Abstract: A portable shaving brush assembly that comprises a brush for applying shaving cream, a hollow handle portion and a can of shaving cream removably stored in the hollow handle. The shaving brush is covered by a removable funnel-shaped shield having a hinged cap and multiple ventilation holes to allow the brush to dry when stored after use. The hollow handle has a can holder cap which closes the storage end of the handle. The shaving cream can and can holder cap are removed as a single unit during use.

Abstract: A system for cleaning of teeth and gums and removing food particles from between the teeth includes a motor driven suction pump and a source of liquid. A clamp means forms an air-tight chamber over a few of the teeth at a time and includes two clamp members, each having a cavity with bristles. A vacuum is applied from the suction pump to one clamp member and draws liquid to the other clamp member and through the enclosed teeth.

Abstract: Processes and compositions for effecting pilomotor retraction of the hair on a hair-bearing skin area by the topical application of a .beta.-adrenergic agonist.

Abstract: The Heart State Analyzer (HSA) is a system and method in medical non-invasive electrocardiographic (EKG) analysis of human heart beats for the early detection of certain heart diseases in which a large number of electrodes, for example, 32 to 64, are attached on the chest, back and sides of the patient, i.e., "body surface". The electrical signals detected by the electrodes ae converted to digital data, treated to remove muscle artifact and other noise, and then analyzed mathematically to determine the presence or absence of abnormal body surface potential distributions, or of unusual beat morphologies, compared statistically to the self-norm "typical beat" of the patient and also compared to a data base compiled from comparable normal population groups. The results of the statistical analysis are displayed as topographical maps of the body surface, color coded to represent the presence of significant derivations from the norms, defined as "abnormality", i.e.

Abstract: A disposable device protects the bottom portions of trouser legs during rain or snowstorms. The device has two flexible plastic sheets, each sheet being rectangular and having an adhesive band, on one face, along its four edges. The adhesive band, before use of the device, is covered by a protective strip.

Abstract: A railing system is composed of vertically aligned metal tubes and cross-members which are metal tube rails. The posts are formed with round protruding bosses whose outer diameter (OD) is the same as the outer diameter of the posts. The rails also have the same outer diameter. The bosses and rail ends are brought into roundness, so that they match in a smooth circumferential seam, by round plugs forced into the bosses and rail ends. The post-rail joints may be welded in a circumferential weld; but preferably the posts and rails are joined by bolts connected to the plugs.

Abstract: A system and method for the accurate reproduction of the gray scale of a video monitor screen includes, in one embodiment, a video monitor and an electronic camera having an internal video receiver with a CRT screen. A gray scale test pattern is displayed on the video monitor screen and measured using a photometer. A gray scale test pattern is also displayed on the electronic camera CRT screen, and the electronic camera test pattern is photographed using film. The test pattern on the developed film is measured using a photoelectric densitometer and the results are entered into a computer memory look-up table and compared, by a tone-by-tone basis, with the ideal luminance value for each tone based on the photometer measurements. A set of corrections is obtained for each tone based on the photometer measurements of the gray scale and corrected to all tones available in the system.

Abstract: The invention measures the electrical signals at the microvolt level emitted from the masseteric (jaw) muscle when bruxism occurs. The apparatus detects electrical signal impulses from electrodes on a transducer probe located within one of the patient's ear channels and transmits the detected signals to an amplifier. in one embodiment, a circuit converts the signal information into an audible tone. The tone provides the immediate knowledge of the bruxism which leads to controlling of the action. The apparatus may be worn inconspicuously during the day and without discomfort while asleep for sleep interruption feedback.

Abstract: Apparatus for ligating blood vessels, nerves or other anatomical structures, such as Fallopian tubes, utilizing a modified form of a standard hemostat, including a removable pair of hemostat jaw inserts of non-toxic, substantially rigid material, each releasably secured to a jaw of the hemostat, each insert having removably formed therein at least one clip member, locking structure contained by at least one of said clip members adapted lockingly to engage the other of said clip members, whereby the jaws of the hemostat can be opened to any desired width and then closed, locking the clip members to form a ligating clip over or in a blood vessel or other anatomical structure and opening the jaws causes said joined clip members to break away from the inserts.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, fail-safe structure is provided to ensure that the clip members break cleanly away from the inserts.

Abstract: A system and method for the inventory of physical assets utilizes a digital computer based system including work station terminals each having an interactive graphics display screen in which the information displayed on the display screen may be graphically altered by the user. Inventory designation data may be obtained by a hand-held laser reader from a bar code label affixed to the item. Absolute geographic location data in terms of latitude, longitude and elevation, each within one foot of accuracy, is associated with each inventory item and with its designation data.

