Abstract: A bioelectrode connector for connection with an electrode. The connector includes an elongated, conductive lower member connected to an elongated, movable upper member. The free ends of the upper and lower members are adapted to bend and thereby grasp foil-like tabs on electrodes. Means are provided for releasably latching the free ends of the upper and lower members against further movement once the foil-like tabs are grasped.

Abstract: A dual catheter assembly and a method for separately withdrawing fluids from a vena cava and a right atrium of a human heart into extracorporeal equipment. The assembly includes a first catheter that can be positioned in the vena cava and a second catheter that can be simultaneously positioned in the right atrium.

Abstract: Intumescent fire protective sheaths useful for the protection of electric cables and conduits from open flame damage and methods for making such sheaths. The sheath comprises sheets of substantially inorganic intumescent material capable of arrangement around the cable or the conduit to form a protective layer. The layer is restrained to expand only in the general direction of the electrical cables or conduits upon exposure to open flames. In the unexpanded state, the sheaths dissipate cable-generated heat due to their higher value of thermal conductivity, their relative thinness and their fin-like shape.

Abstract: A stethoscope including a bell and a removable insert therefore to better accomodate dimunitive skin areas. The insert is made of a resilient and deformable material. The insert snaps into the bell to releasably lock the insert into the bell. The insert reduces the opening to and the volume of the bell.

Abstract: A stethoscope including a diaphragm head with a loosely affixed diaphragm exhibiting an increased frequency response range. The diaphragm is peripherally supported adjacent the rim of the diaphragm head. The diaphragm is contacted with the head by the pressure applied by the underlying skin or clothing of the patient to eliminate sound leakage therebetween.

Abstract: A three-compartment, instant hot or cold, reusable cold pack for transferring heat to or from an object. A first compartment contains a predetermined amount of a solvent comprised primarily of water. A second compartment contains a predetermined amount of a solute capable of essentially completely dissolving in the solvent. A third compartment contains a gelling agent capable of gelling with the solvent and solute solution and producing a gel that is relatively soft and moldable when frozen.

Abstract: A method and guide assembly for use in a tibial osteotomy wherein two pairs of parallel guide pins are inserted into the tibia at a predetermined angle with respect to each other through a guide block. The adjacent surfaces of the pairs of pins are then used to precisely guide a saw by which a wedge-shaped segment of the tibia is removed.

Abstract: A method of joining bone to bone, tendon to bone, and ligament to bone utilizes a power staple gun or a power rivet gun.

Abstract: A disposable medical electrode having a configuration wherein the various sheets forming the electrode have at least two common edges thereby affording the manufacture of the electrode by a method comprising the cutting and laminating together of various continuous webs, the location and placement of which can be controlled, in an automatable process.

Abstract: A microwave oven cavity of a microwave oven having an antenna assembly axially supported on one wall of the cavity. The antenna assembly includes an antenna rotating assembly having a bushing mounted in the wall, a bearing axially supported in the bushing, a probe antenna supported in a bearing and extending into the cavity, a directional rotating antenna attached to the probe antenna, and an antenna rotor having a plurality of turbine vanes affixed to the directional rotating antenna which axially drive the directional rotating antenna when forced by air flow velocity circulated through the cavity. The antenna rotating assembly, the directional antenna, and the antenna rotor are integrated for installation and removal from within the confines of the cavity. The antenna assembly engages and locks in position in the wall of the cavity.

Abstract: An air flow system for a combination microwave and electric convection oven wherein a single motor drives two fans to generate a movement of air in an oven cavity and a movement of air in an electrical component compartment. The fan moving the air in the electrical component compartment is positioned between the fan moving the air in the oven cavity and the motor to act as a thermal barrier and to protect the motor from the heated air in the oven cavity. A portion of the air in the electrical component compartment may be diverted to the oven cavity and subsequently exhausted from the oven. Simultaneously, an electrical heater may be de-energized with the result that the air in the oven cavity is heated by resistive losses from components in the electrical component compartment. By combining this diverted air flow with a minimum of microwave energy, many types of foods may be effectively dehydrated in a substantially shorter than normal period of time.

Abstract: Microwave ovens typically have an oven cavity and a feed system for supplying microwaves through a feed opening into the cavity. Such ovens are inproved by providing a field stirrer rotatably mounted over and covering the feed opening. The field stirrer is a single conductive plate having a single radiating slot in the plate exposing only a portion of the feed opening to the cavity through the slot at any position of the plate during its rotation. The slot is in the shape of an arc or other shape which is tangentially longer than it is radially wide. The plate also has a plurality of wings, fins, or vanes outside the feed opening. The vanes and slot are arranged so that electrically identical positions of the plate occur only every full circle of rotation by virtue of bilateral symmetry at most. The plate is spaced from the feed opening and into the cavity by a sufficient distance to permit flow of microwave energy beneath the plate for distribution around the periphery of the plate and by the vanes.

