Abstract: This invention is a quad cycle and exercise apparatus with arm and foot power as propulsion. The rider is upstanding during operation.

Abstract: A treadmill assembly that includes a frame and a treadmill belt. In addition, a sensor produces a signal representative of an aspect of the user's position relative to at least one point on the frame. A belt rotation assembly turns the belt with a speed related to the signal. In one preferred embodiment the speed of the belt is inversely proportional to the distance between the user and the front of the treadmill. In another preferred embodiment the treadmill is sized to support a cycle.

Abstract: An exercise device having a body extension mechanism including a press plate mechanism and an articulating seat structure. The press plate mechanism is pivotally connected to a frame forwardly of the articulating seat structure, which is also connected with the frame. The press plate mechanism is operably connected with the articulating seat structure by a transfer link so that when a user actuates the press plate mechanism, the movement of a back support of the articulating seat structure is coordinated with the movement of the press plate mechanism. Resistance for the exercise device is provided by a weight stack that is operably connected with the body extension mechanism through an arrangement of pulleys so that when the user actuates the press plate mechanism a portion of the weight stack is lifted.

Abstract: A glider device includes a pair of swingably mounted foot platforms pivotally supported by links at their heel ends. A spring cage, in one embodiment, includes a tension spring in each link to resiliently support the heel end of the foot platform. The spring cage limits displacement of the tension spring and includes a compression spring that cushions the displacement of the tension spring. In the a second, preferred embodiment, a stack of rubber bushings is supported in the spring cage and compress and decompress to provide a cushioning action to the foot platform.

Abstract: A multi-station martial arts practice device with multiple practice board supports with differing board orientations and a base non-permanent installation in a practice facility.

Abstract: A roller device for attaching to a shaft of a treadmill, includes a tubular housing having two carriers engaged in the end portions, and the carriers each includes a casing directly folded from the end portion of the housing, and two bearing members are engaged in the casings of the carriers, for engaging with the shaft, and for smoothly and rotatably attaching the housing to the shaft, and for allowing the roller device to be easily and readily attached to treadmills. The casing includes an outer peripheral flap formed integral with the housing, and includes an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the housing, for resiliently supporting the casing within the housing.

Abstract: The trocar system includes a cannula insertable through a body wall using an obturator having a distal tip. A traction tread disposed interiorly of the obturator inverts at the distal tip and extends proximally along the outer surface of the obturator or cannula. At the distal tip the tread can facilitate parting rather than cutting the tissue. Along the outer surface, the tread can engage the tissue to pull it proximally along the advancing obturator. This produces counter forces which can result in a net proximal force facilitating distention of the abdominal wall and separation of the abdominal wall from internal organs. The traction tread can be axially and/or radially continuous. An associated method of operation includes the steps of contacting the body wall with the traction tread at the distal tip, and engaging the body wall with the traction tread along wall portions facing the outer surface.

Abstract: A lenticular net instrument comprises an elongate handle coupled with a lenticular net movable to contracted and expanded configurations via an actuator of the handle. The net in the contracted configuration has a narrow profile for insertion in and removal from a lens capsule through a small incision in the eye. The net is movable to the expanded configuration within the lens capsule behind a cataractous nucleus. The net has a plurality of openings therein of a size to prevent fragments of the cataractous nucleus produced by fragmentation with a fragmenting instrument from passing therethrough such that the fragments do not pass into the vitreous cavity. A method of cataract surgery involves deploying a net behind a cataractous nucleus upon the occurrence of a rupture in the capsular wall.

Abstract: An embolic coil deployment system for placing a coil at a preselected site within a vessel of the human body. The deployment system includes a heating element at the distal end of a delivery member and a heat responsive coupling for holding the coil during positioning of the coil and the heating element is heated to reduce the strength of the heat responsive coupling for releasing the coil at a desired position within the vessel.

Abstract: An embolic coil deployment system for placing a coil at a preselected site within a vessel of the human body. The deployment system includes a heating element at the distal end of a delivery member and a heat responsive coupling for holding the coil during positioning of the coil and the heating element is heated to reduce the strength of the heat responsive coupling for releasing the coil at a desired position within the vessel.

Abstract: A system for implanting a surgical device to control the circumference of internal anatomic passages corrects physiologic dysfunctions resulting from a structural lumen which is either too large or too small. Implants are disclosed which employ various means for adjusting and maintaining the size of an orifice to which they are attached. Systems permit the implants to be implanted using minimally invasive procedures and permit final adjustments to the circumference of the implants after the resumption of normal flow of anatomic fluids in situ. Methods are disclosed for using the implants to treat heart valve abnormalities, gastroesophageal abnormalities, anal incontinence, and the like.

