Abstract: A pillbox that can be used with a portable electronic device (“PED”) such as a cellular telephone or personal digital assistant includes a generally cubic body portion that is attached to one end of a PED. The body portion defines a compartment within which medication can be placed. Preferably, an extension projects from one wall of the body portion and the extension is connected to the PED. The body portion preferably conforms generally to the contour of the PED. A door is connected to the body portion to permit selective access to the compartment. Other embodiments of the invention include a holster within which the PED can be inserted. In some of the embodiments, the door defines the medication-storage compartment.

Abstract: A surgical marker/connector can be provided in the form of a ring made of a fluoroscopic material, including a shape memory alloy such as NITINOL. The ring preferably includes a plurality of small suture attachments in the form of loops that are disposed on the periphery of the ring and which lie in a plane that includes the ring itself. The loops are large enough to receive sutures which, in turn, can be used to connect the ring to a portion of a patient's body, or to connect separate portions of a patient's body to each other using the marker/connector as an intermediate connector. If the ring is made of a shape memory alloy, the ring can be wrapped tightly about an elongate member such as a mandrel, which than can be inserted into the patient's body through a trochar or cannula. After insertion, the ring will change temperature and resume its original configuration where it can be sutured in place as desired.

Abstract: A technique for conducting criminal background investigations addresses the problems of false negatives; false positives; and offense severity. The foregoing problems are managed by pre-scoring records within a data management system and comparing these scores with initial criteria. The resulting values are quickly returned using minimum real-time computational power. A result score is represented by three distinct values or three dimensions which can easily be represented by any 3-D graphical display or easily sorted highest to lowest for each dimension.

Abstract: A surgical clamp assembly includes a clamp having movable jaws, each of which has a clamping surface for engaging a portion of a patient's body. An electrode forms a portion of the clamping surface of at least one of the jaws, the electrode being capable of heating, severing, or cauterizing the portion of the patient's body that is grasped by the clamp. If desired, the clamp assembly can be provided with a retainer that prevents the jaws from being opened accidently. The clamp assembly also can include an actuator that can be detached from the clamp and removed from the operative site, leaving the locked clamp in place. In this type of assembly, when it is desired to remove the clamp, the actuator can be reattached to the clamp and used to disengage the toothed retainer, and thereafter can be used to spread the jaws in order to permit the clamp to be removed.

Abstract: A surgical retractor includes a pair of parallel arms that are mounted to a toothed crossbar. One of the arms is fixed to one end of the crossbar, while the other arm is movable along the crossbar by means of a pinion. One or both of the arms includes on its upper surface a bar having a longitudinally extending flat surface. A rod is connected to the bar by means of a bracket. The bracket can be locked in position relative to the bar by a first set screw that engages the flat surface. A rod extends through an opening in the bracket and is retained in place there by a second set screw. The rod includes a circumferentially extending shoulder that engages the bracket so as to locate the rod in a desired position. One or more flat surfaces are formed on the rod adjacent the shoulder for engagement by the second set screw.

Abstract: A surgical marker/connector in the form of a ring made of a shape memory alloy such as NITINOL is suitable for laparoscopic installation in a patient's body. The ring preferably includes a plurality of small suture attachments in the form of loops that are disposed on the periphery of the ring and which lie in a plane that includes the ring itself. The loops are large enough to receive sutures which, in turn, can be used to connect the ring to a portion of a patient's body, or to connect separate portions of a patient's body to each other using the marker/connector as an intermediate connector. Prior to installation, the ring can be wrapped tightly about an elongate member such as a mandrel, which than can be inserted into the patient's body through a trochar or cannula. After insertion, the ring will change temperature and resume its original configuration where it can be sutured in place as desired.

Abstract: A first surgical retractor (302) according to the invention includes a handle (308) that defines an axis (320) and has first and second ends. A retractor blade (306) is secured to the second end of the handle. The blade is of a size and shape to engage the mitral valve of a heart so as to be able to retract the mitral valve and adjacent tissues. A second retractor (304) according to the invention has a relatively narrow, elongate blade (352) that can extend deep into the heart to engage the heart in the region of the atrial appendage so as to be able to retract the atrium and expose the pulmonary veins. The retractors are especially adapted to perform an atrial fibrillation surgical procedure.

Abstract: A surgical drape includes a first, closed container within which a first sheet is disposed. The first sheet has first and second opposed ends, the first end of the first sheet being removable from the container so as to remove a desired portion of the first sheet from the container, the second end of the first sheet remaining within the container. Preferably, the first container is laid across a desired portion of the table prior to placing the patient on the table. After the patient has been positioned properly and prepped, the first sheet can be pulled from underneath the patient and pulled out of the first container so that the sheet covers the table in the area of surgical interest and then covers the entire side or end of the table down to the floor. After the surgical procedure has been completed, the first sheet and the container can be removed and discarded.

