Abstract: A sheath is provided having a tube and a latch receptacle for removably connecting the sheath with a cooperating working element. The latch receptacle is static and has means for receiving at least a portion of a movable latch of the working element such that the latch receptacle can be disconnected from the working element without touching the sheath. A continuous flow resectoscope sheath assembly may also be provided with both an inlet post and an outlet post on the outer sheath portion.

Abstract: A magnetic head slider suspension assembly for loading a head slider having air bearing surface onto the surface of a magnetic rotating disc is shown. The magnetic head slider suspension assembly includes an elongated slider arm adapted to be attached to an arm mounting support. The elongated slider arm includes a deflectable central arm section or load beam having a support end at one end thereof operatively attached to the arm mounting support and a head/slider loading end located at the other end thereof. The central arm section is generally rectangular in shape and has a predetermined width at the support end and a width which may be equal to or less than the predetermined width at the head/slider loading end. The central arm section has at least one raised load rail extending substantially perpendicular therefrom and in the same direction as that of a head slider operatively attached to the head/slider loading end.

Abstract: A method of making a collagen-hydrogel is shown. The method comprises the steps of forming a radical free polymer of a hydrophilic monomer; mixing the hydrophilic monomer with a stock solution of collagen in the presence of a weak solution of ammonium persulfate and sodium metabisuleate forming a clear viscous monomer solution; and heating said viscous monomer solution in the presence of a crosslinking agent to polymerize the same into a three dimensional polymeric meshwork having collagen from the stock solution of collagen interdispersed within the three dimensional polymeric meshwork.

Abstract: A method for locating on a cornea an artificial lens fabricated from a collagen-hydrogel for promoting epithelial cell growth and regeneration of the stroma is shown. The method provides for affixing an artificial lens to the Bowman's membrane and the lens, during the healing process, promotes and supports epithelial cell growth enabling corneal epithelium of the cornea of an eye to attach to and cover the anterior surface of the lens implanting the same and to regenerate the stroma which grows over the edge of and attaches to the optical lens. Laid down in the layers of the regenerated stroma are new keratocytes and collagen fibial produced from keratocytes. The collagen-hydrogel is a hydrogel polymer formed by the free radical polymerization of a hydrophilic monomer solution gelled and crosslinked in the presence of an aqueous stock solution of collagen to form a three dimensional polymeric meshwork for anchoring collagen.

Abstract: A contour nasal implant adapted to be used in rhinoplasty surgery is shown. The contour nasal implant includes an elongated central member having a first end and a second end wherein the second end is spaced a predetermined distance from the first end. The first end of the elongated central member is flared to define a dorsal support end or dorsal section which is adapted to be positioned over the nasal dorsum in the nose of a patient to augment the frontal and profile views of the nose along the nasal dorsum. The second end includes a tip having a predetermined shape which is located on the same side of the elongated central member as the dorsal support end. A second end includes a keel having a selected width and length and the keel is located on the second end under the predetermined shaped tip. The keel is positioned substantially perpendicular to the elongated central member and is positioned such that the length of the keel is generally parallel to the elongated central member.

Abstract: An etchable core glass composition consisting essentially of the following components present in the glass in the following mole percent ranges is shown:CHART I ______________________________________ CHEMICAL COMPOSITION RANGES mole percent ______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 35-46 B.sub.2 O.sub.3 22-28 BaO + SrO + CaO + ZnO 20-32 Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 + Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-3.5 La.sub.2 O.sub.3 + Nd.sub.2 O.sub.3 + Sm.sub.2 O.sub.3 + CeO.sub.2 1-11 As.sub.2 O.sub.3 + Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-1.5 ______________________________________A core glass for manufacturing a microchannel plate made from a glass composition having components in the glass range as defined above is also shown. The core glass has a transformation temperature in range of about 637.degree. C. to about 654.degree. C., a liquidus temperature below 1000.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrohydraulic probe for use with a lithotriptic instrument is shown. The probe comprises a first electrode, a second electrode and a relatively rigid spacer means therebetween to maintain a relatively constant equidistant space between the first and second electrodes during the entire work life of the probe. The method comprises the steps of connecting a distal end spacer member with a first electrode wherein the spacer member has a central aperture therein with a relatively constant thickness between its central aperture and an outer perimeter of the space member at the distal tip of the probe and wherein the spacer member comprises a relatively mechanically rigid dielectric material; and connecting a second electrode with the spacer member wherein the central aperture such that said second electrode is spaced equidistantly from the first electrode at the distal tip of the probe.

