Abstract: A medical lavage apparatus for body cavities comprising a housing having parallel irrigation and aspiration cylinders with captive plungers extending in bores thereof from a first end and pairs of check-valves positioned in parallel, smaller, offset cylinders located at second ends such that reciprocal movement of the each plunger in each cylinder performs the function of a one-way pump. The plungers are held captive and aligned by guide-stops proximally disposed in each cylinder. Each plunger comprises a seal disposed at the distal end thereof which inhibits communication between the pairs of check-valves in each cylinder when the plunger is fully seated in the cylinder. Novel jam-free dome shaped, slit check-valves are disposed to be the pair of check-valves in the aspiration cylinder in one embodiment and in irrigation cylinders as well in other embodiments. The dome shaped valves are described for use in other medical fluid control applications, as well.

Abstract: Adjustable pairs of eyeglasses are disclosed which retain the precise adjustments during long periods of wear. Apparatus and methods are provided for so adjusting rim separation at the bridge of the frame of the eyeglasses and for so adjusting the effective length of temples between shoulders and bow of the frame.

Abstract: Apparatus for restoring a turret table toolholder guide station. The apparatus comprises a plurality guide rings each comprising precisely molded or machined inner and external circumferential surfaces, one guide ring being installed into each of the channels. Each guide ring has a portion of the ring circumference removed for facile, snap-in installation, but each guide ring retains a sufficient portion thereof that a toolholder inserted for guidance in the station is in substantially continuous, precise toolholder guiding contact with the inner circumference of the guide ring.

Abstract: A fencing system which utilizes coated steel to simulate wrought iron fencing and which comprises prefabricated sections of fence comprised of steel, the length of which can vary, ground or floor-anchored post members to which the fence sections attach using novel connectors. An ornament adorns each top vertical member of each fence section. Novel fence gate structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A catheter atherotome and method for its use for performing partial atherectomy in an artery and blood flow through the artery. Several blades are mounted at a distal end of a catheter, in a helical basket configuration and spaced angularly apart from one another about the associated ends of two concentric sheaths in such a way that longitudinal and rotary relative movement of the sheaths selectively bows the blades arcuately outwardly into a cutting position or draws the blades flat into alignment with the sheaths. The blades have sharpened cutting edges extending helically and directed toward the cathether's proximal end when the blades are bowed. Partial removal of an atheroma is effected by manually pulling the basket knife past an atheroma with the basket blades in their outwardly bowed cutting positions, with the speed, force, and amount of expansion of the blades determined by the operator.

Abstract: An automated guided vehicle (AGV) control system which is downward compatible with existing guidewire systems providing both guidewire navigation and communication and autonomous navigation and guidance and wireless communication between a central controller and each vehicle. Autonomous vehicle navigation comprises travel over paths marked by update markers which may be spaced well apart, such as fifty feet Redundant measurement capability comprising inputs from linear travel encoders from the vehicle's drive wheels, position measurements from the update markers, and bearing measurements from a novel angular rate sensing apparatus, in combination with the use of a Kalman filter, allows correction for navigation and guidance errors caused by such factors as angular rate sensor drift, wear, temperature changes, aging, and early miscalibration during vehicle operation.

Abstract: A self-clearing extension set comprising a first shunt flow pathway for direct delivery of liquid from a source of pressurized liquid to a patient catheter and a second shunt flow pathway wherein injected fluid is cleared from an add-site to the patient catheter by selectively diverted flow from the source. Two methods and associated apparatus for injecting biologically active liquid and clearing the injected liquid through a smaller lumen of a dual lumen extension tube are disclosed. Two methods for occluding one flow pathway while providing a patent flow pathway through the other flow pathway are also disclosed. Each add-site sealingly accepts a syringe needle which is used to inject biologically active liquid into the second shunt flow pathway. Each add-site comprises a low geometric dead space such that no meaningful quantity of injected liquid remains in the add-site after the rest of the injected bolus of liquid has been cleared to the patient catheter.

Abstract: A reliable contamination resistant single use disposable medical non-ventilating aspirating device and method. The device releasibly connects to and aligns with an indwelling endotracheal tube to accommodate advancing of an aspirating catheter tube of the device by manual manipulation through a sterile flexible envelope and selective evacuation of lung secretions through a closed and sterile two-position normally closed manually operable valve at the proximal end of the device, while simultaneously accommodating voluntarily respiration by the patient.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube apparatus (28) includes an elongated stylette (32) having a V-shaped distal end (58) and tube adaptor collar (30) for holding the stylette in a position in an endotracheal tube (10) in which the V-shaped distal end is in a first position near a distal end (16) of the endotracheal tube, but not extending substantially outside thereof, and for allowing the stylette to be moved longitudinally to a second position where the V-shaped distal end extends from the distal end of the endotracheal tube a fixed distance. Prongs (60, 62) of the V-shaped distal end have enlarged nodes which are as large as possible but yet which can be moved longitudinally within the endotracheal tube for removal of the stylette therefrom. The nodes include nesting side surfaces (68, 70) whereby a maximum cross sectional dimension of nested nodes is not substantially greater than a maximum cross sectional dimension of a single node.

