Abstract: An oximeter machine includes a built in first socket that is positively engaged by a jack at the proximal end of a first cable. The distal end of the first cable includes a jack that engages the proximal end of a second socket. The proximal end of a second, adjustable length cable engages the distal end of the second socket and the distal end of the second cable engages the proximal end of a third socket. The proximal end of a third cable engages the distal end of the third socket and the distal end of the third cable is engaged to an oximeter finger sensor. A retractable cable housing enables the length of the second cable to be adjusted so that its length may be minimized to reduce cable tangling and to minimize a tripping hazard.

Abstract: A method for making a box kite includes the steps of placing two elongate strips of tissue paper atop a support surface in parallel relation to one another, separated by a third strip of stiff cardboard that maintains the parallel separation between them. The third strip is gradually withdrawn as elongate and truncate bamboo struts are adhered to the first and second strips of tissue in a particular pattern. A square parallelogram is then formed and strings and tails are secured to the kite. The kite is flattened, placed atop a flat thread card about which the main kite string and the tails are wrapped, and inserted into a package for sale.

Abstract: A dynamic prosthetic foot having multiple load points includes a sole and an upper member that overlies the sole. A heel end of the upper member has a gradual ninety degree bend formed in so that it is normal to the sole. A longitudinally-extending slot divides the heel end of the upper member into a lateral pylon support and a medial pylon support. The lateral pylon support is thicker than the medial pylon support so that forces applied to the lateral and medial pylons are transferred to a greater extent to the medial pylon support. Vertical bounce during heel strike is eliminated, as is the flat spot. The foot further provides medial lateral stiffness, medial lateral stability, torsional flex and anysotropic stiffness. In a second embodiment, an elongate lateral and medial pylon replace the lateral and medial pylon supports, respectively.

Abstract: A combination surgical drape and blanket covers the entire body of a supine patient to provide draping and body temperature management in a single structure. A flexible sheet of plastic overlies a flexible substrate and is connected to the substrate at its periphery to create a hollow space into which warm air is pumped. A plurality of tie-downs maintains a low profile for the inflated cover. Removable panels grant access to areas of the body for surgical procedures. The structure includes a tool-holding platform and a releasably mounted urine drainage system that enables a patient to remain connected to a urine drainage bag even when the combination surgical drape and blanket is removed at the conclusion of a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A full color image containing two stages of animation where each stage is printed in complementary color components. A preselected part of the image includes no stages of animation so that the preselected part remains in perfect registration and coincidence with itself when the two stages of animation are viewed. A viewing device contains a single sheet of filter material having at least two complementary colors disposed in abutting relation to one another. The viewing device is reciprocated up and down or from left to right depending upon the embodiment to change the colors perceived by the user's eyes.

Abstract: A dynamic prosthetic foot has a heel of elasticity made of a lateral heel and a medial heel that are formed separately from one another. A lateral ankle diverges upwardly from a sole along a transverse parting line and includes a horizontal and a vertical part that collectively form a lateral ankle part. The horizontal part is supported by a return bend formed in the lateral heel. The medial heel includes a return bend formed integrally with the sole but includes no medial ankle upper part. Each of the two heel parts independently absorbs impacts generated during ambulation and therefore provides differentiated heel elasticity. The lateral heel transfers loads to the medial heel because the lateral ankle upper part is supported by the lateral heel and the return bend that forms the medial heel is unsupported.

Abstract: A dynamic prosthetic foot provides medial and lateral stabilization. An ankle part diverges upwardly from a sole along a transverse parting line and includes a vertical part. A longitudinally extending slot divides the ankle part into a lateral and a medial ankle part and a pylon is connected to each of those parts. A plurality of parallel, equidistantly spaced, longitudinally extending slots are formed in the toe section and the heel section of the sole, respectively, to create a plurality of substantially independent toe and heel sections of narrow width. This enables the substantially independent toe and heel sections to respond independently to uneven terrain so that the user of the prosthetic foot is less likely to fall when ambulating over uneven terrain.

Abstract: A balloon angioplasty or stenting apparatus includes a guide wire, a balloon catheter ensleeving the guide wire, and a guide catheter ensleeving the balloon catheter. The balloon catheter has slots formed in it to define elongate members between the slots. A joint is formed at the proximal, distal, and mid-point of each elongate member. Displacing the proximal and distal joints toward and away from one another causes the respective middle joints to displace radially outwardly and inwardly, respectively. A mesh that captures emboli while allowing blood perfusion partially overlies the jointed members is opened and closed when the jointed members are opened and closed. A guide wire having an outer coil and an inner rod slideably received within it has jointed members formed in the outer coil. The mesh is opened and closed by axially retracting and advancing the inner rod with respect to the outer coil, respectively.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable sealant plug that expands in response to contact with moisture in a mammalian body is optimally positioned in a biopsy tract to seal the biopsy tract when a biopsy procedure is completed. In a first method, the leading end of the sealant plug is advanced through the lumen of a coaxial needle by a plunger until a leading end of a supporting leg abuts the patient's skin surface. A second method is performed with a pistol-shaped tool having a trigger that enables adjustment of the plunger. A third embodiment includes a plunger having a bifurcated end that grasps the plug. A fourth embodiment has a turning nut that causes compression of a gasket that clamps down on the plug. A supporting rod and coaxial needle are in parallel relation to one another in a fifth embodiment.

Abstract: A submerged sensor head is protected from fouling by marine organisms by positioning the sensor head in a submerged hollow enclosure. Openings are formed in the hollow enclosure to admit water but filters are positioned in the openings so that only filtered water may enter the enclosure. The filters remove biologically active marine organisms from the water and have sufficient surface area to enable free flow of water into the hollow enclosure.

