Abstract: An echogenic medical needle is disclosed which comprises a tubular cannula body, a stylet received within the cannula body, and an echogenicity enhancement within the cannula for improved ultrasound imaging. Preferably, the echogenicity enhancement is on the stylet and comprises a series of annular grooves about the stylet.

Abstract: An artificial lift system and method for lifting fluids from an underground formation. The artificial lift system comprising a production tubing through which the fluid is carried from the formation to the surface and a pressure reducer, such as a venturi, fluidly connected to the production tubing to artificially raise the level of the fluid in the production tubing. The method comprises reducing the pressure in the production tubing at an upper portion thereof to increase the pressure differential between the upper portion of the production tubing and a lower portion of the production tubing to increase the level of liquid in the production tubing for subsequent removal in an artificial lifting step.

Abstract: A multi-position body support, commonly known as a stander, supports a user in either a prone or supine orientation at any position from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially standing or vertical position. The multi-position body support comprises a tubular base having dual lock caster wheels for easy moving and positioning of the stander. A vertical support assembly, pivotally mounted to the tubular base, comprises a foot cylinder, knee support frame and a height adjustment frame. A foot support is mounted to the foot cylinder, a knee support is mounted to the knee support frame and a hip support, a trunk support and a head support can be mounted to the height adjustment frame. A padded strapping system secures the user within the pads and to the vertical support assembly. The foot supports can be rotated to aid in orienting the user in the prone or supine position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the collated printing of a first set of images of a nonrepeating series and a second set of images. The collated printing provides for the complete printing of the nonrepeating series with respect to each of the images so that the combined images of the first and second series are collated in predetermined units or packets, preferably corresponding to the number of images in the repeating series. A first indicia for identifying the nonrepeating series and a second indicia for identifying the collated units can be printed on the combined images. Also, a strip of pressure-sensitive adhesive can be applied to the back of the combined images to form packets of the combined images and any desired quantity.

Abstract: A catheter for retrograde perfusion of the heart through the coronary sinus, which has an infusion lumen for introducing perfusion liquid into the heart, a retention means such as an inflatable balloon, and can have retention enhancements such as spikes, felt or a hydrophilic coating, on the surface of the retention means to keep it firmly in place.

Abstract: This relates to a resealable lid and cup assembly and method for using the same. The resealable lid has an opening through which liquid flows and a valve mechanism for selectively closing the opening. The valve mechanism is provided on the underside of the lid and is biased to the open position by inward deflection of the side wall of the cup.

Abstract: A multi-use power foot suitable for use for both dry vacuum cleaning and water extraction procedures is disclosed. The power foot has a dry suction chamber in fluid communication with an outlet and a water suction chamber in fluid communication with the outlet. A diverter valve member is mounted within the housing to selectively restrict the air flow from one of the chambers to the outlet. A rotating brush is mounted in the opening of the dry suction chamber to agitate the surface to be cleaned in both the dry vacuum cleaning and water extraction modes. Spray nozzles are mounted to the underside of the power foot to direct a water based cleaning solution to the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: An acoustic barrier for mounting to a barrier wall, such as a barrier wall between an engine compartment and a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The barrier wall has multiple indentations forming an uneven surface. The acoustic barrier comprises a decoupling layer and a mass layer. The mass layer has a series of projections formed on a rear surface, which coincide with the indentations of the barrier. When the decoupling layer is mounted to the rear wall of the mass layer, the projections alter the shape of the decoupling layer to conform with the shape of the barrier layer.

Abstract: An archery bow sight assembly comprises a mounting plate adapted for attachment to an archery bow and having an aperture therethrough. A sight pin extends through the aperture and a locking collar on the sight pin is rotatable toward and away from a locking position where the locking collar abuts the mounting plate or structure connected thereto to lock the sight pin within the aperture. The locking collar has an outer edge with at least one notch. A tool is provided for rotating the locking collar and comprises an elongated body having at least one projection extending from the body. The projection is adapted to be received within the notch so that when the tool is directed over the locking collar with the projection received within the notch, the tool can be manually rotated to rotate the locking collar.

Abstract: A label separator separates labels from a backing. An infeed mechanism moves the labels in a downstream direction through a label path toward a breaker bar. A push member is moveable from a first position to a second position through a path which intersects the label path whereby the push member intersects the leading end of the backing in the label path and directs the backing out of the label path, around the breaker bar and to one side of the push member while the label continues along the label path on another side of the push member.

