Abstract: A mattress apparatus for incontinent patients includes first and second resilient mattress portions each having a sloping end and a water repellent cover attached thereover. The covers are removably attached together to form a mattress. A liquid drain cover is made of a flexible, water repellent material and has first and second sections and is shaped to fit over the connected first and second resilient mattress portions. Each section of the liquid drain cover has a plurality of elongated ridges extending thereover and forming a plurality of drain grooves therebetween. The drain cover has a liquid collection channel formed between the first and second sections for collecting liquid draining from. The liquid collection channel located between the drain cover sections is connected to a liquid collection container for collecting liquid from the channel. The drain cover has a beaded edge around three sides of each section to block the escape of liquid therefrom.

Abstract: A heart valve apparatus includes a circular valve ring having a passageway therethrough and forming a valve seat around the passageway opening. A disk shaped valve element is shaped to cover the valve opening and to seat in the valve seat. The valve ring has a ring link bracket attached thereto, while the valve element has a valve element link bracket attached on one side thereof. A linkage is movably attached between the ring link bracket and the valve element link bracket to thereby allow the valve element to swing open and closed against the valve seat. The valve link has stop elements for preventing the swing of the valve link and the rotation of the valve element thereon. Two attracting permanent magnets are positioned at base of the link and valve ring to hold the valve link and valve element open until a predetermined force from pivoting valve element on the return flow, releases the link from the magnets for closing of the valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an artificial heart for pumping blood through a circulatory system and includes an artificial heart housing having a plurality of expandable and contractable chambers formed therein and an oscillating impeller located in the housing and attached to the housing for expanding and contracting each chamber formed therein. The oscillating impeller is driven electromechanically from the outside of the housing. A plurality of inlets and outlets allow the blood to be pumped to and from the different parts of the body.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an instrument for insertion into the body which can grasp and crush or grasp and remove kidney stones, the jaws of this instrument being moved together or apart by means of a shape memory metal alloy.