Abstract: Breathing circuits for medical respiratory devices which have an inspiratory conduit for delivery of respiration-related aeriform substances to a patient, may also have a expiratory conduit, and, in any case are arranged to communicate with a patient interface, such as a wye (14), and have heating means for respiration-related aeriform substances in at least the inspiratory conduit. The heating means may be a heated-liquid heating tube (11) within at least the inspiratory conduit or an electrical heating wire (38) on or in an inspiratory conduit comprising respiratory hose (37). The tube is in circulatory relationship with a heated-liquid reservoir (13) and is arranged internally to contain heated liquid (30) from the reservoir, and to transfer heat from the liquid--by radiation and conduction from the tube wall--to the substances in the conduit.

Abstract: A dental syringe system including a gun element, for association with a tip element, to mix and dispense respective dental materials of and while the materials yet have plastic or flowable consistency. The gun has a chamber in which to load cartridges of respective such materials, a motor, two plungers, a ram to move relative to the gun, and a trigger-and-gears mechanism to operate the plungers in association with the motor, and separately to operate the ram. The trigger is mounted to move to and between several positions. At one such position, the trigger operates the motor to advance the plungers into respective sites where such cartridges may be loaded and, when cartridges are so loaded, to express materials from the cartridges and the gun. At a subsequent such position, the trigger extends the ram from the gun, and the motor and the plungers disengage. The tip element has a trans-tip passage with a cavity, vanes within the cavity, and a channel from the cavity.

Abstract: Products, methods and inventive uses for introducing from an in-color subject image with pictorial content (14) and to electrostatic printing plates (21, 23, 25 and 27), respective ones of offset transfer images for four color separations from the subject image (22C, 24M, 26Y and 28K) by means of copier apparatus with a color separations function (30); and, making objectively superior printed images by the plates with the introduced transfer images. The subject image is supplied to the platen (31) of the apparatus. The plates are presented to the apparatus at or by an access facility such as an external tray (34) or a casette (38) at an internal site (37). The apparatus is worked in the function with reference to supplied subject image and presented plates. The introductions occur as, in the course of the working, the plates operationally transit of the apparatus. Thereafter, each plate may be etched and then mounted on a press (40).

Abstract: Processes, products and inventive uses for improved gray scales in pictorial content of monochrome printed matter and involving a color laser copier (30). An exemplary process presents a subject image (14) to a laser color copier, supplies an electrostatic printing plate (20) to the copier, and introduces the subject image directly to the plate as a transfer image (14') by operating the copier. The process confers superior gray scale capability to the plate and prepares the plate, as later mounted on a printing press (40), to produce printed matter (43) wherein printed image (14") corresponds to the subject image and is characterized by improved gray scale. An exemplary product, as an article of manufacture, is a printing plate with the directly-introduced transfer image. An inventive use is use or operation of the copier directly to make--from subject image on its copy board (31)--the transfer image on the printing plate.

Abstract: A system for monitoring utilization of surgical sponges with reference to a surgical procedure. The system features a monitor board with a tally panel. The tally panel is generally planar, has reverse and obverse surfaces, and defines a substantial number of trans-panel deposit sites. Each site has small portions adapted suitably to deform in response to application of modest force. When the panel is in in-service orientation, and as the small portions of one site become deformed, the site is adapted to receive and retain a used sponge in trans-panel deposit. Each deposited sponge in part protrudes from the obverse surface and, against the background thereof, is visually accessible and displayed, for tallying. Stands for the monitor board as well as erectile and foldable-as-erected versions of the board and disposal containers for the a board (with a complement of used sponges) are also disclosed.

Abstract: A work lamp of type known as trouble lamps or drop lights, with components including a handle defining an axis for the lamp and opposed first and second ends, a socket for a light source in the second end, a cage for the light source attached to the handle, a hook, and a power connection for the light source, and with an improvement which is a member or element comprising a shank on and extending away from the handle near the first end and at a right or obtuse angle to the axis. As to holding means with a channel or hole, the shank implements the lamp to be received and adjustably retained in a channel or hole of such means in a wide range of dispositions and other than an enabled by the hook. The shank may be embodied as a demountable fitting for the handle. Holding means with a channel or hole, including a holder with a magnetic base and a channeled slab wherein the shank may be received, are disclosed.

