Abstract: A system for determining elapsed time for a surgical procedure conducted using an endoscope is disclosed. The system may be configured to determine elapsed time for management overseeing operating rooms to determine performance metrics of the operating room such as, but not limited to, operating room consistency and frequency of unusual procedure times to assess operating room efficiency. The system may include determining insertion of an endoscope into a patient and determining removal of the endoscope from a patient. The system may then generate an elapsed surgery time based upon the insertion time of the endoscope into the patient and the removal time of the endoscope from the patient.

Abstract: A modular manifold assembly includes at least one barbed distribution connector disposed on a modular manifold body. Individual modular manifold assemblies are assembled into various lengths as required to accommodate multiple different desired fluid distribution system configurations. The modular manifold body employs a tubular design with a D-shaped cross-section that allows ease of assembly. The at least one barbed distribution connector attaches to at least one distribution line to distribute fluid throughout a fluid distribution system.

Abstract: A support bar for a bathroom, such as a towel bar or a grab bar, includes a thin walled tubular member having a central portion for providing support, and two ends for mounting the bar to a wall. At each of the two ends, a mounting flange is formed by slitting the tube stock and bending mounting tabs radially outwardly of the thin walled part. The tube is preferably a cylindrical tube, and the use of the integral mounting flange removes the requirement of a separate mounting member that is welded to the bar in the prior art. Covers are placed over each of the mounting flanges once the mounting flange is mounted to the wall.

Abstract: A mattress cover assembly for use with a zoned posturized mattress includes a cover with a stretchable top panel and a topper pad, lying generally loosely on the cover top panel. The mattress cover and topper pad are constructed so as to permit the direct application of and distribution of pressure from atop the mattress through the covering topper pad and cover and into the resilient mattress core without significant distortion of that pressure or weight and particularly without distortion which is not only caused by hammocking of the cover fabric or covering pad.

Abstract: A zoned posturized mattress which is longitudinally zoned to have at least three, and preferably four, zones of differing resistance to vertical deflection over the surface of the mattress comprises a resilient mattress core and a unique mattress cover. The mattress cover includes a covering topper pad so constructed as to permit the direct application of and distribution of pressure from atop the mattress through the covering topper pad and into the resilient core without significant distortion of that pressure or weight and particularly without distortion which is normally caused by hammocking of the fabric or covering pad.

Abstract: A method of maintaining spinal alignment of a person reclining atop an air mattress which has a plurality of isolated zones along the length of the mattress inflatable to different preset pressures, which method comprises filling each zone of the mattress with air at a predetermined initial prefill pressure and then locating a person in a reclining position atop the mattress so as to cause the pressure in the individual zones of the mattress to change to the preset pressures previously established as appropriate to achieve spinal alignment of the person reclining atop the mattress.

Abstract: A clinical bed system for monitoring and recording movements of a person while reclining or sleeping on a bed of the system. The bed includes an air mattress having multiple isolated air-filled zones. Attached to each of these zones is a pressure-responsive readout device which is operative to read out and record pressure changes resulting from movement of a person reclining on the air mattress.

Abstract: An air bed comprising an air mattress having a plurality of interconnected rows and columns of air cells divided into longitudinally isolated zones, and an airflow control system for supplying air at differing pressures to the zones such that a person reclining atop the mattress is supported and maintained in spinal alignment at subischemic applied pressures.

Abstract: The coil spring assembly method comprises forming a series of coil spring rows, each row being formed from a single continuous length of spring wire. Each intermediate spring within a row has an adjacent coil spring on one side directly connected at one end of that intermediate spring, and an adjacent coil spring on the other side directly connected at the other end of that coil spring, through use of connector sections that are part of the single continuous length of spring wire used to form that row. The pre-formed rows thereafter are connected in matrix form. After the rows have been connected in matrix configuration, the connector sections are selectively cut between adjacent springs on both sides of each intermediate spring. This results in a coil spring product having individual or separate coil springs not directly connected one with the other in which each such coil spring's end loops terminate in free ends, i.e.

Abstract: A box spring for supporting a bedding mattress. The box spring includes a rectangular base frame, a plurality of modular spring elements mounted atop the base frame, and a wire grid mounted atop the modular spring elements. Each of the modular spring elements comprises a horizontal straight center section terminating in horizontal plane curved end sections, at least some of the curved end sections having single revolution coil springs extending vertically downwardly therefrom. The modular spring elements are arranged in parallel rows, said adjacent spring elements of each row having aligned straight center sections and overlapping curved sections. The overlapping curved center sections of adjacent modular spring elements are connected by transverse wires of the grip top, which transverse wires have generally U-shaped bights or hooks from therein received over the overlapping curved sections and crimped shut to secure adjacent modular spring elements of multiple rows of modular spring elements to one another.

