Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a lateral rotation therapy mattress system for a patient, including: a plurality of side-by-side longitudinal air cells, the air cells being divided into first and second side-by-side groups, wherein decreasing the pressure of pressurized air in the second group will cause the patient to rotate in the direction of the second group; and first and second pairs of solenoid valves connected to provide, respectively, the pressurized air to the first and second groups, wherein opening one of the solenoid valves in a the first and second pairs of solenoid valves will provide a desired low air pressure level and opening both of the solenoid valves in a the first and second pairs of solenoid valves will provide a desired high air pressure level, the low air pressure levels providing partial turn of the patient and the high pressure levels providing full turn of the patient.

Abstract: In one preferred embodiment, an apparatus for embossing diffraction patterns on a sheet, the apparatus including: an elongate, rotatable, cylindrical roll; a plurality of arcuate embossing shim segments disposed on the surface of the roll; and the embossing shim segments being rearrangeable and/or replaceable to change the pattern embossed on the sheet. In another aspect of the invention, a method of slitting, into a plurality of strips, an embossed sheet, each strip having thereon a plurality of rows of diffraction grating segments vertically spaced apart a multiple of a selected distance, the method including: providing on a portion of the sheet a plurality of index marks vertically spaced apart a multiple of the selected distance, the index marks being provided for the alignment of cutting apparatus such that the sheet will be slit so that a selected row of the segments will be disposed a desired distance from an edge of each strip.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a multiple sample transfer device which includes a plurality of hollow pistons disposed in a like number of cylindrical channels and connected to a moving plate to permit simultaneous movement of the pistons. The pistons are connected to the moving plate by retaining rings adjacent the plate and above and below the plate such that the pistons are fixed to the plate in the direction of plate movement, but relatively free to move in a direction orthogonal to the direction of plate movement.

Abstract: In one preferred embodiment, a body for a dual barreled syringe, said body including: two, parallel, cylindrical, hollow, cojoined, barrels having, respectively, open filling ends and closed discharge ends from which discharge ends axially extend discharge nozzles; and sealing apparatus, closing the discharge ends, formed monolithically with and sealing distal ends of the discharge nozzles, the sealing apparatus being manually severable from the distal ends of the discharge nozzles so as to open the discharge nozzles to permit the discharge therefrom of material held within the barrels, without the sealing apparatus being mechanically cut from the discharge nozzles.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, drugs having pharmacological properties which are useful in the medicinal therapy of fibrotic disease for the reparation and prevention of fibrotic lesional tissues, such drugs including as active ingredient(s) one or more N-substituted 2-(1H) pyridone(s) and/or N-substituted 3-(1H) pyridones. The composition of this invention is novel as an anti-fibrotic drug, namely, as an agent for treating fibrosis. Any existing compounds have not been shown to be effective for the reparation and prevention of fibrotic lesions.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a power assist device for a partially or totally disabled body member, including: detection apparatus to detect position of the body member; and power assist apparatus, responsive to the detection apparatus, to provide powered assistance to move the body member in response to detection of the position of the body member and in response to the rate of change of position of the body member reaching a predetermined limit and/or in proportion to the rate of change of position of the body member.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a cleaning device for cleaning a finned heating element having a plurality of spaced apart parallel fins defining therebetween a plurality of channels, the device including: an elongated frame member having a handle portion for the manual grasping thereof; a plurality of parallel, spaced apart tines extending from the distal end of the frame member; a plurality of closely fitting fabric sleeves disposed over the tines; and the dimensions of the sleeved tines being such that the diameter of each sleeved tine approximates the width of the channel between adjacent the fins, and adjacent the sleeved tines are spaced apart such that they can simultaneously closely engage facing surfaces of fins defining adjacent channels of the finned heating element.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a suction punch forceps, including: a body; a hollow tube attached to the body at the proximal end of the hollow tube and extending therefrom; a shaft disposed within the hollow tube for axial back-and-forth movement therein; a punch member rotatably attached to the distal end of the hollow tube and attached to the shaft such that each back-and-forth movement cycle of the shaft will cause the punch to make a cutting motion to cut tissue which is in contact with the punch member; and an electric motor attached to drive the shaft in the back-and-forth movement,

Abstract: An electromagnetic relay, said relay comprising: an armature movable between ON and OFF positions A magnetic core surrounded by first windings forming a holding coil to magnetize said core when a first portion of alternating electrical current is passed through said holding coil and consequently to cause said armature to move from said OFF position to said ON position, resulting in causing a second portion of alternating electrical current to flow through said load; said magnetic core additionally surrounded by second windings forming a load coil through which said second portion of said alternating electrical current flows when said armature is in said ON position, said load coil producing a magnetic field which counteracts a magnetic field produced by said holding coil.

