Abstract: The present invention covers a surgical wound protector apparatus for the protective support of an incision and support of surgical apparatus utilized within the incision. The apparatus comprises a flexible resilient wound liner sleeve having an open upper end and an open lower end with a rigid annular ring arranged to securely receive the upper end of the resilient sleeve when the sleeve and the ring are applied to an incision of a patient.

Abstract: The present invention involves a clitoral stimulation apparatus for the holding and timed distribution of a gel or cream onto the clitoris of a user of the apparatus. The apparatus comprises an enclosing body having a first end and a second end, a channel-shaped clitoris-interfacing surface on the first end of the body, and a gel or cream distribution arrangement on the body of the apparatus to permit the user to be clitorally stimulated as desired.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an arrangement for the remote sensing and recordation of information about a body component. The arrangement includes a stylus held within a support head. The support head has an electrode therein for the detection and recordation of stylus contact with a body component. A plurality of parallelogram linkages articulably support the stylus. The linkages have a first or input end and a second or output end. A motion tracking generator is attached to the output end of linkages. A sensor is arranged to receive and record signals from the tracking generator in a plurality of orthogonal planes, so as to permit the generation and recordation of contours, location and domain of the body component being sensed by the stylus.

Abstract: A needle device for the delivery of medicaments, insuflation or other medical devices, having a reciprocable needle sensitive to lack of resistance, whereupon such needle retracts, permitting a cannula therewith to provide access to the penetrated body.

Abstract: A method for the prevention of a scar on the skin of a patient after the beginning healing of a wound or surgical site on that patient. The method comprises the steps of providing an optical radiation apparatus with a handpiece communicating therewith, energizing the optical radiation apparatus to provide a beam of light, directing the light beam onto a wound or surgical site of a patient after 2 days and before 2 months from the date of injury or surgical procedure to the patient. The beam has a wavelength range of about 530 nm to 1000 nm and the beam has a fluence range of from 2 J/cm2 to 12 J/cm2. The beam is preferrably generated by a pulsed dye laser apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is a book holding device for permitting the comfortable holding of a book by a single hand of a reader of said book. The holding device comprises a sheath arranged for receipt of a reader's finger. A frame assembly is attached to the sheath. The frame assembly is arranged to supportively receive at least one side of a book. The frame assembly is preferably movable with respect to the sheath. The frame assembly is preferably comprised of a plurality of articulable panels including a first panel attached to the sheath, and a second panel hingedly attached to the first panel. A third panel is preferably hingedly attached to the second panel by a hinge arranged therebetween. One side of the book rests upon the second panel and is sandwiched between the first and third panels.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus for the increased female clitoral stimulation. The apparatus comprises a foraminous, elongated, generally triangularly shaped pad having an anterior portion arranged to support and engage the ventral aspect of the clitoris and lie beneath the labia minora. The pad has an outer peripheral contour so as to seat within the female vestibule. The pad is comprised of a plurality of layers of flexible material. The pad has an uppermost layer of soft flexible material and an intermediate layer of generally semi-rigid material and a lower layer of an adhesive material.

Abstract: The present invention includes a passive shifting apparatus for a marine winch having a plurality of gears thereon. The passive shifting apparatus permits the winch to be rotated in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, and comprises a central shaft about which the gears rotate, supported on a base in a marine winch housing. A rotatable curvilinear cam is mounted on the shaft. A radially inwardly and outwardly movable cam follower is engaged against the curvilinear cam. A first spring is arranged between the housing and the cam follower to bias the cam follower against the curvilinear cam. A second spring is arranged between the housing and the cam follower to bias the cam follower on the inner end of the shift arm when the cam is counter rotated. The cam follower may then move into and out of a slot in the curvilinear cam, and the cam may be able to rotate either clockwise or counter-clockwise without locking-up the cam follower.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a docking system for connecting a portable communication device to a further signal transmission line, the portable communication device having an external radiative antenna, the system comprising a shielded housing for receivably enclosing at least a portion of the external radiative antenna of the portable communication device and a coupling probe mounted within the shielded housing for radiatively coupling between the external antenna of the portable communication device and the further signal transmission line via radio frequency energy therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a wound treatment apparatus including a flexible transparent envelope of generally elongated configuration having a first end and a second end, a primary opening at the first end of the envelope, the primary opening having a peripheral margin therearound, the margin including a securement band for securement of the flexible envelope to a portion of the body being treated. The apparatus includes a first access port through the envelope, a wound fluid applying gun having an elongated barrel juxtaposable in a close fitting relationship to the first access port, to supply a pressurized wound treatment fluid onto any body portion attached to the envelope, and a drain port in communication with a collection chamber for draining any effluent fluid, tissue and/or gas from that envelope.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of wrinkles on human skin, by stimulating collagen growth beneath the epidermis layer, comprising the steps of: arranging a pulsed dye laser generator in light communication with a pulsed dye laser delivery device. The pulsed dye laser delivery device is applied against tissue having wrinkles. The pulsed dye laser generator generates a pulsed dye laser light. A pulsed dye laser light from the pulsed dye laser delivery device is directed onto the tissue, to reach hemoglobin in a collagen layer up to about 1.2 mm. beneath the surface of the tissue to effect growth changes therein.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an antenna coupling arrangement for connecting a portable communication device to a further signal transmission line. The portable communication device has an external radiative antenna. The coupling arrangement comprises a housing of generally rectilinear configuration having left and right sides, a lower side and a back side arranged to enclose a portable communication device. An antenna coupler is hingedly supported on the housing to pivotably mate with the external antenna of a portable communication device enclosed within the housing. The antenna coupler is connected to a transmission line for further connection to a further antenna or transmission line.

Abstract: A harmonic drive transmission arrangement has an input member and an output member. The transmission comprises a generally cylindrically shaped housing including having a circular spline gear arranged therein, and a cup-shaped flexspline with an array of radially outwardly directed gear teeth on a first end thereof, engaged with the circular spline teeth. A wave generator is rotatably supported on the input member radially inwardly of the gear teeth on the flexspline, and an annular diaphragm is arranged at a second end of the cup-shaped flexspline. A flange is arranged integral to the diaphragm to permit the cup-shaped flexspline to be securely attached to the output member, for the transmission of input through she harmonic drive transmission arrangement, and out the output member through the flange. A "U" shaped channel is annularly arranged between the diaphragm and the flange to distinguish the flange from the diaphragm.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a signal generator for sending an electrical signal from an expandable, flexible layer of material, the signal generator comprising an upper layer of flexible, resilient material and a lower layer of flexible, resilient material which between them define a cavity for enclosing an expandable material such as a cellular foam or gas, whereupon localized distortion of one of the layers of flexible material, effects a signal generation within the structure, which is transmissible through a proper circuit to an outside electrical device. A circuit may be arranged adjacent a plurality of said keys which senses when several of said keys are depressed in a skewed or sideways manner, so as to effect movement of a cursor or pointer on a monitor in communication with a processing unit and said keyboard.

Abstract: The present invention is a marine winch having a tension limiting clamp ring thereon, to permit the safe release of a line or halyard when forces become too great therewith. The winch has a base for attachment to a boat. A central driveshaft is supported on the base. A drum is disposed about the driveshaft. The drum has an upper flange and a lower flange thereon, the drum being arranged to receive a line thereabout. The upper flange has an inner hub disposed about the upper end of the driveshaft. A clamp ring is arranged about the hub, the clamp ring and the upper flange having opposed outer annular surfaces thereon arranged to receive a line therebetween. The clamp ring is movable with respect to the upper flange and the hub to provide a limitable force on a line disposed between the outer annular surfaces of the flange and the clamp ring.