Abstract: A panel construction system includes a plurality of rails and a plurality of panels. Each rail has a longitudinally-extending base with opposing longitudinally-extending L-shaped sides coupled to at least a portion of the base to thereby define a longitudinally-extending T-shaped channel. Each panel defines a longitudinally-extending T-shaped channel that is recessed within an outer surface of the panel at one end thereof and extends from the outer surface at an opposing end of the panel. One or more of the panels can incorporate at least one auxiliary-function feature such as solar energy conversion features.

Abstract: The invention is a combination device for long-term intravenous therapy comprising an outer sheath 11 and an inner catheter 15. The outer sheath 11 is permanently implanted in the patient allowing repeated or continuous access to the venous system. Inner catheter 15 is inserted into the outer sheath and comprises several conventional configurations such as single lumen, dual lumen, depending on the particular therapy. When therapy is complete, or when needed to avoid blockage by clotting or infection resulting from contamination, the inner catheter may be removed. When the inner catheter 15 is not in place, the sheath 11 is sealed at the proximal or skin-surface end by cap 16. The cap provides a flat, inconspicuous surface which may be covered with a small bandage. In this configuration, the patient is also protected from injury in that the likelihood of physical damage to protruding hardware is minimized.

Abstract: A slotted, partially-flared, cylindrically shaped core 12 is mounted inside a tubularly-shaped sleeve 20 with a flared end portion 16 extending out the end of the sleeve 20. A flexible needle 24, which is longer than either the core or the sleeve, is held in each of the core slots 18 by the sleeve, but is allowed freedom of longitudinal movement. Threads 32 attached to the needles are inserted through a wall of a tubular body duct by inserting the flared end portion of the core into the body duct and then forcing the needles to move longitudinally in the slots against the flared end portion so that they bend radially outwardly through the walls of the body duct.