Abstract: A catheter has an abutment member formed proximate the distal end thereof. The abutment member abuts a complementary abutment surface formed upon an introducer so as to prevent collapsing of the catheter body during the insertion process. The abutment member preferably comprises an annular abutment shoulder, which reduces the diameter of the lumen of the catheter. An opening formed in the catheter body proximate the tip of the catheter facilitates fluid flow through the lumen of the catheter in the event that the reduced diameter portion of the lumen becomes obstructed. The tip of the catheter preferably comprises a rigid material, so as to assure positive locking action of the abutment member of the catheter with the abutment surface of the introducer during the insertion process.

Abstract: An actuator is disclosed, which comprises a drive motor, a rotary member to be rotated by the drive motor, and a plunger for reciprocating in its axial direction. The plunger has a first and second guide portions formed thereon. The actuator further comprises a guiding member held in the rotary member. The guiding member includes a first spiral guide surface for guiding the first guide portion therealong to move the plunger in a direction to protrude it, a second spiral guide surface for guiding the second guide portion therealong to move the plunger in a direction to retract it, a first position regulating surface for regulating the retraction of the plunger when it contacts with the first guide portion, and a second position regulating surface for regulating the protrusion of the plunger when it contacts with the second guide portion.

Abstract: A cutting head for a cord-type mower driven by an engine is disclosed. The cutting head includes a rotor capable of rotating about an axis and a bobbin with a cord wound on it. The bobbin can rotate relatively to the rotor about the axis in the rotor. The cutting head includes two types of cord feeding systems. The first cord feeding system automatically feeds a cord in response to cord wear. The second cord feeding system feeds a cord in response to a manual tapping operation executed during driving of the cutting head. The second cord feeding system disconnects one of the bobbin and rotor from the engine in response to the tapping operation.

Abstract: A probe for monitoring a fluid medium employing at least one fiber optic emitting a wave into the fluid medium. The fluid medium scatters or causes luminescence of the emitted wave which is then collected by at least one fiber optic. The probe includes a base having a hole and a window covering the hole of the base, wherein the window transmits electromagnetic waves. The probe collects scattered and luminescence of waves through one or more fiber optics placed behind the window and transmits the waves to a spectrometer connected to a computer which can analyze the fluid medium on a real-time on-line basis. Piezoresistive and temperature sensing elements are deposited on the window which can also serve as a force collector diaphragm. The elements are located primarily on the periphery of the diaphragm leaving a part of the diaphragm open for transmission and collection of the waves.

Abstract: A plunger device for forcing waste through a drain line of a plumbing fixture comprising an elongate, tubular member. Fluidly connected to the top end of the tubular member is a valve assembly which is adapted to have a water supply source fluidly coupled thereto. The valve assembly comprises a valve stem which is reciprocally movable between open and closed positions and adapted to block the flow of water from the water supply source into the tubular member when in the closed position. The valve assembly further comprises a check valve for preventing the back-flow of water from the tubular member into the water supply source when the valve stem is in the open position, and at least one air inlet valve for creating a vacuum break when the fluid pressure in the valve assembly is less than atmospheric pressure. Attached to the valve assembly is at least one handle member, while fluidly connected to the bottom end of the tubular member is a plunger member.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongate body has a first lumen extending therethrough. A concave wall is formed in the body proximate the distal end thereof such that the concave wall is a wall of the first lumen. A first slit is formed in the concave wall. The first slit opens in response to decreased fluid pressure within the lumen so as to facilitate aspiration via the first lumen. Optionally, a first convex wall is formed in the body such that the first convex wall is a wall of the first lumen. A second slit is formed in the first convex wall. The second slit opens in response to increased fluid pressure within the first lumen so as to facilitate infusion via the first lumen. Optionally, a second lumen extends through a substantial portion of the body. A second convex wall is formed in the body proximate the distal end thereof such that the second convex wall is a wall of the second lumen. A third slit is formed in the second convex wall.

Abstract: A cutting head for a cord-type mower driven by an engine is disclosed. The cutting head includes a rotor capable of rotating about an axis and a bobbin with a cord wound on it. The bobbin can rotate relatively to the rotor about the axis in the rotor. The cutting head includes two types of cord feeding systems. The first cord feeding system automatically feeds a cord in response to cord wear. The second cord feeding system feeds a cord in response to a manual tapping operation executed during driving of the cutting head. The second cord feeding system disconnects one of the bobbin and rotor from the engine in response to the tapping operation.

Abstract: An actuator for a locking mechanism which locks a shiftable lever in a locked position or a released position. The actuator includes a lock member which is shiftable between a locking position and an unlocking position for causing the lever to be locked in position or to be released from said locking position. A drive mechanism continuously forces the lock member toward said locking position. A drive mechanism causes a rotatable cam to rotate a predetermined distance in a preselected direction. The rotatable cam positions the lock member in the locking position or the unlocking position. The cam is specially designed to permit the lock member in the lock position, to be shifted to the unlocking position against the action of the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a motor for rotating the cam in a predetermined direction, and a control circuit for controlling the power supply to a motor, in order to control the rotational phase angle of the cam.

