Abstract: A snowshoe having a pivot axle for pitch rotation of the footbed platform relative to the snowshoe frame is supported from the frame in a manner that provides for significant lateral flexing, i.e. pivoting on the roll axis, to accommodate use of snowshoes on side hill terrain. Instead of a relatively rigid support from the snowshoe frame, the footbed platform is supported by left and right tension bands that are connected to the snowshoe frame and to left and right ends of the transverse pivot rod that provides pitch rotation. Preferably the connection to each end of the pivot rod is with a rotatable spindle over which the tension band engages, such rollers being connected at right angles to the two ends of the pivot rod. A rotation limiter can be included to limit free rotation of the binding in the pitch direction to a selected arc. The footbed support system can be employed on any type of snowshoe, whether a tubular frame, non-tubular frame or molded composite snowshoe.

Abstract: A thread spool holding device has a plastic base plate that holds a series of preferably soft plastic spindles that can be introduced or removed from the base and can be arranged as needed by sliding along a slotted track of the base. Each spindle can hold a threaded spool and has a cross sectional configuration for gripping the center hole of the spool. The spindle ends can also hold a bobbin in tandem with a thread spool.

Abstract: A gun sling for carrying a rifle or shotgun is adjustable to serve either as a bungee sling or a fixed-length, non-stretch sling. In a preferred embodiment this is realized with a flexible sheath forming a portion of the sling, with a bungee cord or stretchable strap inside the sheath. With the bungee relaxed the sheath forms a non-stretchable but flexible portion of the sling. When the bungee cord is stretched and tensioned, the sheath gathers and shortens so that the bungee provides for a desired length of stretch.

Abstract: A cleaning system and method remove localized caked or dewatered solids from flat-plate membranes in a sewage treatment plant. The caked sludge on the membranes is removed by intense coherent water sprays directed into the spaces between cartridges of a cassette, without removing the cartridges from the cassette. The sprays can be delivered from the top and/or bottom of the cassette, or the side panels of a cassette can be removed for spraying from at least one side, preferably both sides, using a mechanical device with movable spray bars and motor-driven advancing of the spray bars. In one preferred form of the system the apparatus includes horizontal cutting jets followed by angled cutting jets that further break up and wash away the loosened sludge. Jet diameter, velocity and pressure are controlled so as not to damage the membranes or cartridges but to achieve efficient cleaning.

Abstract: A plant growing kit, primarily for growing climbing plants such as tomatoes, is contained in a flat box approximately the shape of a pizza box. In preferred embodiments three legs are included, broken down into sections in the box and directable into a sturdy tripod, over which a flexible vine-attachment element, such as a wire or thin tubular member or plastic coil, is assembled preferably in a tapered helical configuration. Also in the box is a basket, in flattened condition but erectable into a deep configuration and with provision for attachment to the legs, near their bottom ends, the basket being configured to contain a bag of soil, which may remain in the bag. The consumer provides drainage holes in the bag and an opening at top for the plants to grow and to climb up on the tripod and vine-attachment element. With a water-catching saucer under the bag and basket, the directed plant growing assembly can be placed in any desired location, including inside a building.

Abstract: A vaginal brachytherapy applicator is versatile to different anatomies and more comfortable to the patient than prior applicators. An inflatable balloon on a shaft may be inelastic or elastic. In one embodiment the shaft is rotatable relative to the balloon for enabling a ring or band of dose delivery, for versatility in radiation placement. Alternatively, the source can be rotated and pulled back within a stationary shaft. An adjustment is provided for reducing the length of balloon that inflates, to accommodate different anatomies and positions. Although isotope radiation sources can be used in the applicator, an electronic source is preferred, and the system and method include procedures for using the applicator with an electronic source.

Abstract: Treatment of lesions in any luminal or organ system of mammalian anatomy is performed using an electronic source of ionizing radiation and aided by an endoscopic or percutaneous approach.

Abstract: An everting applicator for brachytherapy of body cavities such as the vagina has a flexible sleeve secured to a distal mandrel, both the sleeve and the mandrel having internal lumens. The flexible sleeve has a diverging opening at its distal end, preferably bell-shaped or cone-shaped, such that when the open end is pushed against the mouth of a vagina, the sleeve will evert back upon itself, progressively unrolling to an inside out configuration wherein, fully inserted, the sleeve is fully everted back over the exterior surface of the mandrel. A radiation source, isotopic or electronic, is then inserted into the mandrel lumen to commence a therapeutic irradiation procedure of tissues of the vagina.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for irradiating living tissue via a cavity or lumen, using an inflatable balloon applicator. In a preferred embodiment the applicator balloon has a balloon skin with x-ray contrast material in relatively low concentration, so that an outline of the balloon will appear sharply when imaged externally. In another preferred embodiment the balloon catheter has a drain for withdrawing liquids from the cavity, which may include channels or texture on the exterior of the balloon. Methods are described for using a switchable miniature x-ray tube, variable as to voltage and current, to achieve accuracy in an isodose profile.

Abstract: A combination catheter enables performing an angiogram and an angioplasty (and repetitions of one or both) with the same catheter instrument, without removal from and re-insertion into an artery until the procedure is completed.

