Abstract: A medical system incorporates a perforated flexible web conformable to a patient, at least one electroacoustic transducer attached to the web, an a-c current source being operatively connected to the transducer for energizing the transducer with an electrical signal of a pre-established ultrasonic frequency to produce a first pressure wave. At least one acoustoelectric transducer is attached to the web, while an analyzing component is operatively connected to the acoustoelectric transducer for determining three-dimensional shapes of internal organs of the patient by analyzing signals generated by the acoustoelectric transducer in response to second pressure waves produced at internal organs of the patient in response to the first pressure wave. An image of internal organic structures derived through the ultrasonic signal analysis is displayed on a video monitor for enabling direct observation of invasive diagnostic and therapeutic operations.

Abstract: A protective method for storage and transport containers comprises a sensor for detecting orientation, an attachment element for securing the sensor to a container, and an alarm operatively coupled to the sensor for generating a cognizable alert signal upon detection by the sensor that the container is in an orientation other than a predetermined preferred orientation. The alarm may include an electroacoustic transducer and means for reproducing a voice message. A timer operatively connected to the sensor measures a time interval during which the container is in an orientation other than the preferred orientation. A memory is operatively connected to the timer for automatically storing the time interval in encoded form. A mechanism and/or circuit may be operatively connected to the timer and the memory for deactivating the timer and for locking the memory to ensure integrity of contents of the memory upon an opening of the container. The method may also include a detector for measuring temperature.

Abstract: A guitar case has a casing frame including a plurality of inflatable bladders for defining a compartment for receiving a guitar and for resiliently supporting the guitar placed in the compartment. The bladders when inflated or expanded substantially surround and grip the guitar in the compartment. The bladders are releasably connected to one another along their peripheries, by a zipper or by VELCRO.TM. type loop and hook fasteners. The two halves of the inflatable guitar case may be completely separable. In that case, at least one of the bladders is provided with a shelf for supporting the guitar and with a stand element for supporting the bladder and the guitar in an upright orientation. The guitar case may be a stand-alone case and in that event is provided with a handle or hand grip for facilitating manual transport of the case and the guitar therein. Alternatively, the above-described guitar case may function as a liner to be inserted in a conventional guitar case with rigid or semirigid panels.

Abstract: A table tennis table includes a main panel having a main table length and a pair of opposing major edges. A frame is connected to the main panel to supporting the main panel in a horizontal orientation. A pair of auxiliary panels are provided with a length substantially equal to the main table length. Adjustable mounting elements on the auxiliary panels and coupled to the frame mount the auxiliary panels to the frame along the major edges. The auxiliary panels have a first orientation extending substantially perpendicularly relative to the main panel and upwardly from the main panel to form rebound surfaces. The auxiliary panels additionally have a second orientation substantially coplanar with the main panel to laterally extend a playing surface of the main panel. Braces are connected the auxiliary panels to bracing the auxiliary panels alternately in the first orientation and the second orientation.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly for use in snare cauterization operations includes a first tubular sheath member containing a metallic electrical snare cauterization loop. A second tubular sheath member is disposed inside of the first tubular sheath member. A flexible suture member is releasably connected to the cauterization loop, and is provided with a one-way slip knot at its distal end thereby forming a loop of a size corresponding to that of the cauterization loop. The proximal end of the suture member is disposed in the distal end of the second tubular sheath member and is releasably joined to a manually-controlled flexible tensioning device. During use of the instrument, the cauterization loop and connected suture member is expanded from a collapsed configuration and passed over a polyp or other body tissue that is to be removed.

Abstract: A method for making a food product utilizes an aliquot of dough disposed in a predetermined shape about a cooking member made of a material which has a chemical composition essentially impervious to cooking temperatures. The dough is cooked, e.g., boiled or baked, at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period. The cooking member is maintained in the dough during the cooking thereof. After the cooking of the dough at the predetermined temperature for the predetermined period, the cooking member is removed from the cooked dough, thereby creating a chamber in the cooked dough.

