Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle which includes a seat, a seat back, and mounting means mounting the seat for movement in fore and aft directions in the vehicle along an upwardly concaved arcuate path. The arcuate path has a radius of curvature which is sufficiently large to timely move in front of and to contain the person's buttocks, to significantly slow the rate of deceleration of the person seated on said seat, and being sufficiently small to convert a portion of the linear momentum of the person's buttocks to angular momentum thus maintaining frictional contact of the person's buttocks with the seat during stopping at a high rate of deceleration. A seat assembly which includes a lower lumbar support member that is coupled from movement in response to pelvic tilting movement of the seat also is shown.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for directing laser radiation to a body cavity site. A hollow, elongate, optical fiber is advanced, usually in a containing device, to the vicinity of the site and coupled to a laser source with a distal end region of the fiber extending along a longitudinal axis. The fiber terminates in an energy delivery surface for emitting laser radiation transmitted by the fiber. The radiation is intercepted at a location axially aligned with the energy delivery surface and is reflected in a beam radiating substantially transversely of, and substantially circumferentially around, the axis. A reflector member or block is provided for reflecting the radiation and is mounted in an open end of the catheter at a selected axial position along the axis. A fluid, such as a flushing fluid, can be directed between the end of the fiber, against the reflector member, and to the body site.

Abstract: A switching apparatus is provided includes an output device, a power supply for providing power to the output device and a finger-mounted switch connected between the output device and the power supply. When the finger to which the switch is mounted is in a first position, current flows from the power supply to the output device. When the finger is moved into a second position, current flow is prevented. In one embodiment, the output device is an electrosurgical cautery mounted on the finger in the same housing as the switch. The cautery tip extends from the housing and is energized when the finger is in the first position and is positioned within the housing and is deenergized when the finger is in the second position.

Abstract: A seat base, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, which may be manufactured at reasonable cost, has the necessary strength properties and permits replacement of the upholstery and/or cover is disclosed. The seat base is divided into a dish-shaped upholstery support made from a thermoplastic material and a seat frame. The seat frame is consists of at least two longitudinal supports made from a thermoplastic, high-strength which are connected to one another by means of steel cross-beams.

Abstract: A process for tunneling in tissue to install catheters and the like includes insertion of a hollow needle through the skin and, exiting from the skin as limited by the length of the needle or the catheter to be installed. A suture is then fed through the needle after which pulling tip of diameter approximately the same as the catheter to be installed, is selected and the suture attached to the distal end of the pulling tip. The catheter is then fastened to the proximal end of the pulling tip and the free end of the suture pulled to pull the catheter through the tunnel defined by the suture. The needle and suture may be inserted successively a number of times if a longer catheter is to be installed and the pulling tip and catheter pulled through the tissue. A similar procedure may be implemented using a solid needle with a swaged-on suture.

Abstract: A lesion localization and marking wire and needle assembly for marking non-palpable lesions within the body. A marking device having a helically wound coil of wire attached to an end of the shaft which is insertable into the body through a needle or cannula for rotatingly anchoring the marking device into a lesion or tumor is provided. The needle or cannula is inserted into the body with the marking device positioned therein so that when the cannula is positioned proximate to a lesion the shaft of the marker is rotated to advance the marker into the lesion to mark it for subsequent surgical procedures. A second helical wire may be provided on the shaft which cooperates with a wire guide device attached to the needle to enable the physician to determine the depth of the marking device as it anchors into the lesion. In particular, the device is provided for marking for biopsy lesions of the breast.

Abstract: For protection of the otherwise sharp protruding end of a given instrument for use in ophthalmic or other surgery, as when the instrument is to be used only after it has traversed the major part of a scleral tunnel, a shiftable guard or shield is manipulable after it has served its function of avoiding damage to hemorrhageable tissues adjacent tunnel-wall tissue, thereby exposing the sharp end only after safely passing the hemorrhageable region. Various embodiments are described.

