Abstract: This invention is a vertebral triplaner alignment facilitator to enable a surgeon to make minute vertebrae adjustments during spinal surgery. The vertebral triplaner alignment facilitator includes a support device which is adapted to support a tensioning device. The support device includes a support structure and a gurney. The gurney is adapted to support the tensioning device, while the support structure supports the gurney above a patient. The support structure typically includes a support rod, a sacral bridge, and adjustment rods. The support rod may be adapted to connect to a retractor. The sacral bridge may be adapted to sit on the iliac spines or crests of the pelvis. The adjustment rods movably engage the support rod and the sacral bridge such that the adjustment rods can move laterally over the patient and longitudinally relative to the retractor. A plurality of gurneys engage the adjustment rods such that they may move along the adjustment rods and may pivot about the adjustment rods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a headband that is constructed of a combination of elements. The interior portion of the headband is made of a terrycloth material which has a high absorption and wicking capacity. The terrycloth portion of the headband is fitted against the brow of the person wearing the headband. Layered directly adjacent the terrycloth is a pad of chamois which has the ability to absorb large quantities of moisture. A good chamois can generally absorb two to three times its weight in moisture and thus is a highly efficient material for use in the headband product of the present invention. A backing of support cloth fits behind the chamois and extends beyond the terrycloth pad to form tie ribbons so that the headband can be tied about the forehead of the person using the invention.

Abstract: A method of treating skin disorders using a extract from the plant Mullein (genus Verbascum) and a composition including an extract from the plant Mullein (genus Verbascum) are described. The extract is obtained by cooking the leaves and roots of the plant Mullein in a pressure cooker with water. The resulting liquid extract is canned according to standard home canning procedures. The method is accomplished by applying the liquid extract to affected areas of the skin twice daily. Most subjects experience positive results within a period of approximately two weeks. Skin disorders that have been treated using this extract include the sun exposure related skin disorders, actinic keratoses, lentigines, seborrheic keratoses, and the inflammatory skin disorders including prurigo, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis. The skin cancer, malignant melanoma, has also been treated using this method.

Abstract: A modification of a cold milling machine used to remove concrete and asphalt from an existing highway is disclosed, including a milling drum segmented into two or more sections with the drive train for the milling drums passing through the core of the milling drum and supported via a journal or bearing to the outside of the machine. The width of the milling drum can be varied by replacing one section of drum with a segmented drum that is either wider or narrower. The sections of the milling drum can be added by bolting segments of the drum onto a driven sleeve which telescopes over the drive shaft of the machine. The segments of the milling drum can be readily removed by loosening a few bolts and removing the segments without having to slide a milling drum segment off of either end of a drive shaft.

Abstract: An automatic telephone line call monitoring and line assignment device is installed at a subscriber location to assign incoming calls on a master ringing line to a user selected slave line in response to taking that line off-hook. A programmable logic unit detects incoming calls, off-hook lines, and directs the device to automatically dial a central office call intercept service to move incoming calls off the master line to the slave lines.

Abstract: A hand held abrasive disk for deburring, honing, finishing and polishing, or sharpening a material that can be easily held in one's hand. The abrasive surface has a concave section for receiving the filings from the abraded material. A cap is releasably attached to the non-abrading surface to prevent irritation of the user's hand and to prevent damage to the surface upon which the stone is set.

Abstract: The present device relates to an agricultural chemical applicator for applying herbicides. The system is activated by a sensor bar having a plurality of conductive wire rod sensors. When a sensor contacts an unwanted plant, a detector and control circuit detects the current leakage and activates a time delay circuit which uses two timers in series and an opto-isolator to activate a solenoid valve. When a particular sensor is activated, a particular valve will be opened, thereby sending chemicals through a specific nozzle. Each sensor has its own circuit and its own nozzles.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a specially designed doll that could accept the transfer of a computer portrait directly on its face without wrinkling. The face of the doll is shaped similar to a real face and cut out on the straight of the material to ensure that it does not stretch or wrinkle. The panels forming the sides of the head are cut on the bias of the material in order to stretch with the pressure of the heat press but not affect the face area. This allows the face to remain flat so that the picture does not wrinkle and the result is a clear picture.

