Abstract: A light source causes hollow objects to glow in the dark (GID), thereby extending the operating period of light-activated materials in gazing globes and other decorative or ornamental objects. The light source may be provided as part of a conversion kit, enabling objects from different manufacturers to be converted to GID objects following purchase. A base unit includes the light emitter supported to illuminate the object from the inside out. The base unit further includes at least one solar panel facing into the interior of the object, and one or more batteries charged by the solar panel to power the light emitter. A device is used to couple the base unit to the rim of the object. In the preferred embodiment, the device for coupling the base unit to the rim of the object is an elastomeric ring that stretches over the rim of the object, thereby forming a seal.

Abstract: A needle tip protective device for use with percutaneous entry needles. In one embodiment, the needle tip protective device includes a needle guard slidably mounted on a hypodermic needle, the latter having a needle tip located at the distal end thereof, and a change of profile formed medially there along. The needle guard is movable along the hypodermic needle and engageable with the change in profile formed thereon. The engagement with the change in profile is configured to correspond with the ability of the needle trap to entrap the needle tip once the needle trap has advanced the sufficient distance distally along the hypodermic needle. In further refinements, the needle trap may be biased toward the distal needle tip of the needle.

Abstract: A system for illuminating a potted plant, statuary or other decorative articles comprises a base having a plurality of lighting units disposed around the periphery thereof to illuminate the article from below. The base may be circular, having a diameter in the range of 10 to 24 inches. A solar panel generates electricity from sunlight to charge a battery, and switching circuitry interconnects the battery to the lighting units when ambient light falls to a predetermined level. Each lighting unit may be integrally formed with the base, permanently or removably attached to the base, or coupled to the periphery of the base through one or more articulating joints and/or telescoping arms. The base may include a peripheral lip, thereby forming a water-holding tray to support a potted plant. The solar panel, battery and photodetector may be disposed in a remote housing and interconnected to the lights through electrical wiring.

Abstract: A needle tip protective device for use with percutaneous entry needles. In one embodiment, the needle tip protective device includes a needle guard slidably mounted on a hypodermic needle, the latter having a needle tip located at the distal end thereof, and a change of profile formed medially there along. The needle guard is movable along the hypodermic needle and engageable with the change in profile formed thereon. The engagement with the change in profile is configured to correspond with the ability of the needle trap to entrap the needle tip once the needle trap has advanced the sufficient distance distally along the hypodermic needle. In further refinements, the needle trap may be biased toward the distal needle tip of the needle.

Abstract: A solar-powered illuminator for hanging plants or other articles includes a housing having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an interior. One or more solar panel are disposed on the upper surface of the housing, and one or more light emitters configured to provide downward illumination from the lower surface of the housing. An upper connector is disposed at or above the upper surface of the housing, and a lower connector is disposed at or below the lower surface of the housing. A central member, oriented vertically through the housing, has an upper end coupled to the upper connector and a lower end coupled to the lower connector such that, when the housing is suspended using the upper connector and a load in the form of a hanging plant is suspended from the lower connector, the weight of the load carried by the central member instead of the housing.

Abstract: A needle tip protective device for use with percutaneous entry needles. In one embodiment, the needle tip protective device includes a needle guard slidably mounted on a hypodermic needle, the latter having a needle tip located at the distal end thereof, and a change of profile formed medially there along. The needle guard is movable along the hypodermic needle and engageable with the change in profile formed thereon. The engagement with the change in profile is configured to correspond with the ability of the needle trap to entrap the needle tip once the needle trap has advanced the sufficient distance distally along the hypodermic needle. In further refinements, the needle trap may be biased toward the distal needle tip of the needle.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for controlled mediation and/or improvement of inflammation, inflammation associated with pain, and pain by delivering non-ablative thermal tissue damage to portions of a region of tissue including a volume of inflamed tissue, thereby activating the immune systems pain relief response to the tissue damage.

Abstract: A needle tip protective device for use with percutaneous entry needles. In one embodiment, the needle tip protective device includes a needle guard slidably mounted on a hypodermic needle, the latter having a needle tip located at the distal end thereof, and a change of profile formed medially there along. The needle guard is movable along the hypodermic needle and engageable with the change in profile formed thereon. The engagement with the change in profile is configured to correspond with the ability of the needle trap to entrap the needle tip once the needle trap has advanced the sufficient distance distally along the hypodermic needle. In further refinements, the needle trap may be biased toward the distal needle tip of the needle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are introduced for determining proportional cardiac output (CO), absolute left atrial pressure (LAP), and/or other important hemodynamic variables from a contour of a circulatory pressure waveform or related signal. Certain embodiments of the invention provided herein include the mathematical analysis of a pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) waveform or a right ventricular pressure (RVP) waveform in order to determine beat-to-beat or time-averaged proportional CO, proportional pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), and/or LAP. The invention permits continuous and automatic monitoring of critical hemodynamic variables with a level of invasiveness suitable for routine clinical application. The invention may be utilized, for example, to continuously monitor critically ill patients with pulmonary artery catheters installed and chronically monitor heart failure patients instrumented with implanted devices for measuring RVP.

