Abstract: A method for the joining of ceramic pieces includes applying a layer of titanium on a first ceramic piece and applying a layer of titanium on a second ceramic piece; applying a layer of nickel on each of the layers of titanium on the first ceramic piece and the second ceramic piece; applying a layer of nickel phosphorous to each of the layers of nickel on the first ceramic piece and the second ceramic piece; assembling the first ceramic piece and the second ceramic piece with the layers of titanium, nickel, and nickel phosphorous therebetween; pressing the layer of nickel phosphorous of the first ceramic piece against the layer of nickel phosphorous of the second ceramic piece; heating the first ceramic piece and the second ceramic piece to a joining temperature in a vacuum; and cooling the first ceramic piece and the second ceramic piece. A hermetic seal is formed between the first ceramic piece and the second ceramic piece.

Abstract: An applied usage count reader and display device is disclosed. The applied usage count reader and display device is configured to read information embedded in memory of a limited-use medical device used by a surgical or robotic system and determine a remaining number of uses available for the limited-use medical device. The applied usage count reader and display device removes the human element from the determination of useful life left on the limited-use medical device by allowing staff or other authorized users to test the useful life and read the memory on the device at any time when away from the surgical system or operating room.

Abstract: A disposable portion of an optical probe is usable to determine at least one physiological parameter. The disposable portion comprises a bandage including adhesive on at least a portion of at least one face thereof. The bandage comprises a first receptacle at a first position. The first receptacle is configured to receive and removably engage a probe emitter. The bandage comprises a second receptacle at a second position. The second position is spaced from the first position. The second receptacle is configured to receive and removably engage a probe detector. The first receptacle at the first position is positioned generally opposite the second receptacle at the second position when the bandage is positioned on an appendage of a patient for sensing a physiological parameter of the patient.

Abstract: A disposable portion of an optical probe is usable to determine at least one physiological parameter. The disposable portion comprises a bandage including adhesive on at least a portion of at least one face thereof. The bandage comprises a first receptacle at a first position. The first receptacle is configured to receive and removably engage a probe emitter. The bandage comprises a second receptacle at a second position. The second position is spaced from the first position. The second receptacle is configured to receive and removably engage a probe detector. The first receptacle at the first position is positioned generally opposite the second receptacle at the second position when the bandage is positioned on an appendage of a patient for sensing a physiological parameter of the patient.

Abstract: An optical probe is usable to determine at least one physiological parameter. A disposable portion of the optical probe comprises a bandage including adhesive on at least a portion of at least one face thereof. The bandage comprises a first modular housing component attached to a surface of the bandage at a first position. The first modular housing component is configured to receive and removably engage a modular probe emitter. The bandage comprises a second modular housing component attached to the surface of the bandage at a second position. The second position is spaced from the first position. The second modular housing component is configured to receive and removably engage a modular probe detector.

Abstract: An optical probe is usable to determine at least one physiological parameter. A disposable portion of the optical probe comprises a bandage including adhesive on at least a portion of at least one face thereof. The bandage comprises a first modular housing component attached to a surface of the bandage at a first position. The first modular housing component is configured to receive and removably engage a modular probe emitter. The bandage comprises a second modular housing component attached to the surface of the bandage at a second position. The second position is spaced from the first position. The second modular housing component is configured to receive and removably engage a modular probe detector.

Abstract: Disposable bandage apparatus for use in oximetry having adhesive on at least a portion of at least one face thereof, at least one plastic receptacle mounted thereon and a radiation transparent window bounded by said receptacle.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for automated jigging of a fishing pole. The apparatus includes: a base connecting to a support surface, an arm pivotally connected to the base at a first connection area, a fishing pole engaging element pivotally connected to the arm at a second connection area and at an operator selected and operator modifiable angle, an assembly for selectively pivoting the arm around the first connection area with the base, an assembly for selectively and adjustably controlling a minimum elevation occupied by the second connection area. The apparatus may further include: an assembly for automatically disengaging the assembly for selectively pivoting the arm responsive to a downward force upon the fishing pole and an assembly for jerking a line portion of the fishing pole upward responsive to a downward force exerted by a fish upon the fishing pole.

Abstract: Pulse oximeter apparatus and method comprising a reusable pulse oximeter probe and a disposable bandage. The bandage has receptacles for receiving and aligning the oximeter's light emitting diode and photocell detector.