Abstract: A cutting head for a cord-type mower driven by an engine is disclosed. The cutting head includes a rotor capable of rotating about an axis and a bobbin with a cord wound on it. The bobbin can rotate relatively to the rotor about the axis in the rotor. The cutting head includes two types of cord feeding systems. The first cord feeding system automatically feeds a cord in response to cord wear. The second cord feeding system feeds a cord in response to a manual tapping operation executed during driving of the cutting head. The second cord feeding system disconnects one of the bobbin and rotor from the engine in response to the tapping operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning, massaging, and removing calluses from a foot. The apparatus includes a base with an upper platform surface, the upper platform surface has a first section having a plurality of upstanding frusto-conical protuberance of uniform height as well as a passageway through which a liquid detergent may be dispensed. The upper platform surface also has a second section having a surface to receive an abrasive material that, when rubbed by a foot, is effective in removing calluses from the foot. The apparatus may further include an enclosed reservoir containing a liquid cleaning agent that, when depressed, causes the liquid cleaning agent to pass from the reservoir and eventually onto the upper platform surface where the foot is thus cleaned. The apparatus may also have a decorative shape and be made of resilient, water-impervious material.

Abstract: A rehabilitative and preventative exercise device for carpal tunnel syndrome. The first embodiment includes a housing having a plurality of elastic bands extending therefrom, each elastic band being attached to a respective one of a series of screws disposed therein. By turning each screw, the tension of the attached elastic band may be either increased or decreased. The ends of each elastic band extending from the housing include a finger receiving assembly. The second embodiment includes a forearm restraint device in combination with a finger tensioning assembly. The finger tensioning assembly includes a shell having a series of tension-adjusting cleat-lock slots to which elastic members may be detachably connected. Each elastic member has a fingerlet for attachment to a finger as well as a protuberance for connecting the member to the shell.

Abstract: A needle core biopsy instrument/extractor for extracting a tissue sample via needle aspiration is disclosed. The extractor comprises a first cannula having a sharpened, beveled cutting tip and biopsy reservoir formed on its distal end. The proximal end of the first cannula is in fluid communication with a conventional syringe such that when the plunger of the syringe is retracted via manipulation of the extractor, a vacuum is created within the biopsy reservoir of the first cannula. Axially mounted about the first cannula is a second cutting cannula which is designed and configured to selectively cover and uncover the distal end of the first cannula. A biasing member, preferably a spring, is provided to urge the second cannula forward about the distal end of the first cannula. The syringe, coaxially positioned first and second cannulas, and biasing member are contained within an introducer which is preferably designed and configured to be manipulated by one hand.

Abstract: A device for preventing disease transmission during manual rescue breathing has a flexible sheet configured to cover a victim's mouth and nose and a body disposed centrally within the flexible sheet. The body has a first tube insertible within a rescuer's mouth and a second tube in fluid communication with the first tube insertible within the victim's mouth such that the first and second tubes define a first airway through the body. A one-piece duckbill check valve is disposed within the body along the air path such that fluid communication is provided from the first tube to the second tube and is inhibited from the second tube to the first tube. Thus, while the rescuer can easily blow air through the body into the victim's mouth to inflate the victim's lungs, the victim is incapable of blowing air back through the body into the rescuer's mouth, thus potentially exposing the rescuer to contagious diseases.

Abstract: A bottle assembly for feeding an infant comprising a hollow exterior housing having open top and bottom ends, and a disposable insert member selectively insertable into and releasably attachable to the housing. The insert member comprises the nipple portion and a sack portion extending from the nipple portion which is adapted to be filled with a liquid. The nipple portion protrudes from the top end of the housing and the sack portion resides within the housing when the insert member is secured thereto.

Abstract: A probe for monitoring a fluid medium employing at least one electromagnetic wave reflector and at least one fiber optic for analysis of the fluid medium. The probe includes a base having a hole, a window covering the hole of the base, wherein the window transmits electromagnetic waves and a electromagnetic reflector, spaced apart from the window, disposed to reflect at least part of the electromagnetic waves toward the window. The probe collects the reflected waves through one or more fiber optics placed behind a window to a fluid medium and transmits the waves to a spectrometer connected to a computer which analyzes the fluid medium on a real time on-line basis. Piezoresistive and temperature sensing elements are deposited on the window which also may function as a force collector diaphragm of thin refractory or a semiconductor materials. The piezoresistive elements are on the unsupported part of the diaphragm and at least part of the diaphragm is transparent to electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: A drive control circuit includes a first and a second relays, each of which selectively connects one of the terminals of a motor with a power supply. A power connecting circuit can connect the power supply with each one of the relays. A control circuit controls the power connecting circuit to disconnect the power supply from the first and second relays, and then controls to switch the connecting arrangements between the power supply and each terminal of the motor utilizing the first and second relays. Therefore, the rotational direction of the motor is switched, or the rotation of the motor is stopped.