Abstract: Brachytherapy applicators incorporate various forms of selective shielding devices for controlling the direction and intensity of radiation directed at a patient's tissue. In some forms the applicators include a retractable sheath, in some a series of retractable fingers. In other forms the applicator, having an inflatable balloon, has a shield which is retractable from a position adjacent to the balloon or retracted from the balloon, or a shield can itself be inflatable, separately or together with the balloon.

Abstract: A tactical pair of pants for police, military or other weapon-carrying personnel has a cargo pocket system that functions to store items in several pocket compartments in a normal cargo pocket configuration, or to carry a thigh rig holster for a pistol, in a dedicated position between cargo pocket compartments without blocking access to the pocket compartments.

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 The applicator may be withdrawn and reinserted into the vagina during treatment, and selected tissues adjacent to the applicator are irradiated in accordance with a radiation prescription.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: RFID tags of very small size are embedded in products or composed of products in a manufacturing process. The system employs different read and write modes to enable auto-tracking of material, some assembly, assembly and component items through various stages of the manufacturing process. As each item passes special predetermined points in the manufacturing process, the embedded tag is activated and placed in track mode. The tag transmits its ID and a track count representing the number of stations passed. The tag's track count is incremented and the updated track count is stored in non-volatile memory in the tag. The tags can be programmed so that once the count exceeds a predetermined count, a status bit is set in the tag's memory indicating that the item has been completely through the manufacturing process. Thus, the system can determine whether an item or product has been completed. After manufacture the same RFID tag can be used for tracking, inventory and item authentication.

Abstract: A snowshoe binding engages the sole of the user's boot in a region between the arch and the widest part of the sole, gripping the sole laterally and sufficiently firmly that the boot will not pull out of the binding during use of the snowshoe, even in the absence of a heel strap. The arch area of the boot typically is narrower in width than the ball of the foot, providing a rearwardly tapering region for positive engagement against pulling back of the boot in the binding. By engaging the boot at the sole, the binding can put pressure on the boot not felt by the user. In one form the sole engaging binding device has a width adjustment with a sliding element, and the firmly clamping sole engagement preferably is accomplished with a cam that engages when a strap is tightened. An efficient buckle and strap are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exercising system has a frame defining a space in which a user is positioned for performing a large number of different exercises. Frame members have holes within which flexible bars are positioned, spanning across the machine, for low-impact exercising using the bars. In a preferred embodiment the bar-supporting frame members, or some of them, are adjustable in position so as to provide a nearly unlimited number of positions for different users and for different exercises. A few of the many exercises facilitated by the system are described.

Abstract: A modular plastic conveyor belt, formed of successive rows of assembled injection molded modules connected by laterally-extending pins, has arched tops in each module row and increased depth in the laterally-extending spine of the belt. The belt structure enables the modular plastic belt to be retrofitted in a spiral system normally carrying a steel conveyor belt. In one embodiment the arched-top module rows, having a greater depth than normal, are accommodated on a small-diameter roller, by forming a generally cylindrical undercut at the bottom of each module row, reducing the distance of protrusion outwardly from the roller. The arched-top configuration lends itself not only to transfer of articles as the conveyor passes over the sprocket for a roller, but also the provision of increased beam depth at the center of the module, with lower profiles at the extremities of the link ends.

Abstract: Applicators for ionizing radiation therapy and their methods of use are provided for expedient preparation of precise treatment plans and for quantitative assessment of therapy delivered to natural or surgically-created, intra-corporeal cavities or lumina. Feedback capability is provided for timely treatment control and for verification of treatment to plan using sensors on the applicators.

Abstract: A system and method to position and orient an excised breast tissue specimen on a support structure in a duplicate anatomic orientation relative to the operated breast is provided. One embodiment of the system includes an anatomically representative map of the breast under investigation. The system allows a surgeon to suture, ink, or otherwise fix the excised specimen on the map in accordance to its original position and orientation in the operated breast or organ. A radiogram of the excised specimen can be taken that shows the location of calcifications on a grid with radiopaque markers. The system allows a pathologist to cut through the specimen utilizing the map as a template in order to perform histological analysis and correlate the position and orientation of each slice to its anatomic position in the breast and thereby direct a precise and anatomically accurate re-excision by the surgeon if so required.

