Abstract: A digital input device has a thimble worn on a finger and operated as a mouse for displacement encoding or as a pointer for angular encoding, using a base unit. The thimble can also be attached to a stylus to form a tracing pen or joystick handle. A sensor preferably includes a contact roller at an end of the thimble that rotates with movement over a surface. The sensor emits a signal as a function of incremental displacement of the sensor over a surface, in X and Y directions. The sensor couples to the base unit at a universal joint and the base unit has a cup-shaped contact surface for encoding angular displacement around the universal joint, using displacement of the sensor over the cup-shaped surface. The contact roller is mechanically arranged to pass a coding strip having reflective, transmissive or magnetic stripes before a sensing element. The sensor can be pivoted back on the finger to enable typing.

Abstract: A debridement sponge made from a nonwoven fabric comprising, in a preferred form, yarn-like strands of bleached cotton fibers. In the preferred form, the strands are interconnected at multiple junctures to form fewer than 31 generally rectangular apertures per cm.sup.2. Moreover, each aperture has an area of 1.3 mm.sup.2. Furthermore, the fabric has a Calculated Strand Density of 0.17l g/cc, a Clarity Index of at least 0.75, and an Absorbent Capacity of at least 7 grams of a colored, aqueous, saline solution per gram of the fabric when compressed under a pressure of 3.3 g/cm.sup.2. Plug Harshness and Compression Recovery of the fabric are excellent.

Abstract: An adjustable back system for releasable attachment to spaced-apart substantially vertical wheelchair frame posts (52). The back system includes a relatively rigid shell back (36) formed to extend transversely between the posts (52) for support of a user's back, a plurality of post-engaging assemblies (50) coupled to shell back (36) by a plurality of independently adjustable coupling assemblies. The post-engaging assemblies (50) including an upper pair of post-engaging assemblies extending transversely from opposite sides of shell back (36) and a lower pair post-engaging assemblies extending transversely from opposite sides of shell back (36) below upper post-engaging assemblies.

Abstract: A seat frame for mounting on a chair frame for supporting a seat pad and seat back. The frame is formed by a pair of spaced apart side rails, each rail having a plurality of spaced apart parallel transverse mounting beams extending therefrom towards the opposite rail. A central beam is telescopingly and releasably engaged between each corresponding mounting beam on the rails. Chair frame mounting fittings and seat back mounting fittings are releasably secured to the side rails.

Abstract: A detent for releasably securing an inner telescoping tube within an outer telescoping tube. The said tubes having alignable openings in the walls thereof for receiving the detent. The detent is formed by a detent pin which extends through the tube wall openings and releasably latches the tubes together. A leaf spring secured at the inserted end of said inserted tube extends within the outer tube into supporting and biasing engagement with the detent pin. The spring biases said pin into the latching position. For releasing the detent, a bell crank is pivotally mounted within the inserted tube. One end of the bell crank is engaged with the locking pin and biasing spring and the other end is secured to an actuating knob which extends through the wall of the inserted tube.

Abstract: A wheelchair back system adapted to provide a customized fit to the user. The system includes a rigid back shell removably affixed to the wheelchair, a plurality of foam blocks, and a pad member containing flowable fluid material. The back shell has a forward facing, front surface and the foam blocks are removably positionable forward of the back shell to form a substantially continuous layer of foam of substantially uniform depth forward of the back shell. Each foam block is individually and separately removable to provide a recessed area in the otherwise continuous layer of foam to provide a customized fit to the user. The pad member overlies the front surface of the foam blocks and is received in any recessed area formed by the removal of a foam block. In this manner, the system can be customized to the deformities or other abnormalities of each individual user.

Abstract: A lightweight contoured base for a seat cushion is produced by first forming a shaped lightweight foam core with a void corresponding to the ischial tuberosities of a user and then forming a sandwich assembly by placing a layer of foam or foamable material against both upper and lower surfaces of the shaped lightweight foam core to form a sandwich assembly. The sandwich assembly is then molded to produce the finished contoured base for a seat cushion.

Abstract: A soft, bulky light weight fabric having good absorbency and suitable for use as a wound dressing is prepared from a hydroentangled nonwoven fabric comprising a plurality of parallel spaced apart ribs interconnected by loose fiber bundles extending between adjacent ribs. The ribs comprise high density, highly entangled masses of fibers and contain at least about 60 percent by weight of the fiber in the fabric. The fabric is napped in a direction perpendicular to the ribs to obtain the soft, bulky fabric without tearing or disrupting the integrity of the fabric.

Abstract: A soft, bulky light weight fabric having good absorbency and suitable for use as a wound dressing is prepared from a hydroentangled nonwoven fabric comprising a plurality of parallel spaced apart ribs interconnected by loose fiber bundles extending between adjacent ribs. The ribs comprise high density, highly entangled masses of fibers and contain at least about 60 percent by weight of the fiber in the fabric. The fabric is napped ina direction perpendicular to the ribs to obtain the soft, bulky fabric without tearing or disrupting the integrity of the fabric.

Abstract: Woven and nonwoven fabrics for use in surgical procedures are printed with a radiopaque polymeric composition which bonds to the surface of the fabric. The composition is applied in a visually distinctive pattern, or may assume the pattern of the underlying fabric. The polymeric composition is readily recognized in an X-ray image and provides an improved means for detecting a surgical sponge inadvertently left in a patient. Preferred compositions are latex or plastisols of a printable viscosity containing from 15 to 70% by weight BaSO.sub.4 having a particle size greater than about 5 microns.

Abstract: A geared air actuator comprising a piston mounted for movement within a housing. The piston has a front wall and a hollow body portion which extends rearwardly from the front wall. A spring is mounted within the hollow body portion of said piston. When pneumatic fluid is introduced into the housing and against the front of the piston, it moves the piston back against the action of the spring. When the introduction of pneumatic fluid is terminated the spring will move the piston back to its original position. The front wall of the piston is substantially thinner than the length of the body portion.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for connecting adjacent ends of conduits, primarily used for aircraft fuel lines having redundant locking features is provided. This coupling can be manipulated with one hand and includes laterally spaced locking tines which engage raised elements for locking the coupling in secured relationship. The coupling assembly can be manipulated with one hand and has viewing ports to be sure that all parts are in place. Also, the tines and guide members are configured to create a force between the two with a longitudinal component tending to open the assembly.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for connecting adjacent ends of conduits, primarily used for aircraft fuel lines having redundant locking features is provided. This coupling can be manipulated with one hand and includes a central tine and laterally spaced locking tines which engage a mating channel for locking the coupling in secured relationship. Indicia is provided across the locking tines which is not visible when the coupling assembly is completely and securely closed. The coupling assembly can be manipulated with one hand and has viewing ports to be sure that all parts are in place. Also, the tines and guide members are configured to create a force between the two with a longitudinal component tending to open the assembly.

Abstract: A loosely constructed knit or woven fabric is dimensionally stabilized by causing staple length textile fibers to be entangled about the intersections of the yarns comprising the fabric. The stabilized fabric is formed by covering one or both sides of the loosely constructed base fabric with a light web of the staple length fibers, and subjecting the composite material to hydraulic entanglement while supported on a porous forming belt configured to direct and concentrate the staple length fibers at the intersections of the yarns comprising the base fabric.

Abstract: A surgical sponge constructed of a nonwoven fabric is provided with an integral X-ray detectable element in the form of a yarn or monofilament which is positioned interiorly of the nonwoven fabric and in the plane thereof. The fabric is produced by placing the X-ray detectable element between two fibrous webs and subjecting the composite material to hydraulic entanglement to produce a patterned, nonwoven fabric.