Abstract: An orthopaedic brace for the upper limb comprising a mounting member adapted to be fastened to the torso of a patient, an arm support pivotally mounted on the mounting member for movement about vertical and horizontal axes, and an adjustment mechanism for raising and lowering the arm support about the horizontal axis to enable the shoulder joint of the patient to be abducted over a continuous range from a low abduction angle to a high adduction angle and adducted over a continuous range from a high abduction angle to a low abduction angle.

Abstract: A surgical dressing adapted for fastening around orthopaedic fixator pins and similarly shaped surgical devices adjacent their sites of entry to and exit from the body, comprises a pad of resilient and absorbent material adapted to be folded around one or more fixator pins in apposition to the sites of entry and/or exit from the body; a friction member to be interposed between the pad and the fixator pins to inhibit movement of the pad along the fixator pins; and a clip adapted to be fastened around the fixator pins and at least a part of the resilient pad to clamp the pad in position around the pins.

Abstract: An orthopaedic body jacket including a semi-rigid thermoplastic shell adapted to be fitted and fastened around the abdomen of a patient. The shell has a constricted waist portion and outwardly flared upper and lower portions. An integrally moulded lateral portion extends upwardly from the flared lower portion and has an upper end protruding outwardly a substantial distance from the constricted waist portion. The lateral portion has a vertically-extending externally-facing channel that opens laterally outwardly from the shell and provides a straight, outwardly-facing planar surface for mounting an orthotic component in any of a plurality of positions of vertical adjustment.

Abstract: A coring tool comprises a core cutting section and an actuating section disposed thereabove. The core cutting section includes axially telescoping outer and inner barrels. The inner barrel includes a jaw carrier which carries pivotable core-catching jaws normally covered along their radially inner sides by a driver sleeve. When the driver sleeve is raised by the actuator section the jaws are uncovered. Thereafter, the driver sleeve raises the jaw carrier to bring the jaws into contact with a stationary inclined jaw-deflecting surface to force the jaws laterally inwardly through the core. The actuator section relies upon fluid pressure to release for movement a vertically risible member which is mechanically lifted by a drill string to transmit vertical forces to the driver sleeve from a drill string.

Abstract: An orthopaedic hinge mechanism has a body with at least one pivot and at least one hinge arm mounted thereon and having two cam abutment stops which arise from the said hinge arm either side of and close to the pivot.Screw adjustment means are housed in threaded holes in the hinge body in the plane of the hinge arms and may be driven down to impinge on the cam abutment stops. The plane of the operating surfaces of the cam abutment stops is at right angles to the axis of the motion limiting screws. The mechanism provides limiting and locking possibilities over a clinically useful range.

Abstract: An orthopaedic and orthotic bi-pivotal hinge assembly having a hinge body and a pair of coplanar and independently-pivotal hinge arms. The proximal end portions of the hinge arms are disposed within the hinge body and have planar abutment surfaces that face in the same direction and are disposed immediately adjacent each other when the arms are in full extension. Continuously variable extension control is achieved by an adjuster screw carried by the hinge body that is engageable with both of said planar abutment surfaces of said arms.

Abstract: A cystometric device for use in the diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence caused by detrusor instability. The device includes an opaque, vertically-elongated, rigid body of substantially uniform cross section throughout its length having a vertically-extending channel along its front face and a pair of similar channels along its rear face. The channels are of incomplete circular cross section and receive flexible transparent tubing utilized in the circuitry of the cystometric system. Because of the configuration and opacity of the bady, the tubing retained in the front channel can be observed from the front of the device while the tubing received in the rear channels is concealed from view.

Abstract: A modular bracing system has a relatively small number of elements adapted so that some or all of them may be easily connected to make a variety of braces for the lower limb in the first instance. Lateral and medial calf and thigh shells have central recesses along their entire inner surface with holes at regular pitches. Shells have embossed cut lines across their width to aid accurate fitting. Hip, knee and ankle hinges have arms with corresponding widths, thicknesses and holes so that they may be received intimately into the shell recesses in a variety of positions. By this means, the length of braces and orthoses so formed may be adapted for patients of widely varying height. Wraps made of thin foam covered with pile fabric are embossed with cutting patterns for easy customizing of the braces. Wraps lie under the appropriate shells to render the brace comfortable to wear without inducing relative movement between wearer and brace and the entire unit is secured in place with straps.

Abstract: An oilfield pressure gauge carrier for use in supporting pressure gauges on a string of pipe in a wellbore including an elongated carrier with a through bore and outer surface recesses for receiving one or more pressure gauges. A pressure gauge is attached to an outer surface for vertical movement in the event of an applied shock force and provided with spring damping devices at either end to absorb shock effects. A restricted flow passageway to the pressure gauge inhibits application of hydraulic surges to the pressure gauge.

