Abstract: A traction system for automatically tracking and displaying parameters of a joint during surgery. The traction system includes a traction device and a computing device. The traction device has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end has a platform with a perineal post extending therefrom and the distal end has one or more footrests extended therefrom. One or more sensors are connected to the traction device. The one or more sensors generate sensor data based on movement of the traction device. A computing device is connected to the one or more sensors and is configured to receive the sensor data and process the sensor data into a metric. A display connected to the computing device is configured to display the metric.

Abstract: A traction system for automatically tracking and displaying parameters of a joint during surgery. The traction system includes a traction device and a computing device. The traction device has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end has a platform with a perineal post extending therefrom and the distal end has one or more footrests extended therefrom. One or more sensors are connected to the traction device. The one or more sensors generate sensor data based on movement of the traction device. A computing device is connected to the one or more sensors and is configured to receive the sensor data and process the sensor data into a metric. A display connected to the computing device is configured to display the metric.

Abstract: A multi-stage toilet flush valve includes an inner valve and an outer valve that circumstribes the inner valve. The inner and outer valve control the flow of flushwater through associated inner and outer outlets. Thus, when the flush valve is actuated, the inner and outer valves are actuated at separate times, while the inner valve delivers flushwater to a rim of the toilet, while the outer valve delivers flushwater to a jet feed outlet in the toilet. As such the multi-stage toilet valve provides two independent inner and outer flushwater delivery outlets that are controlled by associated inner and outer valves that are capable of being actuated at separate times to control the ratio of flushwater delivered to a toilet rim and to a toilet jet feed outlet to enhance the effectiveness in which the toilet bowl is cleaned.

Abstract: A toilet having enhanced cleaning features includes a drain surface positioned behind a rear edge of a toilet bowl opening, which is sloped to direct the flow of liquid waste captured therein back into the toilet bowl. The toilet may also include a seat and lid having arms that are pivotably attached to the toilet, which are spaced so that they are laterally positioned to the outside of at least a portion of a deck surface when the seat and lid are resting thereupon. Additionally, the toilet seat and lid may pivot about an axis that is positioned behind the bowl opening and a proximate to a flushwater inlet of the toilet. Thus, such features of the toilet allow the seat and lid to be positioned so that the deck surface, as well as the drain surface, can be readily accessed and cleaned.

Abstract: A multi-stage toilet flush valve includes an inner valve and an outer valve that circumstribes the inner valve. The inner and outer valve control the flow of flushwater through associated inner and outer outlets. Thus, when the flush valve is actuated, the inner and outer valves are actuated at separate times, while the inner valve delivers flushwater to a rim of the toilet, while the outer valve delivers flushwater to a jet feed outlet in the toilet. As such the multi-stage toilet valve provides two independent inner and outer flushwater delivery outlets that are controlled by associated inner and outer valves that are capable of being actuated at separate times to control the ratio of flushwater delivered to a toilet rim and to a toilet jet feed outlet to enhance the effectiveness in which the toilet bowl is cleaned.

Abstract: A siphonic flush toilet includes a tank adapted to hold flush water which includes a jet opening and a rim opening. A bowl assembly is also included which has a bowl with a rim conduit connected to the rim opening and a jet feed connected to the jet opening. A rim trap assembly is connected to a flush valve and opening of the flush valve allows flush water to enter the rim conduit and the jet feed. Closure of the flush valve stops flush water from entering the rim conduit and the jet feed while retaining flush water in the rim trap assembly to maintain a prime within the connected jet feed.

Abstract: A hygienic water jet assembly for a spa includes a body having a conical jet outlet that receives pressurized water and air from suitable sources. A control insert is disposed within the conical jet outlet and spaced therefrom by a gap, such that the control insert serves to combine the water and air together for delivery to a jet nozzle carried by the control insert. The control insert also includes a pair of conical surfaces that allows residual water within the control insert to drain by gravity out of the control insert through apertures disposed therethrough. The water draining out of the control insert is then permitted to drain out of the jet nozzle via the gap by gravity.

Abstract: An anti-overflow toilet includes a jet feed conduit that is positioned opposite to a waste drain outlet. The toilet also includes an overflow conduit having an overflow inlet that is positioned within the jet feed conduit, which delivers flushwater from a tank to a jet outlet port to the toilet bowl. In the event the bowl becomes clogged, excess flushwater within the bowl is routed back through the jet outlet port and into the overflow inlet of the overflow conduit, whereupon the flushwater is routed via the overflow conduit away from the toilet to a suitable drain.

