Abstract: A tubing having unitary construction and having a single lumen portion, a multilumen portion and a transition portion therebetween. The single lumen is in fluid communication with each and every lumen comprising the multilumen portion. The tubing may be made in any desired length by means of extrusion. The outer surface of the tubing may be either smooth or grooved and have any desired cross-sectional geometry. Similarly, any of the lumens can be made to have a desired cross-sectional shape and size. Although the tubing can be made from any extrudable material, a preferred material is medical grade silicone clastomer. An extrusion apparatus and a method for making the tubing in a continuous process is described.

Abstract: A weep screed for use in exterior construction has a vertical member and upper and lower outwardly projecting flanges affixed to the vertical member. The vertical member is adapted to be form-fit to the base of a vertical wall overlying a concrete foundation. The upper outwardly projecting flange is coextensive with the length of the screed and has a plurality of apertures therein, the apertures being spaced from one another along the length of the weep screed to provide drainage for water accumulating on an upper surface of the upper outwardly projecting flange. The lower outwardly projecting flange, which is coextensive in length with the upper outwardly projecting flange, is impermeable to water. The lower flange collects water received from the upper member and directs the flow of such water outwardly, away from the vertical wall and foundation.

Abstract: A multiple point tie-down tethering device and harness for restraining an animal within the limits of a predetermined boundary. The device is particularly adapted for safely transporting an animal, such as a dog, in a closed or open vehicle. In a preferred embodiment of the device, adapted for transporting up to two animals in the bed of a pickup truck, a centrally located, rectangular, animal attachment portion, fabricated preferably of webbing, has attachment rings on the four corners thereof. Four tethers, again preferably of webbing, extend outwardly from the four respective corners of the animal attachment portion, each tether having a first end which is attached to one of the four attachment rings, and a second end having means thereon for attaching the respective second ends to stationary objects such as U-bolts affixed preferably at or near opposing corners of the bed of the pickup truck. The animal attachment portion has one or more slidably mounted restraining clips thereon.

Abstract: An inexpensive, compact and portable device useful for assisting a person to stretch his/her muscles. The device consists of a flexible, inelastic strap having a plurality of large loops disposed along the length of the strap and attached thereto. The loops, preferably of 1-2 inch hemp webbing, are dimensioned to fit over large portions of the body extremities during stretching such as the thigh and/or shoulder. The large size of the loops enables the user to stretch various muscles or groups of muscles without the need for grasping the device. By obviating the need for grasping the device during a stretch, a user can maintain a completely relaxed position during a stretch, employing gravity to provide a stretching force. An advantage of stretching while relaxed is that the user may effortlessly hold the stretch longer, thereby enhancing the benefit of the stretch.

Abstract: A high-damping, corrosion resistant and substantially non-magnetic material having high damping properties has been developed for use in dynamic applications, specifically, a disk drive suspension arm and load beam. A disk drive assembly includes a disk having a readable and writeable surface, a motor operable for rotating the disk, and an actuator assembly that includes a transducer mounted on a load beam. The actuator assembly is operable for positioning the transducer in transducing relationship with the surface of the disk. When the disk spins, shear forces create turbulence in the fluidic medium adjacent to the surface of the disk. The turbulence exerts unbalanced and variable forces on the load beam, inducing vibrational motion therein. If the vibrational energy stored in the load beam is not quickly damped, the surface of the disk, load beam or transducer can be damaged. The present invention discloses alloy compositions of the form (14-21)Mn, (10-13)Cr, (0-6)Si, (4-10)Ni, (0-6)Co, and (0-0.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of electrically and mechanically connecting the center conductor of a micro-coaxial RF cable to a coaxial cable connector or bulkhead without the use of traditional soldering or precision tools. The device is essentially a solderless, crimpless connector. The invention allows a cable installer to connect a micro-coaxial cable having a central conductor as small #30 AWG (0.25 mm) to a coaxial cable connector under field conditions. The invention employs a two-stage, spring loaded center pin holding device and a method for using the device to facilitate easy field installation while maintaining mechanical and electrical reliability.

Abstract: A compact, low profile, wall-mountable exercise device. The device includes a modular, wall-mountable rectangular frame, a horizontal hinge rod assembly attached to the frame and rotatably mounted on the frame, a resistance bar, a pair of swing arms, each swing arm having a distal end attached to opposing ends of the hinge rod, and proximal ends attached to opposing ends of the resistance bar. The device includes at least two springs, each spring having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal ends of the springs are releasably attached to spring connectors on the frame. The proximal ends of the springs are attached to the respective swing arms near the proximal ends thereof. In use, an exerciser positions a part of his/her body, such as the hands, in contact with the resistance bar and applies a force sufficient to extend the springs. When the exerciser releases the force, the spring restores to its non-extended length.

