Abstract: A pillow includes an outer sheet which forms a pocket to receive a filling material. The sheet is substantially impermeable to the filling material and is formed to include at least one vent opening. A cover having an opening therein is disposed over the vent opening. A cover having an opening therein is disposed over the vent opening. The cover is movable between a first orientation in which the vent opening and the opening in the cover are out of alignment and a second orientation in which the vent opening and the opening in the cover are in alignment. The filling material is impregnated with a medicament or the like to expose a person or animal resting on the pillow to the medicament through the vent opening.

Abstract: A pad for use with a gas permeable pillow, mattress, or the like having a stream of gas or mixture of gases flowing outwardly from the pillow, mattress or the like, the pad comprising a material which is substantially permeable to the gas or mixture of gases, the material being impregnated by a treating composition capable of being carried by the gas or mixture of gases to dispense the treating composition to expose a person or animal resting on the pillow, mattress, or the like to the treating composition and the pad being mounted on the pillow, mattress, or the like in the stream of gas or mixture of gases.

Abstract: A pillow construction which enhances the transport of medication either from a medication-dispensing structure used in conjunction with the pillow, or from a separate source of medication, to a person or animal resting on the pillow. The pillow includes lengths of resilient tubing interposed between an inflated or stuffed inner layer and a gas-permeable covering layer. A gas or mixture of gases can be pumped into the tubes. The gas passes through openings in the tubes and through the permeable covering layer to expose the person or animal resting on the pillow to a stream of the gas or mixture of gases.

Abstract: A combination handle unit and tongue depressor includes a light source, a means for attaching a light-transmissive disposable depressor member to the handle to conduct light from the source into, for example, the mouth and throat of a patient being examined, and an adjustable lens which can be focussed into the illuminated area for viewing. The lens is mounted on the handle unit for sliding movement back and forth to change the focal plane so that different depths of the region being examined can be brought into clear focus.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a blade, a handle supporting the blade, and a light source. The handle is constructed at least partially from a light-transmissive and optical waveguiding material and the light source directs light through the light-transmissive material to the blade to illuminate a field surrounding the blade to aid the surgeon using the instrument.

Abstract: A speculum includes a combination handle unit and a unitarily formed speculum head. The speculum head includes a portion for engaging a suitably configured handle unit and light-transmissive restraining or contacting members for dilating an orifice and conducting light from a source into the orifice to be examined. The handle unit includes a light source and a head portion suitably configured to accept the engaging portion of the speculum head.

Abstract: An examination device including an examination head, a base unit having a handle portion and a head portion, a first stationary light source mounted in the head portion for providing light in and around the examination head, and a second light source movably mounted above the first light source.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a blade, a handle supporting the blade, and a light source. The handle is constructed at least partially from a light-transmissive and optical waveguiding material and the light source directs light through the light-transmissive material to the blade to illuminate a field surrounding the blade to aid the surgeon using the instrument.

Abstract: A speculum includes a combination handle unit and a unitarily formed speculum head. The speculum head includes a portion for engaging a suitably configured handle unit and light-transmissive restraining or contacting members for dilating an orifice and conducting light from a source into the orifice to be examined. The handle unit includes a light source and a head portion suitably configured to accept the engaging portion of the speculum head.

