Abstract: The present invention reduces pain and improves function long-term in persons with back pain using electrical stimulation in the back. This approach involves an electrical stimulation device including at least one electrode adapted for insertion within an animal body with back pain and at least one pulse generator operatively coupled with the at least one electrode, wherein the pulse generator delivers electrical stimulation activating at least a nerve innervating at least a paraspinal muscle in a back of the animal body for pain relief.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for treating chronic pain occurring secondarily to subacromial impingement syndrome in a human body. A system is provided to deliver percutaneous electrical stimulation through at least one electrode to neurological motor points of the posterior and middle deltoid muscles to mediate such pain. One-time, continued and/or periodic dosing of treatment methods according to the present invention may result in a change to central nervous system maladaptive neuroplasticity.

Abstract: The cathodic protection of a reinforced concrete structure utilizes sacrificial anodes such as aluminum or zinc as well as alloys thereof. Each anode is embedded or substantially covered in a material consisting of a hydrophilic non-cementious open-cell foam. An activating agent such as one or more lithium salts is contained within the cells of the foam to maintain the anodes in an electrochemically active state. The activating agent may be immobilized in the cells using an aqueous gel such as agar. One or more metallic conductors electrically connect the anodes to the metal reinforcing members.

Abstract: The galvanic cathodic protection of steel embedded in concrete structures is enhanced by the utilization of a flexible composite anode assembly containing a sacrificial anode member. The anode member is at least partially covered by a matrix comprising an ionically-conductive material. The conductive material includes at least one electrochemical activating agent such as a mixture of lithium bromide and lithium nitrate and a compressible water-retaining mineral such as a phyllosilicate mineral. The presence of this mineral in the matrix increases the current delivered by the anode, thereby resulting in a greater level of cathodic protection, and a longer effective service life of the anode. Exfoliated vermiculite is a preferred phyllosilicate mineral and is present in an amount of between about 2% and about 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the matrix.

Abstract: The galvanic cathodic protection of steel embedded in concrete structures is enhanced by the utilization of a flexible composite anode assembly containing a sacrificial anode member. The anode member is at least partially covered by a matrix comprising an ionically-conductive material. The conductive material includes at least one electrochemical activating agent such as a mixture of lithium bromide and lithium nitrate and a compressible water-retaining mineral such as a phyllosilicate mineral. The presence of this mineral in the matrix increases the current delivered by the anode, thereby resulting in a greater level of cathodic protection, and a longer effective service life of the anode. Exfoliated vermiculite is a preferred phyllosilicate mineral and is present in an amount of between about 2% and about 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the matrix.

Abstract: The galvanic cathodic protection of reinforced concrete structures such as bridges, buildings, parking structures, piers, and wharves, is enhanced by the use of an inert water absorbent solid. The absorbent solid and chemicals are mixed with a cementitious binder to form an activating matrix. This matrix surrounds a sacrificial metal anode such as zinc, or aluminum or their alloys. The metal anode is electrically connected to the ferrous reinforcing member by a metallic conductor. The water absorbent solid may be a clay such as bentonite or a hydrated mineral such as vermiculite. It is preferably in the form of discrete particles dispersed throughout the binder. The inclusion of the absorbent solid in the activating matrix serves to increase the protective current, thereby reducing corrosion of the reinforcing components of the concrete structure.

Abstract: The deterioration of reinforced concrete structures by galvanic corrosion adversely affects roads, bridges, parking garages and buildings that use reinforcing steel in their construction. Galvanic cathodic protection is typically provided for such reinforced concrete structures using embedded sacrificial anodes, such as zinc, aluminum, and alloys thereof. Disclosed herein is an anode assembly (10) for cathodic protection of a reinforced concrete structure. The assembly comprises at least one sacrificial anode member (12). The anode member is covered with an ionically-conductive covering material (14) into which is bound an electrochemical activating agent at least partly covering the sacrificial anode member. One side (26) of the ionically-conductive covering material is configured to conform closely to a steel reinforcing bar. The conforming side has a non-conductive barrier (16) as an integral part of the covering material.

Abstract: A brake apparatus for a wheelchair is mounted on one side of a wheelchair, with a corresponding brake apparatus mounted on the opposite side of a wheelchair. The brake apparatus includes an upper assembly mounted on the wheelchair frame just below the padded arm rest of the wheelchair. The upper assembly includes a brake lever and brake handle for locking and unlocking the wheels on each side. The upper assembly is connected to an adjustable strut, which connects to the lower assembly. The lower assembly includes a system of link arms that allows a brake arm having a brake shoe to lock and unlock the wheel on the wheelchair. The length of the strut may be adjusted and the position of the upper and lower assemblies may also be adjusted so that the brake assembly can be configured for operation on various sizes of wheelchairs.

Abstract: A chorded zither including a self-supporting metal frame with separate and structurally independent sound board panels that can be easily interchanged and affixed to said frame to create different looking and sounding instrument configurations with the same basic instrument, including sound chambers that are deeper and greater in volume than those of the prior art.

Abstract: The cathodic protection system of a concrete structure (22) uses sacrificial anodes such as zinc, aluminum and alloys thereof embedded in mortar. A humectant is employed to impart high ionic conductivity to the mortar in which the anode is encapsulated. Lithium nitrate and lithium bromide and combinations thereof are preferred as the humectant. The anode (10) is surrounded by a compressive, conductive matrix (12) incorporating a void volume between 15% and 50% to accommodate the sacrificial corrosion products of the anode. A void space of at least 5% of the total volume of the anode (12) may be provided opposite to the active face of the anode. Synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, cellulose, nylon and fiberglass have been found to be useful for forming the matrix. A tie wire is used to electrically connect the anode to the reinforcing bar.

