disposed on a circle, from which holders the tools or workpieces can be removed by means of a removing device disposed centrally relative to the circular arc. This removing device comprises a column which is turnable around the axis thereof and on which a carriage is axially and slidably mounted. The carriage in turn carries transversely extendable telescoping arms, at the free end of which there is disposed a gripper having gripping jaws. Slots in tool carriers attached horizontally on movable panels are used as tool or workpiece holders. The panels can be moved outward of the magazine for stocking purposes.

Abstract: An instrument is described for the penetration of body tissue with a hollow shaft, the point of which is formed as a conical, beveled, or tapered window. An optic with a lighting unit is brought into the point through the hollow shaft. The optic ends at an axial distance behind the summit of the point. The instrument can be inserted within view. In so doing, the entry of the point can be observed over the entire surface area thereof. Preferably, a second optic is run to the summit of the point, which in addition enables improved observation of the area lying directly in front of the point.

Abstract: A container of combustible material is provided for disposal, in an ecologically satisfactory manner, of septic bodies, such as a used sanitary napkin, tampon or bandage. The container comprises two parts, with at least one part providing an open, obstructed space for the reception of the septic body. One of the parts of the container has an adhesive body which completely encircles it. The adhesive body is initially protected by a removable cover. When the parts are assembled, so that both parts are in contact with the adhesive, the adhesive provides a continuous bonding of the parts of the container to hermetically seal the container. The adhesive is sufficiently strong to prevent manual separation of the parts. The container may be used to ship and store an aseptic body, prior to use, and then be used for the reception, sealing and disposal of the same or a similar body which has become septic.

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting and discharging waste material comprises peripheral rows of teeth arranged on rotatable cylindrical shafts. The teeth on each shaft intercalate so that an entrapment zone for waste material is formed thereat during contra-wise rotation of the shafts. The teeth in each row pass through respective slits formed between the blade edges of rectilinear scaper blades placed between the rows and resting on the shaft. The scraper blades remove waste material from and between the teeth for discharge from the machine.