Abstract: A container having an opening that extends through the container. The outer surface of the container includes a tapered section located within the opening. The tapered section extends from the bottom of the container towards the inner surface of the container. A plug is retained within the opening of the container. The plug has a head, an upright section and a base with a peripheral edge. The peripheral edge of the base contacts the tapered section of the container to enable the plug to remain in an upright drainage position.

Abstract: A cranial orthosis is contoured to match the curvature of the fronto-temporal, parietal and occipital areas of an infant's cranial vault to provide protection against the acquisition of postural cranial deformities as a result of the infant's sleeping in the supine position. The orthosis is designed to be of universal fit, as determined by the infant's fronto-occipital head circumference (FOC) measurement. Moreover, the interior dimensions of the orthosis can be enlarged to accommodate growth of the infant's head without requiring replacement. The orthosis is a molded plastic appliance in the form of a shell, headband or helmet having interior surfaces that are smoothly contoured to conform in shape to the surface curvature of the occipital, temporal and parietal areas of a healthy human infant having normal cranium size, shape and symmetry.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for treating obstructive sleep apnea by terminating an obstructive sleep apnea event before the cessation of breathing occurs. The system comprises one or more microphones capable of detecting breathing sounds within an airway of a person. The microphones generate signals representative of the breathing sounds and send the signals to a controller. The controller uses digital signal processing to identify at least one signal pattern that is associated with a breathing pattern of the person that occurs at the onset of an obstructive sleep apnea event. When the controller detects a signal pattern that indicates the onset of an obstructive apnea event, the controller sends an alarm signal to a stimulus generator. The stimulus generator creates a stimulus (an electric current, a sound, a vibrator, a flashing light, etc.) to cause the sleeping person to move in a manner to terminate the obstructive sleep apnea event before cessation of breathing occurs.

Abstract: Water leak detecting or overflow devices for a toilet may be inserted into or formed integrally with the toilet. The devices include at least one water leak sensor assembly mounted in a position in a toilet tank so as to detect the rise and fall of the water level in the toilet tank and an overflow detector in a toilet bowl. If the water level rises and falls a predetermined number of times, or if water continues to flow to the toilet longer than a measured increment of time, a microprocessor operates a normally-open valve and shuts off flow of water to the toilet tank. The devices also include a second sensor, whereby if a flapper remains open or water reaches a level where it might overflow the bowl or tank and stays there for a predetermined period of time, the microprocessor will also shut off flow to the toilet.

Abstract: The present invention is a shoulder dislocation acute-phase immobilization orthosis for supporting, in treatment for a shoulder dislocation, an arm in a prescribed position while the elbow is bent at a right angle in an arm hanging position.

Abstract: A closet carrier assembly has a carrier body assembly having at least one inlet for receiving waste and at least one outlet for communicating waste to a waste plumbing. The at least one inlet has internal threads and an outward facing surface substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the inlet. A tubular coupling is adapted to extend between the carrier body and the water closet. The tubular coupling has external threads thereon that threadingly engage the internal threads of the carrier body assembly and a flange member thereon that extends orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the tubular coupling and resides adjacent the outward facing surface of the carrier body assembly. A deformable seal is compressed between the outward facing surface of the carrier body assembly and the flange member of the tubular coupling to form a water tight seal between the carrier body assembly and the tubular coupling.

Abstract: The forearm support band with direct pressure monitoring provides the ability for patients to optimize treatment of medial or lateral epicondylitis (golfer's elbow or tennis elbow, respectively) with the use of optimal pressure application. Unlike previous forearm support bands, this band allows patients to directly read the pressure of application and appropriately adjust the band's tightness. This results in the correct amount of pressure to the forearm musculature, thereby minimizing risks and gaining optimal therapeutic benefits.

Abstract: A thermal treatment garment of the present invention includes an outer structure layer formed of a pliable material, an interior lining formed of a gel material which directly contacts the wearer skin and a thermal treatment layer to thermally treat and control temperature of the interior lining. The thermal treatment layer heats and/or cools the gel material to a desired temperature and is typically disposed between the structure and gel layers. The thermal treatment layer is controlled by a controller that receives a user-specified or desired temperature. An intervening layer can be disposed between the thermal treatment and structure layers. The intervening layer secures the structure, thermal treatment and/or gel layers to each other and can be an elastomeric material to which the gel and/or thermal treatment layers readily adhere. The garment may be adjustable in size to snugly fit body parts of users in a range of body sizes.

Abstract: A breathing apparatus for an aircraft crew member has a breathing mask provided with a demand regulator and connected to a source of breathing gas, such as a pressurized oxygen cylinder or preferably an OBOGS. The apparatus includes an individual buffer plenum specific to the mask on a line for feeding the regulator of the mask from the source. The volume of the plenum is sufficient to provide for at least two typical breaths of the mask wearer in succession. A non-return check valve is located between the plenum and the source.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for supplying low pressure oxygen-enriched gas to a patient and at a moderate pressure to a radial compressor, whereupon it is compressed and fed to a high pressure storage tank. The oxygen-enriched gas is prioritized so that it is continuously supplied via a patient flow line to the patient.

