Abstract: A stethoscope protective-sleeve cartridge system of the invention includes a cartridge for mounting to a stethoscope, and for dispensing a protective sleeve into which a head of a stethoscope is placed. The cartridge includes a housing and a plurality of protective sleeves positioned in the housing. The housing defines an interior space and includes an opening through which the protective sleeves are drawn. Each sleeve includes a leading end, a trailing end, an interior, and an opening at a location between the leading and trailing ends. The stethoscope head is passed through the sleeve opening and into a portion of the interior of the sleeve.

Abstract: A vacuum splint device for securely immobilizing an injured limb or other body part. The device includes a plurality of T-shaped straps for insertion through slots on the sleeve of the device. Each strap may be folded over the slots and back upon itself to fasten the end of the strap to the device. The sleeve of the device includes a plurality of particles that are initially separated by air to allow for the device to be flexible. Once placed on the injured body part, the air may be removed from the device using an intake/exhaust valve tube assembly to compress the particles together to form a substantially rigid sleeve. A filter on the valve tube assembly ensures that the particles remain within the sleeve. Once the air is removed from the device, a clamp may be used on the tube of the valve tube assembly to prevent any air from flowing into the tube. Upon removal of the device from the injured limb, the straps may be removed from the device for replacement or washing.

Abstract: The invention in its broadest form includes a device for inverting a cover with a predetermined weight from a horizontal position to an inverted position, the device comprising a crane for lifting the cover; at least two pivotable brackets each attached to both the cover and the crane and positioned to suspend a substantial amount of the weight of the cover for pivoting the cover; and a cable attached to the cover at one end and to the crane at its other end and positioned to suspend a nominal amount of the weight of the cover for supporting the cover.

Abstract: A spent fuel storage cask for long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel following short-term storage in a pool of water. The cask includes a grid basket assembly, resembling a matrix of pigeonholes, for accommodating cells which in turn accommodate spent fuel assemblies. The grid basket assembly is formed by metal plates which transmit heat to channel sections affixed to the interior walls of the cask. The edges of the plates movably fit into the channel sections in order to permit radial movement of the grid basket assembly with respect to the walls of the cask as temperature changes. During storage the cask can be flooded with helium, which readily transmits heat through narrow gaps between the edges of the plates and the walls of the channel sections. Several embodiments of cells having material for moderating neutrons emitted from spent fuel assemblies are also enclosed, some of these embodiments permitting easy conversion of the cask for storing consolidated fuel rather than intact fuel assemblies.

Abstract: A cask for storing spent nuclear fuel after removal from a pool of water includes a container with a cylindrical cavity and a basket which is inserted into the container. The basket includes disk-like grid assemblies which provide spent fuel storage slots and which are coaxially mounted at spaced-apart positions, each grid assembly having a diameter that is slightly less than the one above it. If fuel assemblies are to be stored, hollow cells are affixed to one of the grid assemblies and positioned in the others by heat-conducting wedges which permit the basket and cells to expand at different rates. Rings which project slightly into the interior of the container are provided on the container walls, each ring being positioned to be in alignment with the periphery of a corresponding grid assembly after the basket is inserted into the container.