Abstract: An extended flexible meshed enclosure is arranged between a patient's hand and a grooved support plate upstanding from the associated operating table to support the patient's hand during surgery of the patient's associated limb. To assist in holding the patient's fingers within the meshed enclosure, a hooked and looped strap is wrapped around the patient's finger and surrounding meshed enclosure.

Abstract: System and method of interfacing arbitrary non-network connected devices to wireless computer networks. The invention provides an optically configurable wireless communications module, in either fixed or removable formats, with wireless (e.g. WiFi) network connectivity. The module also has a programmable arbitrary device controller, associated software, and at least the combination of the arbitrary device and the module also provides a unique ID code. A software token assisted method may be used to associate the unique ID code with appropriate control software and this association stored in network server memory. The invention also uses an internet-based service and a local optical programmer to configure the module's wireless network configuration. Once connectivity is established, the module may upload its unique ID code to the server and receive appropriate arbitrary device control code from the server.

Abstract: An arrangement for attaching PV panels together and to a roofing clamp includes an electrical insulating provision between the attaching arrangement and the roofing clamp.

Abstract: This invention provides a standard method of interfacing an arbitrary non-network connected device to computer networks such as the Internet. The invention modularizes the communications interface by providing a plug-in communications module, which may be compatible with a standard solid-state memory card interface and form factor, thus removing the burden of wireless approvals testing (the module is tested vs. the whole product). The invention also integrates a programmable arbitrary device controller and associated software into this same communications module, thus removing the burden of the majority of the software development for most arbitrary non-network connected devices. The invention further provides a unified internet-based service that can help configure the module's network configuration, and download appropriate control code for whatever arbitrary device the module is currently connected to.

Abstract: A flat table extension is removably attached to one end of an operating table via a support mechanism that is connected with one of the operating table support legs. The support mechanism includes a pair of support posts, one of which is rotated from a first position parallel with the operating table to a second position lower than the operating table to lower the table extension as required.

Abstract: A dual compression foam pad arrangement for use with surgical postioner devices is formed from a single pair of cloverleaf-shaped foam pieces. The foam piece in contact with the patient is more porous than the foam piece in contact with the positioner support plate for greater patient comfort. A solid plastic connector clip connects the pad arrangement with the surgical postioner support in press-fit relation.

Abstract: A modular surgical patient positioner unit is formed by attaching a plastic linear extension board to a peg board by means of a perforated metal bridging plate. An elongated metal support bar is fastened along one side of the linear extension board for added strength and functionality.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a first lever is employed to secure a surgical knee positioner unit to the operating table and a second lever is employed to positionally adjust the surgical knee positioner, per se.

Abstract: A modular surgical patient positioner unit consists of three perforated plastic boards arranged for interconnection together and for attachment to a hospital O.R. table. Two outer boards of similar length and width and a central board of similar width and greater length are employed. When employed with regular-sized patients, the three boards are arranged such that the widths thereof are in alignment. When employed with bariatric patients, the longer central board is rotated perpendicular the other two boards, to provide added width to support the bariatric patient.

Abstract: A simple tibial distraction device includes a simple height-adjustable limb support triangle for positioning a patient's knee during surgery. The triangle includes a slidable support plate for carrying a Steinman pin, as well as a foot support strap to apply traction to the patient's lower leg and/or ankle.

Abstract: A P-CHANNEL MOSFET is configured as a high side switch by arranging a capacitor between the P-CHANNEL MOSFET gate and a pair of push/pull transistors in a control circuit. A pull-up resistor is connected with the high side supply, one leg of the capacitor and with the gate of the P-CHANNEL MOSFET. In a two-phase electrical drive circuit, a pair of P-CHANNEL MOSFETS is connected with the high side supply and a pair of N-CHANNEL MOSFETS is connected with the low side supply.

Abstract: A patient's hip surgery support plate in the form of a posterior sacral support unit is locked to an operating table support frame. A separate anterior pelvic support unit is then positioned over the patient and joined to the sacral support unit via a post extending from the top of the sacral support unit. Both units are movably adjustable in the vertical and horizontal plane to accommodate a wide range of patient sizes for surgery where lateral decubitus positioning of the patient is required.