Abstract: A medicament pack comprising a first body portion having a pocket and a second body portion having an airpath. The pocket is sealed to a foil cover which connects to the second body portion. The second body portion is movable over the first body portion to break the seal and bring the pocket into communication with the airpath.

Abstract: The described Kneepad gives its wearer the advantage of being able to kneel without putting weight on the knee. This allows someone to kneel who may not otherwise be able to do so due to a knee replacement, or some other reason that disallows application of pressure to the knee. The support mechanism is composed of rugged, load-bearing materials, such as metal or plastics. Straps provide various means of adjustment for a correct fit when attached to the thigh of the wearer above the knee. The Kneepad can be quickly and easily removed and reapplied, and does not interfere with walking. An improvement over prior kneepads that placed the knee in contact with the kneeling surface, this invention does not involve such contact, since the thigh area above the knee takes all of the pressure of kneeling. With this invention many people who have not been able to kneel previously, may be able to do so. One alternate embodiment of the invention allows a wearer to lean on a sensitive elbow.

Abstract: A constant pressure generator has a variable volume fluid reservoir formed by a container having fixed walls which cooperate to define a cross-sectional area of the container perpendicular to an axis that varies with location along the axis and an end wall arranged for movement along the axis to vary the volume of the reservoir and which is adapted to conform substantially to the fixed walls of the container to provide the region of variable area substantially that defined by the fixed walls. A force generator is engageable with the variable area region to exert a variable force thereon and the walls are shaped such that the area of the region varies interdependently with the exerted force as the volume varies to maintain the communicated pressure constant.

Abstract: The methods and devices disclosed provides for the delivery of agents to an orifice cavity and subsequent aspiration of the agent and orifice contents from the orifice cavity and related areas. In one form, the delivery and aspiration system comprises an agent delivery sub-assembly, an aspiration sub-assembly and a device tip sub-assembly. The subassemblies operate to first deliver an agent contained within the device to an orifice cavity and after an optional time delay, subsequently aspirate the delivered agent and orifice contents from the orifice cavity and related areas. In another form, a removable reservoir is provided whereby the aspirated agent and orifice contents from the orifice are assayed either independent of or within the device itself.

Abstract: A pressurized water closet flushing system for flushing a toilet includes a water vessel having at least one opening for receiving water. A fill tube and a discharge tube extending into the vessel are secured to the vessel. A modular assembly cap including an intake and an actuator covers the opening. The fill tube remains secured to the vessel when the assembly cap is removed from the vessel.

Abstract: A blister pack unit for a powder inhaler, comprising a body which includes a plurality of surfaces which each includes a plurality of blisters (21, 22) containing powder containing medicament and are rotationally symmetrically disposed about an imaginary axis.

Abstract: This invention relates to a drain plunger that snakes clogged drains at the same time that the drains are being plunged. The “snake plunger” includes a pleated bellows forming a head section which is removably coupled to a handle. Further, in one embodiment, the head and handle sections are jointly configured to release air from within the bellows while the plunger is being inserted into a basin filled with wastewater, thereby reducing or eliminating potential spillover. Further, a flexible elongated snake disposed within the interior of the bellows enters the drain as the plunger bellows is compressed. The snake is capable of dislodging and breaking up obstructions within a drain. Further, the snake may also have a hook at its lower end that is capable of snaring items causing obstructions within the drain. These features combine to create a plunger that provides a superior ability to effectively clear clogged drains.

Abstract: The present invention provides a western-style flush toilet in which the performance of a component which constitutes a function device is not damaged, and simultaneously, the cleaning performance of a western-style toilet body can be surely improved. The western-style flush toilet includes a western-style toilet body, and a part washing device which is mounted at the rear portion of the western-style toilet body. The part washing device is capable of moving upward in such a manner that at least the rear of a bowl face of the western-style toilet body is exposed. A conceal member for concealing the component or the space which maybe possibly exposed when the part washing device moves upward is mounted.

Abstract: A compact device for supporting respiration is provided making possible a mobile, autonomous, pressure-supported respiration of patients near the lungs with very small dead spaces and flow resistances. The device is especially useful for medical applications. The device includes a rotary compressor (3) with an electric drive motor provided with a filter (7) arranged directly upstream in the direction of flow. The compressor (3) is arranged directly upstream of a breathing mask (2) or a breathing tube. A control unit (6) is provided for setting respiration pressure on a basis of speed of rotation. The control unit (6) is connected to the drive motor of the compressor (3).

Abstract: A thigh cuff extension for use with a medical brace. The thigh cuff extension includes a plurality of flexible and conformable body portions releasably and adjustably connectable to one another so as to provide a cuff body adjustably positionable to snugly encircle the thigh of a user, at least one substantially rigid stay member associated with each of the body portions, and an extension member associated with one of the rigid stay members and connectable to the medical brace.