Abstract: A system for recycling and tracking of reusable surgical instruments includes a remotely located instrument sterilization and maintenance facility, electronically linked to a shipping carrier and a hospital facility. Orders for surgical instrument kits needed during a predetermined surgical schedule are placed electronically from the hospital site and transmitted to a host computer at the remote sterilization and maintenance facility. Instrument kits are stored at the sterilization and maintenance facility which also receives used instrument kits from the hospital. Decontamination, inspection, repair, recycling, and sterilization stations at the sterilization and maintenance facility allows for rapid, efficient, and low cost maintenance and repacking of used instruments for reuse at the hospital.

Abstract: The present application discloses a fence post remover for use in connection with a "T"-shaped post. A bracket engages the edge of the web of the fence post. A clevice is placed over the fence post and around the "T"-shape of the fence post until it engages the front face, the seam, or the teeth of the fence post. A "U"-shaped brace is attached to a corner of the bracket to engage the web of the fence post. The clevice and the bracket are pinned together. A ring is provided to receive the pulling force such that when the ring is pulled upwardly, the portion of the clevice proximate to the face of the fence post is pulled inwardly toward the fence post while at the same time the "U"-shaped brace is also pulled toward the fence post thereby taking advantage of the pulling force to provide a better grip on the fence post.

Abstract: The retractor of the present invention has supporting arms connected at an angle to the retractor blades to remove the arms of the retractor from the top edges of the wound and thus allow for a greater amount of latitude in applying various mechanical devices to the spine. The angled arms on the retractor blades themselves placed these structures deep within the wound and thus apply distraction forces where they are needed the most--near the spine itself to spread the muscles away from the spine and make it easier to see.The blades of this spinal retractor apply distraction forces deep within the wound where they are needed the most. On either side of the angled arms deep within the wound are vertical fingers projecting deeper into the wound on the lower portion and up out of the wound on the upper portion. The distances between the fingers provide further lateral angulation of instruments used in the wound itself for the placement of the spinal fixation devices.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a screw for use with very thin sheet metal. The screw has a head and a shank which has a first and relatively very short tapered section and a second, longer, substantially cylindrical section. The first section attaches to the underside of the head on one end and to the cylindrical section on the other. The first section is broader at the end attached to the head and carries two or fewer turns of threads. The second section of the shank carries uniform threads that are continous with the threads on the first section. The underside of the head also has locking serrations which are triangular, having an included angle of 28 degrees and gradually increase in height at slope of 8-10 degrees with a length of approximately twice their height at their highest point.

Abstract: My device includes a hopper into which a bucket of balls can be poured, a trough which receives the balls from the hopper and aligns them in single file for feeding to the teeing device; the trough is connected to a silo into which the balls are fed, one at a time to rest on a tee. A pneumatic device raises the tee to a position slightly higher than ground level so that the ball may be struck by the golfer on his practice swing. The golfer then taps a switch which causes the teeing mechanism to retract and receive another ball from the trough. The device then automatically releases to force the ball up the silo and into the teed position.

Abstract: A microchannel plate detector device is intended for use in the detection of low energy electrons and negative ions in particle time-of-flight measurement systems. A vacuum isolator isolates the microchannel plate signal output from ground as well as from the vacuum chamber of the meaurement system. A coupling unit includes a pulse isolator for separating pulse signals from the microchannel plate DC bias voltage. Electronic circuitry matches the output impedance of the coupling unit to the input impedance of the measurement system signal processor, thereby minimizing reflection and distortion of high frequency pulse signals.

Abstract: A bone-in ham steak is made by separating the muscle, fat, and femur bones from green hams and curing the muscle in a conventional manner. The femur bones are cut into linear segments and aligned lengthwise on a skewer and then placed in a casing. The aggregated and cured ham muscle and fat are tumbled and massaged to extract protein and placed into said casing so as to concentrically surround the bone segments. The product is then cooked and sliced into ham steaks of uniform size and weight with a central bone piece.