Abstract: An oscillatory positive expiratory pressure respiratory therapy device which may be incorporated into the expiratory limb of a ventilator circuit. Accordingly, this device allows a patient on a ventilator to be subjected to positive expiratory pressure (PEP) therapy combined with airway oscillation and intermittent air flow acceleration while allowing the oscillatory PEP respiratory therapy treatment to be bypassed without interrupting the integrity of the ventilating circuit once the device has been installed in the ventilator circuit. In this manner, all expiratory air in the ventilator circuit is accounted for, the expiratory air volume may be accurately monitored and the ventilator circuit does not have to be broken for insertion or removal of the device.

Abstract: An enhanced PEP therapy device which provides a variable frequency and variable magnitude positive expiratory pressure by utilizing a nonlinear orifice for adjusting and maintaining a desired positive expiratory pressure oscillation in accordance with a predetermined pressure range of a patient's expiratory air.

Abstract: A rivet setting tool is provided with a quick connect jaw guide assembly and nose housing. The quick connect feature allows for quicker easier disassembly and assembly of the jaw guide assembly and nose housing for cleaning and general maintenance.

Abstract: A method includes the steps of providing fixed and movable cutting jaws for a surgical instrument, the fixed jaw having an opening in which the movable jaw is receivable; providing a fixture; placing the fixed jaw on the fixture; supporting the movable jaw on the fixture for pivotal movement relative to the fixture at a location spaced apart from the fixed jaw; pivoting the movable jaw relative to the fixture to a stop position; and grinding the movable jaw to reduce the length of the movable jaw so that the movable jaw fits within the opening in the fixed jaw.

Abstract: A surgical instrument (10) includes a handle (12), a rigid stem section (20) extending from the handle, and a flexible stem section (24) extending from the rigid stem section. A surgical tool (30) connected with a distal end of the flexible stem section (24) includes a movable part (34). The flexible stem section (24) comprises a plurality of relatively pivotable vertebrae (120-129) extending along the flexible stem section and an extension spring (150) extending axially through the plurality of vertebrae for transmitting axial load between the surgical tool (30) and the rigid stem section (20). An actuator cable (180) extends through the extension spring (150) and is connected with the movable tool part (34) for applying force to the movable tool part to move the movable tool part relative to the flexible stem section (24). The extension spring (150) carries the axial load on the flexible stem section (24).

Abstract: A surgical instrument (10) includes a handle (12), a rigid stem section (20) extending from the handle, and a flexible stem section (24) extending from the rigid stem section. A surgical tool (30) connected with a distal end of the flexible stem section (24) includes a fixed part (32) fixed for movement with the distal end of the flexible stem section (24) and a movable part (34) supported on the fixed part for pivotal movement. The instrument (10) includes a flexible actuator cable (180) having a first end portion (184) movable by an actuator member on the handle, an intermediate portion extending through the flexible stem section, and a second end portion (182) extending through a passage (248) in the movable part (34) and soldered in the passage. The flexible actuator cable (180) transmits force from the actuator member to the movable part (34) to effect pivotal movement of the movable part.

Abstract: An aerated mixture of unflavored ice cream, yogurt or other food base mix is applied to one end of the interior of an elongated freezing chamber and is advanced along the chamber by a rotating screw or auger. As the mix is advanced within the chamber, it is cooled and worked to form a semi-solid product. Prior to discharge from the remote end of the chamber, flavor is injected and mixed into the product. The free volume in the system from chamber inlet to the discharge point is carefully limited to a minimum amount so that most of the product is cleared from the system during each individual serving. The result is the availability of individual servings of a fresh, high-quality frozen food product.

Abstract: A surgical instrument (10) includes a handle (12), a rigid stem section (20) extending from the handle, and a flexible stem section (24) extending from the rigid stem section. A surgical tool (30) connected with a distal end of the flexible stem section (24) includes a movable part (34). The flexible stem section (24) comprises a bendable outer tubular member (50) and a bendable inner tubular member (90) slidable within the outer tubular member. The inner tubular member (90) has a neutral axis of bending (100) spaced apart from the neutral axis of bending (68) of the outer tubular member (50). The flexible stem section (24) is movable between a plurality of orientations relative to an axis (48) in response to relative sliding movement between the inner and outer tubular members (90, 50).

Abstract: A dispenser product supply unit includes a pressurizable container for containing a product liquid and having an opening leading into one end of a conduit. Formed integrally in the conduit is a mixing chamber at which a gas may be added to the liquid followed by an elongated turbulence tube for causing turbulent flow of the mixed fluids. The opposite end of the conduit may be coupled to a distribution manifold that can distribute the aerated liquid issuing from the turbulence tube onto a surface as a relatively thin layer. Side branches from the conduit may also be present for introducing one or more additives into the fluid flowing through the conduit. The container conduit and side branches constitute an integral disposable structure. The unit is especially suitable for producing and distributing flavored ice cream and yogurt from associated dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for at least partially freezing a food product which is at least partly liquid in a batch mode is disclosed including a double screw extruder (12) including first and second, substantially intermeshing, self-wiping screws (14, 16) rotatably received in a figure 8-shaped barrel (30) with minimal clearance. In the preferred form, the freezing block (20) includes multiple refrigerant channels (36) spaced closely and in the most preferred form spaced approximately 0.32 centimeters from the barrel (30) and from each other. Thus, the refrigeration system can change the barrel surface temperature rapidly and specifically in approximately one second when the food product is introduced into the barrel (30). A ratio between the radius of the flight (40) at the crest (42) to the radius at the root (38) of the screws (14, 16) is in the order of 1.04 to reduce the total amount of product in the barrel (30) at any given time and decreasing the product residence time in the extruder (12).

Abstract: The vehicle safety seat supports an occupant and includes structure interconnecting the seat and the vehicle. The interconnecting structure is adapted to constrain the seat, upon vehicle deceleration, to follow a trajectory with respect to the vehicle which substantially minimizes a cost function associated with occupant injury. In a preferred embodiment, the structure constrains the mass center and seat angle to follow trajectories which substantially minimize primarily forward motion of the occupant in the vehicle frame of reference.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing casings from sausages having a frame, and a conduit extending within the frame through which a string of linked sausages are longitudinally moved. A knife means is pivotally mounted in the longitudinal path of the linked sausages and is capable of moving into the recessed portions of the string existing between adjacent ends of the linked product to sever the casing material in that area. A spin jump paddle is pivotally and transversely mounted in the path of the string of sausages downstream from the knife element so that the casings will pass thereover. The paddle has a width greater than its thickness and will rotate from a flat position to a vertical position depending on the portion of a linked product that is passing thereover. The casing material being removed from the linked product passes over the paddle and downwardly to a pair of gripping rolls. Steam is injected into the conduit and diverted through the length thereof to loosen the casing material from the cooked product.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting a plurality of substantially identical parts has a holding bin having a volume for holding a plurality of substantially identical parts and an opening for releasing some of the parts; a spring-mass system for translating the parts forward; a channel having a width of approximately nx, where n is an integer greater than one and x is the width of a characteristic dimension of the parts based on a preferred orientation due to translation of the parts; and a fluted chute having n rounded bottom, downwardly extending, diverging flutes each of a width of at least x, for separating remaining stacked parts and dividing a single plane of parts into n one dimensional lines of parts, such that the parts may be individually handled.