Abstract: Ornamental bird devices, each comprising a first blank to simulate or be representative of head and body of a bird, and a second blank to simulate or be representative of wings for the head and body of the bird of the first blank. The blanks are of thin, flexile, foldable, creasable and resilient stock. Each blank defines a plurality of indents, and a first blank and a matched second blank are adapted to be assembled in mutual engagement with each indent of the one in hooking relationship with a corresponding indent of the other. An assembled device may comprise, for example, a mobile. Blanks for one or for several devices may be presented on one sheet of stock, and, so presented, each blank is readily and selectively hand-removable from the sheet.

Abstract: A three dimensional game--with both alignment and other-than-alignment aspects--including a games-playing structure and playing-pieces. Certain spaces preferably have indicia of relative advantage. The structure comprises four playing surfaces on, respectively, a base, an upper stage substantially parallel with and spaced from the base, and each of two side stages, which also are substantially parallel and spaced from the base but intermediate a lower plane defined by the base and an upper plane defined by the upper stage. Each surface has a configuration of playing-spaces thereon, the four configurations are substantially congruent. The stages are held or carried by columns, and preferably transparent. The configurations of the base and the upper stage are preferably in vertical alignment.

Abstract: Manually operable label-transfer apparatus characterized by a transit path for a tractor-feedable backing strip which has labels or similar adhesive-backed pieces laminated thereon, and also providing a bin. The path has up-path first and down-path second stations, and the bin adjoins the first station. The apparatus has tractors at the second station, a pusher in the bin, and manual crank-drive means associated with the tractors and the pusher. The tractors engage the strip and, driven by the drive means, advance the strip down-path from the first station and over a delaminator with an edge and around a sharp turn. The strip, as drawn past the turn, is bent and experiences a direction reversal of between 160.degree. and 180.degree.; and, in this action, the labels successively separate or peel from the strip, and, a guide on the apparatus successively guides each separated label toward an operably proximal position relative to the first station.

Abstract: An original container-applicator device for relatively viscous preparations, such as and of the consistency of hair shampoos and conditioners. Provided with a supply of such a preparation, the device functions as the original container until, in the hands of the ultimate consumer, it serves also as the applicator. The device comprises a chamber; massage fingers, an outlet or dispensing port, as defined by an elongate rim with a proximal end and a distal end; and, a reciprocative valve. The valve has a flange and a gate, and moves between first and second positions. At the first position, the gate closes the distal end while the valve leaves the proximal end open and enables the preparation from the chamber to fill the rim, but not flow from the device. At the second position the flange closes the proximal end and prevents flow from the chamber, while the gate is displaced from and leaves the distal end open, thus to enable a quantity of preparation to flow or drain from the rim, and be dispensed.

Abstract: A simple construction toy of thin, planar flexible material, and characterized also by some stiffness and resilience, wherein two generally similar and opposable sides extend from a connective member, and each side has a remote free end. The toy is manually assembled by flexing the sides about the connective member and hooking them together near the remote free ends. Thus-assembled, the toy's sides bow outwardly. Inequality between the connected lengths of the sides imparts moderate asymmetry to the bowed sides, and contributes to a three-dimensional effect. Where the toy has legs, the asymmetry enhances its stance. One or several of the toys may be presented within a larger sheet of such material and adapted easily to be taken from the sheet.

Abstract: A article of plant body apparel with a neckband circumscribing a neck opening (through which the wearer passes his/her head and neck) and with several loops comprising carriers or carrier-elements attached to the article. The carriers are spaced slightly outwardly from the neckband, and also from each other, to define a course circumferential of the neckband, and are adapted to receive and carry a selected item of elongate neck-wear, such as a kerchief by the carriers, they cooperate to enable or exert a retaining or anti-shifting effect and to keep the item in a desired disposition relative to the article and from unwanted contact with the wearer's skin.

