Abstract: An eye-surgical holed towel comprises a transparent PVC holed towel with two holes at a center thereof; a separable paper adhered to a backside of the holed towel; the separable paper having two holes; and an opaque shielding sheet adhered to a front side of the holed towel and between the two holes of the holed towel; and a lower edge of the opaque shielding sheet being adhered upon the holed towel so that the opaque shielding sheet is turnable along the lower edge for shielding one eye of a user; The two holes of the separable paper are at positions corresponding to the two holes of the holed towel. When the separable paper is torn, it can be placed upon the face of a user. The shielding sheet has a gluing section, when the separable paper is torn, it can be adhered to an eye of the user.

Abstract: A textile heating device having a plurality of electrically conductive heating strands in contact with each other at a plurality of points of contact by way of respective contact surfaces is provided. The electrically conductive textile includes at least two strands which are fixed relative to each other at at least one point of contact such that a contact area at the fixed at least one point of contact between the contact surfaces remains essentially constant during mechanical action of the textile.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for applying a total contact cast to a patient utilizes a kit of pre-packaged materials containing all of the items necessary. A uniquely designed padding strip pads the bony prominence on either side of the ankle, the top metatarsal area, and the crest of the shinbone in one unitary piece. Special cuts in the padding strip allow it to conform tightly to the bend between the foot and lower leg. The special cuts also allow the connected circular or elliptical flaps to also conform easily to the bony prominence of the ankle. Positioning the padding strip is simpler, easier, faster, and provides greater structural integrity to the overall cast. The unitary design helps prevent the padding strip from shifting when the cast is complete. An enlarged base portion of the walking heel eliminates the need for a separate wood platform for support.

Abstract: An apparatus and method according to the invention combine more than one optical modality (spectroscopic method), including but not limited to fluorescence, absorption, reflectance, polarization anisotropy, and phase modulation, to decouple morphological and biochemical changes associated with tissue changes due to disease, and thus to provide an accurate diagnosis of the tissue condition.

Abstract: An arm sling assembly is disclosed for supporting at least one of the arms of a patient in an angled orientation against the torso. The assembly includes a sleeveless vest dimensioned to be worn on the torso of the patient. The vest is openable at the front to facilitate donning of the assembly. Moreover, attached to the one or both of the front portions of the vest is an arm support cuff. In particular, the support cuff is stitched to the front left or right portion of the vest along vertically spaced upper and lower attachment zones and is detached from the front portion between the zones so as to define an open-sided arm passageway in which the arm is inserted and supported. An alternative embodiment is also disclosed wherein the arm cuff is adjustably and removably attached to the vest at the upper attachment zone.

Abstract: An assembly for protecting biological tissue from the effects of heating. The assembly contains a conductor in contact with the biological tissue and forming an electrical circuit comprising the biological tissue. The assembly contains a device for modifying the impedance of the electrical circuit such that, at a frequency of from about 10 megahertz to about 150 megahertz, such impedance is at least about 0.5 ohms per centimeter of length of said conductor. The assembly also contains a device for limiting the flow of current through the biological tissue such that, when the assembly is exposed to an alternating current electromagnetic field at a frequency of 64 megahertz and a magnetic field strength of 1.5 Tesla for 15 minutes, the temperature of the biological tissue does not exceed 42 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system for delivery of an injection fluid to a patient generally includes a first pump system, a second pump system, a patient interface in removable fluid connection with the first and second pump systems, and a fluid path in fluid connection between the first and second pump systems and the patient interface. The fluid path preferably includes a housing member defining a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet. The first and second pump systems are placed in fluid connection with the respective first and second inlets of the housing member and the patient interface is placed in removable fluid connection with the outlet of the housing member. A first check valve is in fluid connection between an outlet of the first pump system and the first inlet of the housing member, and a second check valve is in fluid connection between an outlet of the second pump system and the second inlet of the housing member.

Abstract: A tool for making gentle repetitive movements to the joints between a person's sacrum and ilium which allow for proper pelvic alignment when one or both have become irritated, inflamed, or malaligned, and causes significant pain. Use of the tool generates a lateral and caudal directed force on an affected ilium thereby mobilizing it back into its normal position. The tool also may be used to realign the pubic synthesis.

Abstract: Power packs for use with bicentric hinges and methods for operating hinges are disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the invention, a power pack has a housing with a cavity and a piston disposed at least partially within the cavity. The housing has an attachment mechanism configured to attach the housing to a hinge. The piston has a head and an arm configured to be connected to the head and one of the hinge members. In one embodiment, the head is moveable about a first axis of rotation along a circular path through the cavity. An embodiment for operating the hinge includes rotating the first hinge member coupled to the piston about the first axis of rotation, displacing a fluid from the cavity to a fluid passageway as the piston rotates, and pivoting the second hinge member about a second axis of rotation.

Abstract: An adjustable strap includes a flat base having a pair of upstanding tabs and a pair of rectangular slots. A flat rod has opposite ends captured in slots formed in the tabs. A lock member includes a strap-engaging locking part. A harness strap first loop captures a harness swivel hook assembly including a lanyard hook swivelly mounted to a swivel base and a second loop that captures a leading end of the flat base. A handle strap loop engages the second slot. An ambulator swivel hook assembly includes a lanyard hook swivelly mounted to a swivel base that is captured by an ambulator strap loop. The ambulator strap extends through the first rectangular slot, over the flat rod, and back through the first rectangular slot. The leading end cannot pass through the first rectangular slot, preventing the strap from disengaging from the base.

