Abstract: The present invention is a medical table having a head end column and a pair of foot end columns, all of which are automatically and simultaneously extendable and retractable between upper and lower positions. A patient support system, which may include a body support and separate leg supports, is supported by the head and foot end columns.

Abstract: A medical table having a head end column and a pair of foot end columns, all of which are automatically and simultaneously extendable and retractable between upper and lower positions. A patient support system, which may include a body support and separate leg supports, is supported by the head and foot end columns.

Abstract: A surgical table having a table top which extends between a pair of vertically extending posts and which is laterally rotatable about its longitudinal axis. The head and foot ends of the table may be raised or lowered as needed to position the patient in trendelenberg and reverse trendelenberg orientations. The table top is coupled to each of the posts by means of gimbals having perpendicular rotation axes which provide the degrees of freedom necessary to permit both lateral rotation (to any angle) and trendelenberg.

Abstract: A patient support for harvesting a saphenous vein utilizing a base member that has an outwardly extending upper element. The upper element includes at least one surface with an edge portion. The edge portion is intended for contacting a portion of the leg and applying pressure to the soft tissue of the leg to provide surgical access to the saphenous vein by shifting the soft tissue relative to a leg bone.

Abstract: A limb positioning apparatus utilizing a structural member having a compartment with an opening thereto. The structural member is supported at a predetermined position relative to the limb and at a certain distance from the limb. A first line is linked or attached to the limb and connected to a constant force spring located within the compartment of the structural member. A second line is attachable to the limb and is also connected to a constant force spring lying within the compartment of the structural member. The forces exerted by the first and second constant force springs are applied cumulatively or alternatively to provide a pre-determined tension force on the limb of the patient.

Abstract: A lower limb traction system utilizes a perineal post for applying counter-traction and for stabilizing the patient's hips and a traction unit for supporting the leg and for maintaining traction in the leg. The traction unit is moveable along a substantially horizontal arcuate path defined by a circumferential guide and having a center of rotation that is selected to be concentric with the center of rotation location of the hip associated with the leg to be placed in traction. Abduction and adduction of a leg is achieved by moving the traction unit along the arcuate path.

Abstract: A table for supporting a patient during medical procedures comprises a preferably radiolucent patient support framework mountable between upright head and foot posts. The patient support framework includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is connected to the head post and supports patient support means such as a radiolucent table top for supine positioning, a head board and inflatable chest pads for prone positioning, and inflatable V-shaped lateral support pads for lateral positioning. The second portion is connected between the first portion and the foot post and at least partially surrounds a surgeon's working space which is located between the first portion of the patient support framework and the foot post. An opening in the second portion of the frame permits lateral entry by the surgeon or other medical personnel into the working space.

Abstract: A patient head support for a shoulder surgery positioner having a headrest and a forehead band. The support includes a pad which is extendable over the chin of the patient. The pad possesses a soft outer surface. A pair of straps, each including first and second ends are connected to the pad at the first end thereof. Each of the straps also engage the headrest at the second end to adjustably hold the pad to the chin of the patient. A fastener is employed, such as a hook and pile arrangement. Such provision entails the fastener to include a member which extends along the pad and which is fixed relative to the pad to relieve tension of the pad. Thus, the pair of straps form adjustable closed loops relative to the pad.

Abstract: A surgery table utilizing a frame member which is supported on a ground surface, A platform is connected to the frame member and includes a laterally movable portion which supports a patient. The table also includes a torso support which is connected to and moves with the laterally movable portion of the platform. A leg support rotates relative to the platform and connects to a hip support which holds the patient's hip during such rotation.

Abstract: A method of testing semi-conductor chips is disclosed. The individual semiconductor chips have I/O, power, and ground contacts. In the method of the invention a chip test fixture system is provided. The chip test fixture system has contacts corresponding to the contacts on the semiconductor chip. The carrier contacts have dendritic surfaces. The chip contacts are brought into electrically conductive contact with the conductor pads on the chip test fixture system. Test signal input vectors are applied to the inputs of the semiconductor chip, and output signal vectors are recovered from the semiconductor chip. After testing the chip is removed from the substrate.

Abstract: Spine motion analyzer and method in which a self-aligning measurement linkage is attached to the subject above and below the portion of the spine in which motion is to be monitored. Mounts are provided for attaching the ends of the linkage in fixed positions near the sacrum, beneath the scapulae, and on the head for monitoring either lumbar motion or cervical motion. The linkage has a plurality of arms which move relative to each other in accordance with movement of the spine between the points to which the linkage is attached, and transducers connected to the linkage arms provide electrical signals which can be processed to provide video, printed and/or auditory indications of the spinal movements. One embodiment, which is particularly adapted for sports testing such as golf swing analysis includes a transducer such as a gyroscope which permits measurements to be taken with respect to an absolute or fixed reference such as the ground.

