Abstract: View box apparatus is provided for illuminating a film containing a medical diagnostic image for radiologic observation and study. A light source is contained within the view box, at one end thereof, and a transparent plate is positioned at the other end for supporting the imaging film. A panel of material is positioned in the box between the light source and the transparent plate to diffuse light from the source, and one or more layers of a microprism film is positioned between the diffuser panel and the imaging film. The microprism film layer reflects light rays which are incident thereon at an angle less than a critical angle back into the view box, so that such light rays do not pass through the microprism film to illuminate the imaging film. Light rays incident upon the microprism film which are greater than the critical angle are refracted by the microprism film, to provide light for illuminating the imaging film having a solid angle which is much less than the solid angle of light from the diffuser.

Abstract: A crank bait lure is provided which can be adjusted to travel to a number of different depths, to cover a range including shallow, intermediate and comparatively deep levels of operation. The lure comprises an elongated body provided with a groove extending into its interior, and further comprises a lip member having a first portion which is receivable into the groove, and a second portion which extends out of the lure body, beyond the forward end thereof. The lip member is slidable along the groove to selectively vary the length of the extending portion, such length being related to the depth of operation of the crank bait lure. The lure further comprises a detent mechanism for releasably locking the lip member at one of a plurality of discrete positions, in order to adjust the extending portion thereof to the length required for the lure to operate at a particular depth.

Abstract: A method is provided for acquiring MR image data pertaining to a coronary artery which is in motion between end-diastolic and end-systolic maximum excursion positions, respectively, during a cardiac cycle. The method comprises the step of tracking the location of the artery during the cardiac cycle as the artery moves between the positions of maximum excursion. The method further comprises acquiring MR data at a number of locations during the cardiac cycle in a region lying between the maximum excursion positions, each having the excitation or acquisition scan locations adjusted during the MR scan so as to substantially coincide with the location of said artery at the time of data acquisition.

Abstract: A catheter is provided which is disposed for insertion into a fluid-containing cavity of a patient, such as a ventricle of the patient's brain, to drain CSF therefrom. The catheter includes an elongated body provided with a cross-section having an outer surface which is smooth and free of projections, angles or the like which could damage adjacent brain tissue. The elongated body is further provided with proximal and distal ends, a first lumen disposed to serve as a fluid flow passage, and a second lumen extending past a given position located on the elongated body. A titanium wire element is inserted into the second lumen for enabling a neurosurgeon to readily select and adjust the angular orientation between first and second catheter segments, wherein the first and second segments comprise the portions of the elongated body extending between the given position and the proximal and distal ends, respectively.

Abstract: An instrument is provided for use by a surgeon to separate the nasal septum from the sphenoid sinus wall of a patient, in a procedure which may be performed very rapidly and with significantly reduced trauma to the septum. The instrument may be very usefully employed in connection with endoscopic endonasal pituitary surgery, although it is not limited thereto. The instrument comprises an elongated support member having first and second ends in opposing relationship, and further comprises pivotable and fixed jaw members respectively joined to the first end of the support member. Each of the jaw members has a length dimension measured from the support member, wherein the length of the pivotable jaw member exceeds the length of the fixed jaw member by a specified amount. A handle component joined to the second end of the support member is movable between first and second handle positions, to move the pivotable member in corresponding relationship between closed and open positions.

Abstract: A method is provided for reconstructing an image of an object, for use in an imaging system wherein a detector is mounted for measuring radiation emanating in a cone beam of rays which converge at a focal point. The method includes the step of establishing relative movement between the cone beam focal point and the object along a composite scan path, comprising primary and supplementary scan path components, the supplementary path usefully comprising a linear or helical path. The method further includes acquiring a set of cone beam data of the object with the detector during movement along the supplementary scan path component, computing a set of values of an intermediate function from the cone beam data, each of said computed values having an associated location defined by a prespecified point grid lying on the detector plane, and employing each of the computed values in a back-projection operation to determine the value of a reconstruction function, for use in forming an image of the object.

Abstract: Apparatus for illuminating medical diagnostic imaging film comprises a light source for projecting light toward the imaging film, and a plurality of light diffusion film layers positioned in close adjacent relationship with one another, between the imaging film and the light source. Each of the diffusion film layers has a specified index of refraction, and the diffusion layers collectively act to scatter the projected light. An optical adhesive having an index of refraction which is substantially equal to the diffusion film index of refraction is positioned between respective adjacent surfaces thereof to substantially eliminate air-filled spaces therebetween, and to bond the film diffusion layers together into a unitary light diffusion structure. A plurality of layers of microprism film are positioned between the light diffusion film and the imaging film for redirecting at least a portion of the scattered light into a beam of collimated light directed to illuminate the imaging film.

