Abstract: An orthopaedic device for the gradual correction of angular and longitudinal defects of elongated bones, comprising at least one first clamp for a first group of screws insertable in a proximal portion of a bone, and at least one second clamp for a second group of screws insertable in a distal portion of the bone, a longitudinal guide bar positioned externally of the limb to be corrected for slidably supporting the clamps; at least one of the clamps is selectively orientable about a substantially transverse axis for carrying out angular corrections of the bone. There are provided a compression/distraction device movably coupleable with the clamps for carrying out longitudinal corrections of the bone. The orientably clamp is adjustable angularly in a predetermined geometric plane, as well as adjustable transversely for the group of bone screws carried by the clamp parallel to themselves for compensating the lateral movement induced by the angular correction.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a thermopile sensor and in particular to a radiation thermometer or a motion detector with a thermopile sensor. The thermopile sensor includes a thermopile supported in a housing. The thermal capacity of the cold and hot junctions of the thermopile including its supporting structure and the thermal conductivity of the supporting structure are mutually coordinated such that a change in the housing's temperature produces a change of equal magnitude in the cold and hot junctions' temperature, that is, no temperature gradients occur within the thermopile.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a plurality of stock option accounts each for a plurality of participants. The system invokes a particular option plan defined in the system that governs the transaction choices available to each participants The governing option plans are defined by the sponsoring company in terms of grant, vest and expiration date for the option contracts, and are defined in the system via a database of option holding information for each participant and an axiomatic rule system defining the criteria under which a given participant can exercise given options under the particular plan. The system implements the plans for multiple client companies providing several distinct modes for option exercise by the participant.

Abstract: A sound-absorbing cellular component is produced in multiple-chamber array, using a grid of spaced elongate rods, and by engaging to the rods of said grid a foil of deformable sheet material which is then drawn by deformation through spaces between rods, to thereby define adjacent partition walls of adjacent chambers. Various embodiments are described, involving retention and/or removal of the rods, and/or involving application of one or more insulating or finishing materials continuously over outwardly facing bottoms of the chambers of the array.

Abstract: A non-invasive therapeutic technique for treating neuro-cerebral disorders such as multiple sclerosis that are characterized by internal lesions in brain tissue. In this technique, directed toward an external site on the body of the subject to be treated adjacent the internal lesions is a pulsatory corona discharge beam which impinges on the site and bombards the lesions with ions to alleviate the disorder. The beam is produced by an energy-generating unit in which a radio-frequency carrier is modulated by an audio frequency signal that is chopped into pulses. In the course of an operating period having a brief duration, such as one minute, the pulses have a progressively stepped up repetition rate, resulting in corresponding bursts of radio-frequency energy. The bursts of energy yielded by the unit are applied to the discharge electrode of an applicator from which the corona discharge beam is projected toward the site.

Abstract: A golf club head includes a tubular shaft attaching portion which is provided to a hosel portion so as to serve as a fixing portion that fixes a distal end portion of a shaft to the head. The tubular shaft attaching portion has an upper end which is located below a corresponding upper surface of a crown portion. In this head, the effective length of the shaft that can flex during a golf swing can be extended at the distal end portion, so that the head speed can be increased by sufficiently utilizing the flexure at the distal end portion of the shaft. Also, damage to the shaft can be prevented effectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intramedullary awl assembly for opening the bone upon a femur nailing with a guide of a guide tool equipped with a hand grip, and an awl with a working tip equipped with an actuating handle. The guide is formed by an angle plate which is arranged on the end of the guide tool opposite the hand grip. The angle plate has a guide hole in the one arm, and an anchoring tip provided on the side of the other arm facing the bone. A shank of the guide tool acts on the top of the other arm in alignment with the central axis of the anchoring tip.

Abstract: A device and method for controlling small flows of gas, such as would be used by a satellite (or microsatellite) for orientation thrusters includes a photoetched silicon body etched to provide one or more particular flow paths, and optionally filters, where the flow path is defined by the silicon body and a sealing glass layer bonded thereto. Flow is controlled through the flow path(s) by heating the body to decrease the gas flow.

Abstract: For efficient waxing of the running surface of a workpiece such as a snowboard, one or more skis, or a toboggan, the invention provides a single wax-heating element in the form of an elongate flexible sheet sized to fully cover the running surface when upside down and horizontally oriented. The single sheet of the heating element also provides articulating connection between an array of like transverse elements which gravitationally load the heating element sheet into self-adapting conformance with flat and convexly curved features of the workpiece, so that a wax-laden sheet draped over the running surface of the workpiece can be gravitationally loaded by the heating element sheet.

Abstract: An intramedullary cavity nail for the treatment of proximal femoral fractures, comprises a solid elongate body with a proximal portion (2) having at least one transverse bore for accommodating a corresponding screw (9, 10) for stabilizing the femoral neck, the proximal portion being joined to a distal portion (3) having at least one distal bore (16) for accommodating at least one diaphysis screw for stabilizing the distal part of the femur. The proximal portion (2) has a substantially constant diameter (.phi..sub.p) adapted to be stably anchored in a relatively limited length bore of the femur for reducing blood losses, while said distal portion (3) has a substantially constant diameter (.phi..sub.d) which is less than that of said proximal portion, for ease of insertion in the medullary canal of the femur without any drilling. The proximal and distal portions (2, 3) are substantially rectilinear and form between themselves a predetermined deviation angle (.beta.) in a lateral plane.