Abstract: A machine for the versatile removal of material for shaping an object. The machine includes a platform that provides support for three substantially horizontal and parallel plates. The uppermost plate or “table top” is height-adjustable and provides a working surface. The table top has a plurality of guide pins projecting downwardly therefrom and a centrally located aperture. The adjustable table top is supported by at least one height adjustment means such as a scissor jack interposed between the adjustable table top and an underlying support plate. The support plate is rigidly attached to the platform and has an aperture therein which underlies the aperture in the table top. A motor having a drive shaft with a belt drive thereon is attached to a motor mounting plate disposed below, and adjustably attached to, the overlying support plate.

Abstract: A three dimensional embroidered pattern is sewn into a fabric using polyester monochromatic thread that is selected to take up a dye applied thereto. After the pattern is sewn into the fabric, a pattern comprised of sublimatable dyes is applied to a sheet substrate. The sheet substrate bearing the dye pattern is registered to contact the embroidered pattern and heated under pressure. The dyes comprising the pattern on the sheet substrate sublime and condense in the thread comprising the embroidered pattern adjacent thereto. When the sheet substrate is separated from the embroidery, a three dimensional colored pattern remains on the embroidery thread comprising the pattern. The visual appearance of the polychromatic pattern obtained when the dyes on the sheet substrate sublime and condense on the embroidered fabric is different than the pattern achieved when using variously colored threads to embroider the pattern on the fabric.

Abstract: A device and method for performing distraction osteogenesis. The distraction osteogenesis device, in accordance with the present invention, is modular in construction, and has at least two bioabsorbable footplates having screw or rivet holes therein and an extendable member therebetween. The extendable member is used to change the distance between the footplates. When performing the distraction osteogenesis procedure, the footplates are affixed to the bone on either side of an osteotomy/fracture by means of bioabsorbable screws or rivet bone fasteners. The footplates are connected to one another by the extendable member which spans the osteotomy site and stabilizes the bone segments comprising the osteotomy/fracture. Following implantation of the distractor, the extendable member is periodically elongated to incrementally separate the segments of the bone affixed to the respective footplates.

Abstract: Bone fasteners consisting of a rivet and an expansion pin for attaching soft tissue and bone plates to bone. The rivet has an enlarged proximal end, a tubular body portion dimensioned to fit snugly within a hole drilled in a bone, and a distal end having expandable legs. The expansion pin is either slidably or rotatably mounted within an axial bore in the rivet. In a first embodiment, the expansion pin has a metallic traction portion and a conical, preferably bioabsorbable, distal end portion releasably affixed thereto. In use, the rivet is inserted into a pre-drilled hole in a bone. When tension is applied to the traction portion of the expansion pin, the conical end portion progressively advances into the bore thereby forcing the legs on the distal end of the rivet to expand outwardly. When the legs are fully expanded, further progress of the conical portion is arrested by a shoulder stop within the axial bore.

Abstract: A compression garment including, in combination, a form-fitting garment portion and one or more compression pads. One or more compression pads are disposed in a receiving pouch or pouches located on the interior surface of the garment. The position of the compression pad or pads is such that they overlie the portion of a body which is desired to be compressed when the form-fitting garment is donned. When performing the surgical procedure of suction lipoplasty it mis desirable to compress the surgical site postoperatively in order to minimize swelling. Following removal of the liposuction cannula the operative site is closed and covered with a surgical bandage. The garment is then fitted onto the body with the compression pad overlying the surgical area. In another embodiment an adhesive surface on the compression pad is adapted to releasably adhere to a portion of the inner body-facing surface of the garment.

Abstract: An adapter enables three-dimensional motion photography by means of a single camera, video or film, that includes a single lens system and image pickup. The adapter is engageable to a conventional camera. An optical system within the adapter includes a mirror for detecting a second, distinct perspective of a field-of-view. The two perspective views are orthogonally polarized and applied to a single switchable liquid crystal polarization rotator that is driven by a periodic SYNC signal derived from the camera. A polarization filter receives the output of the rotator which alternately passes perspective views unaltered and rotated by ninety degrees in polarization, providing alternating frames of one or another perspective view to the camera. The stream of alternating perspectives provides a three-dimensional viewing effect when processed by conventional video and film systems.

