Abstract: A package for eating utensils such as chopsticks is foldable into a rest upon which to support said utensils when not in use.

Abstract: A forceps for implanting an intraocular lens into an eye through a slit in the eye wall has opposed, direct-action jaws, spring-biased to a position opening the jaws, that allows the jaws to open to a distance large enough to release the lens while providing an intermediate arm structure that opens to a distance about half that of the jaws, allowing the lens to be inserted and released through a relatively small incision.

Abstract: A surgical knife for use in ophthalmic surgery includes a bladeholder assembly holding a surgical cutting blade, with the bladeholder assembly sliding into and out of a hollow knife handle, and a plunger mechanism manually operable to move said bladeholder assembly to a position where the cutting blade is exposed and usable for surgery. The knife also includes a depth of cut control which sets the depth to which the blade is used to make an ocular incision and which allows the plunger mechanism to extend and retract the bladeholder assembly without changing the depth of cut. A modified micrometer scale allows the depth of cut to be conveniently changed by a given distance without recalculating the cutting depth.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining or verifying the depth of cut of a micrometer surgical knife include placing the knife within the viewing field of a video microscope to produce an image on a video monitor, generating cursor lines on the monitor, spacing the cursor lines apart by a distance which, when calibrated to the actual dimensions of the knife, represents the actual, linear cutting depth, zeroing the knife by moving it until the footplate of the knife is aligned with one cursor line and moving the knife blade to extend past the footplate to the second cursor line. Alternatively, the footplate is aligned with the first cursor line and the second cursor line is aligned with the blade tip, and the resulting distance between the first and second cursor lines is correlated to an actual, linear dimension.

Abstract: A closure for a container has a lid combining positively interengaging latches with a biasing feature which urges the lid upward with respect to the container in order to more firmly effect latching. A series of projections formed along the interior upper periphery of the container register with latching slots formed along the outer surface of a skirt which depends from the lid, which is dimensioned to fit closely within the opening of the container. An annular flange extends from the outermost periphery of the lid to overlap a portion of the skirt. The outer upper periphery of the container is tapered outwardly to force the flange to flex when the lid is placed on the container thus imparting an upward force to the lid and, thereby, to the lug-and-latch combinations when the lid is turned to register the lugs with the latches. A handle assembly is attachable to the exterior of the container.

Abstract: Vascular grafts, shunts, patches or valves are formed of material tolerated by the body and are lined or coated with gold to form a non-thrombogenic surface. Methods of manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical knife intended for use in ophthalmic surgery has a blade which is angularly adjustable with respect to the knife handle without requiring removal of the blade or adjustment of mechanical elements such as clamps, screws, levers, locks or the like. The blade can be retracted into the knife handle to protect the blade from damage between uses, and to protect against accidental cuts.

Abstract: Implantable vascular prostheses, formed of synthetic, woven fibers are coated with a thin layer of metallic gold sufficient to create a continuous coating over the surfaces of the fibers that come into contact with blood. The coating is applied by vapor deposition or sputtering to coat the fibers without blocking or bridging the interstices formed by the intersection of the fibers.

Abstract: A geometric toy construction system has a multiplicity of flat, polyagonal construction pieces interengageable edge-to-edge to form two- and three- dimensional constructions. The edgewise connectors enable the pieces to be snap-fit together and to rotate about the axis of interconnection. The connector sets are formed to allow four or more individual pieces to be snap-fit about a common axis. Attachment sites are also formed along the construction pieces, preferably at the corners thereof, to accomodate flexable connecting pipes in a friction-fit for corner-to-corner or apex-to-apex connection. Similarly, a soft, pliable ball member may be substituted for the pipe into which the connecting sites may be pressed. Elastic bands may also be secured between attachment sites to hold the construction together. The construction pieces may be color coded to indicate the edge size, size of the connector sets or selected types of pieces.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus for testing body fluids for a constituent, for example, blood for glucose. The apparatus includes a principal magnet, a magnetizable coil, and a circuit for energizing the coil for energizing and realigning molecules and detecting changes resulting from relaxation of said field and analyzing said changes. The apparatus is compact and adapted to receive and test an extremity or vessel carrying a body fluid. The coil is constructed to be positioned adjacent the extremity or vessel to be tested. Circuit means are provided for energizing the coil to energize and realign molecules adjacent said coil, so as to permit molecules adjacent said coil to assume an aligned position and for sensing changes in position when the coil is deenergized, which is indicated by spectra having peaks corresponding to various molecular bonds.

Abstract: A trimmer for eyebrows and other facial hair has two discrete, relatively thin blade segments held by a thermoplastic handgrip. The handgrip is formed in an angled or "bent" configuration. The exposed, longitudinally extending edges of the blade segments are honed or otherwise sharpened and are used to position one such blade segment to sever selected facial hair while angling the other blade segment away from the face. The handgrip segments holding the blades are rounded or radiused proximate each said blade segment. Multiple blade segments may also be used.