Abstract: An external fixator for mounting to a patient's leg or other anatomy to stabilize bones in the patient's leg or other anatomy includes a first ring including a first plurality a slots therein and a second ring including a second plurality of slots therein. A foot-plate has a generally U-shape and a third plurality of slots therein. A first strut is mounted between the first ring and the second ring. The first strut includes an upper tube, a lower tube, a first telescoping element securing the upper tube to the lower tube and first and second end fittings secured to ends of the upper and lower tubes, respectively. The first end fitting secures the first strut to the first ring and the second end fitting secures the first strut to the second ring.

Abstract: The invention includes a device for inserting a medicament within a body cavity of a mammal, and a cartridge for containing the medicament within the device, where the cartridge includes a housing, a retractable chamber for containing medicament disposed within the housing, and a substantially stationary member disposed within the barrel of the retractable chamber, where upon activation of the device, the retractable chamber is retracted about the substantially stationary member, thereby depositing medicament within the body cavity.

Abstract: An external fixator for mounting to a patient's leg or other anatomy to stabilize bones in the patient's leg or other anatomy includes a first ring including a first plurality a slots therein and a second ring including a second plurality of slots therein. A foot-plate has a generally U-shape and a third plurality of slots therein. A first strut is mounted between the first ring and the second ring. The first strut includes an upper tube, a lower tube, a first telescoping element securing the upper tube to the lower tube and first and second end fittings secured to ends of the upper and lower tubes, respectively. The first end fitting secures the first strut to the first ring and the second end fitting secures the first strut to the second ring.

Abstract: The invention includes a device for inserting a medicament within a body cavity of a mammal, and a cartridge for containing the medicament within the device, where the cartridge includes a housing, a retractable chamber for containing medicament disposed within the housing, and a substantially stationary member disposed within the barrel of the retractable chamber, where upon activation of the device, the retractable chamber is retracted about the substantially stationary member, thereby depositing medicament within the body cavity.

Abstract: A device for inserting a medicament within a body cavity of a mammal, the device including a cartridge for containing the medicament, the cartridge including a housing, a retractable chamber disposed within the housing and having a lumen sized to contain the medicament, a stationary member disposed within the lumen and having a sized to provide a sliding fit within the lumen to provide for retraction of the retractable chamber about the stationary member upon actuation of the device, and means for retracting the retractable chamber while maintaining the stationary member in a stationary position. The device further includes means for activating the means for retracting the retractable chamber. The device further includes an actuator, the actuator including a handle case having a proximal portion for gripping and a distal portion including means for attaching the actuator to a cartridge.

Abstract: The invention includes a device for inserting a medicament within a body cavity of a mammal, and a cartridge for containing the medicament within the device, where the cartridge includes a housing, a retractable chamber for containing medicament disposed within the housing, and a substantially stationary member disposed within the barrel of the retractable chamber, where upon activation of the device, the retractable chamber is retracted about the substantially stationary member, thereby depositing medicament within the body cavity.

Abstract: The invention includes a device for inserting a medicament within a body cavity of a mammal, and a cartridge for containing the medicament within the device, where the cartridge includes a housing, a retractable chamber for containing medicament disposed within the housing, and a substantially stationary member disposed within the barrel of the retractable chamber, where upon activation of the device, the retractable chamber is retracted about the substantially stationary member, thereby depositing medicament within the body cavity.

Abstract: A device for inserting a medicament within a body cavity of a mammal, the device including a cartridge for containing the medicament, the cartridge including a housing, a retractable chamber disposed within the housing and having a lumen sized to contain the medicament, a stationary member disposed within the lumen and having a sized to provide a sliding fit within the lumen to provide for retraction of the retractable chamber about the stationary member upon actuation of the device, and means for retracting the retractable chamber while maintaining the stationary member in a stationary position. The device further includes means for activating the means for retracting the retractable chamber. The device further includes an actuator, the actuator including a handle case having a proximal portion for gripping and a distal portion including means for attaching the actuator to a cartridge.

Abstract: The invention includes a cartridge for use in a device for inserting a medicament within a body cavity of a mammal, the cartridge including a housing, a retractable chamber disposed within the housing and having a lumen having a uniform cross-section sized to contain the medicament therein, a substantially stationary member disposed within the lumen of the retractable chamber and having a uniform cross-section sized to provide a sliding fit within the lumen suitable to provide for retraction of the retractable chamber about the substantially stationary member upon actuation of the device; and means for retracting the retractable chamber about the substantially stationary member while maintaining the substantially stationary member in a substantially stationary position upon actuation of the device.

Abstract: The invention includes a device for inserting a medicament within a body cavity of a mammal, the device including a cartridge for containing the medicament therein, the cartridge including a housing, a retractable chamber disposed within the housing and having a lumen, a substantially stationary member disposed within the lumen of the retractable chamber and having a uniform cross-section sized to provide a sliding fit within the lumen to provide for retraction of the retractable chamber about the substantially stationary member upon actuation of the device, and means for retracting the retractable chamber about the substantially stationary member while maintaining the substantially stationary member in a substantially stationary position upon actuation of the device; the device further including means for activating the means for retracting the retractable chamber.

