Abstract: A flushable diaper for use on the body of an infant or adult. An envelope has inner and outer walls which are secured together at their outer periphery to form an inner cavity. The outer wall is comprised of a hydrophobic outer layer together with a hydrophilic inner layer. The inner wall is comprised of a hydrophobic outer layer together with a hydrophilic inner layer. The inner and outer walls are separated by an interior cavity which contains one or more containers. The container is comprised of either a single layer or a laminated wall which forms a chamber that encloses a charge of water. The laminated wall is comprised a hydrophobic inner laminate and a hydrophilic outer laminate. When manually ruptured, the containers release water into the double walled envelope, which causes disintegration of the hydrophilic inner layers of the double walls, along with the hydrophobic outer layers.

Abstract: A vacuum fitted ski boot which includes an air pump for automatically pumping air from an interior cavity within the boot for holding the requisite vacuum to maintain a close-fitting contact between the user's foot and the boot. An ankle cuff is mounted for relative angular movement with respect to a boot shell. A vacuum pump is mounted on the boot and is operated responsive to angular movement of the ankle cuff when there is flexing motion between the user's lower leg and foot during skiing. In different embodiments the pump can be mounted on the anterior, posterior, medial or lateral sides of the boot. In another embodiment the pump is comprised of an envelope which is fitted between the boot sole and the instep of the user's foot. The envelope has wall portions which define an interior cavity, and the wall portions are caused to undergo movement toward and away from each other responsive to pronation and supination movement of the foot during skiing to pump air out from the interior cavity of the boot.

Abstract: A combination handpiece and surgical laser tool is disclosed for use in laser surgery. The handpiece comprises a hollow body having an internal wall which is mounted about the probe of the laser tool. A layer which contains optical fibers is mounted about the internal wall with the fibers have outlet ends at the tip of the handpiece. A light source directs visible white light along the fibers with the light being projected in a pattern which illuminates a portion of an anatomical structure in a path about a spot at which the laser beam impinges. In one embodiment a handpiece is releasably fitted about the laser tool so that the handpiece can be detached and used as a flashlight to explore the wound. In another embodiment the optical fibers are formed into discrete clusters which are spaced about the circumference of the annular layer of the handpiece. Visible light can then be projected from the clusters in discrete spots about the laser beam.