Abstract: The head plate has a rectangular body with a central portion. The connecting portion of the flexible hinge part is integral with the central portion or the central portion is provided with a recess or slot into which the connecting portion is received. The upper and lower surfaces of the central portion of the body are substantially continuous and uninterrupted so as to provide maximum surface area for bonding to the casting material layers. The upper and lower surfaces may be provided with teeth or splines to increase the area of the bonding surfaces. In one embodiment, the head plate is provided with parallel spaced grooves on either side of the central portion to permit the head plate to move accurately to conform to the contours of the body of the patient.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a seal or bearing lubricating system adapted for use in a downhole tool such as a drilling motor includes chamber means packed with grease for lubricating said seal and/or bearing, and centrifugal separator means responsive to rotation of a shaft included in said tool for separating and trapping solid particles suspended in the well fluids to prevent contamination of the grease by such solid particles. Pressure equalization across a principal rotating shaft seal also is disclosed.

Abstract: Drilling head incorporating downwardly facing lip type bearing seals, stationary seal cartridge for head seal, rotating replaceable seal bushing for head seal, and optional screw connection for removable side outlet.

Abstract: The catheter includes an inner tubular member and an outer sleeve member into which the inner tubular member is freely movably received. The inner tubular member has a section with calibrated markings. The calibrated section is spaced from the end adapted to be received in the urethra, by a distance equal to the length of the outer sleeve member. The outer sleeve member has an outwardly flared end adapted to be situated adjacent the external urethral meatus. The non-flared end of the sleeve member is used as a pointer against the calibrated markings to determine the length of the urethra.

Abstract: The head plate has a rectangular body with a central portion. The connecting portion of the flexible hinge part is integral with the central portion or the central portion is provided with a recess or slot into which the connecting portion is received. The upper and lower surfaces of the central portion of the body are substantially continuous and uninterrupted so as to provide maximum surface area for bonding to the casting material layers. The upper and lower surfaces may be provided with teeth or splines to increase the area of the bonding surfaces.

Abstract: A lubricator valve apparatus adapted for use when running wireline tools into an offshore well during a production test of the well. The valve includes a valve body having a central flow passage and a ball valve element for opening and closing the passage, hydraulically operable means responsive to surface-controlled pressure for opening and closing the ball valve, latch means for releasably holding the ball valve in both the open and the closed positions, and bypass valve means for equalizing pressures across the ball valve prior to opening thereof and arranged in response to pressure applied at the surface to the production pipe to be opened to provide a flow path for well control fluids.

Abstract: A drilling head includes a tubular body with top, bottom and side openings. An oriented side outlet with an oriented replaceable bushing is releasably connected to the side opening. The head without the side outlet will pass through most rotary tables.A top closure closes the annulus between a portion of the head above the side opening and a drive tube such as a kelly extending through the head. The top closure includes a rotor, adapted to form a non-rotating seal with the kelly, and a stator, with a rotating seal between the stator and rotor. The stator is supported on and releasably connected to the body. The rotor includes a seal tube rotatably supported by inboard bearings on the stator located above the rotating seal. The top closure is small enough to pass through even rotary tables that are too small to pass the drilling head.

Abstract: A drilling head includes a tubular body with top, bottom and side openings.A top closure closes the annulus between a portion of the head above the side opening and a drive tube such as a kelly extending through the head. The top closure includes a rotor, adapted to form a non-rotating seal with the kelly, and a stator, with a rotating seal between the stator and rotor. The stator is supported on and releasably connected to the body. The rotor includes a seal tube rotatably supported by inboard bearings on the stator located above the rotating seal.The seal tube has a replaceable rubber stripper to seal with the kelly. An upwardly flaring medial flange on the stripper guides upwardly flowing annulus fluid toward the side opening and away from the rotating seal.The rotor includes an elastomer sandwich drive bushing, rising above the stator into the rotary table, splined to the seal tube and secured to the kelly by slips.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a new and improved valve system for retaining production fluids in the subsea production pipe upon disconnection of the riser from the subsea wellhead during a production test of an offshore well includes a normally closed valve releasably connected to a normally open valve. The normally open valve can be hydraulically closed from a remote control station upon disconnection of the riser in order to retain fluids in the production pipe thereabove, and when closed will hold pressure in either longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A lubricator valve apparatus adapted for use when running wireline tools into an offshore well during a production test of the well. The valve includes a valve body having a central flow passage and a ball valve element for opening and closing the passage, hydraulically operable means responsive to surface-controlled pressure for opening and closing the ball valve, latch means for releasably holding the ball valve in both the open and the closed positions, and bypass valve means for equalizing pressures across the ball valve prior to opening thereof and arranged in the event hydraulic control of the ball valve is lost to be opened in response to pressure applied at the surface to the production pipe to provide a flow path for well control fluids.

Abstract: A kelly cock assembly adapted for connection within a tubular drill string above or below the kelly joint for controlling the flow of fluids through the drill string, wherein an electrical conductor means is provided for detachable interconnection with one or more electrical cables provided in the drill string for uninterrupted transportation of electrical energy between a location at the surface and a subsurface location without interferring with fluid flow control by the valve means of the assembly.