Abstract: An emitter includes a body member having a head portion. The head portion has an outer peripheral surface that defines an elongated channel and the channel extends along a tortuous path from an inlet end of the channel to an outlet end of the channel. A cover of heat shrinkable material is shrunk over the outer peripheral surface of the head portion covers the channel to form a turbulent flow passage. The head portion may include generally opposed, first and second transverse surfaces between which the outer peripheral surface extends, the cover extending partially over the transverse surfaces to form flanges that engage the transverse surfaces. The heat shrinkable material may be shrinkable both axially and circumferentially for this purpose. One embodiment includes an emitter outlet in the form of an annular basin that is fed with a non-radially disposed slot to produce a self-cleaning vortex action.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument comprising an outer tube having a peripheral wall, an end wall and an opening in the peripheral wall and the end wall. The outer tube has first and second cutting edges defining portions of the periphery of the opening, and the cutting edges intersect at an angle of at least about 90 degrees to define a corner. An inner cutting member is rotatable within the outer tube. The inner cutting member has a cutting edge cooperable with both the first and second cutting edges of the outer tube for cutting material with a shearing action that progresses along both of the first and second cutting edges toward the corner.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in scooping a scoop of ice cream from a container of ice cream includes a handle, a bowl supported on the handle, and a motor for rotating the bowl relative to the handle in order to facilitate the scooping of ice cream with the bowl. One embodiment includes a rotatable wiper blade mounted within the bowl, a first unidirectional clutch device that couples the bowl to the motor drive shaft when the drive shaft is rotating in a clockwise rotation, and a second unidirectional clutch device that inhibits bowl rotation when the drive shaft is rotating in a counterclockwise direction. The cutting edge or lip of the bowl may have sawtooth like projections, and an battery changer apparatus may be included for charging a battery power source housed in the handle.

Abstract: An optical sensor which is a gas permeable silicone polymeric matrix having at least one optical indicator therein for providing an optical signal in response to excitation light. The optical indicator essentially comprises a mixture of non-polar derivatives of a polynuclear aromatic compound.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a magazine for containing a plurality of shields so that a user can insert the tip of a hypodermic needle into one of the shields and then slide the shield out of the magazine means as a protective cover over the tip. A plurality of penetrable shields are provided within the magazine. The magazine includes an elongated structure defining a passage having an open end and an outwardly opening channel that extends along the passage to the open end. The passage is dimensioned and arranged to receive the penetrable so that the shields can be individually slid along the passage and out of the open end for dispensing purposes. The channel is dimensioned and arranged so that a user can insert the tip of the hypodermic needle through the channel and into a selected one of the shields and then slide the selected shield along the passage and out of the open end by moving the hypodermic needle along the channel.

Abstract: An infusion system for infusing a fluid into a patient comprising an infusion device for delivering the fluid in both a normal delivery pattern and a test pulse and a conduit for conducting the fluid from the infusion device to the patient. The test pulse creates a pressure wave response in the conduit. Abnormal infusion can be detected by determining the area between a baseline and at least a portion of a pressure versus time curve representing the pressure wave response.

Abstract: A femoral prosthesis affixable to a remnant of a natural femoral head and cooperable with an acetabular component comprising a femoral insert having a cavity for at least partially receiving the remnant and a femoral shell having a cavity for at least partially receiving the insert. The insert is affixable to the remnant without cement, and the shell is mounted on the insert by a taper lock. The outer surface of the shell has a part-spherical region for slidably cooperating with the acetabular component to accommodate articulating motion. Selection of an appropriate combination of the insert and the shell enables hemi-surface arthroplasty or total surface arthroplasty with a minimal number of prosthetic components. Replacement of the femoral shells enables a conversion to total surface arthroplasty.

Abstract: A coupler device for coupling an endoscope to a camera head includes a housing that defines an enclosed light path extending along an optical axis between first and second end portions of the housing together with mounting components for attaching the first end portion of the housing to an endoscope and the second end portion of the housing to a camera head so that the light path extends toward the camera head. A single lens mounted within the housing intermediate the first and second end portions magnifies an image from the endoscope in order to provide a magnified image to the camera head, the lens being a single refracting optical element for magnifying the image from the endoscope that is the sole refracting optical element for magnifying the image. A quick-release arrangement in one embodiment enables attachment of the endoscope by advancing the endoscope axially without a having to rotate it while a focusing ring enables fine focusing adjustments.