Abstract: A self-centering surface bolt comprising two or more keepers, a surface bolt and two or more guides. The guides further comprise a base, a stem and a cap. The base of the guide is received within a recess in the keepers and the stem and cap of the guides are received within a channel in the surface bolt. The guides are symmetrical with respect to the channel of the surface bolt. Thus, regardless of the position of the guide with respect to the keepers or the surface bolt, the guides will have the same apparent cross section and will center the surface bolt within the keepers without resulting in the surface bolt binding with respect to the guides.

Abstract: A stable with a dwelling area (2) for animals, a feeding area (1) for storing and presenting feed (5) and a partition (3) between the dwelling area (2) and the feeding area (1), provided with openings for allowing the heads of animals in the dwelling area (2) access to the feeding area (1), is equipped with a feed slide (6) moveable from a starting position through the feeding area (1) towards the partition (3), for pushing feed (5) stored in the feeding area (1) over the floor (4) of the feeding area (1) towards the partition (3) and with means for driving the feed slide (6). By means of the feed slide, feed (5) can be pushed towards the partition (3) according as the feed (5) is being eaten, so that at all times a substantially constant small amount of feed is accessible to the animals.

Abstract: An improved bingo game sheet and method for playing the same are disclosed. The game sheet comprises at least three bingo matrix designated by a first indicia, at least two second bingo matrix designated by a second indicia and at least one third bingo game matrix, but less than the number of second bingo game matrices, the third bingo game matrices being identified by a third common indicia. When the desired configuration is created on the first indicia a player wins a first prize which is distinct from a second prize and third prize awarded when a player obtains the desired configuration on a second and third bingo game matrices, respectively. Preferably, a plurality of game sheets are arranged sequentially in a packet such that the used game sheet may be easily discarded.

Abstract: A surgical needle with a stylet selectively received within the lumen of a cannula is shown where establishing and maintaining a desired angular orientation between the stylet and cannula is achieved. The orientation may be determined in one of several ways. Preferably, a projection is mounted to the cannula hub which is selectively received in a recess of the stylet cap when the stylet and cannula are in the desired orientation. Alternatively, a pair of flexible arms may be mounted to the stylet cap wherein detents on the distal ends of the flexible arms are selectively received within complementary depressions on the cannula hub when the stylet and cannula are in the desired orientation. Also, a longitudinal rib on the stylet cap and a projection on the cannula hub can be visually inspected or can be felt by the user to determine the orientation. Finally, a projection from the cannula hub may be selectively received within a slot on the stylet cap to ensure proper alignment of the stylet and cannula.

Abstract: This invention relates to fishing gear in the form of a minnow caddy. The minnow caddy has a main caddy body which is opaque (black) and forms a hiding place for a minnow or like bait fish into which the bait fish will swim when the minnow caddy is placed in a bait receptacle. The main caddy body having an entrance end and an exit end is carried by a control handle which permits the positioning of the main caddy body within the bait receptacle. At the exit end of the main caddy body there is an exit opening in which there is positioned a hooking aperture body having a monoleaf spring gate with opposed monoleaf springs.

Abstract: A futon mattress is disclosed comprising an outer ticking encasing a foam core disposed between an upper layer and a lower layer of filling. The filling comprises a mixture of down and feathers.

Abstract: A fluid-operated brake actuator having a check valve in the spring chamber to equalize the pressure on opposite sides of an operating movable diaphragm. The brake actuator comprises a service brake housing divided into first and second service chambers by a diaphragm or piston, and a spring brake housing arranged in tandem with and attached to the service brake housing, also divided into a first and second spring chambers by a diaphragm or piston. The check valve connecting the first and second spring chambers blocks flow between the first and second chambers when the second spring brake chamber is pressurized and opens up flow between the two chambers when the second spring chamber is depressurized.

Abstract: The water extraction machine according to the invention provides a quick connect system for mounting one end of a solution tube and vacuum hose to the water extraction machine housing and a simple and efficient means for conveying solution from the housing to a cleaning tool. One end of the vacuum hose and solution tube are received in a cuff member which is adapted to be received in the machine housing by a simple press fit interconnection. The cuff member provides a single connection for both the vacuum hose and the solution hose to the machine housing. The other end of the vacuum hose and solution tube are received in a clam shell grip tube handle which is in turn mounted to an extruded dual chamber wand. A first longitudinal chamber in the wand conveys vacuum through the wand and the second longitudinal channel conveys cleaning solution from the grip tube to the cleaning tool.