Abstract: An improved splint is described for setting a Colles' fracture. The splint includes first, second and third elements connected together. A metacarpal bar is carried on the first element and is movable therealong. Two pins pass through the metacarpal bar and extend into a bone of a patient of one side of a bone fracture. The second element is pivotally mounted on one end of the first element for movement about an axis which forms an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first element. The third element is pivotally mounted on the second element for movement about an axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second element. The third element includes transverse openings through which two pins extend which are inserted into the bone of a patient on the opposite side of the bone fracture. In one embodiment the metacarpal bar can be rotated about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first element.

Abstract: A device for closing a curved duct, especially an ear protector for insertion in the auditory canal (4) of the ear, consists of an elastic rod-shaped body (1), e.g. of foamed plastic, which is pointed at one end and the cross-sectional area of which is larger than that of the auditory canal. The pointed end of the rod-shaped body is considerably offset with respect to the longitudinal direction of the body so as to form a lip (5) which is unsymmetrical in relation to the longitudinal direction of the body and capable of conforming to the curved portion of the auditory canal when the rod-shaped body is inserted therein.

Abstract: A mouthpiece comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a vinyl acetate content of from 12 to 33 wt %, and the process for producing the same comprising the steps of:preparing a thermoplastic elastic sheet material formed to be increased in thickness from one end to the other end;preparing a teeth impression cast of a user who is going to use a mouthpiece to be produced; andpressing said teeth impression cast against said thermoplastic elastic sheet material in a softened state so as to transfer a shape of said teeth of said user onto said thermoplastic elastic sheet material to thereby obtain a mouthpiece which is set to be thicker at a portion corresponding to a front teeth position than at a portion corresponding to a molar teeth position.

Abstract: A stowable crutch is disclosed which includes a body consisting of a first and a second tube secured to each other. A third tube to which a crutch tip is attached is slidably mounted within the first tube and includes a plunger assembly to secure the third tube in any one of a plurality of fixed positions with respect to the first tube. A fourth tube, to which an underarm assembly is secured, is slidably mounted within the second tube and also includes a plunger assembly to secure the fourth tube in a number of desired positions with respect to the second tube. A hand grip is mounted to the body with a ball-and-socket joint to enable adjustment of its orientation with respect to the body.

Abstract: A set of flexible implants for repair of femur fractures includes a short implant which is of flattened S shape and is dimensioned to extend generally upwardly from a point below the upper condyle through the neck and into the head of the femur, an intermediate length pin which is bowed to be turned downwardly and to extend from a region below the short pin through the neck and into the head of the femur, and a long pin which is bowed and extends the length of the femur from the region of the lower condyle into the upper condyle or the head of the femur. Short and intermediate length pins have eyes adapted to lie against the shank of the femur and are held in place by bone nails or screws. The lower end of the long pin has an S bend connected to a spade formation conforming to the curvature of the region of the long pin.

Abstract: A spinal fixation system for fixing vertebrae. A rigid elongated plate having openings is provided for being placed over the vertebrae. A plurality of screws having apertures extending along the longitudinal axis are provided for extending through the openings in the plate and into the vertebrae to attach the plate to the vertebrae.

Abstract: A planter box for mounting on the top of a partial height wall partition having substantially vertical panels connected to a partition wall frame, the planter having a planting chamber defined by a wall connected to a bottom and at least one downwardly depending support flange for orienting and supporting the planter box on the upper horizontal surface of the partial height wall partition. The at least one downwardly depending support flange is concealedly secured between the substantially vertical panels and the partition wall frame and are spaced from the peripheral edge of the bottom so that the front surface of the planter box is substantially contiguous and flush with the front surface of the substantially vertical panels. Two downwardly depending support flanges in orthogonal relationship to one another can be provided for securement behind the two corresponding orthogonally opposed panels on the corner portion of a partial height wall partition.

Abstract: A surgical pin driver having a pair of elongated clamping jaws terminating in a clamping handle is provided with a bearing member pivotally movable relative to the clamping jaws for engagement therewith to move the clamping jaws from an open position to a closed position and vice versa. A bridging member surrounds the clamping jaws and is pivotally attached to the bearing member. An actuating lever having an actuating handle is bifurcated at the end remote from the actuating handle so as to provide a gap which encloses the clamping jaws. The bearing member is formed as an extension of the actuating lever so that the clamping handle and the actuating handle are capable of being gripped in one hand for driving a pin clamped between the clamping jaws into bone.

Abstract: An orthopedic instrument serves as an adjustable guide for drills, reamers, fasteners, and other orthopedic devices which lie on a target line which extends from the lateral cortex of the femur, through an opening in the proximal end of an inserted intramedullary femoral nail, through the femoral neck, and into the femoral head. The instrument can be secured to and aligned with the inserted nail. A handle of the instrument extends downwardly from the top of the nail along a line which is substantially parallel to the target line. A guide arm is preferably slidably mounted on the handle and extends outwardly from the handle through the target line. At least one opening is formed through the guide arm coaxially with, or parallel to, the target line, for receiving a drill bit, guide tube, fastener, or similar device.

