Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an electrical connector having a side wall defining a lumen and an elongate opening. The lumen is configured to receive at least a conductive portion of an electronic implant. The elongate opening divides the side wall into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the side wall is configured to move relative to the second portion of the side wall between a first position and a second position. The first portion of the side wall is electrically conductive and includes a protrusion. The protrusion is configured to contact the conductive portion of the electronic implant such that the conductive portion of the electronic implant is electrically coupled to the first portion of the side wall when the first portion of the side wall is in the second position.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an electrical connector having a side wall defining a lumen and an elongate opening. The lumen is configured to receive at least a conductive portion of an electronic implant. The elongate opening divides the side wall into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the side wall is configured to move relative to the second portion of the side wall between a first position and a second position. The first portion of the side wall is electrically conductive and includes a protrusion. The protrusion is configured to contact the conductive portion of the electronic implant such that the conductive portion of the electronic implant is electrically coupled to the first portion of the side wall when the first portion of the side wall is in the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a coupling portion, a bioerodible anchor portion and a bioerodable retainer. The coupling portion is configured to be coupled to an electrical conductor. The bioerodible retention portion is adjacent to the coupling portion and is moveable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The bioerodible retention portion is configured to anchor the electrical conductor with respect to body tissue when the bioerodible retention portion is in its expanded configuration. The bioerodible anchor portion is formulated to erode when disposed within the body tissue at a first rate. The bioerodible retainer is coupled to the bioerodible anchor portion and is configured to inhibit movement of the bioerodible anchor portion from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration. The bioerodible retainer is formulated to erode when disposed within the body tissue at a second rate greater than the first rate.

Abstract: A personal protective suit for a wearer includes a hood portion located generally above the wearer's neck and at least partially enveloping the wearer's nose and mouth, a body portion located generally below the wearer's neck and at least partially enveloping the wearer's torso, an air delivery system that can deliver air to the hood portion, a vent that can permit gasses to escape from the body portion, and a partial flow restriction between the hood portion and body portion of the suit. The partial flow restriction permits gasses to pass from the hood portion to the body portion while reducing carbon dioxide levels in front of the wearer's mouth. The suit can be fabricated without requiring a face piece.

Abstract: A pouch is provided for the blower unit of a powered air-purifying respirator system, to isolate the blower unit from hazardous material such as potentially-explosive dust or gas. The pouch has an opening at one end through which the blower unit can be inserted into the pouch, and is shaped at the other end to receive the blower unit. It also has air inlet openings positioned to register with air inlets of the blower and permit the connection of the filter cartridges thereto, and an air outlet opening positioned to register with the air outlet of the blower unit and permit the connection thereto of a breathing tube of the respirator system. When the blower unit is inside the pouch, seals at the pouch openings inhibit or prevent particulate or gaseous material from entering the pouch through the openings.

Abstract: A personal containment system includes a generally fluid-tight barrier and a powered air delivery system. The blower is generally isolated from the outer environment and draws purified air from a filter in fluid communication with the blower and generally located outside the containment system. A sealed port between the blower and filter provides a generally fluid tight connection to the barrier and blower during filter replacement. Leakage of contaminants into the system is minimized, and limited to materials that might enter the blower inlet. The blower inlet remains accessible during filter replacement, thereby speeding and simplifying the filter replacement process.

Abstract: A personal protective suit for a wearer includes a hood portion located generally above the wearer's neck and at least partially enveloping the wearer's nose and mouth, a body portion located generally below the wearer's neck and at least partially enveloping the wearer's torso, an air delivery system that can deliver air to the hood portion, a vent that can permit gasses to escape from the body portion, and a partial flow restriction between the hood portion and body portion of the suit. The partial flow restriction permits gasses to pass from the hood portion to the body portion while reducing carbon dioxide levels in front of the wearer's mouth. The suit can be fabricated without requiring a face piece.

Abstract: A personal containment system includes a generally fluid-tight barrier and a powered air delivery system. The blower is generally isolated from the outer environment and draws purified air from a filter in fluid communication with the blower and generally located outside the containment system. A sealed port between the blower and filter provides a generally fluid tight connection to the barrier and blower during filter replacement. Leakage of contaminants into the system is minimized, and limited to materials that might enter the blower inlet. The blower inlet remains accessible during filter replacement, thereby speeding and simplifying the filter replacement process.

Abstract: A pouch is provided for the blower unit of a powered air-purifying respirator system, to isolate the blower unit from hazardous material such as potentially-explosive dust or gas. The pouch has an opening at one end through which the blower unit can be inserted into the pouch, and is shaped at the other end to receive the blower unit. It also has air inlet openings positioned to register with air inlets of the blower and permit the connection of the filter cartridges thereto, and an air outlet opening positioned to register with the air outlet of the blower unit and permit the connection thereto of a breathing tube of the respirator system. When the blower unit is inside the pouch, sealing means at the pouch openings inhibit or prevent particulate or gaseous material from entering the pouch through the openings.

Abstract: A personal containment system is disclosed. The personal containment system includes a generally fluid-tight barrier having an inner surface and an outer surface. The generally fluid tight barrier is adapted to at least partially define an inner environment interfacing with the inner surface, and an outer environment interfacing with the outer surface. The personal containment system also includes an air delivery system powered by a blower connected through the generally fluid-tight barrier. The blower is generally isolated from the outer environment and draws purified air from a filter in fluid communication with the blower that is located outside of the containment. Air from the outer environment is passed into the inner environment by the blower through a filter and exhausted through a one-way valve or a exhaust filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fan-forced positive pressure breathing apparatus commonly known as a Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR) system, and specifically concerns the connecting of the breathing components of such equipment. The invention is a method and apparatus for rapid engagement of PAPR breathing components (such as air supply lines and filter elements to a blower housing). The invention also provides for indicating and/or monitoring whether the relative components have been aligned and coupled in sealed engagement.

Abstract: An improved anti-dust helmet comprising a shell spaced from the wearer's head by a supporting harness and provided with a transparent visor sealed at the sides to the wearer's face. Between the helmet shell and the wearer's head there is a sealing member extending continuously from the visor seals around the upper occipital part of the wearer's head. The sealing member is formed of a soft and resilient material and is so formed that the edge of the sealing member that rests against the wearer's head approaches the head at an acute angle. The sealing member may be fabricated or moulded from natural or synthetic rubber or from other elastomeric materials.

Abstract: A protective visor comprises an arcuately curved frame having an aperture arranged to accept an arcuately flexed rectangular sheet of resilient transparent material. The sheet is retained in the frame by lugs extending into the aperture at staggered positions on the inner and outer margins of the upper and lower frame bars and has at the sides of the aperture recesses in the frame side bars into which the lateral edges of the transparent sheet will snap. The sheet may be of transparent polycarbonate and the frame of either transparent or opaque polycarbonate. Preferably the frame has at its upper corners hinge members for attachment to a protective helmet.