Abstract: An electric toothbrush is disclosed having a power driven rotary brush in which the direction of rotation of the brush is automatically controlled depending on whether the top or the bottom teeth are being brushed in order to brush any food debris present on the teeth and gums in a direction away from the gums. The toothbrush of the present invention utilizes a direction controller that is placed inside the mouth between the top and bottom teeth. The direction controller controls the direction of brush rotation and serves to stabilize the toothbrush relative to the teeth during the brushing operation. The movement of the direction controller operates a reversing switch to change the direction of rotation of the brush as required to brush in a direction away from the gums and towards the teeth without removing the toothbrush from the mouth.

Abstract: A garment having a cuff construction with an opening for permitting the thumb of the wearer and the fingers to extend outside the sleeve. The cuff is generally integrally attached to an article of clothing, and folds in on itself for storing the cuff permitting the use or non use of the cuff at the user's direction. The cuff is formed at an opening of a sleeve in a garment, and includes a tubular member which is switchable between a first rolled position allowing the hand to pass through and a second unrolled position forming a covering around at least a portion of the hand and/or thumb while leaving the ends of the fingers and thumb exposed.

Abstract: An improved method and instrumentation for performing spinal surgery, including discectomy, interbody fusion and rigid internal fixation of the spine, from the lateral aspect of the spine is disclosed. The surgical procedure can be performed through a very small incision. The instrumentation of the present invention, all of which is inserted from a lateral position into the spine in the preferred embodiment, comprises a guide pin, a distractor, an extended outer sleeve, an inner sleeve an adjustable drill and an implant driver. The distractor of the present invention is driven into the disc for spacing apart and realigning the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: An artificial spinal implant is disclosed which when placed between two adjacent vertebrae directly participates and is incorporated in the ensuing fusion. Instrumentation and procedure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A decorative pin having a surface made of metal for displaying a high quality color photographic image having a high degree of image resolution reproduced directly onto a metal surface and a method for reproducing a high quality photographic image directly onto a metal surface are disclosed. The decorative pin of the present invention comprises a base member made of brass having an upper surface for displaying a photographic image that is reproduced directly onto the upper surface and a lower surface having means for removably attaching the decorative pin to a garment.

Abstract: A golf swing trainer consists of a support base for supporting a vertical shaft, the shaft having a flexible horizontal shaft extending from it and having at its other end a golf tee upon which a golf ball can rest. The horizontal shaft is capable of moving up and down in a vertical direction on the vertical shaft and remains relatively fixed to the vertical shaft by a suitable means. A player would practice using the golf swing trainer by hitting golf balls placed on the tee, initially when the horizontal shaft is at a high position relative to the support shaft, and when the player become adept at hitting the ball at the high position, the horizontal shaft would gradually be lowered, so that the player would be hitting the ball at lower and lower positions. This promotes the proper swing plane for the golf swing.

Abstract: A method for the diagnosis of preterm labor, and in particular for distinguishing between false labor and true labor, which includes both prelabor and active labor, is disclosed. The onset of a contraction is determined and the change in value of the rapid ejection time (RET) is determined from the onset of the contraction to a point of time just below the peak intensity of the contraction. A level value of the RET as the contraction proceeds is indicative of false preterm labor. An increasing value of the RET is indicative of prelabor. A decreasing value of the RET is indicative of active labor. The cutaneous blood pressure pattern (cPP) of the patient, which should be concordant with the slope of the RET, can be used as a check on the reliability of the apparatus.

Abstract: A gooseneck instrument holder having an instrument holder tip, a gooseneck, a base and a detachable fibre optic light cord is disclosed. The tip, gooseneck, and base are connected by means of a cable which passes through a deflection member in the base. Tension on the cable is adjusted by a detachable handle at the base via a bolt and serves to simultaneously tighten the tip about an instrument, to hold the gooseneck in place, and to hold the base steady so that the holder holds an instrument in place. Very small amounts of turning of the handle is necessary to adequately tighten the holder in place.

Abstract: An improved rongeur for cutting bone or cartilage comprising two shaft members capable of reciprocating motion relative to each other wherein one shaft member terminates in a foot plate and the other shaft member comprises a combined cutting element and storage member is disclosed. The combined cutting element and storage member has a cutting edge at its distal end and a storage chamber proximate the cutting edge for collecting and storing cut pieces of bone or cartilage in an amount greater than the maximum bone or cartilage capable of being cut in a single full cut. The combined cutting element and storage member is truly disposable, rather than merely replaceable and requires the use of no tools or special assembly. The rongeur may be manually activated or activated by a solenoid and powered by a battery.