Abstract: A method for determining a relationship between biometric data and stimuli to reach a conclusion is disclosed. The method may include associating displayed stimuli with an identity label. The method may also include collecting biometric data relative to displayed stimuli. The method may further include attributing a rating to the displayed stimuli based on the biometric data. The method may additionally include associating the rating with the identity label.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes apparatus and methods for sensing electrical activity in tissue of a person in a manner which is substantially limits or eliminates interference from noise in a surrounding environment.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes determining a measurable characteristic of electrical activity in a user's brain and using the measurable characteristic to determine a present time emotional state of the user.

Abstract: A quantitative, objective method utilizing physiological data is provided for evaluating the modality of learning for a user and determining in which modality the user is most effective at learning. The method utilizes a session where the user is provided a set of information while wearing sensors for measuring physiological data such as brain electrical activity, and where the physiological data values are then correlated with learning modalities. The process can be performed quickly, without the bias and poor granularity of self-reported learning modality assessments. This method can be employed before the design of teaching curricula to ensure that learners are receiving information in the modality that suits them best and enables them to learn most effectively. This method may also be employed with a testing session to further correlate physiological data, learning modality, and testing performance.

Abstract: A toy for preparing frozen confectioneries comprising a base assembly, and a tray removably supported by the base assembly and having a pair of troughs. A cylinder assembly is rotatably supported by the base assembly and has pair of cylinders rotatably positioned in the pair of troughts. The toy also has a cover assembly supported by the base assembly, and a crank assembly rotatably supported by the cover assembly and coupled to the cyclinder assembly for rotating the pair of cylinders to prepare frozen confectioneries. A method for preparing frozen confectionaries with a toy. The pair of cylinders contain freezing salt and ice such that the liquid confectionary freezes when contacted by the cylinders.

Abstract: A surgical retractor for exposing a carpal ligament through a small transverse incision along the wrist, comprising a blade having an arch-shaped configuration in cross-section which arch becomes generally flat at a tip section thereof, said tip being tapered in plan view and adapted to be initially inserted through the incision to facilitate advancement of the blade along a plane between the ligament and overlying skin and tissue and muscle structures to thereby progressively expose the ligament by distal retraction; and a light conduit extending through the arch of the blade and terminating in spaced relation to the tip to project light toward the tip to illuminate the area being distally retracted between the tip and conduit. A surgical method employing the novel retractor of this invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A distal forearm tourniquet and method of use therefor for providing a bloodless field during hand surgery is disclosed. The tourniquet includes an adjustable strap or cuff formed with an inflatable balloon on a portion thereof. In use, the tourniquet is placed with the balloon on the dorsal aspect of the forearm between the middle and distal 1/3 and securely tightened to restrict blood flow. In fixed position, the inflatable balloon is located against the dorsal aspect of the forearm and inflated to a desired pressure. The resulting application of the pressure exerted on the dorsal aspect by the balloon and indirect pressure on the volar aspect of the forearm restricts blood flow through the radial and ulnar arteries and the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries.

Abstract: A method and kit for tendon repair and two variations thereof using double loop locking sutures in disclosed. A pair of loop locking sutures are formed in each tendon end. The needle of each loop locking suture extends through the tendon fiber out of the tendon end for securement to the corresponding loop locking sutures formed in the other tendon end. The loop locking sutures transfer tensile loading along the axis of the tendons into transverse compression loads through the loop locking sutures. In one variation, the double loop locking sutures connect tendons of different diameter together. In a second variation, the tendon is attached to bone.

Abstract: A cannula is provided with a guide bar, a rear end of which is formed with a mounting sleeve through which the cannula handle is clamped to the guide bar. The forward end of the guide bar carries a height adjustment bar having a pair of guide wheels rotatably mounted to a lower surface thereof between the guide bar and cannula tip. The height adjustment bar is provided with an elongate slot through which two screws pass for threaded connection to the forward end. Loosening of the screws permits the height adjustment bar to slide to vary the spacing between the guide wheels and cannula tip. The peripheral surface of each guide wheel is formed with an inner beveled edge that stretches the skin between the guide wheels during the suction lipectomy procedure enabling the cannula tip to travel at constant depth through the fatty tissue as the cannula is manually directed by the surgeon in reciprocating strokes.

Abstract: A cannula is provided with a guide bar extending in spaced, parallel relationship to the cannula. Adjacent and overlying a hole formed in the cannula tip through which suction is applied to surgically aspirate fatty tissue is a guide surface adapted to contact and slide against the skin of a patient while the cannula tip is manually directed by the surgeon through the fatty tissue in reciprocating strokes. The guide surface, which may be a pair of wheels, maintains the tip at a constant depth within the tissue so that, upon completion of suction lipectomy, a desired amount of fatty tissue is surgically aspirated while leaving an even thickness layer of tissue in tact. A new surgical procedure for performing suction lipectomies with the guided cannula of the invention is also disclosed. In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, the guide bar includes an elevated portion spaced a greater distance from the cannula and a forward end of the guide bar having the guide surface.

Abstract: A cannula is provided with a guide bar, a rear end of which is formed with a mounting sleeve through which the cannula handle is clamped to the guide bar. The forward end of the guide bar carries a height adjustment bar having a pair of guide wheels rotatably mounted to a lower surface thereof between the guide bar and cannula tip. The height adjustment bar is provided with an elongate slot through which two screws pass for threaded connection to the forward end. Loosening of the screws permits the height adjustment bar to slide to vary the spacing between the guide wheels and cannula tip. The peripheral surface of each guide wheel is formed with an inner beveled edge that stretches the skin between the guide wheels during the suction lipectomy procedure enabling the cannula tip to travel at constant depth through the fatty tissue as the cannula is manually directed by the surgeon in reciprocating strokes.

Abstract: A cannula is provided with a guide bar in which adjacent and overlying a hole formed in the cannula tip through which suction is applied to surgically aspirate fatty tissue is a guide surface adopted to contact and slide against the skin of a patient while the cannula tip is manually directed by the surgeon through the fatty tissue in reciprocating strokes. The guide surface maintains the tip at a constant depth within the tissue so that, upon completion of suction lipectomy, the desired amount of fatty tissue is surgically aspirated while leaving an even thickness layer of tissue intact. The guide surface includes an elevated portion spaced a greater distance from the cannula than a forward end of the guide bar having the guide surface. The elevated portion is manually engagable to permit two handed reciprocating movement of the cannula by the surgeon and to allow the surgeon to contact the patient's skin beneath the elevated portion to assist the cannula in the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A cannula is provided with a guide bar extending in spaced, parallel relationship to the cannula. Adjacent and overlying a hole formed in the cannula tip through which suction is applied to surgically aspirate fatty tissue is a guide surface adapted to contact and slide against the skin of a patient while the cannula tip is manually directed by the surgeon through the fatty tissue in reciprocating strokes. The guide surface maintains the tip at a constant depth within the tissue so that, upon completion of suction lipectomy, a desired amount of fatty tissue is surgically aspirated while leaving an even thickness layer of tissue intact. A new surgical procedure for performing suction lipectomies with the guided cannula of the invention is also disclosed.