Abstract: Camera head apparatus, systems, and methods for providing wide angle/panoramic images and/or video of the interior of pipes or other cavities using multiple imaging and illumination modules are disclosed.

Abstract: A cervical collar provides height adjustment using a locking member disposed on a height adjustment member extending through a height adjustment aperture. As the locking member is moved between locked and unlocked positions, ridges on a main collar body and on a chin support member may be interlocked or allowed to slide over each other from one desired position to another, thereby providing a height adjustment mechanism for the cervical collar.

Abstract: An automated orthotic device with a treatment regimen and a method for using an automated orthotic device with a treatment regimen to provide a plurality of prescribed tension settings. The orthotic device may comprise a body brace, a controller, a data storage means, and a communication means to address the problem of patients being required to visit the physician's office every time an adjustment must be made in the prescribed tension setting in their automated orthotic device. In one embodiment, a plurality of prescribed tension settings in the automated orthotic device are sorted so that as the patient's condition improves, the next prescribed tension setting in the treatment regimen may be applied. In another embodiment, the physician is allowed to edit or supplement a patient's treatment regimen remotely by connecting to the automated orthotic device over a network.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to topical ankle gear for enhancing performance and reducing the risk of injury. The topical ankle gear and kits preferably comprise a flexible sleeve and a lateral foot-ankle buttress, Achilles buttresses, and/or an extendable strap. The topical ankle gear of the present invention is designed to be worn during periods of physical activity to reduce injury and to train and strengthen the athletes muscles against injury, advantageously increasing proprioception by stimulating critical sensory and tactile receptors in the foot and ankle.

Abstract: A cervical collar provides height adjustment using a locking member disposed on a height adjustment member extending through a height adjustment aperture. As the locking member is moved between locked and unlocked positions, ridges on a main collar body and on a chin support member may be interlocked or allowed to slide over each other from one desired position to another, thereby providing a height adjustment mechanism for the cervical collar.

Abstract: A system for percutaneously inserting a prosthesis containing a biological replacement for a defective valve into an implantation site through a body lumen. The system contains a balloon catheter upon which a collapsable stent containing a venous valvular replacement is mounted. A protective shield is slidably mounted upon the catheter that is movable between a closed position over the balloon and an open position wherein the balloon can be inflated to expand the stent. A central lumen runs through the catheter that is formed of stainless steel. The central lumen provides a one to one torque ratio between the proximal end of the catheter and the distal end to enhance the steerability of the catheter. The vein of the replacement is reduced in thickness between 50% and 90% of its original size thereby considerably reducing the size of the replacement package when the stem is collapsed upon the balloon of the catheter.

Abstract: A system for percutaneously inserting a prosthesis containing a biological replacement for a defective valve into an implantation site through a body lumen. The system contains a balloon catheter upon which a collapsable stent containing a venous valvular replacement is mounted. A protective shield is slidably mounted upon the catheter that is movable between a closed position over the balloon and an open position wherein the balloon can be inflated to expand the stent. A central lumen runs through the catheter that is formed of stainless steel. The central lumen provides a one to one torque ratio between the proximal end of the catheter and the distal end to enhance the steerability of the catheter. The vein of the replacement is reduced in thickness between 50% and 90% of its original size thereby considerably reducing the size of the replacement package when the stem is collapsed upon the balloon of the catheter.

Abstract: An automated orthotic device with a treatment regimen and a method for using an automated orthotic device with a treatment regimen to provide a plurality of prescribed tension settings. The orthotic device may comprise a body brace, a controller, a data storage means, and a communication means to address the problem of patients being required to visit the physician's office every time an adjustment must be made in the prescribed tension setting in their automated orthotic device. In one embodiment, a plurality of prescribed tension settings in the automated orthotic device are sorted so that as the patient's condition improves, the next prescribed tension setting in the treatment regimen may be applied. In another embodiment, the physician is allowed to edit or supplement a patient's treatment regimen remotely by connecting to the automated orthotic device over a network.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to topical ankle gear for enhancing performance and reducing the risk of injury. The topical ankle gear and kits preferably comprise a flexible sleeve and a lateral foot-ankle buttress, Achilles buttresses, and/or an extendable strap. The topical ankle gear of the present invention is designed to be worn during periods of physical activity to reduce injury and to train and strengthen the athletes muscles against injury, advantageously increasing proprioception by stimulating critical sensory and tactile receptors in the foot and ankle.

Abstract: Described herein is an orthotic device and a method for using an orthotic device to provide a variable range of body support. The orthotic device can comprise a body brace, a primary body panel, and a secondary body panel configured to be releasably attached to the primary body panel. The subject invention addresses the problem of patients being required to purchase multiple orthotic devices in order to receive multiple levels of support by allowing a single orthotic device to provide a variable amount of support. In one embodiment, the variable amount of support is achieved by providing both a primary body panel and a secondary body panel, with the secondary body panel configured to be removably attached to the primary body panel.

