Abstract: A hairstyling apparatus is provided, the apparatus including: a barrel defining a hairstyling surface and a central longitudinal axis, wherein the barrel has a first proximal end and a second distal end; a heating element in thermal communication with the barrel; and a rotating member in rotating communication with the proximal end of the barrel which rotates around the central axis of the barrel, the rotating member including a rotating plate that surrounds the proximal end of the barrel and an axially extending tab from the rotating plate along a longitudinal length of the hairstyling surface over at least a portion of longitudinal length of the hairstyling surface; wherein the rotating member includes a comb member, extending from the rotating member (such as the rotating sleeve/collar) which is attached or assembled to the tab and comprises a plurality of comb teeth arranged along the longitudinal length of the hairstyling surface.

Abstract: A backpack and frame are disclosed. The backpack frame is designed to be at least partially internal and is of unitary construction, most advantageously of a resin-impregnated material, such as resin-impregnated carbon fiber sheets with selective reinforcement by interstitial layers. The frame has a mid-back portion that includes openings for independently positionable shoulder straps and a lower back portion that provides for a rotatable connection to a belt assembly. A pair of curved stay portions is contiguous with the mid-back portion of the frame and curves outwardly as the stay portions extend downwardly. The frame is preferably curved to match the curvature of the human back. The backpack frame is lightweight and by use of composite materials can provide strength as well as selective flexibility to suspend the load of the backpack and decouple it from the movements of the wearer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are several embodiments of a negative pressure appliance and methods of using the same in the treatment of wounds. Some embodiments are directed to improved fluidic connectors or suction adapters for connecting to a wound site, for example using softer, kink-free conformable suction adapters.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to hair styling apparatuses and related methods. The hair styling apparatus includes a heated barrel defining a hair styling surface and a central axis, and a rotating member disposed at an end of the hair styling surface. The rotating member is configured to rotate around the central axis of the heated barrel. The rotating member includes one or more retaining elements configured to retain the hair and wind the hair around the hair styling surface. The one or more retaining elements projects away from the hair styling surface.

Abstract: A needle cover assembly includes a manually operable member; a rigid needle shield (RNS) provided with an internally arranged resilient cap, in turn arranged to house and protect an injection needle; and a RNS remover assembly including a tubular shaped member surrounding the RNS, in which the tubular shaped member is arranged with at least one grip member capable of gripping the RNS in order to remove the RNS. The RNS remover assembly further includes a spinning attachment member having a distal end fixedly attached to the tubular shaped member and a proximal end rotatably attached to the manually operable member such that the manually operable member can be freely turned in relation to the RNS remover assembly but is locked in an axial direction.

Abstract: A layout blind for use in a marshy environment or in a dry field with a support frame and a fabric cover. The frame is supported on extendible legs and has three foldable sections. A U-shaped head frame and a U-shaped foot frame are pivoted to the support frame. First and second U-shaped flap support frames are pivoted between the head frame and the foot frame and are foldable about a pivot hinge with a stop.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a minimum separation between pallets positioned on racks. The system comprising a double back stop. The stop includes: a first and a second back stop configured to prevent lateral movement of the pallets beyond the back stops, the back stops defining a minimum separation between the pallets; and a middle section connecting the back stops includes a vertical cross-member; and one or more of the following: a clip forming a channel affixed to the double back stop, and/or a web affixed to the double back stop, and/or member affixed to the double back stop, and/or a slot in the double back stop.

Abstract: The present artificial insemination instrument may include a single use, hollow, elongate, metal pipette and a single disposable syringe that is not toxic to bovine sperm. The apparatus is used with any type of diluent that is not toxic to bovine sperm. In various embodiments, a technician may use non-sorted reduced sperm count semen straws from a bull stud, cut an unsorted semen straw into several pieces to use one piece at a time per cow, thaw one straw and mix the non-sorted semen with diluent, or use reduced sperm count semen straws filled with sex sorted semen by the manufacturer. A procedure is disclosed to use the artificial insemination instrument, reduced sperm count semen from any of the aforementioned sources, a non-toxic syringe, and a diluent to achieve conception rates at least as good as conventional prior art device and procedure conception rates.

Abstract: Dental preparation uses a tooth preparation guide custom-made liar fitting with teeth of a patient. The preparation guide includes one or more guide channels for guiding a cutting tool. The preparation guide enables modification of the teeth as planned with high level of precision. A dental prosthesis for installing onto prepared teeth of the patient is provided before preparation of the teeth. The prosthesis includes features that are complementary to the prepared teeth. The prosthesis can be installed immediately after preparing the teeth using the preparation guide. With the high level of accuracy and precision in the preparation of teeth, no modification of the prosthesis would be needed for installation.

Abstract: A feeding tube aperture supported and aligned with a feeding tube opening in an abdominal wall of a patient, including a base having a first end surface transverse to an axis of the base and a feeding tube, a second opposed end surface, a central feeding tube passage extending between the first and second end surfaces, a plurality of vent passages around the feeding tube passage and extending between the first and second end surfaces, a hollow, cylindrical feeding tube support extension centered on and extending outwardly from the feeding tube passage to support and align the feeding tube aperture, and a plurality of spaced apart resilient spacers extending outwards from the second end surface. The plurality of spaced apart resilient spacers resiliently space the second end surface from the abdominal wall and form a plurality of air passages to allow a flow of air around the abdominal wall and the feeding tube opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening up the sheath of a cigar and lighting the cigar, comprising a lighter, comprising a lighter frame; and a cigar splitter attached to the base of the lighter frame by an outside surface of the cigar splitter. The cigar splitter comprises a housing having two open ends, an inside wall, and the outside surface, an axis parallel to the inside wall and passing through the two open ends, the two open ends permitting insertion of a cigar along the axis through one of the two open ends and to exit through another of the two open ends; a blade attached to the inside wall and oriented along the axis, the blade suitable for cutting an outer sheath of the cigar as the cigar is inserted through the cigar splitter along the axis; and a loop attached to the outside surface of the housing.