Abstract: An apparatus for injecting fluid under pressure into trees having a base and a plurality of cylinders supported by the base for receiving injection fluid. Each cylinder has a first end, a piston reciprocable in the cylinder for injecting fluid from the cylinder into a tree, an opening when the piston is moved to a position away from the first end of the cylinder, and an independent injector. Each cylinder also includes an actuator connected to the piston for moving the piston toward and away from the first end, and having an adjustor for selecting the amount of fluid to be injected. First and second conduits are connected to the first end of the cylinders. The first conduits are in communication with a reservoir of injection fluid and the second conduits are in communication with the injectors. A plurality of third conduits are also included, and are in communication with the cylinders when the piston is moved to a location away from the first end. The third conduits are in communication with the reservoir.

Abstract: Ambulatory traction device for reducing body weight on lumbo-sacral area of spine comprising: upper support for encircling upper body region; lower support for placement on sides above the hips, and at least two turnbuckles extending vertically between the upper and lower supports and having end rods fixed to rigid innermost plates sandwiched inside of soft and pliable parts of the upper and lower support members.

Abstract: A tree treatment capsule is disclosed as including a head element having a shank portion with an internal cavity containing a chemical agent, the internal cavity being sealed by a plug in an end of the shank portion remote from the head element; the head element, shank portion, chemical agent and plug forming a self-contained unit which is inserted into a pre-drilled hole in a tree. The shank portion is made of a frangible material so that upon breaking as a result of an impact force applied to the head element, the chemical agent is free to mix with the sap of the tree.

Abstract: A bone fracture reduction device for the internal fixation and immobilization of bone fragments. The device is comprised of at least two spaced bone affixation plate sections formed of bio-compatible metallic material and at least one leg section of like bio-compatible metallic material interconnecting each pair of the plate sections. Each plate section has at least one screw hole extending therethrough for receiving a bone screw to be driven into a bone fragment and each leg section is of relatively narrow width with respect to the width of the plate sections. The device is affixed via its plate sections to adjacent bone fragments with each leg section spanning a fracture line.

Abstract: A device for preventing infant colic and stomach discomfort includes a collar or vest for attachment to the infant and a bubble level is attached to the collar or vest for visually indicating the position of the infant's torso with respect to vertical. The level visually displays a range of desirable positions with respect to vertical for the infant's torso during nursing, and the level displays a range of desirable positions with respect to vertical for the infant's torso during so-called burping procedures for eliminating air from the infant's stomach.

Abstract: A therapeutic appliance designed to provide support to the wrist and limit motion of the wrist to prevent repetitive movements of large amplitude felt to be a causative mechanism in injury to the median nerve within the carpal tunnel and other structures of thie region. The appliance includes a series of interconnected air chambers aligned in parallel on the dorsal, lateral and medial surface of the device, a valve mechanism through which air is pumped into chambers by means of a hand-held bulb, a semi-rigid non-metallic member on the dorsal surface of the device, and elastic strap closures on the volar surface of the device and an elastic strap wrapping around the thumb.

Abstract: The splint of our invention comprises a substantially cylindrical flexible outer member, an inner liner, advantageously a soft material for comfort, and a plurality of stiffening members interposed between the outer member and the inner liner distributed substantially uniformly about the entire circumference of the terminal member or extremity to provide a uniform pressure around the circumference preventing bending. The stiffening members are not completely rigid, advantageously somewhat flexible steel rods, while the flexible outer member can be a piece of rubber tubing.

Abstract: A sheath for stiffening the penis to overcome male dysfunction and sexual impotence comprises circular and longitudinal filaments which are interwoven with one another and with crossing filaments so that the sheath can be unrolled along the penis and rolled up again and, when unrolled, is sufficiently stiff to rigidify the penis for the sex act. The crossing filaments form a braid which like Chinese novelty handcuffs or finger-cuffs stiffen as tension is applied to the sheath.

Abstract: This invention relates to a spineboard and parts thereof adapted for securement and transport of a person who may have suffered a spinal injury. The spineboard consists of a board having at least one longitudinal track adapted to receive in slidable connection at least one body harness and having means to secure a head harness; at least one body harness having a pad adapted to lie over the track and having at least one strapping means adapted to engage the track in slidable connection and to encircle and to secure a person to the board; and a head harness adapted to be located on the board.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a surgical drape with a fluid collection system for channeling and collecting fluids emanating from the surgical site during an operation. The surgical drape includes a main sheet with a fenestration located therein. A fluid collection bag is attached to the main sheet with its open end positioned adjacent the fenestration. The fluid collection bag has a front panel and a rear panel joined along common side edges to define a fluid receiving chamber. The front and rear panels further form a trough on either side of the bag extending upwardly from the open end along the common side edges. The fluid collection bag, with its integrally formed troughs, is attached to the main sheet such that the troughs and the open end of the fluid collection bag surround at least a portion of the fenestration with the troughs opening inwardly toward the fenestration so as to contain and channel fluids into the open end of the fluid collection bag.

Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting fluid includes a first panel member having first and second sheet portions. The first sheet portion has a plurality of apertures therein, and the second sheet portion is spaced apart from the first sheet portion by a spacing structure to define an interior space therebetween. At least one of the end portions of the panel has a first edge opening. The first edge opening and the plurality of apertures communicate with the interior space. The apparatus also includes a first manifold member having a wall defining an inside space and having interior and exterior wall portions. The manifold member further includes an end opening communicating with the inside space and a connecting structure for sealably connecting the manifold member to the first panel member. The connecting structure includes at least one opening in the wall for communication between the inside space and the first edge opening of the first panel member.