Abstract: A method of treating wastewater prior to being processed within a wastewater treatment facility is provided, wherein the wastewater is delivered to the wastewater treatment facility by a collection piping system having an interior surface, and wherein the wastewater includes a predominant waste material, the method comprising: introducing select microbes into the piping system in an amount proportional to the surface area of the interior surface of the piping system, wherein the select microbes are capable of completely consuming the predominant waste material in the wastewater, until a biomass comprising almost entirely the select microbes is formed along the interior surface of the piping system; monitoring the biological oxygen demand (BOD) level of the wastewater at a downstream location immediately prior to the wastewater treatment facility in comparison to a desired BOD level; and adjusting the introduction of the select microbes into the piping system in proportion to the average downstream flowrate of

Abstract: A pill dispenser is provided, comprising a container constructed to hold a plurality of pills, the container including an upper portion and a lower portion; an inclined baffle disposed within the container separating the upper portion from the lower portion, wherein the baffle has an aperture; a first opening in the lower portion; a pill holder, slidably disposed within the first opening and sized to fit through the aperture, for holding a pill located in the container; and an exit port in the upper portion aligned with the inclined baffle, wherein the exit port is sized to allow the pill to exit the upper portion. A pill release mechanism is provided within the pill holder to dislodge the pill from the pill holder by pneumatic pressure once the pill has risen above the baffle. Sensors are located on the exit port to detect the presence of a dispensed pill, which is recorded by an attached computer.

Abstract: A portable ladder module is provided, comprising a primary support member having a first step; a secondary support member having a second step, wherein the secondary support member is slidable relative to the primary support member. A lock is operatively disposed between the primary support member and the secondary support member for selectively locking the position of the secondary support member relative to the primary support member in an extended position and a retracted position. A strap having a quick-release buckle is secured to the primary support member for holding the ladder module to a tree, and a pair of rigid tubing members on each of the primary support member and the secondary support member are present for stabilizing the ladder module against the tree. Preferably, a third step is provided on either the primary or the secondary support member, depending upon the nature of the sliding relationship between the primary and secondary support members.

Abstract: A magnetic rotary seal is provided for sealing a shaft to a housing, comprising a rotary seal head having a first annular surface; a first O-ring disposed between the rotary seal head and the shaft for sealably coupling the rotary seal head to the shaft; a housing adaptor disposed within the housing; a magnetic stationary ring disposed within the housing adaptor, wherein the stationary ring includes a second annular surface; a second O-ring disposed between the housing adaptor and the stationary ring for sealably coupling the stationary ring to the housing adaptor; and a plurality of magnets disposed within the rotary seal head for urging the first annular surface against the second annular surface. The second O-ring is held within opposing circumferential grooves formed in the housing adaptor and the stationary ring, which prevents the stationary ring from leaving the housing adaptor.

Abstract: A modular ladder system for climbing trees is provided, comprising an upper assembly and a lower assembly, wherein the lower assembly is slidable relative to the upper assembly; wherein the upper assembly includes a first pair of support members attached to one another by a top step, and wherein the lower assembly includes a second pair of support members attached to one another by a bottom step; a locking device operatively disposed between the upper assembly and the lower assembly for selectively locking the position of the lower assembly relative to the upper assembly in an extended position and a retracted position; an attachment device on the upper assembly for attaching the ladder module to a tree; and a stabilizer on the upper assembly and the lower assembly for stabilizing the ladder module against the tree.

Abstract: A method for recovering oil from a subterranean formation penetrated by a well is provided, comprising the steps of injecting via the well a gas mixture into the formation, the gas mixture comprising carbon dioxide and a gas selected from the group consisting of methane, nitrogen, or mixtures thereof; wherein the gas mixture is injected in an amount sufficient to establish in the vicinity of the well a zone of oil in contact with the gas mixture; and wherein the carbon dioxide comprises about 5 percent to about 50 percent by volume at reservoir conditions of the gas mixture; shutting in the well for a predetermined period of time; and producing the well and recovering the residual oil from the formation.

Abstract: An adjustable rest is provided, comprising a support base; a mounting strap for attaching the support base to a rigid structure, such as a tree, above the head of a user; a first support member slidably connected to the support base; a second support member pivotally connected to the first support member wherein the second support member can be pivoted about at least two axes; a third support member pivotally connected to the second support member, wherein the third support member is adjustable in length; and a resting device operatively connected to the third support member for allowing a selected device to be rested thereon. The resting device may comprise a device for holding a gun, an archery bow, a camera, video recording device, or the like.