Abstract: A compression-type coaxial cable connector having a leading end, a trailing end and integral construction is described. The connector includes a nut at the leading end of the connector, a tubular shank having a flange on a leading end thereof and a barb concentrically disposed on a trailing end, a slotted body portion and a compression sleeve slidably attached to the body portion forming the trailing end of the connector. The connector, and each of the components associated therewith, has an axial conduit coextensive with the length thereof. When the prepared end of a coaxial cable is inserted into the trailing end of the connector conduit and advanced through the conduit into the body portion, the shank separates the outer protective jacket and conductive braid of the cable from the dielectric core and interposes the barbed portion of the tubular shank therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a liquid from a hard surface comprising a roller unit including a roller rotatably mounted on a handle and covered with an absorbant sponge-like material, and a compression unit into which the roller of the roller unit may be inserted for removing water from the roller by compressing the absorbant material. The compression unit includes a surface along which the roller can be rolled and means engageable with the roller for pressing the roller against the surface to compress the absorbant material when the roller is rolled along the surface.

Abstract: A golf ball accessory is provided which affixes a personalized visual indicia to the outer surface of a golf ball for the purposes of identification. The accessory can be conveniently stored in a golf bag compartment normally used for storing golf balls. The accessory includes a generally golf-ball shaped casing having an ink stamp and a printing surface housed therewithin. The generally spherical accessory is comprised of two separable hemispherical halves. The halves snap together in mating engagement. When the halves are separated, a stamp portion presents a concave outer surface with a radial curvature substantially equal to that of a golf ball. A complementary convex ink pad housed within the opposing half of the accessory provides ink for the stamp. A golf ball is placed against the stamp portion and an ink image of indicia embossed thereon is transferred to the surface of the golf ball.

Abstract: An elongate elastomeric band having unitary construction which construction includes a silicone sponge differentially compressive portion disposed along the length thereof. The band is dimensioned to encircle the eye of a patient having a detached retina. In use, the band is placed around the eye and surgically attached thereto in an encircling position. The band circumferentially deforms the sclera, particularly the portion of the sclera overlying the area of retinal detachment, the differentially compressive portion forcing the choroid and detached portion of the retina into juxtaposition for reattachment. The band, which includes a closed-cell silicone foam differentially compressive portion along a section of its length, is manufactured by means of extrusion providing an elastomeric, preferably silicone, band having unitary construction and varying in both its outer dimension and its compressibility along the length thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for removing liquid from a mop (13) of a kind having a mop head in the form of a substantially flat plate (15) having a layer of absorbent sponge-like material (16) on one surface. The apparatus comprises a frame (11) carrying a substantially horizontal roller (22) and a pair of pressure wheels (23). The wheels (23) are spaced from the roller (22) by a distance less than the total thickness of the flat plate (15) and material (16). In use, the mop head is urged downwardly between the roller (22) and pressure wheels (23) substantially in its own plane with the pressure wheels bearing against the surface of the flat plate (15) opposite the sponge-like material (16). The pressure wheels (23) urge the sponge-like material (16) against the roller (22) which expels liquid progressively from the material (16) as the latter moves across it.

Abstract: A hydrofoil marine vehicle having separate forward and rearward hydrofoil wings connected by a center beam. The generally V-shaped hydrofoil wings are affixed to the center beam at either end by means of flexibly mounted struts. The center beam supports a passenger cabin or pod which may also include a gyroscopic element. In one embodiment of the marine vehicle, the pod, which is hydraulically suspended above the center beam, houses a gyroscope which is approximately 4-10 feet in diameter and weighs about 100-500 pounds. The gyroscope acts as a pod stabilizer and energy absorbing mechanism. Static flotation for the marine vehicle is provided by the passenger pod. At slow forward speeds, the hydrofoils are submerged and the upper curved surfaces of the hydrofoils generate the lift required to bring the hydrofoils to the surface of the water.

Abstract: An improved breast prosthesis or mammary implant (20), is provided of a type known per se, comprising a single or multiple lumen elastic shell or envelope (23), for example of molded silicone, in which an aperture formed in the shell for removal from a mold is subsequently sealed with a silicone patch (24), thus forming internal lumen(s) which can then be filled by either the manufacturer or the surgeon with a fluid or gel. A substantially seamless join between the patch and the shell is formed by means of an aperture with a chamfered edge (22), and applying and bonding a patch to one side, preferably the inside, of the shell such that a seamless and ridgeless join between the patch and the shell is formed to the exterior. A method and apparatus for performing a chamfer trimming operation and applying the patch are also disclosed. A double chamfer aperture edge construction filled in with an overlay patch and an underlay patch is also disclosed.