Abstract: A cytology cell sampler for use in collecting mucosal cell samples from a human comprising a handle and a head portion. The handle is grasped by the operator and the head portion is then abutted a patient's mucosal surface for sample collection. The head portion has a first plate and a plurality of secondary plates with the first plate attached to the handle opposite the end grasped by the operator. The first plate has a longitudinal axis generally along a longitudinal axis of the handle, and the plurality of secondary plates project from the first plate generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first plate. There is at least one collection space between the plurality of secondary plates. Each secondary plate has a shaped free edge for contacting the mucosal surface of the human, collecting a sample between the plurality of secondary plates by scraping the mucosal surface with the shaped free edges.

Abstract: An incontinence pessary device for use within a vaginal vault of a woman, the incontinence pessary device comprising a resilient main support body, at least two resilient lateral support bodies, and a suburethral support body. The resilient main support body has a primary plane of orientation that will correspond to the sagittal plane of the woman's pelvis when inserted and be at least responsive to forces oriented along the main plane. The at least two resilient lateral support bodies project from a position on the main support body toward generally opposite sides of the main support body in a secondary plane generally perpendicular to the primary plane. Thus, when inserted, the at least two resilient lateral support bodies provide lateral and additional rotational stabilization, being at least responsive to forces oriented along the secondary plane.

Abstract: An improvement in a snowmobile comprising an inflatable bladder in an initial folded and un-inflated conditioned, operably connected to the frame of the snowmobile by at least one flexible strap and operably connected to an inflation medium controlled by a deployment system. In response to detection of water submersion, the deployment system activates the inflation medium rapidly inflating the bladder, which releases from its folded, un-inflated condition and floats at the surface of the water with the snowmobile suspended and submerged below the inflated bladder, still connected to the bladder by the at least one flexible strap. When submerged the float acts as a recovery device for retrieving the snowmobile and a rescue device for the rider to climb up on. The submerged snowmobile further stabilizes the bladder by acting as a sea anchor.

Abstract: The present invention goes to a tissue electrocautery device that accommodates anatomical structures lying at more than one longitudinal axes. Such a circumstance is encountered when attempting to perform symmetric tissue electrocautery of an endocervical canal where the longitudinal axis of the vaginal vault is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the endocervical canal. The device of the present invention uses a hollow housing, elongate along a first longitudinal axis, having a proximal portion with a proximal end and a distal end, and includes a distal portion from the distal end. The distal portion is elongate along a second longitudinal axis and pivotable in relation to the proximal portion at a selectable angle to the first longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A reading assistive device 10 that suspends reading material above a reclining or supine user. Reading assistive device 10 communicates with the reading material using wing folds 20, 22 of page support 12. The reading material is fit through a central window 18 of page support 12 and the pages rest upon left wing fold 20 and right wing fold 22. Wing folds 20, 22 have slots 24, 26 that enable a the user directly, or with the mouthstick, to interact with the reading material pages. The reading material is secured between a rigid rod 42 and an elastic cord 68 that comprises part of a securing subassembly 40. An interlocking endcap 58 and an interlocking endcap 44 enable securing subassembly 40 to operably interact with page support 12. Page support 12 is supported by an articulated swing arm subassembly 38, which enables reading assistive device 10 to suspend reading material above a reclining or supine user from their bed or chair.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an intraoral semi-custom disclusion device for use on at least one anterior upper incisor, the kit comprises a channel, adapted to removably receive within the channel the at least one upper anterior incisor. The channel has a front wall and a back wall with each generally parallel to a common plane and a floor connecting the front and back walls having a lower outer surface in a plane that is either tiltable, or tilted, to the common plane. The device also includes a curable polymeric resin for filling at least a portion of the channel. The polymeric resin is moldable around the at least one anterior upper incisor when the channel is positioned for use and is curable to a soft resilient molded shape of the at least one anterior upper incisor.

Abstract: A cable comprising helically wound superelastic fibers and having a drilling tip provided at its distal end is housed in an elongated holder through which the cable may be advanced, the holder having a distal end for supporting the cable during a drilling operation and through which the distal end of the cable may protrude. The holder includes contains a cable support shaped to bend the cable through a predetermined angle adjacent its distal end and to support the cable as it is rotated and advanced. A motor is attached to the cable remote from the distal end of the cable to rotate the cable in a direction tending to tighten the cable fibers.

Abstract: The present invention is an intramedullary nail (IM nail) device suitable for implanting within a medullary canal of a fractured long bone and subsequently interlocking the IM nail at least once to the cortical bone of the long bone. The IM nail includes a hollow center and at least a proximal opening into the hollow center and an optional distal tip opening. The IM nail is initially manufactured without any holes, channels, or the like, for the alignment and passage of screws or similar devices suitable for interlocking the IM nail with the long bone. The IM nail includes a material suitably adapted for providing post implanting drilling there through and interlocking with the long bone using these post implantation holes. The present invention makes use of removable and expandable first and optional second sealing plugs in operable sealing contact within the hollow center. The present invention also includes a cylindrical sleeve having a hollow bore open at both ends on a longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a device for providing a wedge osteotomy comprising an osteotomy guide having a guide body that provides reference slots at specific angles to one another and which define planes, all of the planes meeting at a predetermined line of intersection. The slots are employed to properly position resection blocks, which are placed against the bony surface into which the osteotomy is to be cut. The resection blocks have saw blade guiding slots defining the desired planes in which cuts are to be made and which guide s surgical saw blade during a cutting operation. Through the use of a calibrated guide pin, the guide body is so oriented as to position the planes of the cuts so that they intersect at a predetermined line of intersection adjacent the medial surface of the tibia, thereby providing an uncut bone bridge of the desired width and orientation.