Abstract: A hinge for an orthopedic splint has two plates hinged for pivotal movement relative to each other and a detent engageable for locking the plates at a selected angle to each other, and a spring urging the detent into engagement. The detent is protected in a recessed guideway against operation with the unaided hand to discourage tampering with the splint settings by the patient fitted with same, but is retractable with a pointed tool inserted in the recess or a removable screw threaded in the detent as a finger hold. The screw may also pass through the detent and if tightened against an underlying plate keeps the detent disengaged to facilitate adjustment of the splint. The hinge allows left and right hand angular settings of the splint to either side of a zero angle for ambidextrous use of the splint, and radial tabs with directional markings are provided as visual indicators of the angular setting of the splint hinge.

Abstract: The cathodic protection system of a concrete structure (22) uses sacrificial anodes such as zinc, aluminum and alloys thereof embedded in mortar. A humectant is employed to impart high ionic conductivity to the mortar in which the anode is encapsulated. Lithium nitrate and lithium bromide and combinations thereof are preferred as the humectant. The anode (10) is surrounded by a compressive conductive matrix (12) incorporating a void volume between 15% and 50% to accommodate the sacrificial corrosion products of the anode. A void space of at least 5% of the total volume of the anode (12) may be provided opposite to the active face of the anode. Synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, cellulose, nylon and fiberglass have been found to be useful for forming the matrix. A tie wire is used to electrically connect the anode to the reinforcing bar.

Abstract: A feeding device for use by persons with limited or no use of their arms, wherein a spoon is mounted on supporting and counterbalancing levers and is associated with a mouth-piece in such a manner that the user can manipulate the spoon to lift food from a dish, can then place the spoon on a fixed support and then adjust the spoon to a position for convenient eating of the food. The spoon mounting includes an adjustable support for a counterbalancing spring. All the parts are mounted on a flat base which is adapted also to support the food dish.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to an electrically conductive valve metal mesh of extreme void fraction. More particularly the invention relates in a most important aspect to an application thereof for an electrode structure in such a way as to prevent the corrosion of steel, including reinforcing steel in concrete, by cathodic protection.

Abstract: A vehicle body side protector for protecting the side of a vehicle bodies from damage. The vehicle body side protector includes a row of panels having a pair of opposite end panels and at least one middle panel interposed between the end panels. Each of the panels is pivotally coupled to the adjacent panels in the row of panels. The row of panels is detachably mounted to a side of a vehicle to protect the side of the vehicle from dent and ding damage.

Abstract: Conventional golf balls are engineered according to aerodynamic specifications, basically to perform in flight. These balls are not suitable for the terrain of the grass. No consideration has been given to make conventional golf balls putting compatible. Conventional balls are aerodynamic and the improved golf ball for putting, presented in this invention, is a "Terradynamic Ball". This invention provides a ball engineered primarily for putting and is accomplished by giving the ball more inertia and power and by decreasing friction and resistance. It is designed according to the Laws of Motion, which states that, "Every body continues in its state of rest, or motion in a straight line, unless it is compelled by some external force to change that state". This "Terradynamic Ball" comprises a heavy metal core, to provide greater inertia, and a lower center of mass, and a cover whose outer surface is uniformly even and smooth, minimizing friction rolling over grass.

Abstract: A method of protecting reinforced concrete structures comprising of applying a protective cathodic coating containing a non-corroding metal and an electrochemically active material on concrete wherein the protective coating is formed by thermally spraying a mixture of said non-corroding metal such as a valve metal and said electrochemically active material. The coating may also be formed by applying a precursor of the electrochemically active material and a metal-containing layer to concrete, then anodically polarizing said metal layer to convert the precursor into an electrochemically active material.

Abstract: A novel and unique golf club, particularly a putter, is disclosed which has an effective structure for attaching the shaft of the club to the club head, such that the result is a self-compensating putter and consistently accurate putts. In a preferred embodiment, a golf club is provided which comprises a shaft and a club head having a front face. The club head has a length along which the front face extends. Advantageously, the shaft is attached to the club head at two discrete mounting locations along the length of the club head, which results in a consistently stable and comfortable swing.

Abstract: A metal coating of typically a valve metal, especially a titanium metal coating, is applied by thermal spraying to the surface of concrete, most particularly steel-reinforced concrete. The metal such as titanium may be sprayed by any one of several thermal spraying techniques including flame spray, electric-arc spray, plasma spray, high-velocity oxyfuel spray, or detonation gun spray. The metal coating should be tightly adhered to the concrete and desirably will have a porosity to facilitate extensive coating of the metal itself, as well as facilitate any activation that may be needed for the metal. Such activation can be in the form of an electrochemically active material which allows the coating to function in electrochemically active form. One coating option is to apply a solution onto the spray-applied metal, then polarize the metal anodically to effect deposition of active material on the metal.

Abstract: An anode for cathodically-protected steel-reinforced concrete is embedded in an ion-conductive overlay on the concrete structure. The anode comprises at least one sheet of highly expanded valve metal mesh having a pattern of voids defined by a network of valve metal strands connected at a multiplicity of nodes. This provides a redundancy of current-carrying paths through the mesh which ensures effective current distribution throughout the mesh even in the event of possible breakage of a number of individual strands. The surface of the valve metal mesh carries an electrochemically active coating. At least one current distribution member is welded to the valve metal mesh. The entire area of the structure to be protected, excluding non-protected openings for obstacles and the like, is covered by a single piece of the mesh, or several pieces in close proximity with one another.