Abstract: A device for measuring anatomic angles with two arms and a fastener for securing them together at one end providing a pivot. One arm has degree markings around the pivot and the other has a marker to indicate the angle between the two. One or both arms have a method for extending and contracting their length. The device is sufficiently small and light to allow ease of portability in a clothing pocket. In a preferred embodiment the arms are made of thin, clear, light plastic to allow ease of portability as well as inexpensive manufacture. In another preferred embodiment the arms are made of metal, or other heat-resistant material, to allow autoclave sterilization for use during surgery. In a further preferred embodiment the method to allow extension and contraction of one or both arms is by affixing thin, tubular, telescoping metal sleeves to one or both arms.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a baby carriage or stroller, the handle assembly comprising a handle (3) connected to an elastic element disposed in a tube member (2) of a chassis, and comprising an annular, double-connected body having a central through-opening and having a cross section in a first state smaller than an inner cross section of the tube member (2), and in a second state can be pressed outward to wedge within the tube member (2), wherein the elastic element is provided with parallel end faces and is disposed between upper (18) and lower rigid perforated elements (19) defining a spacing therebetween and being adjustable in an axial direction to exert axial pressure on end faces of the elastic element between the perforated elements (18,19) and to compressively deform the elastic element in an axial direction, wherein said elastic element avoids axial compressive deformation by stretching in a radial direction, and wherein the lower perforated element (19) is coupled to a traction element, and a bottom edg

Abstract: A method for visualizing the interior of a bodily passageway at a remote location, the method comprising the steps of: providing a visualization system for deployment in the bodily passageway, the visualization system comprising: a tube; visualization apparatus disposed within the lumen of the tube; and a deformable helical thread disposed on the exterior surface of the tube, the deformable helical thread having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when the tube is disposed in the bodily passageway so that the deformable helical thread engages the interior side wall of the bodily passageway, rotation of the tube will induce a relative movement between the tube and the side wall of the bodily passageway; inserting the visualization system into the bodily passageway at a location remote from the site which is to be visualized, with the deformable helical thread being in a reduced profile configuration; transforming the deformable helical thread into an expanded pr

Abstract: One or more sutures can be used in spinal applications to hold an intradiscal device in place between two vertebrae or repair a defect in the soft tissue of the spine, such as the annulus fibrosis or the dura. Tension can also be applied to the sutures to stabilize a spinal segment having an intradiscal device to prevent or minimize excessive spinal extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation of the spinal segment. Anchors are placed in two adjacent vertebrae and sutures are passed through each anchor. The sutures can be passed through portions of the intradiscal device. Alternatively, the sutures can be passed through a mesh patch which is held against the vertebrae to hold the intradiscal device in place. Tension is applied to the first and second ends of the sutures and the sutures are welded together. The sutures can be welded in a cross-braced arrangement minimize or prevent extension, lateral bending, and rotation of the spinal segment.

Abstract: Spinal stabilization mechanisms act to prevent lateral bending, extension, and rotation across adjacent vertebrae. Methods for spinal stabilization includes placing one or more anchors at each vertebral level, positioning one or more sutures around each anchor at each level such that the each suture forms a loop or band around two adjacent anchors, applying tension to the ends of each suture to tighten the suture loop around the anchors and welding overlapping ends of each suture together to form suture bands connecting the anchors and thereby preventing lateral bending, extension, and rotation of the spinal segment. An in-growth component is placed over the anterior portions of the three adjacent vertebrae and the disk space therebetween. An anti-adhesion patch is placed over the in-growth component, anchors and elongate members. The anti-adhesion patch has one or more notches that provide access to at least two of the anchors and a flap extending from between the notches.

Abstract: A pumpable liquid spray formulation for retarding degradation of color cosmetics.

Abstract: A novel submaximal F-wave acquisition and analysis system that employs computational intelligence to set up submaximal F-wave acquisition conditions and to extract submaximal F-wave features automatically, without operator intervention.

Abstract: A method for performing a diagnostic assay of an analyte, wherein the method comprises providing a base that has been structured using laser processing so as to provide a substrate with at least one patterned surface, wherein the laser processing comprises the selective application of pulsed laser energy to the base, whereby to melt a surface layer of the base which resolidifies, whereby to create the at least one patterned surface; applying a metal to the at least one patterned surface so as to provide at least one metalized patterned surface; positioning the analyte on the at least one metalized patterned surface; and performing a diagnostic assay of the analyte; wherein the metal comprises a metal film.