Abstract: An osteotomy guide and surgical kit for performing a tibial osteotomy are provided, wherein the osteotomy guide comprises two or more rows of guide holes formed therethrough for attaching the guide onto a pair of guide pins in a predetermined relation to a tibia; a transverse slot, defining a transverse cutting plane; and a plurality of oblique slots angularly offset from the transverse slot, each oblique slot defining an oblique cutting plane. Additional features of the surgical kit include a transverse member adapted to pass through the transverse slot, which can be either a modified saw blade or a separate removable plate, and a locking device on the osteotomy guide for lockably engaging the transverse member and positioning the osteotomy guide at a predetermined location relative to the transverse member. A measurement guide hole is also provided in the same plane as the transverse slot so that accurate measurement of the tibial depth can be accomplished.

Abstract: An equine frog support system, comprising a support base constructed of a material, preferably a thermoplastic material, molded to conform to the frog and collateral sulci of an equine foot, the material being sufficiently rigid and fully elastic during the use thereof to support the frog and the collateral sulci; and a wrapping or other device for holding the support base against the foot. Preferably, the support base is shaped to support only the frog and collateral sulci of the foot. Also, a method for treating equine laminitis is provided, comprising the steps of placing a softened hardenable material, preferably a thermoplastic material, over the frog and collateral sulci of an equine foot. While the material is in a softened state, the animal is caused to place weight on the affected foot, thereby compressing the material between the ground and the foot.

Abstract: A modular ladder system for climbing trees is provided, comprising an upper assembly having a first pair of support members attached to one another by a top step; a lower assembly having a second pair of support members attached to one another by a bottom step; a central assembly having a third pair of support members and a third step, wherein the upper and lower assemblies are independently slidable relative to the central assembly; a first lock between the upper assembly and the central assembly for selectively locking the position of the upper assembly relative to the central assembly in an extended position and a retracted position; a second lock between the lower assembly and the central assembly for selectively locking the position of the lower assembly relative to the central assembly in an extended position and a retracted position; an attachment device on the upper assembly for attaching the ladder module to a tree; and a stabilizer on the upper assembly and the lower assembly for stabilizing the lad

Abstract: A cable duct for protecting communication cable is provided, comprising an elongated body portion having a first end and a second end, the body portion further including a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end; and at least two passageways formed completely through the body portion and extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, each of the passageways having a cross sectional area sufficient to loosely contain at least one communication cable. The cable duct is constructed from a combination of materials including plastic and crumb rubber, preferably in a 1:1 composition, and includes a plurality of external ridges formed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The body portion further includes end connectors which are removably attachable to the first end and/or second end for connecting the cable duct to a second cable duct.

Abstract: A surgical kit for performing a tibial osteotomy is provided, comprising a pair of mounting pins for attaching, an osteotomy guide in a predetermined relation to a tibia; an osteotomy guide, comprising a transverse slot, defining a transverse cutting plane, adapted to receive and guide a transverse cutting blade for making a transverse cut into the tibia, and a plurality of oblique slots angularly offset from the transverse slot, each oblique slot defining an oblique cutting plane, adapted to receive and guide an oblique cutting blade for making a selected oblique cut into the tibia, wherein the intersection of each oblique cutting plane with the transverse cutting plane defines a wedge of bone which may be removed from the tibia.

Abstract: A Full Access wheelchair in which the seat can be raised to a height of about forty inches above the ground, or lowered to a height of about ten inches above the ground, while providing constant and comfortable support for the legs of a user throughout the range of motion of the seat. This Full Access wheelchair can increase the independence of many disabled individuals, and enhance their quality of life.

Abstract: A method for producing a soil enhancing compound is provided, comprising the steps of mechanically mixing a portion of composted agricultural waste consisting essentially of plant by-products, with a portion of bio-solid waste consisting essentially of sludge from waste water treatment, to form an organic compost mixture, and mechanically mixing with the organic compost mixture, a portion of industrial waste consisting essentially of calcium sulfate and phosphorous to form a final soil enhancing mixture, wherein a gelatinous, nutrient-containing substance is formed within the soil enhancing mixture by the interaction of the composted agricultural waste and the industrial waste. Alternatively, the agricultural waste can be used alone with the industrial waste. Either the agricultural waste, the bio-solids or the industrial waste may be acidic or alkaline, as long as the final soil enhancing mixture has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.5.

