Abstract: An apparatus and method for precision bone alignment includes a plurality of markers secured to bone portions prior to an orthopaedic/surgical procedure. Light emitting LED's are provided on said markers and are sensed by an optical three-dimensional sensor which provides respective positional electric signals to a computer, the computer in turn being connected to a monitor to provide a three-dimensional display. The signals prior to the orthopaedic/surgical procedure are stored in the computer. The sensor also provides signals following the orthopaedic/surgical procedure for comparison with the signals before the procedure to insure proper alignment.

Abstract: An extracorporeal lithotripter is provided with an ultrasound transducer on the rotational center line of the reflector and substantially at the open end of the reflector. The transducer is protected against shockwaves by a metallic housing in which it is mounted. The transducer at one end engages the housing through a resilient plastic disk, and is spaced laterally from the housing by a rubber O-ring adjacent the open end of the housing. The housing directly shields or shadows the transducer so that shockwaves are not transmitted to the transducer, which could damage the transducer and shorten its life.

Abstract: A lithotripter (13), and a device for the localization of calculi (11), are mounted on radially moving slides attached to the supporting ring (10). In this manner, their longitudinal axes lie in the same diametric vertical plane, and pass through the center of the supporting ring. The angular distance between the longitudinal axes of the two devices is fixed, as determined by their mounting on the ring. An echograph, with its illustrated free floating probe (19), is interfaced with a computer. The origin of the echograph coordinate system corresponds to both the center of the rotating ring, and to the calculus (16), in the patient's body (14).

Abstract: A lithotripter reflector is disclosed which has an ultrasound transducer mounted at the open end of the reflector and on the axis of rotation. The transducer is supported in a brass socket, and a pair of oppositely directed arms are aligned with one another and extend in opposite directions from the housing. The outer ends of the arms are provided with steel blocks which are ground to precision size. The blocks are received in carefully milled sockets in said reflector so that insertion of the blocks in the sockets accurately positions the housing and hence the transducer.

Abstract: A powdered medication inhaler is provided which comprises a body having a hollow chamber of substantial height. Powdered medication is transferred from a hopper by a dosing blade having an amperture therein to a transfer station opening into a chamber. In most embodiments of the invention the transfer station is adjacent the upper portion of the chamber, but in one embodiment it is adjacent the lower portion thereof. When the transfer station is adjacent the upper portion of the chamber it includes a pallet or cup on which powdered medication is dropped or blown from the dosing blade. Gas then carries the medication from the cup or pallet into the chamber for inhalation by a patient. In the embodiment in which the transfer station is adjacent the bottom of the chamber compressed gas blows the powder up into the chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for locating a target in a living body are provided. A three-dimensional frame carries a plurality of infrared light emitting diodes, and this frame is placed on a table. The infrared LEDs are strobed by a computer. The position of the infrared LEDs is monitored by a pair of infrared sensitive cameras and stored in a computer. The frame is then removed and a living body is placed within or closely adjacent to the volume. An ultrasonic probe is hand held within the volume and is provided with a plurality of infrared LEDs so that the probe can be monitored by the cameras. The positions of the probe LEDs are compared in the computer with the initial position of the frame LEDs so that the position of the probe can be determined quite accurately, and the position of the target in the body can be displayed on a computer monitor.

Abstract: An invasive lithotripter includes a pair of electrodes having rectangular cross sections, and having flat faces of rectangular configuration confronting one another. An insulating member is interposed between the electrodes and spaces them apart a predetermined distance. The insulating member at its forward edge is relieved to provide portions of the electrode flat faces exposed and confronting one another to permit an electrical spark to jump between the exposed portions of the electrode faces. The relieved portion comprises a reflector having a focus point. The portions of the electrodes facing one another across the relieved area are provided with protuberances aligned with the focus point. A spark across the exposed portions of the faces of the electrodes in an aqueous medium generates a shockwave that is focused by the reflector. A shield surrounds and extends beyond the electrode and the insulating member to inhibit radial propagation of shockwave energy while enhancing axial propagation thereof.

Abstract: A buckle is provided for releasable cooperation with a belt. The buckle has an undersurface with a projection adjacent the rear edge thereof extending out from the undersurface and having a first window therein relatively adjacent the undersurface and a second window extending out from the first window away from said undersurface. One or more anchoring studs are provided on the undersurface forwardly of the window for receiving one or more holes in an end portion of the belt extending through the first window. The opposite end of the belt cooperates with a latching stud adjacent the front edge of the buckle, and this portion of the belt then projects over the anchoring stud and through the second window.

Abstract: A powdered medication inhaler is provided which comprises a body having a hollow chamber of substantial height. Powdered medication is transferred from a hopper by a dosing blade having an amperture therein to a transfer station opening into a chamber. In most embodiments of the invention the transfer station is adjacent the upper portion of the chamber, but in one embodiment it is adjacent the lower portion thereof. When the transfer station is adjacent the upper portion of the chamber it includes a pallet or cup on which powdered medication is dropped or blown from the dosing blade. Gas then carries the medication from the cup or pallet into the chamber for inhalation by a patient. In the embodiment in which the transfer station is adjacent the bottom of the chamber compressed gas blows the powder up into the chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for injecting medication into a ventilator circuit. An elbow connects an endotracheal tube to the external ventilator circuit. A port in the elbow is connected to a flexible sheath leading to an actuator receiving an MDI canister. A catheter extends from the actuator substantially through the sheath to a position adjacent the elbow. When it is desired to inject medication, the actuator is moved to a position adjacent the elbow, thus projecting the discharge end of the catheter to a position within the endotracheal tube, but short of the open end thereof.

