Abstract: A sectional heat insulation jacket comprises a set of multi-layer insulation sections in which the layers are bound together by a fastening and fixing device. Adjacent insulation sections connect and they separate by assembling joints that are self-sealing. A mutual position of the adjacent sections is reliably fixed by the connecting device at each stage of heating. The self-sealing is accomplished by side flexible layers which incline under a sharp angle to the surface of an upper flexible layer. The sizes of the assembling joints between adjacent sections at levels of the upper and the bottom flexible layers are equal to the temperature expansions of these layers in longitudinal and transverse directions, correspondingly under the insulated entity's heating until an operating temperature is reached. A conical, helical spring shaped fastening rod further increases a length of metallic inclusions with high thermal conductivity form an insulated entity and reduces heat loss.

Abstract: A physiological monitoring device includes a device housing shaped to fit behind an ear of a subject and a sensor attached to the device housing so as to sense a physiological characteristic of the subject at a location behind the ear. An earphone speaker is directed towards an ear canal of the subject and provides an audible communication to the subject responsively to the physiological characteristic.

Abstract: A Hand-held collapsible magnifying lens assembly comprising a plurality of elongated flat magnifying lens segments. Each of the segments is mounted on a common pivot for arcuate rotation. A connecting means is provided for limiting the arcuate rotation of each of the segments. Each of the segments being contoured to provide a more or less continuous viewing area absent overlaping of the segments when the lens assembly is brough to an expanded configuration. This lens assembly may be provided with an aligning means for bringing the segments into a more or less straight alignment.

Abstract: This invention provides a protector for a sharpened tip of a needle of conventional construction. Preferably, foam rubber or plastic is used, with the rear of this foam material secured to the hub containing the needle and with the fore end of the foam material secured to a molded tubular guide end member. An inner sleeve is provided with the foam material. This foam material is shown as an extrusion or as a strip with adhesive on one side. This protector is accordionized when the needle is advanced into the patient. Bias may also be provided by a spring. The spring is shown as an integral part of a tubular length, with the interstice portions extending between convolutions of the spring. Three embodiments of spring placement are shown. In all embodiments, it is anticipated that the needle and protector will be brought to the patient, and with the needle advancement the protector accordionizes as the needle is inserted.

Abstract: The specification, drawing and claims disclose an auxiliary member that is selectively mountable and removable from a conventional shoe or boot as and when worn by a user. This auxiliary member is adapted to store and release energy as the user makes a striding motion as when walking, jogging, running or combinations thereof. A boat-like upper member has an attached toe and heel sole portion adapted to fit snugly over and on the lower portion of a shoe or boot of a user. A sole portion extends from the toe and heel portions and is unattached to the sides of said upper member. This sole portion is fixedly attached at and to the toe and heel portions to form a substantially continuous sole protective member which provides an outer contact surface during use. A band portion is disposed above the sole portion and extends between the toe and heel sole portions and is securely attached thereto as by molding.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an add-on device used with a conventional syringe having an outer barrel with a hollow needle mounted thereon. A tubular sheath has a first end slidably and removably mounted on this barrel with a second end retaining a flexible cap portion. Within this flexible cap end, two ampules are carried and are arranged as peas-in-a-pod with both ampules made of rigid thin impervious material such as glass and/or plastic. The inner ampule retains the concentrate, usually powder, and the outer ampule contains the fluid. A filter, such as stacked disks, is interposed between the distal end of the hollow needle and the ampules. The flexible cap end is manipulated to cause the two ampules to be broken after which the contained components are mixed by shaking and this mixture is drawn by aspiration through the filter into the syringe. The add-on device is then discarded and the now filled syringe is used in the conventional manner.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a hammer with a swinging auxiliary head which is used to impart a second imputus or force to the first and fixed head. This auxiliary head is pivotally mounted in a fixed bracket and is restrained in its movement by a ball detent and/or a U or J-clip which limits the swing or selectively holds the two heads together in a contiguous relationship. A spring actuated lever control device is also shown for compressed spring propulsion of the auxiliary head. Two embodiments are also shown for combining the ball detent, spring actuation and holding the two heads in fixed together arrangement. Each apparatus may be employed with conventional rear portions of hammers such as nail pulling claws and ball peen configurations.