Abstract: A method for visualizing the interior of a bodily passageway at a remote location, the method comprising the steps of: providing a visualization system for deployment in the bodily passageway, the visualization system comprising: an endoscope comprising a rotatable drive collar configured for rotation relative to the endoscope; a disposable drive tube comprising an elongated tube having a helical thread disposed on an exterior surface of the elongated tube, the elongated tube being configured for coaxial disposition about the endoscope; and a mount for releasably securing the disposable drive tube to the rotatable drive collar of the endoscope; wherein the helical thread has a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when the disposable drive tube is disposed in the bodily passageway so that the helical thread engages the interior side wall of the bodily passageway, rotation of the disposable drive tube will induce a relative movement between the disposable drive tube a

Abstract: A process for preparing compacted pigment granules, comprising the steps of (1) loading iron oxide powder into a rotating mixer; (2) spraying, while the mixer is rotating, liquid binder solution onto the cascading pigment powder, whereby the cascading pigment powder is compacted into dense granules of approximately 0.3-1.2 mm diameter and having a moisture content of approximately 10-14%; and (3) directing, while the mixer is rotating, heated air at a temperature of 200-600° C. onto the compacted pigment granules, so that the compacted pigment granules are dried at a temperature of approximately 50-100° C., and continuing this process for approximately 2-3 hours until the moisture content of the compacted pigment granules is reduced to approximately 2% or less, whereupon the compacted pigment granules are removed from the mixer, and a process for preparing encapsulated pigment granules.

Abstract: A pumping device (1) by which fluids held in a reservoir tank (9) can be pumped to a spray gun (11) in a metered manner, with a piston rod (5) mounted in a housing (2) in axially movable fashion, with a reciprocating piston (25) attached thereto, with a piston (7, 8) connected to the piston rod (5) and moved between a first and a second housing sections (3, 4), first and second pressure spaces (21,21?, 22, 22?) enclosed with the two housing sections (3,4), two pressure lines (17, 17?) in each of the housing sections (3, 4) such that emerge into one of the pressure spaces (21, 21? or 22,22?), a working medium (19) pressed through pressure lines (17, 17?) alternately into a pressure space, by means of which the piston (7, 8) is driven, with a diaphragm a central area (14) connected to the piston rod (5), and its outer area (15) connected to the housing (2), and a flexible ring area (16) between the central and outer areas (14, 15), and a pumping space (20) enclosed by the diaphragm (12, 13) and the housing (2),

Abstract: A garment for animals includes a first panel of flexible material attachable to a second panel of flexible material, the first and second panels being connectable to each other by adjustable chest, body and tail fittings, such that the garment can be configured in situ to fit various sizes and shapes of animals, such as dogs. The garment is adapted to receive a disposable pad on an underside of the garment on the animal.

Abstract: A prosthetic femoral stem component includes a body element, a neck element and a stem element. The body element, neck element and stem element are secured to one another with a modular connection, the modular connection having a taper junction and an engaged-fit junction. The engaged-fit junction is formed by interaction of first and second concentric walls, the first concentric wall being formed on a shaft of the neck element and the second concentric wall being formed along a portion of a sidewall defining an aperture extending through the body element.

Abstract: A graft ligament anchor comprises a graft ligament engagement member disposed in an opening in a bone, the graft ligament engagement member being arranged to receive a graft ligament alongside the engagement member, and a locking member for disposition in the opening, and at least in part engageable with the graft ligament engagement member. Movement of the locking member in the opening causes the locking member to urge the engagement member, and the graft ligament therewith, toward a wall of the opening, to secure the graft ligament to the wall of the opening.

Abstract: A bed and gurney extender for selective attachment to a standard hospital bed or gurney for supporting the head of a patient during scanning, comprising: a support for supporting the head of the patient during scanning, wherein at least a portion of the support is X-ray transparent; and an adapter for selectively attaching the support to the bed or gurney.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an especially panel-shaped vacuum insulation element which is wrapped in a film and is filled with a powder. According to the method, the unmolded, loose powder is filled, particularly poured, into the opening of a bag which is formed from a high-barrier film and is open on one side. A filter material that is permeable to air and impermeable to powder dust is fixed to the internal face of the film bag in the area of the opening of the filled film bag such that the interior of the bag is closed in a dust-tight manner while air can still be discharged. The interior of the dust-tightly closed film bag is then evacuated and the evacuated film bag is air-tightly closed in a vacuum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing unit for a long rotor blade, especially a wind power installation, said bearing unit comprising two annular elements that can be rotated in relation to each other and are directly or indirectly connected to the rotor blade hub and to the rotor blade, and at least two running tracks that can be axially staggered in relation to each other and comprise peripheral rolling bodies with an approximately cylindrical shape, i.e. each comprising a lateral surface that is rotationally symmetrical to a rotational axis in a very precise manner. The aim of the invention is to be able to fully absorb the tipping moment caused by the wind pressure on the rotor blade and on the bearing unit, and optionally to absorb other forces and other moments.