Abstract: A blast protective barrier system, termed a blast wall, providing a security perimeter or boundary at and above a ground level definable in terms of an x, y, z coordinate system, includes several substantially ground level (xy plane) pile caps, each itself having a y-axis elongate length, a x-axis width, and a z-axis depth, the x-axis substantially defining the width of the barrier system. Each pile cap also includes an upper and lower xy plane surface, each of the upper surfaces including y-axis channels and each of the lower surfaces including several recesses. The system also includes a first, second and further modules having a plurality of opposing pairs of yz plane, the y-axis elongate concrete panels including opposing integral xz end cap elements having a high shock-absorptive structure for isolating each module from the effect of a blast upon an adjacent module.

Abstract: The inventive system relates to a basketball training aid system including a cord-like basketball net having a central vertical axis, the net characterized by a plurality of cord segments and knots, and an entrance opening proportioned for attachment to a basketball rim. The net also exhibits an exit opening smaller than the entrance opening, each of the openings are concentric about the central vertical axis of the net. The system includes a mounting ring having a central vertical axis, the ring proportioned for securement to the net at about a center area of the vertical axis of the net in a plane substantially transverse to the axis, the ring includes means therein for its securement to the net at about the vertical center area of the vertical axis of the net.

Abstract: An implant composition having controlled resorption rate in vivo for stimulating bone growth, a method of making the implant composition, and a kit of implant materials are disclosed. The implant composition includes a calcium sulfate compound, polymer containing particles, and a setting agent. The polymer is one or more poly(desaminotyrosyl-tyrosine alkyl ester carbonate). Upon setting, the calcium sulfate compound forms a matrix and the polymer containing particles settled within the matrix. The resorption rate of the implant composition in vivo can be controlled of between eight and twenty-four weeks, which substantially matches the rate of bone growth. The implant composition of the present invention can be used for the repair, augmentation, and other treatment of bone.

Abstract: A multi-color faux art palette system includes a number of liquid pigments of different colors and a palette having a resilient substrate having an upper and a bottom surface. The bottom surface includes a handle integrally dependent from the bottom surface of the substrate. Upon the top surface are secured discrete substantially planar color-absorbent sponges, arranged in a pattern to define a faux-art pattern of interest, each sponge having a bottom surface integrally dependent from the upper surface of the resilient substrate. Opposing edges of the planar sponges are separated from each other by a distance sufficient to preclude contact between them when the sponges are compressed against a planar surface.

Abstract: A shoe for enhancing human physical performance by establishing an electrical conduit between the body and the ground includes a shoe outsole formed of a conductive rubber material. A resilient conductive element is integral with the outsole and extends along a heel of the shoe upper along its outer surface. The tape extends into the interior of the shoe and contacts a conductive sock liner. Thus the foot is in constant electrical connection with the outsole. A conductive sock may be employed to provide a more reliable electrical path to the sock liner and thereby to the ground.

Abstract: A treatment method for restoring of age related tissue loss in the face or selected areas of the body is disclosed which includes injecting an injectable composition containing a growth factor and hyaluronic acid as a carrier into the dermis, the hypodermis, or both, in various areas of the face, or selected areas of the body of a person to stimulate collagen, elastin, or fat cell production, thereby restoring age related tissue loss in the face and selected areas of the body. Further disclosed is an injectable composition for restoring of age related tissue loss in the face and selected areas of the body, which contains a growth factor and hyaluronic acid as a carrier for providing time release of the growth factor into tissues. The growth factor can be insulin, insulin-like growth factor, thyroid hormone, fibroblast growth factor, estrogen, retinoic acid, or their combinations.

Abstract: A concrete slab system with self supported insulation and method of making same which comprises a poured-in-place concrete slab with an insulation board held by metal or plastic C channels. The insulation is held in place on both sides by C channels. The C channels are in turn embedded into the concrete slab and as a result, the insulation is attached to the slab itself. The embedded C channels serve not only to support the insulation board but also as concrete form-work, therefore, allowing a variety of ceiling options on the under-side of the panels, while providing support for the reinforcing steel on the upper side of said panels. This system may be used for either an inclined or flat slab design, roofs or intermediate floor applications.

Abstract: Cycle brake cooling articles are secured at and offset from a circumferential braking element of a wheel of a cycle, each having a rigid surface which in combination with said braking element, defines an air deflection and concentration path that can be focused to the brake element of said cycle wheel to effect a cooling of the element. A distal portion of each rigid surface is securable to a front fork of the cycle.

Abstract: A vaginal cleaning device includes an elongated applicator including an axial support post having a front end and a rear end, a head with a rear surface connected to the front end of the axial support post; a circular disk disposed around the rear end of the axial support post; and a flexible absorbent material disposed around the axial support post between the head and the circular disk. The device has an elongated handle with a front end connected to the rear end of the elongated applicator, a hollow tube with a front open end and a rear open end, disposed around the elongated applicator, and a removable lid on the front open end of the hollow tube. Also disclosed is a method of using the personal vaginal cleaning device.

Abstract: A filter material has one or more plies of fiber layers, in particular for the production of filter bags and filter cones for infused beverages, the at least one fiber layer containing fibers or microcapsules having phase change material. Paraffinic hydrocarbons can be used as the phase change material.

Abstract: A metallic stud for use in the framing of structures, the stud definable in terms of an x, y, z coordinate system, in which the z-axis corresponds to the gravity vector. The metallic stud includes a z-axis elongate generally rectangular integral xz plane web having a width (thickness) in a yz plane. The stud also includes a series of xz plane tabs each having a parallelogram-like geometry and an outer major base. The series of xz plane tabs project within at least one of a positive or negative x-axis direction, in which the tabs interdigitate with void spaces along at least one z-axis edge of the web. The metallic stud also includes a z-axis elongate apex element, within xz plane web, projecting in a y-axis plane and integrally dependent from the web of the stud.

Abstract: A calf/foot support and treatment table for extension, flexion, traction, distraction and lateral movement of the body of a patient includes a base adapted to rest upon a floor, and a system support assembly having an upper end and a lower end integrally secured to the base, a rigid support platform having a lower part and an upper part, the support platform pivotally secured to a pivot axle of said system support assembly; a lumbar support assembly disposed on the lower part of the support platform; and a calf/foot support assembly for linear traction.

Abstract: A method and devices for bone tissue expansion and compression for receiving a dental implant are disclosed. The method includes the steps of creating an initial osseotomy site in the maxilla or the mandable using a pilot drill; screwing a first threaded expander into the site to expand the site laterally; and allowing the expander staying in the site for a short time to impress the interior wall of the osseotomy site; then retrieving the first expander. These steps are repeated using a second, and/or third threaded expander having an increasing outer diameter to further expand the osseotomy site to a final diameter which is complementary, but narrower than the diameter of the dental implant so that expanded osseotomy site enables uniform engagement of the implant with the bone tissue. A preparation drilling to extend osseotomy site only at cortical level can be incorporated for hard bone and larger implants.

Abstract: A cover plate removal tool including an elongate solid unit having a hollow longitudinal track having an end portion including a cylindrical recess having an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of said track. The cover plate removal tool also includes a plurality of solid pegs securable perpendicular within said track. The pegs are slidable back and forth within said track. The removal tool includes a solid cylindrical element having a lower portion proportioned to fill said cylindrical recess and further proportioned for complemental fit within said track.