Abstract: A cargo module swapping system for an electronic short take-off and landing aerial vehicle, including an autonomously driven robotic vehicle for transporting and swapping cargo modules on an autonomous electric aircraft. The robotic vehicle has two or more robotic arms for controlled material handling and manipulation, each configured to install, remove, and replace cargo bins directly onto the aft end of a forward portion of a central fuselage of an electric short take-off and landing (ESTOL) aircraft. The cargo bins are configured to function as the aft portion of the aircraft central fuselage.

Abstract: An electrically powered STOL aircraft having dedicated motors energized to deploy movable landing gear driven to propel short takeoffs and to actively rotate downwardly to engage the runway surface as the aircraft approaches touchdown on landing. The front and rear landing gear, or both, may be powered and actuated in the landing process with braking to shorten the landing distance, each driven landing gear wheel having a dedicated electric motor and coaxial brake.

Abstract: An electrically powered STOL aircraft having dedicated motors energized to deploy movable landing gear driven to propel short takeoffs and to actively rotate downwardly to engage the runway surface as the aircraft approaches touchdown on landing. The front and rear landing gear, or both, may be powered and actuated in the landing process with braking to shorten the landing distance, each driven landing gear wheel having a dedicated electric motor and coaxial brake. The landing gear modules are configured and controllable to differentially deploy downwardly so as to enable countersteering during taxi maneuvers and turns.

Abstract: An electrically powered STOL aircraft having dedicated motors energized to deploy movable landing gear driven to propel short takeoffs and to actively rotate downwardly to engage the runway surface as the aircraft approaches touchdown on landing. The front and rear landing gear, or both, may be powered and actuated in the landing process with braking to shorten the landing distance, each driven landing gear wheel having a dedicated electric motor and coaxial brake.

Abstract: An electrically powered STOL aircraft having dedicated motors energized to deploy movable landing gear driven to propel short takeoffs and to actively rotate downwardly to engage the runway surface as the aircraft approaches touchdown on landing. The front and rear landing gear, or both, may be powered and actuated in the landing process with braking to shorten the landing distance, each driven landing gear wheel having a dedicated electric motor and coaxial brake. The landing gear modules are configured and controllable to differentially deploy downwardly so as to enable countersteering during taxi maneuvers and turns.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for instilling fluid into a patient having an intestinal stoma so as to administer an antegrade colonic enema. The portable instillation apparatus comprising in combination: a fluid reservoir, a pump assembly, a control module, a fluid delivery tube and an intestinal stoma catheter wherein the control module is operable to automatically deliver a predetermined volume of instillation fluid at a specific flow rate and pressure range suitable for a particular patient. The portable instillation apparatus utilities a gear pump manifold and a robust empty reservoir detection mechanism, facilitating the portability, durability and reliability of the apparatus over-coming the disadvantages of traditional peristaltic pump mechanisms. The portable instillation apparatus maximizes the ease of transport and use of the device while also enabling a method for a patient to self-administer an antegrade colonic enema within a short time period and without intervention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for aspirating liquids from surfaces particularly during medical procedures. Apparatus for removing liquid from a surface in the region of a medical procedure such as an operating room floor responsive to a drawn vacuum of preselected magnitude includes a plenum with an interior volume defined by an elongated box element with a plurality of supports member integral thereto or by an elongated tube, the plenum being perforated so as the exterior of the plenum is in direct liquid communication with the interior of the plenum, an absorptive wicking pad secured to the plenum so as to cover the perforations, an a vacuum conduit tube in direct vacuum communication with a vacuum collection system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for instilling fluid into a patient having an intestinal stoma thereby administering an antegrade colonic enema. The portable instillation apparatus comprising in combination: a fluid reservoir, a pump assembly, a control module, a fluid delivery line and an intestinal stoma catheter wherein the control module is operable to automatically stop fluid delivery to the intestinal stoma after a predetermined volume of fluid has been instilled at a predetermined flow rate and pressure range suitable for a particular patient. The portable instillation apparatus incorporates a unique gear pump manifold facilitating the portability, durability and reliability of the apparatus overcoming the disadvantages of traditional peristaltic pump mechanisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for instilling fluid into a patient having an intestinal stoma thereby administering an antegrade colonic enema. The portable instillation apparatus comprising in combination: a fluid reservoir, a pump assembly, a control module, a fluid delivery line and an intestinal stoma catheter wherein the control module is operable to automatically stop fluid delivery to the intestinal stoma after a predetermined volume of fluid has been instilled at a predetermined flow rate and pressure range suitable for a particular patient. The portable instillation apparatus incorporates a unique gear pump manifold facilitating the portability, durability and reliability of the apparatus overcoming the disadvantages of traditional peristaltic pump mechanisms.

