Abstract: A stepped needle comprising, a proximal hollow hub, a first elongated tubular portion extending from the hub of a first larger diameter, and a second elongated tubular end portion located distal the first tubular portion of a second smaller diameter.

Abstract: A looper drive for a chainstitch sewing machine comprising a rigid guide stud which is part of a support member for a looper shaft. The rigid guide stud is surrounded by a bushing which is swivably mounted on the guide stud. The guide stud as well as the bushing are provided with openings through which the looper shaft extends.

Abstract: A cutting device on a sewing machine for cutting a tape or tape-like lace comprising, a first blade which is disposed on a swingable blade guide and which has a cutting edge which cooperates with the cutting edge of a further second blade secured to a holder. The cutting device has a feed device, provided with a shaft for feeding the tape or tape-like lace, the arrangement being such that the cutting edge of the blade on the swingable blade guide is movable in a substantially cylindrical path of swing about the center of swing of the blade guide, and such that the cutting edges of the blades are inclined towards one another when in a cutting position, the holder for the further blade being situated within the cylindrical path of swing of the cutting edge of the blade disposed on the swingable blade guide.

Abstract: A presser foot assembly for use with a workpiece support in a sewing machine having a sole plate, a body for supporting the sole plate in a position for pressing material to be sewn onto a workpiece support, and a lead-in sole part. The assembly has a pin for pivotally connecting the lead-in sole part to the sole plate, and a spring for moving the lead-in sole part between a first position adjacent the workpiece support and a second position spaced from the workpiece support.

Abstract: A method of making a soap comprising the steps of passing the soap through an orifice plate to form an extrudate while passing the extrudate in a first portion generally parallel to the extrudate and permitting expansion in a second outwardly tapered portion, and trimming an outer portion of the extrudate to form a well compacted residue and desired surface characteristics of the soap.

Abstract: A heel pad comprising, a sheet of porous material having a hemispherical portion for placement on the heel, first and second opposed flap portions extending upwardly from the hemispherical portion and a central portion connecting the first and second flap portions. The pad has third and fourth flap opposed flap portions extending downwardly from the hemispherical portion, and a central portion connecting the third and fourth flap portions. The third and fourth flap portions are adapted to overlap upper portions over lower portions of the first and second flap portions, with the first and second flap portions facing each other, and with the third and fourth flap portions facing each other in the formed sheet.

Abstract: A thread break detector for a thread in a sewing machine comprising, a sensor device having a signal path cross section for scanning, a first thread guide disposed on one side of the sensor device, and a second thread guide disposed on the other side of the sensor device and being movable in synchronism with the stitch formation of the sewing machine, such that the second thread guide deflects the thread in the region of the sensor device a greater amount than the cross section of the sensor device signal path.

Abstract: A sewing machine having differential material feed, with a main feed dog and differential feed dog being mechanically connected to one another in such a manner that if the feed stroke length of the first feed dog is changed, the feed stroke length of the second feed dog is changed inversely in a predetermined ratio.

Abstract: A liquid drainage system comprising, a container having a cavity to receive the liquid. The system has an array of a plurality of associated pairs of light emitters and light detectors disposed generally vertically along the container. Each of the associated pairs of emitters and detectors are changeable between a first state with the light from the emitters impinging upon the associated detectors, and a second state with the light from the emitters passing away from the associated detectors dependent upon the presence of liquid in the container between the emitters and detectors.

Abstract: Appropriate compression profiles for stockings to manage venous disorders in the lower extremities of ambulatory individuals are defined. Three profiles are described for the treatment of three categories of venous disease: mild venous disease, superficial venous insufficiency, and deep venous insufficiency. The highest pressures are used to manage the most severe disorder. The stockings use large pressure gradients to provide support for microscopic hemodynamics and valvular function at each region of the leg without producing venous congestion. The large gradients also ensure the maintainence of graduated pressure for the general population with an acceptable number of stocking sizes. Reduced foot pressures are also utilized to enhance patient compliance while avoiding a tourniquet effect.

Abstract: A workpiece controlling device for a sewing machine comprising, a workpiece feed mechanism which feeds material in a substantially straight line, an alignment device disposed immediately in advance of the point of stitch formation in the region of a needle plate, a device for moving the alignment device transversely relative to the direction of material feed in the sewing machine, with the alignment device acting on the workpiece in synchronism with the stitch formation, and a device for controlling the transverse motion of the alignment device.