Abstract: A coil spring unit having a series of coil springs connected together in column and row matrix configuration, the end loops of the coil springs being open loops that terminate in free ends, i.e., the end loops of the coil springs not being closed and knotted. The coil spring assembly method comprises forming a series of coil spring rows, each row being formed from a single continuous length of spring wire. Each intermediate spring within a row has an adjacent coil spring on one side directly connected at one end of that intermediate spring, and an adjacent coil spring on the other side directly connected at the other end of that coil spring, through use of connector sections that are part of the single continuous length of spring wire used to form that row. The pre-formed rows thereafter are connected in matrix form. After the rows have been connected in matrix configuration, the connector sections are selectively cut between adjacent springs on both sides of each intermediate spring.

Abstract: A spring assembly for mattresses, innersprings, and the like. The assembly comprises longitudinal rows of coils, each row comprising a continuous length of wire formed into a plurality of coils interconnected by Z-shaped wire segments alternately disposed at the top and bottom of the coils. Adjacent rows of coils are connected by longitudinally extending helical lacing wires wound through overlapping Z-shaped wire segments. By lacing the rows of coils longitudinally, the spacing between adjacent coils may be varied in selected longitudinal sections of the unit so as to vary the coil count and thus the firmness of selected areas of the assembly, as for example the center section. Furthermore, by so lacing the rows of coils, a single set-up of forming and assembly machine may be used to manufacture various widths of mattresses, as for example, twin, double or queen and king size units.

Abstract: A mattress having increased firmness in a preselected area on both sides of the mattress through use of a welded wire grid structure attached to the opposite sides of the mattress. In one preferred form, the increased firmness is provided only in a preselected area, e.g., the center one-third area of the mattress, by a welded wire grid while in another preferred embodiment, the grid wires extend over the complete area of the mattress. The wire grids are preformed and assembled as a separate subassembly and are attached to the preassembled spring core by conventional connectors, as for example, conventional hog rings.

Abstract: An improved single cone coil spring and an improved box spring assembly made from the improved single cone coil springs. The box spring assembly comprises a base frame, a series of the improved small diameter single cone coil springs and a welded wire grid, the coil springs being connected at their bottom ends to the base frame and connected at their top ends to the welded wire grid. The coil springs are established in a plurality of rows and columns throughout the box spring assembly, at least one transverse wire and at least one longitudinal wire of the wire grid span all coil springs within each row and column, respectively. Further, a supplemental transverse wire is positioned between adjacent coil spring rows, and is of a length equal to at least one of the coil springs' transverse wires adjacent thereto. All crossover points of all the grid's transverse and longitudinal wires are welded to establish the welded wire grid.

Abstract: A coil spring assembly having increased firmness in a preselected area of the assembly through use of a novel spring connector structure and method. The increased firmness is provided by, during fabrication, overlapping joint segments of a pair of adjacent coil springs' top loops, positioning a levelizer wire across the overlapped joint so formed, deflecting at least one of the overlapped joint segments out of its normal arcuate attitude toward a linear attitude, and wrapping a helical lacing wire around the overlapped joint segments and levelizer wire in a sufficiently tight manner to prevent the deflected joint segment from returning fully to its normal arcuate attitude, thereby maintaining the spring joint so established in a prestressed state. Preferably, this structure and method employs a single levelizer wire and a single lacing wire to connect adjacent springs in adjacent parallel rows from one end of the rows to the other.

Abstract: An improved single cone coil spring and an improved box spring assembly made from the improved single cone coil springs. The box spring assembly comprises a base frame, a series of the improved small diameter single cone coil springs and a welded wire grid, the coil springs being connected at their bottom ends to the base frame and connected at their top ends to the welded wire grid. The coil springs are established in a plurality of rows and columns throughout the box spring assembly, at least one transverse wire and at least one longitudinal wire of the wire grid span all coil springs within each row and column, respectively. Further, a supplemental transverse wire is positioned between adjacent coil spring rows, and is of a length equal to at least one of the coil springs' transverse wires adjacent thereto. All crossover points of all the grid's transverse and longitudinal wires are welded to establish the welded wire grid.

Abstract: A box spring assembly for use as a supporting foundation for a bed mattress. The assembly comprises a wooden frame, slats, spiral springs, edge coil springs, a border wire and a welded wire top grid. The spiral springs extend transverse to the wooden slats and alternate revolutions of the spiral springs are secured to the slats. At the top, the spiral springs are supported by the welded wire grid. Side edge reinforcement and resiliency is provided by coil springs, each of which is secured at the bottom to the wooden frame and at the top to the border wire and grid.

Abstract: An improved spring assembly in which the springs are connected together by a novel thermoplastic connector strip structure. The connector strip structure is used to interconnect the spring rows one with another, and also functions as a border strip, to establish a connector grid for the springs in each of the top and bottom planes of the spring assembly.