Abstract: A highly efficient seed planting system and method for farmers with small acreages that allows quick changes in equipment to effect quick changes in planted seed patterns. The system includes a seed selector, a seed distributor, a planting member, a transport apparatus and a timing drive mechanism. Efficiency is provided by a number of features including easily changeable seed carrying drums each having different predetermined first seed patterns for different seeds that produce scaled second predetermined patterns in the ground, an easily changeable seed distribution arrangement, an easily changeable and variable seed supply, a simple vacuum/pressure producer, and a timing drive apparatus that synchronizes movement of the drums with the transport apparatus and allows easy changing of the seed spacing in each row.

Abstract: A compact, lightweight, safe and convenient jump rope assembly that allows quick and easy attachment and detachment of an end attachment device to and from a great variety of support surfaces and thereby promotes and encourages aerobic and educational play by a greater number of participants includes a unique suction gripping portion having a quick release feature and a relatively friction free easy turning ball and socket rope connection portion attached to one end of a jump rope. The suction gripping portion has a circumferential lip structure that allows quick, easy and intuitive release by those present, including young children, in the event of an emergency or at the end of play. An intermediate adapter plate having releasable adhesive on one side and a suitable suction portion accepting surface on the other greatly extends the surfaces to which the assembly may be attached and thereby further promotes its use.

Abstract: A bone biopsy needle assembly which includes a handle having a proximal concave curved surface having an off-center radius producing a first relatively narrow end and a second relatively wide end of the handle. The wide end is curved to conform to the shape of a user's palm, and the narrow end forms a surface to limit lateral slippage in the direction of the user's forefinger. The handle also has a distal surface with a receiving opening. A cannula has a central lumen, with a first end extending into the receiving opening and being connected to the distal surface of the handle toward the relatively narrow end and having a second end extending distally from the handle. A removable stylet is slidably received within the lumen and has a proximal knob carried by the handle.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved yankauer used to aspirate body fluids during surgical procedures. It comprises a conventional hollow tip the back end of which is connected to flexible tubing which transports the aspirated body fluids. The section of the yankauer behind the hollow tip is a curved arm having a channel extending throughout its length which receives the flexible tubing. The other end of the curved arm is connected to a handle which also contains a channel which receivs the flexible tubing. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the channels in the curved arm and the handle are troughs.

Abstract: A surgical drape for receiving a limb of a patient includes a base sheet having an opening and a passageway extending between the opening and an edge of the base sheet, an elasticized cuff having a central fenestration applied over the opening in the base sheet and attached to the base sheet about the opening in the base sheet, and a separation defined in the cuff extending between the central fenestration and an edge of the cuff and being longitudinally aligned with the passageway of the base sheet for permitting wrapping of the drape around the limb to isolate and form a seal around at least a portion of the limb through the central fenestration of the cuff. The drape may also include a liquid gathering pouch attached to the base sheet and surrounding the cuff and having a layer separate from the base sheet and the cuff to form a pocket therebetween and an opening surrounding the cuff for receiving liquid therein.

Abstract: A patient fluid collection system is disclosed which includes a fluid collection reservoir, a cover for the reservoir and a liner within the reservoir comprising an enlargeable or expandable wall portion such that the wall portion may expand if the liner fills with fluid. An anti-reflux system is also disclosed as well as a new tandem tube and a new connector.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for the thermal treatment of the body. A first container adapted to receive water is provided. A second container having a substance adapted to react with water and produce a thermal reaction is also provided. The second container is placed inside the first container. At least a portion of the second container is made of a material that at least partially dissolves in water, so as to allow the substance to mix with water and produce the thermal reaction.