Abstract: In one preferred embodiment, an alternating pressure mattress system, including: a mattress including a plurality of narrow, parallel, closely-spaced, horizontally adjacent air sacks, every other one of the air sacks forming a first group of air sacks being commonly connected for the introduction thereinto of pressurized air and the others of the air sacks forming a second group of air sacks and being commonly connected for the introduction thereinto of pressurized air; apparatus to supply the pressurized air to the first and second groups of air sacks; control apparatus to alternatingly inflate and deflate the first and second groups of air sacks for selected periods of time; and the control apparatus providing for intervals of time at inflation/deflation transitions during which periods of time the pressurized air is being furnished to both the first and second groups of air sacks.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, there is provided a cell harvester system, and method for operating the same, which furnishes a flow of wash solution into each of, for example, the 96 wells of a microplate. The contents of each well are aspirated to a specific area on a filter mat and the effluent is directed to one of two traps. Separate areas of the filter mat unique to each well are isolated by means of opposing O-rings. Due to the proximity of the sample wells (9 mm on center) there is the possibility of an overflow from one well contaminating adjacent wells. To prevent that occurrence, an aspirated overflow ring space is provided around each well. A microprocessor controlled system is used to sequence the various functions. To provide flexibility of control, the 96-well plate is treated as 8 separate 12-well systems (rows). Each row of 12 wells has its own overflow valve, wash valve, and aspirate valve.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a diet aid device, including: apparatus to indicate a net calorie intake goal; apparatus to indicate remaining calories to reach the goal; and apparatus to decrease the remaining calories to reach the goal as calories are consumed.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a mounting bracket for support of a window air conditioner on a window sill installed in a window opening in a wall of a building, the bracket including: a generally horizontal support member for supporting a portion of the window air conditioner extending outside of the building, a proximal end of the generally horizontal support member being for attachment to the window sill; a foot member to rest against an outside surface of the wall below the window opening; a strut member having an upper end thereof attached to an attachment point near a distal end of the generally horizontal support member and a lower end thereof attached to the foot member; and apparatus to selectively adjust height of the proximal end of the generally horizontal support member above the window sill, depending on construction of the window sill and obstacles in the window.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a corner desk for a computer aided design system, including: a horizontal, upper working surface having a lower surface and a substantially flush upper surface; and a supporting structure attached to and disposed beneath the upper working surface, the supporting structure having no members thereof which extend into a space defined by the lower surface of the upper working surface and distal corners of the supporting structure.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a method of providing secure identification for an article, including: providing on the article a diffraction grating strip including a pattern of a series of diffraction grating elements, each the diffraction grating element to diffract light, from a light source, in one of at least three selected different planes; serially illuminating the diffraction grating elements, detecting changes in plane of diffracted light as the diffraction grating elements are serially illuminated, and generating first information representative of the changes in plane; storing the first information representative of the changes in plane; subsequently, serially illuminating the diffraction grating elements, detecting changes in plane of diffracted light as the diffraction grating elements are serially illuminated, and generating second information representative of the changes in plane; and then, comparing the first and second information to determine the authenticity or not of the article.

Abstract: A drawer cabinet having side walls joined at front edges thereof by a front surface, with at least one two-track drawer slide assembly including: outer tracks axially slidably mounted in supports attached to the side walls; inner tracks telescopingly axially moveable within the outer tracks, the inner tracks being moveable between: (1) a first, closed position, with the inner tracks fully inserted in, and supported by, the outer tracks, and with the outer tracks fully disposed within the cabinet, and (2) a second, withdrawn position, with the inner tracks being nearly fully withdrawn from the outer tracks past the front surface, yet remaining supported by the outer tracks, and with the outer tracks fully disposed within the cabinet; and a frame attached to the inner tracks, the frame not being fully withdrawn past the front surface when the inner tracks are in the second, withdrawn position; and co-engaging apparatus attached to the inner and outer tracks to become engaged when the inner tracks are withdrawn

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a glass door hinge system for attachment of a glass door to a frame, the system including: an upper hinge member having an upper clamping member for attachment to an upper horizontal edge of the glass door and having an upper base member for attachment to the frame, the upper clamping member being rotatably attachable to the upper base member; and a lower hinge member having a lower clamping member for attachment to a lower horizontal edge of the glass door and having an lower base member for attachment to the frame, the lower clamping member being rotatably attachable to the lower base member.