Abstract: A joint device is provided for treating a patient who is unable to flex and extend an arm, leg or other jointed member through its normal range of movement about the patient's joint. The joint device includes two extending sidearms. Each sidearm is secured by a sleeve, cast, brace or the like to the patient's limb so that the sidearms are on opposite sides of the afflicted joint. The joint device pivotally connects the two sidearms, and includes a selectively actuated one-way clutch which allows movement in one direction while inhibiting it in the other.

Abstract: A separation and transfer apparatus for use in an electronic test system for testing electronic devices such as IC's, and the like. The apparatus has a housing for holding in a horizontal position, a magazine containing such electronic devices, an air blower for blowing compressed air at the electronic devices at an angle through a slit of the magazine so that the electronic devices are separated from one another and urged in a desired direction, a piston pin for insertion into a space developed between the last electronic device in the magazine and one end of the magazine, an advancing apparatus for changing the horizontal position of the air blower and the piston pin and for expelling the electronic devices from the magazine, and a controller for controlling the timing of the air blowing, the movement of the advancing apparatus, and the operation of the piston pin.

Abstract: The performance of a silicon photovoltaic cell is improved while process yield is maintained by first forming doped regions in a major surface of a silicon wafer and providing electrical interconnections to the doped regions prior to thinning the wafer by etching another major surface of the wafer. A passivating antireflection layer is applied to the etched surface after the surface is precleaned. The precleaning can be by ammonia plasma applied in situ as a precursor to depositing silicon nitride as the passivation layer.

Abstract: An improved textured surface of a photovoltaic device is provided by an anisotropic etching process in which pyramidal structures are formed on a silicon surface having a (100) crystallographic orientation. An aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide is heated to approximately 85.degree. C. whereupon isopropyl alcohol is added. Separated silicon wafers are immersed in the solution for approximately 45 minutes. The wafers can be agitated for a limited time in the solution, and preferably the wafers and solution are covered during the etching step. The resulting pyramids are on the order of 14 microns high and 20 microns on each side of the base. The overlap of the pyramids provides desired random locations for the pyramids.

Abstract: A method of monitoring for contaminants in highly elongate textile product such as yarn includes diffusely applying light to the yarn and monitoring light reflected by the yarn. The yarn is drawn past a background therefor and light is diffusely applied to both the yarn and said background. The background is arranged so that the total amount of monitored light reflected from the yarn and the background is substantially independent of the dimensions and density of the yarn and of the distribution of constituents in the yarn. In this way, a prescribed change in the reflected light intensity indicates a selected contaminant or range of contaminants in the yarn. The background is conveniently provided by an elongate channel so as to be close behind and to each side of the yarn.

Abstract: A portable Karate breaking-board holder, having an elongated-shaped frame, having an elongated top plate, elongated bottom plate spaced beneath the top plate and an elongated fence plate perpendicularly disposed between and attached to both the top and bottom plates. The fence plate defines distal and proximal recesses between the top and bottom plates. The breaking-board holder further includes board seating mechanism disposed along the distal edges of the top and bottom plates for seating at least one breaking-board in a plane at an angle to a plane perpendicular to one of the top and bottom plates. The breaking-board holder further includes an attaching mechanism coupled to the I-shaped frame which secures at least one breaking board to the distal edges to said top and bottom plates. Finally, handles are coupled to the I-shaped frame within the proximal recess.

Abstract: A vectographic guide device for an injection needle in discolysis procedures the device having a target structure and a positioning component on which a guide mount for a needle guide is attached, the target structure and positioning component being supported by an adjustment mechanism attached to an operating table for locating and the target structure and positioning component is a desired location over to operating table, the positioning component having a tracking mechanism to locate the guide mount on the locus of a partial spherical surface area having a center coincident with a target point defined by the target structure.

Abstract: An adjustable, radiolucent table for radioscopic examination of a medical patient lying thereon, the table including a radiolucent top, floor support structure connected at each end to the top of the support structure having apparatus permitting bidirectional movement of the table top enabling accurate movement of a patient thereon with respect to a radioscopic source, particularly for use in discolosis procedures.

Abstract: An anatomic fracture brace mechanism for knee braces to provide lateral restraint and delimited supportive motion of the knee joint permitting weight bearing ambulation of the patient during healing of leg fractures or other traumas, a fracture brace being constructed with a brace mechanism utilizing an asymmetrical four-bar, cross-linkage to follow, as closely as mechanically practical, the polycentric motion of the human knee.