Abstract: A sliding door apparatus for opening and closing an opening in a wall. A sliding door apparatus including a longitudinally extending track member mountable along an upper edge of an opening and a door movably mountable on the track member for sliding movement thereon between opened and closed positions. A damping structure is disposed within the track member and is actuatable in response to the sliding movement of the door to break the door's movement as it approaches its opened and closed positions.

Abstract: A needle stick protection device includes a housing shaped and dimensioned for positioning about a syringe including a needle extending therefrom. The housing includes a first housing member telescopically coupled to a second housing member. The first housing member includes a first end shaped and dimensioned for receiving the syringe and a second end. The second housing member includes a first end and a substantially closed second end. The second end includes an aperture shaped and dimensioned to permit the passage of the needle therethrough. A locking assembly is associated with the first housing member and the second housing member for selectively controlling movement of the first housing member relative to the second housing member.

Abstract: A method for safely penetrating the tissue of a gastric wall includes deploying a tissue puncture assembly including a suction device proximate the gastric wall tissue, applying a vacuum source to the suction device to draw a portion of the gastric wall tissue thereto and extending a needle through the portion of gastric wall tissue drawn into contact with the suction device. A device for safely penetrating the tissue of a gastric wall includes a tissue puncture assembly including a suction device in the form of a cup with suction ports therein and an open end. A needle is surrounded by the cup and extends through the cup toward the open end.

Abstract: An apparatus allowing a woman to pump milk from her breasts without the necessity of the woman's hands holding the breast pumps utilizes at least one band of material encircling the woman's chest, the band of material provided with two openings corresponding to the woman's breasts. A center panel would be provided to adjust the fit of the band. Additionally, in another embodiment, a back panel would be used in conjunction with the center panel to connect left and right panels together, the left and right panels including openings for a woman's breast. In all of the embodiments, semicircular pieces would cover each of the openings.

Abstract: A method for laparoscopically preventing insufflation of the small bowel during gastric procedures includes applying an obstruction member at the pyloric sphincter to block the passage of gas from the gastric cavity into the small bowel and insufflating the gastric cavity.

Abstract: An intrauterine device for occluding orifices of fallopian tubes includes a resilient body having an elongated member with a first end and a second end. The elongated member further includes a first leg ending with the first end of the elongated member, a second leg ending with the second end of the elongated member and a connection member positioned therebetween. A first orifice plug is secured at the first end of the elongated member and a second orifice plug is secured at the second end of the elongated member. The first and second orifice plugs are shaped and dimensioned to seat at the orifices of the fallopian tubes or within the fallopian tubes as the elongated member spreads outwardly with the first end and second end moving apart.

Abstract: A motor driven seal assembly for permitting hand assisted laparoscopic procedures. The seal assembly includes a seal cap having a seal positioned within a housing, the housing includes a lower seal ring having a track which supports an upper seal ring for rotational motion relative thereto. The seal is supported between the upper seal ring and the lower seal ring for rotation between an open orientation and a closed orientation. A motor-driven drive assembly is associated with the lower seal ring and the upper seal ring for controlling relative to movement thereof.

Abstract: A golf training system includes a rearward and lower first laser beam defined by a rearward and lower first laser transmitting to a rearward and lower first receiving sensor with a first alarm. The golf training system also includes a forward and upper second laser beam defined by a forward and upper second laser transmitting to a forward and upper second receiving sensor, with a second alarm, located above the shoulder of the user. The first laser beam and the second laser beam are substantially parallel and define an extending ideal path along a designated club head path as a golfer swings. The extending ideal path corresponds to a desired club head path, if the club head crosses the first laser beam, the first alarm associated with the first receiving sensor is activated, and if the club head crosses the second laser beam, the second alarm associated with the second receiving sensor is activated.

Abstract: The vein holder has an upright wall forming a central opening. The central opening is large enough to allow easy access by a needle. A bottom flange extends outwardly from the wall and rests against the patient's skin. It is the bottom surface of the flange 14 which holds the skin tight to prevent movement of the vein relative to the skin. In addition, pressure applied by the vein holder closes the vein at an end away from the syringe opening.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for retrofitting a printer which has a cartridge receiving device for holding interchangeable consumable material cartridges. In order to reduce the cost of production, transport and storage, the device has an insert which has fastening means for attachment in the cartridge receiving device of a printer, on the insert a locking means being made which blocks the fastening means in the fastening position when a consumable material insert cartridge is connected in the cartridge receiving device.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional system for assessing, coding, quantifying, displaying, integrating and communicating information relating to patient health and perioperative risk includes a mechanism for inputting patient information and providing an output relating to the patient health and perioperative risk. The output includes a score for the physical condition of the patient, a score for the degree of expected surgical risk and invasiveness, a score for other vital assessments of perioperative complexity, and alphanumeric codes for other factors that may require special preoperative preparation and planning.

