Abstract: A surgical suction instrument having multiple LEDs for selectively providing illumination as light of different wavelengths at the tip thereof. Typically, at least one of the LEDs is chosen to emit polychromatic white light. Individual switches operable by either the surgeon or another member of the surgical team allow any combination of the LEDs to be energized, thereby creating numerous combinations of light wavelength from the novel surgical suction instrument. Control of the intensity of one or more of the LEDs may be provided to further determine the character of the composite light emitted from the multiple LEDs. The LEDs may be powered by self-contained batteries or from an external power source. The device may either be a single use, disposable device or, in alternate embodiments, may be a device intended for multiple uses and capable of withstanding sterilization.

Abstract: A protective pad for the palm of a wearer's hand consisting of a compressible, sponge-like material contained within an impervious material held in the palm region by a single attachment strap surrounding the wearer's hand. The attachment strap uses an adjustable fastener, preferably hook-and-loop material or a self-adhesive system. The pad shape is chosen to be non-obvious to others when in place on a user's hand. It may be provided in more than one size to help accomplish that objective. The palm pad is designed as a low-cost, disposable unit to promote sanitation (e.g., prevent infection, etc.) through daily exchanges of the pads. The compressibility of the pads is believed to provide therapeutic benefit by preventing further tightening of the hand while preventing nail impaction.

Abstract: A contact array arrangement which both receives charging current for charging batteries of a battery pack, and which also breaks the parallel charging contact position (contact configuration in which individual batteries of the battery pack are charged in parallel) then reestablishes series connection of the batteries when a charge electrode array is urged against the contact array arrangement and when the charge electrode array is removed. A cover covering the contact array may be connected by throughbolts to a support supporting series connection contacts such that depressing the cover by imposing a downward force (e.g., the weight of a charge electrode array), moves the series connection contacts out of contact with those contacts receiving charge current. Springs return the series connection contacts to the series condition. Charge conductors fixed to the contact array pass through or by the series connection such that a very compact device results.

Abstract: An automatic, web-based, integrated method and system for processing financial details of a real estate settlement or other similar transaction. The system incorporates modular functionality to avoid duplicate entry of data. The design philosophy is such that anticipated actions are entered into the system. Since the system knows what is expected, by monitoring actual transactions and comparing them to the anticipated transactions, real-time identification of exceptional situations is possible. This real time identification of a problem allows corrections to quickly be made to prevent financial losses, fines, or other penalties. The system is adapted to seamlessly interact with bank software and systems, for example, existing positive pay banking systems as well as with a user's financial or other similar application software. The system provides exception reports on a periodic (e.g., daily) basis to management and operations personnel.

Abstract: A flameproof, heat resistant, lightweight, one-piece escape suit which includes attached integral mitts or gloves, covered footing, and a hood. The fire and heat resistant one piece suit is designed to be worn over a commercial smoke hood, is formed from a metalized fabric, and meets the requirements of ASTM standard D6413. The suit is designed to be easily slipped onto a wearer's body over typical street clothing, and allows a wearer to wear his or her accustomed footwear for improved safety and comfort. The durable fabric provides protection to a wearer when crawling low to the ground on his or her knees and elbows as is often recommended as a preferred escape posture. The fire and heat resistant one piece suit may be provided in multiple sizes to fit adults and children.

Abstract: A device for controlling valve travel of the flush valve of a toilet operated by a rigid linkage rod and for forcibly returning the valve to the closed position. The device may comprise a spring contained within a sleeve. The sleeve has end caps bearing openings for passing the rigid linkage rod entirely through the sleeve and spring. One end cap may be threaded to enable it to compress and immobilize the spring for selectively defeating operation.

Abstract: A cleaning tool having a cleaning head disposed at the distal and of an elongated, extendable shaft. A handle at the proximal end contains a lever attached to a linkage. The cleaning head has an elbow joint and provides an attachment point for an upper support arm and a lower support arm movable with respect thereto. The elbow joint allows the cleaning head to be rotated with respect to the distal end of the elongated, extendable shaft. Two-sided pads may be attached to distal ends of both the upper arm and the lower arm. Each two-sided pad may have a different cleaning property on each of its two major faces. This allows up to four different cleaning surfaces to be present at the cleaning head of the cleaning tool of the present invention. A linkage is provided between the lever and the lower support arm.

Abstract: Apparatus and method enabling implant supported dental prostheses to be fabricated for reconstruction of both maxillary and mandibular arches from a procedure requiring only one surgery. At least three pairs of reference points in the maxillary arch and in the mandibular arch are connected by adjustable members which are subsequently fixed in length and in mutual orientation to enable necessary impressions and casts to be made. The adjustable members engage anchoring members such as ball headed screws which are fixed to the maxillary and mandibular anatomy. Subsequently fabricated mechanical models of the patient anatomy, such as impressions and casts, capture critical geometric relationships from the adjustable members and their associated anchoring members, thereby enabling both maxillary and mandibular implant mountable prostheses to be fabricated from information gathered during only one surgical session.

