Abstract: A method for securing the connection of a medical tube to a port of a fluid transfer instrument. The method provides connections with superior resistance to unexpected disconnection, and thus is particularly beneficial for joining elastic tubes which are implanted within the body for conducting body fluid from one internal location to another or between the body and an external location. The novel method includes inserting a rigid nipple on the port into the lumen of an elastically deformable tube to be joined to the port, placing an initially loose fitting, nonelastically deformable sleeve around the tube on the nipple, and deforming the sleeve radially toward the nipple to clamp the tube between the sleeve and nipple. The extent of deformation is controlled to prevent damaging the tube.A tool for clamping the sleeve to a controlled extent of deformation is also provided.

Abstract: A headrest which can be used on an operating table to maintain the head of a supine, unconscious patient in steady position for the surgeon to conduct an operation is described. The headrest has a low profile to provide maximum unobstructed access to the top, forehead, sides and face of the head. The headrest includes two, tapered, elongated lobes rigidly spaced apart in a V-shape configuration which allows one headrest to fit many different size heads. In use, the patient's head is wedged at points of tangency between the lobes. The V-shape configuration also permits the surgeon to easily adjust the head position to a new, steady position with only minor head movement, and therefore, reduced risk of dislodging the patient's breathing tube.

Abstract: A border support for a mattress or the like being comprised of a coil spring unit that has at least one row of coil springs, a first and second pair of spaced apart parallel foam strips positioned along at least a portion of an outer side of an outermost row of the coil springs, and a support band positioned about the outermost wall of the foam strip. The foam strips each have at least two longitudinal grooves formed on the inside wall of the foam strips with portions of the outer side of the outermost coil springs extending inwardly into the grooves. The border support being designed to eliminate the need for a border helical wire or rod and provide for a strong support for and stability to the mattress or the like.

Abstract: A method of making a floor covering having decorative inlays therein is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of cutting and removing portions of the floor covering, providing inlays from another floor covering material having substantially the same shapes and sizes as the removed portions, and joining the inlays and floor covering to create a seamless structure. The seamless structure results from the application of a volatile solvent which causes the thermoplastic properties of the materials within the inlays and floor covering to fuse.

Abstract: A method for molding silicone foam into an article having the features of a designated object. The method includes the steps of introducing a silicone foam mixture into a first mold having a first cavity, wherein the silicone foam mixture forms a first molded object that has a shape which is representative of the first cavity; removing the first molded object from the first mold; pressing the first molded object into a second mold that has a second cavity, which has a basic profile that is representative of the article, the first molded object forming a layer of foam on the top edge of the second mold; cutting the layer to form an opened celled surface on the top surface of the first molded object; and releasing and removing the first molded object from the second cavity. The opened celled surface acquires the configuration that is representative of the second cavity, while the first bottom surface returns to the shape of the first cavity.