Abstract: A device for generating an artificial constriction in a gastrointestinal tract includes a band, which can be placed annularly about a particular portion of the gastrointestinal tract, having a fillable hollow volume, and a closure device for connecting end regions of the band placed annularly about the portion of the gastrointestinal tract. The closure device is a safety closure, which, at a tear-off tension exceeding a limit value, opens free of destruction, and which can be closed again. This limit value of the tear-off tension is in the range between 20 and 60 N, and preferably between 30 and 50 N.

Abstract: A tissue retaining ring for use with a plurality of surgical fasteners mounted within a disposable loading unit utilized during a vascular anastomosis inlcudes a genrally circular, semi-pliable material having a series of alternating loops and arcuate portions. Each of the loops defines an aperture therein which is dimensioned to receive a distal end of one of the plurality of surgical fasteners. When the instrument is fired, the surgical fasteners are simultaneously deformed through the tissue ring and through the tissue. The tissue retaining ring holds the tissue in place along the surgical fastener and reduces the chances of tissue slippage after deformation.

Abstract: A biodegradable stent for implantation into a lumen in a human body. The stent in one embodiment is made from a biodegradable fiber having an inner core and an outer layer. The outer layer is a blend of two polymer components. The inner core has a first degradation rate, and the outer layer has a second degradation rate. The second degradation rate is slower than the first degradation rate. The fiber softens in vivo such that the stent is readily passed from the lumen as a softened fragment or filament after a pre-determined period of time through normal flow of body fluids passing through the lumen.

Abstract: A pair of scissors has two elements that are cross-wise rotationally movably assembled in a hinge, each of said elements consisting of a blade and an arm. The arms each terminate in a ring for a user's finger. The general direction of the blades and the arms in a closed position of the scissors is making an angle large enough to place both rings on the same side of an extension line of the general direction of the blades. The blades are curved and have different lengths and heights, the upper blade being the shorter and higher and optionally provided with a protruding nose part, and the lower blade is relatively narrow and provided with a bulb shaped tip and a chamfered and/or rounded inner edge said distal end of said back edge of said upper blade has a nose part protruding a distance (n1) from the distal end of the cutting edge of the upper blade and having a distance (n2) from the cutting edge of the lower blade in a closed position of the scissors.

Abstract: A ligation treating apparatus including plurality of ligation rings aligned and held in a cylinder portion which is formed by an inner cylindrical portion and an outer cylindrical portion. A piston member for pushing out the ligation rings is provided in the cylindrical portion. Air introduction means for forcing air into the cylinder portion is also provided. An annular groove for holding the foremost ligation ring is formed at the front end of the inner cylindrical portion. An air discharge port is formed at the bottom of the annular groove. The air discharge port discharges air from the cylinder portion so as to stop the piston member when the ligation ring is moved out of the annular groove.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device is provided having a shaft, a surgical staple slidable longitudinally within the shaft, and a staple-firing mechanism for driving the staple towards the forward end of the housing, bending the staple to bring the free ends of the legs towards one another to close the staple, and releasing the closed staple. The device also includes a blood locator tube slidable longitudinally within the shaft between an initial extended position wherein a forward end of the tube projects beyond the forward end of the shaft to enter a puncture site in a liquid-carrying vessel in a human or animal, thereby to locate the forward end of the shaft at the puncture site, and a retracted position wherein the tube is retracted into the housing in coordination with the closure of the staple. The tube has a longitudinal slot extending rearwardly from its forward end and the back of the staple is accommodated transversely in the slot.

Abstract: A device and method for umbilicus protection during abdominal surgery; and, especially plastic reconstructive and aesthetic surgery requiring umbilicoplasty and/or umbilicus transposition is provided. The device embodies an umbilicus shield, which envelops the umbilical pedicle during abdominal surgery. The device can include a tubular element, having a distal end and a proximal end, containing near its proximal end, means for releasabley retaining suture material from tacking stitches taken in the umbilicus to provide means for drawing the umbilical pedicle into the tubular element. The suture material is advantageously drawn through the tubular element by means of a suture shuttle which contains, proximate its distal end, means for releasabley retaining the suture material.

Abstract: A lens delivery system having a plunger, an injector body and a nozzle portion connected to the injector body, the nozzle portion having a hinged lid and a hollow body with a lens holding platform formed beneath the hinged lid. The cartridge has an elongated nozzle tube or tip with a bore, the bore communicating with the lens holding platform. The bottom of the bore is rounded, which causes the edges of the lens between the lens haptics to fold upwardly as the lens is pushed down the bore from the platform by the plunger. A removable pin fits into the lid and prevents the lens from moving down the bore of the tip during shipment and storage.

Abstract: A device for sampling and/or analyzing blood or other body fluid of a subject. A housing contains a plurality of lancets and optionally includes test elements to take up a sample of blood, an evaluation system and a display. A complete system that can be handled as a single device, for example in the form of a wristwatch, includes a multiplicity of test elements and lancets, which can be brought successively to a working position to perform multiple measurements. A cassette or carrier includes multiple lancets and/or test elements, for insertion into the device.