Abstract: This invention pertains to improvements in an intermixing syringe with isolation storage. The outer housing is similar to the conventional syringe and has a relatively constant diameter barrel with a hub at one end and wing portions at the other. A rigid insert is provided at the forward end of the housing, said insert made an air-tight fit by an O-ring. This insert includes a one-way valve to inhibit flow into the housing, a filter to remove all unwanted particles, a plurality of small passageways and a cone-like projection used to break a glass ampule in which the powder is stored prior to breaking and intermixing. A tubular member is slidably carried in this housing and contains the diluent. A plunger end closes this tubular member and a through passageway is closed at its lower end by a one-way valve that is closed when the plunger end is moved forwardly. A short passageway is also provided in the plunger end and provides flow communication for air from the outside into the tubular member.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an improved dermatome hand held and operated apparatus in which an adhesive strip of material having a given width and length and of selected thickness is used with a razor blade type of cutter. The strip, as used with the dermatome apparatus, is much like that disclosed in applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 4,098,278 as issued July 4, 1978. The apparatus is like that shown in the referenced patent but includes a laminated portion that is selectively removed to provide a given thickness of strip and to thus provide a thickness of skin that is in an inverse ratio to thickness of strip. The thickness of strip may be as little as ten thousandths of an inch and as much as twenty thousandths of an inch. The laminates are contemplated to be in increments of two thousandths each.

Abstract: There is provided a catheter having a hub portion in which a rotatable intravenous receiving member is mounted. In one position the rotatable member provides a passageway for a needle passable through the rotating portion and the hub end and extending portion of the catheter. After insertion of the catheter into the patient, the needle is withdrawn from the assembly. Before inserting the needle into the patient and then withdrawing the needle from the assembly, an end of an intravenous conductor is connected to the receiving socket in the rotating portion and placed in a fluid-flow condition or the intravenous connector can be inserted after venipuncture. After the needle is withdrawn, the rotatable portion is turned to bring the connected fluid source into flow condition to and with the catheter. A filter may be provided in the passageway of the fluid conduit in the rotatable portion.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an improved apparatus and method in which an adhesive strip of material having a given width and thickness is used with a razor blade-type of cutter and a transverse guide. The apparatus is of inexpensive construction adapted for discarding after a one-time use. The adhesive is applied to a plastic strip of given thickness and width. One end of this tape is provided with an entering and grasping tongue or end. A sliding guide member is provided and carries a razor blade-type knife which is manually moved along transverse of this guide. A guideway is formed in this guide member and forming one side of this guideway is the cutting edge of the knife or blade. The blade may be fixed or adjusted within close limits so that the thickness of skin removed is between 5 and 20 thousandths of an inch in thickness. The width of the removed skin is the width of the adhesive strip, which may be as much as 3 inches.

Abstract: An inexpensive suture cutter is shown in which the cutting portion is a sharpened edge of a wire-like member one-eighth inch or less in diameter at the cutting portion. This wire-like cutting portion has a blunt end to prevent accidental penetration of the skin as the knife portion of the cutter is slid under the sutures which are then cut as the cutting edge is slid along and underneath the sutures. Prior to cutting a length of adhesive tape is placed on and secured to the sutures to be cut and removed. The edge of the tape is placed adjacent or over the proposed cutting path. The sutures are removed by and when the tape is lifted from the skin after the sutures have been severed by the cutter.

Abstract: An inexpensive suture cutter is shown in which the cutting portion is a sharpened edge of a wire-like member one-eighth inch or less in diameter at the cutting portion. This wire-like cutting portion has a blunt end to prevent accidental penetration of the skin as the knife portion of the cutter is slid under the sutures which are then cut as the cutting edge is slid along and underneath the sutures. Prior to cutting a length of adhesive tape is placed on and secured to the sutures to be cut and removed. The edge of the tape is placed adjacent or over the proposed cutting path. The sutures are removed by and when the tape is lifted from the skin after the sutures have been severed by the cutter.