Abstract: A game calling device is provided which enables the distraction-free simulation of the sounds made by wild game using only one hand to operate. The device includes a support structure having a trough portion and a friction plate positioned within the trough; a call generator comprising the friction plate, a handle block and a striker positioned within the handle block for longitudinal displacement from a beginning position along the friction plate so as to generate a game call; and a spring linking the support structure with the handle block and the striker portion of the call generator to return the striker to a beginning position, thereby completing a cycle of alternating lognitudinal movement. A flexible pouch is provided to enclose the device.

Abstract: A leg brace for alleviating problems with torn or damaged anterior or posterior cruciate ligaments includes an upper assembly oriented longitudinally with and extending circumferentially around the thigh, a lower assembly oriented longitudinally with and extending circumferentially around the calf, and hinge assemblies connecting the upper and lower assemblies and with axes oriented along the axis of rotation of the knee joint. Two pairs of elongate support struts are provided with one pair extending along the medial and lateral portions of the thigh and the other extending along the medial and lateral portions of the calf and with the central ends of both pairs of struts connected to the hinge assemblies. Straps are provided with the upper and lower assemblies and which extend circumferentially around the thigh and calf respectively for securing the leg brace to the wearer's leg. Padding is provided with the upper and lower assemblies and which extend circumferentially around the thigh and calf respectively.

Abstract: A bone saw guide apparatus and method for positioning sequential saw cuts facilitates the cutting of a wedge of bone, in the correction of an angular bone deformity. An arcuate saw blade having a shaft which is parallel to its cutting edge provides greater blade strength and better control of the cut.

Abstract: Orthopaedic structures, and processes for making the same, are provided in which the orthopaedic structure comprises a polymeric material which contains a block copolymer having grafted to it styrene, an alkyl acrylate and optionally methyl methacrylate. The orthopaedic structures are substantially transparent, formable and reformable at temperatures of about 45.degree. to about 65.degree. C. and are essentially rigid at ambient temperatures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a porous product for cultivating plants, comprising a matrix of mineral fibres which can be moistened with water, by material present in said porous product having a greater water retaining capacity than said mineral fibres which form said matrix and which can be moistened with water, of which preferably said material consists of flakes having a greater water retaining capacity and are accommodated therein over the whole height or only a portion of the height, and comprises mineral fibres that can be moistened with water, the density of which is at least 20, preferably 30, or more preferably 40 kg/m.sup.3 greater than the density of the mineral fibre matrix, and further to a method for manufacturing such a porous product.

Abstract: An individually fitted apparatus for, and method of supporting an individual by, a tensile arc and bridge body support, comprising in combination; A fitted tubular frame outlining the immediate periphery of each supported body portion and attached to the frame is a fabric that is deeply and tightly contoured to the three-dimensional profile of the body portions. The fabric extends down a side of each body portion curves and passes under, and up to the other side. A contoured rigid member is attached to the fabric that opposes a planar or concave surface of the body portions, such as the back of the torso. By suspending the individual in this support, the tensile fabric applies pressure to the convex curves of the body portions and the contoured bridge applies pressure to the planar or concave surfaces. The support surface area can be increased substantially by using this support and the support pressure would drop accordingly.

Abstract: A knee reconstruction apparatus and method provides for controlling and adjusting the point of fixation of a ligament graft, for example a replacement for the anterior cruciate ligament, which permits precisely and repeatably adjusting the length of the ligament graft or graft components with the joint under a prescribed load prior to fixation. A fixture is fixed on the tibia and includes an adjustable clamp that holds a ligament graft anchored or held in the femur. The clamp can be moved for adjusting the length of the ligament graft, or individual segments of a composite ligament graft while the joint is under a prescribed load. The load carried by one or more individual graft components also can be measured prior to fixation to ensure that each of the segments of a composite ligament graft will carry the desired or selected load for a joint under a prescribed load.

Abstract: A disposable surgical apparatus for removing potentially harmful vapor and airborne particulate, especially AIDS virus, from an operating zone, including an environment occupied by a surgeon during an operation comprises a vacuum generating system that draws the potentially harmful vapor and airborne particulate through a suction manifold mounted on the surgeon's wrists and outside the protective apparel donned by surgeons during operations. The apparatus further includes a suction conduit routed beneath the surgeon's protective apparel connecting the suction manifold cuff to a high efficiency filter and vacuum pump. The protective cuff is designed so as not to appreciably impair the movement or vision of the surgeon.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis which comprises a flexible, collapsible, hollow device which can be filled after it is positioned within the bone structure. In the case of a prosthesis designed to replace the ball of the femur, the endoprosthesis has a ball portion, a neck portion attached to and communicating with the ball portion, a body portion attached to and communicating with the neck portion, and an access opening opposite the ball portion. A method for installing the endoprosthesis in the hip is also described, in which a portal is drilled through the lateral cortex of the femur at a location opposite the ball, the ball of the femur is removed, and the endoprosthesis is inserted through the portal. Finally, the invention provides a special tool that can be used for removing the ball of the femur through a portal in the lateral cortex without dislocating the hip.

Abstract: A reusable face mask is disclosed that filters particulate matter and noxious and poisonous gasses from breathed air. The face mask has a mask shell that is thermoformed of cross-linked, closed cell foam sheet that is impermeable to air while having good shape retention and elasticity. The mask shell is perforated with multiple holes in its central area to permit inhaled air to pass through the otherwise impermeable shell. The mask shell is stiff enough to support filter mounting apparatus that has an internal potion and an external portion that both cover the multiple holes. Filters made from filter sheet material and having a self-adhesive strip around their periphery are removably attached to the mounting apparatus to filter breathed air. Neither the mounting apparatus nor the filters ever touch the face of the wearer of the face mask. By using two filters, selective combinations of noxious and poisonous gasses, dusts and mists may be filtered from breathed air.

