Abstract: A heated scooping device provides efficient handling of dense comestibles. The device comprises a head portion having a bowl section and rim. The head portion may be affixed to a handle portion extending from the head portion. A heating means including a heating unit and heating element supplies electricity to rim portion fashioned with the heating element. Power is supplied to the heating means via a power means found in the device. A retainer positioned between the bowl section and heating element stabilizes and isolates the heating element from the bowl section. A method for manufacturing a heated scooping device includes affixing a handle portion to a head portion having a bowl section and rim, providing a heating means to heat a portion of the rim, and positioning a retainer between the bowl section and the heating element for electrically and thermally isolating the heating element from the bowl section.

Abstract: An intubation device utilizes a steerable endotracheal tube guide to position an endotracheal tube at a laryngeal opening, and is also configured for soft tissue retraction to improve visualization of the laryngeal opening. An ETT is positioned within an overtube of intubation device having proximal and distal ends and a flexible tip. The distal end houses a feeder mechanism for displacing the endotracheal tube through the overtube. A hood includes a stem, base, and expandable body and is affixed to the overtube's distal end. The ETT-containing overtube is precisely positioned at a laryngeal opening via positioning effects of body expansion, activation of a tip director, and/or flexible tip articulation. Unhindered visualization of the laryngeal opening is achieved by expansion of the expandable body, pushing soft tissue outwardly and extensibly. An actuation module controls the feeder mechanism as well as the flexible tip to position flexible tip and endotracheal tube.

Abstract: A heated scooping device provides efficient handling of dense comestibles. The device comprises a head portion having a bowl section and rim. The head portion may be affixed to a handle portion extending from the head portion. A heating means including a heating unit and heating element supplies electricity to rim portion fashioned with the heating element. Power is supplied to the heating means via a power means found in the device. A retainer positioned between the bowl section and heating element stabilizes and isolates the heating element from the bowl section. A method for manufacturing a heated scooping device includes affixing a handle portion to a head portion having a bowl section and rim, providing a heating means to heat a portion of the rim, and positioning a retainer between the bowl section and the heating element for electrically and thermally isolating the heating element from the bowl section.

Abstract: An airway device facilitates the insertion of an ETT into a patient, the delivery of oxygenated air into a patient, an exchange of the pre-inserted ETT in an intubated patient, and an evaluation of the larynx and trachea in an intubated patient, The device comprises an overtube having a mask section attached to a distal portion of the overtube. An inflatable bladder affixed to the mask section includes a shape and surface configured to seamlessly contact the circumference of the elliptical construction of the laryngeal opening. Once the inflatable bladder is positioned adjacent the laryngeal opening enhanced sealing properties are created so that the axis of the airflow entering the device matches the axis of the trachea, allowing for the improved delivery of oxygenated air into the patient's lungs. The specific utilization of the bladder allows for the device to be constructed smaller than a typical airway device, which may more easily facilitate the insertion process.

Abstract: An intubation device utilizes a steerable endotracheal tube guide, a novel mechanism to automatically position an endotracheal tube at the laryngeal opening, and a novel system for soft tissue retraction to improve visualization of the laryngeal opening. An ETT is positioned within an overtube having proximal and distal ends and a flexible tip. The distal end houses a feeder mechanism for displacing the endotracheal tube through the overtube. A hood includes a stem, base, and expandable body, and may be affixed to the overtube's distal end. The ETT-containing overtube is precisely positioned at a laryngeal opening via positioning effects of body expansion, activation of a tip director, and/or flexible tip articulation. Unhindered visualization of the laryngeal opening is achieved by the expandable body, pushing the soft tissue outwardly and extensibly. An actuation module controls the feeder mechanism as well as the flexible tip to position flexible tip and endotracheal tube.

Abstract: Dispensers and methods of illuminating the same are provided. In one aspect, a dispenser includes a translucent cover, a light source, and a housing including a base and four sidewalls extending from the base forming a chamber adapted to contain at least one piece of office supplies. The translucent cover connects with the housing and overlies the chamber. The translucent cover includes a top surface, a bottom surface opposed to the top surface, and an edge surface between the top and bottom surfaces. The light source is mounted adjacent the edge surface. The light source is aimed at the edge surface such that light emitted by the light source is directed through the edge surface in order to illuminate the translucent cover. In another aspect, a method of illuminating a dispenser includes directing light from a powered light source through an edge surface of a translucent cover of the dispenser.

Abstract: A surface mount LED for attaching an LED to a substrate using a conventional reflow soldering technique. The surface mount LED according to this invention includes an LED and a holder. The LED includes a plurality of leads. The holder supports the LED and includes a plurality of feet arranged at approximately equal intervals around the perimeter of a base of the holder. Each lead is wrapped around a respective foot. The resulting wrapped lead forms a contact point corresponding with a solder pad layout for attaching the surface mount LED to a substrate.

Abstract: A surface mount LED for attaching an LED to a substrate using a conventional reflow soldering technique. The surface mount LED according to this invention includes an LED and a holder. The LED includes a plurality of leads. The holder supports the LED and includes a plurality of feet arranged at approximately equal intervals around the perimeter of a base of the holder. Each lead is wrapped around a respective foot. The resulting wrapped lead forms a contact point corresponding with a solder pad layout for attaching the surface mount LED to a substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacture for a light source housing apparatus. The housing is insert molded around a plurality of electrically separated leads and defines a cavity. A portion of each lead is exposed along a bottom surface of the housing. Two or more leads have terminal portions near a rear surface of the housing. A lead, which can be used to protect against electrostatic discharge, is also mounted along a front face of the housing and terminates at a ring portion which defines an opening that is aligned with the cavity. The opening of the ring portion is preferably sized and shaped to correspond to an outer peripheral surface of a lens, lightpipe or other optical media, so that the lens can be inserted through the ring portion and into the cavity. A light source, such as an LED, is mounted within a cutout of the housing. The housing is manufactured using lead sets each having pre-formed leads indexed by a leadframe through an injection mold to form the housing around each lead set.

Abstract: A pulverizer device is provided for pulverizing food, garbage and the like. The pulverizer includes a housing with a centrally disposed, rotatable shaft carrying a plurality of cutting and grinding stages which cooperate with opposingly mounted cutting and grinding counterparts to sequentially pulverize the material. In order to accommodate a simple to manufacture and easily adjustable modification of the pulverizer device so as to be usable with both garbage and the grinding of certain food stuffs such as grain and spices, there is provided a manually adjustable annular ring mounted at the lowest stage of the pulverizer. A handle protrudes outwardly through a housing wall slot to accommodate rotation of the ring to effectively raise and lower the same to engage and disengage the last pulverizing stage.

Abstract: A subject rebreathes an inert aerosol from a closed system and, during each of a plurality of breaths, the aerosol concentration in the closed system is determined and compared to determine differences with a predetermined concentration value. Identified differences indicating enhanced aerosol deposition signify airway narrowing and/or an increase in accumulated airway secretions.