Abstract: A method of reducing undesirable gases in a wastewater collection piping system is provided, comprising the introduction of select microbes into the piping system at a frequency corresponding to the pumping activity of the pumping stations, and in an amount proportional to the surface area of the interior surface of the piping system; wherein the select microbes are capable of completely consuming the predominant waste material in the wastewater; and wherein an anaerobic biomass comprising almost entirely the select microbes is formed along the interior surface of the piping system. In the foregoing method, the select microbes are preferably non-pathenogenic and may be introduced in an initially non-active state. Furthermore, the select microbes may also be capable of functioning in either an aerobic or an anaerobic manner. In a more preferred embodiment, the level of nitrogen in the piping system is monitored, and the introduction of the select microbes is adjusted to maintain at least 0.

Abstract: A suction tube for use with a medication dispensing system is provided, comprising a handle which houses a suction motor powered by an external power source; a stationary tube attached to and extending from the handle in fluid communication with the suction motor; a screen to prevent the passage of pills into the suction motor; a second tube slidably attached to the stationary tube, the second tube having a distal end; a pill obstructor on the second tube for preventing a retrieved pill from traveling through the second tube; collection cup retainer attached to the handle for holding a collection cup; a pill guide positioned adjacent to the collection cup retainer for guiding the retrieved pill to the collection cup; and a sensor located within the pill guide for detecting the passage of the retrieved pill through the suction tube. Preferably, the suction tube includes an adjustable pill exit aperture which can also be used to adjust the suction strength through the suction tube.

Abstract: A cannulated bone screw for anchoring bidirectional suture threads to bone is provided, comprising a biocompatible body having a proximal end and a distal end, the body including exterior screw threads, preferably self-tapping, for inserting and retaining the body into the bone; a passageway extending through the body, the passageway including a central portion, a proximal portion, and preferably a distal portion, the central portion being sized to receive a suture thread therethrough, the proximal and distal portions each being sized to receive a suture thread knot, the central portion being sized smaller than the proximal and distal portions, the central portion being sufficiently small as to prevent a suture thread knot from being drawn therethrough; and a drive socket, formed into the proximal end of the body, the drive socket being sized to prevent a drive tool from contacting a suture thread knot within the proximal portion of the passageway.

Abstract: A neurophysiological monitoring system is provided, comprising a primary module, having a first housing with a supply of electrical power from an external power source; a first detection circuit, electrically connected to the power supply, for allowing detection of analog neurophysiological signals at a predetermined site on a patient; a data processing circuit, electrically connected to the first detection circuit, for amplifying the analog signals and converting the amplified analog signals to digital signals; and an output device, electrically connected to the data processing circuit, for sending the digital signals to a personal computer for further processing; a secondary module, comprising a second housing removably connectable to the first housing, the second housing comprising a second detection circuit, electrically connectable to the data processing circuit, for allowing detection of analog neurophysiological signals at a second predetermined site on the patient; and a personal computer connected to

Abstract: A microbubble generator is disclosed for optimizing the rate and amount of xygen transfer to microbial inocula or biocatalysts in bioreactor systems. The microbubble generator, and an associated immobilized cell reactor, are useful in the detoxification and cleanup of non-volatile polymeric and volatile organic-contaminated aqueous streams. In particular, they are useful in the continuous mineralization and biodegradation of toxic organic compounds, including volatile organic compounds, associated with industrial and municipal effluents, emissions, and ground water and other aqueous discharges. One embodiment of the invention includes a microbubble chamber packed with small inert particles through which a liquid effluent and oxygen or another gas are admitted under pressure, followed by a venturi chamber to further reduce the size of bubbles.

Abstract: A modular ladder system for climbing trees is provided, comprising at least two ladder modules, each ladder module comprising a hollow, primary support member having an upper end and a lower end; a secondary support member, telescopingly slidable within the primary support member, having an upper end and a lower end; a first step attached to the lower end of the secondary support member; a second step attached to the lower end of the primary support member; a top step attached to the upper end of the primary support member; a spring-loaded lock operatively disposed between the primary support member and the secondary support member for locking the position of the secondary support member relative to the primary support member; at least two stabilizer brackets attached to the primary support member and the secondary support member for stabilizing the ladder module against the tree; and a strap and quick-release buckle attached to the primary support member for holding the ladder module to the tree.