Abstract: A novel long lasting prosthetic heart valve compatible with implantation in a human natural heart valve annulus. The prosthetic heart valve comprises a trileaflet heart valve apparatus which in form, dimension, and function resembles a human trileaflet heart valve, but which is formed of synthetic resinous material. A seamless supporting frame capable of annular deformation and limited perimetric expansion during each heartbeat is totally enveloped in an essentially biologically inert cylindrical cover to form a cusp supporting stent for the valve leaflet apparatus. The free top and bottom edges of the cylindrical cover are disposed on the exterior of the stent and everted outward to provide at least one sewing ring. Valve embodiments comprise aortic and mitral implantable valves.

Abstract: A medical lavage apparatus for body cavities comprising a housing having parallel irrigation and aspiration cylinders with captive plungers extending in bores thereof from a first end and pairs of check-valves positioned in parallel, smaller, offset cylinders located at second ends such that reciprocal movement of the each plunger in each cylinder performs the function of a one-way pump. The plungers are held captive and aligned by guide-stops proximally disposed in each cylinder. Each plunger comprises a seal disposed at the distal end thereof which inhibits communication between the pairs of check-valves in each cylinder when the plunger is fully seated in the cylinder. Novel jam-free dome shaped, slit check-valves are disposed to be the pair of check-valves in the aspiration cylinder in one embodiment and in irrigation cylinders as well in other embodiments. The dome shaped valves are described for use in other medical fluid control applications, as well.

Abstract: A shield for a welding torch. The shield can be adjusted to positions above, beneath, and to either side of the tip of the torch.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for determining whether or not a hole card is a member of a blackjack pair without direct observation of the hole card. The cards are separably marked in groups of aces and of face cards and tens. Each mark is detectable by a card mark sensor. The card mark sensor is used to differentially determine whether or not the hole card is a member of predetermined group when a card is placed face down therein. Thus, when the dealer receives a faceup member of a blackjack pair, the hole card is inserted into the sensor and determined to be or not to be the other member of the blackjack pair immediately and without observation of the face of the hole card. If the hole card is the other member of the blackjack pair play is stopped, and the next hand is thereby more quickly started. If the dealer does not have blackjack, play continues without knowledge by either player or dealer of the actual value of the hole card.

Abstract: A novel mechanism and related processes for joining naturally grown and artificially produced parts to create aesthetically appealing, naturally appearing, large artificial plants, such as trees. A novel joint mechanism provides the appearance of naturally occurring outgrowth of branches and the like from proximally disposed trunks and stems. A method for bending and forming artificial foliage provides a more airy, naturally appearing leaf pattern around the crown of a plant.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for determining whether or not a hole card is a member of a blackjack pair without direct observation of the hole card. The cards are separably marked in groups of aces and of face cards and tens. Each mark is detectable by a card mark sensor. The card mark sensor is used to differentially determine whether or not the hole card is a member of predetermined group when a card is placed face down therein Thus, when the dealer receives a face-up member of a blackjack pair, the hole card is inserted into the sensor and determined to be or not to be the other member of the blackjack pair immediately and without observation of the face of the hole card. If the hole card is the other member of the blackjack pair play is stopped, and the next hand is thereby more quickly started. If the dealer does not have blackjack, play continues without knowledge by either player or dealer of the actual value of the hole card.

Abstract: A portable self-supporting, compactible armed competition arena and associated apparatus which is readily manually dismantled after use at one site, stacked and transported, and manually assembled for use at another site. The arena comprises a floor covering comprising markings which layout a plan for the arena and upon which the arena is assembled. The markings comprise indicia which alpha-numerically or otherwise identify wall and other arena construction parts to be assembled at the marked locations. Wall parts and other arena parts identified by the floor covering markings likewise bear tags comprising identifiers which correlate with the markings such that each identified part has a predefined unique location on the floor covering and in the arena structure. Each vertical edge of each wall part which is manually assembled, is releasibly affixed to another part by a joint which is light tight. In some cases, hinges are used to connect two adjacent wall parts for easier assembly.