Abstract: There is provided a liquid dispenser to be used with a steam-cleaning device that enables a user to dispense a heated liquid, such as a cleaning fluid, soap or detergent while simultaneously steam-cleaning. This can be accomplished through the use of a main housing, a base, a housing connection aperture, and a sponge. The preferred embodiment features the main housing capable of easily being connected to the base in a bayonet type coupling for a quick, removable connection. The housing has a reservoir that can be filled with a liquid, such as a cleaning fluid, soap or detergent. The steam-cleaning device can be operated to send steam though the liquid dispenser. As the steam travels through the liquid dispenser, the steam heats up the liquid in the housing reservoir for a more effective cleaning. The liquid can flow to the sponge through a number of minute holes in the base to the surface of the object to be cleaned.

Abstract: A tracking hitch assembly couples to the drawbar of the tractor in a conventional manner. To prevent the hitch from pivoting with respect to the drawbar, the hitch includes an adjustable hitch stabilizer which engages the lift arms of the tractor. When a pivoting force is exerted against the hitch, one lift arm is placed in tension, and the other lift arm is placed in compression. Thus the hitch is prevented from pivoting with respect to the drawbar.

Abstract: A device for connection to a component used in association with spinal instrumentation, including a connector body, at least one clamp element, and at least one fixation element. The connector body defines a receptacle extending therethrough and opening onto an outer surface thereof. The connector body also defines a passage in transverse communication with the receptacle. The clamp element includes at least two arm portions defining a space therebetween having an open end. The clamp element is positioned within the passage in the connector body with the space between the arm portions generally aligned with the receptacle and with the component received through the open end and retained within the space. The fixation element interacts with the clamp element to displace the clamp element relative to the connector body to position at least a portion of the component within the receptacle.

Abstract: A dynamic surgical table system includes any one or combination of a head support system, support systems for each arm, a torso support system, and a leg support system mounted to a frame system to support a patient during surgery. Any one or combination of the support systems is movable relative to the other and to the frame system to facilitate patient repositioning during surgery. Such repositioning may be desirable, for example, to create flexion, extension or rotation of the spine to facilitate access to and surgical treatment of one or more vertebral bodies, disc spaces between vertebral bodies, or other anatomical structures adjacent the spine of the patient. Furthermore, individual support members of any one of the support systems can articulate to conform to the patient anatomy and facilitate repositioning of the particular portion of the patient's body being support thereon while minimizing stress on the patient.

Abstract: A dispenser is provided that heats and dispenses a gel or lotion prior to the gel turning into lather. The dispenser can be selectively engaged with different sized and/or shaped cans.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that include a plate member engageable to the spinal column with an anchor assembly. The anchor assembly includes a coupling member having a post extending through at least one opening of the plate member and an anchor member pivotally captured in a receiver member of the coupling member below a lower surface of the plate member. A locking member secures the plate member to the coupling member. A crown in the receiver member of the coupling member is engaged by the plate member to secure the anchor member in position relative to the coupling member.

Abstract: System and methods are provided that include a plate member engageable to the spinal column with an anchor assembly. The anchor assembly includes a coupling member having a post extending through at least one opening of the plate member and an anchor member pivotally captured in a receiver member of the coupling member below a lower surface of the plate member. A locking member secures the plate member to the coupling member.

Abstract: Naturally occurring and/or modified Clostridium neurotoxins, including those neurotoxins free of complexing proteins which naturally form complexes with Clostridial neurotoxins, are used to enhance healing of injured surface or superficial tissue of a patient by local administration into or in close proximity to the injured tissue. Such neurotoxins may be advantageously employed in wound healing and preventing scar formation, and find applicability in the area of ophthalmology, e.g. in treatment of injured corneal tissue, for example by closing inflamed eyes. A further embodiment includes diagnostic usage for the evaluation of effective toxin administration and medicaments for use therein.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to pharmaceutical compositions which comprise a botulinum neurotoxin from Clostridium botulinum, the neurotoxin being free of the complexing proteins naturally present in the botulinum neurotoxin complex or being chemically modified or being modified by genetic manipulation. Moreover the pharmaceutical compositions of the instant invention have good stability and are advantageously formulated free of human serum albumin.