Abstract: A hose or tubular guide catheter which accommodates and guides a balloon catheter through a portion of the vascular system to a site where the balloon catheter can be employed for the dilatation of coronary arteries. The wall of the catheter, in the region of its anterior end, is set back from the edge over a portion of the circumference. If the end of this guide catheter has passed only a little way into the entrance of a coronary artery, blood from the aorta can enter through the large flow section into the catheter and into the coronary artery. Hence the blood supply of the coronary artery is assured. By further advance of the guide catheter, the recess is closed off by the wall of the entrance opening of the coronary artery, so that injected contrast medium will enter full into the coronary artery and cannot pass into the aorta.

Abstract: A slip pallet formed as a square or rectangular sheet of a plastic material having a central body portion on which a load, such as an array of loaded cardboard boxes, is supported and a plurality of lip portions extending outwardly and upwardly from the central body portion wherein at least the central body portion is provided with a plurality of spaced apart dimples formed in the top surface of the central body portions so that a plurality of spaced apart projections extend downwardly from the bottom surface of the central body portion to provide a cushioning support for the load and wherein at least a portion of each projection is a segment of a sphere. In other embodiments, the dimples are integral solid projections, each of which may be provided with a cavity having an opening in the outer surface thereof.

Abstract: The invention is relative to a pallet whose covering strips and optional bottom strips (3) consist of a carrier part and of a coating. The carrier part can be e.g. a hollow profile consisting of metal which is surrounded on all sides by rubber, preferably obtained from old motor vehicle tires, in order to form a jacketing. This makes it possible to replace the expensive wooden material which is otherwise used in known pallets with preferably economical waste products.

Abstract: A cryosurgical probe for freezing human or animal tissue in a surgical procedure utilising the Joule Thomson effect. The probe is provided with a valve arrangement which enables selective purging and freezing cycles to be employed in rapid succession, and remote from the Joule-Thomson nozzle. In this way purging is limited to those parts of the probe which are affected by moisture contamination during the normal pre-sterilising process, and without interference with the Joule-Thomson nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chair tilting control assembly which comprises a fixed frame mounted on a chair leg post, a tiltable member supported by the fixed frame to tilt downward about a lateral support shaft, and a chair seat movable downward under the weight of a sitter. The tilting control assembly comprises at least one tilting control spring for elastically supporting the tiltable member at a certain support position relative thereto, and a motion converting mechanism which converts downward movement of the seat into displacement of the support position rearwardly away from the lateral support shaft.

Abstract: An improved surgical method and apparatus using laser energy for destroying body tissue which includes a surgical handpiece including a surgical tip assembly which is driven by means of laser to achieve optical breakdown, plasma formation and shockwave generation to emulsify or destroy body tissue. The surgical tip assembly includes a laser fiber, a focusing means to enhance optical breakdown of tissue or fluid caused by laser energy transmitted through the laser fiber and an emulsification tip that is resonate tuned to vibrate in response to shockwaves produced by the optical breakdown caused by the laser energy. The emulsification tip and focusing means are configured in a spaced relationship to form an acoustic resonating chamber which further emulsifies body tissue and facilitates mixing of tissue with irrigation fluid.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for carrying out minimally invasive interstitial laser hyperthermia to induce coagulation necrosis in tissue masses located deeply within the body of a subject. Among examples are malignant tumors in the liver or breast. Low power laser radiation is introduced through an optical fiber extending through a cannula or probe guided into place by medical imaging techniques and inserted directly into the target tissue mass. A thermocouple is secured to the outside of the cannula to sense the temperature of the target tissue irradiated by the laser energy. The thermocouple is located slightly behind the distal end of the cannula and the entire probe assembly is gold plated enabling it to respond primarily to heat transmitted by conduction from the tissue and not by radiation from the laser.