Abstract: The invention includes an actuator for actuating a device for inserting a medicament within a body cavity of a mammal, the actuator including a handle case having a proximal portion for gripping and a distal portion including means for attaching the actuator to a cartridge for containing medicament, and means for creating a proximal to distal linear motion with respect to the handle case, wherein the cartridge includes a retractable chamber for containing the medicament disposed therein, a substantially stationary member and means for retracting the retractable chamber about the substantially stationary member while maintaining the substantially stationary member in a substantially stationary position.

Abstract: The invention includes a device for inserting a medicament within a body cavity of a mammal, and a cartridge for containing the medicament within the device, where the cartridge includes a housing, a retractable chamber for containing medicament disposed within the housing, and a substantially stationary member disposed within the barrel of the retractable chamber, where upon activation of the device, the retractable chamber is retracted about the substantially stationary member, thereby depositing medicament within the body cavity.

Abstract: The invention includes a cartridge for use in a device for inserting a medicament within a body cavity of a mammal, the cartridge including a housing, a retractable chamber disposed within the housing and having a lumen having a uniform cross-section sized to contain the medicament therein, a substantially stationary member disposed within the lumen of the retractable chamber and having a uniform cross-section sized to provide a sliding fit within the lumen suitable to provide for retraction of the retractable chamber about the substantially stationary member upon actuation of the device; and means for retracting the retractable chamber about the substantially stationary member while maintaining the substantially stationary member in a substantially stationary position upon actuation of the device.

Abstract: The invention includes an actuator for actuating a device for inserting a medicament within a body cavity of a mammal, the actuator including a handle case having a proximal portion for gripping and a distal portion including means for attaching the actuator to a cartridge for containing medicament, and means for creating a proximal to distal linear motion with respect to the handle case, wherein the cartridge includes a retractable chamber for containing the medicament disposed therein, a substantially stationary member and means for retracting the retractable chamber about the substantially stationary member while maintaining the substantially stationary member in a substantially stationary position.

Abstract: The invention includes a device for inserting a medicament within a body cavity of a mammal, the device including a cartridge for containing the medicament therein, the cartridge including a housing, a retractable chamber disposed within the housing and having a lumen, a substantially stationary member disposed within the lumen of the retractable chamber and having a uniform cross-section sized to provide a sliding fit within the lumen to provide for retraction of the retractable chamber about the substantially stationary member upon actuation of the device, and means for retracting the retractable chamber about the substantially stationary member while maintaining the substantially stationary member in a substantially stationary position upon actuation of the device; the device further including means for activating the means for retracting the retractable chamber.

Abstract: A system for conducting a plurality of different medical diagnostic tests comprises a hand-held portable self contained instrument for engaging a disposable test cell containing a fluid to be tested. The instrument performs a diagnostic test selected from the plurality of tests upon the fluid within the test cell, the test being selected by the instrument based upon identification information obtained from the test cell. A disposable, single use test cell is provided for receiving fluid to be diagnostically tested. The test cell includes identification information indicative of a particular test to be performed upon the fluid, the test cell being sized and shaped for engagement by the instrument.

Abstract: A system for conducting a plurality of different medical diagnostic tests comprises a hand-held portable self contained instrument for engaging a disposable test cell containing a fluid to be tested. The instrument performs a diagnostic test selected from the plurality of tests upon the fluid within the test cell, the test being selected by the instrument based upon identification information obtained from the test cell. A disposable, single use test cell is provided for receiving fluid to be diagnostically tested. The test cell includes identification information indicative of a particular test to be performed upon the fluid, the test cell being sized and shaped for engagement by the instrument.

Abstract: A positioning unit having two arms and three joints whereby a payload carried by the positioning unit at one of the joints can be moved into a desired position. Each joint has locking and releasing means by which the arms can be moved when the locking and releasing means are released and maintained in a desired position when the locking and releasing means are locked. The locking and releasing of the joints is controlled by two controllers both of which can be actuated simultaneously by a single human hand.

Abstract: A method and device for three dimensional ultrasonic scanning of a patient is described by which an ultrasonic probe scans image planes oriented in a wedge or fan shaped volume. The probe is moved in an arc of travel about an apex which is below the scanning device and may be adjustably located within the probe or lower, such as between the ribs of the patient. The inventive method and device enable a significant volume of the heart to be scanned intercostally and viewed in a three dimensional image format.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe assembly in which an ultrasonic transducer is mechanically scanned in response to a drive motor which is located in a housing spaced from the transducer such that the transducer can be positioned in a body cavity of patient while the housing containing the drive motor remains outside the body of the patient.