Abstract: A multi electrode and needle injection device for identifying and treating muscle pain using two simultaneous electrode EMG recordings to locate an active trigger point. The two electrodes are displaced so that one electrode detects EMG activity at the trigger point and the other detects EMG activity adjacent to the trigger point, within the same muscle. The combination of the electrodes with a drug delivery system allows the user to inject a medication locally at the trigger point to block the trigger point activity and reduce or eliminate muscle pain. The electrodes are on a hypodermic needle. The needle is used to both facilitate the location of the trigger points, and for treatment, by injecting a drug into the trigger points.

Abstract: A multi electrode and needle injection device for identifying and treating muscle pain using two simultaneous electrode EMG recordings to locate an active trigger point. The two electrodes are displaced so that one electrode detects EMG activity at the trigger point and the other detects EMG activity adjacent to the trigger point, within the same muscle. The combination of the electrodes with a drug delivery system allows the user to inject a medication locally at the trigger point to block the trigger point activity and reduce or eliminate muscle pain. The electrodes are on a hypodermic needle. The needle is used to both facilitate the location of the trigger points, and for treatment, by injecting a drug into the trigger points.

Abstract: A water heater is restrained against movement, such as during an earthquake, by a restraining system. The restraining system includes a pair of adjustable straps, which accommodate water heaters of various sizes. One end of each strap is securely attached to a supporting surface, such as a wall. The other end of the straps contain a plurality of slots configured to receive a connector. A connector is positioned in a desired slot or slots in each strap such that when the straps are placed around the water heater, the connectors are positioned proximate to each other. An adjustable fastener such as a bolt is inserted through an aperture in each connector to adjustably fasten the connectors together. The adjustable connector allows fine adjustment of the tension of straps around the water heater.

Abstract: A water heater is restrained against movement, such as during an earthquake, by a restraining system. The restraining system includes a pair of adjustable straps, which accommodate water heaters of various sizes. One end of each strap is securely attached to a supporting surface, such as a wall. The other end of the straps contain a plurality of slots configured to receive a connector. A connector is positioned in a desired slot or slots in each strap such that when the straps are placed around the water heater, the connectors are positioned proximate to each other. An adjustable fastener such as a bolt is inserted through an aperture in each connector to adjustably fasten the connectors together. The adjustable connector allows fine adjustment of the tension of straps around the water heater.

Abstract: An anti-rotation pipe locating and support device comprises a support and insert assembly that precisely locates and supports plumbing pipes relative to the structure of a building and prevents rotational movement of the pipes relative to the support. The support includes a support that can be fastened to the building structure and has one or more support openings for receiving the pipes. Inserts are used to receive and grip the pipes to secure them within the support openings with or without additional fastening techniques. Each support opening has at least one small tab which forms a lock with a slot provided in the insert, or is shaped to cooperate with a non-circular opening in the support to restrain the insert. The lock prevents the insert and pipe from rotating inside the support opening. The support and insert assembly also prevents lateral, vertical, and axial movement of the pipe relative to the support by constraints provided between the support and the insert.

Abstract: Machines for treating neuromuscular pain conditions and injuries by slow patient-controlled stretching of a muscle or group of muscles when they and surrounding muscles are in a relaxed state (i.e., with little or no extrafusal muscle fiber contractions). The machines include a fixed support such as seat. An adjustable support, such as a back or side rest is adjusted for the particular patient. A controllable support moved in an alternating motion, under the patient's control, allows the injured or painful muscle to be slowly stretched by gravity, while the muscles are relaxed. The controllable support is preferably moved by a hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A water heater is restrained against movement, such as during an earthquake, by a restraining system. The restraining system includes a pair of adjustable straps, which accommodate water heaters of various sizes. One end of each strap is securely attached to a supporting surface, such as a wall. The other end of the straps contain a plurality of slots configured to receive a connector. A connector is positioned in a desired slot or slots in each strap such that when the straps are placed around the water heater, the connectors are positioned proximate to each other. An adjustable fastener such as a bolt is inserted through an aperture in each connector to adjustably fasten the connectors together. The adjustable connector allows fine adjustment of the tension of straps around the water heater.

Abstract: Methods are provided for intramuscular needle diagnosis and treatment of muscle pain that is the result of sympathetically mediated spindle spasm. Two simultaneous needle EMG needle recordings are used to establish the presence of and magnitude of the "trigger points" in painful muscle. The abnormal muscle activity so identified is then treated by blocking the sympathetic activation of the muscle with an agent that inhibits sympathetic transmission.