Abstract: A needle tip protective device for use with percutaneous entry needles. In one embodiment, the needle tip protective device includes a needle guard slidably mounted on a hypodermic needle, the latter having a needle tip located at the distal end thereof, and a change of profile formed medially there along. The needle guard is movable along the hypodermic needle and engageable with the change in profile formed thereon. The engagement with the change in profile is configured to correspond with the ability of the needle trap to entrap the needle tip once the needle trap has advanced the sufficient distance distally along the hypodermic needle. In further refinements, the needle trap may be biased toward the distal needle tip of the needle.

Abstract: A birdbath fountain includes a water reservoir and recirculating system. Water for the fountain is pumped from the reservoir, with the excess water from the bowl being returned to the reservoir, thereby allowing for a bowl which remains full or at a consistent depth for a longer period of time, including periods of dry or windy weather conditions. In the preferred configuration, the bowl has a depth defined by an outer raised rim and an inner raised rim. A water-containing reservoir having a depth greater than the depth of the bowl resides within the inner raised rim. An electrically operated submersible pump disposed in the water-containing reservoir is operative to pump water from the reservoir to the fountain head, after which the water returns to the bowl. At least one notch in the inner raised rim provides a fluid path from the bowl back to the reservoir, thereby keeping the water level of the bowl substantially constant.

Abstract: A system for illuminating a potted plant, statuary or other decorative articles comprises a base having a plurality of lighting units disposed around the periphery thereof to illuminate the article from below. The base may be circular, having a diameter in the range of 10 to 24 inches. A solar panel generates electricity from sunlight to charge a battery, and switching circuitry interconnects the battery to the lighting units when ambient light falls to a predetermined level. Each lighting unit may be integrally formed with the base, permanently or removably attached to the base, or coupled to the periphery of the base through one or more articulating joints and/or telescoping arms. The base may include a peripheral lip, thereby forming a water-holding tray to support a potted plant. The solar panel, battery and photodetector may be disposed in a remote housing and interconnected to the lights through electrical wiring.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying and deploying a protective cover about a percutaneous puncture site formed by a hypodermic needle. In the preferred embodiment, a marking agent or puncture site covering, the latter of which preferably takes the form of a bandage, is releasably secured upon either the needle hub of the hypodermic needle or on a sliding member or sleeve axially moveable along the length of said needle that forms a marking or detaches therefrom once compressed about the puncture site.

Abstract: A light source causes hollow objects to glow in the dark (GID), thereby extending the operating period of light-activated materials in gazing globes and other decorative or ornamental objects. The light source may be provided as part of a conversion kit, enabling objects from different manufacturers to be converted to GID objects following purchase. A base unit includes the light emitter supported to illuminate the object from the inside out. The base unit further includes at least one solar panel facing into the interior of the object, and one or more batteries charged by the solar panel to power the light emitter. A device is used to couple the base unit to the rim of the object. In the preferred embodiment, the device for coupling the base unit to the rim of the object is an elastomeric ring that stretches over the rim of the object, thereby forming a seal.

Abstract: A portable scale having a collapsed and an extended condition is provided by a pair of rigid beams, each generally elongated with opposing longitudinal ends. A weight sensor is provided proximal each opposing longitudinal end of each beam of the pair. Processing and outputting circuitry is supported by a first beam of the pair, the processing and outputting circuitry being electrically connected with each weight sensor in each of the first beam and second. One or more flexible connectors mechanically and electrically connect together the pair of rigid beams in side by side parallel orientation in a collapsed condition of the scale and in an extended condition of the scale. The flexible connectors are the only permanent physical and operable, mechanical and electrical connections between the pair of rigid beams in the extended condition of the scale.

Abstract: A needle tip protective device for use with percutaneous entry needles. In one embodiment, the needle tip protective device includes a needle guard slidably mounted on a hypodermic needle, the latter having a needle tip located at the distal end thereof, and a change of profile formed medially there along. The needle guard is movable along the hypodermic needle and engageable with the change in profile formed thereon. The engagement with the change in profile is configured to correspond with the ability of the needle trap to entrap the needle tip once the needle trap has advanced the sufficient distance distally along the hypodermic needle. In further refinements, the needle trap may be biased toward the distal needle tip of the needle.

Abstract: Disclosed are medical devices for the prevention and/or treatment of neurological disorders via electrical stimulation, and methods related thereto. The devices may also be utilized to detect disorders before the prevention or treatment of a neurological disorder. These devices are minimally or non-invasive. The present medical devices comprise various components, which include electrodes and control electronics. The electrodes are targeting electrodes constructed from ring type structures or virtually connected disc type arrays. The electrodes are located entirely outside the skull. The present medical devices also comprise one or more subsystems, a control system, a battery unit, and wires connecting the one or more subsystems. These devices may also be used for acute seizure control.

Abstract: A needle tip protective device for use with percutaneous entry needles. In one embodiment, the needle tip protective device includes a needle guard slidably mounted on a hypodermic needle, the latter having a needle tip located at the distal end thereof, and a change of profile formed medially there along. The needle guard is movable along the hypodermic needle and engageable with the change in profile formed thereon. The engagement with the change in profile is configured to correspond with the ability of the needle trap to entrap the needle tip once the needle trap has advanced the sufficient distance distally along the hypodermic needle. In further refinements, the needle trap may be biased toward the distal needle tip of the needle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for treating connective tissue. The method and apparatus includes elongating connective tissue including septa and/or fascia to achieve a lasting improvement (e.g., a long term, durable and/or substantially irreversible treatment of the connective tissue) to improve the appearance of cellulite.