Abstract: A bone positioning guide may include a main body member, a shaft, and a bone engagement member. The shaft can be movably connected to the main body member and have the bone engagement member rotatably coupled to its distal end. The bone engagement member can have a surface configured to engage a bone. The main body member can also include a tip opposite the bone engagement member for engaging a second bone. In use, the bone engagement member may be positioned in contact with a medial side of a first metatarsal while the tip is positioned in contact with a lateral side of a different metatarsal, such as a second metatarsal. The shaft can then be moved to advance the bone engagement member toward the tip, causing realignment of the first metatarsal.

Abstract: A home flood prevention appliance system includes controller circuitry disposed in a shroud above a cover of a sump basin, and a plurality of electrically operated sump pumps disposed in a lower portion of a structural frame positionable below the cover in the sump basin. The system also includes a water control actuator operable as a water main control device for a domestic water distribution network and a flow meter to measure the flow of municipal water supplied to the network. The controller circuitry configured to selectively energize the pumps to extract liquid from a sump basin based on a liquid level in the sump basin. The water control actuator controlled by the controller circuitry to shut off a municipal water supply to the domestic water distribution network in response to detection of a leak. Communication circuitry included in the home flood prevention appliance may wirelessly communicate.

Abstract: A treatment system is disclosed and includes a storage basin for retaining liquid, a cover system that covers the storage basin, and media disposed within liquid retained in the storage basin. In an embodiment, the media may be attached to the cover system. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the media may be detached from the cover system. In some embodiments of treatment systems having detached media, one or more stands may be provided for supporting the media. Configuring the treatment system to include both the cover system and the media may improve the operational efficiency of the storage basin, and may increase the volume or amount of liquid that may be treated by the treatment system.

Abstract: A bone plate can be used to fixate one or more bones. In some examples, the bone plate defines an elongated body having a plurality of fixation holes arrayed at different points along the length of the body. For example, the bone plate may have opposed fixation holes separated by a bridge. The bone plate may be bent or shaped along a central longitudinal axis extending through the elongated body and also twisted around the central longitudinal axis. The bending and twisting can position each fixation hole of the elongated body in a different plane in three-dimensional space.

Abstract: Vaporization electrodes having functional surfaces with non-smooth semispherical shapes, and electrosurgical devices equipped therewith. The electrodes include a base oppositely disposed from its functional surface. The non-smooth semispherical shape of a functional surface is defined by a plurality of individual planar and/or cylindrical surfaces that intersect each other to define edges therebetween.

Abstract: A method of performing a bunion surgery to correct an alignment between a first metatarsal and a first cuneiform may involve aligning a bone cutting guide with a joint between the first metatarsal and the first cuneiform. The bone cutting guide can have a joint plate offset from a guide feature, with the joint plate extending downwardly relative to the guide feature. The process of aligning the bone cutting guide with the joint may involve inserting the joint plate into the joint. The method may involve using the guide feature of the bone cutting guide to guide a cutting tool to cut a leading edge of the first metatarsal and adjusting an alignment of the first metatarsal relative to the first cuneiform using a bone positioning device. The method may also involve fixing a position of the first metatarsal relative to the first cuneiform with a bone connector.

Abstract: This disclosure includes sludge covers, sludge management systems, and related methods. Some sludge covers use or include a mesh layer configured to be disposed over sludge and/or a supportive layer configured to be disposed over sludge and, if present, the mesh layer, and a substantially fluid-impermeable layer configured to be disposed over the mesh layer, if present, and the supportive layer, if present.

Abstract: A longitudinally and radially formable wing tip lagging that can be formed to match non-linear wing tip profiles. The longitudinally and radially formable wing tip lagging serves as a wear surface that can be replaced as it is worn rather than wearing down the ferrous or non-ferrous wing tips permanently affixed to the outermost positions of the wing pulley. The wing tip lagging includes a backing plate and a sacrificial stratum. The backing plate is the primary structural component and it includes a plurality of bending features that facilitate both longitudinal and radial forming of the wing tip lagging. The bending features may include a plurality of notches or slots formed along the backing plate. For example, the notches may be arranged in a regular repeating pattern along the length of the backing plate.