Abstract: A container for thin rigid envelopes, each of which is a solid and has length greater than width the thickness much less than width--such as the package for a compact disc record album--having connected lower and upper levels. The lower level defines transverse and longitudinal axes of the container as well as a number of cavities with upwardly-disposed open ends, and the upper level comprises an exterior retaining wall and opposed ledges extending at an angle from the wall. An envelope may be inserted, width-edge down, into and held in one of the cavities; alternatively, such envelope may be placed on the upper level, length-wise on its lower edge and transverse the longitudinal axis of the container, with its lower corners supported, respectively, by the ledges. A spacer may be inserted into a cavity to separate the envelopes into distinct organizational groupings.

Abstract: An angler's lure having a spinner-blade with fore and aft portions, and defining a fore-and-aft centerline; a keel depending from the aft portion of the spinner-blade; and, a hook anchored in the keel and extending upwardly and rearwardly, through a small hole in the spinner-blade, to form an angle of approximately 30.degree. with the centerline. The keel is particularly characterized by a substantially planar front surface. The shank is adapted to carry a trailing artificial bait. When the lure, with trailing bait, is reeled in at a conventional rate through the waters of a fishery, weight/force/drag interactions, including transient imbalances, between water and lure--and, particularly, involving the front face of the keel--produce two pertinent effects: one is to urge the shank of the hook to a disposition normal to the surface of the waters and to stabilize the shank in that disposition; and, the other is to impart lively oscillatory or swimming-like movement to shank and bait.

Abstract: A synchronized drive and cable handling system is disclosed for a rotational element, such as a rotational gantry of a tomographic scanning machine, upon which element are carried load devices to which a medium, such as oil or electricity, is required to be supplied through the cables. A pair of spaced-apart sets of idler pulleys are disposed to either side of the rotational element with a cable being wound about the respective pulley sets to form an elongated loop, one end of each respective cable being attached to a load device which is disposed on the rotational element. One pulley set of each pair of sets is disposed about a translatable axis, the position of which is controlled by a lead screw drive to vary the distance between the pair of pulley sets and to thus vary the amount of cable which is played-out and taken-in therefrom.

Abstract: In an improved system for medical imaging employing a transducer for transmitting and detecting ultrasonic vibrations, a digital scan converter accepts echo signals detected by the transducer and transducer position signals identifying the point of origin of the signals in a scanning plane transversely oriented relative to the body of the patient under study. The amplitudes of the echoes detected are stored at memory locations associated with the points of origin of the echoes. Peak detection analysis is performed on large echoes emanating from higher impedance tissue interfaces within the scanning plane, while cumulation and normalization analysis is performed on small echoes emanating from low impedance tissue interfaces within the scanning plane.

Abstract: A collimator is provided for a scintillation camera system in which a detector precesses in an orbit about a patient. The collimator is designed to have high resolution and lower sensitivity with respect to radiation traveling in paths laying wholly within planes perpendicular to the cranial-caudal axis of the patient. The collimator has high sensitivity and lower resolution to radiation traveling in otherplanes. Variances in resolution and sensitivity are achieved by altering the length, spacing or thickness of the septa of the collimator.

Abstract: An improved multiple sample handling system, including a fully machine-compatible multiple sample support assembly, sample vortexing apparatus, and sample radioactivity sensing apparatus, is disclosed which enables performance of a complete radioimmunoassay or competitive binding procedure on the samples in the support assembly, generally without the need to remove and handle individual samples, and which greatly increases processing speed and error avoidance. The support assembly includes an apertured tray and sample retainers cooperating therewith and supporting the sample tubes by radially inwardly acting gripping portions. The retainers fit loosely within the tray apertures, but displacement control means are defined on the retainers and tray permitting the retainers together with tubes to smoothly move angularly relative to the tray within a small predetermined solid angle. The assembly with tubes is self-supporting upon the tubes for storage and optionally during sample operation.

Abstract: A positron imaging system and method in which two opposed Anger cameras are employed on opposite sides of an organ to be imaged. The cameras include a planar unitary scintillation crystal approximately one inch in thickness, and the electronics which process the signals from the cameras include pulse shaping circuitry to reduce both the duration and the integration time of pulses resulting from radioactive events. Both cameras exclude collimators to enable radiation incident upon them at many angles to be accepted, and means are included to rotate the opposed cameras about the organ of interest to enable transverse tomographic imaging.