Abstract: A belt grinding machine for forming cutting edges of complex geometry on surgical instruments includes a fixture for holding an instrument with a site thereon in a position for grinding a surface at the site on the instrument, a grinding assembly having a grinding belt with a planar span for grinding the surface at the site on the instrument, an oscillation producing mechanism for oscillating the instrument relative to the grinding belt so as to reciprocally translate the site on the instrument parallel and relative to the planar span of the grinding belt concurrently with grinding the surface at the site on the instrument, a translation producing mechanism for selectively translating the grinding assembly and thus the planar span of the grinding belt toward and away from the site on the instrument to permit receiving and setting up of the instrument in the instrument holding fixture and to place the instrument in a position for the planar span of the grinding belt to grind the surface at the site on the inst

Abstract: A bone marrow biopsy needle assembly includes an elongated tubular cannula having an axially extending lumen therethrough, and a cannula handle attached to the proximal end of the cannula, the cannula handle extending transversely to the axis of the cannula and having a cavity aligned with and open to the proximal end of the cannula. The handle is provided with a cover connected to the cannula by means of a living hinge. A stylet having a knob affixed to its proximal end which knob is sized to fit within the cavity with the stylet slidably received within the cannula lumen. The cavity is provided with projections that engage the knob to prevent relative rotation between the stylet and the cannula. A guide is provided to facilitate insertion of a stylet into the cannula for sample removal.

Abstract: A surgical drape is described which includes a pouch having one embodiment a one-piece construction and formed with a single seam. An edge of the pouch may be extended to create a concave surface to control and contain fluids during a surgical procedure. Once formed or shaped into the pouch and the edge sealed, the sheet has a front portion, a back portion, an upper back edge in the back portion for placement relatively near the surgical site, and an upper front edge on the front portion, which in the final configuration, is located away from the upper back edge. The upper back edge and the upper front edge together define the opening in the pouch having a circumference. Additionally, the length of the upper front edge is preferably greater than the length of the upper back edge.

Abstract: A bone biopsy needle assembly includes an elongated tubular cannula having an axially extending lumen therethrough. A guide is provided to facilitate insertion of a probe into the cannula for sample removal. The guide has a molded shape with an elongated dimension having first and second ends. A cylindrical opening extends through the length of the elongated dimension and has a diameter substantially equal to that of the interior lumen of the cannula. A flared outward enlargement of the cylindrical opening at each of the first and second ends provides for easy alignment of one of the ends with the distal end of the cannula and the other end forms a guide for insertion of a probe into the distal end of the cannula for removal of the biopsy specimen.

Abstract: A patient fluid collection system is disclosed which includes a fluid collection reservoir, a cover for the reservoir and a liner within the reservoir comprising an enlargeable or expandable wall portion such that the wall portion may expand if the liner fills with fluid. An anti-reflux system is also disclosed as well as a new tandem tube and a new connector.

Abstract: A drape is described which includes a three dimensional system for covering appendages of a patient. The drape includes a top sheet which forms a first, generally horizontal plane when draped over a patient. The drape further includes an apron which is attached to the top sheet and forms second and third, generally vertical planes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for fabricating multiple layer sheet materials while minimizing the time during which a sensitive polymeric melt stream is in contact with metal. The method comprises encapsulating the sensitive melt stream with a second polymeric melt stream, preferably of a lower viscosity, at the outlet of the apparatus which produces the sensitive melt stream. When the encapsulating melt stream has a lower viscosity than the sensitive melt stream, a transport means is preferably employed between the encapsulating means and the die, whereby thickness variations about the circumference of the encapsulating melt stream are reduced.

Abstract: Sheet materials and packages capable of holding hard-to-hold products such as methyl salicylate. The preferred embodiments include a foil layer 12 and a layer 14 of EVOH between foil layer 12 and the enclosed product. An anhydride modified adhesive layer 18 is disposed between the EVOH layer 14 and the product 52. Additional layers are used in the sheet material for purposes of adhesion, appearance, protection, body, and the like. One embodiment of the invention is a coextruded film comprising the EVOH layer 514, a surface layer 516 of LLDPE, an intervening adhesive layer 518, and a fourth covering layer 519 for covering and protecting the EVOH layer 514, especially from physical abuse. The sheet materials of the invention may be made into packages by means of fin seals 54 or lap seals 50.