Abstract: A breast brachytherapy applicator providing a stable semi permanent/permanent in dwelling platform that is configured to replicate anatomically the excised cancer bed and allows for a more precise anatomically correct delivery of limited field radiation treatment. This device may be used to reconstitute a resected tissue space to its pre-operative size and shape to 1) facilitate the accurate and precise delivery of adjunctive breast brachytherapy following breast cancer surgery and 2) prevent/decrease post-operative deformity as a result of surgical resection, whether for benign or malignant disease, and in particular after radiation treatment of malignant disease in the post lumpectomy patient.

Abstract: A system for tracking items using passive RFID tags utilizes separate data and power frequencies. Within an area in which the items are located, one or more data readers are provided but many more separate power modules are distributed through the space, for powering up the tags. With the power nodes distributed, the tags are powered from a relatively short distance, enabling the tags to transmit through a greater distance. One or more of the readers can include a power-node control which sends an RF signal to control on/off status of specific power nodes within the area, so that power nodes can be activated zone by zone, to thereby permit the reader to determine location by zone of products as their RFID tags are read.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing surface stabilized nanometer-sized particles includes the steps of mixing reactants, a surface-stabilizing surfactant, and a high boiling point liquid to form a mixture, continuously passing the mixture through an ultrasonic spray nozzle to form a mist of droplets of the mixture, injecting the mist directly into a furnace to cause a reaction between species of the mixture, and collecting the nanometer-sized products. The ultrasonic nozzle is positioned directly at one end of the heating furnace, preferably the top end, for travel of the droplets through the furnace. The continuous liquid-flow process, along with certain operating parameters, eliminates the need for dilution of the high boiling point liquid with a low boiling point solvent as in the prior art, significantly increases the yield, improves the quality of the product, and makes the process scalable.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for irradiating living tissue via a cavity or lumen, using an inflatable balloon applicator. In a preferred embodiment the applicator balloon has a balloon skin with x-ray contrast material in relatively low concentration, so that an outline of the balloon will appear sharply when imaged externally. In another preferred embodiment the balloon catheter has a drain for withdrawing liquids from the cavity, which may include channels or texture on the exterior of the balloon. Methods are described for using a switchable miniature x-ray tube, variable as to voltage and current, to achieve accuracy in an isodose profile.

Abstract: A balloon brachytherapy applicator has either a single or double chambers, with the capability of “blistering” outwardly at a specified area on one side of the balloon. This is useful to move sensitive tissue farther away from a radiation source within a source guide inside the balloon. In one case a secondary compartment is formed on the primary balloon, and is separately inflatable so as to allow blistering as desired when needed. In another form the balloon comprises a single chamber but with a “window” or area in which the balloon wall is elastic, or substantially more elastic than the main balloon wall, so that inflation of the balloon up to a certain point forms a substantially regular balloon shape, and the addition of further pressure will blister out the elastic area to increase the distance between the shaft and the sensitive tissue in a desired orientation of the balloon.

Abstract: A customized gynecological brachytherapy applicator is formed by placing a molded balloon, which is secured to a handle, into a vaginal cavity and then filling the mold balloon with a settable liquid material. The material may be an expanding foam or any other form of curable material that becomes solid, rigid or pliable, when set by chemical action, temperature change, oxidation, a curing means such as a light, or other curing regime. The mold balloon can be elastic or inelastic, depending on the degree to which the applicator is to conform its external surfaces to the vaginal contours. One or more lumina are provided in the set filler material to receive a radiation source, with additional lumina optionally provided for purposes such as drainage or administration of therapeutic agents. The applicator may be withdrawn and reinserted into the vagina during treatment, and selected tissues adjacent to the applicator are irradiated in accordance with a radiation prescription.

Abstract: Methods and applicator apparatus are disclosed for brachytherapy treatment of tissue surrounding a cavity in a patient, particularly a resection cavity. In treatment regimes requiring recovery time between successive radiation treatments, applicators of the invention are retained under the skin, with the skin allowed to at least partially heal, and are re-accessed later for one or more subsequent treatments. To reduce patient discomfort an anesthetic agent can be infused through the applicator to patient tissue, for insertion, balloon inflation or removal of the applicator.

Abstract: A flexible, relatively flat and thin patch, optionally made of biodegradable material, substantially attenuates ionizing radiation from normal but sensitive anatomy during radio-therapy, particularly breast brachytherapy. The patch is of such a thickness as to substantially attenuate radiation by distance or consists of a material that has been formulated with radio-attenuating filler or is of radio-attenuating material. An alternative version consists of a thin patch that is coated with radio-attenuating material.

Abstract: A modular support system for organic filter material, compost material or other material is formed of a multiplicity of polygonal bed platform modules with planar top surfaces, the modules arranged side by side contiguously to form a bed platform which is elevated above a base surface. Perforations are included in at least some of the bed platform modules to allow passage of air, gas or liquid through the elevated support bed platform. The bottom sides of the modules have sockets to receive legs, and special legs are provided at corners where a plurality of adjacent modules meet, to engage with sockets in the undersurface in all of the adjacent nodules. At corners the modules are preferably bolted down to the corner pedestals or legs. The modular support system can support very heavy loads, such as earth-moving equipment used to move and spread filter bed or compost material.