Abstract: An overhead projector for transparencies is provided, and includes a conventional top glass or other transparent plate. The overhead projector also includes a conventional optical system including a projection light path. An additional glass or the like plate is supported above the top conventional glass plate and supports a transparency for projection. A masking member is provided either above or below the transparency. The masking member is movable to cover portions of the transparency while uncovering other portions thereof to project selected portions of the transparency at any given time. In addition an arrow or other message carrying unit is provided which may be above or below the transparency, and which is movable to direct attention to a particular area of the transparency.

Abstract: A humidifier is provided which lies beneath a bed or other article of furniture. The humidifier is of very shallow height, being much less in height than the length and width. The humidifier includes an open frame resting on the floor, and a sheet of plastic material lying over said frame and on said floor. A pool of water is supported by the plastic sheet material within the frame, and a fan is supported from said frame above said pool of water for moving air across the open surface of said pool of water and out from under said bed or the like.

Abstract: A process for producing freeze dried meat is disclosed. Starch is dispersed in water, whole egg is added and mixed, and then ground meat is blended in. Polar compound from the egg protects oxygenation sites on the meat during initial freezing at ambient pressure, and subsequent freeze drying.

Abstract: A nebulizer has a body with oxygen inlet and outlet ends through which oxygen flows. An aspirator is provided within the body in communication with a water supply conduit for aspirating water into oxygen flowing through the body. A float valve interconnects the water inlet and the aspirator for controlling the flow of water into the oxygen flowing through the nebulizer.

Abstract: A medication inhaler includes an elongated hollow body for improved misting of the medication. A sonic signalling device is provided which is exposed to the inside of the inhaler and to outside air. The sonic signalling device comprises an integrally molded plastic body and vibratory reed. If a person inhales too rapidly, the reed will be set in vibration by reduced pressure inside the inhaler, whereby to generate a pleasant musical tone to alert the user that he is inhaling too rapidly.

Abstract: A discrete lens eyeglass is provided to be worn against the face in front of and spaced from the eye of the wearer. The eyeglass comprises a shallow concave-convex lens body which is worn convex toward the eye. There is an integral rearwardly projecting peripheral flange on the lens body which substantially engages the skin of the face. A foam cushioning material is provided on the edge of the flange for a comfortable fit with the face, and adhesive is applied to the foam for securing the eyeglass to the face.

Abstract: A medication inhaler is provided having a cylindrical body usable with different inlet and outlet fittings at the opposite ends thereof. An inlet end fitting is provided with inner and outer cylindrical flanges gripping the upstream end of the cylindrical body and adapted to receive structure for misting medication into said cylindrical body. The downstream or outlet end fitting snaps over the downstream end of the cylindrical body and is provided with an axially extending protrusion impinging against and securing a flexible diaphragm to an inwardly directed flange at the exit end of the cylindrical body. The outlet end fitting may take different forms such as a mouthpiece to fit into a patient's mouth, a mask to fit over a patient's mouth and nose, or a connection for flexible tubing leading to an endotracheal tube.

Abstract: A medication inhaler is provided having a cylindrical body usable with different inlet and outlet fittings at the opposite ends thereof. An inlet end fitting is provided with inner and outer cylindrical flanges gripping the upstream end of the cylindrical body and adapted to receive structure for misting medication into said cylindrical body. The downstream or outlet end fitting snaps over the downstream end of the cylindrical body and is provided with an axially extending protrusion impinging against and securing a flexible diaphragm to an inwardly directed flange at the exit end of the cylindrical body. The outlet end fitting may take different forms such as a mouthpiece to fit into a patient's mouth, a mask to fit over a patient's mouth and nose, or a connection for flexible tubing leading to an endotracheal tube.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for the extracorporeal destruction of kidney stones, and includes an ellipsoidal reflector. The reflector has a first focus point, and a second focus point, the reflector being truncated and the second focus point being disposed beyond the resulting open end of the reflector for coincidence with a kidney stone or the like. An extension from the apex of the reflector has a cavity with a spark gap therein. The cavity opens into the reflector, and the cavity and reflector are filled with liquid such as water. A spark produced across the spark gap produces a shock wave which moves to the first focus point of the reflector and is reflected to the second focus point.

Abstract: A ventilator breathing circuit is provided with an inline axially extensible inhalation chamber. Telescoping conduits are disposed within the chamber and normally are in fluid communication. The chamber comprises a pleated outer shell so that it may be axially extended upon separation of the telescoping conduits. A receptacle is provided opening into the chamber for receiving a metered dose inhalation medication cannister. In addition, an air leakage path is provided from the chamber which is designed to be covered manually during use, but which will provide an audible signal if the chamber is left in extended position and unattended.