Abstract: An inner seal is provided for protecting a CV joint boot for a CV joint. The CV joint includes a bearing, a back sealing means and a front can. The bearing operatively connects a first shaft and a second shaft. The bearing has an inner race and an outer race and has a front and a back. The first shaft is connected to the inner race. The second shaft is connected to the outer race. The front can is connected to the outer race. The back sealing means seals against leakage of lubricant from the back of the bearing. The inner seal comprises an inner seal body having a front can sealing portion for sealing with the front can to inhibit the migration of lubricant from the bearing therebetween. The inner seal body has a shaft sealing portion for sealing with the first shaft to inhibit the migration of lubricant from the bearing therebetween. The inner seal body has a shield portion that extends between the front can sealing portion and the shaft sealing.

Abstract: An orthotic obstructive sleep apnea treatment device is provided that includes a hyoid bone attachment element disposed to attach a ferric element to a hyoid bone, where the ferric element is disposed to face along a treatment vector from the hyoid bone, and the treatment vector is oriented relative to a sagittal plane of a human. The orthotic obstructive sleep apnea treatment device further includes an external orthotic neck device having a contoured housing with a shape disposed to conform about a neck of the human subject, where the housing includes a force delivery element disposed at an exterior-front neck region of the human subject and is disposed to provide an attractive force to the ferric element along the treatment vector. A force sensor is disposed to measure a force exerted on the hyoid bone, a skin contact pressure, tissue compression between the ferric element and the force delivery element.

Abstract: A system for auto-anastomosing a region of the body using magnetic members that may be individually delivered to different locations in the body. The magnetic members have a polar alignment that generates an attractive force to compress tissue in the region between them. The tissue in the region necroses as a result of the compressive force such that tissue surrounding the necrosed tissue heals together to form an anastomosis. A cutting member may be coupled to either the first or second magnetic member to create a temporary opening in the tissue.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for incrementally manipulating an internal body member of a patient are disclosed. The apparatus has a magnetic implant adapted to be received on a location of the body member, a platform external to the patient, and a magnetic member coupled to the platform, wherein the magnetic member generates a magnetic force between the implant and the platform to incrementally manipulate the body member. The implant and external magnetic member are preferably rare earth magnets or an array of rare earth magnets, and are configured to generate an attractive or repulsive force between the implant and the platform to reposition, reorient, deform, or lengthen the body member.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for manipulating an anatomical feature within the body of the patient. An implant such as an internal jackscrew is implanted at the anatomical and has first and second attachment points that secure to spaced-apart locations on the anatomical feature. An internal motor is coupled to the jackscrew, and is configured to drive motion of the jackscrew to manipulate the anatomical feature. The system further includes an external driver that is inductively coupled to the internal motor to manipulate the anatomical feature.

Abstract: A wall panel for use in a flatbed trailer sidewall system includes a frame and a waterproof fabric sheet. The frame may include a bore therein to receive an enlarged edge profile of the fabric sheet. The frame of the wall panel is generally rectangular in shape and consists of a top rail, a bottom rail, and two opposing side rails extending between the top rail and bottom rail. The rails may be secured to one another using one or both of a corner bracket and a threaded insert and threaded fastener assembly.

Abstract: A sidewall system for receipt by pockets of a flatbed trailer includes a T-stake having a post portion and a wall panel retaining portion. A sleeve has a body of a selected size to be received in the pocket of the flatbed trailer and has a channel sized to receive the post portion of the T-stake. The sleeve may also include an outwardly projecting flange, and may be attached to the post portion of the T-stake. The sleeve is adapted to convert a variety of pocket sizes into a single universal size for receipt of a standard T-stake.

Abstract: A wall panel for use in a flatbed trailer sidewall system includes a frame and a waterproof fabric sheet. The frame may include a bore therein to receive an enlarged edge profile of the fabric sheet. The frame of the wall panel is generally rectangular in shape and consists of a top rail, a bottom rail, and two opposing side rails extending between the top rail and bottom rail. The rails may be secured to one another using one or both of a corner bracket and a threaded insert and threaded fastener assembly.

Abstract: A system for auto-anastomosing a region of the body using magnetic members that may be individually delivered to different locations in the body. The magnetic members have a polar alignment that generates an attractive force to compress tissue in the region between them. The tissue in the region necroses as a result of the compressive force such that tissue surrounding the necrosed tissue heals together to form an anastomosis. A cutting member may be coupled to either the first or second magnetic member to create a temporary opening in the tissue.

Abstract: A method and agents for endogenous control, treatment, management and prevention of preterm labor by inducement of endogenous nitric oxide synthase. The method for endogenous production of nitric oxide in myometrium involves administering to a pregnant mammal a cytokine, hormone or growth factor agent able to induce production of nitric oxide or nitric oxide synthase. A non-invasive diagnostic procedure for detecting the presence and/or impending onset of premature labor.

