Abstract: A surgical retractor is provided including a handle portion, a tubular portion extending from the handle portion, and a collapsible retractor assembly connected to a distal end of the tubular portion. The handle portion includes an actuating structure for manipulating the collapsible retractor assembly through the tubular portion. The retractor assembly includes a plurality of retractor blades, a camming assembly connected to the retractor blades and structure for connecting the retractor blades to the actuating structure.

Abstract: A disposable rigid arthroscope having an inclined angle of view includes a frame member, an outer tube member extending distally from the frame member, an inner lens tube member eccentrically disposed within the outer tube member, an optical system disposed within the inner lens tube member and having a mechanism for altering the field of view of the optical system with respect to the optical axis and an illumination system including a plurality of optical fibers. The optical fibers of the illumination system are oriented by a shim member to emit light in the general direction of the inclined field of view to sufficiently illuminate the surgical field. The shim member includes opposed side edges that are angularly oriented relative to the optical axis and a proximal end portion extending along an inner periphery of the outer tube member to define a major cross-sectional dimension approximating a maximum inner dimension of the outer tube member.

Abstract: A land based launch tube control panel testing and training system for a marine's launcher interconnects with a launch tube control panel from a submarine to simulate the operation of a submarine weapons launching system to allow for launch tube control panel operational testing and operated and maintenance personnel training. In a simulation mode, a submarine weapons launch tube control panel tester and trainer is responsive to weapons launch system control data signals received from the launch tube control panel, for transmitting to the launch tube control panel weapons launching system operational data signals having a predetermined data type and data value which are a function of the received weapons launching system control data signals.

Abstract: A motorcycle riding simulation system including a model motorcycle operated and ridden upon by a person. Responsive to operation by the person riding, the model motorcycle is moved by a driven mount to pitch, yaw and roll to simulate riding conditions. A moving image such as scenery which would be seen from a running motorcycle is displayed in front of the person riding. The moving image is varied in response to driving conditions of the model motorcycle and is provided by a display with a curved screen. An image projector projects images on the curved screen from behind. The system is provided with an image recorder for recording both images displayed by the display and driving operation data. An output provides access to recorded information in the image recorder. A background image is reflected in the rear view mirrors of a two-wheeled simulation vehicle. The image is formed by a background image generator.

Abstract: An endoscopic viewing system for maintaining a surgeon's normal sense of kinesthesia during endoscopic surgery regardless of the orientation of the endoscope vis-a-vis the surgeon.

Abstract: An all-audio, hands-free and eyes-free interactive tutor provides time-efficient and reduced-boredom instruction by varying a course of instruction based on the correct and incorrect responses of the user so as to frequently repeat and provide positive feedback for poorly-learned items of knowledge, to periodically refresh well-learned items and to suggest that rest be taken or to switch to easier material whenever too many human errors have occurred. The audio interactive tutor includes an audio input module, in the preferred embodiment a voice recognition unit based on a finite state grammar, an audio output module, a course of study and a user model. In a preferred embodiment, the course of study provides for human error control as well as for voice recognition unit error control, which synergistically cooperate to render the tutor substantially fault-tolerant and therewith enables the employment of commercially-available but not excessively accurate voice recognition units.

Abstract: A method of and computer system for training a student to play a musical work having an identifiable rhythm structure, the musical work being decomposable into a plurality of variations each maintaining the identifiable rhythm structure. According to the method, a musical score of each variation is generated and then the musical scores are arranged in order of rhythmic difficulty. An animated movie is then generated, the movie comprising the music score of at least one variation, a sound recording of the music score, a graphic device that highlights the identifiable rhythm structure and a representation of how the music score would be played on a musical instrument. The animated movie is then presented to the student.

Abstract: First and second switches, which are to be operated by a user, are provided on a pen-shaped housing. A first heat generating head for writing an image on a rewritable heat sensitive sheet is arranged at an end of a tapered end portion of the pen-shaped housing, and a second heat generating head, for generating heat at a temperature which is different from a temperature of heat generated from the writing head, is arranged at flat another end of the pen-shaped housing. The writing head generates heat only when the first switch is turned on, and the erasing head generates heat only when the second switch is turned on, so that the erasing head erases the image which have been written on the heat sensitive sheet from the sheet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring and enhancing the neuro-motor coordination of humans and animals includes generation of a non-visual periodic reference signal that is supplied to the user. A response is received from the user of that user's perception of an occurrence of the periodic reference signal. A non-visual feedback signal is derived as a function of the occurrence of the reference signal and the user response. The non-visual feedback signal is supplied to indicate to that user the temporal relationship of the user's response and the occurrence of the periodic reference signal. The non-visual signal may be in the form of an audio feedback signal or may be a tactile feedback signal.

Abstract: A bandage for use to apply pressure to the wound area of a patient who has undergone a mastectomy includes a main body panel formed from a fabric that is non-elastic and breathable. The bandage is secured adjacent the side of the body of the patient to avoid the formation of a seam adjacent the wound area, yet allow application and removal of the bandage by the patient without assistance and with minimal pain and discomfort. An elastic member enables adjustment of the bandage for proper fit around the torso of the patient and ensures the application of adequate pressure. The bandage is configured so that the material that contacts the person's skin is non-elastic and breathable for increased comfort.