Abstract: A surgical tool in the form of a three piece bone graft inserter includes a pair of concentric cylinders having elongated apertures formed in the side walls of the cylinders to allow the interior of one of the cylinders to be loaded with the bone graft material, and a plunger that extends through both cylinders. Rotating one of the cylinders thereby “closes” “the apertures creating a closed cylinder filled with the graft material. The ends of the cylinders are inserted into the bone void and the plunger is advanced forward to move the graft material into the bone cavity.

Abstract: A combined surgical drill and screw guide utilizes a common support cylinder for first guiding the drill guide and then guiding the screw with no auxiliary screw guide insert required.

Abstract: A hyperflexion plate in the form of a hexagonal plate having a rail extending from the bottom surface of the plate for insertion within the track formed in a universal hip support plate for supporting a patient in the lateral decubitus position for surgery of the hip. The hyperflexion plate allows positioning of the anterior support at an angle substantially larger than the limited angle defined by the track formed in the universal hip support plate.

Abstract: A power supply for a capacitive load, such as an electroluminescent lamp, converts a low battery voltage to a significantly higher voltage of alternating polarity to drive the load. A desired voltage waveform is applied to the load by accumulating charge in its inherent capacitance from voltage spikes resulting from rapidly disconnecting an inductor from the battery. The maximum voltage applied to the load is maintained below a maximum by a feedback loop that monitors a reduced voltage by use of a voltage divider. The voltage divider is formed of a plurality of capacitors connected in series, the reduced voltage being monitored across one of them. The entire power supply is formed on a single integrated circuit chip, except for the inductor, battery and load.

Abstract: A balanced current amplifier mirrors either a fully differential or single ended input signal into common output circuits in a manner to generate a fully differential output signal without any d.c. bias. Input signal nodes are maintained at a desired voltage by circuit elements other than those of the current mirror circuits, thus freeing the current mirroring elements from having to be sized for this purpose. The sizes of the output transistors are adjustable in order to set the gain of the circuit. In addition to amplifier circuits, a full-wave rectifier, a comparator, and a filter, all operating with current signals, are described. A single circuit module may include all of these circuits with a user provided the capability to program the module to perform any one or more of these functions.

Abstract: A balanced current amplifier mirrors either a fully differential or single ended input signal into common output circuits in a manner to generate a fully differential output signal without any d.c. bias. Input signal nodes are maintained at a desired voltage by circuit elements other than those of the current mirror circuits, thus freeing the current mirroring elements from having to be sized for this purpose. The sizes of the output transistors are adjustable in order to set the gain of the circuit. In addition to amplifier circuits, a full-wave rectifier, a comparator, and a filter, all operating with current signals, are described. A single circuit module may include all of these circuits with a user provided the capability to program the module to perform any one or more of these functions.

Abstract: A balanced current amplifier mirrors either a fully differential or single ended input signal into common output circuits in a manner to generate a fully differential output signal without any d.c. bias. Input signal nodes are maintained at a desired voltage by circuit elements other than those of the current mirror circuits, thus freeing the current mirroring elements from having to be sized for this purpose. The sizes of the output transistors are adjustable in order to set the gain of the circuit. In addition to amplifier circuits, a full-wave rectifier, a comparator, and a filter, all operating with current signals, are described. A single circuit module may include all of these circuits with a user provided the capability to program the module to perform any one or more of these functions.

Abstract: In a circuit cell of a type which transfers packets of charge through the circuit that are proportional to the magnitude of periodic samples of a signal, a technique for maximizing the circuit cell's input impedance, and particularly to minimize its effective input capacitance, by providing a supplemental source to charge its input capacitor to a level that approximates that which a current sample of the input voltage would cause it to reach. This minimizes the amount of input current drawn by the circuit to charge its input capacitor, the input current during one signal sample generally being only an amount required to increase or decrease the charge level of the prior sample which is provided by the supplemental charge source. Thus, the input capacitor may be made large enough to provide a desired signal-to-noise level and sufficient accuracy, while still providing a high impedance input characteristic. In one embodiment, the supplemental charge comes from an output of the circuit.