Abstract: In a high-pressure shut-off valve, in particular for a hydraulic pressure system having a relatively high liquid delivery rate, the pressure device of the valve body has a plurality of back support rings arranged as a stack and moveable essentially in the axial direction, i.e., in the direction of the shut-off pressure, forces the valve body onto the valve seat, such that neighboring back support rings bear against one another, causing the valve body to lift from the valve seat, whereas in the shut-off position, the neighboring back support rings inside the hydraulic system, which is under a relatively high shut-off pressure, are at a slight spacing from one another.

Abstract: A computer system for managing a plurality of accounts, each of the accounts being separated into a master account and at least one subaccount associated therewith, and at least one subaccount being a medical savings account (MSA). Each subaccount incorporates a subset of features available for the master account, the features corresponding to the specific needs dictated by the purpose of the subaccount. The purpose of a subaccount, in addition to being an MSA, can include regular payments (e.g., mortgage and other loans), credit/debit card, retirement account, and the like.

Abstract: An orthopaedic apparatus, particularly for the surgical correction of angular and longitudinal defects of the bones of limbs, of the femur and tibia type, comprising a longitudinal rod externally positionable substantially parallel to a bone for correction, a first clamp movably anchored to the rod for supporting drilling guides for screws insertable in a proximal portion of the bone, and at least one second clamp movably anchored to the rod for supporting drilling guides for screws insertable in a distal portion of the bone. The first and second clamps are orientable and selectively lockable, before the surgical intervention, in predetermined angular positions with respect to the rod corresponding to the angular deformations of the bone, and are repositionable with respect to the rod in correct angular positions after the osteosynthesis for the proximal and distal portions of the bone so as to eliminate the angular deformations of the bone.

Abstract: An integrated laser/modulator ("ILM") operating with reduced chirping is formed on a single semiconductor substrate. A reduction in chirping and any resultant wavelength dispersion is realized by precisely controlling the length of a window region incorporated in the ILM in order to isolate the ILM's active regions from any residual reflections.

Abstract: The laser alignment tool includes a laser beam emitter supported in a projector assembly which, when mounted on a precision alignment component, such as a pulley, is directed at a target assembly mounted on another precision alignment component. The plate of the target assembly against which the laser beam is directed is coated, textured or the like (e.g., has inscribed cross hairs) to produce a distinctive visual effect when struck by the laser with the precision alignment components in the correct or preselected alignment relative to one another. Moreover, if the precision alignment components are not in the correct or preselected alignment, impingement of the laser beam against the target plate does not produce the distinctive visual effect. The target plate may be contoured such that the distinctive visual effect indicates that the precision alignment components are in the correct or preselected alignment relative to one another in additional orientation planes.

Abstract: A bar code scanner for stationary disposition at a counter to projecting a scanning pattern comprising first, second, third, fourth and fifth groups of parallel scan lines within a relatively narrow, yet diverging, volume, e.g., pyramid, cone, etc., centered about a projection axis. The scanner includes a compact housing mounted on an adjustible base. The housing includes a window, five stationary mirrors, a laser diode, a rotating reflective polygon for sweeping the laser beam from the diode across the mirrors and out a window so that the projection axis is substantially but not precisely perpendicular to the window. The scanner also includes a fixed curved collecting mirror and a concentrating lens to focus light which is reflected off of a bar code to a photodetector. One mirror extends along an axis parallel to the transverse axis to produce the first group of scan lines.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a radiation thermometer, in particular an infrared radiation thermometer for performing a temperature measurement in a person's ear, including a housing (10) with a probe (20) on which a protective cover (40) is mountable. The radiation thermometer of the present invention includes in its housing (10) a cavity (11) for receiving at least one protective cover (40), and a holding device (30) which may be equipped with several protective covers (40). The protective covers (40) have holding means for affixing them to the holding device (30).

Abstract: A gift package simulating a baby nursing bottle, the package being composed of a cylindrical container housing a miniature doll or other gift and a molded plastic cap that fits on the open mouth of the container. The container is formed of transparent plastic material, the rim of the mouth being rolled to define an annular bead. The cap has an upper section shaped to simulate the nipple-cap ring of a baby bottle, a lower section in the form of a cylindrical stopper that fits into the mouth of the container, and a circular flange at the junction of these sections. Formed on the stopper section is a circumferential array of ledges which are shaped to permit the ledges to slide into the mouth of the container, the upper ends of the ledges being spaced from the flange to define a circular socket therebetween. To put the cap on, the stopper section is pressed into the mouth of the container to cause the annular bead to snap into the socket, thereby latching the cap in place.

Abstract: A portable, orthopedic support device suitable is employed for use with conventional out-door furniture such as beach or lounge chairs, and which is designed to provide support to the cervical and/or lumbar regions of the spine.

Abstract: A merchandise display having a number of sides is provided in each side with a recess for removably accepting a panel having two faces, one for displaying goods and the other having a graphic. The panel can be removed and the same or different goods, preferably related goods, can be displayed in the recess. The panel can be reinserted into the recess with the graphic facing outwards towards the consumer. When the merchandise displayed on the panel is sufficiently depleted, the remaining merchandise can be moved to restock another panel, and the panel can be removed and the recess stocked with related merchandise. When the related merchandise is depleted, the panel can be replaced with the graphic facing outwards rather than the merchandise display face facing outwards towards the consumer.