Abstract: A vertically stacked double pocket is provided on tennis shorts or the like. The pocket has an upper and lower section and an elastic band at the top of each section. The pocket is closed at the bottom and sides and open at the top of the upper section. The lower section communicates with the upper section. A tennis ball or the like may be inserted and retained in the lower section and another may be inserted and retained in the upper section.

Abstract: A device for carrying, manipulating, and securing a hollow, medical subcutaneous infusion needle. The carrier comprises a body firmly holding the needle, a pair of laterally extending relatively angularly variable wings, and a control member. One handed-grasping and manipulation of the control member permits both unlocking the wings for changing their angular relationship to accommodate the desired angle of insertion of the needle into a patient, and locking the wings to brace the carrier at the desired angle. Manipulation of the control member also permits rotation of the needle independent of the angle of insertion, during the insertion procedure. Squeezing the control member provides an unset condition in which relative movement of the wings with respect to each other and with respect to the body may occur, and relaxation of squeezing provides a set or locked condition.

Abstract: An improved protective shoe. The shoe may be an industrial or athletic shoe. A protective cover overlies the toe and instep and is at least partially removeable from the shoe itself. The protective cover has an outer flexible sheet and an inner energy-absorbing layer. A particular improvement lies in providing a flap overlying the shoelaces, with a pair of openable flap closure means on each side of the flap so as to provide an unbroken cushioned surface over the very vulnerable high point of the shoe.

Abstract: An electrical stimulating dental device for electrically stimulating the periodontium bone region within the mouth of a patient. The dental device includes a power supply system for producing an electrical current. The power supply system may provide for a DC current or in one of the embodiments provide for a pulse electromagnetic wave generation. A first electrode defining a cathode element is electrically coupled to the power supply system and in one form of the device interfaces with the surface of the gingivae lining within the mouth of the patient. A second electrode element is electrically coupled to the power supply system and may be coupled to a remote portion of the body of the patient. In another form of the invention, first and second cathode electrode elements are interfaced with opposing transverse sides of the gingivae lining for passage of the current therethrough. Anode electrode elements may be placed in interfacing contact with the lip, cheek or palate of the user.

Abstract: A cradle system used in purification systems for releasably capturing and reversibly displacing a set of cylindrically contoured filter cartridges mounted thereon. The cradle system includes at least a first longitudinally extending cradle frame having a pair of first rod members within which the filter cartridges are mounted. At least a second longitudinally extending cradle frame having a pair of longitudinally extending and transversely displaced second rod members is coupled to the first cradle frame. Coupling is provided by a cradle rotational securement mechanism which constrains the first cradle frame to the second cradle frame but allows rotational displacement of one cradle frame with respect to another.

Abstract: An improved cerebrospinal fluid draining system adapted for insertion into the human body in order to control fluid flow passage of the cerebrospinal fluid from an area in the vicinity of the brain to a remote point of the body. The cerebrospinal fluid drain system includes a longitudinally extended sleeve member having a through opening in fluid communication with a catheter extending into the brain area of the body. A check valve mechanism having an inlet opening is in fluid communication with the sleeve member for receiving the fluid and includes an outlet passage for egressing fluid inserted under pressure into the check valve mechanism. The check valve mechanism includes a hinge element formed at a predetermined location to allow opening of the outlet passage responsive to a predetermined fluid pressure value and to further reliably close the outlet passage when the fluid pressure is less than some predetermined value.

Abstract: A partial oxygen pressure measuring system for quantitating the amount of dissolved oxygen in solution of a fluid sample. The system includes a sensor electrode within which a volume of fluid whose oxygen is to be measured is inserted. The sensor has a silver chlorided tube with an insulated nickel wire of reduced diameter passing coaxially and internal thereto. The nickel wire terminates in an end section which is platinum plated to form a polarizing surface. Both the silver chloride tube and wire pass external to the sensor and are electrically coupled to a pair of contact rings which represent cathode and anode junctions respectively. A biasing voltage is placed across the contact rings to form a circuit path through the wire, platinum coated surface, fluid sample and base reference silver chlorided tube in order to determine the current flow which is a measure of the oxygen level in the fluid sample.

