Abstract: A strap connector assembly for an orthopedic brace has a retention post, which has a post cross-sectional dimension, and a chamber, which has a retention aperture. The retention aperture is bounded at least in part by a flexible segment and has an aperture cross-sectional dimension less than the post cross-sectional dimension when the flexible segment is unstressed. However, the aperture cross-sectional dimension is substantially equal to the post cross-sectional dimension when the flexible segment is stressed by the retention post. The retention aperture, flexible segment and retention post cooperatively enable a user to selectively connect or disconnect a strap to or from the orthopedic brace while maintaining the adjustment of the strap.

Abstract: A tub and shower surround assembly is initially molded as a single molded component having a waste strip which separates each individual tub and shower surround portion. The waste strip readily protects the mold and simplifies post molding operations and assures that each portion will meet final tolerances. Another waste strip is located between the tub portion and the wall portions to provide for positive draft between a tub flange which extends about the tub portion and the wall portions. Positive draft is required to assure proper removal of the mold component from the mold. The single component provides for finishing operations to be performed prior to separating the individual components. Since the majority of finishing operations are performed simultaneously prior to separating the portions, the likelihood of damage to the portions are reduced and the finish of the individual portions are of greater consistency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for endotracheal intubation with simultaneous oxygenation/ventilation employs a curved guide and a light wand to ensure proper placement of the endotracheal tube in the patient's airway. The light wand has an elongated flexible member with a light source at its distal tip. The wand is inserted through an endotracheal tube until the light is adjacent to the distal end of the endotracheal tube. A curved guide is inserted into the patient's mouth and upper airway so that its distal end is positioned above the larynx. The wand and endotracheal tube are then advanced along the guide until the distal end of the endotracheal tube passes through the larynx and the light source is externally observable at a predetermined location through the anterior tracheal wall.

Abstract: A tracheal cannula (1) which is inserted into the trachea (9) after tracheotomy. The cannula comprises a shaft (2) and a cuff (3) to block the tracheotomy surrounding the shaft (2). Speaking is made possible even in the case of patients at risk for aspiration due to the fact that a membrane-protected window (4) is embodied in the section of the shaft (2) located above the cuff (3).

Abstract: The invention refers to a new type of ventilator, which has a compact block, in which rigid pipes and a gas supply container are integrated. The new structure is more compact than conventional superstructures. In addition to this improvements have been made to the therapy gas delivery and nebulization.

Abstract: A portable venting commode apparatus includes a chute attached to a toilet seat that is inserted into a conventional type of flush-type toilet. A modified tapered chute is described along with a seal mechanism. A DC brushless fan motor and flexible vent hoses are used to conduct offensive smelling vapors through an opening in the toilet seat, through a vent assembly and out of the area. A modified stand alone apparatus that does not cooperate with the flush-type toilet is described that includes a removable container for collecting the urine and fecal matter therein that is later emptied when needed. The fan is used to expel the vapors under positive pressure through one of the vent hoses to a distal location.

Abstract: A vacuum surge suppressor for swimming pool safety valves. These valves normally sense and then instantly relieve excessively high vacuum levels in the pool's drain line. Such high vacuum levels occur when an individual becomes trapped by the suction at the pool's drain port which is connected to the drain line. The valve relieves the high vacuum level in the pool's drain line and the suction at the drain port by bleeding air into the pool's drain line, causing the pump connected to the drain line to lose prime. However, the safety function and indeed the entire function of the pool's drain system can be disabled by a short duration vacuum surge which occurs when the pump starts. The present invention suppresses the surge before it reaches the safety valve, thereby permitting the pool and the valve to function despite the presence of such short duration surges.

Abstract: A toilet seat (10) having a cleansing facility with an pivotable arm (18) supplied with warm water for cleaning and warm air for drying the anal and genital areas of a user. The arm (18) being automatically controlled to operate along a path substantially parallel with the central fore and aft axis of the toilet seat (10) between a stored position and an active position. The water is supplied though a duct (36) which has a relatively small cross-sectional area and the air is supplied through a duct (44) having a relatively large cross-sectional area so as to provide respectively differing volumes of fluid to the user. The water duct (36) and air duct (44) are substantially parallel and both terminate in upward disposition to direct the water and air upwardly onto the user at a close range for efficient cleaning and drying, respectively.

Abstract: A paint sprayer for sprayer a fluid includes a pump housing, an electrical housing having a motor and a switch, a handle coupled to the pump housing, a paint cup coupled to the handle, and a mechanical actuator coupled to the pump housing for operating the motor. The actuator has a first portion positioned in the vicinity of the exterior of the pump housing and a second portion that extends into the pump housing. The second portion is configured to engage the switch in the electrical housing to operate the motor. The handle is an elongated member having a top end and a bottom end, with a generally rectangular cross-section at the top end and a generally circular cross-section at the bottom end.

Abstract: An assembly for spraying a fluid along an orbital path generally consisting of a support member, an elongated member universally connected to the support member intermediate the ends thereof, a drive shaft having a crank arm mounted thereon for rotational movement therewith, a universal connection between the crank arm and the end of the elongated member and an opposite end of the elongated member having a fluid passageway provided with an inlet connectable to a fluid supply line and at least one outlet.