Abstract: A uterine curette device for curetting the endometrial lining the uterus using a cannula having a hollow curetting head including at least one longitudinal blade and corresponding slot through which endometrium can be suctioned into the curetting head. The at least one longitudinal blade bowing outward and having two margins with at least one margin having a curetting edge where the margin meets the outer surface of the curetting head. Endometrium is curetted by rotating the cannula about its longitudinal axis so that the at least one curetting edge curettes off the endometrial sample which is then suctioned into the cannula.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a gyratory compaction apparatus for creating compression and shear forces in a sample material, the apparatus using a single roller to accomplish the gyration comprising a hollow cylinder mold including first and second end plates in slidable engagement with the mold at respective first and second open ends, with a chamber inside the mold for receiving the sample material, a support frame having an interior suitable for receiving the mold therein, a compression mechanism for compressing the sample material, and a gyratory assembly comprising a rotational drive motor having a drive shaft aligned along the longitudinal axis of the support frame interior, a cam mounted at the end of the drive shaft, a gyratory plate having an inner housing for encompassing and operably engaging the cam including a spring biased plunger operably engaging the cam and a first outer angular contact bearing for operably engaging the mold inner surface and a driven plate operably mounted to the suppo

Abstract: A surgical endoscope support device for supporting a surgical endoscope at an end of a support arm over, and proximate to, a surgical site of a patient, the endoscope support device comprising a support and pivot body including a socket housing and a pivot ball, the socket housing having a centrally positioned inner bore in open communication between upper and lower surfaces, the inner bore having a spherical surface, and the pivot ball, positionable within the inner bore of the socket housing, in pivotable contact with the spherical surface of the inner bore, the pivot ball including a cylindrical bore through the center of the pivot ball, the cylindrical bore having a substantially uniform inner diameter along a long axis of the cylindrical bore, and an endoscope adapter having a substantially cylindrical outer wall and a substantially cylindrical central bore, the outer wall having an outer dimension substantially equivalent to the inner diameter of the cylindrical bore of the pivot ball for a sufficiently

Abstract: A uterine curette device and method for curetting the endometrial lining the uterus using a cannula having a hollow curetting head including at least one longitudinal slot through which endometrium can be suctioned into the curetting head. The at least one longitudinal slot having two margins with at least one margin having a curetting edge where the margin meets the outer surface of the curetting head. Endometrium is curetted by rotating the cannula about its longitudinal axis so that the at least one curetting edge curettes off the endometrial sample which is then suctioned into the cannula.

Abstract: A method of preparing an intramedullary canal of a bone for joint arthroplasty including drilling a hole into the intramedullary cavity of a bone and inserting a centering rod longitudinally into the intramedullary canal of the bone. The rod is inserted to align the rod along the longitudinal axis of the bone. Osteotomizing the articulating surface of the bone and preparing the intramedullary canal of the bone to receive a prosthesis. The preparation including placing cannulated instruments in a telescoping manner over the centering rod and into the intramedullary cavity to create a canal suitable for receiving a bone prosthesis. The cannulated instrumentation includes a cannulated tamp, a cannulated osteotomy guide, a cannulated reamer, a cannulated box chisel, and a cannulated broach. The instrumentation is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a face mask suitable for application to a skin surface of a person's face, the face mask comprising a plurality of facial mask segments of resilient polymeric foam, each segment conformable to at least a portion of the surface of the person's face and including a first surface, a second surface and a shaped peripheral margin, an adhesive attachment, suitable for use on the first surface of each segment and suitable for attaching the segment to the person's skin; and a decoration, suitable for application on the second surface of each segment, for decorating the face mask; wherein the plurality of facial mask segments cover substantially all of the surface of the skin of the person's face.

Abstract: The present invention includes a cannulated hip stem prosthesis for implantation in a living femur. The cannulated prosthesis terminates in a flexible distal portion. The cannulated prosthesis includes an interstitial surface for promoting bone cell ingrowth.

Abstract: The present invention is a face mask suitable for application to a skin surface of a person's face, the face mask comprising a plurality of facial mask segments at least one facial mask segment of resilient polymeric foam, each segment conformable to at least a portion of the surface of the person's face and including a first surface, a second surface and a shaped peripheral margin, an adhesive attachment, suitable for use on the first surface of each segment and suitable for attaching the segment to the person's skin; and a decoration, suitable for application on the second surface of each segment, for decorating the face mask; wherein the plurality of facial mask segments cover substantially all at least one facial mask segment covers at least a portion of the surface of the skin of the person's face.