Abstract: A mechanically-expandable instrument (bougie), especially useful for treating diseases in the urethra and the neck of the urinary bladder, comprises an adjustable-speed driving unit (20) and a probe (22) composed of two rods (64) and (66) pivotally connected together at one end thereof and attached to output sliders (54, 56) of the driving unit at their other ends. Each of the rods (64) and (66) has a semicircular cross section so that in an assembled state the probe has a complete circular cross section. Reciprocations of the sliders cause expansions and contractions of the probe, thereby to stretch urethral constrictions in the radial direction and to subject the urethra and its surrounding tissue to massaging and vibrational actions which are extremely efficient for treating diseases of the urethra and the neck of the urinary bladder. Other embodiments of the rod employ cams, wedges, and threaded means for creating radial expansions and contractions of the probe.

Abstract: A mechanically-expandable instrument (bougie), especially useful for treating diseases in the urethra and the neck of the urinary bladder, comprises an adjustable-speed driving unit (20) and a probe (22) composed of two rods (64) and (66) pivotally connected together at one end thereof and attached to output sliders (54, 56) of the driving unit at their other ends. Each of the rods (64) and (66) has a semicircular cross section so that in an assembled state the probe has a complete circular cross section. Reciprocations of the sliders cause expansions and contractions of the probe, thereby to stretch urethral constrictions in the radial direction and to subject the urethra and its the surrounding tissue to massaging and vibrational actions which are extremely efficient for treating diseases of the urethra and the neck of the urinary bladder. Other embodiments of the rod employ cams, wedges, and threaded means for creating radial expansions and contractions of the probe.

Abstract: A combined bottle opener and stopper (10) comprises a metal plate (12) with side edges (14) and (16) bent downward and inwardly. A rubber pad 26 is attached to the bottom face of the plate. Teeth (38a, 38b) are formed on the inner sides of the bent edges for engagement with serrations on the periphery of the cap to be removed. These teeth allow removal of threaded crown caps by unscrewing the caps in the position of engagement between their serrations and the teeth of the opener. Bent edges (14, 16) have different heights with the difference corresponding to the pitch of the thread on a threaded bottle neck. For temporary closing the bottle, i.e., with beer or carbonated water, the device is screwed onto the threaded bottle neck as a nut until the rubber pad is tightly pressed to the upper face of the bottle to hermetically close the latter.

Abstract: A combined table and portable solar water heater comprises a suitcase-like rigid casing (20) molded from a rigid plastic material which contains a pair of solar collector panels (38) and (38a) connected in series. The panels can be exposed to solar radiation when the casing is opened. Each collector panel (38) or (38a) is formed by a copper plate with the solar radiation absorbing surface and copper pipe coil (56) or (56a) in heat-transferring relationship with said copper plate. The casing is provided with compartments (40) and (40a) for accessories, such as adjustable legs (42a, 42b, etc.) for supporting the casing, adjusting its angle to incident sunlight, and for converting the casing into a table; containers for feeding cold water to the solar collector and for receiving hot water from the collector; and a tripod stand (86) for supporting the feeding container at the level above the collector and for arranging a shower set.