Abstract: A toilet seat lifting mechanism includes an upstanding base frame, a movable frame pivotally connected at a front end to a top front of the base frame, a toilet seat support pivotally connected at a rear edge to a rear end of the movable frame, and a toilet seat pivotally connected at a rear end to the rear edge of the toilet seat support to flatly position on a top of the toilet seat support. A lifter is mounted to one side of the base frame to gradually lift the rear end of the movable frame, so that the toilet seat support and the toilet seat are forward inclined to gradually move a user sitting on the toilet seat into an upstanding position.

Abstract: A magnetic injection port assembly for a tissue expander system or similar inflatable medical device. The injection port assembly includes an injection port body having a cavity, a needle guard assembly, and a magnetic material therein. The needle guard assembly is positioned to prevent a hypodermic needle from passing through the medical device or interfering with the magnetic material. The magnetic material is affixed to the injection port body outside the cavity and the needle guard assembly. The magnetic material is spatially aligned with the region of the body into which the needle should be inserted so that this region may be located by locating the magnet with an external, non-invasive magnetic detection device.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a surgical biopsy system. The biopsy system includes a biopsy instrument and control unit. The biopsy instrument includes a piercer, rotatable cutter, and a port for receiving tissue samples. The method comprises the steps of translating the cutter display until the translation of the cutter is stopped at an extended position and recording the extended position. The cutter is then translated from the extended position proximally until the translation of the cutter is stopped at a retracted position proximal to the extended position. The retracted position is recorded. The method further comprises the step of rotating the cutter to a rotation speed while the cutter is located at the retracted position and, if determined that the rotation speed is within a predetermined rotation speed range, a feedback signal is provided on the display allowing the operator to progress to the next procedural step.

Abstract: A gas-powered, durable, needle-free hypodermic jet injection device includes a hand-held injector which carries a disposable injection cartridge with a volume of liquid medication to be injected in the form of a high velocity jet capable of penetrating the skin without the use of a hypodermic needle. The injection device provides an injection orifice, and an injection piston. Forceful movement of the injection piston caused by high pressure gas causes a high velocity injection jet of liquid medication to be expelled from the injection cylinder via the injection orifice. The injection device includes features which improve its safety, and also which improve its ease of manufacture, its durability, and its cost effectiveness.

Abstract: The invention concerns an inflatable grille, whereof the numerous openings are provided with open-worked netting, capable of being spaced apart and locked for rescuing in an aquatic environment someone stuck beneath the device to move onto the device and to clean the floor of a swimming pool more easily by inserting the vacuum cleaner in the netting openings which are capable of being spaced apart and locked. Said grille is associated with hoisting means adapted to the environment wherein it operates and in swimming pools with slide rails having a non-return system which blocks the device in high position.

Abstract: A hearing aid comprised of conventional cochlear implant electronics implanted in the middle ear and coupled to an actuator configured to mechanically vibrate the middle ear ossicles. The implant electronics, typically used for driving an electrode array implanted in the cochlea, is used instead to supply electric drive signals to the actuator for mechanically vibrating the ossicles.

Abstract: A portable toilet seat is attachable to a vehicle mounted hitch receptacle having an elongated square opening. The toilet seat includes a coupling portion configured to be slidably inserted into and supported within the hitch receptacle and a seat portion connected to the coupling portion and comprising a single curvilinear band in the shape of an incomplete oval and defining an open center.

Abstract: An absorbent article having raisable strips with inner portions of the raisable strips arranged at the opposite side of the absorbent article being folded to have a Z-shaped cross section. Bottom portions of the Z-shaped inner portions are bonded to a top sheet of the absorbent article, and elastic members are mounted in top portions of the Z-shaped inner portions so that the top portions are raised flat together with slanted side portions of the Z-shaped inner portions.

Abstract: A hand grip structure of the pistol nozzle comprises an upper grip member, a lower grip member, a center tube, a control knob, and a protective cover. The center tube is enclosed by the upper grip member and the lower grip member and is provided with a channel, a water-admitting port and a water-discharging port. The channel is provided in the midsegment with a control cell in which the control knob is disposed such that a push button of the control knob is jutted out of the upper grip member. The control knob is provided with an arresting block. The protective cover is fastened with the lower grip member to soothe the hand. The rate of water flow in the channel is regulated by the control knob.

Abstract: In an adjustable pedestal for a starting platform for one end of a swimming pool, two telescoping members, namely an upper, inner, tubular member and a lower, outer, tubular member, are fastened releasably to each other so as to define a generally upright column of an adjustable length. An upper step is mounted to an upper bracket and a lower step is mounted to a lower bracket. Certain bolts are used for fastening the upper and lower members releasably to each other and for mounting the upper bracket, to which the upper step is mounted, releasably to the column. Other bolts are used for mounting the lower bracket, to which the lower step is mounted, to the column. In some applications, the lower step, lower brackets, and bolts for mounting same are omitted.