Abstract: A system for improving the safety of a room occupied by a patient includes a sensor for monitoring when the patient is out of bed. The sensor sends a signal that gives an alert to a care giver that the patient is out of bed. Lights in the room are slowly illuminated to provide light for the patient. A second sensor may sense when the patient has returned to bed and correspondingly dim the lights. The history of the patient being in and out of bed, and of the care giver responding to alerts may be recorded in a log. A programmable micro controller is used to control the system.

Abstract: A collapsible container for retaining and disposing liquids is described. The container includes an expandable liquid retaining portion and an inflatable top ring. As liquid, such as used motor oil, pours into the expandable liquid retaining portion the inflated top ring floats on top of the liquid as the liquid retaining portion expands. A top cover, which may be formed by flexible flaps with zip lock closures, may be included to seal the container for transport. A drain hole may be provided through a bottom portion of the container to drain the liquid out of the container. A handle may be provided to facilitate carrying the container filled with oil.

Abstract: A cover is described for providing a protected area on a user's arm or leg, and especially over a cast on the arm or leg. The cover includes a sheath portion with an open end and a closed end. A user's arm is placed within the sheath. An inflatable ring is cooperable with the open end of the sheath to create a seal above an area of the arm or leg that is to be protected. An adhesive strip may be provided on the outside of the ring to adhere to a free end of the sheath.

Abstract: A coupling for connection of a tube comprises a coupling housing which includes a first end into which the tube is inserted, a clamping ring which is positioned in the coupling housing against a first conical surface, a sealing ring which is positioned in the coupling housing, and a return ring which is positioned in the coupling housing between the clamping ring and a second end of the housing adjacent a second conical surface that is tapered opposite to the first conical surface. The return ring is expandable and comprises a central aperture which is smaller than the external diameter of the tube. Accordingly, when the tube is pushed into the coupling housing and forced through the return ring, the return ring will expand and move along the second conical surface.

Abstract: A curved surface, such as a helmet, including a light source and light conductive paths. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) provide the light source and fiber optic conductors provide the light conductive paths. The fiber optic conductors have polished ends to create lenses. A microprocessor or other logic, powered by a battery, can control the LEDs, possibly of different colors, to generate various colors or patterns for display. The components, including the microprocessor, battery, and light source, can be contained with a breakaway compartment in the helmet. The battery can include light rechargeable batteries positioned in the top of the helmet shell. The fiber optic conductors can be attached to or molded into the helmet shell so that the light traveling through them is visible and creates particular light patterns for display or is fully focused to the ends.

Abstract: A rod extractor for ground drill rods having a drill rod (20) with a plurality of rod threads (23) at its upper portion, about which an extraction collar (30) with internal threads rotates slidably with said rod threads. A guide sleeve (51) having a sleeve opening is attached perpendicular to a ground plate (50) which rests on a ground surface. Said rod travels through said sleeve opening into the ground, upon which an extraction tool (40) rotates said collar about said rod resulting in downward travel of said collar in relation to said rod and sleeve until said collar contacts said sleeve. Further rotation of said collar results in upward force upon said rod, extracting it from the ground.

Abstract: A rugged portable projector unit is suitable for transport and easy set-up. A projector is mounted to a rigid subframe by a mounting platform. A shock absorbing element is provided between the subframe and the mounting platform. The subframe is mounted within a hardened carrying case. Shock absorbing elements are provided between the subframe and the carrying case. The top of the carrying case is removable. A mirror is hingedly attached to the top of the subframe to reflect images produced by the projector. Access panels and cooling doors are provided in the carrying case to permit access and ventilation to the projector. The carrying case is provided with wheels to allow it to be rolled along the ground. The carrying case is also provided with offset handles on its sides so that the unit naturally tilts to aid in loading and unloading from raised surfaces.

Abstract: A device for support and elevation of the lower extremities. More specifically, the invention is a leg elevator that provides calibrated, adjustable support for the upper leg, the lower leg and the foot. The leg elevator is adjustable to many different positions through the use of three independent adjustment mechanisms. The upper leg portion of the leg elevator can be adapted to accommodate people that have upper legs of various lengths. The height of the lower leg portion is also adjustable, and the relative angular position of the upper and lower leg can be varied from a generally flat position, to a substantially bent position. The invention can be used to provide elevation for either leg separately or for both legs simultaneously. The leg elevator is lightweight, easily disinfected, and can be collapsed to a relatively flat position for ease in transport and storage.

Abstract: A device for support and elevation of a limb. More specifically, the invention is a system for elevating a limb, comprising an adjustable sling assembly that can be attached by a hook to a support member that provides the elevation, which in turn can be inserted into either a freestanding base or a base designed for placement between a mattress and box spring. Thus, the elevator system can be used effectively when a person is in both a sitting and a supine position. The elevator system is vertically adjustable by varying the distance between the hook and the sling or by adjusting the telescoping support sections of the support assembly. The elevator system is lightweight, easily disinfected, and can be disassembled or collapsed for ease in transport and storage. The elevator system is also relatively inexpensive to manufacture and is intended both for hospital and home use.

Abstract: A clothes drying apparatus is provided. This clothes drying apparatus comprises a cabinet with an interior region to receive clothes. At least one door is operably connected to the cabinet to allow access to the interior region thereof. Attached to the cabinet is a first intake passage for accessing and receiving air from the exterior environment of a building. A vacuum unit is also attached to the cabinet. This vacuum unit draws air from the exterior of the building, through the passage, and into the interior region of the cabinet. A second passage linked to the interior environment and a switching mechanism may also be provided to permit selective operation of the clothes drying apparatus to draw air from outdoors or indoors based on environmental conditions. Also provided is a method of drying clothes with the clothes drying apparatus.

Abstract: A mixture of probiotics effective to reduce the contamination of enteric bacteria in humans and other monogastric animals. The mixture of probiotics includes one or more acid-producing bacteria strains and one or more yeast strains, and may advantageously be supplemented with a source of nutrients, such as prebiotics including fructo-oligosaccharides. In a preferred embodiment, said one or more bacteria strains contain Enterococcus faecium strain NCIMB #10415, and said one or more yeast strains contain NCYC #47 and CNCM I-1079.

Abstract: Heat-killed, terminally sterilized saline suspensions of Propionibacterium acnes, Propionibacterium avidum, Propionibacterium lymphophilum, Propionibacterium granulosum, Cornynebacterium parvum, and Arachnia propionica are effective in treating viral infections of the respiratory tract in humans, and to induce the regression of dermal tumors and warts in humans. The potency of a saline suspension of heat-killed, terminally sterilized saline suspension of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) was demonstrated through a laboratory animal challenge model. The P. acnes product is administered orally for the purpose of preventing or treating viral infections of the respiratory tract in man. The P. acnes preparation is intralesionally administered into dermal tumors, warts such as plantar warts, or other warts in people caused by the human papilloma virus, to cause regression of such dermal tumors and warts. The subcutaneous route of administration of the P.