Abstract: Crystals of the tyrosine kinase domain of cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases and receptor tyrosine kinases that undergo ligand-mediated receptor dimerization are provided. In particular, crystals of a mutant of the tyrosine kinase domain of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FLGK), alone and in complex with a non-hydrolyzable adenosine triphosphate analogue, are provided. Also provided are the high resolution three dimensional structures of crystalline FLGK, both alone and in co-complex with the adenosine triphosphate analogue, as determined by X-ray diffraction.

Abstract: Methods are provided for intramuscular needle diagnosis and treatment of muscle pain that is believed to be the result of sympathetically mediated spindle spasm. Two simultaneous needle EMG needle recordings are used to establish the presence of and magnitude of the "trigger points" in painful muscle. The abnormal muscle activity so identified can then be treated by blocking the sympathetic activation muscle blocker or other agent that would have the same effect of inhibiting the abnormal muscle activity.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for forming a pressed metal part in which a preform is inserted into a pressed metal mold. The mold is then filled with powdered metal. The powdered metal and preform are compacted to create a compacted metal part wherein the preform defines an adjacent volume next to the compacted metal part. The compacted metal part is ejected from the mold and sintered to create a sintered metal part. The preform is removed by the sintering step in such a way that the adjacent volume becomes a void region. The preform can be formed of copper so that, upon sintering, the preform is removed from the sintered metal part through infiltration. Alternatively, the preform can be formed of zinc so that, upon sintering, the preform is vaporized and thereby removed from the sintered metal part. The void region created by the removal of the preform can be an undercut, a taper, an annular groove, a thread or an internal cavity.

Abstract: A fetal electrode product for transmitting signals indicative of fetal heart rate from a fetus to a monitor. A drive mechanism slides and rotates a holder--to which are attached, at opposite ends, a fetal spiral electrode (FSE) and a reference electrode--to secure the FSE to the fetus. The drive mechanism has a solid drive rod, with at least two regions of different diameter defining the torque versus angular deflection characteristics of the drive rods and a clutch connected to the drive rod and imparting translation and rotation to the holder. The clutch is sufficiently pliable to slip over the reference electrode when the holder resists rotation. The drive rod, a handle, and the clutch are integrally molded together to form the drive mechanism and each has a channel transporting a twisted wire strand, which includes an untwisted length to facilitate removal of the FSE from the fetus, from the electrodes to a connector.

Abstract: A packaging system for a fetal electrode assembly. The assembly includes an electrode which can be attached to a fetus. The electrode is coupled to an electrode wire. The electrode wire extends through a drive tube and terminates in a connector end. A flexible guide tube receives the drive tube. The packaging system includes a handle and a clip. The handle is attached to the rearward end of the drive tube. The handle has a forward section which detachably mounts inside the rearward end of the guide tube. The handle also has a passage for receiving the connector end and a slot for securing the electrode wire when the electrode is not in use. The electrode projects from the forward end of the guide tube when the forward section of the handle is mounted inside the rearward end of the guide tube.

Abstract: An intrauterine pressure catheter system for monitoring pressure in the uterus of a mother during labor and delivery. The system includes a reusable junction box with a needle communicating directly to a pressure transducer sensor. The sensor transmits changes in pressure to a conventional pressure monitor. A connector attached to the catheter is pushed into the junction box and is held in place by a plastic latch. Inside this connector are an elastomeric plug and an adjacent diaphragm. When the connector is installed in the junction box, the needle pierces the plug and the tip enters the air-filled volume between the plug and the diaphragm. Fluid pressure in the catheter is communicated to the diaphragm surface and, in turn, passed to the air in the volume between the diaphragm and the plug. Thus, the intrauterine pressure is transmitted directly to the sensor. The system may be zeroed to atmosphere by simply removing the connector from the junction box.

Abstract: A suspended curtain system adaptable to non-uniform height ceilings having modular curtain panels suspended from a plurality of hangers, each hanger selected from an assortment of prefabricated lengths and is attached to roller mounted carriers supported in a track mounted to the ceiling to allow easy positioning of the suspended curtains by applying a horizontal force to the panels, the carriers are connected together by carrier links to reduce jamming of the carriers as they are moved around the track, the length of each hanger selected being sized to suspend the panels from the ceiling at a constant distance above the floor regardless of ceiling height.

Abstract: A cage boat having easily replaceable parts utilizes removable spacer rails for holding semiconductor wafers contained within a cage formed from slats removably attached to end pieces perpendicular to the slats.