Abstract: A scrambling and descrambling system and method for the video and/or audio portions of a broadcast TV signal, for example, broadcast by cable, microwave or communication satellite, includes a telephone modem at the descrambling receiver decoder box which is periodically, for example once per month for a few seconds, connected to a central computer of the head end operator. The decsrambling decoder box is enabled to receive the telephone call by a digital identification code broadcast periodically and associated with each decoder box. Each decoder box has a digital serial number in its Read-Only Memory (ROM) portion of its CPU (central processing unit) and an Electrically Alterable Read-Only Memory (EAROM) containing an alterable look-up table having for each program code a corresponding descrabling code to enable the descrambler.

Abstract: In an electroencephalographic method and system for the quantitative analysis of brain waves, a programmed sequence of stimuli is automatically presented to a subject to evoke averaged evoked responses (AER's). The AER's are automatically analyzed by factor analysis in which each waveshape is reconstituted, as closely as possible, by a set of "basis waveshapes" (factors) held in memory. The "factor scores" (contributions of each factor) are Z transformed as a comparison against results from a normal population, and displayed as color-coded topographic maps of the head.

Abstract: In a medical thermographic imaging system a patient is examined while standing in a thermo-stable enclosure erected within an examination room. The enclosure is constructed of black natural cloth which is attached to a frame formed of plastic tubular members. The enclosure has an outer vertical wall opposite its entrance to block air currents from blowing through its entrance. The enclosure provides privacy to the disrobed patients.

Abstract: A system for the chemical cleaning of metal, for example, the acid pickling of steel, includes one or more tanks containing a corrosive liquid bath in which the liquid is flowed rapidly relative to the metal and held at a temperature in excess of 180.degree. F. The tanks comprise an outer metal shell whose internal wall is protected by a layer of a rubber-like material. In one embodiment the rubber-like layer is protected from the hot corrosive liquid by panels of fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) which are overlapped in a shingle pattern. In another embodiment, an inner tub (tank) of FRP floats on a layer of water which is held between the inner FRP tub and the layer of rubber-like material which covers an outer metal shell.

Abstract: A funnel has a float member which rises when a container is filled to warn the user to halt the pouring of a liquid. The funnel body has a conical funnel portion with three colored circles, of different colors, at separated levels on the cone. The float member, near its top, has color marks which match the color circles on the funnel cone. When the funnel nozzle (neck) is inserted into the container orifice, one of its colored circles will meet the lip of the container. The user fills the container until the same color mark on the float member reaches the top of a sleeve which guides the float member.

Abstract: A teaching model for dental students includes an upper and a lower jaw each with removable artificial teeth which resemble natural teeth in their hardness and appearance. Each tooth has a crown portion, which extends above the gum line, and a root portion. The root portion is oval-shaped, in cross-section, and tapered along its axis to closely fit in an oval and tapered socket in the jaw. The jaw has open socket holes so that the root portions protrude through orifices in the bottom face of the jaw. Each tooth root portion has embedded therein a rotatable quarter-turn locking device whose locking head passes through the socket orifice and, when turned 90.degree., cams on the bottom face of the jaw to draw the tooth into its socket and thereby lock the tooth in position. A tooth is readily replaced by turning the locking head backwards 90.degree. to release the tooth.

Abstract: A building has a core through which the building supplies primary cooled air for air conditioning and cooled water (condenser water). A tenant who requires a lower temperature in his floor space may install a supplemental air conditioning system. The system of the present invention is a supplemental air conditioning system which uses less condenser water and employs a mix of air-cooled and water-cooled air conditioning units in the range of ratios from 85:15 to 70:30, in terms of cooling capcity.

Abstract: A bolted steel staircase is erected by placing side stringers spaced apart and attached to the upper and lower floors. A series of stair pans are placed on brackets, the brackets having been welded to the stringers in the fabrication location. The nuts are then hand-tightened on bolts which are welded to the brackets. A set of flat metal wedges, each having an angled slot, is driven between the vertical bolts and lances on the sides of the stair pans in order to align the stair pans and drive them against the stringers. After the wedges are driven, the nuts are fully tightened.

Abstract: A method and systen in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to automatically monitor and display the occurrence and the duration of the seizure activity generated during the administration of electrically induced therapeutic seizures. The ECT device includes a special-purpose electroencephaloraph (EEG) system to detect a specific EEG parameter (e.g. integrated voltage) of the electrically induced EEG seizure. The detected integrated voltage is converted to digital data and compared to a threshold reference value previously obtained from the same patient. The operator is informed by an electronic alphanumeric elapsed time display or indications on a moving strip chart paper record, or oscilloscope CRT screen, when the parameter has crossed the predetermined threshold reference value and how long since the termination of the ECT the parameter has taken to reach the reference value.

Abstract: A small electronic module to regulate the power delivered to a lamp or similar appliance is plugged into the household electrical outlet and the lamp to be controlled is, in turn, plugged into the module. Each time the lamp is touched the power to the bulb increases by one step, typically in the sequence OFF, DIM, INTERMEDIATE, FULL, OFF. The module device operates by sensing the capacitance change when the lamp is touched and communication between the lamp and the device occurs through the lamp cord.