Abstract: An intubating stylet adapted to be operatively connected to a laryngoscope having a shaped frame with a relatively rigid blade for positioning a workpiece, such as an endotracheal intubation tube, in the larynx and upper trachea region of a patient as shown. The intubating stylet comprises a relatively rigid preformed member having a central portion, a proximal portion and a distal portion. The elongated member is contoured from the central section to the distal section to substantially follow the shape of the shaped frame and rigid blade. The distal portion terminates in a distal tip which, in the preferred embodiment, is adapted to removable support the distal end of an endotracheal intubation tube. The elongated member is contoured from the central section to the proximal section to substantially follow the shape of the laryngoscope which extends in a direction opposite to the relatively rigid blade.

Abstract: A magnetic head slider suspension assembly for loading a head slider having air bearing surface onto the surface of a magnetic rotating disc is shown. The magnetic head slider suspension assembly includes an elongated slider arm adapted to be attached to an arm mounting support. The elongated slider arm includes a deflectable central arm section or load beam having a support end at one end thereof operatively attached to the arm mounting support and a head/slider loading end located at the other end thereof. The central arm section is generally rectangular in shape and has a predetermined width at the support end and a width which may be equal to or less than the predetermined width at the head/slider loading end. The central arm section has at least one raised load rail extending substantially perpendicular therefrom and in the same direction as that of a head slider operatively attached to the head/slider loading end.

Abstract: A load beam adapted for use in a head slider suspension assembly is shown. The load beam has a generally rectangular shape and includes a member for defining a support arm end and a head/slider loading end. The load beam has a torsional vibration mode characteristic which, upon said load beam being excited by a driving force, produces a fundamental mode vibration in the range of about 2000 hertz to about 4000 hertz and higher order mode vibrations above about 6000 hertz. In the preferred embodiment, the load beam has at least one load rail extending substantially perpendicular therefrom. The at least one load rail can be selected to extend from the load beam in a direction the same as or opposite to the direction in which a head/slider assembly is supported from a head/slider loading end of the load beam.

Abstract: A glass composition consisting essentially of the following components present in the glass in the following mole percent ranges is shown:CHART I ______________________________________ CHEMICAL COMPOSITION RANGES mole percent ______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 58-68 Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-2 K.sub.2 O + Rb.sub.2 O + Cs.sub.2 O 0-3 PbO 10-15 Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 0.3-2.1 MgO + CaO + BaO 10-20.4 B.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-4 As.sub.2 O.sub.3 + Sb.sub.2 O 0.1-1.1 ______________________________________A glass composition for manufacturing a high performance microchannel plate is also shown. A microchannel plate made from a glass composition consisting essentially of components in the glass range as defined above is also shown. A method for making a non-porous glass tubing comprising a hollowed out central area and having a transformation temperature in range of about 570.degree. C. to about 610.degree. C., a liquidus temperature below 1000.degree. C.

Abstract: An integral foot massage and support apparatus including a base plate which is adapted to receive and support the feet of a human user, a housing member operatively coupled to the base plate and including side members and a plurality of massage assemblies each of which include an axially extending center support member and a plurality of annular shaped massage elements mounted axially on and rotatably about the center support members and wherein the center support members are mounted between the side walls at an angle which approximates the ergonomic design angle which is adapted to reduce fatigue, stress and discomfort of the thigh, lower leg and foot of a human user in a sitting position is shown.