Abstract: A sterilization device which causes occlusion to the fallopian tubes of a patient is designed to be trancervically positioned in the intramural portion of the tube without perforating the tube. The device includes a flexible hollow catheter having an interior passageway, a distal end for insertion trancervically into a patient, and a proximal end opposite the distal end for grasping and manipulation by a physician. The device further includes a pair of diametrically opposed electrodes, each being movably mounted on the distal end of the catheter and radially movable with respect to the distal end.

Abstract: A system for facilitating hemostasis of a puncture site in a blood vessel delivers an absorbable sponge pledget in a hydrated state to a position at an exterior of the blood vessel puncture to facilitate hemostasis. The system includes a staging chamber, a delivery cannula, and a pusher. The staging chamber is used for hydrating a pledget of absorbable sponge, compressing the pledget, and delivering the pledget to the delivery cannula. The staging chamber may include a valve for facilitating hydration and staging of the pledget. The delivery cannula and pusher are used to accurately place the sponge pledget outside the blood vessel. An easy loader connector may be used to facilitate loading the dry pledget into the staging chamber.

Abstract: Electric resistance heating/warming composite fabric articles have a fabric layer having a first surface and an opposite, second surface, and an electric resistance heating/warming element in the form of a conductive yarn mounted upon first surface of the fabric layer, e.g. in embroidery stitching, and adapted to generate heating/warming when connected to a power source. A barrier layer may be positioned, for example, at least adjacent to the first or second surface of the fabric layer. Methods of forming electric resistance heating/warming composite fabric articles are also described.

Abstract: A device for heating air, fluids and materials, in dry or wet environments powered in low voltage current or alternating or direct very safe allowable voltage, by increasing the temperature of any type of surface, whether flat or embossed, solid or open-work. The device includes electrodes coated with a layer of electrically resistant fluid or pasty substance. The assembly of devices is very thin, and is particularly designed for heating premises, swimming pools, pipes exposed to freezing, and container for warm food.

Abstract: A knee brace (10) consisting of an upper arch (12) positioned, when worn, above the knee and a lower arch (16) positioned, when worn, below the knee, connected to means of constraint for fixing to the limb, a first upright (13) equipped in its central part with a joint (15) consisting of a pair of respective rotating elements comprising toothed wheel portions prevented from reciprocally moving in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the brace, the first upright (13) presenting a first system designed to exert adjustable pressure on the knee joint and a second system designed to compensate the deformation of the first upright (13) in exerting this pressure, the first system consisting of a first micrometric angular hinge (20) positioned on the femoral part of the first upright (13) and a second micrometric angular hinge (21) positioned on the tibial part of the same upright (13), the brace having each of the respective rotating elements rigidly connected to a respective micrometric angular hinge element, a

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system for interventional MR imaging involves operations to insert a device such as a catheter into an object. According to the system, a tip position of the catheter is detected, data indicative of moved loci of the catheter are produced from data indicative of the detected tip position, and the produced movement locus data are displayed. In addition, even when an operator changes the progress direction of the device such as a puncture needle, an imaging cross-section automatically tracks movements of the device. Appropriate preoperative planning is also provided.

Abstract: A syringe assembly including an adapter, a sheath and filling spike for connecting to said adapter and an intravenous connector for intravenously administering medicine to a patient. The barrel may be connected to the adapter and the filling spike for filling the barrel with medicine. The medicine can then be injected into a patient through either the needleless intravenous injection system or through a retractable needle assembly.

Abstract: An improved strap has a base end portion, a second end portion and a main portion which is disposed between the base and the second end portions of the strap. A first side of the strap has a layer formed of foam. A second side of the strap has a layer formed of fabric. The second side of a base end portion of the strap has a layer formed of foam. The layer formed of foam on the first side of the strap is placed in engagement with skin on a body of a patient. The base end portion of the strap is retained against movement relative to the body of the patient by wrapping the strap around a portion of the body of the patient and positioning a portion of the layer formed of foam and disposed on the first side of the strap in engagement with foam disposed on the second side of the base end portion of the strap. A second end portion of the strap is connected with the fabric layer on the second side of the strap at a location between the end portions of the strap.

Abstract: Systems and related methods treat snoring and other sleep related disorders by stabilizing the position of a tongue in an oral cavity. The systems and methods employ an operative element sized and configured to be fitted to less mobile tissue in the oral cavity. The operative element is further constructed and arranged to interact with a tongue in the airway to stabilize a preferred tissue orientation. The operative element can comprise a suction source sized and configured to draw more mobile tongue tissue toward the suction source. The operative element can comprise a magnetic source sized and configured to magnetically attract material fitted to more mobile tongue tissue in the airway.

Abstract: The invention comprises a range of motion device for use between a first member and a second member, rotatable connection between the first member and the second member, a range of motion limiting elements engageable on the first member and acting on the second member to limit the range of rotational movement of the second member relative to the first member.