Abstract: A surgical station (50), including a patient support base (300) and an operation platform (60), wherein the patient support base is adapted for mounting on a patient bed. The operation platform includes a first platform portion (100) and a second platform portion (200). The second platform portion is moveably connected to said first platform portion such that said first and second platform portions are moveable between a preparation configuration and an operation configuration. The first and second platform portions collectively form a support platform surface (115/215) for supporting the hands of an operator in the operation configuration, such that the operator can operate catheters, guide wires or other surgical instruments with stable hands during surgical operation, wherein said first platform portion is mounted on said patient support base.

Abstract: A surgical station (50), including a patient support base (300) and an operation platform (60), wherein the patient support base is adapted for mounting on a patient bed. The operation platform includes a first platform portion (100) and a second platform portion (200). The second platform portion is moveably connected to said first platform portion such that said first and second platform portions are moveable between a preparation configuration and an operation configuration. The first and second platform portions collectively form a support platform surface (115/215) for supporting the hands of an operator in the operation configuration, such that the operator can operate catheters, guide wires or other surgical instruments with stable hands during surgical operation, wherein said first platform portion is mounted on said patient support base.

Abstract: A surgical station (50), including a patient support base (300) and an operation platform (60), wherein the patient support base is adapted for mounting on a patient bed. The operation platform includes a first platform portion (100) and a second platform portion (200). The second platform portion is moveably connected to said first platform portion such that said first and second platform portions are moveable between a preparation configuration and an operation configuration. The first and second platform portions collectively form a support platform surface (115/215) for supporting the hands of an operator in the operation configuration, such that the operator can operate catheters, guide wires or other surgical instruments with stable hands during surgical operation, wherein said first platform portion is mounted on said patient support base.

Abstract: A method and composition for administering a therapeutic composition to a lesion comprising about 20% to about 50% ethanol and other novel therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A surgical station (50), including a patient support base (300) and an operation platform (60), wherein the patient support base is adapted for mounting on a patient bed. The operation platform includes a first platform portion (100) and a second platform portion (200). The second platform portion is moveably connected to said first platform portion such that said first and second platform portions are moveable between a preparation configuration and an operation configuration. The first and second platform portions collectively form a support platform surface (115/215) for supporting the hands of an operator in the operation configuration, such that the operator can operate catheters, guide wires or other surgical instruments with stable hands during surgical operation, wherein said first platform portion is mounted on said patient support base.

Abstract: Footwear including a foot support member and a sole assembly, the sole assembly having a first end and a second end, comprising a plurality of separate insole segments attached to the foot support member for bending the sole assembly, an outsole portion forming the base of the sole assembly, and a plurality of springs engaged between the insole segments and the outsole portion. The springs are arranged in a continuous series across the sole assembly from the first end to the second end, such that the springs exert a constant rebounding force on and across the sole of a user in series throughout a pace cycle.

Abstract: A method for employing a pre-assembled drainage catheter assembly for the insertion of a drainage catheter percutaneously. The assembly includes a trocar, a cannula, a catheter stiffener, and a catheter. The drainage catheter assembly is operated between a pre-assembled condition, a first step condition and a second step condition. In the first step insertion the trocar and cannula are inserted into a patient's body for obtaining a specimen fluid before the catheter is inserted. In the second step the catheter is inserted for collecting fluid.

Abstract: A method and composition for administering a therapeutic agent to a lesion comprising a contrast/carrier agent and ethanol.

Abstract: A method for employing a pre-assembled drainage catheter assembly for the insertion of a drainage catheter percutaneously. The assembly includes a trocar, a cannula, a catheter stiffener, and a catheter. The drainage catheter assembly is operated between a pre-assembled condition, a first step condition and a second step condition. In the first step insertion the trocar and cannula are inserted into a patient's body for obtaining a specimen fluid before the catheter is inserted. In the second step the catheter is inserted for collecting fluid.

Abstract: A drainage catheter assembly for the insertion of a drainage catheter percutaneously includes a trocar, a cannula, a catheter stiffener, and a catheter. The trocar includes a distal pointed end, a proximal end, a uniform cross-sectional shape between the distal pointed end and the proximal end, and a means located at the proximal end for releasably connecting with a cannula. The cannula may include a distal end, a proximal end, a cannula lumen extending therethrough, and a means located at the proximal end for releasably connecting with the trocar and catheter stiffener. The catheter stiffener includes a distal end, a proximal end, a body portion comprising stiff material, a catheter stiffener lumen extending therethrough, and a means located at the proximal end for releasably connecting with the cannula and catheter. The elongated catheter includes a distal end containing a tapered tip, a proximal end, a catheter lumen extending therethrough, and a means for releasably connecting with the catheter stiffener.