Abstract: An automated instillation apparatus and method for instilling fluid into a patient having an intestinal stoma thereby administering an antegrade colonic enema. The automated instillation apparatus comprising in combination: a fluid reservoir, a pump, a pump control module, a fluid delivery line and an intestinal stoma catheter wherein the pump control module is operable to automatically stop fluid delivery to the intestinal stoma after a predetermined volume of fluid has been instilled at a predetermined flow rate and pressure range suitable for the particular patient. The automated instillation apparatus is optionally battery powered and of a size and weight suitable for carrying on a person.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for aspirating liquids from surfaces particularly during medical procedures. Apparatus for removing liquid from a surface in the region of a medical procedure such as an operating room floor responsive to a drawn vacuum of preselected magnitude includes a plenum with an interior volume defined by an elongated box element with a plurality of supports member integral thereto or by an elongated tube, the plenum being perforated so as the exterior of the plenum is in direct liquid communication with the interior of the plenum, an absorptive wicking pad secured to the plenum so as to cover the perforations, an a vacuum conduit tube in direct vacuum communication with a vacuum collection system.

Abstract: The present invention is a two-piece bicycle crank set comprising of two monolithic, thin-wall continuous tubular members. Each tubular member includes a crank arm and a one-half portion of a crank axle, where the crank arm and the portion of the crank axle form a continuous thin-wall tubular shape. The two tubular members are coupled precisely midway between two bearing sets within a bracket shell of a bicycle. The coupling connecting the two tubular members can include an outer sleeve, an inner sleeve, two exteriorly tapered and internally threaded bushings and a threaded stud. Turning the threaded stud positions the bushings to expand the inner sleeve, whereby the crank axle portions of the two tubular members are secured within the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve by the expanding inner sleeve. Alternatively, an interference fit coupling connects the two tubular members, and includes a mortise member and a tenon member.

Abstract: A radiolucent spine support frame has independently adjustable supports and other features making the frame easy to use, maintain and transport and embraces a support having a radiolucent base on which are mounted four independently adjustable supports having gel cushions on top of each support to contact the patient's body and support the patient during surgical or medical procedures, especially back surgery or x-ray examination of the spine.

Abstract: A radiolucent iliac crest support frame for supporting the iliac crest of a person and maintaining the person's spine in a substantially straight horizontal position is disclosed. The support frame comprises a radiolucent sheet, means for causing the sheet to grip the horizontal surface when the sheet is placed on the surface, means for supporting the iliac crest of a person above the sheet and for maintaining the person's spine in a substantially straight horizontal position, and means for adjustably attaching the supporting means to the radiolucent sheet. The supporting means preferably are two oblong radiolucent pillows adjustably attached to the sheet by means of fastener pads and strips whereby the position of the pillows can be adjusted to accommodate patients of different sizes.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, particularly suited for arthroscopic surgery, for cutting tissue located at an interior site within the body of a patient. The instrument includes a body or handle portion from which an elongated stem extends. A blade is located at the free end of the stem. The blade includes a generally elongated cutting edge portion which extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the instrument. Motor means is provided within the body portion for effecting the oscillation (reciprocal pivoting) of the cutting edge portion with respect to the body portion about the longitudinal axis through a small arc, e.g. 20.degree.-25.degree.. A retractable/extendable shroud (sheath) is provided to cover the blade and stem to enable the blade end of the instrument to be readily inserted into the body of the patient through a small opening while preventing exposure of any surrounding tissue to the blade. The shroud is retractable to expose the blade when cutting is desired.