Abstract: For multiple viewing angle media support, and apparatus includes three support sides. Each support side includes a back support and an edge support. A top of each back support is in physical communication with an adjacent edge support clockwise about a central axis and each back support and each edge support is in physical communication with two ends of a solid interior. Each back support, each edge support, and each end is a surface of the solid interior, the solid interior is a pillow covered in fabric, a first viewing angle of the first back support is 36 degrees, a second viewing angle of the second back support is 74 degrees, and a third viewing angle of the third back support is 49 degrees.

Abstract: A portable drinking device capable of fitting over a typical pressurized beverage can to direct the flow of fluid from the can to a recipient's mouth. The portable drinking device may be positioned over the open top of the can and the can and portable drinking device are slightly tilted sideways. After the can has been punctured on its side, the entire assembly is positioned so that the portable drinking device directs a rapid and steady stream of fluid from the punctured can through the tube of the portable drinking device into a recipient's mouth.

Abstract: A tissue retraction system includes a dilator and a first retractor member and a retraction assembly. The dilator is configured to be inserted into a tissue body and also includes at least one engagement member. The first retractor member includes a body and at least one engagement member that is configured to attach to the at least one engagement member of the dilator so as to removably attach the retractor member to the dilator body. The retraction assembly includes a retractor body and at least a second retractor member that is movably supported by the retractor body. The retractor body is configured to be attached to the first retractor member. The tissue protection system may also include a neuromonitoring member configured to determine a characteristics of the tissue.

Abstract: An intravascular rotary blood pump possesses a catheter (10), a pumping device (50) disposed distally of the catheter and having at its distal end a flexible flow cannula (53) through which blood is either sucked or discharged by the pumping device (50) during operation of the blood pump, and at least one pressure sensor (27, 28A, 30) having at least one optical fiber (28A) which is laid along the flow cannula (53). The optical fiber (28A) and, where applicable, a sliding tube (27) in which the optical fiber (28A) is laid extend along a neutral fiber of the flow cannula (53).

Abstract: A cushion having a foam core sandwiched by opposing gel infused viscoelastic pads adhesively attached to the core, the assembly wrapped in a non-woven and received in an upholstery casing, for seating use of the cushion in a furniture piece that during use for seating, the upper one of the pads wicking body heat into the seating cushion away from the person sitting thereon to provide a perception of cooling and the compressed pad readily reboundable to a noncompressed state after occupancy, and the cushion rotatable to selectively alternate the seating pad for use.

Abstract: An expandable spinal implant configured for positioning within a space between adjacent vertebral bodies includes an upper body, a lower body, a ratchet mechanism, and a plurality of bone screws. The upper body and lower body are pivotably affixed at a first end and are capable of movement relative to each other. The ratchet mechanism is slidably disposed on one of the upper and lower body and is capable of engaging the opposite one of the upper and lower body thereby permitting movement of the upper and lower body relative to each other in a first direction, but not in a second direction. An insertion instrument capable of being attached to the expandable spinal instrument and a method of performing spinal surgery is also disclosed.

Abstract: A needle cover assembly includes a manually operable member; a rigid needle shield (RNS) provided with an internally arranged resilient cap, in turn arranged to house and protect an injection needle; and a RNS remover assembly including a tubular shaped member surrounding the RNS, in which the tubular shaped member is arranged with at least one grip member capable of gripping the RNS in order to remove the RNS. The RNS remover assembly further includes a spinning attachment member having a distal end fixedly attached to the tubular shaped member and a proximal end rotatably attached to the manually operable member such that the manually operable member can be freely turned in relation to the RNS remover assembly but is locked in an axial direction.

Abstract: A self-lubricating tampon applicator includes a barrel having opposed insertion and proximal end portions and having a continuous side wall that defines an interior area and a plurality of spaced apart apertures and proximate the insertion end portion. A tampon is positioned in the interior area of the barrel. A piercing member is positioned between the tampon and the plurality of apertures. A lubricant reservoir is positioned between the tampon and the plurality of piercing members. A plunger situated in the barrel engages a proximal end of the tampon and is slidable from a starter configuration extending from the proximal end portion of the barrel to a deployed configuration positioned inside the barrel. Pressure applied to the plunger pushes the tampon and the reservoir downstream and the reservoir is pierced by the piercing member, dispensing lubricant through the plurality of apertures onto an outer surface of the barrel.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a first vertebra and a second vertebra includes implanting a first bone anchor into the first vertebra, implanting a second bone anchor into the second vertebra, connecting a first anchor connection instrument to the first anchor, connecting a second anchor connection instrument the second anchor, positioning a cement delivery tube into a passage provided through the first anchor, delivering bone cement from a bone cement delivery system coupled to the bone cement delivery tube through the passage in the first anchor to the first vertebra, removing the cement delivery tube from the first anchor connection instrument and the first anchor, connecting the cement delivery tube to second anchor connecting instrument connected to the second anchor, delivering bone cement through a passage in the second anchor to the second vertebra, connecting a spinal connection element to the first anchor and the second anchor.