Abstract: A unit dose medication compliance monitoring and reporting apparatus and system that includes a dispenser shell formed with dose compartments. A retainer sheet affixed to the shell seals each compartment and partially bursts upon dispensing. A sensor network and monitoring and reporting circuitry records dispensing times and determines an average time interval, which can be reported with other data on an integral data display. The system can thereby monitor and report patient compliance with prescription regimens. Additional data can be recorded and displayed for augmented patient compliance assistance and analysis, which data can include customized informational messages, telephone and other patient support contact information, unit doses dispensed and remaining, reminder alarms, identification data, prescription regimens, among other data.

Abstract: A reconfigurable orthopedic sleep aid that is adapted to be worn by a patient about the hips and legs, a knee, a portion of the back, a shoulder, and or another symptomatic anatomical location for injury prevention, trauma amelioration, and optimized comfort, and when applicable for reduced periods of post-trauma convalescence. The sleep aid incorporates a stretchable, stretchably conformable, or loose fitting garment, such as a girdle or trouser that is adapted to be worn during sleep. The garment includes one or more attachments and bears a coordinate indicia pattern, and orientation indicia that can correspond to an anatomical location of the patient such as a greater trocanter, a posterior superior iliac crest, a coccyx, an anterior ventral navel-aligned position, a medial or lateral patella border, a lateral or medial compartment of a respective inferior or superior knee joint, and a hamstring tendon, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A contaminant capture device that is adapted to be immersed in a circulating fluid contained in an enclosed reservoir space, where the enclosed reservoir includes a wall formed with an opening. The capture device includes an installation cap configured for removable installation into the opening in the reservoir enclosure. A non-magnetic, generally cylindrical capture element is included, which is joined to the installation cap and configured to have a substantially smooth finish about the exterior surface. The capture element is also formed with an interior recess. The capture device further includes a plurality of cylindrical permanent magnets formed with generally planar opposite ends, which are arranged in a stacked configuration, separated from each other by pole interfaces. Once stacked, the magnets are received within the interior recess of the capture element. In one variation of the invention, each magnet is arranged in the stack with the respective north poles confronting each other.

Abstract: A storage and mixing apparatus for storing and mixing a substantially flowable substance that includes a container formed from a folded flexible sheet incorporating releasably sealed enclosure seams. The flexible sheet is unfoldable along a plurality of fold seams into a mixing mat, which has a basin portion. The mixing mat also includes a periphery that incorporates at least one releasably engagable basin former that is configured to form the periphery into a circumferential riser when the at least one basin former is engaged. The basin former can be incorporated into the periphery and may be formed with a raceway received with a cinch cord operative to form the riser when drawn. In the alternative, the periphery may be folded along the plurality of fold seams to form the riser from opposing walls. In this configuration, the at least one basin former can be adapted to releasably engage the opposing walls to form a basin from the basin portion and the opposing walls.

Abstract: A multipurpose materiel handling cart is disclosed for transporting food and other personal items from store to home, laundry, medium sized shelf items in stock rooms, and other portable objects used in a wide variety of residential and commercial environments. More specifically, the multimode cart for transporting items across a surface is described, which includes a substantially rigid and generally planar frame that is formed with a handle and oppositely disposed main wheels. The cart also incorporates a generally planar base assembly that is connected to the frame by an articulation assembly. The articulation assembly moves between a nested position, that is substantially coplanar with the frame, and an extended position that is generally orthogonal with the frame. The base assembly further includes an interconnection assembly that is disposed about the base assembly, and auxiliary wheels adapted to cooperate with the main wheels when the cart is in the extended position.

Abstract: A wick trimmer and capture device for trimming, to a predetermined length, a wick of a candle formed with a primary and a secondary wick well. The trimmer device includes an elongated, actuatable handle assembly that has a grip assembly at a proximate end and having first and second prongs at a distal end. Projecting distally from the first prong, a gauging anvil is also included that is formed with a well edge that is configured with a lateral dimension small enough to fit within the primary well and sufficient in width to span a secondary well diameter. An adjustable trim plate is slidably mounted from the second prong and is formed to have a trim blade, which is arranged in a confronting relationship with the gauging anvil.

Abstract: The therapeutic laser apparatus includes at least two wands connected to a controller and radiation source via fiber optic cables. The controller and source include at least two infrared wavelength solid-state diode (“SSD”) lasers and at least two visible wavelength SSD aiming lasers. The apparatus further includes a combiner configured to maintain the electromagnetic radiation from one infrared SSD laser coincident with one visible light SSD aiming laser. In the method according to the invention, the visible light SSD aiming laser is used as a pointer so that an operator can position the wands adjacent to the skin of a mammal whereby the beams of infrared treatment lasers intersect at a region inside the body of the mammal.

Abstract: A novel fall protection apparatus is described wherein a worker can climb a pole, while maneuvering about the pole as he climbs. This structure enables the worker to both ascend and descend, but be protected upon an accidental fall from the pole. In particular, the arrangement prevents the worker from falling more than a couple of feet, and at the same time holds the worker away from the pole by an amount sufficient to prevent injuries caused by banging into the pole. This structure is especially beneficial in training new workers to climb poles for work, as well as requalifying previously trained workers.

Abstract: The present invention is based in part upon the discovery that the use of pyruvate in enteral formulations, in combination with an anabolic protein composition, produces a synergistic effect in increasing the lean body mass or muscle tissue of a mammal consuming same. The present invention also provides a method for increasing fat loss or decreasing the percent body fat in a mammal through the administration of an anabolic protein composition. The present invention relates generally to a composition for enhancing the protein concentration or muscle mass of a mammal and a method for enhancing the protein concentration or muscle mass in a mammal. More specifically, the present invention relates to a composition which comprises an anabolic protein composition and optionally pyruvate and/or derivatives thereof. The compositions according to the invention can take the form of powders, liquids, pills, capsules, tablets, food additives, candies or confections.

Abstract: A hitch pin retainer assembly that prevents unintended displacement of a shear pin from a trailer hitch includes a hitch plate assembly having a base plate formed with an aperture adapted to receive the shear pin assembly and having a retainer ledge. The hitch plate assembly also includes a latch plate that carries a latch assembly that incorporates a receptacle projecting from the latch plate that captures a spring biased, slidable latch pin that is sized to extend, when in an extended position, above the shear pin. The latch pin is also formed with a handle at one end. The hitch pin retainer assembly can be either bolted or welded to an existing trailer hitch and also includes a tether that can be attached to the shear pin to prevent accidental loss.

Abstract: This invention is directed to filtration systems comprising a venturi, flow control valves, filter and pump. In one specific embodiment the flow control valve and venturi are combined hereinafter known as a CHUF. The CHUF may also contain concentrate release, and temperature, flow and two pressure sensors into a single structure. A continuous filtration system for liquid or gas applications is constructed by plumbing a CHUF to a pump and filter. The CHUF is constructed of plastic, stainless steel or other materials. Different plumbing to the CHUF positions the filter in either series, parallel, or series and parallel with a venturi and flow control valve resulting in different pressures and flows at the filter. A single flow control valve simultaneously controls inflow and outflow of the filtration system. Additional flow control valves are used in a process to control pressure independent of flow at the filter.