Abstract: A training device assisting golfers in reading putting greens includes a housing having a central cavity shaped and dimensioned for receiving the golf ball therein. The housing includes a closed first end and an open second end. A force producing mechanism is positioned at the closed first end of the housing and extends toward the open second end within the housing. The force producing mechanism is positioned within the housing for selective actuation thereof so as to contact and push forward a golf ball positioned within the housing. Upon actuation, the force producing mechanism launches the golf ball smoothly onto the golf putting green surface at a pre-determined speed.

Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a toroidal shaped housing and at least one driver positioned within the housing. The driver is mounted within an arcuate enclosure such that a forward portion of the driver transmits sound beyond the enclosure and the rearward portion of the driver is substantially confined within the enclosure.

Abstract: A wireless system for monitoring a patient's brain tissue including (1) a plurality of electrodes abutting brain tissue, (2) main circuitry outside the patient's body to transmit power at radio frequencies and send/receive data using infrared energy, and (3) subcutaneously-implanted remote circuitry connected to the electrodes and configured to (a) receive transmitted RF power, (b) capture and digitize EEG signals from the electrodes, and (c) send/receive data to/from the main circuitry using IR energy, including sending digitized EEG signals from each electrode to capture the full bandwidth of each EEG signal. The system preferably includes circuitry to measure the electrical impedance of each electrode for real-time monitoring of the condition of the electrode/tissue interfaces to enhance interpretation of captured EEG signals.

Abstract: A modular speaker system includes a base assembly having a longitudinally extending, central support member and a support leg extending therefrom in a manner supporting the central support member in a generally upright configuration. The central support member includes a first end and a second end. A first woofer is secured to the base assembly, and a base assembly amplifier is mounted within the central support member and connected to the first woofer. An auxiliary speaker assembly includes a longitudinally extending, auxiliary support member having a first end a second end, the first end being shaped and dimensioned for selective engagement with the second end of the central support member. A first driver is secured to the auxiliary speaker assembly and an amplifier is mounted within the auxiliary support member and is connected to the first driver.

Abstract: Process for attaching a functional element to a plastically deformable flat material or workpiece, the functional element on a contact surface having a rivet collar which is formed by a hollow or tubular section and which stands away over this surface, in the joining area in the flat material by plastic deformation a dome-like section being formed which with its base projects over the plane of the flat material surrounding this section and on the base has a joining opening, and the attachment of the functional element to the flat material in a joining and riveting process taking place by insertion of the rivet collar into the joining opening and by plastic deformation of the rivet collar such that the base is held in a region of the base which surrounds the joining opening between the deformed rivet collar and the contact surface or end side of the functional element, the functional element being anchored on the edge region which surrounds the joining opening without reducing the diameter of the joining openi

Abstract: A self-modifying FPGA system includes an FPGA and a configuration memory device coupled to the FPGA for providing the FPGA with configuration information. The configuration memory device is programmed with configuration data and dormant data. The FPGA system is also provided with a configuration assist circuit coupled to the FPGA and the configuration memory device for controlling loading of configuration information from the configuration memory device to the FPGA. A tamper detection system provides a tamper signal to the FPGA, wherein when a tamper signal is received by the FPGA the configuration data is replaced with the dormant data.

Abstract: A multiple circuit duplex module comprising a chassis having an electrical chassis receptacle providing a plurality of connection points for the selection of power from two or more different circuits; a duplex element having at least one electrical duplex receptacle thereon to deliver power from one of the two or more different circuits to an external device in electrical contact with the at least one duplex receptacle; first conductor means for electrically connecting the at least one duplex receptacle to selected connection points in the chassis receptacle; wherein the duplex element is connectable to the chassis in different orientations, the orientation of the duplex element determining which one of the two or more different circuits is electrically connected to the at least one duplex receptacle.