Abstract: A threaded intervertebral implant or cage which includes a cylindrical or tapered body made from a biocompatible metal such as titanium, or a radiolucent plastic material. The cage includes a pair of opposing, threaded arcuate contact portions oriented in the superior/inferior direction for threading, supporting engagement with the endplates of adjacent vertebrae when the cage is implanted. Additionally, the cage includes a threaded lateral side having an arcuate profile, and a medial side having a concave channel extending along the length of the cage. The channel allows two cages to be implanted in a side-by-side manner between adjacent vertebrae with the channel of a first implanted cage receiving the arcuate portions of an adjacent second cage while the second cage is implanted. In this manner, a pair of adjacent cages may be implanted very close to one another.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device. The liquid dispensing device has a tray for holding a liquid at a relatively constant level. A syringe is used for drawing fluid from the tray. A liquid container containing a liquid is positioned upside-down in the tray such that the opening of the liquid container defines a vertical position that is slightly below the liquid level in the tray. Atmospheric pressure on the liquid in the tray and a vacuum inside the liquid container prevents liquid from draining from the container until the fluid level in the tray drops to a level approximately equal to the vertical position of the opening. The positioning of the syringe for drawing fluid is simplified by reason of the fact that the level of fluid in the tray is maintained at an approximately constant level despite withdrawal of quantities of fluid from the tray.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stretching an elastic member and applying it to an article web include a pair of wheels that rotate the elastic member. In particular, the pair of wheels engages the elastic member at an entry location on the pair of wheels and rotates the elastic member from the entry location to an exit location on the pair of wheels. In addition, an absorbent article may include at least one elastic member provided by the method and apparatus.

Abstract: A packaging system comprising a plurality of disposable cleaning heads, each of the plurality of cleaning heads including at least one cleaning substrate and a one-piece flexible fitment, the fitment including an engagement member adapted to removably engage a handle, and a shell having a bottom and a top, the top being hingedly connected to the bottom whereby said shell has an open position and a closed position, the bottom including a first cavity adapted to receive and retain at least one of the plurality of cleaning heads, the top including a second cavity adapted to receive and retain at least one of said plurality of cleaning heads. Preferably, the first and second cavities are adapted to receive and retain at least three of the plurality of cleaning heads.

Abstract: A universal holding tank connector fitting is provided which is formed from thermoplastic material and has a pass-though hub that enters the holding tank wall and is retained thereto by a sealing collar and a threaded nut engaging the sealing collar within the tank. Conformal seals are disposed between the hub and collar and the tank wall, with the hub and collar themselves keyed to the particular tank wall configuration. The hub includes an internal passageway into the tank which is dimensioned to closely receive the particular pipe, which is to be connected via a solvent weld, and, in certain embodiments, an end stop to limit and positively locate the pipe penetration into the tank. The conformal seals are keyed to fit at predetermined locations on the hub and collar, and load concentrating configurations are formed along the sealing surfaces that facilitate even and reliable seal pressure when the fitting elements are compressed together.

Abstract: A system for integrating data among heterogeneous source applications and destination applications including a knowledge repository containing temporary data storage for storing data from the source applications during processing for population in the destination applications, a library of data elements each providing a discrete data manipulation friction, configuration data storage for storing user-provided information describing the integration environment, and a plurality of add-on modules or cartridges which each include a plurality of predefined instruction sets defining chains of data elements to perform interface functions corresponding to a particular destination application. The underlying interface communication and processing functions are performed by an active component (or engine) according to the configuration data and the module instruction sets.

Abstract: A bobbin for an encapsulated coil is provided for use in a coil assembly in which flange portions are provided on each end to ensure that during the process of encapsulating the coil with an over-molded material a positive seal is established between the bobbin and the over-molded material. Each of the flange portions have first, second, and third flange sections and each of the flange sections have predetermined diameters and peripheral surfaces that are angled with respect to a reference axis of a hole defined in the bobbin. The thin sharp edges formed by the peripheral surfaces of the respective flange sections melt back during the over-molding process. This melt back creates an intricate blend between the over-molded material and the bobbin thus producing a positive seal therebetween.

Abstract: A liquid ventilator having a dual loop, single pump configuration is disclosed. The liquid ventilator preferably utilizes two three-way valves for routing liquid from a reservoir in a regeneration apparatus and to a patient's pulmonary system, and back to the reservoir again. A controller controls the configuration of the three-way valves and the pump speed of the motor to allow user control over the parameters of inspiration and expiration.