Abstract: A label applicator includes a support structure in predetermined relationship with a labeling station at which to apply a label to an article. A label dispenser mounted on the support structure dispenses a label to be applied to the article and a receiver moveably mounted on the support structure transports the label from the dispenser to the labeling station. Receiver mounting components are provided for mounting the receiver on the support structure both to enable generally linear movement of the receiver along a path between a retracted position adjacent the dispenser and an extended position adjacent the labeling station, and to enable pivotal movement of the receiver about a pivot axis between a label-receiving position in which the label receiver can receive a label from the dispenser and a label-applying position in which the label can be transferred from the label receiver to a face of an article at the labeling station.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument comprising:an outer tube sized for insertion through an opening in a patient, the outer tube having a distal end wall, a peripheral wall and a longitudinal axis, the outer tube having a first and second opening, the first opening being located at least primarily in the distal end wall and the second opening being located at least primarily in the peripheral wall, each of the openings having first and second cutting edges defining portions of the periphery of such openings; andan inner cutting member rotatable within the outer tube, the inner cutting member having at least one cutting edge cooperable with the first and second cutting edges of the openings of the outer tube for cutting material from within the patient with a shearing action that progresses along the first and second cutting edges as the inner cutting member rotates.

Abstract: An ultraviolet absorbing composition comprising a polymer of at least one diisocyantate, at least one polyol and at least one hydroxyl functional, polymerizable ultraviolet absorbing monomer. Included among the preferred ultraviolet absorbing monomers are compounds which have the following structure: ##STR1## and mixtures thereof, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of H, alkoxy radicals and halogen; R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl radicals, provided that at least one of X and R.sub.1 is other than H; and R.sub.2 is an organic radical including a functional hydroxyl group.

Abstract: An actuator comprising an actuator body, a shape memory member mounted on the body and a heating element in heat exchange relationship to the shape memory member. By activating the heating element, sufficient heat is generated to heat the shape memory member to its transition temperature so that it deforms from a distorted shape toward its original shape.

Abstract: Complex small objects such as ophthalmic lenses are quickly and accurately fabricated from plastic or glass blanks of ablatable material such as plastic or glass by cutting, shaping, and radiusing the blank entirely by laser light, using appropriate masks and focusing optics.

Abstract: An intraocular lens includes an optic for implantation in a human eye and first and second fixation members attached to the optic for supporting the optic from the capsular bag of the eye, each of the fixation members having inner and outer legs. The inner legs extend radially outwardly and circumferentially from first and second attachment sites on the optic to intermeidate portions of the fixation members. Each of the outer legs extend along an arc from the intermediate portion of the fixation member to a distal end portion of the fixation member.

Abstract: A rugged dual-view arthroscope construction is provided by encasing the optical train in an elongated channel or shoe which is pivotable within the barrel about the barrel axis. The axis of the optical train is offset from the barrel axis. A lens-and-prism assembly projects the image of a first field of view along the optical train axis in one pivotal position of the shoe, and the image of a second field of view along the optical train axis in another pivotal position of the shoe.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system including a reverse osmosis filter with a reverse osmosis membrane and having an inlet port coupled to a source of feed water under predetermined pressure via a feed water inlet conduit, a product water outlet port for filtered outlet product water, and a brine outlet port for brine. A pump coupled into the feed water inlet conduit between the source of feed water and the inlet port of the filter and driven by the feed water under pressure. The pump increases the pressure of the feed water so that the reverse osmosis filter receives feed water at an increased pressure.

Abstract: An intraocular lens comprising a deformable optic and first and second fixation members. Each of the fixation members has a proximal end portion. First and second elongated anchors are coupled to the proximal end portions of the fixation members, respectively, and the anchors and the proximal end portions are within peripheral regions of the optic so that the anchors can assist in attaching the fixation members to the optic. The anchors are spaced apart so that the deformable optic can be folded to facilitate insertion of the optic through a relatively small incision into the eye.

Abstract: Corneal tissue and, in particular, Bowman's membrane is removed by abrading an annular zone of the cornea. The corneal tissue is abraded by rotating an abrading tool having an annular abrading surface in contact with the cornea. A corneal onlay can be attached to the abraded zone of the cornea.

Abstract: A system for supplying sanitizing gas to a spa includes a sanitizing gas generator for generating sanitizing gas, a conduit for conducting the sanitizing gas from the generator to the spa, and an isolation device coupled to the conduit between the spa and the generator. An arrangement for creating subatmospheric suction pressure in at least a region of the conduit is employed whereby the isolation device is subjected to said suction pressure and the sanitizing gas is caused to flow from the generator to the spa. The isolation device has a drain opening through which liquid can flow to protect the generator from a backflow of water from the spa and a valve responsive to said suction pressure to seal said outlet port sufficiently to prevent significant loss of the suction pressure and of the sanitizing gas when the subatmospheric suction pressure is present.