Abstract: An optical lens having a transparent lens body for a human eye or mammalian eye is shown. The transparent lens body has an anterior surface and a posterior surface and has formed in the central area thereof at least one stenopaeic opening which is substantially perpendicular to the anterior surface and posterior surface of the lens body. The at least one stenopaeic opening has a dimension "d" which is selected to be a geometrical dimension such that an image of an object located in front of the lens, when the lens is implanted in, or placed upon, the eye, is projected through the lens generally along a predetermined light transmitting path defining the visual axis of an eye and onto the fovea centralis of the eye which is located in back of the lens.

Abstract: A method for locating on the cornea an optical lens having a preselected geometric shape and power wherein the optical lens is formed of a collagen-hydrogel for promoting epithelial cell growth is shown. The method comprises the steps of: removing from Bowman's membrane over the area of the pupillary zone of the eye a portion of the corneal epithelium; forming on Bowman's membrane a "V" shaped annular groove having a diameter substantially equal to the maximum geometrical dimensions of the optical lens and a preselected depth; dissecting the peripheral edge of the groove forming a wing of corneal tissue having a preselected length; placing the posterior surface of the optical lens on the anterior surface of Bowman's membrane and positioning the outer edge of the optical lens under the corneal wing, and affixing the optical lens to Bowman's membrane over the pupillary zone of the eye to maintain the same on the cornea with the corneal wing overlying the edge of the optical lens.

Abstract: A magnetic head slider suspension assembly for loading a head slider having an air bearing surface onto the surface of a magnetic rotating disc is shown. The magnetic head slider suspension assembly includes an elongated slider arm adapted to be attached to an arm mounting support. The elongated slider arm includes a deflectable central arm section or load beam having a support end at one end thereof which is adapted to be operatively attached to an arm mounting support and a head/slider loading end located at the other end thereof. The central arm section is generally rectangular in shape and has a predetermined width at the support end and a width which can be equal to or less than the predetermined width at the head/slider loading end. The central arm section has at least one raised load rail extending substantially perpendicular therefrom and which extends in the same direction as that of a head/slider operatively attached to the head/slider loading end.

Abstract: A collagen-hydrogel for promoting epithelial cell growth is shown. Also shown is an optical lens for the eye, fabricated from the collagen-hydrogel, which, when affixed to Bowman's membrane, promotes and supports epithelial cells growth and enables corneal epithelium of the cornea of an eye, during the healing process, to attach to and cover the anterior surface of the lens implanting the same. The collagen-hydrogel is a hydrogel polymer formed by the free radical polymerization of a hydrophilic monomer solution gelled and crosslinked in the presence of an aqueous solution of macromolecules to form a three dimensional polymeric meshwork for anchoring macromolecules. Macromolecules comprising a constituent of a ground substance of tissue, which in the preferred embodiment is a native collagen, are interspersed within the polymeric network forming the hydrogel resulting in a collagen-hydrogel for promoting epithelial cell growth.

Abstract: An optical lens adapted for use with a human eye having a lens body formed of a top surface and a bottom surface and wherein the lens body has integral therewith a predetermined area which is adapted to selectively intercept and pass light through the lens body in a manner to obtain an optical effect for substitution of the loss of the accommodation of a phakic, aphakic and pseudophakic eye is shown. The optical lens may be used in an intraocular lens configuration having resilient support means operatively coupled to the lens body adapted to slidably engage tissue in the chamber of an eye to position the lens body in a proper optical relationship. Also, the optical lens can be placed over the cornea of the eye or in the cornea directly by a cornea inlay.

Abstract: A microminimonolithic magnetic head slider adapted for use with a magnetic head flying on an air cushion over a magnetic media for recording and reproducing tracks of information is shown. The slider includes an aerodynamic surface which has a pair of spaced, parallel load rails which are adapted to fly over the moving magnetic media. The load rails have an air bearing surface formed thereon, and each air bearing surface has a width which is greater than a track width of information on the magnetic media. Also, the aerodynamic surface has, located between the pair of spaced, parallel load rails, a wedged-shaped central rail having an apex which defines an air bearing surface having a width which is less than the width of the air bearing surface on the load rails. The slider includes a transverse slot which is spaced from and extends substantially perpendicular to the pair of spaced, parallel load rails and the central rail and a pair of spaced, vertically extending slots.