Abstract: In some embodiments of the present invention, a vending machine display apparatus and method includes a controller, an electroluminescent display electrically coupled to the controller and adapted to be coupled to the vending machine in a location externally visible on the vending machine, and a power line coupled to the electroluminescent display and adapted to supply power to the electroluminescent display. The electroluminescent display can be associated with the user-manipulatable control and/or with a product in the vending machine dispensed by operation of the user-manipulatable control. In some embodiments, the electroluminescent display is responsive to the controller by changing graphics and/or text displayed by the display.

Abstract: An improved grid for use in a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor includes a plurality of straps that are interconnected with one another in a lattice fashion to define a plurality of cells, with the straps being configured to include a plurality of relatively more compliant springs and a plurality of relatively less compliant dimples, whereby each cell includes only one pair of springs and one pair of dimples disposed therein. The springs and dimples are contoured to engage a fuel rod or a thimble tube disposed within the cell. Each spring directly confronts one of the dimples to provide confronting pairs of features that engage the fuel rods or thimble tubes, with each cell including two pairs of confronting features. The ligaments of the springs and dimples extend in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of coolant flow through the reactor in order to minimize pressure drop.

Abstract: Device mounting cutouts in PCBs often alter desired characteristic trace impedances by disrupting the continuous low-impedance electrical connection between two or more ground planes that contribute to the control of the trace impedances. Maintaining control of the trace impedances is particularly important in PCBs containing RF devices. Plating one or more inner walls of an RF device mounting cutout with a conductive material in areas proximate to an RF trace enhances RF trace impedance control by establishing a low-impedance electrical connection between the ground planes at the cutout edges. In areas where RF traces contact the conductive plating, notches physically isolating the RF traces from the conductive plating also provide electrical isolation.

Abstract: An improved grid for use in a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor includes a plurality of straps that are interconnected with one another in a lattice fashion to define a plurality of cells, with the straps being configured to include a plurality of relatively more compliant springs and a plurality of relatively less compliant dimples, whereby each cell includes only one pair of springs and one pair of dimples disposed therein. The springs and dimples are contoured to engage a fuel rod or a thimble tube disposed within the cell. Each spring directly confronts one of the dimples to provide confronting pairs of features that engage the fuel rods or thimble tubes, with each cell including two pairs of confronting features. The ligaments of the springs and dimples extend in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of coolant flow through the reactor in order to minimize pressure drop.

Abstract: A system for percutaneously inserting a prosthesis containing a biological replacement for a defective valve into an implantation site through a body lumen. The system contains a balloon catheter upon which a collapsable stent containing a venous valvular replacement is mounted. A protective shield is slidably mounted upon the catheter that is movable between a closed position over the balloon and an open position wherein the balloon can be inflated to expand the stent. A central lumen runs through the catheter that is formed of stainless steel. The central lumen provides a one to one torque ratio between the proximal end of the catheter and the distal end to enhance the steerability of the catheter. The vein of the replacement is reduced in thickness between 50% and 90% of its original size thereby considerably reducing the size of the replacement package when the stem is collapsed upon the balloon of the catheter.

Abstract: In some embodiments of the present invention, a vending machine display apparatus and method includes a controller, an electroluminescent display electrically coupled to the controller and adapted to be coupled to the vending machine in a location externally visible on the vending machine, and a power line coupled to the electroluminescent display and adapted to supply power to the electroluminescent display. The electroluminescent display can be associated with the user-manipulatable control and/or with a product in the vending machine dispensed by operation of the user-manipulatable control. In some embodiments, the electroluminescent display is responsive to the controller by changing graphics and/or text displayed by the display.

Abstract: An ankle brace attachable to a patient including a foot plate, a medial upright, a lateral upright, and a shin guard. The shin guard is positionable between the patient's leg and the medial upright and the lateral upright. The ankle brace can also include one or more distal straps and/or one or more proximal straps. The shin guard is positionable between the patient's leg and the distal and/or proximal straps.

Abstract: A tongue and groove profile for a construction panel wherein the tongue protrudes and extends outwardly from a first edge of the panel to a head portion. A shoulder portion of the tongue has two radiused convex or concave sides which intersect and merge with the first edge of the panel. A groove is formed in a second edge of the panel and extends inwardly into the second edge forming a cavity. The groove has a head portion which extends into a neck which expands into a shoulder which has two radiused concave or convex sides so that the tongue will fit into the groove. The radiused sides expand to form an opening in the second edge of the panel. The tongue of one panel can fit in interlocking relationship into the a groove of a second panel to form a joint between the two panels.

Abstract: A tongue and groove profile for a construction panel wherein the tongue protrudes and extends outwardly from a first edge of the panel and has a chamfered head. The head expands from the chamfered edge to a neck and merges into a shoulder portion. The shoulder portion of the tongue has two radiused convex sides which intersect and merge with the first edge of the panel. A groove is formed in a second edge of the panel and extends inwardly into the second edge forming a cavity. The groove has a chamfered head which expands into a neck which then expands into a wider shoulder portion which has two radiused concave sides which expand outwardly to form an opening in the second edge of a panel. The tongue of one construction panel can fit in interlocking relationship into a groove of a second panel to form a joint between the two panels.