Abstract: An implantable fixation device comprises a support bar (1) having right-hand threads on the one end and left-hand threads on the opposite end, and having jaw supports (5, 6) threadingly mounted on the respective threaded ends. The jaw supports have secured thereto bolt jaws by means of a respective clamping screw (7), which bolt jaws are (adapted to be) fixed to intact vertebral bodies of the spiral column by means of bone (screw) bolts (13). Further, the bolt jaws are provided with receiving holes (16) permitting the insertion of rod-shaped repositioning instruments (17). By means of this structure, setting of the vertebral elements or segments is possible irrespective of the length of the bone bolts. The repositioning rods (17) can be easily removed; subsequent shortening of the bone bolts (17) is not necessary.

Abstract: An implantable plate for joining together two pieces of a broken bone is formed to have a plurality of elongated holes for the screws that fasten the plate to the bone on both sides of the fracture. The screws are positioned at the end of the elongated hole that is farthest from the fracture. The portion of each elongated hole that is not occupied by the screw is filled with a cushion of elastic material that may be deformed elastically when the screw shank is pressed against it, thereby allowing lateral movement of the screw in the hole. When the plate is implanted in the body of a person and fastened to a fractured bone by means of screws through the elongated holes, the plate stabilizes the bone pieces but permits the screws, and hence the bone pieces, to move a short distance back and forth in the direction of the axis of the bone in order to promote healing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an orthosis consisting of a sleeve (1) of soft, elastic material, secured on each side of the joint. The orthosis comprises two detachably secured lateral stabilizing splints (8, 9) each of which consists of two arms (10, 11; 12, 13) connected by a pivot joint (14, 15). A Velcro strip is adhered to each arm (10, 11; 12, 13) and cooperates with a corresponding Velcro strip (16, 17) stitched onto the sleeve (1). In order to avoid material-bunching and the formation of folds on the flexing side of the orthosis, a section (18) without any material is provided in this region.

Abstract: A pillow provided with a power unit for rotating its top surface about a horizontal center line of rotation into a new angular position whenever a snoring noise is detected. The angular position of the head of the sleeping person is thereby changed gradually enough not to wake him up but since his larynx is changed into a new state every time the top surface of the pillow is rotated into a new angular position the snoring noise is eventually controlled. Reliable detection of snoring noise is made possible by taking advantage of the periodic nature of the snoring noise.

Abstract: Interchangeable limb-positioning attachments for use with an adjustable orthopedic casting stand for maintaining an extremity in a fixed position during the application of an orthopedic cast.

Abstract: A protecting and restraining apparatus for use in applying an intravenous or catheter system to an extremity of the body for substantially immobilizing the extremity while permitting continued intravenous or catheter system operation comprising: an elongated flexible sheet member adapted to be wrapped about and encompass the arm, the sheet member further comprising a main base portion and a plurality of straps integrally formed with and transversely depending from the main base portion at a marginal longitudinal edge of the main base portion, each of the straps being connected to its adjacent straps at selective points along confronting marginal transverse edges of the adjacent straps; a flexible sleeve member being pivotally attached to a first surface of the sheet member coextensively along one marginal longitudinal edge of the sleeve member so as to allow pivoting of the sleeve member toward and away from the first surface of the sheet member, the sleeve being adapted to accept and retain a stiffener membe

Abstract: A curved bore hole drilling apparatus and method utilizing two power driven drill shafts equipped with flexible shaft sections on the distal ends thereof with each flexible shaft section having a cutting tip. A semicircular channel shaped drill guide loosely engages each flexible shaft end section and is caused to rotate through an approximate 90.degree. angle as the cutting tips are advanced. The drill guides are pivotally mounted for rotation in substantially the same plane end, when rotated through an approximate 90.degree. angle so as to meet, the cutting tips of the associated rotating flexible drill bits form a curved semicircular bore hole which may extend through 180.degree.. The flexible shaft sections and guides are then backed out of the bore and the bore may be used for attachment of a tie such as a wire or a suture which is passed through the bore.

Abstract: A variable length fixation device for insertion into a hole formed in two or more bone fragments has a barrel portion and a fastener element. The barrel portion is secured to an inside surface of the hole in a proximal one of the bone fragments. The fastener element is telescopically mounted to the barrel portion and is extendable into a distal one of the bone fragments. The assembly prevents lateral movements of the distal fragment, relative to the proximal fragment, while allowing axial relative movements (i.e., linear movements along the longitudinal axis of the fastener element) to occur. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener element is a cannulated bone screw having a hex-shaped cross-section on one end which is telescopically received into a hex-shaped interior of the hollow barrel portion. The two components are preferably permanently joined to form a one-piece assembly having a variable overall length.

Abstract: A cervical collar including front and back halves adapted to fit around the neck, and an adjustable strap for releasably securing the halves in position on the neck. The halves of the collar are made from a laminate having outer layers of a foamed polymeric material and an inner layer of a solid, non-foamed thermoplastic material. The foam layes provide padding and comfort, and the solid layers provide rigidity and support to immobilize the head and neck. In one embodiment there is provided a large hole in the front most portion of the collar to accommodate the Adam's apple. In another embodiment, the strap is attached to the back half by looping it through parallel slots formed in the rearmost portion of the collar which are narrower than the width of the strap adjacent the slots, and attached to the front half by stitching at the ends thereof.

Abstract: A flexible shield for covering an article and attenuating the flux of electromagnetic radiation relative to the article includes a polymetric matrix charged with an attenuating filler. The shield has a transmission attenuation factor of at least 50% of a primary 100 kVp x-ray beam, a durometer of less than about 100 Shore "00" and a coefficient of sliding friction relative to the article of at least 0.15.