Abstract: A dispenser is provided that heats and dispenses a gel or lotion prior to the gel turning into lather. The dispenser can be selectively engaged with different sized and/or shaped cans.

Abstract: A posterior fixation system includes a saddle member and an anchoring member. The anchoring member anchors the saddle member to bone. The saddle member includes a pair of upright portions that define a channel. The saddle member further has a hole therethrough bounded by an inner wall, and the hole forms a lower opening in the saddle member. The lower opening in the saddle member may contain angular cutouts placed symmetrically about the axis of the saddle to increase the allowable angulation of the bone screw in relationship to the axis of the saddle. The channel is adapted to receive an orthopedic rod, and the hole in the saddle member is adapted to receive the anchoring member. The saddle member and the anchoring member can be coupled so as to allow multi-axial movement of the members.

Abstract: An efficiently folding hard-bonnet dryer, which can be folded down to only six inches in standing height. This improved design is effected in part by rotating the lower half of the hard bonnet on an axis through the center of the bonnet, and also by telescoping the neck and arranging a pair of motors and a heater in an efficient geometry to span the folded neck.

Abstract: A connecting device is provided for use in orthopedic surgery, for example to connect a spinal rod and a vertebral screw or hook. The connector generally includes a receiver member for receiving an elongated member, and an grommet member for receiving a bone fixation member. The grommet member is inserted into the receiver member so that the receiver member and grommet member are rotatably connected. One or more disks may be placed between the receiver member and grommet member to assist in locking the device.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method for forming a passage in bone having an enlarged cross-sectional portion is provided. The instrument includes an elongate member and a cutting element engaged thereto and transitionable between a retracted configuration for extending through a first portion of the passage and an expanded configuration for forming a second portion of the passage having an enlarged cross-section. In one embodiment, the cutting element is transitioned between the retracted and expanded configurations by axially displacing the cutting element relative to the elongate member. In another embodiment, the elongate member includes a tapping thread configured to cut threads along the first portion of the passage, and the cutting element is a blade configured to form the enlarged cross-section when transitioned to the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A tracking hitch assembly couples to the drawbar of the tractor in a conventional manner. To prevent the hitch from pivoting with respect to the drawbar, the hitch includes an adjustable hitch stabilizer which engages the lift arms of the tractor. When a pivoting force is exerted against the hitch, one lift arm is placed in tension, and the other lift arm is placed in compression. Thus the hitch is prevented from pivoting with respect to the drawbar.

Abstract: The present invention permits ISO-7816 smart cards and their non-smart card supporting devices to be connected and to interact over networks, such as networks based on Internet Protocol (IP), broadband, and wide area networks (WAN) using the T=1 protocol, similarly to if these devices were connected locally. Broadly, the invention takes a node address in a small T=1 embedded terminal and maps each address into a network address or a Universal Resource Locator (URL), such that different components of the terminal that are T=1 addressable are able to exist throughout for example, an IP network. The advantages offered by the invention include security and speed, resulting in increased ease of use and application development and increased autonomy for the smart card itself.

Abstract: A dispenser is provided that heats and dispenses a gel or lotion prior to the gel turning into lather. The dispenser can be selectively engaged with different sized and/or shaped cans.

Abstract: An insecticide dispensing apparatus for delivering insecticide from an outside source to a building having a foundation and a roof space thereunder. The apparatus includes an access unit having an inlet port external to the building, an upper pipeline arrangement having at least one outlet is located in the roof space and extends to the access unit. A lower pipeline arrangement including at least one outlet is located under the foundation. This lower pipeline arrangement also extends to the access unit whereby insecticide is effectively distributed with respect to the building.

Abstract: An improved high performance butterfly is provided. The valve includes a valve body, a disk, an annular seat and a shaft. The disk has at least a portion of the circumference of the peripheral edge notched or beveled to provide better clearance of the annular seat and to reduce wear on the seat. The centerline of the shaft, corresponding to the center of rotation of the disk, is slightly offset from the centerline of the valve.

Abstract: Magnetically focussed tube having a gate cooler separate from the anode cooler and of higher power capacity than previous magnetically focussed tubes. Other structural features include simplified anode and cooling jacket and heat barrier at ends of cathode.