Abstract: A system and method for creating power and pasteurizing water is provided. The system includes a power generation subsystem and a water pasteurization subsystem, which are linked together as follows. The power generation subsystem comprises a turbine power generator. Air (or other suitable working fluid) flows through the turbine power generator to generate power by known methods. The air is heated prior to flowing into the turbine to increase its speed for greater power generation. The water pasteurization subsystem includes one or more heat exchangers, at least one of which is connected to receive the hot airflow exiting the turbine. The heat from the turbine-exiting airflow is utilized for pasteurizing colder wastewater inside the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A flip-out function converter apparatus is attached to and functions in combination with a tree-mountable frame apparatus for use by arborists in handling loads in a wide variety of arbor rigging procedures. When positioned in its operational mode, the function converter apparatus enables additional functional rigging procedures to be performed which could not be effectively and efficiently performed with the original frame apparatus. When the function converter apparatus is positioned in its stowed mode in an unused recessed region of the frame apparatus, the frame apparatus can be used in its original application mode without interference from the function converter. In an embodiment of a frame apparatus with spikes, the function converter in its operational position enables the frame apparatus to be used in rigging procedures on live trees without the frame spikes producing damage to the bark and cambium layer of the live trees.

Abstract: A binding for a snowshoe has an injection molded base or footbed with integral control wings for cradling the shoe generally as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,128. The base preferably has toe stops at the forward end, positioned asymmetrically on the base to better individually contour to the left shoe and the right shoe. At the inner side of the foot the toe stop is farther forward. The lower end of the arch side control wing is positioned to cradle the shoe arch while the outer side control wing is at an offset position to engage an aft area of the shoe. Also, the width of the binding can be adjustable at the arch. These features provide a better connection of the snowshoe to the shoe, greater stability in use of the snowshoe and greater comfort to the user.

Abstract: A radiation therapy system and method, especially for brachytherapy, monitors and verifies dose delivered at a plurality of points at or near the region to be irradiated, integrating verification with radiation delivery. In one procedure, mapping is used to determine the shape and location of the region to be irradiated. A treatment plan is developed using the mapping information and a dose prescription. As radiation is delivered to the target region internally, preferably using an electronic radiation source, the dose received at plural points is monitored and continually fed to a central processor. As needed based on feedback, the system modifies the treatment plan and delivery of radiation accordingly, to arrive substantially at the prescribed dose at all locations in the region. In a modified procedure the treatment is done according to a prescription dose but without a treatment plan by multiple iterations of source pullback and feedback and analysis of dose received in the tissue.

Abstract: A boot binding for a snowshoe, suspended within the snowshoe for flexibility of the boot relative to the snowshoe in the pitch direction, has a binding footbed that is flexible and allows bending of the boot in the pitch directed, as steps are taken by the user.

Abstract: A binding for a snowshoe has, in several different embodiments, a pair of straps to draw the binding tight over a user's boot, the two straps reversing direction at side loop points and being secured to a pair of buckles on a floating tongue at the top of the binding, generally over the ball area of the foot. In one form the straps are anchored at toe points on the binding and extend back in a crossing, X configuration, as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,814,360. In another form the straps are shorter and do not cross, the forward ends being replaced with toe-cradling strap-like members that extend up and back and come together at a pivot connection with a tongue, in this case a shorter tongue, to which the two buckles are connected. The binding tends to open with release of the straps. In a third form the tongue is a larger, padded X-shaped flexible member under which the boot is slid to engage the binding.

Abstract: TV Mute Finger Ring with a hollow C shaped finger ring housing. The housing contains the standard electronics and IR transmitting LED associated with activating the mute function of a standard TV. The housing also contains a battery type electrical power source. The C shaped ring housing has a loop type fastener strip attached to one end of the C shape and a hook type fastening panel affixed to the opposite end of the C shape so that said loop type fastener can removably attach to said hook fastener thereby forming a full ring that can be worn on the user's forefinger. The C shaped housing contains a momentary on-off switch and attached outwardly accessible switch cover located in a position where the user's thumb can easily reach said switch cover. The IR transmitter is covered by a transparent plastic lens that is flush with the outer surface of said C shaped housing. The plastic lens is positioned so that said lens and said IR transmitting LED are pointed outwardly in the general direction of said TV.