Abstract: An improved system to eliminate a stuffing box or mechanical seal around the rotating shaft of a pump for liquids. The pump and its motor are hermetically sealed, and a pressurized gas pad maintains a liquid seal at the shaft entrance to the pump casing. A suction return line is provided from the seal liquid to the pump suction. A small flow of pumped liquid leaks past the shaft entrance into the seal liquid, then through the return line back to the pump suction. The gas pad and seal liquid are at slightly higher than pump suction pressure.

Abstract: An improved thermometer which includes a total enclosure composed of a pair of coatings covering the stem portion and the bulb portion of the thermometer. A substantially transparent plastic material covering the stem portion of the improved thermometer has an index of refraction which is sufficiently high to allow a user to visually interpret the location of an internally contained heat expandable substance in relation to indicia formed on the stem portion. The bulb section of the improved thermometer is enclosed by a second thermally conductive layer. Both the first and seconds layers are joined to form a total enclosure for the thermometer throughout the extended length of both the bulb and the stem portions. Additionally, an increased amount of substantially transparent plastic material is added to the terminal end of the stem portion of the improved thermometer in order to provide a cushioning effect under dynamic loads when the thermometer inadvertently falls to an external surface.

Abstract: A composite material and method of preparing same for use in prosthetic dentistry. The composition includes silica glass containing between about 8.0-30% on a weight basis of alkaline earth metal oxides and/or alkali metal oxides in solution selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, sodium oxide, potassium, and lithium oxide. In one form of the invention, a methacrylate resin is coupled to the silica glass by a silane mixture. The invention includes the method of forming the composite material through both a cold curing system and a heat cured system into a composite veneering and tooth material which is useful in forming crowns and other dental restorations as well as artificial teeth requiring aesthetic appearance of normal dentition. The finally formed dental material shows a high hardness factor in combination with a high wear resistance.

Abstract: The signal assembly includes a deflated balloon capable of retaining a lighter-than-air gas. It also includes a container for the gas under pressure which has an opening in it. The open edges of the balloon in deflated form are sealingly fixed to the opening. The balloon is retained in deflated form within the container by means of a lid or cap for the container which prevents outward movement of the balloon through the opening which would be necessary to inflate the balloon. The lid is normally attached to the container in a way sufficient to prevent escape of its contents except when the assembly is to be actuated. In one form of the invention, the balloon is disposed and retained in deflated form toward the open top of a rigid container having a lid that is tightly fitted around the upper edge of the container.

Abstract: A subcutaneous guide assembly for use by surgeons during an operation where surgical elements must be passed through an elongated path internal to a human body. The guide assembly includes an elongated rod of predetermined contour and length which is secured on opposing ends to a handle member and to one of a variety of surgical elements which may be releasably secured to the rod through threaded engagement. Additionally, a plurality of rod members of differing lengths and contours may be easily secured to the handle section of the subcutaneous guide assembly. The handle section includes an internal chamber where various surgical elements may be contained for use in particular portions or phases of an operation. The handle further includes a mechanism whereby the contained surgical elements within the handle internal chamber may be easily sterilized.

Abstract: An improved cerebrospinal fluid anti-syphoning device for insertion into the human body to provide control and regulation of fluid being transported from the lateral ventricles to another portion of the body. The improved fluid anti-syphoning device includes a fluid housing member which is adapted to contain a pair of check valves which control fluid flow through the housing member and prevents back flow from a downstream area to an upstream area. A central chamber within the fluid housing member encloses a combination fluid egress conduit and flexible diaphragm which in cooperative relation provide for a substantial termination of fluid flow when the down stream pressure becomes too low with respect to the upstream pressure.Specific construction of the fluid egress conduit and the flexible diaphragm provides for negation of possible terminal closure of the flow path through the anti-syphoning device under a wide range of conditions.

Abstract: An elongated inflated or inflatable element including closed loops at each end. The element has certain broad dimensional relationships between its loop measurements and other measurements, and is intended to be used in connection with a plurality of other elements to make joints and form structures. A system comprising a plurality of inflated elements having joint means and capable of being joined and assembled into a large variety of different structures. The joint means are inherent in the inflated structure of the elements.