Abstract: A utensil handle assembly for a utensil suitable for use in a microwave oven combining the advantages of metal with the advantages of plastic. A split metal ring is tightly drawn around the utensil and fastened together. A plastic handle is connected to the already fastened metal ring through a connecting area. The connecting area is made up of a series of wedges pressed together and bonded to form a permanent connection.

Abstract: A package heat exchange system is disclosed having a burner positioned in the central plenum of a substantially cylindrical heat exchanger. A fuel-air mixture is supplied through a blower supplied with fuel from a pressure regulator which requires a somewhat less than atmospheric pressure at the blower inlet to draw gaseous fuel through the pressure regulator. A solenoid-operated, positive pressure valve in the main gasline provides the heat exchanger with an enriched gas mixture on ignition. The enrichment valve automatically closes after 30 seconds of operation. Air for combustion is drawn through a series of orifice plates positioned between the regulator and the blower. The fuel-to-air ratio may be altered by changing the size and/or number of the holes in one of the orifice plates. Further, one of the orifice plates may be deformable so as to form a seal, and to supply a predetermined quantity of air to the burner for combustion.

Abstract: A face seal assembly mounted on a vertically oriented drive shaft is disclosed for use in connecting two members rotatable with respect to each other. The seal assembly includes a lower stationary graphite seal member which is received in one end of a rubber bellows. A spring within the bellows urges the upper surface of the graphite ring into contact with an upper rotatable second seal member, which is preferably a bronze mating ring. Liquid which seeps radially inwardly past the seal members is channeled within the rubber bellows to discharge outside the face seal assembly without contacting either the drive shaft, or the bearing member located below the bellows. The channel means includes a collar portion within the bellows extending downwardly along the drive shaft from a point adjacent the seal members. A bottom wall, contiguous with the collar encloses the bottom end of the bellows and provides support for the spring located within the bellows.

Abstract: A microwave oven having a directional rotating antenna axially supported on an axis of one wall of a microwave oven cavity of the microwave oven which provides circularly symmetric uniform energy distribution of microwave energy within the microwave oven cavity and consistent heating of a product in the microwave oven cavity. The directional rotating antenna includes a two-by-two array of antenna elements where each element is an end driven half-wavelength resonating antenna element supported by a length of conductor perpendicular to the wall of the microwave oven cavity. A parallel plate transmission line connects to each of the supports, four of which join at a junction which connects to a cylindrical probe antenna. The probe antenna is excited by microwave frequency currents of a waveguide adjacent to the wall of the microwave oven cavity. The directional antenna is rotated by a moving stream of air circulated through the microwave oven cavity.

Abstract: A suspension system for a washing machine including a tub assembly having an outer stationary tub and an inner clothes receiving tub mounted for rotation on a central shaft extending downwardly through the lower wall of the stationary tub, comprises a first support cup defined in the base of the washing machine, support legs spaced about the periphery of and attached at first ends to the outer tub and at opposite ends to a second support cup shaped complementarily to the first cup. In a preferred embodiment, the shape of the support cups is a truncated hemisphere. The second support cup is received in the first cup to support the tub assembly on the base. A plurality of spring members are provided about the periphery of the outer tub, extending between the last mentioned tub and base to aid in stabilizing the tub assembly.

Abstract: An orifice plate for metering a mixture of fuel and air to a blower for supply of the mixture to a burner positioned in a central plenum of a heat exchange system, the present plate further provides the sole sealing structure necessary for sealing conduit members which communicate the blower with a fuel regulator. The present orifice plate can be configured with apertures of differing size and number to facilitate field alternation of the heat capacity of the system and to allow rapid conversion of the system to alternate fuels without the need for removing and installing additional sealing structure. The ratio of fuel to air present in the mixture which is burned in the system is controlled by the size and/or number of apertures formed in the orifice plate.

Abstract: A two piece liquid rinse agent dispenser for use in a top loading automatic clothes washing machine, includes an inner annular member having a central, hollow hub for mounting the dispenser on the agitator of the machine, a first annular wall joined to the hub to define therebetween a first rinse agent receiving chamber having an open upper end and an outwardly extending flange or base wall joined to the hub, including a depending annular wall having external threads formed thereon. An outer cover member of the dispenser comprises an inverted cup dimensioned for receipt over the inner annular member. The upper wall of the outer member defines an opening through which liquid rinse agent is poured into the first chamber. Internal threads are formed along the interior wall of the rim of the cup for mating engagement with the external threads of the inner annular member.