Abstract: An apparatus including a substrate, a power conversion circuit coupled to the substrate, a power prong coupled to the power conversion circuit, a device connector to couple to a device, and a device connector cable to couple the device connector to the power conversion circuit is disclosed.

Abstract: An in-plane retardation switching device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a non-chiral smectic C phase liquid crystal material disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The liquid crystal material is of a bulk state. The liquid crystal material has a phase transition sequence of a smectic C phase, a smectic A phase, a nematic phase and an isotropic phase in this order. The liquid crystal material does not have spontaneous polarization and is configured to be driven by quadra-pole momentum of the liquid crystal material.

Abstract: An in-plane retardation switching device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a non-chiral smectic C phase liquid crystal material disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The liquid crystal material is of a bulk state. The liquid crystal material has a phase transition sequence of a smectic C phase, a smectic A phase, a nematic phase and an isotropic phase in this order. The liquid crystal material does not have spontaneous polarization and is configured to be driven by quadra-pole momentum of the liquid crystal material.

Abstract: An in-plane retardation switching device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a non-chiral smectic C phase liquid crystal material disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The liquid crystal material is of a bulk state. The liquid crystal material has a phase transition sequence of a smectic C phase, a smectic A phase, a nematic phase and an isotropic phase in this order. The liquid crystal material does not have spontaneous polarization and is configured to be driven by quadra-pole momentum of the liquid crystal material.

Abstract: A method of developing the accessory muscles of the upper torso utilizes a therapy device having an adjustable compressive wrap that wraps around the chest of a patient. The wrap is made of a substantially elastic material, such as neoprene, and has a releasable fastener to removably attach the wrap to itself around the patient's chest. The device may have one or more markers attached to the wrap to indicate to a therapist where the attachment device should be attached to achieve the desired compression around the chest. The therapist places the device on the patient and tightens the wrap until the therapist determines, by observing the rise and fall of the patient's chest, that the device has activated the patient's accessory muscles. The patient wears the device at this tension for about two hours per day, at least six days per week, for the first two weeks.

Abstract: A kit for cooling the blood in the carotid arteries includes a cervical immobilization collar and a cooling element. The cooling element may include a body-facing panel attached on a body-facing surface to a lining layer, an outward-facing panel, and cooling material disposed between the body-facing panel and the outward facing panel. The cooling material comprises urea and Carbamakool™ in an amount sufficient to produce a temperature of 20° F. to 35° F. within a minute of activation when measured on the body-facing surface of the body-facing panel.

Abstract: A kit and method for cooling the carotid arteries includes cervical immobilization collar includes a substantially annular support structure having an extended axial length, at least two cheek support structures having an extended vertical length, and an anterior opening that may be covered with a door. The door has a body-facing surface on which a pressure member may be secured and an outward-facing surface. The kit and method also includes a cooling element that may be disposed within the anterior opening and can be secured to the substantially annular support structure by placing the cooling element between the anterior portion of a patient's neck and the pressure member located on the door.

Abstract: A kit and method for cooling the carotid arteries includes cervical immobilization collar includes a substantially annular support structure having an extended axial length, a chin rest, at least two cheek support structures having an extended vertical length, and an anterior opening that may be covered with an anterior removable door. The door has a body-facing surface and an outward-facing surface, the body-facing surface on which the pressure member is secured. The kit and method also includes a cooling element that may be disposed within the anterior opening and can be secured to the substantially annular support structure by placing the cooling element between the anterior portion of a patient's neck and the pressure member located on the door.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for forming an underground passageway and simultaneously laying therein a conduit or other elongate components comprises a rotary drill member coupled to a rotary and axially movable drill stem. The coupling is one which virtually automatically enables the drill stem to be coupled to and uncoupled from the drill member and comprises interlocking driving lugs carried by the drill stem and the drill member. The driving lugs are sandwiched between telescoped portions of the drill member and the drill stem and thereby are reinforced by such portions of the drill stem and the drill member in such manner as to preclude movement of the driving lugs in both radially inward and radially outward directions.

Abstract: A kit for cooling the blood in the carotid arteries includes a cervical immobilization collar and a cooling element. The cooling element may include a body-facing panel attached on a body-facing surface to a lining layer, an outward-facing panel, and cooling material disposed between the body-facing panel and the outward facing panel. The cooling material comprises urea and Carbamakool™ in an amount sufficient to produce a temperature of 20° F. to 35° F. within a minute of activation when measured on the body-facing surface of the body-facing panel.