Abstract: An apparatus for making soap comprising, an extruder having a device for passing the soap toward a downstream portion of the extruder, an orifice plate adjacent the downstream end of the extruder having a relatively dull edge defining an opening to form an extrudate of the extruder, and a trimmer plate spaced dowstream from the orifice plate and having a sharp edge defining an opening sufficiently small to trim an outer portion of the extrudate and form a well compacted residue for recycle and desired surface characteristics of the soap.

Abstract: A disposable diaper comprising, a fluid impervious back sheet, a fluid pervious front sheet, a first absorbent pad adjacent the front sheet and comprising a loosely formed fibrous mass, and a separate second absorbent pad between the first pad and the back sheet, with the second pad comprising a mass of fibers having compressed regions extending throughout a substantial part of the second pad and having relatively uncompressed areas adjacent the regions, with the regions being spaced from opposed side edges of the second pad.

Abstract: A looper drive for a chain stitch sewing machine, in which the joint between a connecting rod driven by a main shaft and a lever seated on a swivel shaft is a sliding and swiveling joint. Upon rotation of a ball eccentric, the transverse component of the rotary motion of a spherical shell is enabled by a rod sliding in bearing eyes on a bifurcated lever and the swinging motion of the lever, caused by the longitudinal component of the rotary motion of the spherical shell is enabled by the rod turning in the bearing eyes.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for cardiac output monitoring comprising a first pair of electrodes consisting of a first spot injection electrode for placement adjacent the xiphoid process for injecting a signal thereat and a first elongated conductive strip electrode for receipt of the signal at the xiphoid process, and a second pair of electrodes consisting of a second injection spot electrode for placement adjacent the neck for injecting a second signal thereat, a second elongated strip electrode for receipt of the second signal at the patient's neck, and a single connector assembly connected to all of the electrodes of the first and second pairs of electrodes and to a single cable connector for coupling the electrodes to a monitoring apparatus.

Abstract: A urine meter comprising, a receptacle having a wall defining a cavity and an opening at the top of the metered receptacle communicating with the cavity. The urine meter has a container having flexible walls defining a chamber, with the container being secured to the top of the receptacle and having an opening communicating with the chamber and the cavity through the receptacle opening. The urine meter has an inlet conduit extending through the container to a position aligned with the cavity for draining liquid into the cavity. The receptacle is movably mounted between a first lower upright position to collect liquid in the cavity, and a second upper tilted position sufficient to dump collected liquid from the cavity into the chamber.

Abstract: A sponge collecting device comprising, a backing sheet of flexible material having a front surface, a rear surface, a pair of side edges, and a pair of end edges connecting the side edges. The device has a plurality of pockets progressively disposed on the front surface of the backing sheet intermediate the end edges. The pockets comprise a first flap of flexible material having a pair of side edges, and an upper edge extending between the side edges. Side portions of the first flap adjacent its side edges are joined to the backing sheet adjacent the side edges of the backing sheet, and a lower portion of the first flap is joined to the backing sheet intermediate the joined side portions of the first flap. The upper edges of the first flap define an opening intermediate the first flap and backing sheet to receive sponges.

Abstract: A suprapubic catheter comprising, an elongated shaft having a drainage lumen extending therethrough, and a plurality of openings extending through the shaft and communicating with the drainage lumen. The catheter has a first elastic sleeve secured to the shaft in spaced circumferential zones and defining a first cavity beneath the first sleeve, with the first sleeve being located adjacent a distal end of the shaft. The catheter has a second elastic sleeve secured to the shaft in spaced circumferential zones and defining a second cavity beneath the second sleeve, with the second sleeve being located proximal the first sleeve, and with the openings being located intermediate the first and second sleeves. The catheter has one or more inflation lumens extending along the shaft for inflating the first and second sleeves.

Abstract: A heel pad comprising, a sheet of porous material having a hemispherical portion for placement on the heel, first and second opposed flap portions extending upwardly from the hemispherical portion and a central portion connecting the first and second flap portions. The pad has third and fourth flap opposed flap portions extending downwardly from the hemispherical portion, and a central portion connecting the third and fourth flap portions. The third and fourth flap portions are adapted to overlap upper portions over lower portions of the first and second flap portions, with the first and second flap portions facing each other, and with the third and fourth flap portions facing each other in the formed sheet.

Abstract: A nephrostomy catheter comprising, an elongated shaft having a drainage lumen extending along the shaft and a distal end, and a formed tip bonded to the distal end of the shaft and having a distal opening communicating with the lumen to receive a guide wire.