Abstract: A compact medication dispensing unit is disclosed consisting of a body forming a chamber with an open first end, a closed second end, a front, a back and at least two sides. A lid is hinged, preferably at the front of the body, to prevent access to the chamber. Dividers, either integral or removable, create multiple sub-chambers to separate medications. A securing member, such as a spring bias clip or a semi-rigid J-shaped clip, is affixed to the back of the body proximate the first end to maintain the vertical alignment of the ends. Programmable notification and display means enable a user to enter data and subsequently notify and display the entered data to the user. In another embodiment the interior chamber contains vertically oriented modules. The modules are rotatable within the interior chamber to open for accessibility and are preferably separated by rigidly affixed separators. The can rotate through use of a pivot member or a hinge.

Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis is provided for implanting on the tibial plateau and femoral condyle of the knee. The prosthesis includes a tibial prosthesis having a tibial fixation surface on the tibial prosthesis adapted to be positioned on the tibial plateau. The tibial fixation surface has at least one tibial attachment means for securing the tibial prosthesis to the tibial plateau. It further includes a femoral prosthesis having a femoral fixation surface adapted to be positioned on the femoral condyle. The femoral fixation surface has at least one femoral attachment means for securing the femoral prosthesis to the femoral condyle. The prosthesis further includes a bearing member supported by the tibial prosthesis for engaging the femoral prosthesis in weight bearing relationships.

Abstract: A rack to hold pre-designed containers such as jars, cans, powered drink tubs and the like, or custom designed containers that specifically interact with the rack. The rack has one or more pairs of resilient arms extending out from a back panel, at about 90 degrees, to form container holders. Each of the resilient top arms has formed protrusions or indents that interact with opposing protrusions or indents within the container lid. The bottom arm is designed to interact with the shape of the base of the container.

Abstract: A container for dispensing a predetermined amount of liquid through a dispensing tube is disclosed. A valve is dimensioned to contain and dispense a predetermined about of liquid and dispense the liquid through a dispensing tube in contact with the valve. The liquid is in fluid contact with the inlet port when the base is in a first position and out of fluid contact with the inlet port when the base is in a second position. Thus, the valve fills with liquid when the container is in a substantially horizontal position while angling the container removes the liquid from contact with the valve and stops the fluid flow. Preferably the container has a sealable, watertight lid that receives the dispensing tube and incorporates vent holes to enable airflow into the container. The fluid inlet port can be placed in the side or top of the valve. The valve can alternatively be a tube with fluid and tube inlets in fluid communication.

Abstract: The stand free multi-beamed load cell for accurately monitoring and registering weight changes has at multiple beams secured to one another to form a polygon rim with an open center. Multiple tabs are equally spaced from one another along the rim to receive securing members to secure the rim to a support surface. Each tab has a pair of balancing members on either side of the securing member to maintain the rim above the support surface. At least one of the beams has a bridge to reduce the depth of the beam to enable flexing under application of the weight. A strain gage proximate the bridge registers the flexing of the beams, sending the signals through an electronic connector to a control means. The balance members serve to minimize the deflection on the rim approximate the tabs, creating maximum strain level at the bridge. The tabs and balance members further serve to accommodate for any variations in the support surface.

Abstract: A cantilever structure is provided having a cantilever arm with a piezo-active detector embedded on the surface at the fixed end of the cantilever as well as at a sensing point close to the free end along with an integrated amplification circuitry. Deflection of the cantilever arm is initiated by two different methods: (a) by a force at the free end which induces a surface strain at the base of the cantilever and no strain at the free end and (b) by a torque at the free end which induces a maximum strain at the free end but no strain at the base of the cantilever. In the first case a piezo-active signal is produced only in the detector at the base and in the second case only in the detector close to the free end.

Abstract: A device for the application of artificial light to a user's retina is disclosed. A light source leads to a light focusing member that generates a light stream at, at least one transmission angle, to the user's retina, preventing the light from coming in contact with the user's fovea. In one embodiment, the light focusing member is a light ring containing a plurality of apertures around an outer periphery with light exiting through the apertures in a plurality of streams at a transmission angle. A vision aperture within the light ring has a periphery less than the outer periphery and is on a direct axis with the user's fovea to enable the user to maintain vision during chronotherapy. The light source can be distanced from the light focusing member and connect by a light transfer member, such as a optic fiber. In another embodiment, the light focusing member can be the frame of a pair of eyeglasses having lenses to enable user vision.