Abstract: An under-seat storage device made of an expandable material which in a first embodiment comprises an accordian-shaped configuration. Other embodiments include Spandex rope or other mesh type fabrics having other expandable qualities. The material has a top portion having a plurality of VELCRO.RTM. strips clips, magnet(s), screws, bolts, adhesive, wing-nuts, etc. attached thereon, three side portions having accordion folded or other expandable surfaces and a front portion having an articulable flap which opens towards a bottom portion, and a VELCRO.RTM. (or other fastening material) strip in the center thereof. A plurality of VELCRO.RTM. strips are also located on the bottom of a folding seat such that the storage unit may be readily attached and/or detached from the bottom of the seat by pushing the VELCRO.RTM. strips together or pulling them apart. The storage unit may also include a smaller center container attached to the storage envelope.

Abstract: The toilet with a deflector shield covering the flush nozzle to deflect a portion of the flush water. The deflected water flows downward to wet the bowl in the area beneath the flush water nozzle. The undeflected water flows onto a ledge at the upper end of the bowl and flows around the bowl where it gradually falls off the ledge and wets the remaining portion of the bowl. Both a foot pedal and a hand lever are provided for flushing the toilet and a cable is used to couple the foot pedal to the hand lever. The hand lever is operably connected to the flush water valve as well as the bowl discharge opening closure member to open both for flushing of the toilet.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying an enteral or parenteral fluid to a patient is a cooperative assembly of a rotary peristaltic pump and a fluid delivery set. The peristaltic pump has (a) a housing and (b) a peristaltic rotor projecting from the housing on a rotatable drive shaft. The housing has first and second receptacles for retaining and supporting the fluid delivery set. The fluid delivery set has (a) a drip chamber, or sight chamber, (b) a plurality of lengths or segments of flexible tubing, and (c) fluid connection elements therefor. The fluid delivery set defines a fluid pathway from a supply container of the enteral or parenteral fluid to a connector element adapted to be connected to a device for introducing the fluid into the patient. Preferably the fluid delivery set has a tension responsive pinch valve to prevent bolus feeding in the event that the fluid delivery set becomes displaced from the pump housing.

Abstract: An enclosure for housing people in the event of a serious air quality degradation is provided. A pressurized enclosure, either permanent or temporary, includes an air supply system for filtering and subsequently supplying clean air to the interior of the enclosure. The structure will be deployable and/or activated from a remote control station or from the protective structure itself. Life support elements are stored in the enclosure for use as needed.

Abstract: The method of calibrating includes selecting discrete levels of cuff pressure and placing the artery under study at those discrete levels of induced pressure with a closed pneumatic cuff system, substantially continually sensing cuff pressures at each discrete level and thereby sensing blood volume change through the artery, electronically determining when a certain number of representative blood volume change signals are substantially equivalent, changing the volume in the closed pneumatic system at each discrete cuff pressure by a predetermined volumetric amount after determining substantial equivalency, and, correcting the blood volume change signal based upon the signals detected during the volume change of the closed pneumatic cuff system.

Abstract: The method of calibrating the volume plethysmograph designed to detect atherosclerosis includes selecting discrete levels of cuff pressure and placing the artery under study at those discrete levels of induced pressure with a closed pneumatic cuff system, substantially continually sensing cuff pressures at each discrete level and thereby sensing blood volume change through the artery, electronically determining when a certain number of representative blood volume change signals are substantially equivalent, changing the volume in the closed pneumatic system at each discrete cuff pressure by a predetermined volumetric amount after determining substantial equivalency, electronically generating a calibration signal or factor at each discrete cuff pressure based upon changed blood volume change signal and, correcting the blood volume change representative signal based upon the calibration signal or factor at each discrete level of pressure.

Abstract: An injector system adaptable for outputting a predetermined volume of lubricating oil from a diesel engine into an engine fuel system includes a piston slidably disposed in a body and cooperates with the body to define a first and second chamber in the body at opposite ends of the piston. A controller controls the movement of a valve to alternately connect the first and second chambers to a pressurized source of oil so that fluid filling one chamber moves the piston which will expel fluid from the other chamber. The chamber remains filled until the valve is actuated to connect the unfilled chamber to the pressure source which causes the chamber to fill with oil and expel the oil from the previously filled chamber.