Abstract: A modular aortic stent graft and a modular branched stent graft, expandable between a compressed condition and an expanded condition, for assembling with each other at the treatment area of an aneurysm. The aortic stent graft includes at least one axial opening for receiving a branched segment of the branched stent graft. The branched stent graft includes a branched segment extending from an aortic segment thereof. The aortic segment of the branched stent graft is disposed inside the aortic stent graft, while the branched segment is disposed through the opening of the aortic stent graft in the expanded condition. A set of aortic stent grafts and branched stent grafts are provided in various dimensions to cater the needs for different patients.

Abstract: Footwear including a foot support member and a sole assembly, the sole assembly having a first end and a second end, comprising a plurality of separate insole segments attached to the foot support member for bending the sole assembly, an outsole portion forming the base of the sole assembly, and a plurality of springs engaged between the insole segments and the outsole portion. The springs are arranged in a continuous series across the sole assembly from the first end to the second end, such that the springs exert a constant rebounding force on and across the sole of a user in series throughout a pace cycle.

Abstract: A whiplash restrainer for use by riders in vehicles, generally in conjunction with safety belts. A helmet-like device is secured, with reasonable freedom of motion of the rider's head, to a shock absorber by a joint device. The shock absorber is removeably secured to the vehicle seat back.

Abstract: A modular aortic stent graft and a modular branched stent graft, expandable between a compressed condition and an expanded condition, for assembling with each other at the treatment area of an aneurysm. The aortic stent graft includes at least one axial opening for receiving a branched segment of the branched stent graft. The branched stent graft includes a branched segment extending from an aortic segment thereof. The aortic segment of the branched stent graft is disposed inside the aortic stent graft, while the branched segment is disposed through the opening of the aortic stent graft in the expanded condition. A set of aortic stent grafts and branched stent grafts are provided in various dimensions to cater the needs for different patients.

Abstract: The umbrella having a shaft, a plurality of ribs movably engaged to the shaft, an umbrella cloth having a periphery and an internal surface attached on the ribs, and in addition, a strengthening member in form of a loop operatively associated to the internal surface of the umbrella cloth at a position adjacent to the periphery of the umbrella cloth. The size of the loop is smaller than the periphery of the umbrella cloth such that the strengthening member pulls the umbrella cloth against the ribs when the umbrella is open. The strengthening member reinforces the ribs against the upward force from the wind, and resists the ribs from flexing upward.

Abstract: A novel corer and grinder apparatus suitable for interplanetary travel and extraplanetary operation is disclosed. The corer grinder composes a claw element attached to a shaft coupled to a motor. A second motor compresses a spring forcing against a hammer unit that constitute the majority of the unit's mass. On release the energy stored in the compressed spring converts into momentum of the hammer unit that strikes against the claw element releasing the impact energy directly to the cutting end for cutting. The direction of the energy released is modified by an impact platform to produce a horizontal chipping action to aid cutting. The claw element further comprises a pair of semi-cylindrical claw elements that separate upon rotation of the shaft in a first direction, easing collection of core samples. The semi-cylindrical claw elements join upon rotation of the shaft in the opposite direction, thereby grasping the core sample during removal from the material being sampled.

Abstract: A novel corer and grinder apparatus suitable for interplanetary travel and extraplanetary operation is disclosed. The corer grinder composes a claw element attached to a shaft coupled to a motor. A second motor compresses a spring forcing against a hammer unit that constitute the majority of the unit's mass. On release the energy stored in the compressed spring converts into momentum of the hammer unit that strikes against the claw element releasing the impact energy directly to the cutting end for cutting. The direction of the energy released is modified by an impact platform to produce a horizontal chipping action to aid cutting. The claw element further comprises a pair of semi-cylindrical claw elements that separate upon rotation of the shaft in a first direction, easing collection of core samples. The semi-cylindrical claw elements join upon rotation of the shaft in the opposite direction, thereby grasping the core sample during removal from the material being sampled.