Abstract: A pair of disposable plastic forceps includes elongeated arms, each having a proximal end portion providing a handle and a distal end portion for attachment of a contacting member to each of the arms, and a hinge for movably connecting the arms to one another to provide adjustment of the forceps, the hinge joining the arms intermediate their ends. The hinge selectively rotatably engages the intermediate portion of each arm to hold the arms in selected rotational positions relative to the hinge.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing and collecting a liquid extract and a pressed dry by-product from a mash of fibrous material includes an extraction chamber, a movable piston for compressing the mash of fibrous material, an agitator coupled to the piston so that the agitator moves coincident with the piston, and a drive mechanism for rotating the agitator to mix the mash. The extraction chamber includes an open end for expelling the by-product, a material inlet opening in proximity to the open end for filling the chamber with the mash, and a liquid outlet opening for collecting the liquid extract. A gate closes the open end to form a work station within the extraction chamber which is filled with the mash. The mash is agitated and compressed within the work station to extract the liquid and form a pressed dry product therefrom, and the gate is removed to open the end of the chamber to allow the dry product to be expelled.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing and collecting a liquid extract and a pressed dry by-product from a mash of fibrous material includes an extraction chamber and a mechanism for compressing the mash of fibrous material within the extraction chamber to extract the liquid and form a pressed dry product therefrom. The extraction chamber includes a material inlet opening for filling the chamber with the mash, a liquid outlet opening for collecting the liquid extract, and a by-product outlet opening for collecting the dry by-product. The compressing mechanism expells the dry by-product from the extraction chamber once the liquid has been extracted from the mash. The mash is compressed within a movable work station, and the dry by-product is expelled from the extraction chamber by moving the work station and discharging the dry product in accordance therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing and collecting a liquid extract and a pressed dry by-product from a mash of fibrous material includes an extraction chamber and a mechanism for compressing the mash of fibrous material within the extraction chamber to extract the liquid and form a pressed dry product therefrom. The extraction chamber includes a material inlet opening for filling the chamber with the mash, a liquid outlet opening for collecting the liquid extract, and a by-product outlet opening for collecting the dry by-product. The compressing mechanism expells the dry by-product from the extraction chamber once the liquid has been extracted from the mash. The mash is compressed within a movable work station, and the dry-product is expelled from the extraction chamber by moving the work station and discharging the dry product in accordance therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing and collecting a liquid extract and a pressed dry by-product from a mash of fibrous material includes an extraction chamber and a mechanism for compressing the mash of fibrous material within the extraction chamber to extract the liquid and form a pressed dry product therefrom. The extraction chamber includes a material inlet opening for filling the chamber with the mash, a liquid outlet opening for collecting the liquid extract, and a by-product outlet opening for collecting the dry by-product. The compressing mechanism expells the dry by-product from the extraction chamber once the liquid has been extracted from the mash. The mash is compressed within a movable work station, and the dry by-product is expelled from the extraction chamber by moving the work station and discharging the dry product in accordance therewith.

Abstract: An adjustable speculum includes a base rotatably supporting a pair of shafts, and a pair of dilating members. Each dilating member has a distal end for contacting and restraining a wall of an orifice or incision and a proximal end for detachably engaging a respective shaft. The base includes a mechanism for adjusting the distance between the shafts whereby the distance between the proximal ends of the dilating members is adjustable. Each shaft includes a portion for preventing the dilating member from rotating with respect to the shaft. The distance between the distal ends of the dilating members is also adjustable.

Abstract: A pair of disposable plastic forceps includes elongated arms, each having a proximal end portion providing a handle and a distal end portion for attachment of a contacting member to each of the arms, and a hinge for movably connecting the arms to one another to provide adjustment of the forceps, the hinge joining the arms intermediate their ends. Desirably, the hinge rotatably and frictionally receives the intermediate portion of each arm to hold the arms in position relative to the hinge after they are adjusted. The distal end of each arm is formed to provide a slot for removably receiving a contacting member. Contacting members of various sizes and shapes are provided, the size and shape selected being dependent in part upon the function to be performed by the forceps. The slot in each arm is defined by a pair of opposed walls. The contacting members include side walls which engage the opposed walls of the slot.

Abstract: An adjustable speculum includes a base rotatably supporting a pair of shafts, and a pair of dilating members. Each dilating member has a distal end for contacting and restraining a wall of the orifice and a proximal end for detachably engaging a respective shaft. The base includes a mechanism for adjusting the distance between the shafts whereby the distance between the proximal ends of the dilating members is adjustable. Each shaft includes a portion for preventing the dilating member from rotation with respect to the shaft. The distance between the distal ends of the dilating members is also rotatably adjustable.

Abstract: A rotary floor comprising a base having an upwardly facing surface and defining a vertically extending center axis, a platform disposed above and in vertical registry with the base, the platform having a bottom side, circular outer and inner lower tracks concentrically mounted on the base, circular outer and inner upper tracks concentrically mounted on the bottom side of the platform to be in vertical registry, respectively, with the lower tracks, and a plurality of wheels disposed between the tracks rotatably to support the platform. The plurality of wheels comprise first wheels running on the outer lower track and under and supporting the outer upper track, and a plurality of second wheels running on the inner lower track and under and supporting the inner upper track. A driver is provided for the platform to rotate it about the axis.

Abstract: A building structure comprising a plurality of frame members and wall panels secured together generally in accordance with the teachings of United States patent 2,832,445, each frame member being an elongated generally rectangular cross section frame member defined by front and back walls and side walls with the front wall being slotted and each enclosing panel member having a flange along a longitudinal edge thereof for insertion into the slot of the adjacent frame member. The improvement comprises a protrusion extending outwardly from and longitudinally along each frame member sidewall to serve as a support against which the wall panel cross braces rest and to which the cross braces are clamped. Each protrusion is formed to have a front surface parallel with and facing the front, slotted wall of the frame member and a rear surface which inclines, from its outer edge, inwardly and toward the front slotted surface. Spring-like clamps are attached to the cross members to engage these rear surfaces.