Abstract: A tray is provided for serving selected food items, wherein the tray is to be used in connection with a separate elongated container, preferably of the type used to retain a beverage. The tray generally comprises a food holding section disposed to carry the food items, and structure for detachably mating or joining the food holding section upon the elongated container, for support thereby. Thus, the container, tray and food thereon can be readily supported and carried by a user as a single unit, by grasping the container with a single hand. In a useful embodiment the center of mass of the tray is substantially aligned along the container axis when the tray and container are joined together. Also, the food holding section and mating structure are usefully formed as an integral structure.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for illuminating medical diagnostic imaging film with significantly enhanced contrast and resolution. The apparatus includes an enclosure having a first end and a second end in opposing relationship therewith, and a concave mirror or the like located in the enclosure proximate to the first end and receiving light from a light source such as a light pipe. The mirror projects at least a portion of the received light, in the form of a collimated beam, toward the second end of the enclosure. The apparatus further includes a light transmissive panel positioned across the second end of the enclosure to support the film in the path of the collimated beam, for illumination thereby. In one embodiment, the film support panel is selectively curved to minimize reduction in field of view.

Abstract: View box apparatus is provided for illuminating a film containing a medical diagnostic image for radiologic observation and study. A light source is contained within the view box, at one end thereof, and a transparent plate is positioned at the other end for supporting the imaging film. A panel of material is positioned in the box between the light source and the transparent plate to diffuse light from the source, and one or more layers of a microprism film is positioned between the diffuser panel and the imaging film. The microprism film layer reflects light rays which are incident thereon at an angle less than a critical angle back into the view box, so that such light rays do not pass through the microprism film to illuminate the imaging film. Light rays incident upon the microprism film which are greater than the critical angle are refracted by the microprism film, to provide light for illuminating the imaging film having a solid angle which is much less than the solid angle of light from the diffuser.

Abstract: A shunt tap device is provided for use in sensing CSF pressure data in a shunt implanted in a subject, wherein the shunt comprises a valve having a reservoir, and first and second catheters providing CSF flow paths toward and away from the valve, respectively. The shunt tap device is provided with a hollow needle for temporarily forming an aperture through the wall of the reservoir, to communicate with CSF contained therein. A length of flexible microbore tubing extends from the needle to a coupling, such as a Touhy-Borst connector, which is disposed to receive the pressure transducer component of a pressure monitoring device into a narrow fluid enclosure, collectively formed by the hollow needle, tubing, and a portion of the connector. The fluid enclosure is filled with a saline fluid or the like, having properties similar to CSF. The connector is tightened to seal the saline fluid within the fluid enclosure, and also to retain the pressure transducer in the enclosure, in contact with the saline fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus for restricting motion of an elevator car includes bars or other stiff, elongated members, which are extended outwardly from opposing ends of the elevator car, when the car is positioned in a specified zone of vertical displacement, above the lower edge thereof The displacement zone may be on the order of twelve inches. An elevator control, such as an inspection bank mounted on top of the elevator car, is then operated to move the elevator car slightly downward, to the lower edge of the displacement zone, whereupon the elongated members are brought into solid contact with respective complementary supporting members, joined to opposing elevator guide rails. As the elongated members are extended, a switching arrangement, electrically coupled to the control, is simultaneously actuated to prevent movement of the elevator car above the displacement zone while the elongated members are in their extended mode.

Abstract: A holder or packaging arrangement is provided for a compact disk or data storage disk. The packaging arrangement comprises a first pocket piece formed of clear plastic or other transparent material, and a second pocket piece formed of material such as non-woven fiber, the two pocket pieces being joined together along common edges to form a pocket sized to receive a compact disk. The arrangement further includes a panel of stiff material having an aperture formed therein, such as a hard cover of a book or binder for printed material associated with the compact disk. A sheet of heavy paper or like material is affixed to the back side of the panel, the pocket and compact disk being trapped between the panel and the paper so that the compact disk is viewable through the aperture and the transparent material of the first pocket piece.