Abstract: A freestanding modular furniture arrangement is provided to create workstations in open office plans, and other similar applications. Each furniture unit includes a worksurface with capped cutouts in the rear corners to mount overhead cabinets, privacy screens, and other furniture accessories. A mounting rail extends continuously along the rearward edge of each worksurface, and is capable of removably supporting therein a plurality of different amenities, such as bookshelves, CRT stands, fans, task lamps, etc., so as to permit a worker to personalize his or her own workstation. A removable stanchion permits certain convertible amenities to be supported either freestanding on the worksurface, or along the rear of the worksurface on the mounting rail. An L-shaped intermediate leg is available to support the worksurface in a cantilevered fashion to facilitate unfettered task chair movement along the forward edge of the worksurface.

Abstract: A handpiece for use with laser surgical contact scalpels having a housing or handle portion with a laser enabling button thereon whereby a surgeon may expeditiously cycle the laser between its on and off conditions. The handpiece further including a mechanism for facilitating the longitudinal and rotational adjustment of the surgical scalpel with respect to the handle whereby optical fiber torque may be relieved and whereby the surgical tip may be oriented properly with respect to the laser actuation button. The adjustment mechanism includes torsional and longitudinal travel limits to protect button interconnect wires and means for locking the mechanism thereby to fix the relative positions of the scalpel and handle. The laser enabling button and associated circuitry including a low voltage self-contained power source and, further, optical isolation from the laser source whereby the laser may be cycled by the surgeon through use of the handpiece button without danger of electrical shock to the patient.

Abstract: An electrosurgical tubular trocar system has a hollow tube substantially longer than its diameter. The tube is shaped for insertion in a direction generally along its axis through tissue of a human or animal body. Distal and proximal ends on the tube enter and remain outside the tissue, respectively. A tip on the distal end punctures tissue of a human or animal. An insulating portion of high dielectric material extends along the tube between the distal and proximal ends. An electrode on the insulating portion extends from the proximal end to the tip to transmit radio frequency energy. An energy supply at the electrode proximal end permits the passage of energy to the tip. An electrosurgical generator as part of the energy supply has a control to regulate the amplitude and frequency of the energy. A return path in circuit with the tip and the energy supply cuts and/or coagulates. A tip point at an acute angle to the axis lessens the initial force necessary for entry of the tube.

Abstract: A decoupled dual-beam control system for a compact micromanipulator unit for a surgical laser system includes a focusing mechanism for focusing a first laser beam of a first wavelength at a predetermined focal point; and a control mechanism for directing a second laser beam of a second wavelength onto the focusing mechanism; the control mechanism includes a device for varying the diameter and wavefront of the second laser beam at the focusing mechanism for enabling the focusing mechanism to focus the second beam in the same focal plane as the first beam. The control mechanism further includes a device for translating the second beam relative to the focusing mechanism for enabling the focusing mechanism to coincidentally position the foci of the surgical and aiming beams in the focal plane.

Abstract: A coagulation, washing and suction instrument has a shaft having a washing and a suction canal, by way of which a washing fluid can be supplied to, or removed from, respectively, a bodily cavity. The instrument consists of three detachably connected parts, namely a shaft having a washing and a suction canal; a handle which can be pushed onto, and secured to, the proximal end of the shaft, the handle being made of an insulating material and having a high frequency connector for supplying a coagulation electrode on the distal end of the shaft, and finger pressure releasable connection canals for the supply to, and the removal from, the canals of the shafts, of the washing fluid; and a part for the introduction of auxiliary instruments, which can be coupled proximally to the shaft and to the handle and which can be shut off.

Abstract: A storage shelf assembly has a plurality of shelves, each shelf being of one-piece, integrally molded, plastic construction, and having a socket at an end thereof for positioning adjacent a socket of a shelf of a like storage assembly with said assemblies positioned in end-to-end relationship. The shelves are supported in horizontal, parallel, vertically spaced relation. A coupler is provided for coupling the like assemblies together in said end-to-end relationship. The coupler is of one-piece, integrally molded, plastic construction, and has spaced members adapted for insertion in the sockets, the spaced members of the coupler being maintained in fixed spaced relationship.