Abstract: A blade and a blade assembly wherein the blade has a front, beveled, sharpened edge, two side edges meeting at a point spaced from the front edge and at least one attachment structure extending outwardly from each side edge. A blade holder, which extends beyond the side edges and attachment structures of the blade, sits on a top surface of the blade and is attached to the blade by a portion thereof which receives the attachment structures. The holder has an opening in an exposed surface to receive an extension from a drive mechanism such that when the drive mechanism is activated the blade is caused to vibrate or oscillate. The blade is oscillated in a lateral fashion when driven by a rod rotating along a circular path.

Abstract: A blade and a blade assembly wherein the blade has a front, beveled, sharpened edge, two side edges meeting at a point spaced from the front edge and at least one attachment structure extending outwardly from each side edge. A blade holder, which extends beyond the side edges and attachment structures of the blade, sits on a top surface of the blade and is attached to the blade by a portion thereof which receives the attachment structures. The holder has an opening in an exposed surface to receive an extension from a drive mechanism such that when the drive mechanism is activated the blade is caused to vibrate of oscillate. The blade is oscillated in a lateral fashion when driven by a rod rotating along a circular path.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the physical and chemical properties of urine in the urinary bladder and functioning of the bladder. For example, the system can include sensors for pressure, temperature, pH, various different chemical constituents of urine, sodium, potassium, glucose, drug markers, drug metabolites, specific gravity, proteins, leukocyte esterase, nitrites, urobilinogen, whole or crenated blood cells, ketones, bilirubin, turbidity or color, the sensors being connected to transmission means for delivering signals representative of the properties detected by the sensors.

Abstract: A system for controlling drainage of the female bladder comprising a valved catheter, a stylet for placing the catheter in the female urethra, and a spike for opening the valve in the catheter to allow voiding of the contents of the bladder. The system also includes a sizing device for determining the length of the urethra so that the proper fitting catheter is used. The catheter comprises a hollow shaft with a extendable holding portion on one end for placement through the urethra and a crown on the other end for placement external of the body. The valve nay integral with the shaft or insertable after the catheter is placed in the urethra.

Abstract: A system for controlling drainage of the female bladder comprising a valved catheter, a stylet for placing the catheter in the female urethra, and a spike for opening the valve in the catheter to allow voiding of the contents of the bladder which also includes sensing and transmission means incorporated therein. The valve which may be integral with the shaft or located in a cap on the shaft may be manually operated or opened electronically by a signal transmitted from an external source.

Abstract: A system for controlling drainage of the female bladder comprising a valved catheter, a stylet for placing the catheter in the female urethra, and a spike for opening the valve in the catheter to allow voiding of the contents of the bladder. The system also includes a sizing device for determining the length of the urethra so that the proper fitting catheter is used. The catheter comprises a hollow shaft with a extendable sealing portion on one end for placement through the urethra and a crown on the other end for placement external of the body. The valve may be integral with the shaft or insertable after the catheter is placed in the urethra.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating and disposing of materials contaminated with blood such as blood soaked menstrual pads or tampons. The invention further relates to a system for decontaminating and disposing of blood soaked products comprising a bag containing a disinfecting material, the bag having a readily openable portion for placing the blood soaked product into the bag and in contact with the disinfecting material and then resealing the bag to prevent its contents from contaminating the surroundings. Once resealed, the seal can not be removed without destroying the seal.

Abstract: A device for delivering an erection causing stimulus to the penis comprising a ring for placement of the penis. In one variation of the device the ring includes a needle guide projecting from the surface of the ring. In a second variation the ring includes a porous drug delivery media attached to the inner surface of the ring. In a third variation the ring has an electrically conductive material attached to the inner surface of the ring.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system for the long term continuous delivery of medication to hollow body organs. It is particularly suited for the deivery of chemotherapy drugs to lesions in the walls of those organs. The invention, specially designed for the treatment of the prostate gland, comprises a urinary drainage catheter which has an additional lumen within the wall thereof, said lumen proximate end connected to a space external of the catheter wall enclosed by a porous membrane. The distal end of the lumen, which is external to the penis when the catheter is positioned in the body, has a valved end for introduction of liquid medication therethrough. In use, the catheter is placed within the urethra, with the porous membrane portion adjacent the prostatic ducts. Medication introduced through said valve is transmitted along the lumen into the space between the catheter and the porous membrane, through the membrane and into contact with the prostatic ducts.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for the formation of metal ion containing carbon fibers which particularly are suited for utilization in electron shielding applications. An acrylic fibrous material is formed having substantially uniformly dispersed therein a halide of a transition metal. The metal halide (e.g. a chloride) present within the fibrous material is (1) converted to an oxide, (2) the fibrous material containing the metal oxide is heated in an oxygen-containing atmosphere until thermally stabilized, and (3) the thermally stabilized fibrous material is carbonized or carbonized and graphitized at a more highly elevated temperature in an appropriate atmosphere. The resulting product comprises ions of a transition metal substantially uniformly dispersed in an amorphous carbon or graphitic carbon matrix. The halide of a transition metal may be incorporated into the acrylic precursor by co-spinning and/or padding prior to thermal stabilization.

Abstract: A process is provided for the efficient conversion of acrylonitrile homopolymer fibrous materials and closely related acrylonitrile copolymer fibrous materials to graphitic fibrous materials of high tenacity. The process incorporates an initial brief fiber healing step which is conducted at a temperature of about 170.degree. to 220.degree.C., a preoxidation step, and a tandem carbonization/graphitization step as described. The relationship of the various variables required to produce the high tenacity graphitic fibrous product is set forth in the equation provided. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the carbonization/graphitization step of the process is conducted on a reliable and stable basis wherein the desired tenacity is achieved without the necessity of resorting to the exertion of high longitudinal tensions upon the preoxidized acrylic fibrous material.