Abstract: A surgical method for assisting a malfunctioning heart comprises inserting a balloon into an intrapericardial space and inflating the balloon in the intrapericardial space to place a compressive pressure on a heart in the intrapericardial space sufficient to force blood from the heart. A lubricant is fed to the intrapericardial space after insertion of the balloon into the space.

Abstract: An apparatus for repelling animals from an automobile is mounted in an automobile having an engine compartment and an automotive battery. A generator for producing vibrations which can be sensed by animals is mounted in the engine compartment. The vibration generator is wired to the automotive battery for supplying electrical energy from the battery to the generator. A switch is connected to the vibration generator to switch the vibration generator between an activated state, in which the generator generates vibrations, and a deactivated state, in which the generator does not generate vibrations. The switch may be connected to the ignition of the automobile to deactivate the generator while the ignition is activated, and to activate the generator while the ignition is deactivated.

Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical apparatus includes a laparoscopic instrument having a distal end portion insertable through a laparoscopic trocar sleeve into an abdominal cavity of a patient, the distal end portion including a plurality of at least partially opposable articulated manipulating fingers. A glove is provided having a plurality of hollow finger parts, while a position sensing system is operatively connected to the glove for detecting positions and configurations of the hollow finger parts upon insertion of a surgeon's hand into the glove and upon movement the finger parts by the surgeon during a laparoscopic procedure. An actuator assembly is operatively connected to the position sensing system and to the laparoscopic instrument for moving the manipulating fingers thereof to essentially duplicate positions and configurations of the glove finger parts in response to signals from the sensing system.

Abstract: A method for performing a coronary artery bypass comprises utilizes a thoracoscope and a tubular bypass member. The method includes the step of disposing the thoracoscope in the pericardium of a patient so that the distal end of the thoracoscope projects unto the intrapericardial space of the patient. The bypass member is inserted into the intrapericardial space, and, under direct observation via the thoracoscope, the bypass member is attached to the aorta and a coronary artery of the patient so that blood flows from the aorta through the bypass member and into the coronary artery.

Abstract: A method for removing a polyp from a patient utilizes (i) a flexible conductive cauterization loop and (ii) a flexible auxiliary loop to which a flexible web member is connected to define an expandable pocket, the cauterization loop and the auxiliary loop being disposed in a common tubular member. Upon insertion of an endoscope assembly into a patient and a locating of the polyp, the tubular member is moved through the biopsy channel of the endoscope to eject a distal end portion of the tubular member from the biopsy channel. The cauterization loop is then shifted in a distal direction relative to the ejected tubular member to eject the cauterization loop from the tubular member. The cauterization loop is manipulated from outside of the patient to pass the loop over the polyp and to at least partially close the loop to engage the polyp around a base region thereof.

Abstract: A method for concentrating solar energy utilizes a pool of a homogenous fluidic substance disposed over a reflective surface. Mechanical energy is controllably imparted to the pool, for example, via synchronized electromechanical transducers, to generate a standing wave of the fluidic substance in the pool. Incoming solar radiation is differentially reflected from the pool and the reflective surface, upon generation of the standing wave in the fluidic substance, to concentrate the incoming solar radiation at a predetermined location spaced from the pool. At that predetermined location is a solar energy collector for absorbing and storing the solar radiation.

Abstract: A medical method utilizes a medical instrument such as a suturing needle made of biocompatible material. In addition, a medical operating room is provided with a container of a solvent fluidic material. During a medical procedure, the instrument is used to operate on a patient in the operating room. Upon completed use of the instrument, it is deposited in the container in the operating room, whereupon the instrument dissolves in the container.