Abstract: A kit and method for cooling the carotid arteries includes cervical immobilization collar includes a substantially annular support structure having an extended axial length, a chin rest, at least two cheek support structures having an extended vertical length, and an anterior opening that may be covered with an anterior removable door. The door has a body-facing surface and an outward-facing surface, the body-facing surface on which the pressure member is secured. The kit and method also includes a cooling element that may be disposed within the anterior opening and can be secured to the substantially annular support structure by placing the cooling element between the anterior portion of a patient's neck and the pressure member located on the door.

Abstract: A kit and method for cooling the carotid arteries includes cervical immobilization collar includes a substantially annular support structure having an extended axial length, at least two cheek support structures having an extended vertical length, and an anterior opening that may be covered with a door. The door has a body-facing surface on which a pressure member may be secured and an outward-facing surface. The kit and method also includes a cooling element that may be disposed within the anterior opening and can be secured to the substantially annular support structure by placing the cooling element between the anterior portion of a patient's neck and the pressure member located on the door.

Abstract: A cervical immobilization collar incorporates one or more cooling elements for inducing a mild cerebral hypothermia by transcutaneous cooling of oxygenated blood flowing through carotid arteries. The immobilization collar includes an annular support structure having an extended axial length for limiting cervical compaction of a wearer's neck and a chin rest for limiting cervical rotation of the wearer's neck. In addition, the one or more cooling elements, which function as a heat extractor, are carried by the support structure in positions for inducing transcutaneous conduction of heat through an anterior portion of the wearer's neck from at least one of the wearer's carotid arteries.

Abstract: A spinal stimulation electrode assembly includes at least one wire lead having a proximal end adapted to couple to an electrical signal generator; a lamina hook having a blade hooking in a hooking direction; an electrode adapted to telescope from the blade in the hooking direction and having at least one electrical contact formed thereon that is electrically coupled to the wire lead; such that when the hook is disposed on a lamina of a spine and the electrode is telescoped from the blade, the electrical contact is positioned adjacent the spinal cord and an application of an electrical signal to the proximal end of the wire lead causes an electric potential to be applied to the spinal cord.

Abstract: An assembly for securing an electrode lead within a burr hole formed in a patient's skull. The assembly is provided for reliably, easily, and reversibly securing an implanted electrode lead such that the active portion of the lead which is inside the brain tissue within the skull is not subject to unwanted translations when the external portion of the lead is manipulated. The securing assembly has two separate components. The first is a bone port which seats within a preformed burr hole in the skull. The bone port is a cylindrical shaped short tube which includes a means for gripping the skull on the external periphery of the cylinder. The central axial hole of the port is designed to receive the second lead-locking portion of the assembly. The external surface of the lead-locking portion and the interior surface of the central axial hole of the port include an easily engageable coupling means, for example a bayonet locking mechanism.

Abstract: A spinal electrode for use in spinal cord stimulation having portions which are specifically provided for coupling the electrode to the adjacent spinal tissue so that displacement of the electrode cannot easily occur by normal bodily motion as is a failure mechanism of prior electrode designs. The distal end of the electrode which includes the electrical contacts also includes at least one laterally extending non-electrical portion. The extending portions are provided for receiving a suture or wire therethrough. The laterally extending portions may include a readily identifiable distinguishing feature, such as a color dye or a textural difference, so that it can be readily seen as a safe region through which a suture may be passed. Alternatively (or in addition), the laterally extending portions may include a through hole so that the tip of the electrode may be tied to the spinous process (or other spinal bone) by a wire.

Abstract: A spinal electrode for use in spinal cord stimulation included in a laminar hook so that displacement of the electrode cannot easily occur by normal bodily motion as is a failure mechanism of prior electrode designs. The electrical contacts of the electrode are disposed on the underside of the blade portion of the hook. The head of the hook, which seats above the lamina, is coupled either to the spinous process, or to the head of a hook which is positioned in an opposing orientation. The head of the hook in one embodiment includes a hole through which a wire may be passed to tie the hook to the spinous process, or to the other hook. In a second embodiment, the head of the hook has a notch formed in it so that it may receive an elastomeric band which is used to couple the head of the hook to the spinous process, or to another hook.