Abstract: A vocal training apparatus accomplishes reproduction of a music signal recorded on an information medium, where the music signal includes a model vocal signal and an accompaniment signal. A model vocal signal is extracted from the music signal and a singer's vocal signal is received. The model vocal characteristics are measured from the model vocal signal and the singer's vocal characteristics are measured from the singer's vocal signal. The singer's vocal characteristics and the model vocal characteristics can then be compared to evaluate the singer's vocal characteristics relative to the model vocal characteristics.

Abstract: A positioning device for producing movement in the shoulder of a human patient in MRI apparatus includes a base movable into the aperture of the MRI apparatus. On the base is provided a swivel which includes a first lever pivoted on an axis, on which the shoulder is located, in substantially the plane of the base. And then with the elbow in an elbow cup located at the end of the first lever arm, a second lever arm is pivoted at the cup. The second lever arm at its distal end restrains the forearm or hand of the patient. Movement of this second lever arm is sensed by an angle encoder mounted on the axis of the elbow cup to indicate internal/external rotation. Movement of the first lever arm is sensed by an angle encoder at the first axis to provide abduction/adduction angle movement information. Flexion/extension movement is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stretching and exercising the soft tissue surrounding the shoulder girdle and back, while stabilizing the upper extremities. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of elbow/forearm cuffs are mounted on a lower horizontal bar, and a second horizontal bar is attached above the lower horizontal bar. The users elbows/forearms are placed in the cuffs on the lower bar, while their hands slide back and forth along the upper bar.

Abstract: A karaoke apparatus is comprised of a data supply, a tone generator, an ADPCM decoder and a pitch shifter for sounding a requested karaoke song containing an instrumental accompaniment and a back chorus. The data supply supplies an ADPCM data representative of a phrase back chorus and being compressed by a variable compression condition, and supplies a song data containing accompaniment information prescriptive of an instrumental accompaniment, additional information prescriptive of a common back chorus and decoding information indicative of the variable compression condition of the ADPCM data, and further supplies key information which determines a pitch shift of the karaoke song. The tone generator processes the accompaniment information and the additional information to generate a first audio signal effective to sound synthesized tones of the instrumental accompaniment and the common back chorus.

Abstract: An interactive learning device in the form of an open book for toddlers and preschoolers, having a plurality of embodiments. In one embodiment the book has three-dimensional letters of the alphabet received by a card that spells a word. The card is adapted to be placed in the book and a speech processor circuit recites the word written therein and sounds the phonic associated with each phoneme in the word when the child places the correct alphabet letters in the card, and repeats the entire word. In a second embodiment the book acts as a simple translator. In a third embodiment the book is in the form of a talking math calculator that teaches elementary mathematical operations. In a fourth embodiment the child may learn the sounds and names associated with various animals, and may also translate the animal names. A plurality of shapes and colors may also be represented by cards and indica bearing units.

Abstract: A backing chorus reproducing device is disclosed wherein human backing chorus is PCM coded and then combined with MIDI Standard based instrumental sound to produce karaoke music. In reproduction, the instrumental sound and the chorus sound are played back with no out-of-synchronization therebetween. The backing chorus reproducing device comprises a communications controller, an input/output device for inputting an instruction for a music number and a change of scale, a memory for storing karaoke information received, a main controller for analyzing the karaoke information read from the memory to decompose it into header information, song's words information, and musical information, while outputting in synchronism the electronic musical sound data and the backing chorus data of the musical information according to the processing type of the control data included in the header information.

Abstract: A Karaoke apparatus reproduces an automatic instrumental accompaniment of a selected song during the course of a physical vocal performance of the selected song by a singer. A memory registers a prescribed text data of a selected song, containing accompaniment information and word information composed of a sequence of characters. A musical sound synthesizer reproduces an automatic instrumental accompaniment according to the registered accompaniment information. A graphic generator modifies a graphic pattern of each registered character in association with a predetermined practical manner of the physical vocal performance. A display unit displays a sequence of the characters in the modified graphic patterns concurrently with the reproduction of the automatic instrumental accompaniment so as to visually teach the singer the practical manner during the physical vocal performance.

Abstract: A television receiver capable of performing a video accompaniment function includes a television signal generator for receiving a television signal and providing a video signal and an audio signal, a video accompaniment signal generator for reading background/lyrics information and accompaniment information of a program selected tom among a plurality of programs stored in a memory, providing a video signal for accompaniment and an accompaniment signal, and generating a pseudo-sync signal, a first selector for selectively providing the video signal supplied from the television signal generator and the pseudo-sync signal supplied from the video accompaniment signal generator, a second selector for selectively providing the audio signal supplied from the television signal generator and the accompaniment signal supplied from the video accompaniment signal generator, a video output unit for receiving a signal selected from the first selector and the accompaniment video signal as a video output, an audio output uni

Abstract: A method of displaying information for learning purposes comprises the steps of providing within a computer an information set having at least a first information topic. The first information topic includes a plurality of discrete information elements. The discrete information elements are caused to be arranged for display within the computer in a sequence selected from a plurality of predetermined sequences. The discrete information elements are displayed with a display operably associated with the computer in the selected sequence.

Abstract: A visual display system and method according to the present invention includes an inset image generator for producing video signals representative of a plurality of inset images and an inset image projection means for generating a plurality of inset images, each having a smaller size and a higher resolution than a background image, in response to the video signals. The inset image projection means includes an inset image projector having a number of video lines and dividing means for dividing the plurality of video lines into a number of subraster blocks, each of which can generate an inset image. Each subraster block is individually positioned by deflection means such that the high resolution of inset images can be individually positioned relative to the background image.