Abstract: A device utilizable with an endoscope to promote cleanliness comprises a substantially thin-walled elongate tubular sheath made of a flexible material, the sheath having a use configuration with an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of an insertion member of the endoscope, whereby the sheath may be removably disposed about such insertion member to substantially surround same prior to insertion of the insertion member into a patient. A liner element extends parallel to the sheath and inside the sheath at least along a distal end portion of the liner element. The liner element is insertable into a biopsy channel of the insertion member of the endoscope. The sheath and the liner element are attached at their distal ends by a transparent cap member to form a germ-tight seal. Biopsy channels expandable from a collapsed configuration to receive endoscopic surgical instruments during an operation are provided in or on the sheath.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly for a snare cauterization operation comprises a tubular member having a diameter sufficiently small so that the tubular member can be inserted through a biopsy channel of a flexible endoscope. Multiple endoscopic instrument including a cauterization loop, a flexible web member connected to the cauterization loop or to an auxiliary loop so as to form a capture pocket, and an elongate flexible fluid feed tube provided at a distal end with a needle point and an aperture, are slidably disposed in the tubular member. The fluid feed instrument is used to expand a flat or nonprojecting polyp prior to severing thereof with the cauterization loop and capture of the severed polyp with the web member or pocket.

Abstract: An apparatus for specimen retrieval includes an outer impermeable pouch having an opening and a mesh enclosure having an opening. The enclosure is disposed inside the pouch and the enclosure opening is aligned with the pouch opening. The pouch includes an inflatable or resilient element for biasing the pouch opening in an open position. An element is provided for closing the pouch opening, and componentry is provided for constricting the mesh enclosure to morcellate a specimen contained therein. The constricting componentry includes componentry for retracting the enclosure or componentry for twisting the enclosure.

Abstract: Photographic film comprises a flexible substrate sheet divided on one side into a multiplicity of different picture areas provided with respective layers of photosensitive chemical material having a plurality of different photosensitivities. Thus, each sheet or strip of film is essentially multiple ASA film. Such a film strip is provided with detectible code on a substrate sheet for encoding the photosensitivities of the different picture areas in a readable format. A camera utilizing the film is provided with a magnetic reader for determining film speeds or photosensitivities of the different picture areas on the film. A film transport mechanism is controlled by a microprocessor to move an unexposed picture area of an appropriate ASA to an exposure zone of the camera, either in response to a manually selected ASA or an automatic determination of optimal film speed in accordance with lighting conditions as detected by a light sensor, subject distance, etc.

Abstract: In a therapeutic medical method, a pump and a container are surgically inserted into a patient's abdominal cavity so that the pump is operatively connected to an outlet of the container. The outlet is surgically connected to a selected organ in the abdominal cavity of the patient so that the container can communicate with the organ via the outlet. Subsequently, the pump is operated to move a medical treatment composition from the container to the selected organ in accordance with a first delivery schedule. The progress of the patient is monitored during a period of treatment of the organ at the first delivery schedule, and subsequently, in response to information which is acquired during the step of monitoring and which concerns an effect on the patient of the first treatment schedule, the pump is operated to move the medical treatment composition from the container to the organ in accordance with a second delivery schedule different from the first.

Abstract: In a method for removing a myoma, an antenna electrode is placed into a patient so that the antenna electrode is in contact with the patient's uterus. A cutting electrode is also inserted into the patient and placed into contact with uterine tissues about a myoma. The antenna electrode and the cutting electrode are energized with radio frequency energy so that the cutting electrode cuts through the uterine tissues.

Abstract: A camera device comprises a photosensitive film, a frame connected to the film for holding the film fixed in a plane, a plurality of lenses having respective focal lengths, and a plurality of spring loaded brackets equal in number to the lenses. The brackets removably mount respective lenses to the frame and are dimensioned for holding the lenses at respective focal positions relative to the film. Releasable locking elements equal in number to the lenses are attached to the frame in operative engagement with respective brackets for holding the brackets in collapsed pre-usage configurations in opposition to spring forces tending to expand the brackets and position the lenses at the respective focal positions. A plurality of shutters equal in number to the lenses are mounted to the frame for enabling light transmission selectively from the lenses onto the film.