Abstract: A system and method of standardizing modular probe housings so that the standardized probe housings may be incorporated into probes adapted to work with at least one of a multiplicity of manufacturers' oximeters. The probe housings are adapted to matingly engage at least a disposable bandage apparatus and a reusable finger attachment device.

Abstract: A method of facilitating the intra-departmental or inter-institutional transport of a patient or patients requiring the pulse oximeter monitoring, and wherein the pulse oximeters used for monitoring the patient may be of different manufacturers, comprising affixing to the patient a bandage apparatus having a modular emitter and detector receptacles incorporated thereon. Each different manufacturers' pulse oximeter probe is provided with modular housings adapted to matedly engage and/or disengage the receptacles of the disposable bandage apparatus, thus enabling the patient to be monitored by pulse oximeters of different manufacturers without changing the bandage apparatus.

Abstract: A telephone subscriber module allows a telephone subscriber to selectively interconnect a subscriber telephone line with one of a plurality of available telephone service provider lines. A base has a first jack configured to receive a plug connected to a subscriber telephone line. A second jack, electrically connected to the first jack, is configured to receive a plug connected to a selected one of a plurality of telephone service provider lines to thereby establish an electrical communication connection between the subscriber telephone line and the selected telephone service provider line. The first jack may include a pair of electrical conductors extending outwardly therefrom and terminating in a plug. The plug may be configured to be inserted within a jack adjacent to or remotely located from the first jack to establish an electrical communication connection between a service provider line electrically connected thereto and the subscriber line.

Abstract: Pulse oximeter apparatus and method comprising a reusable pulse oximeter probe and a disposable bandage. The bandage has receptacles for receiving and aligning the oximeter's light emitting diode and photocell detector.

Abstract: Pulse oximeter apparatus and method comprising a reusable pulse oximeter probe and a disposable bandage. The bandage has receptacles for receiving and aligning the oximeter's light emitting diode and photocell detector.

Abstract: A reusable pulse oximeter sensor and disposable bandage apparatus includes: a) a reusable pulse oximeter probe assembly with at least one light-emitting diode and one photocell detector wherein the detector and emitter are enclosed in plastic housings one housing having an aperture or radiation transparent window aligned with the emitter and the other housing having an aperture or radiation transparent window aligned with the detector; and b) a bandage strip having adhesive on at least a portion of at least one face thereof and at least two plastic receptacles mounted thereon, each receptacle having at least one aperture or radiation transparent window located therein; wherein the probe housings can matedly engage the bandage receptacles, and transmit and receive light through the apertures or radiation transparent windows of the mated housings and receptacles, and through the appendage of a patient.

Abstract: A system and method of standardizing modular probe housings so that the standardized probe housings may be incorporated into probes adapted to work with at least one of a multiplicity of manufacturers' oximeters. The probe housings are adapted to matingly engage at least a disposable bandage apparatus and a reusable finger attachment device. A pulse oximeter system comprises a finger attachment device having first and second probe couplers, the first and second probe couplers are configured to be matingly engageable with probe housings of a pulse oximeter probe.

Abstract: Pulse oximeter apparatus and method comprising a reusable pulse oximeter probe and a disposable bandage. The bandage has receptacles for receiving and aligning the oximeter's light emitting diode and photocell detector.

Abstract: A system and method of standardizing modular probe housings so that the standardized probe housings may be incorporated into probes adapted to work with at least one of a multiplicity of manufacturers' oximeters. The probe housings are adapted to matingly engage at least a disposable bandage apparatus and a reusable finger attachment device. A pulse oximeter system comprises a finger attachment device having first and second probe couplers, the first and second probe couplers are configured to be matingly engageable with probe housings of a pulse oximeter probe.

Abstract: Pulse oximeter apparatus and method comprising a reusable pulse oximeter probe and a disposable bandage. The bandage has receptacles for receiving and aligning the oximeter's light emitting diode and photocell detector.

Abstract: A system and method of standardizing modular probe housings so that the standardized probe housings may be incorporated into probes adapted to work with at least one of a multiplicity of manufacturers' oximeters. The probe housings are adapted to matingly engage at least a disposable bandage apparatus and a reusable finger attachment device. A sensor system for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient. A reusable probe sensor comprises a first housing element and a second housing element. The first housing element comprises at least one light emitter and the second housing element comprises at least one light detector. The first and second housing elements are movably coupled and configured to receive a disposable sensor shield. A disposable sensor shield comprises a first liner portion having a first aperture and a second liner portion having a second aperture. The first and second liner portions are configured to receive an appendage.