Abstract: An anchor guide for a trocar comprising a tubular body, formed by a plurality of substantially circular sectors, moveable radially toward and away from a longitudinal axis of the tubular body between a first position where they flank one another, according to a first substantially circular arrangement with diameter generally equal to that of the tubular body, and a second position at which they are generally equidistant from one another, according to a second substantially circular arrangement of greater diameter than that of the first arrangement. Each sector is rotatably connected to a support element and a manual operation member is provided, moveably connected to the support element, for moving the sectors from the first to the second position and vice versa.

Abstract: Process and system for determining the topography of bioelectric response signals of a visual system including a patient's retina, optical nerve or a projection thereof at the level of the central cortex, following visual stimulation through a surface arranged in front of the patient's eye. An image which comprises a plurality of cells is displayed as stimuli, each cell being activated or deactivated according to a corresponding digital time function represented by a cyclical succession of binary m-sequences of duration (T) formed from a plurality of activation symbols (N). Symbols N have a duration (Ts), and the m-sequences of the various cells are obtained cyclically from a mother m-sequence. The process determines the total bioelectric response of the visual system. The response associated with each cell is determined by the total response of the visual system using a cross-correlation with a suitable translated version of a mother m-sequence.

Abstract: A second-stage regulator for scuba divers is disclosed that reduces considerably the inhalation effort required by the user through reduction in friction between selected components of the regulator. A flexible sleeve is sealingly connected to the regulator poppet and the baffle, and coaxially with the poppet, so as to avoid blow-by of gaseous mixture through an opening in the baffle. A tail of the poppet extends through the opening, the tail being connected to a lever of the regulator projecting into an outlet chamber thereof. The head of the poppet is or includes a ferrule with an at least partially-circular profile and abuts a selected inner portion of the inlet's intermediate chamber to allow oscillation of the poppet. The lever end of the regulator contacts a diaphragm, the diaphragm separating the outlet chamber from the external environment.

Abstract: A spear gun for scuba diving that comprises a frame with a body that is generally elongated along a longitudinal axis of the gun, and a grip at one end of and extending from the elongated body. The grip includes a stationary part attached to, and integrally with, the body and a movable part adjustably mounted to the stationary part. A device is also provided for securing or locking the movable part to the stationary part when a desired grip configuration has been achieved.

Abstract: An automatic solid-phase microextraction (SPME) sampling apparatus having a mobile sampler arm with a holder for a probe carrying a fiber 9 and an intermediate bracket for transferring the probe between a probe storage tray and the gas chromatograph injector. In the various probe handling stages, the probes are collected by a magnetic member attached to the end of the plunger in the holder, at the free end of the holder's body and at the lower end of the block for guiding the probe needle. The magnetic member interacts with a ferromagnetic connector attached to one end of the fiber and with a ferromagnetic flange attached to the end of the needle containing the fiber in order to place the probe on the transfer bracket or remove it therefrom. The apparatus can perform analyses on fibers that have already been exposed, extract analytes from samples, and subsequently transfer them for desorption in the gas chromatograph in a fully automatic way.

Abstract: A multipurpose glove is disclosed which comprises a relatively resilient body for snug fit reception of a user's hand. The body includes a first opening on a first side for receiving the user's hand, a second opening branching from a second side of the body for receiving the user's thumb, and a plurality of third openings oriented multidirectionally. Each of the third openings receives at least one finger of the user, and at least one of the third openings has a size and shape suitable for receiving and supporting at least two of the user's fingers generally simultaneously upon engagement of the glove with the user's hand. A contoured, resilient pad is mounted in a base portion of the body corresponding to and for engaging the palm of the user's hand.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard instrument is provided and methods of playing and assembling the same. The instrument comprises a controller for enabling activation of electronic signals having audible, visible, amplifiable, recordable and/or like characteristics, and a power source for operating the controller. A first keyboard is provided having a first selected length and being oriented in a first direction such that (i) audible notes of music from at least one internal sound module and/or at least one external sound module, (ii) recordable data to be enhanced or modified by an external sequencer or program controlled apparatus, (iii) photoelectric signals, and (iv) processes or mechanisms, triggered or controlled by external signals or data, for controlling machines, video playback or lighting, and/or the like may be generated and/or activated using a first hand of one or more users.

Abstract: A swimming fin comprising a blade extending from a shoe open at its rear side, and a rear heel strap connected to the sides of the shoe by at least one buckle, the buckle having a base plate integral with the shoe. A buckle arm is joined with the strap so as to allow adjustment of the strap's tension, an intermediate lever being connected pivotally to the base plate and the arm. A reversible attachment member is also provided for connecting the intermediate lever to the base plate to achieve closure of the buckle. Between the intermediate lever and the base plate, a disengageable articulation member is provided for reciprocal engagement between them, a pivotal connection, and, at the same time, for allowing their separation in a direction opposite to that of tensioning the strap. In this manner, the intermediate lever may be separated from the base plate following release of the attachment member, and disconnection of the disengageable articulation member.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating an endothelium reflection microscope. The apparatus includes an optical head, which comprises: (i) an illuminating system, (ii) a frontal eye observation optical system along a central channel in which an alignment-use light spot is received and imaged by a camera having a digital optical sensor, and (iii) an enlarged-imaging optical system for enlarged observation or photographing of the subject part by the digital camera. The apparatus further comprises a motor for operating the optical head, and a CPU controller for automatically controlling the motor, the illuminating system and the frontal eye observation optical system.