Abstract: An easy to use and accurate marking device enables the placement of an indicator mark on one side of a sheet of material to mark the periphery of an object. A marking line located within the base transfers a marking substance to the material upon contact. A recess within the base contains a contact pad that is moveable within the recess. The pad is maintained a predetermined distance from the base plate, when not under pressure, by a spring between the contact pad and the recess. At least one retaining member prevents removal of the contact pad from the base plate while permitting contact pad movement within the recess. At least one holding member, such as flanges forming a friction fit, is used to secure the base plate to the stationary object. A portion of the body of the marking device can be notched, giving a thinner cross-sectional thickness and placing at least a portion of the recess into the object.

Abstract: A method for the in vivo detection of urease-producing Helicobacter in the upper stomach is disclosed. The dense carrier is divided into two separate groups which are combined with separate reagent indicators, one of which also contains urea. The carriers are food soluble products, preferably sugar beads having a diameter of approximately 0.2 to 3.0 mm. The treated carriers and urea are encapsulated in a soluble capsule which is administered to a patient. The density of the carriers cause the capsule to migrate to the gastric mucosa, where the capsule, but not the reagents, is dissolved, placing the reagents and urea in direct contact with the gastric mucosa. The urea reacts with any urease present in the stomach by creating ammonia, which increases the pH in the immediate vicinity of the urea containing carrier and indicator beads. The two reagents react differently, through color change, to the increase in pH, which is viewed through use of an endoscope.

Abstract: The device of the present invention is a stored heat warming utensil. It includes a heat storage element having a bottom surface and a top surface, a an outer container, and a vessel for a liquid, most typically a cup. The outer container has an opening in its top and an interior surface with a flange member for supporting the heat storage element. The heat storage member is positioned within the outer container and supported on said flange member. The drink vessel is dimensioned to be received within the outer container and be supported on the heat storage element. The outer container can be a ceramic member. A heat source, such as a candle can be provide d to provide continuing heat to the heat storage element. The heat source is positioned within the heat source retaining section, and is shielded from the user by said outer container. The heat storage device is a soft metamorphic rock composed primarily of mineral talc. It is common known as soapstone and steatite.

Abstract: A perforating apparatus for use in the formation of shrink film packages is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a bottom seal tool with a plurality of peninsula regions forming a plurality of window areas. Each pair of window areas has a knife receiving area to receive a knife retaining block. The retaining block contains a perforation knife that extends beyond the surface of the sealing tool a sufficient distance to perforate the packages. At least one screw member extends through the peninsula, contacting the retaining block and securing the retaining block within the retaining channel. A change plate, having slots dimensioned and located to receive the knife blades is placed over the sealing tool surface. The packages are placed on the change plate and sealed by contacting the package with the upper platen. The upper platen is provided with a nonconductive material positioned to receive the knife blade.

Abstract: A reinforced catheter having a multi-layered structure suitable for medical uses comprising an inner liner, a braided reinforced layer adjacent to the inner liner, a first resin adjacent to the braided layer, and a harder second resin overlaying the first resin; wherein, the first resin and second resin taper inversely to one another along the length of the catheter, thereby forming a co-tapered soft tip that reduces body trauma.

Abstract: An elevated pet bed is disclosed which consists of a frame, supported a predetermined height from a base surface through the use of legs. A sleeping pad is affixed to the frame, thereby suspending the sleeping pad, within the frame, above the base surface. The sleeping pad can be affixed to the frame through use of channels dimensioned to receive the frame or secured to the frame with two part hook and wool material. The sleeping pad is a non-absorbent, open weave material which allows urine to pass through to a safety pan placed on the base surface under the pad. In one embodiment, the safety pad has a perimeter slightly greater than the periphery of the frame and in another embodiment the perimeter of the safety pan is slightly less than the frame periphery. A bolster is secured along the periphery of the sleeping pad to provide a raised area for a pet to lie against.