Abstract: A method for detecting and locating foreign inclusions in a drilled cylindrical shaft includes the steps of positioning at least one logging tube within the drilled shaft in parallel relation to a longitudinal axis of the drilled shaft, providing a temperature sensing means, identifying a plurality of temperature locations along the extent of the logging tube, pouring concrete into the drilled shaft, covering the at least one logging tube and monitoring in real time the temperature at various depths and radial directions within the logging tube during the hydration phase of the concrete curing. Temperature readings that differ from expected readings are deemed positioned in the vicinity of an anomalous inclusion. The range over which these anomalous readings are detected, the magnitude of the variance, and the orientation are used to predict the size and location of anomalies prior to the full curing of the concrete.

Abstract: A method of preconcentrating trace analytes is accomplished by extracting polar and non-polar analytes through a sol-gel coating. The sol-gel coating is either disposed on the inner surface of a capillary tube or disposed within the tube as a monolithic bed.

Abstract: A first embodiment of an automatic injector employs less material and fewer parts by eliminating an outer housing required in earlier automatic injectors. In a second embodiment, a manually operated sharps protector is provided. In a third embodiment, the sharps protector is deployed by a spring positioned internally of the sharps protector. In a fourth embodiment, the sharps protector is deployed by a spring positioned externally of the sharps protector. In all embodiments, removal of a safety cap enables a user to press on an outer gun sleeve that displaces in an axial direction and releases the trailing end of a spring holder so that a compressed spring that bears against the spring holder unloads and drives a piston that displaces a cannula into the tissue of a user, followed by a liquid medicament injection through the cannula.

Abstract: A hydrophilic dressing device for use with a gastrostomy tube. The device has a disc-shaped configuration with a central opening. A radial cut extends from the central opening to a peripheral edge of the device to create a pair of opposed free ends that are releasably attachable to one another to facilitate attachment of the device around the tube. The device is positioned in overlying relation to the patient's skin to absorb leaking bodily fluids and prevent skin irritation. The core of the device is a hydrophilic material such as hydrophilic polyurethane foam. The core is covered by nylon because the open mesh structure of nylon allows the fluids to be absorbed by the core material and because nylon does not stick to the patient's skin. The device is washable in a residential washing machine and can be re-used indefinitely.

Abstract: A custom-fitting prosthetics liner is made without mixing silicone and without making a mold. A thermoformable liner is made by preparing a negative cast from a patient's residual limb, preparing a positive cast from the negative cast, and placing a thermoformable tubular liner over the positive cast. The positive cast and liner are heated in an oven for a predetermined time and temperature. Having acquired a new geometry, the cast and liner are removed from the oven and allowed to cool to room temperature. The liner is then removed from the cast. Alternatively the liner is heated, placed over the positive cast, cooled and removed. The interior surface of the liner conforms to the shape of the cast. The liner is elastic so that it returns to its new geometry when stretched and released. It therefore holds on to a residual limb even when the residual limb shrinks.

Abstract: A hollow housing has a closed top, a closed back, a pair of side walls formed integrally with the closed top and the closed back, an open front and an open bottom. The open front is adapted to abuttingly engage a flat exterior surface of a wall of a building. The open bottom receives an uppermost end of a vertically oriented conduit. A throughbore is formed in the wall so that at least one cable enters the vertically oriented conduit from a lowermost end, extends through the lumen of the conduit, makes a gentle right angle bend in the hollow housing, and extends through the throughbore into the interior of the building. Sealant is then introduced into the hollow housing through a port formed in the closed top to seal the throughbore.

Abstract: An ambulator for assisting an individual in walking or standing includes a three-sided base disposed in close proximity to a support surface and a three-sided support structure that is mounted to the base by a pair of transversely spaced apart support posts. The support posts are telescopically constructed so that the support structure is adjustable to the comfort of the individual. The individual is fitted with a harness and the harness is secured to the support structure by a plurality of straps. The harness and a brake for the ambulator ensures that the individual cannot fall even when the individual is supported only by the ambulator and the harness. The harness also provides a seat.

Abstract: A modular conveyor belt passes over and around at least one sprocket carried on a non-rotating hollow shaft and causes rotation of the sprocket. The sprocket includes a first pair of diametrically opposed sectors and a second pair of diametrically opposed sectors that are laterally staggered in relation to the first pair of sectors. Each sprocket is flanked by a pair of nozzles, each of which produces a fan-shaped spray. The fan-shaped sprays overlap one another across the lateral extent of the belt so that the entire breadth of the belt is cleaned. Adjacent fan-shaped sprays are angled relative to one another so that their respective sprays do not interfere with one another. The staggered sector design ensures that all sections of the belt are exposed to the spray. The nozzles are positioned to clean hinges of the belt when the hinges are open.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis for below knee amputations includes a socket, a foam-covered pylon, and a prosthetic foot. A prosthetic knee is added for above knee amputations. A plastic sleeve is formed, heated, and stretched until it has a size sufficient to ensleeve the endoprothesis. The plastic sleeve is maintained at that enlarged size and cooled so that the resulting sleeve is substantially inelastic and is adapted to receive the endoprosthesis. The plastic sleeve is heated in areas where it does not conform exactly to the endoprosthesis until it shrinks and conforms exactly to the endoprosthesis, including the contour of the foam-covered pylon. The plastic sleeve then reveals all of the structural details of the prosthetic foam but does not apply compressive force to the foam. Lines of demarcation therefore do not form at the locations where the foam meets the prosthetic socket, the prosthetic knee, or the prosthetic foot.