Abstract: A surgical retractor is for use when extended through a trocar sleeve. The retractor has a pair of telescoping tubes. The inner one of the retractor tubes has a number of fingers which may be spread into a fan shape, and then articulated to select a position between 180.degree. and 90.degree. relative to the length of the tubes. For insertion and retraction into and out of the trocar sleeve, the fingers may be pulled into a compact configuration.

Abstract: A needlepoint graph has adjoining rows of ellipses to be marked as a pattern for the designation of traditional continental needlepoint stitches required in a needlepoint canvas to reproduce the pattern on the graph.

Abstract: An endoscope, in particular an arthroscope, includes an essentially cylindrical shaft containing optics and optical fibers, where the optical axis coincides with the longitudinal axis of the shaft and the optical fibers are arranged concentrically about the optics and a connecting piece preferably disposed radially to the longitudinal axis of the shaft via which the optical fibers are connected to a fiber-optic cable which leads to a light source. The direction of viewing at the end nearer the object is inclined to the longitudinal axis and at least the end of the optics nearer the object is arranged so as to rotate with respect to the connecting piece.

Abstract: A method of producing a bending device is disclosed. There are provided a plurality of elongated arcuate assemblies each formed by pivotally connecting a row of arcuate members to one another by connecting elements, the arcuate assembly extending in a direction of the widths of the arcuate members. Subsequently, the plurality of arcuate assemblies are connected together in such a manner that ends of corresponding ones of the arcuate members of the arcuate assemblies are fixed together to form the row of joint rings, thereby forming the ring assembly.

Abstract: An educational puzzle including a board having a plurality of identical openings extending therethrough and each receiving an identically shaped removable board piece. Each board piece, on the front side thereof, is provided with indicium such as alpha or numeric indicium so that the respective piece is correctly positionable in only one or a selected number of openings according to the overall purpose of the puzzle. The back side of the board and board pieces define one or more lines or patterns which are visible only from the back side. When all of the board pieces are properly inserted into the respective openings, then continuous lines are formed on the back side of the board to provide a visual determination that the puzzle has been solved correctly.

Abstract: There is disclosed a bending device for use in an endoscope or the like. A rear end portion of an insertion tube is supported on a front portion of the body for movement relative thereto along the axis of the insertion tube. The tension of a wire is adjusted by adjusting the position of the insertion tube in its axial direction. A fixing member releaseably fixes the rear end portion of the insertion tube to the front portion of the body at a desired position within a predetermined range of the axial movement of the insertion tube. A rear end of a guide tube guiding the wire therethrough is retained by the rear end portion of the insertion tube, and is moved together with the rear end portion of the insertion tube during the above adjustment of the position of the insertion tube.

Abstract: A device comprising several highly elastic objects (for example, steel balls (14)) hanging from a support structure (12) is presented whose purpose is to demonstrate an unobvious consequence of fundamental laws of physics - the acceleration of an object to high speed by multiple collisions among a series of heavier objects moving at slower speed. The objects, each of different mass, are arrayed in close proximity in order of decreasing mass with their centers lying along a horizontal straight line. When the heaviest object, hanging at one end of the line, is pulled back a small distance, rising to some small height above its rest position, and released the resulting impact leads to a transfer of energy through the line of objects to the lightest one, at the other end of the line, which is accelerated to high velocity. When appropriately directed, this high velocity can cause the lightest object to rise to a much greater height than that from which the heaviest object was released.

Abstract: A die or cube having different magic squares on each face. The magic squares are related so that the sums of numbers on each face pair of the three face pairs are equal to the same value.

Abstract: An educational toy for use with children in an age range of about 4 to 12 as a mounting base with an upper surface on which various action modules are mounted. The action modules include a DC power source, and a switch. The action modules can include a number of devices capable of producing light such as light bulbs, sound such as a buzzer or bell and motion such as a DC motor and gear box and drive belts. The wire connecting the switch to the action modules are connected by realtively large alligator clamps that can be manipulated by a relatively young child. The base for the toy comprises an internal hollow cavity. During shipment from the factory to the retailer and from the retailer to home, the action modules, the battery module, batteries and the like are all stored within the cavity of the base. The cavity can be closed by paste on paper or shrink wrap or the like. This provides a cheap but intellectually challenging variable top for experimentation by the developing child.

Abstract: A moving message learning system comprises a panel capable of displaying a moving message, a programmable controller for controlling the display of a message on the panel in a moving manner, and for displaying at least two different versions of a subject to be learned. The method of learning a subject comprises the steps of selecting an apparatus having a moving message display for displaying a moving message, establishing a graphic display of at least two versions of a subject to be learned on the moving message display means, and moving the versions along the display at a selected velocity while observing same.

Abstract: A base supports a vertical pivot arm, one end of which supports a pivotal rotation means for a rotation support housing with a plurality of radial connector sockets. One of several pendulum arms can be fitted into each of the radial connector sockets, the pendulum arms supporting a pendulous mass on each pendulum arm. One such pendulum arm is articulated into two portions, each portion with a plurality of additional pendulum arms attached thereto. The apparatus consequently demonstrates the physical principles of not just a simple pendulum, but those of a variety of compound pendulum configurations.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for representing orbital phenomena. It comprises a sphere (20) pivoting about an inclined axis (8) on bearings (38, 60) integral with a support ring (23) mounted adjustable in a slide (26) and locked in the selected position by means of a screw (28), of a local horizon disc (1) pivoting on bearings of the sphere (20), of an ecliptic crown (31) fixed to a ring (21) also pivoting about the globe axis (8), of a drive motoreducer (39) for driving either the ecliptic crown in rotation in the backward direction or the celestial sphere (20) in the direct direction thereby evidencing the referential change and renewing the relationship between apparent motions and real motions. The didactic method implements an observer represented by a figurine (3) placed at the center of the horizon disc (1) itself traversed by the integral axis (8) at 90.degree.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for treating infectious skin conditions, such as Herpes Simplex 1 and 2. By the application of an electrical field and current to the area of the manifestation of the disease on the body there is activated a reaction at the cell level to combat the virus and disrupt its attack on the healthy cell structure. The present method comprises a direct application of a low voltage direct current, low amperage stimulation to the skin about the infected location for a few seconds every hour for a length of time sufficient to prevent formation and/or heal the resultant lesion.