Abstract: A method and machine for changing or renewing the color and/or light reflection, transmission, and absorption characteristics of an existing layer of synthetic agricultural mulch or prolonging the usefulness of the existing mulch by applying a layer of new mulch to the pre-existing mulch in a cultivated field using heat welding/fusion or adhesive or mechanical fastening for attachment of new mulch to existing mulch and at least one blower for clearing debris from the existing mulch prior to application of new mulch, with the machine being able to be drawn by a tractor, laborer, or draft animal.

Abstract: The fuel filter assembly for filtering and removing water from a fuel under pressure includes an outerhousing, an inner sleeve member, an annular space between the outerhousing and the inner sleeve member, and a filter for filtering the fuel. The filter is positioned within the sleeve member. The fuel inlet is at the upper end of the outer housing and provides fluid flow between the outer housing and the inner sleeve. The fuel inlet and annular space are positioned and dimensioned to provide a downward, non-circumferential, substantially laminar flow in the annular space. The inner sleeve member extends downwardly to a position below the bottom of the filter. The downwardly flowing fuel and contaminants must turn 180 degrees and flow upward through the filter media to the outlet. The slow moving denser components settle out in the accumulation chamber. The accumulation chamber is the region within the lower end of the outerhousing, below the filter media and the annular sleeve.

Abstract: A card, generally rectangular, for maintains a material in a fixed position is dimensioned to interact with the holding plate for use with a spectrophotometer. A pair of polygon windows within the card are aligned with the window of the holding plate which aligns with the window of the spectrophotometer. The card can be sealed to secure itself when folded and retain the material overlaying the window within the folded card. A fabric recess preferable encompasses one of the windows and a fabric adhesive, preferably releasable, maintains the fabric swatch in position. The fabric adhesive can be placed within the fabric recess or encompassing an opposing window. The cards are stored within a pocketed holder having pockets dimensioned to individually store multiple cards on a sheet. The holding plate is dimensioned to be received and affixed to a spectrophotometer. A slot, open at one end of the holding plate, retains the cards.

Abstract: An exterior covering for various types of medical equipment is disclosed to reduce some of the intimidation created by medical equipment. The interior of the covering is configured to receive the medical equipment while the exterior is shaped to portray an object, such as an animal, plant, vehicle, building, etc., and can include a removable figure. The cover has recesses and channels, such as a lens viewing channel, corresponding to the specific equipment to permit unobstructed use of the equipment. The covering can include a filling to provide a three dimensional sculpted appearance to the object. The covering encompasses at least a portion of the medical equipment and, where necessary, has a method to secure the cover. When manufactured in multiple pieces, the cover can have a bottom portion containing a receiving sleeve that is dimensioned to receive the base of the equipment.

Abstract: A culture dish for use in in vitro cell manipulation has an outer rim encompassing, and at right angles to, the periphery of the working surface. A parallel inner wall, spaced from the outer rim, forms a trough along the periphery of the dish. Preferably the outer rim is higher than the inner wall to permit liquid contents to flow into, and be retained within, the trough. Cell indices are etched into the working surface to identify the cell location. Although the dish can be solid or translucent, in most applications the working surface is transparent. The cell indicators can optionally be etched into the bottom side of the working surface to maintain a smooth top surface. A working circle, with a periphery smaller than the inner wall, is inset into the surface of the working surface. Alternatively, the circle can be etched into either the top or bottom side of the surface. A lid can be used in conjunction with the culture dish for storage purposes.

Abstract: The invention discloses an engine alarm system for use with user operated vehicles, such as boats. The system has multiple, independently powered portable remote transceivers, each transmitting a data packet of predetermined data, including an individual ID code. A base transceiver recognizes each of the individually identifiable ID codes and contains multiple display panels to reflect the information received by the base transceiver from the remote transceivers. The base transceiver is in communication with the vehicle engine, the communication being determined by the data packet and dictating an action by the engine. The base unit sequentially polls each of the remote transceivers, with an accurate return of the transmitted data packet, and subsequent base transceiver verification, indicating a non-alert status. The base transceiver continues to sequentially poll the remote transceivers.