Abstract: A pilot fill valve includes a float that is separated into upper and lower cavities by an angled partition through which a drain outlet and an overflow outlet are disposed. When the level of the float drops, a portion of the water supplied to the fill valve is diverted to a tank to raise the float, while the remainder is diverted to the upper cavity increasing the weight of the float. As the float begins to rise, the water in the upper cavity drains through the drain outlet and overflow outlet, making the float lighter, and causing the float and pivot arm to rotate with increased velocity, allowing the pilot cap carried by the pivot arm to fully shut off the valve.

Abstract: A pilot fill valve includes a float that is separated into upper and lower cavities by an angled partition through which a drain outlet and an overflow outlet are disposed. When the level of the float drops, a portion of the water supplied to the fill valve is diverted to a tank to raise the float, while the remainder is diverted to the upper cavity increasing the weight of the float. As the float begins to rise, the water in the upper cavity drains through the drain outlet and overflow outlet, making the float lighter, and causing the float and pivot arm to rotate with increased velocity, allowing the pilot cap carried by the pivot arm to fully shut off the valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to in vitro cultured skin substitutes, and in particular to improved methods for organotypic culture of skin substitutes. In some embodiments, the dermal equivalent of the skin substitute is lifted to air interface of the culture prior to seeding with keratinocytes. In other embodiments, increased concentrations of collagen are used to form the dermal equivalent. In still other embodiments, optimized media are utilized to maintain the skin equivalents.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compositions and method for freezing and/or drying organs for storage prior to use. In particular, the present invention relates to the genetic modification of cells used to form organs so that organs formed from the genetically modified cells can be dried. According to the invention, mammalian cells may be modified with genes encoding plant late embryogenesis protein HVA1, trehalose transport protein, or a trehalose synthesis pathway. The invention also provides methods of treating patients with organs that have been preserved by freezing and/or drying.

Abstract: A protectant mixture for use in preserving biological materials comprising (1) at least one polyhydroxy compound, where the total amount of polyhydroxy compound in the mixture is from about 5% to about 60% by weight of the mixture where the mixture is an aqueous solution and is from about 10% to about 95% where the mixture is in solid form, and (2) phosphate ions, where the total amount of phosphate ions in the mixture is such that the molar ratio of phosphate ions to hydroxy groups in the polyhydroxy compound is from about 0.025 to about 0.625; a preservation medium comprising (1) a biological material, (2) at least one polyhydroxy compound, where the total amount of polyhydroxy compound in the medium is from about 5% to about 60% by weight of the medium, and (3) phosphate ions, where the total amount of phosphate ions in the mixture is such that the molar ratio of phosphate ions to hydroxy groups in the polyhydroxy compound is from about 0.025 to about 0.

Abstract: A protectant mixture for use in preserving biological materials comprising (1) at least one polyhydroxy compound, where the total amount of polyhydroxy compound in the mixture is from about 5% to about 60% by weight of the mixture where the mixture is an aqueous solution and is from about 10% to about 95% where the mixture is in solid form, and (2) phosphate ions, where the total amount of phosphate ions in the mixture is such that the molar ratio of phosphate ions to hydroxy groups in the polyhydroxy compound is from about 0.025 to about 0.625; a preservation medium comprising (1) a biological material, (2) at least one polyhydroxy compound, where the total amount of polyhydroxy compound in the medium is from about 5% to about 60% by weight of the medium, and (3) phosphate ions, where the total amount of phosphate ions in the mixture is such that the molar ratio of phosphate ions to hydroxy groups in the polyhydroxy compound is from about 0.025 to about 0.

Abstract: A protectant mixture for use in preserving biological materials comprising (1) at least one polyhydroxy compound, where the total amount of polyhydroxy compound in the mixture is from about 5% to about 60% by weight of the mixture where the mixture is an aqueous solution and is from about 10% to about 95% where the mixture is in solid form, and (2) phosphate ions, where the total amount of phosphate ions in the mixture is such that the molar ratio of phosphate ions to hydroxy groups in the polyhydroxy compound is from about 0.025 to about 0.625; a preservation medium comprising (1) a biological material, (2) at least one polyhydroxy compound, where the total amount of polyhydroxy compound in the medium is from about 5% to about 60% by weight of the medium, and (3) phosphate ions, where the total amount of phosphate ions in the mixture is such that the molar ratio of phosphate ions to hydroxy groups in the polyhydroxy compound is from about 0.025 to about 0.