Abstract: An abdominal exercise device including an upper abdominal lever member having engagement ends and an intermediate section for contacting a body of an individual and a lower abdominal lever member having engagement ends and an intermediate section for contacting a body of an individual with spring-biased resistance hubs releasably locked into said engagement ends of said upper lever member and lower lever member engagement ends, wherein operation of the lever members when rotated about the resistance hubs provides a scissor-like movement of respective upper and lower lever members connected to the resistance hub. The resistance hubs include a plurality of interchangeable resistance hub pairs of varying resistance.

Abstract: Probe cover cassettes having a plurality of probe covers releasably attached to a frame are capable of being stacked so that probe covers attached to a first of the frames are nested within probe covers attached to a second of the frames. The vertical space occupied by the cassettes is reduced allowing more cassettes to be stacked in a given space. The frames of the cassettes are particularly constructed to resist twisting and bending motion when probe covers are detached from the frames using a tympanic thermometer probe.

Abstract: A cassette of tympanic thermometer probe covers includes a frame and probe covers releasably attached to the frame. The probe covers can be individually attached over a probe of a tympanic thermometer to protect the probe from contamination. The probe covers are constructed to releasably secure themselves to the probe. The force required to secure the probe covers to the frame is less that the force which is required to detach the probe covers from the frame so that the probe cover is held by the frame while being attached to the thermometer probe. The probe cover is connected to the frame by frangible connections that are arranged to inhibit pivoting of the probe cover when being attached to the thermometer probe. A method of securing a probe cover to a probe of a tympanic thermometer is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic thermometer that reduces patient exposure to all sources of cross-contamination, aids in infection control, and provides a clean, uncontaminated, readily accessible source of probe covers. A probe assembly for an electronic thermometer, which does not require expensive calibration procedures during manufacturing and allows the use of inexpensive thermisters. A memory component such as an EEPROM integrated circuit stores calibration information and identifying information in each particular probe assembly which improves performance and reduces manufacturing costs.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a multi-use move, lift, and support device. The device is made of a step ladder frame containing a plurality of steps and a hand truck frame. At least one hinge pivotally connects the step ladder frame to the hand truck frame. An anti-wobble hook may be used to lock the frames in a step ladder configuration. The hook is moved in position by the force of gravity.

Abstract: A gastrostomy device having an external inflationary indicator is disclosed which comprises an external retention member having a tubular member extending therefrom for providing a fluid pathway to a patient's gastrointestinal tract. The external retention member includes a fluid conduit in communication with a inflationary lumen for providing fluid to inflate a balloon member attached to the tubular member. The inflationary indicator includes a thin wall section of the external retention member which forms a flexible membrane that defines first and second portions divided by a separating bar. The flexible membrane assumes a convex shape when the balloon member is in an inflated condition, while it assumes a concave shape when in the deflated condition. The shape in shape of the flexible membrane provides the user with a visual and tactile indication as to the inflationary state of the balloon member.

Abstract: An anti-free flow device is disclosed for a fluid administration system (10) having a tube assembly (12) engageable with a pump (14) with one end of the tube assembly (12) connected to a source of fluid (46) and the other end in fluid flow communication with a patient. The valve device (16) comprises a tube portion (18) defining a channel (22) in-line along a portion of the tube assembly (12) and a body (20) disposed and securely retained inside the channel. Fluid flow is allowed through the tube assembly (12) whenever the tube assembly (12) is in a stretched condition, such as when the tube assembly (12) is engaged with the pump (14). However, fluid free flow is prevented whenever the tube assembly (12) is in a relaxed condition or disengaged from the pump (14).

Abstract: A gastrostomy device having an external inflationary indicator is disclosed which comprises an external retention member having a tubular member extending therefrom for providing a fluid pathway to a patient's gastrointestinal tract. The external retention member includes a fluid conduit in communication with a inflationary lumen for providing fluid to inflate a balloon member attached to the tubular member. The inflationary indicator includes a thin wall section of the external retention member which forms a flexible membrane that defines first and second portions divided by a separating bar. The flexible membrane assumes a convex shape when the balloon member is in an inflated condition, while it assumes a concave shape when in the deflated condition. The shape in shape of the flexible membrane provides the user with a visual and tactile indication as to the inflationary state of the balloon member.

Abstract: An anti-free flow device is disclosed for a fluid administration system having a tube assembly engageable with a pump having one end of the tube assembly connected to a source of fluid and the other end in fluid flow communication with a patient. The valve device comprises a tube portion defining a channel in-line along a portion of the tube assembly and a body disposed and securely retained inside the channel. Fluid flow is initiated through the tube assembly whenever the tube assembly is in a stretched condition, such as when the tube assembly is engaged with the pump. However, fluid free flow is prevented whenever the tube assembly is in a relaxed condition or disengaged from the pump.