Abstract: A surgical draping system (2), separates the sterile surgical field from the unsterile surgical table and isolates the patient so that sterile surgical procedures can be performed without chance of contamination. The components of the surgical draping system are provided folded and in sterile condition inside a sealed bag container. The sealed bag (4), is placed acres an operating table (8), prior to placement of the patient. Once the patient has been positioned on the operating table (8), the bag (4), is opened and the surgical drape (10), is extended. The draping system may include coverings for legs or arms and a top drape. The draping system isolates the operating field in a simple and sterile manner and can be discarded at the termination of the procedure.

Abstract: An aorta cross clamp assembly includes a clamp having movable jaws and a removable actuator having movable handles. Initially, the actuator is connected to the clamp with the jaws in an open position. When the actuator handles are closed, the jaws also will be closed. The clamp is provided with a toothed retainer that prevents the jaws from being opened accidently. The actuator can be detached from the clamp and removed from the operative site, leaving the locked clamp in place. When it is desired to remove the clamp, the actuator can be reattached to the clamp and used to disengage the toothed retainer. The actuator then can be used to spread the jaws in order to permit the clamp to be removed. The clamp and the actuator are provided in two forms. In one form, the toothed retainer is engaged and disengaged by movement toward and away from the jaws (“horizontal” movement). In the other form, the toothed retainer is engaged and disengaged by movement generally perpendicular to the jaws (“vertical” movement).

Abstract: A surgical marker/connector in the form of a ring includes a plurality of small suture attachments that are disposed about the ring. The suture attachments preferably are in the form of loops that lie in a plane that includes the ring itself. The loops are large enough to receive sutures which, in turn, can be used to connect the ring to a portion of a patient's body, or to connect separate portions of a patient's body to each other using the marker/connector as an intermediate connector. At least a portion of the marker/connector is made of a material that can be observed by fluoroscopic examination.

Abstract: A pillbox that can be used with a portable electronic device (“PED”) such as a cellular telephone or personal digital assistant includes a generally cubic body portion that is attached to one end of a PED. The body portion defines a compartment within which medication can be placed. Preferably, an extension projects from one wall of the body portion and the extension is connected to the PED. The body portion preferably conforms generally to the contour of the PED. A door is connected to the body portion to permit selective access to the compartment. Other embodiments of the invention include a holster within which the PED can be inserted. In some of the embodiments, the door defines the medication-storage compartment.

Abstract: A de-icer for a structural member of an aircraft is provided. The de-icer includes first and second heaters having first and second electrically conductive strips, respectively. The first and second conductive strips are configured to form first and second marginal portions, respectively. The first and second heaters are positioned relative to each other such that the marginal portions are overlapped.

Abstract: An inexpensive, lightweight camper is releasably mountable about trunk portions of an automobile without requiring the formation of holes in the automobile body. The camper has a flat floor and front, rear, top and side walls which are foldable to compactly overlie the trunk of the automobile. In the extended position, the camper is relatively large and has the capability of sleeping at least two adults. In the collapsed position, the camper is substantially reduced in size for over-the-road travel. The camper includes a canopy having depending flanges which enclose the remainder of the camper when the camper is in a collapsed position. The expense of the camper is minimized by the use of cardboard as a construction material.

Abstract: An adhesive-applying machine is adapted to apply pressure-sensitive adhesive to cardboard blanks which thereafter can be folded and compressed to form a complete box. The machine includes a flat support table above which a pair of spaced, parallel conveyor belts are disposed. Preslotted, prescored cardboard blanks having laterally extending flaps are provided. The flaps are passed beneath the conveyor belts while the remaining portion of the blank passes between the conveyor belts. An adhesive-applying mechanism applies adhesive to the underside of the flaps as the blank is discharged from the table.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a conveyor belt includes placing a rotatable cleaning roller in close proximity with the belt. The roller includes a plurality of radially extending vanes configured in the form of a so-called chevron helix. The roller is supported within a frame member, which in turn is attached to the support structure of the conveyor. The frame member includes an adjusting mechanism which adjusts the position of the belt relative to the roller. A sealing arrangement establishes an effective air seal between the roller and the belt to permit a vacuum source to aid in the removal of material from the belt.

Abstract: An adjustable marking gauge provides an x-y adjustment capability especially adapted to enable conventional drawer and cabinet hardware to be conveniently mounted. The marking gauge includes a body portion in the form of a rectangular block from which an adjustable slide arm projects. The slide arm has a J-shaped end portion and markings which enable distances from the midpoint of the block to be measured easily. An adjustable slide bar is connected to the block and is movable perpendicular relative to the slide arm. The slide bar includes preformed openings corresponding to the dimensions of conventional drawer and cabinet hardware.