Abstract: A fetal monitor is provided for gathering characteristic data such as fetal electrocardiogram, temperature and intra-uterine pressure so that fetal health may be determined during intra-operative and postoperative periods. The fetal monitor comprises a remote sensing unit, the remote sensing unit containing sensors which continually sample fetal temperature and electrocardiogram. A transceiver is housed in the remote sensing unit and outputs the sampled fetal temperature and electrocardiogram signals to an external antenna. A monitoring station is provided for monitoring the fetal temperature and electrocardiogram signals from the antenna. Additionally, a pressure transducer may be housed in the remote sensing unit for continually sampling intra-uterine pressure. This intra-uterine pressure signal in combination with the above signals are utilized to determine fetal health or the onset and progress of parturition.

Abstract: A method for control, management and inhibition of a preterm labor by providing to a pregnant woman a donor of nitric oxide. Management and inhibition of preterm labor is achieved by administering to a pregnant woman a nitric oxide or donor source in a safe and non-toxic concentration during the preterm labor.

Abstract: A fetal monitor is provided for gathering characteristic data such as fetal electrocardiogram, temperature and intra-uterine pressure so that fetal health may be determined during intra-operative and postoperative periods. The fetal monitor comprises a remote sensing unit, the remote sensing unit containing sensors which continually sample fetal temperature and electrocardiogram. A transceiver is housed in the remote sensing unit and outputs the sampled fetal temperature and electrocardiogram signals to an external antenna. A monitoring station is provided for monitoring the fetal temperature and electrocardiogram signals from the antenna. Additionally, a pressure transducer may be housed in the remote sensing unit for continually sampling intra-uterine pressure. This intra-uterine pressure signal in combination with the above signals are utilized to determine fetal health or the onset and progress of parturition.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of fundoplication of the stomach to the esophagus comprising introducing an esophageal manipulator (72) into the stomach lumen (10), maneuvering the manipulator within the lumen so as to create an intussusception (48) of the esophagus (14) into the stomach, introducing a stapler (68) to the lumen of the stomach, and stapling the intussuscepted esophagus to the stomach operation of the stapler is from within the lumen of the stomach. The invention also provides a medical or surgical stapler comprising an elongated body (80) having a passageway (70) which is adapted to receive a medical component such as a forceps (72) or fluid.

Abstract: A uterine monitor is provided for gathering characteristic data such as maternal uterine electromyogram, uterine temperature and intra-uterine pressure so that the onset of parturition or labor may be determined. The uterine monitor comprises a remote sensing unit, the remote sensing unit containing sensors which sense uterine temperature, intra-uterine pressure and uterine electromyogram. A transceiver is housed in the remote sensing unit and outputs the sensed signals to an external antenna. A monitoring station is provided for monitoring the sampled signals. Additionally a medication dispenser is provided which may be actuated by the monitoring station upon the onset of parturition or labor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a duplex communication system wherein a local station transmits a modulated signal at a nominal, fixed frequency f.sub.1 to a remote station which transmits, simultaneously, to the local station, a modulated signal at a nominal, fixed frequency f.sub.2, which frequency f.sub.2 is displaced from frequency f.sub.1, by a frequency .vertline.f.sub.2 =f.sub.1 .vertline. being the intermediate frequency of the receivers at both the first and second stations. Novel transmitter signal suppression is provided in the circuits of the local and remote stations so that a common transmit-receive antenna may be utilized at each station without swamping either receiver's front-end circuits on transmission and optimum conversion gain may be realized on reception.

Abstract: A multicell sealed rechargeable battery is disclosed including an open mouth monobloc container formed of a plurality of cup-shaped cell holders interconnected at mutual tangent zones, electrochemical cells of the rechargeable type fitting into the cell holders and interconnected to form the battery, and a closure member attached to the mouth of the monobloc container.

Abstract: Timing apparatus is provided for use in calibrating a wristwatch whose timing accuracy depends on the oscillation frequency of an electrical oscillator in the wristwatch. Electrical energy radiated from the wristwatch is picked up and in response there is produced a first periodic signal whose fundamental frequency depends on the oscillation frequency. In response to the first periodic signal there is produced a second periodic signal. The first and second periodic signals have the same fundamental frequency, but a frequency-dependent phase-shifting circuit causes a phase shift to be defined between the first and second periodic signals. The amount of this phase shift depends on the frequency difference between the equal fundamental frequencies and a predetermined standard frequency. An indicator is provided, and a phase-difference detecting circuit arrangement causes the indicator to display an indication of said frequency difference.