Abstract: There is provided a substantially planar, resilient base adapted for receiving the lower portion of a circular pail containing a material needing stirring or mixing. A raised annular wall on the upper surface of the planar base encircles the circumference of the lower portion of the bucket thereby retaining the bucket. One or more radially projecting wings provide pads upon which the feet of the person stirring the bucket contents may be placed further securing the base to the floor or other surface. The resilient nature of the upwardly projecting, bucket encircling wall allows accommodating buckets of varying diameters.

Abstract: A glove having a pom pom freely attached to a tip of one or more of the glove fingers. The glove may bear indicia, for example, a team logo. The pom poms are typically multicolored, consisting of strands of the team, school, or organization colors. The gloves provide warmth to the wearer's hands. In addition, the wearer's hands are free to hold other items, for example, beverage containers, cameras, programs, etc. Selective movement of a wearer's fingers and/or thumb causes a respective pom pom to move in response thereto. Patterns of successive finger/thumb movements may be executed to cause a variety of visual effects from the pom pom-bearing glove. Bells and/or light sources may also be attached to the gloves instead of or in addition to the pom poms. A motion sensitive switch and/or a simple sequencer may be used to create predetermined or random light patterns.

Abstract: A safety drinking straw has an elongated, hollow body having a loop formed at its top end, the loop having an orifice through which liquid may pass. The size of the orifice controls the maximum liquid flow rate thereby preventing excessive liquid to be ingested. The smooth contour of the loop prevents injury to the mouth or lips. The size of the loop prevents its insertion into the mouth, thereby preventing both choking and possible injury to the mouth or throat. In addition, the open configuration of the upper loop makes it easy to grasp by a young child with not yet developed fine motor skills or by an adult having a disorder that effects small motor movements of the hand. A strainer disposed at the bottom, distal end of the straw prevents ingestion of seeds or other particles possibly present in the liquid being consumed through the straw.

Abstract: There are provided cable architectures useful for constructing high-performance audio interconnection cables. Multiple, parallel runs of multiconductor, shielded, twisted pair cable are used to construct both balanced and unbalanced interconnect cables, speaker cables, and power cords. Conductors from each cable run are separated and connected to other conductors from other runs to form composite signal and ground conductors. Shields may be selectively connected to one another and to appropriate pins or terminals of a terminating connector. An overall mother shield may, optionally, be added. Individual runs of cable are braided together. Cables constructed in accordance with the geometries and techniques of the invention sound better than any known cables of the prior art. When measured, the inventive cables exhibit a ratio of capacitance to inductance that is lower that prior art cables. The characteristic impedance of the inventive cables is also lower than cables of the prior art.

Abstract: There are provided cable architectures useful for constructing high-performance audio interconnection cables. Multiple, parallel runs of multiconductor, shielded, twisted pair cable are used to construct both balanced and unbalanced interconnect cables, speaker cables, and power cords. Conductors from each cable run are separated and connected to other conductors from other runs to form composite signal and ground conductors. Shields may be selectively connected to one another and to appropriate pins or terminals of a terminating connector. An overall mother shield may, optionally, be added. Individual runs of cable are braided together. Cables constructed in accordance with the geometries and techniques of the invention sound better than any known cables of the prior art. When measured, the inventive cables exhibit a ratio of capacitance to inductance that is lower that prior art cables. The characteristic impedance of the inventive cables is also lower than cables of the prior art.

Abstract: An abutment for mounting a restoration or crown to a dental implant, exhibiting ability to retain the restoration thereon and to prevent rotation of the restoration about the abutment. The abutment has a relatively wide base and a relatively slender tapered projection. A stepped hole passes through the abutment for receiving a screw which secures the abutment to the implant. The bottom of the stepped hole is hexagonal, for cooperatively receiving a hexagonal post of the dental implant. The base of the abutment has an inclined surface. The projection of the abutment has negative taper such that it is wider away from the base than where it joins the base. The projection has a groove formed therein, which groove extends along the abutment in a path which for at least part of the circumference of the abutment is neither purely horizontal nor purely vertical.

Abstract: A supercharging system for supplying pressurized combustion air to a piston engine of an aircraft at high altitudes. The engine has an output shaft on which the propeller is supported, together with a small ducted centrifugal fan. The duct leads to the intake side of the engine. A diverter is movable to one position constraining pressurized air to enter the engine through the intake side, and a second position which diverts compressed air away from the intake side. Natural aspiration is employed at low altitudes and supercharging is employed at altitudes wherein there is an oxygen deficiency. Preferably, the centrifugal fan is located between the propeller and the engine block, has blades staggered from those of the propeller so as to be directly exposed to incoming air. The centrifugal fan blades are preferably of different pitch than the propeller blades.

Abstract: There is provided a hand-held pointing device which fits readily and comfortably in the hand of a user. The pointing device case shape is a pistol grip style designed to be ergonomically correct so that the device may be used for extended periods of time without user fatigue. The operative element in the pointing device is a trackball which, in conjunction with two or more button switches, provides the full functionality of a traditional pointing device such as a mouse. A band or strap may be provided to attach the pointing device to the user's hand such that the fingers of the hand are available for other tasks without the need for setting the pointing device down. The trackball device may be attached to a computer or similar apparatus by a direct connect cable or through a wireless interconnection, typically an RF or IR connection.