Abstract: A battery powered blow dryer having a novel battery cooling feature to simultaneously cool the batteries and improve hair dryer performance.

Abstract: A method and device are shown for use in casting for Total Contact Casting for offloading pressure in neuropathic and diabetic wounds or fractures of the appendages such as the human leg or foot. The outer casting material used can be comprised of traditional casting materials. A total foot protection pad underlies the traditional casting materials. It is a one piece moldable system that encompasses the total foot from the Achilles along the lateral and medial foot, covering the plantar surface, the malleoli and folds and extends over the dorsum. The one piece system has adhesive backing on a contact side to facilitate its application and/or forms a total foot protection pad beneath the outer hardened casting material.

Abstract: A bone positioning guide may include a main body member, a shaft, and a bone engagement member. The shaft can be movably connected to the main body member and have the bone engagement member rotatably coupled to its distal end. The bone engagement member can have a surface configured to engage a bone. The main body member can also include a tip opposite the bone engagement member for engaging a second bone. In use, the bone engagement member may be positioned in contact with a medial side of a first metatarsal while the tip is positioned in contact with a lateral side of a different metatarsal, such as a second metatarsal. The shaft can then be moved to advance the bone engagement member toward the tip, causing realignment of the first metatarsal.

Abstract: A battery powered blow dryer having a novel heating element technology that can be powered by an attached battery pack. The heating element includes an infrared light bulb that emits high heat with relatively low power consumption compared to current methods. The present invention patent also describes a unique configuration of battery cells to optimally perform the task of blow drying hair.

Abstract: A forming system includes a frame and two forming walls. The two forming walls are positioned at a distance from each other to define a first vertical wall course. One forming wall is supported by the frame such that the one forming wall can be translated toward or away from the respective other forming wall. The frame can be raised to raise the two forming walls to be positioned to pour a second vertical course on top of the first vertical course. The translation of the one forming wall allows for the pouring of the first vertical course with horizontally extending rebar that extends through the one forming wall outside of the first vertical wall course, to tie in to a subsequently poured floor slab. The translation permits the vertical raising of the one forming wall, without striking the extending rebar, to pour the second vertical course on the first vertical course. A worker's platform is provided that is supported by the frame and vertically movable by raising the frame.

Abstract: In various implementations, a signage manager may manage digital sign content. The signage manager may transmit playlists and/or media to signage devices to be presented on a display and/or on a set of displays. The signage manger may allow independent customization of playlists. The media items associated with the playlists and presented on display(s) may be stored on a memory of the signal device and/or streamed media from another source.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for a disinfecting system formed of a plurality of modular units, wherein each modular unit is (1) coupleable to at least one other modular unit from the plurality of modular units and (2) includes an energy source from a plurality of energy sources. The plurality of energy sources can be configured to provide energy having an intensity capable of disinfecting a surface of the object located in a disinfecting area.

Abstract: A sediment buster is used for water heater draining. The sediment buster includes a main body defining a conduit and configured to be coupled to a drain outlet of a tank of the water heater. The conduit is configured to transport a fluid into the drain outlet to break up sediment accumulated at the drain outlet inside the tank. A first connector at an end of the main body is configured to be coupled to the drain outlet of the tank, and a second connector is at an opposite end of the main body. An inlet valve is positioned on the main body and configured to receive the fluid to be sent into the drain outlet via the conduit and the first connector. A shut-off valve is positioned on the main body between the inlet valve and the second connector to selectively regulate the direction of flow of the fluid within the conduit from the inlet valve. A fluid supply device is coupled to the inlet valve for selectively supplying the fluid to be sent into the drain outlet via the conduit and the first connector.

Abstract: An osteotomy procedure may be performed to correct a misalignment of a bone, such as a bunion deformity. In some examples, the osteotomy procedure involves making a spherical-shaped cut transecting a first metatarsal, thereby forming a first metatarsal portion having a spherical-shaped projection and a second metatarsal portion having a spherical-shaped recess. The method further involves moving the second metatarsal portion in at least two planes relative to the first metatarsal portion, thereby adjusting an anatomical alignment of the second metatarsal portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stroke detection in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated.