Abstract: An article for use in making a cast on a patient comprising, an elongated strip of porous material having a base portion and a raised edge portion extending from a line of juncture with the base portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for making post-foaming gels comprising, a piston chamber having an outer case defining a chamber, a piston being slidably received in the case and separating the chamber into a first compartment adjacent one end of the case for retaining a gel base, and a second compartment adjacent the other end of the case for retaining a compressed gas, with said piston having a hollow stem extending out of the other end of the case. The apparatus has a device for circulating the gel base through the stem and first compartment, and a device for introducing a foaming agent to the gel base while it is being circulated through the piston chamber.

Abstract: A thread trimming mechanism including a pair of knives for severing thread disposed therebetween. The knives are magnetically attracted to each other such that a cooperative cutting relationship is maintained therebetween.